Summer is here! (almost!!)

Life has been so very busy lately, I'm either wrapping another gift, cooking a birthday meal or going to someone's show at school.  I can't complain because these are all wonderful events I wouldn't miss for anything but my family has a ton of birthdays starting in May, coupled with mother's, day, father's day, graduations and anniversaries, we always tease that by June's end we have family burnout!  I have managed to add new items to the site but there has been a lot of great things coming in the store and flying out I have been wishing I could share everything with you..... I have been bringing in many things for your summer or just relaxed homes.  Visitors to the store have been shown the ideas for those pieces I have acquired both large and small.  For your own needs or to bring when you are a lucky house guest, one of a kind antique and vintage pieces add personality or warmth to today's home, necessary with modern trends.  Remember we also discount the wonderful Vanguard upholstery line 25% off retail. Every time I add a piece to my inventory I have just the right idea of how it should be used or where it should be placed.  Feel free to email me, as many of you do, with the question "I love this, where do you think I should put it?" there are so very many items in the store I would love to share my thoughts on why I bought them. This Swedish style cocktail table with its multi-layered paint finish has the clean, yet warm look to compliment a modern sofa....price $845.00.  H 21 w 46 d 32 This is a hand rubbed waxed primitive cabinet, original paint, with 3 shelves inside...the depth is only 14 1/2"  price $1700.00.    A great piece that will fit anywhere and so functional with the clean interior. The hotel silver creamers on top are great gifts to bring.  My sister says it's one of her favorite things at the beach.  Her morning coffee with milk from the hotel silver.  Even though the bagels are in a brown bag sometimes, the silver adds a special nature to our morning cup.... I found these terracotta platters in France and, with the sharpening stone in front, would all make earthy one of a kind servers for cheese. Old lanterns look wonderful lighting a path or illuminating your outdoor tables....nothing like relaxing outside at night with the flickering of candles from a lantern with nice patina... We were discussing barware at the shop the other day and why we love it so much.  It's not that we are such big drinkers but the site of a cocktail shaker on a tray, glasses and a bar cart reflect a celebrated event, somewhat refined and always festive. I have learned there are a lot of us that would rather not have a cocktail if we have to have it in a paper or plastic cup. (Using glass is better for the environment, too) In addition to many trays, shakers and decanters in the current inventory is this vintage iron outdoor bar cart ...a great look on the porch or poolside. Price $725.00 A wheelbarrow can double as a beverage cooler but when the guest list is a little smaller the many zinc and galvanized vessels at the shop, below, are great focal points for a summer gathering.  other pieces are available also in zinc, silver and glass. Zinc and galvanized vessels from France (price $165-$225.00) are great for flip flops at the door, too!  The cast stone books, above can be happy outdoors... I found this store cabinet in Belgium...it has deep drawers, original paint and would look great in a big kitchen or family/ living room...special price $1800.00 from  $3400.00 Who could resist the clear imperfect glass of the hand blown pickle jars I brought back from Belgium...a welcomed hostess gift for their many uses...as a vase, a catch all for menus or  soaps even with sand and a candle for summer, and as a decorative element shown below filled with hand blown floats. I still love white ironstone for serving, especially in summer...glass and enamel cake plates available, hotel dessert dishes and a very useful 3 tier zinc stand for fruit, shell collections, sunscreen or even a flower arrangement...the weathered antique garden terrarium would add personality to any dining or console table . I have stock on these artisan stone topped iron cocktail tables and they have been VERY popular. ....the  current design of the base in its light distressed finish has a light open feel. The stone adds importance but the distressed nature adds warmth. Available in 2 sizes 37 or 40 inch diameter. Pricing is $1350.00 and $1550.00 Baskets are always available in many sizes and have many uses including beach towels, logs, toys not to mention adding much needed tactile texture in any room. Above shown with these very popular grain sack style conversation pillows, a terrific fun gift priced from $28.00-$55.00. Just in is "GO JUMP IN THE LAKE" pillows. Another version of the available artisan stone top tables $1395.00-$1495.00 in several sizes and square. This is also available in the softer color iron finish on the round one above. This Vanguard slipcovered loveseat is on sale for less than half price.  With the retail price at $3880.00, it's a steal for $1850.00 . Slipcovers are the best solution for your active homes, just  remove for cleaning. The box framed genuine sea fan is reduced to $85.00. Fun vintage hand painted mermaid bowl (great for salsa) and vintage naughty glasses sure to be the fun focal point when these are on the bar. The bikini clad beauties are in the nude when viewed from the inside.....so silly! GREAT NEWS!!! Dash and Albert has added wonderful new styles of rugs, many in indoor outdoor, a few shown above.. .. I cheered when I opened the dark grey square above and I also love the wide stripe which is available in 11 colors... Shown above is an indoor outdoor sample like a sisal called ROPE in the color charcoal. Dash and Albert came out with this to compete with the sisal, seagrass craze but I feel they one upped the natural fiber by making it polyproplylene. (no fraying) Rope comes in about 9 colors including ivory, wheat and white. Even the light colors will stay bright with the polypropylene content.  Dash and Albert even states you can bleach  these and they are colorfast..... Most all are in stock and are delivered pronto!   There are many more pieces ready for immediate delivery at the shop, please go to my website to see new postings and sign up to receive my updates blog form.  When I get 50 sign ups on the blog I will offer a giveaway to those of you listed. Happy Summer Days!! Warmest regards, Bonny    Bonny Neiman Antiques & Artisan  p.973-714-4541 www.bonnyneiman.com    Trouvaille 12 Beechwood Road  Summit, NJ Monday-Saturday 10-5:30

New website items added and Community resources!!

I am so lucky to have a shop in Summit, NJ .  Everything you could possibly want in your community is here. Beautiful homes, great schools, an active downtown with wonderful restaurants and stores and that's not all.  Aside from loving to go to work each day because our customers are wonderful, Summit has an ever rotating collection of public art. Every few weeks these unique public sculptures erected in the downtown area change to expose all residents to new art on a regular basis.  While you are shuttling your kids to practice or the tutor or their many activities they are gazing out the car window viewing inspirational artworks from our country's many talented artists. This opportunity is so very exciting to me. To gain an appreciation of creativity and art is a gift that will benefit each of us and our children forever. While we are encouraging our kids to get ahead for the job market we also are exposing them to a lifelong appreciation of art.  This appreciation is something to draw on forever and will ALWAYS be an available source of joy no matter what the economy. An all volunteer committee, Summit Public Art is solely funded through private donations and grants. No funding is provided by the city of Summit and they rely on the townspeople and their generous support to bring new inspiring art to the community in public places. After interviewing many artists from across the country and reviewing their plans and drawings a welcome tree sculpture will be permanently erected at the town's border. The Summit Public Art committee is currently seeking donations to fund this important vibrant tree sculpture to mark the entry of our wonderful community. If you would like to help please email......summitpublicarts@gmail.com or drop your donation when you visit the store at 12 Beechwood Road. Another community announcement is about Karen Franklin who rescued my totally overgrown and out of control landscape this past Fall.  Karen worked side by side with my macho landscaper in designing and purchasing new plants and pruning and replanting ones I already had. I get totally overwhelmed when faced with all the gorgeous plants at a garden center and I didn't even have to go once.  With her eye on the budget Karen carefully designed and went to the nursery to handpick my plants and shrubs and managed the whole project. She sent regular emails updating the progress and we discussed decisions via email. I am thrilled with the clean, natural look of my landscaping and love the way it is maturing. She chose different textures and different shades of green to compliment the Rock walls and paths I have. Karen also creates beautiful containers and window boxes. If you would like to reach this talented Mt. Lakes  NJ resident you can email her at kkf328@aol.com And now another great resource.....I noticed in some photos my kitchen floor had totally changed color.  When I stared at the photo I couldn't  believe I didn't notice it happening until I saw it in print.  It was totally horrible....my limestone was even black in the tiny holes and divots I had once loved.  I so regretted choosing a wide joint as I was now criss crossed in black lines.  I called Stanley Steemer but they would not risk doing anything to stone so I called The Grout Guy. Brian, The Grout Guy worked on his hands and knees and in one day completely acid washed and sealed my stone floor. I was ecstatic!!  Before I hired him he warned me it could "damage" the stone by taking off the shine.  I assured him I LOVE antiques and the worn look of something naturally aged.  He reminded me of the fabricators who 15 years ago told me to NEVER get a marble kitchen island top because it would show wear and I would be unhappy.  I like the worn nature of natural stone and it doesn't bother me and I am once again in LOVE with my floor. It photographed a little yellow here..it's really more white.  To contact Brian, The Grout Guy, you can call him in Chatham, NJ at 973-634-7384.          Enjoy these terrific resources.  Both Karen and Brian could not have been more pleasant to deal with.  I would also like to thank interior designer Phyllis Trevor Higgerson.  Phyllis made a point of visiting the store on Friday on her way down to a big barn sale in Virginia. She was on a road trip solo in hunt for terrific antiques all the way from Vermont!  Please check out her gorgeous website and blog here (Henhurst Interiors Blog) I was so very surprised to see her posting about her visit to Trouvaille as well as her trip south. Blogs provide such inspiration. If you have any questions about this email or any of the new items on the website feel free to email me regarding delivery or extra info.  Thank you always for your support, I appreciate it very much. Warmest regards, Bonny    Bonny Neiman Antiques & Artisan  p.973-714-4541 www.bonnyneiman.com    Trouvaille 12 Beechwood Road  Summit, NJ Monday-Saturday 10-5:30