Vintage Wednesday

Vintage Lampshades

2011-12-21T16:45:00.001Z

We have a range of vintage lampshades in stock at present. All were made by Mary Fitzsimmons, Ireland's top lampshade maker, between 1975 and 1995.

The shade above dates from the 1970s, and the batik is by Bernadette Madden.

This 1980s shade also features Bernadette Madden batik.

The above shade uses a Warner Print, and is from the 1990s.

Vintage Warner Fabrics

2011-10-26T16:55:00.003+01:00

All of these wonderful fabrics were designed by an American designer by the name of Greeff for Warner & Sons. Greeff spent a lot of his time travelling and he was inspired by the sights and different cultures in which he came across on his many adventures. The inspiration from Greeff's travels can be seen in the many fabrics he designed.

We have a limited amount of these fabrics for sale in our vintage department including the ones listed below.

Shelducks and Mallards

Kimono Stripe

Chinese Nightingale

Jasmine and Jade

Milan arm chair

2011-08-10T17:31:00.001+01:00

It is hard to get a neat tub chair. One of the classics is the Milan.

Produced in large number by Harry Ledmond of Restmond Products in Dublin from the 50s onwards. With no dimension greater than 70mm it will fit into fairly compact spaces and is superbly comfortable.

Vintage Curtain Poles

2011-07-20T17:43:00.001+01:00

Here at our store we stock a range of curtain poles including some very interesting vintage style poles. These date back some time. Here's a peak at some of our vintage poles.

Amtico

2011-07-06T17:39:00.007+01:00

In the 50's the American Tile Company started selling a high quality, pure vinyl, sculpted tile.

A number of our installations from the 60's and 70's still provide sterling service including this one in a busy entrance hall in Mountjoy Square, Dublin.

Subsequently, they dropped all their pure vinyl tiles and now work on the fairly standard manufacturing processof 1mm vinyl on photograph on backing.

Now called Amtico, these wont last 40 years in heavy wear area.

Wallpaper

2011-06-22T17:50:00.002+01:00

There are many reasons for deciding to paint or use wallpaper; aesthetics, practicality and price being some of the considerations.
Dividing the total cost by number of years of life gives some interesting figures and once wallpaper lasts over 25 years it wins hands down on price.
We supplied this paper for Stairs and Landings in Mountjoy Square in 1974. At the time it was a stock Adams design in a range by Cole & Son. It is still available for minimum orders of 10 rolls.

Linoleum

2011-05-18T09:36:00.001+01:00

One of the great vintage materials is linoleum (sometimes known as lino) invented in 1855 by Frederic Walton. It contains linseed oil, pine resin, cork dust, wood flour and mineral fillers on a canvas scrim.

After nearly dying out in the 1970's linoleum enjoyed a major resurgence when its green characteristics were appreciated.

It is a very long lasting product (typically 40+ years) and can be laser cut to incorporate any design.

When the Queen visits the Japanese Gardens tomorrow she will walk on a 20 year old installation in the entrance area of the visitors center, where we incorporated a 2.4m x 2.3m goban in the design, which was used by professional go players during the 45th European Go Championship in Ireland in 2001.

We also did a tatami mat design on the restaurant floor reflecting the traditional Japanese floor covering which we also sell in paper carpeting.

Old Books

2011-04-27T15:26:00.004+01:00

Old books can provide an interesting source of ideas. It is amazing at times how a very old volume can

provide examples of contemporary furnishings which would not look out of place in a modern idiom.

A case in point is Colour Schemes and Modern Furnishings by Derek Patmore.

This volume was published in 1945 for the use of H M Forces and is available in our library.

The photo below shows a room in the house of Mrs Chester Beatty in London. Nothing in it

would be out of place today. The detectives among you can doubtless work out where the

paintings by Pisarro, Sisley and Boudin are now!

LOUIS FERAUD

2011-04-19T16:42:00.003+01:00

Most couturiers who lend their names to collections for interiors fail miserably.

Ralph Lauren are probably the most successful in the field. Although not as big a range as it was 5 years ago it still covers a large field of fabrics and wallcoverings and is very strong in darker colours which are sadly lacking in many European ranges.

Kenzo and others have succeeded to some degree.

We think that Jean Paul Gaultier's new range will not join the greats.

One of more interesting launches was the joint venture of Louis Feraud and JAB in 1997.

The distinctive Feraud colours and designs were transferred to a cross section of JAB fabrics including cotton and voiles. Some of the designs are 1.5m high and are particularly striking.

We have some of these on display in the showrooms at present.

Welcome!

2011-04-13T10:06:00.001+01:00

Most Wednedays we will post a snippet on some aspect of vintage design.

Generally we will restrict ourselves to the last century which many of you still remember.

Enjoy!

John