Isabel's entry on Partridge Auctions Blog (www.patridgeauctions.com)

Hello and welcome to our first Weekly Feature with Interior Designer Isabell Browell:

When Partridge Auctions was in early stages last year, I was very impressed by the idea and concept and, of course, the professionalism with which Evelyn and Kathy set their new business idea into practice.  I was very pleased to be asked to get involved with this lovely new company and team which provides the community with an ever-increasing outlet of sourcing and selling fabulous and unique pieces of furniture and accessories.

In addition to giving you a sneak preview of what to expect in the run-up to next auction, I am looking forward to sharing my love for interior design with you, keeping you updated on trends and ideas on different aspects in and around the home.

Whether you are rent or you own, whether you have just arrived and in need of additional furniture or well-settled and in need of redecoration – most of us get to that point where we like to add to or change what we have been living with for many years.   The current trend is still very much about about Mixing and Matching, Recycling and Combing Old with New. There is no need to throw out your entire furniture collection if you want to keep up with the latest interior design look!  Along those lines, Partridge Auctions offers exactly those individual pieces which might just give you the perfect solution for a finished look to your home in a price range which is reasonable and accessible. 

Partridge Auctions launched their first auction in November with great success.  The room was full of engaging and keen clients ready to bid on a lovely selection of furniture, rugs, lamps and other lovely and unusual pieces all reasonably priced.  The result was a lot of happy buyers and equally happy sellers.  In view of the success of the day, we have been approached by an impressive amount of new vendors, enabling us to offer a sizeable increase in products for sale in our next auction.

The next auction on Thursday, 28 February is coming together with a large assortment of interesting items be it contemporary, classic or period furniture, carpets, paintings and accessories.  You can, of course, get a first glimpse at our preview on Wednesday the 27^th from 10:00 – 17:00. If you are looking for a specific piece for your home, we suggest you measure the space available, so you will know instantly whether the piece you spotted will fit.

Partridge Auctions is very pleased to welcome Zoe Johnson as a guest auctioneer for the next auction. Zoe has recently re-located to Geneva. As Founder and qualified Auctioneer of Expat Auctions in Singapore which she run for 2 years she is now looking forward to sharing her experience with us here in Switzerland.

In case you missed our interview on Radio Frontier on the 19th February you can still access and listen to it on their website.

 

And now, to preview the pieces…

 

THE LOTS TO TALK ABOUT

 Looking at the snow around me I am thinking of cozy week-ends in a mountain chalet which brings me to Lot 114 a South American Quanaco Fur Throw in Camel & White. This is the ultimate indulgence if you like to wrap yourself up in something warm and cozy. It would double up beautifully as either a luxurious blanket on a sofa or an indulging bed throw in the master suite adding that touch of glamour to any mountain retreat.

Now if you are already looking forward to a bit less snow and a bit more Sun and are keen to give your windows a new bright and breezy makeover, Lot 177 might be just the thing for you. A set of 4 beautiful linen curtains in a stripy/leafy design. The colors are very much part of the 2013 color trend in a Tomato Red/Mustard Yellow/Duck-Egg Blue. It`s almost as if the garden has been brought into your home giving that instant “super cozy” feel. The curtains are lined and inter-lined, offering the classy fullness and volume giving them the ultimate expensive and luxurious look.

You can even take it a step further and create your new room scheme by adding Lot 129,  a couple of bespoke armchairs in a duck-egg blue cotton/linen Jane Churchill Fabric fabric. Like the curtains, the armchairs are in very good condition and come in a wonderfully timeless design. They were made bespoke to match the curtains.

For the “icing on the cake” complete the look with Lot 235 a pair of gorgeous double ball shaped table lamps in a similar duck-egg blue color as the armchairs with cream lampshades. It is very rare that you can find an almost complete room scheme in good condition at the same auction - so definitely worth a look!

If you like to add some “Swedish Delights” to your living room you will be pleased to hear that there are a couple of original Gustavian sofas for sale Lot 127 and Lot 148. Gustavian furniture are hugely popular at the moment and as original pieces are rare and expensive, most enthusiasts go for the factory-made imitations which have captured the market. What a treat it must be therefore for those who appreciate quality to know that they can get the “real thing” for a similar price.

Staying with the Nordic scheme I spotted a gorgeous handcrafted Finnish armchair  Lot 106 so comfortable that you will not want to get up......so don`t put unwanted guests in there!! Although it needs a bit of upholstery work done the vintage mustardy yellow velvet fabric covering the chair is the absolute “dernière crie” on this years color trend scale....so I would not even bother replacing it.

Another absolute gem from Finland or rather “Russia with Love” is Lot 132, a 19th Century Finnish Copper Samovar  with Russian engraving - in working order, of course. If you like to treat your friends to a Tea Party with a difference you will certainly take people back to those good old times when “sitting down by the samovar” was a firmly established tradition. The first samovars were made of pure copper or from German silver and produced in Tula, south of Moscow. Apart from providing hot water and tea for the whole family throughout the day, the samovar was also an additional source of heat, kind of a mini-furnace that kept a home warmer so another very special way to spend a cold snowy afternoon with family or friends.

An unusual piece which caught my eye was Lot 128, an antique sewing table which has been re-vamped into a very attractive occasional table. It shows how easy it is with a little bit of imagination to re-use a piece of furniture for a very different purpose.

For those who are looking for something more contemporary Lot 103, a very attractive Teak TV Cabinet could just be something that works in your house. It is in very good condition and an attractive way to hide your television.  This is a timeless piece of furniture which is easy to place as it would go well with either contemporary and more traditional furniture.

Another very attractive looking piece is Lot 123, a Walnut Console Table in very good condition which again would look very good with a variety of furniture or even find its special place in the hall with a mirror above and a couple of lamps on either side.

Ideal for a children`s bedroom I spotted Lot 100 and Lot 134 a couple of really nice beds which are perfect for boys or girls.

And Last but not Least for those Fashionistas amongst us, the “Piece de Resistence” is Lot 229 a vintage Hermes Kelly Bag in black leather and good condition. It is authenticated by Hermes Geneva as pre 1975 and therefore a Must Have for those who can`t resist a “collectors item” especially if they can wear it!

In addition to the auction there are a number of smaller items on offer which are being sold for a very reasonable fixed price....this is quite a treasure trove of bargains and definitely worth a look.

This was only a first introduction to “whet the appetite”! There will be many more amazing items for sale so don`t miss our preview on the 27th February and Auction on the 28th February.

Looking forward to your visit to A LOT TO BLOG ABOUT next Wednesday.

Isabell Browell