Thursday, March 31, 2011

Classic Country

As promised, here is a look at our sitting area as influenced by the English country library seen in last week’s post.


To create a similar atmosphere on a small scale we’ve retained the warm color scheme with an antique oriental carpet sporting a rich golden background that matches the apricot velvet upholstered stool as well as shades in the Wedgwood print throw pillows. The x-frame design of the stool recalls the one at the center of the original photo while the wonderfully versatile antique drop leaf table beside it holding a book and Limoges dish is the ideal height for serving tea, a tray of cocktails, or an impromptu game of cards.


As promised, here is a look at our sitting area as influenced by the English country library seen in last week’s post.
Among the antique European prints cluttering the walls is one of a pair of gilt oval shadowboxes displaying classical plaques. Lining the top of the bookcase are pieces of green tole, a pair of terra cotta cherub candleholders, a charming antique trinket box in the form of a cluster of grapes, and a whimsical figure of a fancifully attired violin playing monkey. Next to the marble pedestal lamp sits a cluster of art pottery including an English jug, a green majolica pitcher covered in strawberry vines, and a salt glazed pitcher holding an arrangement of dried thistle-like wildflowers known as teasel, our simplified take on the flower arrangements that lend the inspiration photo a heavy dose of both charm and drama.

Photos and styling by KS&D.

Friday, March 25, 2011

English Country Inspiration

Settling into our new old carriage house in the country seems a perfect excuse to revisit our favorite country interiors.


Nancy Lancaster, the American tastemaker who helped define what we think of today as the English Country aesthetic, created this room for herself in the 1970’s. After many years residing in some of the finest homes in England, this arbiter of style took for herself a cluster of outbuildings on her former estate at Haseley Court, and fashioned this summer sitting room cum library from an old orangery. The rich warm color scheme, the patterns and textures, the jumbled prints, masses of books, and bunches of wildflowers; all combine here to brilliant effect. Inspired by the components of this gracious interior we hope to achieve a similar atmosphere for our own library/sitting area. Be sure to check back soon to see just how this image influences our own decorating efforts.

Image from Nancy Lancaster: English Country House Style.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Distressed Patina

Don’t you love the richly distressed patina on the gilding of these antique architectural fragments?


The intricate baroque detailing finely carved into these wooden artifacts strikes a wonderful contrast with the roughly aged gilt finish.


Now online! Only at Knickerbocker.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Shop New Arrivals Now!



Browse the most eclectic mix of unique antique and vintage home accessories from the comfort and convenience of home! Enhance the design of any interior with Knickerbocker’s carefully curated collection of American, European, Asian, and African fine and decorative arts. Our ever-changing inventory features an array of objects and artifacts from Victorian to Mid-Century Modern including lamps, sconces, art pottery, fine china, porcelain, crystal, art glass, prints, oil paintings, sculpture, folk art, primitives, nautical décor, and much more!

Click HERE to shop our newest arrivals now!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Old Things New Home

It’s always interesting reworking your old pieces into a new space.


This massive three arch china breakfront once lined a long dark hall in our city apartment. Now in the country the bulky piece perfectly fills a large wall that was originally an open carriage entrance.


Here an exterior view of the same wall shows the big old rolling barn door still hanging from its antique metal hardware.


For a fresh clean look we’ve curtained the glass doors with simple muslin sheers that hide the piles of shop inventory stowed within. The pleated folds also happen to make a wonderful backdrop for displaying items such as this charming pair of vintage horse prints.

Photos and styling by KS&D.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Knickerbocker's New Nest

Last month visitors to our online emporium Knickerbocker Antiques & Vintage would have noticed we closed shop for relocation. In fact we traded the hectic pace of New York City for the bucolic pleasures of country life in beautiful Bucks County, PA, where the winding lanes along the Delaware River are dotted with ancient stone farmhouses and massive old barns.


Here some familiar pieces from the city fill a corner in our new home, a unique structure originally built as the carriage house on a farm established in the 1740’s. Ever enamored with all things old we were especially charmed by the exposed hand hewn beams and uneven hardwood floors.


A closer look at the framework shows the craftsman’s tool marks still evident under the whitewash, as is the end of the wooden peg used to join the post and beam.

Photos and styling by KS&D.
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