Antiques for the Garden

Antique Chimney-Topper from England, of Course!

 

One of my favourite things to find for my antique clients are GARDEN ANTIQUES.  I'm always searching for that unique piece.  Faux-Bois, concrete, composite (early-concrete), stone, marble,.........well,......just take a Look-See:

1920's pebble stone birdbath

I had a piece of stone cut to put on top of my antique spheres from Bath, England. I love reading poetry here.

A pair of vintage (1940's) cast-iron lantern-holders (wired) received a politically-correct re-face......probably in the 1980's.

Another vintage birdbath. You can NEVER have too many birdbaths in your garden!

I found this stone vessel in the Loire Valley, France. Antique Dealers in France must date their merchandise. The dealer marked this: pre-historic. Must be pretty old!!! BTW:  my birds LOVE it!

These blackened spheres are English. C. 1910; English Arts and Crafts Period.

How do you like this antique sphere? FOOLED YOU! This is an inexpensive lightweight orb that "looks" antique. The more moss that grows on it, the older it looks.

Four antique concrete pots show boxwoods beautifully. Lion heads; from Bath, England.

These 19th century faux bois troughs are harder and harder to find. From the Paris Flea Market. French. I have 4 or 5 for sale....

Antique copper oblong cooking pot; French, 19th century. Mark Sunderland Antiques sells tons-o-antique copper!

Antique millstone, American. Large copper watering can: French, c. 1920s. Other watering can: reproduction; Smith & Hawkins.

I sell quite a few of these concrete British picnic baskets at my shop.

One of a pair. 19th century composite standing lions with shields. England.

 

 

I hope you've enjoyed these finds from Mark Sunderland Antiques.  Just send me a note to request dimensions and prices.  And always remember to:

 

KEEP CALM AND PLAY IN THE DIRT!

 

Cheers,

 

Mark.

HOUSECALLS

 

 

 

Who's old enough to remember doctors making housecalls?  I am.  Dr. Ronan, Bellwood, Pennsylvania, our family doctor, visited the Sunderland house more than twice.  In "those days"  (1950s, 1960s), there were times that Jim, Jill, or I were too sick to leave the house.  German measles, mumps, chickenpox, you get the drift.

Doctors always carried a bag not unlike the one pictured above.  It smelled of leather, medicine, and that "hospital antiseptic smell," as I recall.  The visit was usually short, but it was a visit nonetheless.  I wonder how many doctors today still make housecalls.  Teresa: anyone you know of?

Times have changed, but housecalls are still alive and well within the Interior Design Industry.  I personally try to make at least 2 housecalls each week.  It might be a brand new client, new to the Atlanta area, or a past Design Client working on a different room.

In any event, I feel it is very important to visit a customer's home.  During the 1-2 hours you are there, you see what kinds of things people have acquired.  Some things they want to keep.  Others might a new home somewhere else in the house.

Most times, I take measurements.  As many of you have heard me say, "I must make everything you buy FIT, both physically and within your budget."  I can't tell you how many times I see those epic mistakes people make:  sofas the size of the Hindenberg,...all seating facing one way (toward the television most times)....perimeter decorating (everything pushed up against each wall, with a Black Hole in the middle,........or,.......those homes where the dogs and cats take over, doing anything they darn-well please with the furniture in the room.

I also take photos of the room, the existing furniture, the rug, the floor, and the window placements.  No matter how good you are (and I'm GOOD,....haha....), if you don't have photographs to reference, you forget the EXACT lay-out of the room.

A Housecall (or Home Visit,......whatever you want to call it) is IMPERATIVE to creating the BEST interior for a client.  I find it hard to believe that some Interior Designers do not make that visit.  For me, it's an opportunity to sit down, talk to your client,.....maybe even have a cup of coffee.

Sometimes, a new client might say she just wants a new sofa and chairs, but after a personal visit, decides that her "ready-made" curtains need to be replaced with custom window treatments.

You sit.  You LISTEN. And you don't overstay your welcome.  2 hours is quite sufficient to get the information you need.  The rest of the technical work can be done back at the store/office.


Most people love taking about their pride and joy, where they got what, and what their Dream Plan is for the near future.  It's also fun seeing what pets they might have (and THAT is so very important for a Designer to know in proposing new furniture).

Many stores, such as Home Fashion Interiors (where I presently work) have complementary design services and in-home visits.  Other boutiques and independent designers have various ways of charging, it all depends.

The point is that no matter WHO you hire to decorate your house, it's a very good idea to invite him to personally visit your home.  You'll get the best results that way.

Keep Calm And Schedule A Housecall!

Cheers,........

Mark.

Equestrian Interiors

If I say so myself, I know how to incorporate equestrian art and accessories into my clients homes.  I've been doing it for 20+ years,....starting with my start in Interior Design at: Ralph Lauren Home.

Probably the BEST artist of The Horse is: George Stubbs.  Google his stuff: amazing!  Visit it at a museum near you!:

 

The Downtown Abbey rage has helped my equestrian decorating, that's for sure!  Here's Mary riding,.....side-saddle, of course!

 

Y'all know that we show MANY pictures, paintings, and accessories where I work at: HOME FASHION INTERIORS.  AND, I've been selling (steadily) all kinds of horsey-stuff at Mark Sunderland Antiques since 1994! 

Here's just a smattering of what I've been proposing to my Design Clients lately.  Enjoy! 

 

Cast iron jockeys from Kentucky for lanterns waiting to be wired for your driveway...

 

 

LARGE horse triptych; original oil.

 

 

Pair of cast iron horse lamps. Early 20th century oil of Polo Player. All at Mark Sunderland Antiques.

 

 

Bits and Pieces.....

 

 

LOTS 'O Equestrian Art at: HOME FASHION INTERIORS!! 770-664-9544; ask for Mark (haha!).

 

 

Bronze Stallion; Home Fashion Interiors, Alpharetta.

 

 

More bronze from Theo and Alexander at: Home Fashion Interiors.

 

 

Hermes-Inspired metal/glass serving tray....at: HOME FASHION INTERIORS!

 

 

What equestrian-lover WOULDN'T like this Hermes horse blanket for their brown leather sofa??????

 

 

And finally, my own flatware: Ralph Lauren's Equestrian braid; when it comes to Equestrian interiors, let's face it: Ralph does it BEST!

  

Keep Calm and Don't Fall Off Your Horse!!!!!

 

Cheers,

 

Mark.

There's Nothing Like A Good Book..............Signing!!!

Hello, Peeps!  Can you believe it's FEBRUARY already????  2014 is off to a great start; lots of design projects: furniture, draperies, rugs, accessories,......EVERYTHING across-the-board.  I'm very blessed to have so much business.

Thought I'd tell you of a couple book-signings I've been to in the last 2 months.  When friend Mary Jane and daughter Janie and I went to NYC for a couple days, we made the junket to Bergdorf Goodman.  I wanted to show Janie the Bergdorf BRIDAL department (it's good to plan,.......she's 15).  As we got off the elevator on 7 and turned the corner, who do we run into?  Well, The Prince of Chintz, Mario Butta.

 Believe it or not, I had "taught" Janie earlier that day who "the Prince of Chintz" was.  How impressive that when we stopped to chat to Mr. Buatta (and I, of course had to buy 2 of his books, one for friend Sarah, the other pour moi), I introduced Mr. Buatta to Mary Jane and Janie,....and quizzed Janie on,....."Remember what Mario Buatta's nickname is?" Janie replied correctly; I was so proud of my protege!!!!!!

 He signed both books, and I have this nice photo to remember that afternoon in New York.

Fifty Years of American Interior Design by Mario Buatta

 

 

A couple weeks ago, one of my Favourite Peeps, Alexa Hampton, was in the ATL to sign copies of her second book.  Friend Sarah accompanied me.  She ALREADY had BOTH of Alexa's books, and Miss Hampton was more than happy to autograph both books,.....and mine, of course.  Here's Alexa and Moi:



Decorating in Detail by Alexa Hampton

 

These 2 new books on Interior Design are welcome additions to my ever-expanding library (now, if I could only find those SIX books on Design from Jackie Kennedy's library that bought at Sotheby's.....).  They're SOMEWHERE in my house!

 

There's nothing like a good book on design; there's nothing like a good book-signing!

 

I'm sure ready for that next rainy-Sunday, when I can curl up on my red sofa and devour my new books.

 

Keep Calm,..........And READ!!!!!!!

 

 

AND,......for a little self-promotion and a LOTTA LOVE for Shepherd Center,.......I have about fifty of my books, Spectacular Homes of Georgia, available to sell with ALL proceeds going to Shepherd Center (my main cause-d'celebre)......$50 plus tax= $54.00 payable to: Mark Sunderland (I buy them in-advance so I get the tax write-off........).  Mail to: 792 Verner Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318.  Nominal fee for shipping,......I'll sign and gift-wrap for you!!!!!!  .....would love to sell 20 books and make Shepherd Center's SHARE PROGRAM an even grand.

 

 

Cheers!

 

...Mark.

Meanwhile, in Mark's Garden; October 2013

Meanwhile, in Mark's Garden, October 2013 

Fall is my FAVOURITE time of year,....pumpkins, mums, leaves a-changin', crisp, cool air, cloudless, blue skies.  My gardens seem to be at their best in the Autumn, what with new growth over the Spring/Summer, and,....when I (or in this particular month, Dan Cleveland's crew) pull out all the weeds, trim the boxwoods, and plant those wonderful pansies that bloom all Winter here in Atlanta.

Here's a few photos of some of my gardens, taken on a beautiful Sunday morning in October:

Bachus.      And moi.

 

 

18th Century stone/pebble water trough

 

2 of my Japanese Maples

 

1920's French faux-bois with pansies in antique Majolica

 

Freshly-trimmed boxwoods

 

Healthy ferns

 

My goldfish fountain

 

Pansies in windowboxes for the winter

 

Yellow mums coming back in front garden....

 

 

Meanwhile......

 

As good as I am as an Interior Designer, my work (and any of our work) pales by comparison to what God does outside.  Next time you have a chance,.....go out and "play in the dirt!" 

Keep Calm And Plant A Perennial!!!

 

Cheers,

 

Mark.