Maitland-Smith

Onyx Optimized by La Barge

Onyx is a striped, semi-precious stone that has properties similar to quartz.   Colors vary from black and brown tones, to reds and greens and rusts.  Often used in jewelry, it is also fashioned into decorative objects such as vases and bowls.  The term,  "onyx marble" is sometimes used because of the similarity to the look of marble.

As with any natural product, each slice of onyx is different with colors and designs that only nature can produce. 

At La Barge, we have taken this beautiful natural material and  used it in a variety of ways.  Shown below, the table top is a slice of green and rust colored onyx on the aged silver and iron finished occasional table.    The color is vivid and has to be seen and touched to be fully appreciated.   

 

Swirls of various shades of brown are seen on the onyx  top and shelf on this antique patina brass tripod table. 

Natural materials are a wonderful complement to home decor. No matter if you select shells, driftwood, rock crystal, semi-precious stones or any other natural material, each makes an individual statement, as no two pieces will ever be the same.

Just as no two individuals are ever the same.

La Barge... a reflection of all that you are.  www.labargeinc.com

New at Maitland-Smith and La Barge

The twice yearly home furnishings market begins today and we have been busy adding the final touches to our showroom to make our guests feel special and welcome.  It's almost like inviting our dealers and designers to a party in our own home.  The flowers are arranged, the background music is playing and the food is being prepared. 

Though we are only open to the trade, we will share with you a few sneak peeks of some of the new offerings.

Our new lifestyle this market is called "London Townhouse" with classic English and European furniture and accessories.  These introductions with their decidedly refined and pared down aesthetic were inspired by objects found in the finest of London townhouses, yet are suitable for any fine home today.  Lion's paw feet and textures of crocodile embossed leather, brass and stone as well as beautiful marquetry and walnut burl, create a look that is both handsome and very comfortable. 

This etagere captures the true essence of the London Townhouse group.   It features classic English forms with its turned posts and lion's paw carvings, accentuated in our new rubbed London mahogany finish.  This piece is at home in a library, but just as comfortable in a bedroom.  Scaled down slightly for today's urban living, this versatile piece complements any decor. 

This handsome pair of vintage silver finished brass table lamps with horse motif are the perfect complement to classic forms.  The black and gold shades are hand sewn silk. 

For those who like cleaner lines, we have added to our East/West passage lifestyle group of transitional 20th century designs.  The antique aubergine finish lends sophistication to this transitional cocktail table.  Overscaled but understated, the black waxstone top is accentuated with a petrified wood mosaic and brass inlays. 

La Barge continues its tradition of offering the finest in mirrors and accent tables with a blending of exotic veneers with stainless steel and brass accents.

The round La Barge mirror has a walnut burl faceted frame with gilded moldings and beveled mirror glass. 

 Clean lines define the occasional table with stainless steel posts supporting the walnut burl and beveled clear glass top.  The mirrored shelf below is also beveled. 

These are just a few of the many new offerings by Maitland-Smith and La Barge.  You can see why we are so excited and look forward to welcoming our guests.      

Elegant and distinctive pieces for your home today with quality and style to last a lifetime....  Do you have a Maitland-Smith treasure?   www.maitland-smith.com  www.labargeinc.com

Bird Watching

Bird symbols in home decor are good feng shui.  Besides that, who doesn't love the sound of birds singing on a perfect summer day? Who doesn't marvel when a flash of blue or red is seen as a Carolina bluebird or a Cardinal passes by? 

In traditional feng shui birds are considered powerful symbols of new opportunities that are there even in times of adversity. 

Whether in a fabric print, wall art, small sculpture or embellishment, birds are a welcome addition to your home, inside as well as out.

Below are hand-painted silver with gold leaf coromandel wall panels showing birds and butterflies. Butterflies, too, are good feng shui.  Both birds and butterflies fly free, and this speaks to our longing for a life that is happy and free. 

Cranes are popular feng shui applications.  The crane symbolizes longevity and is used in feng shui to bring the energy of a long, noble and peaceful life.   This pair of cranes is a decorative lamp in antique and dark bronze with young tiger penshell inlay.  
 
A completely different example of birds in home decor is seen in this laser-cut design of birds on branches on the chest of drawers.  The wood veneers vary in color so that when the outer veneer is cut away, the darker color of the underlying veneer shows through. 

If you love nature, and birds in particular, consider adding birds to your home decor.  For after all, birds may inspire you to soar and fly free.    

Elegant and distinctive pieces for your home today with quality and style to last a lifetime...Do you have a Maitland-Smith treasure?

www.maitland-smith.com

Penshell Perfection

Penshell is a mollusk found in the tropical waters of the western Pacific where the meat of this clam-like animal is a food source.  When polished, the shell can be inlaid as a decorative veneer, cut into small sections, or crackled and paved on a variety of surfaces. 

In its juvenile state the shell has a translucent amber color with dark brown spots and irregular flecks.  When mature, the shell darkens to a rich brown, almost black color and is no longer translucent. 

As a decorative material, Maitland-Smth artisans inlay the juvenile shell over fiberglass forms to take advantage of its translucent quality.  Combination of young and mature shell sections give interesting graphic patterns when used as a shade on a lamp, chandelier or wall mounted light.  Here you see individual pieces placed on a fiberglass form one at a time in a diamond pattern.  Shown below is a finished lamp with a similar shade.  Notice the way the light is diffused spreading a warm glow.

When inlaid on opaque surfaces, the polished shell has an effect similar to inlaid wood veneers of contrasting colors.
Believe it or not, this secretary is completely covered with over 15,000 lozenges of black and brown penshell. Imagine the hours a craftsman spends in creating a piece of this size.

Because penshell is readily available, is a renewable resource, and is quite beautiful, it is used to embellish small accessories such as this turtle's shell, or large, more complex pieces such as the secretary above, and everything in between.

 

  For those who love the detail, beauty and variety found in natural objects, penshell will make a welcome addition to your home decor.  To see the over 150 Maitland-Smith penshell items, visit our website at www.maitland-smith.com and enter "penshell" in the search tab.

Elegant and distinctive pieces for your home today with quality and style to last a lifetime... Do you have a Maitland-Smith treasure?