This gold leaf, black and rust geometric chest was painted for a New Orleans designer (seen on page 39 in Batt’s book).

Here, a vintage buffet was painted with transluscent stripes in white, beige and brown (page 127).

To see more of Pruitt-Littleton’s work, visit their space at Memorial Antiques & Interiors (Building 1). If you are out of town, send MAI a request for pictures of their inventory and what you are looking for.

 It’s easy to lighten up a room with a quick updating of accessories. This piped vintage blossom citrine pillow, one of a pair available at MAI, is a great choice.

Here, a newly reupholstered French armchair comes to life with accent piping and a Scalamandre pillow.

A new accent piece or two can brighten up a side table — traditionalists will love this Staffordshire that sports some color.

This turquoise art glass charger will be appreciated by collectors, AND make a statement in color.

Brightening up interiors can turn thoughts toward springtime and gardening. Here, an antique garden gnome rests atop a rusty blue garden table — perfect for inside or out.

French oil on canvas

Vintage paintings sporting “the” new colors for spring 2012 are a fun choice when updating.

Architectural element-turned-mirror

One-of-a-kind mirrors are obvious choices to brighten up our surroundings.

Late 1800s zinc facade

An antique architectural facade won’t go unnoticed, even in a large room.

Framed fragments

Above, a series of framed architectural fragments that can be used in many ways. Think out of the box.

Old iron gates found in France

And as for thinking out of the box, antique iron gates can dramatically emphasize a wall or an area.

]]> http://www.maihouston.com/if-walls-could-talk/feed/ 0 http://www.maihouston.com/storage-problems-solved/ http://www.maihouston.com/storage-problems-solved/#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:39:02 +0000 admin http://www.maihouston.com/?p=909

Vintage French baskets

“Get organized for the new year!” advise headlines and magazine teasers this month.

You’ve heard all that before, but have you seen these solutions for your organizing and storage agendas?  Baskets to boxes, carts to chests, tables to ottomans, and everywhere in between, items pictured here represent storage solutions currently available in Buildings 1 and 2. Virtually all of MAI’s inventory is antique or vintage, and ALL of it is sturdy and ready for you to use. Memorial Antiques & Interiors offers options that will be used and loved long after January’s mazazines are tossed away and the resolutions are… well, you know.

Need a place to store seasonal table linens? This dining table is ideal. Its entire top can be lifted or slid to the side to reveal ample storage area. Boasting a roomy drawer as well, the antique French dough bin measures 77″ wide x 35″ deep x 32.5″ in height, large enough for family dinners.

Antique dining table

The antique French armoire  here is painted and its chicken wire reveals shelves and drawers… so many uses to think of!

Multi-use painted armoire

Soon enough, thoughts will turn toward spring, summer, and pool-side. An indestructible towel collector is this old French mining cart. Colorful and wheeled, it is large enough for towels and pool toys. Of course, it can hold lots of other items around the home, too.

Sturdy French cart

Useful and unique, the ottoman below is actually a repurposed antique map cabinet with five wide drawers and a newly upholstered, tufted linen top. Wide enough to seat at least two people, it has casters too so it can be moved easily to accommodate seating needs.

Five-drawer ottoman

Natural boxwood, all sizes, for now and after the holidays

Feeling frazzled and rushed as the clock ticks down?  Relax.  Memorial Antiques & Interiors has last-minute gifts in stock that will bring smiles all around.

Leather-bound books and wonderful scents

Walk right in, select a gift or two, have them holiday gift sacked (complimentary, of course) while you pay, and you’re done!

Roe deer antlers from Europe

No lines, no searching in vain for someone to help you, no parking hassles either.

French transferware plates

Every gift suggestion on this page is priced under $99.

Copper fleur de lis for the wall

How easy is this?  Happy holidays from Memorial Antiques & Interiors!

Table designs in process

Tablescapes and servingscapes will be created on wonderful tables and buffets, using holiday decorations, florist’s items, and our store’s vintage and antique inventory. Mid-century, too. And priced to sell, one piece or several at a time!

Custom pet portraits

Little Whimsies Dog Portraits by Carole Pena capture pets’ unique personalities. Each original 5 x 7 sketch will be done in graphite and charcoal from your photo on handmade Italian paper, and will be delivered ready for framing and in time for holiday gift giving.  Houston artist Carole Pena currently teaches art at the School for Young Children, a small school in the Montrose area, and she also works from her studio in west Houston. *** Please be sure to bring your pet photos with you on December 3.***

 Houston designer and silversmith Marcela Castillo’s Urban Embellishments jewelry collection will be coming to MAI Building 2 as well. Her collection incorporates custom silver creations, semi-precious stones, beads, and vintage and antique jewelry.

Jewelry treasures

Items draw on Castillo’s appreciation for fashion designers past and present – the exquisite detail of Yves Saint Laurent and the romanticism of John Galliano, to name a few. French history and old Hollywood movies play roles as well. Jewelry from this collection will become favorite gifts and treasures.

Long-time MAI friend and past dealer Kathy Rock is bringing back her popular paperwhites for the holiday season. They are peeking out now from their vintage planters and containers, and they will be blooming soon to make a delightful holiday appearance. Adding to the mix will be custom purses and bags that you have seen at MAI in the past.

Paperwhites blooming soon

Grand prize winner Paula Courtney

Exclaiming, “I’ve never won anything before in my life,” MAI’s Grand Prize winner Paula Courtney has her friend — and loyal MAI customer — Jim Nicholas to thank for her $1,000 gift certificate.

When the drawing for $1,000 and $500 MAI gift certificates was held at the front of the store, Paula was visiting with a group of friends at the back. Luckily, Jim Nicholas heard her name called and hurried to find her in the crowded store before another ticket was drawn.

These Grand Prize gift certificates were highlights of some 40 prizes offered at MAI’s 5th Anniversary Open House on Wednesday evening, November 2. Dealers in Buildings 1 and 2 offered door prizes such as French artwork, an antique ebonized chair, sconces, champagne gift baskets, bread boards, and booth gift certificates. Deciding which prizes to take their chances on was hard work, so party-goers enjoyed tables offering wine and food pairings that were set up throughout the store. Champagne, Italian and domestic wines, ceviche, layered appetizers, shrimp ‘n’ grits, pralines, and more were enjoyed all evening.

Paula Courtney, owner of Courtney & Company located on Gaylord near MAI, added that her $1,000 gift certificate was much better than prizes her husband has won in the past … a monkey and a surfboard to name a few.

Space has filled up since then

“I remember working at the front desk during our first year, 2006, and being amazed at how many people burst through our front doors, thanking us for opening a new antiques & interiors store in the area.  So wonderful to be so appreciated!”

Filming for a local TV show

“I think it was Christmas 2006 that we won the Villages’ award for best holiday window display. We were so excited!”

“ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition came to town, and we provided some decor for the home they were building. Doing that, participating in the 2009 Pink Ribbon House, and joining with the Holiday Shopping Card and a toy drive for needy children at Christmas… these make us feel part of the community by giving back.”

Extreme Makeover's huge home to fill

 ”Remember knocking out walls to make room for new dealers? Customers say that we are always changing, and that’s a good thing! We’re grateful that we have been able to add dealers and expand. We’ve grown, and we celebrate our customers and their loyalty to MAI.”

Please join us in celebrating our 5th Anniversary Open House

Wednesday, November 2

5 until 8 p.m.

8719 Katy Freeway in Houston, Texas 77024

Back again are our wine and food pairings throughout the store, 40+ dealer door prizes, store prize gift certificates of $500 and $1,000, and special discounts all day! Leslie Sinclair will be signing her new book, which will make a great holiday gift.

Enjoying the 2010 Open House

Building 1 dealers

Front desk at newly opened Building 2

Consigned opened, summer 2009

We’ve been putting on the finishing touches at MAI’s new Building 2, located at 8731 Katy Freeway…

And we’re having a Grand Opening this week! Come in Thursday through Saturday, October 13 – 15, 10 to 6, to enjoy champagne, chocolates and other treats, and be one of the first to see MAI’s newest exciting store.

Raffle prizes, too… A large vintage basket full of decorative items from Building 2 dealers, valued over $1000, and a signed copy of new dealer Leslie Sinclair’s sought-after book, Segreto – Secrets to Finishing Beautiful Interiors.

MAI Building 2 is easy to find at 8731 Katy Freeway, a few doors down from our original store and just before you get to MAI consigned. This store is full of wonderful new inventory offered by some existing MAI dealers and new dealers, too. Come see!

       If your heart speeds up at the mere mention of Round Top, this is the week you’ve been waiting for! 

MAI dealers are set up and ready to show you lots of great inventory. They are listed below, and we hope you’ll check them out this week.

BLUE HILLS – Brocante French Antiques

EX-CESS  -  Sacred Heart Antiques; John Petty

OLD HENRY FARM  -  Lagniappe Shoppe

ARBOR ANTIQUES  -  Henri Delclaux

MARBURGER FARM  -  Kay Gilbreath; Deborah Jensen; Kelley Zeleski; Gracy Hall; Bella Vita Designs; the 2 Lucy’s; Leighton Hale; Cheri Mahoney; Marshall Lee; Parkhouse Antiques; Henry Galindo

Antique bleached furniture and a new take on sunburst mirrors set the stage for a sculpture from Europe.

Vintage iron gridwork frames a lucite lamp with linen shade.

And reflections off the window can’t mask the details of updated looks inside.

Decorative items shown here came from four different dealers at Memorial Antiques & Interiors.