Restocking the Gift Closet

Photo courtesy of Carolyn Roehm, A Passion for Blue and White
Spending time in the country? For gardeners and entertainers, it's hard to
have too many vases

It's summer, which means more invitations, entertaining and house guests. And those who giveth, receiveith...in theory, anyway. Want to ensure your return? Bring along a thoughtful gift.

...as this shot of Bunny Williams's vase collection from An Affair with a House will attest.

The keyword there, in case you missed it, was thoughtful. Scented candles are lovely and all, and a bottle of wine can be quite divine, but sometimes it pays to bring something a bit more unique. Auctions are a wonderful way to achieve this aim. The key, of course, is a little advance planning. My suggestion is this: throughout the year, when you see something appealing and reasonably priced, bid away and then stash those wins in an out-of-the-way closet. Unexpected birthdays, last minute invites...you'll be just like a Boy Scout: always prepared. 

In case you're a bit behind on this front, there are a few things coming up at auction that should help you restock the larder, as it were. First up, we have a great sale at the Conestoga Auction Company in Manheim, Pennsylvania on July 15th that features dozens of lots of Blenko glass.

Vintage Blenko glass fish vase, at Conestoga on July 15th, estimate $50-100.

Blenko glass has been produced in Milton, West Virginia since 1893. In my opinion, it's hard not to have a soft spot for it--or maybe that's just because I remember this fish vase, above, on my grandmother's table with a few blossoms floating in its belly. A variation of this vase is still produced by them today, available here for $180, or you can bid on this vintage one, estimate, $50-100. Two other lots from this auction appear below, and there are many other good choices in the catalog.

Twice as nice. Two Blenko vases (estimate  $50-100) equal two great presents.

Compotes look great with fruit, flowers, vintage ornaments, etc. Blenko compote,
at auction on July 15th, estimate $50-100.

Vases are a great choice because, as the shot of Bunny Williams's shelves up top  seem to attest, it's hard for gardeners to ever have enough of them. Wedgwood Jasperware is always well received, and looks great every season of the year. 

Pair of Wedgwood Jasperware vases, at Hutter, New York on July 16th, estimate $80-125.

This pretty spatterware ewer could be used for flowers or iced tea.

Spatterware ewer, at Leslie Hindman in Chicago on July 27th, estimate $60-80.

Three lovely gifts at Leslie Hindman on July 27th, estimate $100-200.

Don't forget the mixed lots. Three lovely vases make three special gifts, above, and faience can be very festive, below, both at Leslie Hindman in Chicago on July 27th. 

Lot of four faience vases, in Chicago on July 27th, estimate $80-120.

For more urban dwellers, or possibly the more urbane, consider Italian glass. Interior designer Mary McDonald collects vintage Murano and uses it for jewelry, a great addition to her dressing room, below.

Collection of vintage Murano glass, above and below,
courtesy of Mary McDonald: Interiors: The Allure of Style

This pair would do the trick nicely.

Pair of Italian glass bowls. Up for bidding on July 27th, estimate $150-250.

...as would these vintage ash trays. Perfect for holding your lip balm and other what-nots beside the bed too.

Mid-century ash trays, in PA on July 15th, estimate $30-100.

And finally, for the person who has everything, I offer up the following motley assortment of possibilities, including some kitsch. Because, after all, the first thing you want your host to do is smile!

Mid-century whiskey pump with six shot glasses,
at Conestoga on July 15th, estimate, $30-100.

It's not a UFO...it's an antique wooden cricket cage. At Leslie Hindman on
July 28th, estimate $100-200.

American scrimshaw tortoise shell, at auction in
Chicago on July 27th, estimate $80-120.

A pair of Italian ceramic parrots, at Leslie Hindman on July 27th,
estimate $80-120.

Stock up now for your Florida visits! At Conestoga on July 15th, estimate $30-100.

All This Rain and I Need a Splash of....Yellow

It has rained for three days straight with a forecast of more to come. All this gray weather makes me crave the sunshine,--why don't I bring it indoors? Yellow is such a warm and welcoming color. It took me a while to get around to decorating with it, because I don't wear it (funny how that works). But indoors, it's great. Strong yellows make a splashy accent. Many designers seem to agree..

Domino Magazine (now located here),  photo credit: Melanie Acevedo

First up is J.Crew exec Jenna Lyons's townhouse, where a bright yellow couch brings life to elegant neutrals. (Did you know the Domino archive can now be found on the website for Bride Magazine?)

Domino Magazine, PHOTOGRAPH:DITTE ISAGER

Next up, another room from the Domino archives.  Just a small bright yellow vase really pops against the white, bright pinks and dark floors, something Markham Roberts clearly realizes as well.

Courtesy of Markham Roberts, Inc.

Mary McDonald: Interiors: The Allure of Style, photo: Robert Tractenberg

And designer Mary McDonald, the queen of more, seems to love bright yellow with black and white. Below, she uses several bright yellow vases to enliven an entry hall.

Mary McDonald: Interiors: The Allure of Style, photo: Miguel Flores-Vianna

With all this in mind, I set off to see what bits of sunshine were available at auction. I immediately found these two twentieth century yellow carved Peking vases, very similar to the ones above, at Cowan's Auctions in Ohio, 9", with an estimate of $500-700, auction date May 21st.

Yellow Peking vases, Cowan's Auctions

The same auction house also has this pretty Chinese garden seat with dragons, estimate $400-$600. Garden seats have become ubiquitous, but this one really stands out.

Cowan's Auctions, Chinese Garden Seat

For those with more modern tastes, this latticino Murano glass bowl, offered by Pembrooke Auctions of Kansas City on May 21st with an estimate of $250 to 350, is both beautiful and functional.

Murano glass bowl, courtesy of Pembrooke Auctions

If all of this is too refined, how about this adorable rustic painted yellow bucket being auctioned off on June 4th the Conestoga Auction House in Pennsylvania? Estimate $100-200. (With all these estimates, keep in mind you might snag the item for much, much less.) It's perfect for pens, pencils and desk supplies!

yellow bucket, courtesy of Conestoga Auction Company

Who can resist Rookwood pottery, especially in the form of this pretty little vase? Humer & Nolan, out of Ohio, have an estimate on it of $120-170, and are auctioning it off on June 5th.

Rookwood vase, courtesy of Humer & Nolan

And finally, let's finish where we started, with a gorgeous bright Peking glass vase, circa 1900, being offered by Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches, on May 24th, estimate, $400-600.

Yellow Peking glass vase, courtesy of Auction Gallery of the Palm Beaches

Wow, I feel better (even though it's still gray, gray, gray out). Hope you enjoy the splash of sun.