7 Interior Design Favorites from 1st Dibs

Regency Japanned Side Cabinet, England, 19th Century

 If you aren't using 1stDibs.com or utilizing their extensive treasure-filled showroom at 200 Lexington in New York City, then you're missing out on a valuable interior design resource.

Wagon Wheel Side Chairs by Wharton Esherick (signed), 1932

 Over 1,000 antique and collectibles dealers have been gathered together in a carefully curated online marketplace.
 

Lizard vase by Jean-Jacques Lachenal, France, c. 1920

 It's easy to plug in any keywords - Robsjohn-Gibbings, Gustavian, chandelier, 18th century, lantern, skull - and come up with a host of merchandise to peruse.
 

Disco Bar with LED programmable lights and sound system by Patrick Cox, England, 2008

 I've decided to select some of my 1stDibs.com favorites this month; click on each photo for more product information.
 

Dining Table by Gio Ponti, Italy, c. 1970

 The really cool part about this service? There are always thousands of

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5 Treasures from Winter Antiques Show Dealers

Photo: The Martha Blog / Martha Stewart

I just attended the 58th Annual Winter Antiques Show at the Park Avenue Armory in Manhattan. Glittering event! The Who's Who of design was in full force as well as exhibitors from all over the world, showing only the finest antiques ranging from furniture to fine art and jewelry. The quality was staggeringly high ... and so were the prices. A personal favorite is artist Romare Bearden, and one of his smaller works was selling for $180,000. Here are five antiques that took my breath away. Click on each photo for more information.

Associated Artists: Herter Brothers Library Writing Desk c. 1880

Hostler Burrows: 1920s Danish Floor Urn for Herman Kahler

 

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Make Your Own Furniture Finishes

If you're into perfect details - and that covers our interior-design-loving readers - then there will be times you'll want to tightly control the finishes on some furniture pieces. Let's say you're padding your client's budget and using flea market or auction furniture ... or you pick up unfinished wood furniture and want to make it look old. Knowing how to refinish a client's furniture will come in handy.

Faux painting and distressing will help turn something new into an old master. The following video from St. Paul, MN shows you how custom woodworkers create something that looks old and beautiful from something brand new and raw. Distressing furniture may well be in your future as a handy, I-can-do-it-all designer; try the techniques in this Designed & Made Custom Workworking video.

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Brooklyn Flea: A Feast for the Senses

 "Beastie" Photo Collage: John MurphyA weekend visit to Brooklyn Flea in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, NY unearthed a mecca of sensory bliss, from tasty nibbles and u-pcycled furniture to limited edition prints and hand-stitched quilts from India. And, yes, you can still find an unlimited assortment of antiques and items which could easily be made into your next piece of jewelry! 

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