New arrivals and THE CURIOUS CHAIR!

THE CURIOUS CHAIR.......     A few of us at the shop have a chair obsession.  Where women oooh and aaah over jewelry we go gaga for a great chair. (let me own up to the fact that I also oooh and aaah over nice jewelry)  I digress.....Who can forget that caramel leather corner chair with the light greyish paint I brought back from France?  It was at the shop for 5 minutes and found a home with one of our dearest customers.  (I love when that happens)  It's also fun when a customer will reveal that they, too have the chair crazies. You should see us as we stand admiring the chair as if it's an adorable baby, so silly. My latest fetish are single antique chairs really not for heavy use....they act as sculptures against a wall or pulled up to a vanity. Just as you would place an object of art ON your console table these wonderful, unique, curious chairs are art placed NEXT  to the console.  Some of them are quirky enough to be conversation pieces. When I saw this picture of Axel Vervoordt's warehouse I fell in love with these old carved Swedish chairs and also felt he probably has been collecting them for years as they are hard to find.  Check out the one I have available, below. Available......19th century Oak Hall Chair. SWEDEN. H 39 w 14.25 d 16.  Price  $795.00 These fun carved chairs were sold right away at the East Hampton antique show. Available......19th century Savonarola Chair from Italy with original hand tooled leather seat and large nailheads. Make sure you notice the figures carved at the top. H 36 w 29 d 21.5.  Price $845.00 I forget who posted this picture but it was probably one of the blogs I follow listed to the left.  The quatrefoil chairs flanking the fireplace look wonderful.  Their shape adds such interest. Available are these vintage fan back chairs, look at the little circle pillows, adorable!  (use your imagination with the dated upholstery) Covered in the right fabric they would add style AND whimsy to any room. Vintage Fruitwood Fan Back Chairs. H 42 w 24 d 22.     Price $595.00 the pair I had to include the ultra feminine Louis XV boudoir chair. Available......This gilded chair photographed darker than it really is but stacked with fresh towels in the bath or with a throw and books in the boudoir spells romance and sweet dreams. It is newly covered in 19th century homespun linen. Antique Louis XV gilded and caned chair FRANCE. H  36 w 17 d 17.  Price $525.00 The spool chair has been hot for awhile so much so all the new furniture companies are carrying them now. A wonderful antique accent when you can get the real thing.  Popular clean lines au courant but added interest with the spool style. Available......19th century walnut spool chair newly covered in homespun linen.  FRANCE. H 37 w 18.5 d 18.5.  Price.  $595.00 Available......I just LOVE this little guy, talk about adding whimsy!  It  reminds me of ET or a skinny bald man which is JUST the image you want, right? It has many great details....the raised panel oval head,  fluted neck and legs .....see it IS a little person.  My most curious chair , newly covered in 19th century homespun linen with the tape and upholstery tacks. This one is sturdy enough to go in a kids room for those of you who wisely incorporate antiques in your children's rooms. Vintage walnut chair. H 38 w 14 d 14.    $695.00 Please let me know if you have any questions....enjoy the newly posted pieces HERE and we are still unpacking.  I haven't been able to get far enough away from the bigger pieces (jam packed) to photograph them but I will next letter.  New art is at the framer and lots more mirrors and interesting architecturals. and objects posted soon. 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 Arrivals!

I always get the best shots of my husband, this one of him taking a break during a Brimfield rainstorm. (always rains at Brimfield). I wish we had gotten stuck in a jewelry tent as I never seem to have time to jewelry shop. This is exactly how we feel right now as my container from France arrived last week when we were in Brimfield.  Unpacking has begun and it is always so exciting to see my finds again after a few months.  Tons of boxes and packing  materials!!!!  When the collection is placed all together I always wish I could give you tours through the garages. You would drool along with me! When I'm at the shop my sisters go through the storage and place SOLD tags on things which I ignore, of course. Anyway, I don't have time for a regular blog but wanted you all to meet and read Monika's blog from Splendid Willow, below. I am always inspired by her postings and this one particularly resonates with me and I think it will with you too. Please sign up for her blog as her point of view is helpful and full of inspiration. In the meantime enjoy the new arrival postings from Europe HERE and EMAIL ME with any questions. In the next several days I will be posting many new pieces.  Things have been flying out of the store already so if you are local you may want to stop by to see some of the new treasures. In The Spotlight: Meet Michelle Niday Let me introduce you to the talented, LA based interior designer, Michelle Niday. We first met through my store when she purchased not one but two of my blankets. We started to talk about design and she shared some pictures of her home with me (I showed you a tiny glimpse some time back). Our cyber connection evolved into fun phone chats and had Michelle lived any closer I would have been regularly banging on her front door. I like this girl (she is warm, fun and clever) and I like her approach to design! Her beautiful home is featured in the current fall/winter issue of Country French (I picked up my copy at Barnes & Noble). And what a home she shares with her partner, Corey Young (a mega talented general contractor)! They live in a fabulous loft that was once part of a 1920s toy factory. (Pay attention to those fantastic windows!). My Scandinavian blanket looking good on Michelle's pretty chaise!        I have have been wanting to share our design conversations with you for quite a while. The following are the questions I bombarded her with along with her graceful responses. Enjoy - you might just walk away with a few design tricks! Q: How do you describe your personal design style? MN: I try to harmonize and to juxtapose timeless contemporary with timeworn antiques. I enjoy working with neutral colors, organic textures and graphic patterns to achieve an exciting space. Monika: OK, STOP right there! I have a very serious crush on that table in front of Michelle's lovely French sofa. She tells me that it is a very old cheese table from France and that it has a lovely patina and the most perfect scale. She knows how envious I am... Q: What design elements do you never grow tired off? MN: Vintage European (Italian/French) plaster sculptures of the human body (feet, hands torso, all good!), stripes, chandeliers, textural rugs like Jute or Seagrass, giant clam shells, vintage charcoal sketches of the human body, architectural fragments/objects (wood, metal), Belgian linen and Vellum books! Q: What 5 things can anybody do to quickly beautify a room? MN:  1. PAINT: You can simply paint the 4 walls in an exciting dark or pure white color or try the absence of all color, black (BM Black Suede looks terrific if done in a flat finish) or do an interesting treatment ie: paint stripes, horizontally or vertically, or paint a graphic pattern. You could even try painting a floor! 2. REMOVING: If your room has particularly pretty flooring or windows/moldings, try removing curtains or rugs and letting the attractive moldings and floor become the focal points. 3. EDIT: Remove everything from your room. And I mean everything (even wall hangings)! Slowly reintroduce pieces back in to the scheme, trying things in different places until you get a more pleasing look. 4. FLOAT: Try pulling a major piece away from a wall ( sofa, even a bed) go one step further and try angling this piece (again, much easier when room is empty!). 5. REPEAT: Try grouping your favorite collections or paintings. Usually the collected pieces become much more impactful and interesting when placed together. Q: What in your opinion is an absolute no-no when designing a room? (I love Michelle's answers where she mixes dont's with do's!) MN: No THEME rooms allowed please!  - Do not use poly-fill in pillows. Instead use at least 90/10 down preferably 75/25 (super soft and squishy!) - Do not hang curtains that are too short or hung too low! In my opinion, curtains should be hung as high as possible over the window and the length should just break on the floor much like a man's pant cuff breaks on his shoes! Interlining a drape well allows even inexpensive drape fabric to look like a million bucks! Trust me even a muslin fabric will look really fab! - Do not use lots of little upholstered pieces. Instead use less, but use pieces that have a grander scale! - Do not create a room that is just a pretty face, it must actually function for you! - Do not create a "period" room. Instead MIX pieces artfully using your favorite eras and styles to create a room with personality and timelessness! - Do not be timid, do not be afraid to make a mistake. Imperfection often makes a perfect room! Lastly:  Michelle, please share one personal design trick with us! MN: I always infuse a room with at least one or two objects/furniture that have a natural patina versus a manufactured patina as in "You can fool some of the people all of the time.......but you can not fool all of the people all of the time..." It is certainly fine to use some pieces which have man made patina but I believe the human eye picks this up either unconsciously or consciously whether or not the entire room is filled with reproductions! (This is Michelle's wonderful and personal kitchen!). Now was that interesting or what, folks! I learned a lot and I hope you did too! Thank you Michelle for sharing your thoughts on design with us. You are one talented and inspirational gal. I look forward to seeing more of your work (and I look forward to many more fun chats!). Michelle is one busy lady renovating and decorating many clients homes (incl. several celebrities' homes such as the lovely Ali Landry's). She is also finds time to be in charge of set designs for TV shows. Hop over here if you want to learn more about her work. And you can always follow Michelle on Pinterest - here. 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

THE LAST HURRAH and GREAT SALE ITEMS!!

Hi all..I have been meaning to mention I send out a blog letter only when I have new arrivals to the website. Whenever you see a mail or post from me in your mailbox just know there are also new additions to the site, HERE.  With my new arrivals in port I need to move some large pieces out of the shop to make room. Please enjoy low, low pricing on the following great pieces.  Also, lucky followers from CALIFORNIA please note I deliver to the west coast from New Jersey for just $75.00 a piece.  I have a unique arrangement with a delivery company making regular runs to the west coast. From France, antique extra thick marble top server, newly painted with a light distressing. Shelf inside. H 42 w 51. 1/2 d 19 1/2.  $750.00 From France a vintage kilim ottoman/cocktail table on casters. H 17 w 53 d 31. $650.00 What's with this?? This is a terrific farm table from England, solid in wonderful English pine. A nice deep drawer is a plus. H 31 1/2 w 70 3/4 d 39 1/2. Apron h 24 On sale for $495.00 Antique Leather Fauteil chairs with nailheads from France,nice and sturdy with walnut turned legs and stretcher. Wonderful dining chairs and also in the living/ family room.  H 43. 1/2 w 25 d 21 On sale $1495.00 for the pair  This iconic sailfish came from the famous Crystal Room Restaurant in East Hampton, affectionately called "Clam Pies" because of their famous sign and highly kept secret clam pie recipe. Opened in 1959,  this thriving and swanky restaurant in its day,  was purchased by restauranteurs as a banquet hall because "the land is cheap and we can raise our chickens and turkeys".  Boy things certainly have changed on the east end since 1959. Many east end weddings and events took place on site and a favorite photo spot was the extensive gardens with the chickens, I guess! Originally priced $825.00 on sale for $350.00 H 40 w 82 d 5 1/2 We are off for a last hurrah at the beach this weekend and many of you are requesting food shots so I have included some dishes we made this summer. I sliced onions in a pan with a little olive oil, white wine and balsamic vinegar and reduced until caramelly and soft. You can do this part days ahead. Take frozen pie crust, any brand like Pepperidge Farm, cut into circles with a cookie cutter or rough free hand pieces ( you can even use sliced French bread) lightly brush with extra virgin olive oil. On each pastry piece place a small nest of the prepared onions, a smear of goat cheese and top with a fresh tomato slice and place on a cookie sheet in a 375 degree oven until the pastry browns. Top with chopped basil. You can also drizzle with some extra virgin olive oil.  Simple and delicious! My son Ryan and brother-in-law Jim shucking the oysters Clams with corn and chorizo cooked in a wine bath with shallots and basil. Iced clams on the half shell. Linguine with shrimp, asparagus and fresh tomatoes. Grilled split lobster tails basted with a basil butter sauce. Lobster prices have hit an all time low in Maine, I wonder if the great price has trickled down to the east end, we'll see.... This is a terrific delicious easy dessert, I adapted from Ina's recipe using peaches instead of the plums.  I'm sorry I didn't have a better picture with the vanilla ice cream on top, but it was a hit I feel, because of the nuts in the crust. You can use apples in the Fall. Peach tart Ingredients    2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts 3/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed 12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), diced 1 egg yolk 2 pounds ripe peaches pitted and sliced lengthwise Directions Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Combine the flour, walnuts, and sugar in a large bowl. Add the butter and the egg yolk. Mix, either by hand or with an electric mixer, until crumbly. Press 1 1/2 cups of the crumb mixture in an even layer into the bottom of a 9 1/2-inch springform or tart pan. Arrange the peaches in the pan, begin at the outside and work your way in. Sprinkle the rest of the crumb mixture evenly over the peaches Bake the tart for 40 to 50 minutes, or until it's lightly browned .Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and transfer the tart to a flat plate. Serve warm or at room temperature with ice cream or whipped cream. I think it's a hoot how many of you ask for updates on my sister since my post last year HERE.  She arrived last week at my home with this unbelievable bouquet of hydrangea she cut from her garden....just gorgeous and the flowers were nice, too! After dealing with 5 bees buzzing around my house I placed them in one of the hand blown Belgian jars I have available...my husband has even been moved to comment on how spectacular they are.....are any of you lucky enough to have these mature trees in your landscape?? In closing I have included a picture of one of my favorite days this summer...having the youngest family members at my house enjoying one of those unplanned hot summer days where a few water balloons and a small pool and the great outdoors entertained them for hours and hours. Their imaginations ran wild as they hooted it up all day, found some frogs, ate ice cream , constructed a tent out of towels and made those precious memories we all treasure from our youth.  At one point they had all the ride on vehicles in the pool!  I hope you had a summer with some special family moments to look back on......I know this Fall will be wonderful!!! EMAIL me with any questions.....love to see your blog post or read your emails... We are closed Sundays and Mondays in 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

Dreamy Whites Giveaway!!

One of the reasons I love selling antiques and home furnishings is I have so many styles I go crazy over and love to hunt for. I can't imagine what my home would look like if I wasn't able to sell the great pieces I find but that don't compliment my decor.... a crazy woman's menagerie or a hoarder, I guess. I love a fine example of Italian modern or 18th century French but I also love primitives and a clean lined English antique.   Classical art appeals to me but so does modern abstract and folk art.  I am all over the place with what makes me say "Oh my God, look at that, love it!!"   I want to introduce you to a favorite blog of mine called Dreamy Whites by northern California resident Maria Carr.   Maria lives on a horse ranch in Northern California with her husband and 5 children.  Reading Maria's  blog responds to the country girl/ French farmhouse fantasy I have.  Whenever I see a Dreamy Whites blogpost in my mailbox I look forward to the "escape".   Maria says "I honestly just started a blog to share with others that you don't have to live in a mansion or own your  home to create a home you love, and you can live with white even if you have a large family and live on a ranch with kids that love to swim in the muddy ponds : ) You don't have to live in an old french farmhouse in the south of France to live in a home that has a french farmhouse feel, we live in a newly built modular home (we do not own this home, although I wish we did : ) and have tried to add a little french farmhouse charm throughout the years...." Her photos are breathtaking and I love her chic country style and story......lots of nature, family, food and beautiful indoor and outdoor design. You will enjoy a visit to her blog ...don't forget to see her sister's wedding photos and hear the story of how they put this beautiful event together on a shoestring. This is Maria's bedroom.  Love the contrast of the French crystal beaded chandelier (I'll have one just like this posted as soon as it gets back from the electrician) with the rustic doors and linens. This is her outdoor dining area with the plants she put in herself. Maria also chronicles her travels to shows and provides "how to" information on her beautiful and creative design projects. Her husband is a horse trainer and you will enjoy her photography and her refreshing point of view.  Keeping with the theme, a new arrival at my shop are these beautiful LARGE horse photographs, custom framed.  They measure 40 1/2 inches square and are priced $945.00 each. You can visit The Dreamy Whites blog HERE and I promise you will be taken away.  I know you will sign up for her updates but now you can enter her VERY generous giveaway drawing, once you stop by her blog You have until August 25th.   I would love to hear what you think when you visit, so let me know on my blog HERE. To see new arrivals to the website go HERE Talk to you soon...I'm NOT letting go of summer yet! We are closed Sundays and Mondays in 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

NEW ARRIVALS, NEW SALE ITEMS and Antique Maps!!!

Some people just love looking at maps.  Whenever we are off in a new direction my sister and my nephew are the ones who must have the map.  I am a GPS gal myself as I have been known to turn a map upside down to figure out which turn to make (worst sense of direction on the planet).  Map lovers can look at maps for hours whether they are charting a course or just passing the time. I know Restoration Hardware and other stores sell reproduction antique maps but an original antique map is a wonderful piece of art and a rich treasure. If the location has meaning to you its presence in a room holds more significance and becomes a wonderful conversation piece. I love this beach house room with the addition of the local maps. From Elle Decor these 2 maps look like Long Island and may show the changes in the area over the years. This wall grouping most certainly is the home of a map enthusiast. What an interesting focal point in this room and a great spot to linger. These framed maps can be removed from their display shelves for a closer look.... From House Beautiful the blue walls really make these maps pop.  Notice how low the bottom map is hung....love it! And now offered are some specially priced one of a kind maps and pieces... 1. Vintage map of Paris  with raised seal. Originally priced $725.00 on sale for $495.00. H 27 w 39 2.   Rare dated 19th century Nantucket map originally $950.00 on sale for $725.00 H 22 w 23 1/4.      3. Very rare dated 1882 street map of Nantucket Originally priced $695.00 on sale for $495.00 H 17 1/4 w 13 4. Original 19th century Nantucket map, beautiful shoals depicted in blue. Originally priced $745.00 on sale for $575.00 5. Large original circa 1947 coast guard map depicting the United States northeast coast. Noted landmarks include Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, Amagansett, and Block Island, among others. Beautiful yellow and blue colors and a small course is charted, top right. Originally priced at $1400.00, on sale for $1200.00.  Please note this map would usually sell for much more in the United States but I uncovered this beauty in France which is why it is so well priced. 6.  Vintage dated 1958 original photo of Loveladies NJ, popular vacation spot on Long Beach Island. Originally $545.00 on sale for $325.00 H 15.25 w 17 7. Dated 1956 map of East Hampton, Long Island noting all primary roads and secondary roads and beaches named from Wainscott to Amagansett, This map has beautiful colors, originally priced $1400.00 on sale for $1050.00 H 33 w 28. 1/2 8.  This iconic sailfish came from the famous Crystal Room Restaurant in East Hampton, affectionately called "Clam Pies" because of their famous sign and highly kept secret clam pie recipe. . Opened in 1959,  this thriving and swanky restaurant in its day,  was purchased by restauranteurs as a banquet hall because "the land is cheap and we can raise our chickens and turkeys".  Boy things certainly have changed on the east end since 1959. Many east end weddings and events took place on site and a favorite photo spot was the extensive gardens with the chickens, I guess! Originally priced $825.00 on sale for $495.00. H 40 w 82 d 5 1/2 9. Also on sale is the Kooi settee covered in textured upholstery and wrapped in rich chocolate brown linen. Its sleek cutaway arms allow for easy entry when used at a dining table and handsome form makes it stand alone in your seating arrangement or entry hall. Original retail is $2436.00 and on sale for more than 50% off at $1100.00 Please EMAIL ME for information on these or any items on the WEBSITE. I would like to thank Joni,  from Cote de Texas blog , for featuring my giveaway on her site and thank you to all who took the time and left such wonderful comments.  I was floored by the response and wish I could have sent each of you a beautiful tray. The lucky winner of the antique tray was B.J. Malgari from Ipswich Massachusetts.  Welcome to all my new followers and just an update for you.  I send out a blog letter, sign up HERE, which you are welcome to comment on and create a dialogue amongst the readers.  I only send a mailing (about 3 a month) when there are new items posted to my website  for you to see.  I ship all over the country and am happy to get you a shipping quote or answer any of your questions on my pieces.  I travel all over in search of interesting antiques and always offer these items well below retail prices.  In addition, I represent special artisans who craft exceptional pieces which compliment antiques and vintage pieces beautifully.  I also have a line of quality ready made window panels, Dash and Albert rugs and upholstered furniture (Vanguard discounted 25% to you). You can click on the links top left on this page and also on my website HERE. Thank you Credit for photos above to Elle Decor House Beautiful Lindsay Dettartchuck Angela Duh Terra Glenn Anne Heppenstall Riani Nassation We are closed Sundays and Mondays in 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