I realize that title is an oxymoron, but it’s a conflict I’ve been faced with regularly since opening the shop. I’m finding all of these delectable goodies, but I can’t keep them!! And not only that, they’re being devoured, in the best sense, before I can photograph them for my Flickr archives.

Exhibit A:

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This backwards glance, through the looking glass, of this little maharaji chair is the only evidence I have of it. I recovered it, and the matching settee, in a shimmery orange and magenta dupioni silk. They were painted with a metal design that was then washed over with an orange stain, and had little wooden ornaments dangling from all sides of the frame. Even now, it pains me to describe it. I meant to photograph it last Saturday but got struck with a migraine and was lying helplessly in bed when the set was wisked away by a customer who wanted it for her granddaughter. Don’t get me wrong. I like the thought of a little girl enjoying this magical furniture, I just hadn’t gotten any closure! I only have this one shot of it by accident while photographing the bed set.

Here’s the difference for me…this beauty below has sold…

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but I have this lasting image that I can appreciate. My friend Paul, a master of trascendent mid-century furniture, gives me his sage advice, "You can’t get attached. You have to be careful not to get emotionally involved with the pieces." HA! Furniture infatuation. Silliness. Don’t I have family members that I owe cards and letters to. Shouldn’t I have animate, real connections with living, breathing, warm things. Oh! Speaking of warm things…I need to go and put another coat of linseed oil on a teak dresser, and I better make sure my camera has charged batteries….

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17 responses to “Transcendent Collectibles”

  1. Di Overton Avatar

    I KNOW exactly where you are coming from. After spending so much time with and on these items you do get attached.

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  2. parisapapartment Avatar

    I understand too! But since everything is made of atoms, and atoms are always moving, there are no such things an INanimate objects! They move with the energy of who made it, who had it before and what you put into it…no wonder we get attached!!

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  3. Ingrid Avatar
    Ingrid

    Whatever you do..please please take photos. SO much work and heart goes into these pieces you recreate..and you should have the photo to remember. The attachment you have is what makes it such a beautiful item. The things we do with love are the things we do best..no? 😉

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  4. oh Merci Avatar

    Your clients are so very lucky to have you!!! Your eye for selecting the perfect item is wonderful..you already know that!!: ) I hope that your migrane days are over!!!
    With Kindness,
    mary

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  5. Anna Avatar

    Sylvie, this is something I too am faced with every day. I love the vintage one off pieces I find so much for my shop and then before you know it they’re gone. Don’t worry, it will get easier. Think of all the other wonderful, beautiful things you will get to buy. I always take a photo of the things when they first arrive into my shop so I don’t forget them. I promise you it will get easier. I have only been selling vintage things in my shop now for about 1 year. My first vintage piece was a beautiful French mirror and a gorgeous old bentwood table and they sold within 1 week of me having them in the shop. But then I bought some beautiful old adirondack chairs and then they sold etc. etc. It’s alot of fun! Enjoy it! And remember you can’t have everything!! You have to let others have things too!! Great Post BTW.
    XO
    Anna

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  6. Katie Avatar

    I seriously understand the emotional attachment, even if that is remedied by an archived picture. This is what I tried to write about in my first post on the Odd Duck, and it is something I struggle with (love and question) all the time. I’m letting myself love it now, while still trying to find a way to let go. I think photographing and documenting the accomplishments of redoing furniture is a great way to do it. With a camera you can capture the way your eye sees it, which is such a special thing – that is partially what makes art for me, being able to capture a detail, feeling, etc. that someone else may not see and allowing them to see it.

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  7. *Terramia* Avatar

    Oh, I just have to say that creamy white dresser is absolutely divine!

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  8. Barb Avatar

    When it’s the love of old, vintage, antique and retro that was instrumental in you opening a shop to begin with, then it only stands to reason that you’d fall in love with each and every piece. You’ll soon learn that the trick of the trade is saying au revoir, knowing that there’s something else out there calling your name.

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  9. BLUSHING APPLES Avatar

    just wanted to say i love your blog, i discovered it from the flick site.

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  10. BLUSHING APPLES Avatar

    hi there, thanks for stopping by. if i lived closed to your store i’d buy some of your vintage furniture! P.S. A similar Holly Golightly sleeping mask is available at fredflare.com.
    LINK:
    http://www.fredflare.com/customer/product.php?cat=277&productid=2683

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  11. Aurora Avatar

    Gracious! I feel privileged to have witnessed that maharaji set. It was indeed magical…
    Sounds like business is booming! Yay for you!!!

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  12. Elizabeth Avatar

    just found your site via year of living gorgously– and I love it! congrats on the new shop– you are going to be a huge success– your style is just fabulous.

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  13. Tongue in Cheek Avatar

    The styled sets of your photos are fantastic. The fish on the apron and the teapot perfectly brewing , wow! Very clever.

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  14. jes Avatar

    I’m so glad the shop is doing FABULOUS!! (as we all knew it would!)
    I’m just popping over to wish you a wonderous Mother’s Day Dear one!
    xoxox

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  15. jessica Avatar

    beautiful pieces you have. congratulations on your success.

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  16. melanie Avatar

    i love that white dresser…the image is lovely too!

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