Available as Lot 200 Important French Furniture, Sculptures, and Works of Art Auction until April 14th Sotheby’s Paris.

Available as Lot 230 in the Important French Furniture, Sculptures, and Works of Art Auction until April 14th Sotheby’s Paris.

Available as Lot 249 in the 500 Ans – Arts Décoratifs Européens, dont une Collection Privée de la Rive Gauche until April 13th Christie’s Paris.

This bergère has seen better days, in fact, you could say that it’s been thoroughly beat to hell.  Some people find that appealing, but I am not one of them.  This is appealing to me from a fixer-upper point of view, and probably a bargain in its current form.  I would have it restored immediately, though it would be very difficult to part with that fantastic upholstery pattern.  Still, the shape and form and very nice and I would certainly find another bold pattern to switch out with the existing fabric, which almost reminds me of the artwork you see in the tile work on many mosques.

Available as Lot 251 in the Hanham Court – Pastoral Idyll Auction until April 14th at Christie’s London – South Kensington.

These wrought-iron gates wouldn’t look right on just any fabulous mansion – you’d need a certain quirky demeanor in the owner and the property to pull it off, I would say.  I think what I enjoy most about these iron gates is how they have a three-dimensional quality, particularly in the center.  The iron teardrops, scrolls, leaves, and just overall sense of whimsy is so convincing.  You might even say this gate has a delicate feel to it!  Hardly something to search out in a gate, but a design feat nonetheless to create something so light and airy out of wrought iron.

Available as Lot 133 in the Hanham Court – Pastoral Idyll Auction until April 14th at Christie’s London –  South Kensington.