LATEST TRANSFORMATION

I am very excited to share my latest completed furniture restoration project, in particular because I worked with an amazing upholsterer who documents all stages of restoration offering a rarely seen view into this little-acknowledged art.

This wonderful sofa had great bones and great sentimental value for my clients who live just outside Kansas City.  They very much wanted to keep the piece, but were unsure of how to use it in their home in its current state.

It needed repairs to the frame, new stuffing to the cushion and desperately needed a new upholstery job.

After a broad review of fabrics, we kept coming back to one of the first we selected from Magnolia Fabrics.  It was bold and unexpected for this piece, but just felt right for the client and would completely reinvent this heirloom.  We decided to go for it.

So we consulted with the wonderfully knowledgeable Kansas City Upholstery who did a full and comprehensive restoration, completely taking the frame apart and re-gluing it, and documenting the process.

After all this tender loving care, I was desperate to see the final result!  And it was no let-down, that is for sure.  This piece now lives happily in an eclectic, modern home and will be in top-notch condition for many years to come.  Thanks to my wonderful client and the expert services at Kansas City Upholstery!

AN UNLIKELY PUBLICATION

I find the magazine The Economist to be highly informative and generally pretty spot-on about world events.  So when I picked up the December 19th issue, I was quite surprised to see, not only an article on the antiques business, but one that was quite negative about the state of the industry, and industry they claim is dying.  So I of course told everyone I knew about this article and what I thought.  After a few days, I realized I should tell The Economist what I thought as well.  So I did, and amazingly enough they published my letter in the print edition, a place usually reserved for diplomats or CEO's letters.  I suspect I was the only one, probably ever, to write a letter to the editor at The Economist about old brown furniture.

"I disagree with your take on the antiques trade (“Out with the old”, December 19th). It is not dying, merely changing, and its future is bright. The traditional definition of an “antique” being at least 100 years old is restrictive and outmoded. The New York Armory Winter Antique Show now allows items from as late as 1969.

You implied that the popularity of Mid-Century Modernism explains why antiques are out of fashion. However, one may see in this a sign that the younger generation still appreciates old things, just different things than their parents appreciated. Thirty-somethings are expanding their tastes; the heavy hand of Mid-Century is lifting and early 20th Century Modernism and Art Deco styles are creeping in. 

A more eclectic use of styles in interiors is indeed returning. In the Architectural Digest 2016 forecast, several interior designers noted a trend away from Mid-Century period rooms towards more traditional styles mixed with the modern. Robert Stilin, a designer, even used the term “brown furniture” in a positive light. Not quite the definitive death that many old-guard dealers are predicting. 

CHRISTA PIRL

Christa Pirl Interiors & Furniture"

Featured on The Highboy again!

Happy to see a pair of my vintage throw pillows featured on The Highboy right now!  I love this guide to using black in interiors, always a dramatic and sophisticated look.

VINTAGE THROW PILLOWS NOW AVAILABLE!

I am happy to announce my line of custom throw pillows, all created from original, vintage, mid-century textiles is now available!  

For the past few months I have been on the hunt for mid-century fabrics that showcase a different side of modernism; not just the typical Eames-style, playful, atomic-age version of the period (not matter how great these textiles can be), but instead a more Hollywood Regency, updated historic, artistic side.  

I was on the hunt for textiles the Grand Dames of interior design like Dorothy Draper or Madeleine Castaing might use.  Textiles that are bold, painterly and elegant, and would feel right at home in a modern interior (or atop any of my restored antique or vintage seating pieces!)  

To introduce these new products, all are discounted now through January 1st.  All below reflect pricing including down pillow insert, but are all available without insert upon request.  I do have some additional fabric if you are interested in additional pillows.

Contact me direct to arrange for payment and shipping; gift wrapping is also available for the holidays!

Chic Chinoiserie, pair of 18x18 pillows from vintage 1940s glazed cotton chinz. Each pillow frames a different charming scene from the large repeating print in modern chinese red, bright pink and fresh green. Pillow has a solid black back and deep red cotton edge welt.

Hidden zipper enclosure and down/feather insert. Retail: $539, On sale: $379, for the pair, or $189.50 each.

Royal Romans, pair of 18x18 pillows from vintage 1940s Irish linen.  A highly energetic mid-century modern interpretation of an ancient Greek or Roman scene of chariots and dramatically posed horses. Color palette is warm and retro. Pillows have new solid lined burlap backs and olive green edge welt detail. 

Hidden zipper enclosure and down/feather insert. Retail: $589 On sale: $409, for the pair or $204.50 each.

 

Cut-out Cultivated, pair of 18x18 pillows from 1960s medium-weight cotton.  A dense wooded scene grows towards the top of the pillow where the growth breaks into clear sky showing the treetops perfectly. Colors are rich and vintage Scandinavian inspired. Back of the pillows are solid linen, with a dark chocolate brown edge welt. 

Hidden zipper enclosure and down/feather insert.  Retail: $649 On sale: $454 for the pair, or $227 each.

Op-Art Seaside,single lumbar pillow, 12x24, from 1960s medium-weight cotton.  A groovy abstract take on sand and sea expresses the style and glamour of Mid-Century Cote d'Azure.  
Hidden zipper enclosure and down/feather insert.  Retail: $232 On sale: $158.

Silken Scribbles, single boudoir pillow, 12x16, from 1950s Japan, 100% silk front.  Dynamic and delicate deep navy lines scribe across the bright coral background of this delicate silk.  A chic, uptown take on the Atomic Age.  

Hidden zipper enclosure and down/feather insert.  Retail: $226 On sale: $162.

  

WORKING AWAY

Working on a new master suite renovation today!  Here is a sneak peek!