On tap this week: St. Philip’s Cathedral Antiques Show

Attention, Atlanta-area design lovers: St. Philip’s annual Cathedral Antiques Show begins tomorrow! Now in its 39th year, Atlanta’s most prestigious antiques show features an array of paintings, jewelry, textiles, porcelain and silver from the 18th and 19th century. The show’s learning lectures show plenty of promise, with talks by Atlanta’s own William T. Baker, a highly regarded Southern architectural designer and interior designer Patricia McLean. The weekend finishes up with a tour of five of Buckhead’s finest homes. General admission for the show is $15 and ticket sales benefit Cool Girls. For further information, please visit www.cathedralantiques.org.

An Ode to 2010’s Color of the Year: Turquoise

One of our favorite publications, The Magazine ANTIQUES, recently touched on 2010’s “color of the year,” which is turquoise, according to Pantone, a major provider of professional color standards for the design industries.

“The color evokes tropical escape and serenity,” Pantone’s experts say. But, according to The Magazine ANTIQUES, “turquoise has been one of the most sought after colors in decorative arts history, starting with the turquoise ground, called bleu céleste, developed in 1753 for Louis XV at the porcelain factory at Vincennes (later Sèvres).

To honor 2010’s color of the year, the magazine’s “Discovery” blogger, Carolyn Kelly, compiled a gorgeous display of turquoise objects (below). Check out her post, “Vintage finds in turquoise” for more. And stop by The Gables to discover your own turquoise find.

Old, New and In Between: Tips for the Savvy Shopper

Susan Higley, a local appraiser, spoke in November during the Miami Circle Holiday Week.  Her topic, “Old, New and In Between: Tips for the Savvy Shopper” was enthusiastically received by all who attended.

Below are some tips that Susan suggested when buying antiques.

1) Choose a reputable dealer to shop from

2) Open the drawers

3) Feel underneath the aprons, and the drawers of pieces

4) Check the feet and the backs

5) Use your common sense to see if there is wear on the bottom of the drawers, around the handles and feet

6) Check to see if the hardware is original

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