Saturday Shopping with Christophe Pourny

New York Antique Restoration Specialist Christophe Pourny is featured this week in the coveted "Saturday Shopping" section on www.1stdibs.com. As most of my readers know, 1st dibs is the premiere shopping site for antique and period furniture, estate jewelry, and now vintage fashion.   The brainchild of founder Michael Bruno, 1st dibs has a loyal following that stretches from Dallas to Dubai!   What better way to browse the collections of the worlds most discriminating eyes.  Especially when you can do it in your bathrobe, having your first cup of coffee.Modele Rue Jacob Mirror - Christophe Pourny

Saturday Shopping is a weekly feature on 1st dibs that showcases the favorite picks of new listings from an industry expert, this week- Christophe Pourny.

 It is a busy time for Christophe Pourny Studio.   Just last month, Pourny saw the first model in his new furniture collection hung in ID Collection in Dallas & Houston.   "Modele Rue Jacob" is a beautiful example of high gloss black lacquer, featuring 18k gold leaf.   A wonderfully proportioned mirror that is regal and modern at the same time.   Architectural Digest - November 2009

If that weren't enough, Pourny's work is also featured in the November issue of Architectural Digest.   The issue has Michael Jackson on the cover, as the magazine gives you a look inside Jackson's strange world and his large furniture collection.    While Pourny's work is featured in the story on NY designer Marjorie Shushan, coincidentally, Pourny had done some work for Michael Jackson in the late 90's when Jackson had an apartment in Trump Tower.  The issue is on newsstands now, and you can go "Saturday Shopping" any day with Christophe at www.1stdibs.com.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!! BOO!

SEPARATED AT BIRTH - BASQUE VS. TOULOUSE

FRENCH LINES PRESS - EPOCA, SAN FRANCISCO The Basque (from Bilboa to Biarritz) and Toulouse (think foie gras & cassoulet) regions are only about 100 miles  from each other in the South West of France.   While relatively close by modern standards, the two areas probably seemed like different worlds just a few hundred years ago.  

I was recently in San Francisco and found a great example of  French woodworking rarely seen in the United States.   I was in the design district to attend a book signing by Susanna Salk.   Susanna is a well known design diva who regularly appears on the Today Show and is a major contributor for www.1stdibs.com.    Susanna's latest book - Weekend Retreats is a wonderful look inside some of the chicest second homes in Connecticut's Litchfield county.

The party was hosted by one of the largest stores in the design district - Epoca.   Known for it's unique collection and impeccable taste, Epoca is a must for anyone who is passionate about home decor.  

One piece that stopped me in my tracks was a French Linen Press in Walnut.   This beautiful example of French woodworking is rarely seen in the United States.   I was immediately reminded of a piece I know from NYC.   While the two look very similar, a closer look reveals there is a major difference.FRENCH LINEN PRESS - CHRISTOPHE POURNY, NYC

The piece at Epoca is from the Basque region, shown by the concentric circles prominently displayed.  The oxblood stain and the twisted carving shows a strong Spanish influence.

The second piece is physically larger, but the real difference  is found in the carving.    Pointe de diamant or Diamond Points is a very typical design found in the Toulouse region.   This piece is part of the private collection of Christophe Pourny.    Both are from the 17th century and fine examples of artisanal detail and would be the focal point of any room they would decorate. 

To see more items in the EPOCA collection, shop the store on their website -  EPOCA , or visit -1stDibs.  

To buy Susanna's book, click Amazon.