Maitland-Smith

The Year of the Horse

Today is Chinese New Year, and 2014 has been designated the Year of the Horse.  Those born in these years are said to be "cheerful, skillful with money, perceptive, witty, talented and good with their hands."  It promises to be a good year for them and for us as well.   

Horses are beautiful, majestic creatures that are loved by many, either for riding, showing, racing, or just admiring the gait and wind in the mane when they are running free. 

To celebrate the Year of the Horse, or just because you love horses, why not bring the horse motif into your home either through an accessory or other equestrian-inspired item such as this beautiful hand-carved horse head in marble? 

 


Or how about this handsome ebony bronze finished cast brass horse head on a glass base? 

  
Beautiful on a desk or shelf is this antique and dark bronze finished cast brass armored horse on a dark snakeskin stone base.

Now to organize your desk, you can use a a stirrup-motif file/paper holder as a functional reminder of your love of all things equestrian. 

 

While we are thinking of the home office, you must have equestrian-themed lighting for your desk.  The Celerie Kemble for Maitland-Smith collection features this small, stitched leather-inlaid table lamp with brass in a stirrup motif.  The shade is hand-sewn silk.   
Another unique lamp is inlaid with hand-tooled leather and features riding gear.  The custom finial is a small riding helmet.     

These are just a few of the many horse-inspired items found at Maitland-Smith.  Visit our website to see more.    www.maitland-smith.com

Happy New Year to those who celebrate, and let's hope it is a good year for us all. 

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

Here Comes the Sun

Brrrr - It's cold here in North Carolina and pretty much all across America.  At least for us, it is bright and sunny (and dry for the moment). 

When it is this cold outside, it is somehow easier to endure if the sun is shining brightly.  If dark and gloomy outside, a sunburst mirror can bring the sun indoors as well as reflect the cozy lamp light. 

This surely must have been the inspiration behind sunburst mirrors. 

Credit for their introduction goes back to the 17th century to France's King Louis XIV.  He is described as the "Sun King,"  and for his emblem, he chose to use Apollo's head surrounded by the rays of the sun.  See image below.  And we all know how he loved mirrors... right?   (Hall of Mirrors, Versailles). 

Pictured left is a La Barge sunburst mirror, and with the lamp light, the space appears warm and inviting.  Pull up a wing chair next to the light, grab the novel you have been reading, a cup of cocoa, and you are all set.

Typically, sunburst mirrors are round, as is the sun, but they don't have to be. 

This La Barge sunburst mirror is oval and definitely makes a statement because of its size:  It is 40 inches wide and 66 inches high.  It can be hung either vertically or horizontally with lots of pizzazz. 

Another shape for a sunburst mirror is this rectangular one.   It is large also:  47 inches wide by 61 inches high.  Both of these mirrors still represent the sun but with lots of personality.   

Until this cold front moves on, be sure to stay warm and toasty inside, and keep looking for the sun (and perhaps a new sunburst mirror).   

La Barge brings art into your home....         www.labargeinc.com      www.maitland-smith.com