East Hampton Show and new items added!!

One of the reasons I love the Hamptons is each weekend there are so many opportunities to be surrounded by beautiful things.  It's hard for me to choose what to attend with the many extraordinary shows but as you can expect I never miss an antique show and the Mulford Farm show in East Hampton is my favorite.   American history has always interested me and when on the historic grounds I strongly feel the American connection. We all know what Ralph Lauren has done to preserve the vintage American look and he is the sponsor of the show. Antiques are set up both inside the buildings and outside. The paths are lined with crushed seashells... Refreshment area East Hampton style complete with fresh sandwiches and fruit all served on crisp tablecloths with hydrangea centerpieces, everyone's favorite! (except Madonna, right?) My friend Gary always has interesting things. This antique pelican on its pedestal will grace one of the areas fabulous gardens.  Even though I went early I was glad to see a remarkable number of items sold. Notice all the vintage modern pieces with the antiques. Another stone bird also sold... This 19th century table spoke to me with its triangle shape, medium brown color and spiral legs...also sold. I think beach houses cry out for primitives especially in the Hamptons.  The shaded tree lined streets and the historical buildings and windmills create the perfect settings for antiques. The sawbuck table above and the window frame would look wonderful in a modern home. This tavern table was also marked sold. Another sold statue most likely will be displayed on a console table. Notice the antique windows creating interest over the vintage modern sofa. (I see my husband's reflection in the mirror, ha! A cameo!) This vendor had an interesting booth.  The low table is covered in sheet metal and the round spiny wall hangings are brushes from a street sweeper. A few minutes later I saw someone carrying one away. The moose antlers create a bowl for the seed pods. An 18th century threshing tool mounted on iron is now a sculpture. My hunt for the last few months are for these whimsical chairs of which I have a rare few available on the website.  They are really sculptures and wonderful conversation pieces. These 2 also sold. There were Palm Beach style booths as well and many with spectacular one of a kind jewelry.  A tradition at Mulford Farms is also big prices. I died when I saw this as I have been looking for one exactly like this antique French beauty.  I will post a picture as soon as Rog hangs it on my front porch...had to have it!! Vintage flags are iconic in summer homes and hanging one really creates the all American summers we crave.  The linens are an addiction, don't you think? My niece, Zoe, decided to escort me on her bike when I went running the second day of the show so I dragged her to the show to point out the flags for a quick exposure to American history.  We also stopped in the cemetery to look at the headstones, some from the 1600's. And now from the shop.... To celebrate summer AND the Olympics this framed vintage linen flag with hand sewn stripes and stars (29 x 41) is specially priced for my readers at $675.00. One available in this size. This box framed vintage flag (h 29 x 18.5) is also specially priced for my readers at $225.00. One available.  My first outdoor show was at Mulford Farms years ago.  I'll always remember how I felt selling a piece of art to Jon Bon Jovi and his wife and not realizing it was them until they paid!! Many of you email me to write about my family in addition to my regular posts on interiors and antiques.  I am amazed at the comments I receive about how much you enjoy these postings (don't know how much my sisters enjoy them) but I have decided to include a picture or comment at the end of each blog letter sometimes. At dinner last weekend I sat across from my adorable nephew, Jake, and at the end of the meal he announced "well, I finished a whole ear of corn without teeth!"   Enjoy summer times and the new items posted to the site, here!! We are closed Sundays and Mondays in July and August. Happy Summer Days!! Warmest regards, Bonny    Bonny Neiman Antiques & Artisan  p.973-714-4541 www.bonnyneiman.com    Trouvaille 12 Beechwood Road  Summit, NJ Summer Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5:30

ART SALE! And how to hang it!!

I always say if we didn't have guests over we would never get our artwork hung as sometimes banging that nail in the wall can be a little intimidating.  When I was single I would take the piece of art or architectural to my local hardware store and ask them what hook I should use .They would ask me what type of wall I had and I was clueless but by revealing the age of my home the proper hanger was purchased and they were never wrong!  Everything truly takes a village, right?? Nowadays, my husband "freelances" as I call it when I have been mentioning  (nagging) that I need the art hung and without even consulting me on placement , throws beautiful pieces up on the walls just because he likes to "get it done" without my careful (prolonged) input.  I'll walk into a room after coming back from errands and say, " wait! You didn't tell me you were hanging the art " and he'll say, "well, it's done".  My brother- in -law does the same thing...usually too high, right?   can't stand it!! Well, with a few pointers and a little planning we can get all your art off the floor tonight! A great piece of art can transform a room from so so to spectacular! First off let me say when framing art I have always indulged in good frames.  I like my customers to take the art home and hang it, not concern themselves with costly re-framing.  Always pick the frame for the piece not for the room.  If a frame is chosen to represent the work of art they will both together enhance the room like a piece of jewelry. I personally do not care for colored mats preferring whites, off whites and sometimes a light taupe.  I DO however swoon for an antique French blue mat and always preserve these. Tip - For prints the mat should be about 2 1/2-3 inches on each side but you should always take into consideration the print or drawing itself. The prominent piece in the picture above is the mirror and the 2 pair of abstracts have correctly been hung close to the chests. Tip - Avoid the common mistake of thinking nothing should be in front of the art. The art should not float well above the accessories and furniture in this case but rather create an intimate vignette as shown above. This was a challenge, above, to hang an uneven number of botanicals on a slanted wall. They correctly lined up the tops of the arts to follow the ceiling and then continued the line hanging the single drawing and then had that line up with the center of the starburst mirror over the bed. Tip - when hanging art of different sizes around the room, pictures should be lined up by their center lines, not the top. A series of prints can create a dramatic look and read as one artwork statement when framed in the same molding. Without furniture anchoring this series the height of the entire wall is most important. Tip - when a series is free hanging the measurement of the height of the wall is very important. Also the space between them should be identical and be about 2 - 2 1/2 inches. When the pieces used in a grouping vary in size the distance between them varies but should still have a consistent sense, like 3-4 inches between them on each side.  Leaning art, as on the mantle above, is a great look and also allows you to move pieces from one room to another. Tip - arranging art on the floor first is very helpful .  The large piece usually is in the center and then work up and out focusing on balance and symmetry with each piece. This modern series above, hung less than an inch apart, reads as one continuous artistic statement. You can create drama and interest by hanging the art unconventionally as the designer Katja Vanderloo did above by hanging the nude oil painting in front of the curtains on the window frame. This is a beautiful look with the diffused light coming through from behind the piece. Tip - A single piece of art or the main piece in a grouping should be hung at eye level. Art can successfully be hung on patterned wallpaper as long as the pattern is not of the same scale or there's a nice size mat around the art. A series of prints can make a big statement without your having to make a big investment. I had to use my favorite vignette again (don't know where I originally found it). The prints are hung higher than the mirror but do not confuse the importance.  This mirror is THE most important piece in the vignette. I LOVE the modern benches contrasting with the very old pieces, too. Tip - in a hallway hang art only on one side as it is unpleasant to try and view both sides and also closes in the space. And now the fun part....A summer ART SALE!!!  Shown  below are beautiful pieces of art ALL MEDIUM SIZED I have available, offered to you with a never before discount of 30% and more. Please email me with questions. Sizes etc. 1.  Vintage  abstract oil painting, signed from France Originally $495.00  on sale for $350.00 2.  Vintage oil on panel from France originally $395.00 on sale for $275.00 3.  A vintage pen and ink still life originally $425.00 on sale for $285.00 4.  A vintage print of  antique urns originally $245.00 ea. on sale for $95.00 each.  I have several of these depicting different urns. 5.  A gorgeous 19th century oil on panel with the moon reflecting on the water originally $625.00 on sale for $438.00 6.  Vintage ink drawing from France orig $575.00 on sale for $395.00 7.  Modern acrylic impressionist landscape orig. $375.00 on sale for $262.00 8.  Vintage black ink village orig. $275.00 on sale for $175.00 9.  Lovely watercolor with sailboat....REALLY beautiful and peaceful scene from France orig. $395.00 on sale for $315.00. 10.  19th Century oil on panel beautiful landscape newly framed in faux bamboo orig. 235.00 on sale for $160.00 11.  Detailed vintage watercolor harbor scene orig. $545.00 on sale for $ 380.00 12. Impressionist landscape by Rhode Island artist Alberto Pasquale orig. $675.00 on sale for $465.00 13.  Beautiful vintage impressionist watercolor from the north of France, newly framed in burnished silver orig. 495.00 on sale for $325.00 14.  19th century classical oil painting of sailboats in the harbor. France orig. $575.00 on sale for $402.00 15.   19th century gilt framed watercolor from France of a French farm with haystacks. Orig. $245.00 on sale for $171.00 16.   Vintage oil on panel of haystacks, France, orig. $395.00 on sale for $275.00 17.   Vintage pen and ink wash impressionist still life orig. $275.00 on sale for $192.00 18.  Vintage watercolor still life signed by French artist J. Moser orig. $595.00 on sale for $415.00 19.  Vintage oil on panel European village from France orig. $545.00 on sale for $380.00 20.  An original French business document, hand written and hand stamped orig. $145.00 ea. on sale for $101.00 21.   Another  19th century hand written business document from France orig. $145.00 ea, this one is on sale for $65.00 22.  19th century oil on panel in antique walnut Frame orig. $475.00 on sale for $332.00 PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make inquiries by the number before each piece's description. And don't forget many of these pieces would look great on that difficult narrow wall, on an easel stand, on your book shelves or under a lamp and even in the powder room where attention is sometimes focused on a small wall and a nice piece of art will make a pleasant impact. There is some really nice art here and I would be happy to answer any questions or send details. We are closed Sundays and Mondays in July and August. Happy Summer Days!! Warmest regards, Bonny    Bonny Neiman Antiques & Artisan  p.973-714-4541 www.bonnyneiman.com    Trouvaille 12 Beechwood Road  Summit, NJ Summer Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5:30