Mix the Cultures and Eras

Occassionally the architecture of a home will reflect ideals of order and harmony, while the decor can be an experiment in creative culture clashes.  The luxurious Houston home featured in a recent Veranda Magazine is a perfect example. In the magazine’s photos, Native American rugs drape a French leather sofa near a Roman-style stone capital, an Italian angel sconce and a Peruvian chest. “Guidelines don’t allways apply. Who’s to say an Indonesian figure doesn’t go with a Moroccan glazed piece?”  says Andrea Palladio.

See more of this kind of design inspiration and be sure to tab through the photos of the Houston home. I really liked photo 4  “the red room” with a Peruvian antique chest, carved elephants, Chinese ceramics, East Indian silver and ivory candlesticks.

You’ll find many items in our showroom that are very similar to what the designers have used to decorate this home! Click here: Veranda Magazine

Now you can go preview a sample of this kind of accent furniture we have in our store including French and Oriental Cultural Accent Furniture

  Use this absolutely FREE Gift Card this Friday or Saturday during our two day  Warehouse Sale. PRINT this e-card, it’s good on any ONE item in the warehouse, but only this Friday or Saturday June 24th and 25th. There’s NO MINIMUM PURCHASE!  You don’t need to re-sign up                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

The search for cool stuff takes me to interesting places. Last month I had to meet with some well-to-do LA folks to try and find leads on more good deals. It’s hard work, but someone’s got to do it. (I just had an iced tea, no tennis or golf either). I told you this is hard work!

In case you missed the last email, here below is the YouTube video of TV’s “The American Pickers”. It’s not quite the same as in Beverly Hills, but the idea is similar. YOU can be your own “Picker” this Friday at our warehouse sale. Discover something even I don’t know I have…

To do’s and tips

1) Choose your style or theme Use a home decorating magazine photo you like. Plus choose one of two of your favorite items.

2) Your impact wall Paint one wall a color or add an accent to it, or at least choose a large piece of art to make that wall become a focal point.

3) Position the furniture How will it look as you walk in the room? Arrange seating for conversation and your sofa should look to the fireplace, the view, or the TV.

4) Light Have plenty of soft and also dramatic lighting. Built in and floor and table lamps with the right light bulbs should do it.

4) Colors (From your theme) Use touches in a combination of things like accent pillows (quick and easy), accessories, wall art, an area rug or drapes.

5) Position the accessories The final layer, refer to your magazine photo(s) for ideas and group the accessories in layers, or in threes and to continue the color theme.

Lastly, a touch of green Every room can benefit from a plant or flowers or tree. Live or artificial can work.

Plan ahead – A day or two ahead, check the classifieds of the local newspaper or online classifieds. (Or use the tip above) Narrow down the list of estate sales based on the description of the items included and the location of the house.

Make sure the sale is worth going to – Certain keywords in the ad for an estate sale can give you clues as to whether or not the sale will be worth going to or not. Words like ”everything must go”, “liquidation” or “moving” are often good for finding deals. If the ad has the words “antiques” or “collectibles” often the seller or dealer knows exactly what their items are worth and are not as likely to let them go cheap. However that estate sale may have really good stuff.

Carry cash – Most estate sales don’t take check or credit card. (Although some sales conducted by professional estate sale dealers do have credit card machines and some of these are now wireless, but still they don’t like paying credit card fees)

The early bird gets the worm (and the exception) – This old saying is so true when it comes to success in finding the good stuff at estate sales. show up 30 minutes early to a sale if you think it might be good (see the hints on how to judge if the sale is going to be good above). The worst that will happen is they will ask that you come back later.

Take advantage of discounts on Saturday and Sundays - Keep in mind that prices start dropping on Saturday and Sunday. Many sales start on Friday as well as dealer previews. But Saturday morning may be the best time to go because the weekend rush hasn’t taken everything yet and the discounts are starting to show up. Sunday things will be picked over but sometimes things go for half price before the get donated.

When you first get there – Do a quick walk-through. Once you’re in, quickly go through all the rooms and scan.. Move fast to see if there’s something that you want to grab right away. There’s nothing worse than watching someone who came in after you, walk out with a treasure that was meant to be yours.

You’ve got to dig for the gold – The people putting on the estate sale usually don’t take time to label everything or remove everything from desks, dressers, or closets. (Make sure this is OK first) If you’re looking for rarities and other unique items, go where no one has been willing to go. Take your time and dig the deepest.

Be willing to clean – Over the course of many years, people can acquire a lot of “stuff”. In time, some of these things become worn or dirty. These items often tend to be ignored at an estate sale, or marked with low prices.

What to bring – Remember to bring your measurements and a measuring tape if you’re looking for a piece of furniture to go in a particular spot. Hand wipes are good to have in your pocket or purse, in case your hands get really dirty.

Take your time – Be thorough. It’s easy to scan garage sales because they’re nearly all the same. But every estate sale is different. Move slowly from room to room. Dig through boxes and bins. If you’re methodical, you can often find unexpected goodies in out of the way places.

Be picky – It’s easy to convince yourself that you need some wonderful item you’ve just found, even though it’s broken or otherwise not exactly what you were looking for. While there’s merit to being flexible, it’s usually best to wait until you find something exactly right instead of settling for something close. Being patient and being picky are all part of the game.

If in doubt, don’t buy it – Or, wait one day and see if you still want it. No regrets, please, because you can’t return these items.

Be Nice – Especially to the folks running the sale. Not only is it the right thing to do, but hey, if you’re in this game, you’re likely going to be seeing them a lot.

Best Tip #1 – Make friends with the dealers who handle estate sales and get on their preferred list of people to call first and to preview first. This will pay off over time. Good connections are the secret to estate sale success as they are in many endeavors.

P.S. Check out the new facebook page for Timeless Furnishings
and be sure to click on the “like”

Ell Decor’s shopping tips (in New York) in this video:

When decorating gracious sophisticated and large homes in Bakersfield and elsewhere, full of exquisite luxury, we find ideas and design inpiration in Veranda Magazine

For a younger, quirkier modern retro-vintage look, check out
Elle Decor Magazine

And of course for comfortable every day casual style, which mixes more modern yet classic furniture with hints of nostalgia and family treasures, look at the great ideas in the catalog of nation wide retailer Pottery Barn

You can find alot of unique furniture like this in our furniture store in Bakersfield CA or our online store.

I’ve posted the video for you here on the blog,

WARNING: This video is of absolutely ZERO use to you at all…but it’ll probably make you laugh. A LOT.

(Wait’ll you see what they did to advertize their store)

This is the place discriminating home owners and decorators seeking pieces that are one of a kind – whether new, vintage or antique. It’s where smart, creative individuals come for decorating ideas and to discover the treasures that can turn your house into a gorgeous model home.

You’ll discover fine furniture you’d see in Architectural Digest or Veranda Magazine. We do offer a mix, including cheap furniture, but most of our furniture and home decor comes from large homes in neighborhoods such as Bellaire, Pasadena and Beverly Hills.

So, what does all this have to do with you? Well, now you can afford to decorate your home with beautiful high-end furniture at rock bottom prices. Transform your house into the home of your dreams with intriguing finds that truly reflect your personality and good taste.

That’s why I’m offering an Online Special. Just click the “Get a $50 Gift Card” at the top of the page  and I’ll mail you your Gift Card for $50.00 to use on your first purchase in our Bakersfield furniture store!