Collecting Fat

Sundial Farm & Antiques- a hidden gem right off the taconic!

Sundial Farm & Antiques

I have driven the Taconic parkway all my life, every weekend, on route to ski at Windham. I never knew just off the parkway is a gem of a farm with both plants and antiques! My kinda space! Barns, Antiques, Nature, Farm, Gardens and Historic.

 When a landscape designer asked for some assistance in finding garden treasures- I immediately popped there way. They have great antiques and vintage finds at very reasonable prices. The barn acts as the perfect display. I drooled through three barns and then found my way to the nursery! 

I could have sat there all day chatting under the shaded building Bill Hawkey built. Built with fallen down spruce trees- joined with notch cuts and wood lag bolts. This immense hand crafted structure is truly a piece of art work.   Bill and Penny own the farm and grow the seedlings in a tiny glass house. They move the seedlings into other bigger cloche structures as the weather gets warmer. There plants are fondled and loved sometimes two years before they are put out for sale. While walking the grounds, I met a shopper from New Zealand who told me "these are the best kept plants around". I could see that. Not only were the plants in excellent health, the varieties were carefully selected with natives and deer resistance in mind. I bought plants I have been looking for and could not find elsewhere- hops, rhubarb,Clementius, false indigo and yarrow. Next time I go I get a Tour of the Historic House. Lucky Lucky Me.

Sundial Farm

The Barn at Sundial Farm

Sail to Monhegan Island Maine

Monhegan Island Maine

one of our sail to spots each year

a place you wont forget

a place apart

Hudson Valley Antiques - in a car- in a day- really two

There are many Antique spots in the Hudson Valley. By spots I mean hamlets and towns that have three or more antique shops. Because I am buying for resale in a shop, time is of the essence. Price is of the essence. I need to find quality items that I can mark up considerably. Therefor towns with several shops, malls or fleamarkets are always on my radar.

 

Two or three times a year I drive this faboulous route and vary it with side trips. I live here so for me its a whirlwind day! For others its better to take two days to really see the towns and get the shopping in.

Any dealers out there who wants to comment or add your thoughts please do!

I start usally by driving as far as I can so that I dont feel like I am missing anything! In the case of the Hudson River I head to Coxsackie Antiques mall in Coxsackie NY. This is our largest mall in the region and has over 100 dealors. Always something good here. Always. 

I take a spin through the town that lies just on the rivers edge and check out the brick buildings downtown. From here I drive south through Athens- always taking the sides streets down to the water and the side streets that take you up the hill. This town has some old gems from the early 1800's that I adore. Next I head south through the town of Malden. Take side streets here also. 

 

At the Rhinecliff Kingston Bridge, I usally head east over the bridge to Redhook where I frequent

1. Attic Memories- 18 east market st

2.Annex Antiques center-on east main

3. Red Hook Emporium

4. Hoffman Barn Sale

5. George Cole Auctions

6. East Market Street Antiques- sandra mackintosh

7. Red Hook Antique Center

At this point if I have time and money I head to Hudson Ny where there are many dealors but the price is a bit high for me and better suited to the homeowner who would like an education in the pieces they deside to puchase. 

After Red Hook I head south to Rhinebeck where I hit Beekman Arms Antique Market. 

In Hyde park I make a quick stop at both of the centers on route 9.                If I don't have time I do not freak out. I feel the items in this town are very victorian, an age I am not fond of. 

Then I head south and don't stop until I get to Beacon where I find lovely items all the way at the end of main street in a few shops there. 

Then I coast south on 9, passing Bannermens castle on an island in the river on my right and hit Cold Spring. Here you will find many many dealers in several shops ranging from junk to treasures.

 

On days that I am not up early and can only get so far.... I pick New paltz as my drive to spot. I head first to the red barn at the end of water street.

  Grandmas attic is another multi I never miss. After this multi dealer spot I turn right at the light towards  Gardiner. I run into   HiHo, get all excited for  her inspiring displays, christmas tree room and general great antiques and some new products. 

I always stop at farmers stands in this region. 

I make my way to Montgomery and warwick- two towns with several shops in each. 

Boy how I love the Hudson Region. Its a really special place for me. Not only am I antique shopping but I'm driving absolutely lovely roads and if you know your revolutionary history your taking a history tour as well. 

Refinishing Mid Century Modern Furniture

When I refinish mid century furniture, which is usually veneered and bleached mahogany, I am very conscious when scrapping off the old finish. I keep a sharp blade and I breath. I use my other hand to guide the scraper. I can not have any digs and the scraper must be kept FLAT. Once the piece is scraped I sand with 180 grit. At this point I keep careful track of where I have been and how many passes I have taken. If you break through veneer you have to re-veneer. 

Many of my clients want the orange button lac shellac look but want a more durable finish. 

I suggest a yacht product that has an orange tint and a bullet proof top coat made by Sikkens- cetol. 

First coat is the base with the orange tint. scratch sand and apply 4 coats of the top coat.

I flood the surface- to fill the mahogany pours by brushing across the grain and then I come back, quickly but lightly with the grain.

Cetol was made for yachts and then expanded into the residential market.

This stuff lasts on boats where it is bombarded by salt sun and wind- it will with stand your children's coke cans and homework sessions. 

Painting Wooden Floors

Painting a wooden floor is one of the cheapest ways to lively up a room.

The hard part is picking the color!

First you hand sand all edges that but up to surfaces you do not want painted. I hand sand with a $3 3m block - medium grade. Next I take out my Festool sander that hooks up to a vacuum. Best for not kicking around dust. I use 150 sand paper and make sure that I am not sanding out worn spots if its a historical floor. 

I vacuum, vacuum and vacuum three times. I change my clothes- as they have become dust collectors. I clean the floor with a diaper and paint thinner. I tack rag the floor.

Then I paint!

I taped the woodwork around the edge of this floor because I had to move fast to keep a wet edge. The tape allows me to not worry. A clean cut in edge is added later. There is nothing worse then the look of paint that has traveled under tape.  Cut in a nice clean edge a day or so later.

Left over paint can be easily applied to an old piece of furniture if you have prepped it before hand. Therefor I always have little projects available to use up the extra.

Don't fret - if you don't like it- let it harden up, choose another color and paint again.

Its easy!

Apr 26, 2012

Waiting for my purples to pop up!

Beacon Flea Announces 2nd Season Starting May 6th | Second Hand Social

Emma Dewing, Director at the Beacon Flea Market is excited to announce the flea market’s Spring opening for it’s second season! “The business began as a partnership between my neighbor and myself. We had a shared interest in antiques, junk, and helping build Beacon into a thriving destination city on the Hudson River. After a promising start last year the flea is growing in size and in reputation. This year I am running the flea myself, and am looking forward to building on last years momentum. Originally from London, England, I have been settled in the US for several years, the last 5 years have been here, in Beacon. My interests span antiques, mid century modern design, contemporary art, and maker-made products. Through running the flea market I get to meet and socialize with talented, knowlegable, and lovely people. It is a small market of about 45 vendors, and is a community of like minded people who love the old, quirky, retro, designer and handmade! We all love a good rummage, and the banter is fun and friendly. I always say – bring the family, bring the dog, grab a coffee on Main Street, and come visit with friends and neighbors! Come find your treasure!

via www.tagsellit.com

My next door flea market has many surprise findings and Beacon Ny is a great walking- shopping - eating- art town!

Greenport Long Island- A great sailing Port

Greenport Long Island

September boat show & classic boat regatta

antiques

boatyards

Black Smith

Chandlers

salvaged boat parts

garden shop

formica counter top Diner

old houses

Scrimshaw's

Preston's

Brightwork Season in New York

Last year I did not wait until ALL of  the pollen had cleared. My beautiful work became a mess. Spring time is the time when we want to spruce up our boats, outdoor furniture and doors and windows but need to remember to watch  for  pollen if we are using high gloss paints with open long dry times( tung oil, spar varnish). It is my belief these are the only kinds of products to use on woods that shrink and expand with our changing seasons. 

Instead I take the time to do my build up coats, taping and filling, staining if need be and building up the layers. When the pollen has arrested and I get a few dry days in a row- I fearlessly take out my new Ox hair brush and Varnish to my hearts content. 

If your looking for brightwork on your house or yacht and you are in the New York area give me a holler. I am looking for maintenance minded clients whom want a job well done.

www.urbanboatworks.com

urbanboatworks@gmail.com

ciguë

via www.cigue.net

great small space woodwork / room divider