Upstate Updates with CJ Swank


Complementary. Guest Curations | PUBLISHED 02.02.22 | Jennifer Ventresca
A vibrant, yet relaxing living room designed by CJ Swank using antiques and vintage elements sourced from online auctions, estate sales, and thrift shops. | BRG

In this edition of Complementary. Guest Curations, we invited CJ Swank to share her top picks. CJ worked as a Visual Arts Director for the State of Arizona, museums and galleries for over 30 years.

She now enjoys retirement as she applies the principles of fine arts to her own home in Upstate New York. She is chronicling her favorite antiques, vintage furniture finds, and interior decor experiences through her instagram lifestyle brand @CJSwank_NewYork.

Complementary. Guest Curations by CJ Swank

CJ's overall design aesthetic is eclectic and gathered with a twist of chinoiserie. She sources and curates her favorite antiques, vintage, and mid century furniture and home accessories through online auctions, estate liquidations and estate sales, thrift shops, and consignment stores. Here are her curated selections currently available at Black Rock Galleries:

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CJ's Curation

Although there were a plethora of estate sales and auction merchandise from which to choose, CJ focuses her sole attention on the Bronxville Online Estate Auction @BRG-Bridgeport, which inspires her to state, "What a treasure trove! That person [the estate owner] and I definitely think alike!"

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1. Italian Neoclassical Style Silvered table Lamps (Item #191892) -- These lamps have a tarnished finish with just the right amount of shimmer to fit into today's eclectic interiors. Carved to resemble classical elements, just add shades to make them your own. 22"H x 3½" Base

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2. Antique Oil on Canvas, Italian School 17th-18th Century (Item #191951) -- A beautiful unsigned oil painting presented in a gilded carved frame. In the foreground, a bull playfully approaches a dog in front of a ruin. Off in the distance, an alpine village is nestled below snow capped peaks. Framed 19½"W x 16½"H

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3. Antique William & Mary, Cross-Banding Burr Walnut Chest of Drawers, 18th Century (Item #191894) - a handsome antique chest and beautiful representation of fine woodworking. The burr wood is showcased with each drawer edged in cross banding, This piece rests on bun feet and has brass drop pulls and escutcheons. 34"H x 22"D x 38"W

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4. Antique Portrait, Oil on Canvas (Item #191910) -- Attributed by repute to Thomas Sully (American 1783-1872) is this "Portrait of John Stebbin" encased in an ornate gilt frame. Framed 26" x 31"

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5. Antique Collection of Books by Charles Dickens (Item #191945) -- A collection of twenty-two leather bound and gilded books by Charles Dickens. Published by Chapman and Hall, London and Ticknor and Fields, Boston, 1858. This collection will add a bit of history to your bookcases or read the collection to get to know Dickens' works better. 5"We x 7½"H x 1½"D

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6. Pair of Chinese Mustard Glaze Porcelain Temple Jars with Lids (Item #191952) -- Add a spark of color to your decor with this pair of beautifully shaped, temple jars with a rich mustard glaze finish. These are Chinese and made of porcelain. 11"H x 4"Dia (base)

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7. Italian Neoclassical Commodes, Circa 1800 (Item #191899) -- a lovely pair of Italian Neoclassical commodes with fruitwood inlay front and sides and original black marble slab tops. Two drawers and raised on square tapered legs. Key included. 16"D x 22¼"W x 33"H

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8. Hand-Knotted Wool Sarouk Rug (Item #191957) -- Made of exceptional quality and tough wool, Sarouks are knotted using a Persian knot. The thickness of the luxurious pile allows Sarouk Persian carpets to withstand the highest levels of foot traffic and still hold their style, combining luxury and serviceability.

With a brilliant red background this rug has a traditional, allover design with accents of blue and gold. This rug is perfect for an entryway. 2' x 3"

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Are you interested in finding other comparable pieces to CJ's selections? Maybe in a different style, period or size?

Find an ever-changing selection of lamps, fine and decorative paintings, chest of drawers, jars, rugs, and commodes ... spanning all periods from antiques to MCM to contemporary in a variety of colors, finishes, shapes, and sizes here.

Peeling Back the Layers to Get the Look

If you want a little help layering old and new(er) pieces, check out these articles to learn how to add antique & vintage pieces to your living room or see how collected design creates stylish and sophisticated homes.

Using CJ's photo for inspiration, we can help you peel back her design layers so you too can "get the look" easily and affordably. Here's how:

1) First, look at the key pieces ... seating, rug and table.

2) Next, look for primary decorative accents ... mirrors, wall art, window treatments (if any), and larger accessories such as side tables and lighting.

3) Finally, look for secondary decorative accessories to tie it all together ... pillows, footstools, tabletop pieces such as books, candlesticks, urns, etc.

Here are three "Get the Look" variations using pre-owned contemporary, vintage and antique elements.

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Key Pieces:

A pair of contemporary elegant off-white upholstered button-tufted sofas (item #157267). These stunning and finely crafted sofas are offered through Black Rock Interiors (BRG's designer showroom). They feature large brass nail head trim.

A Hollywood Regency style silver gilt iron coffee table with mirror top (Item #121072). This large classic and pretty table is very well made and fesatures tapering square legs joined by a shaped curved X stretcher and a mottled mirror inset top.

A lovely hand-knotted floral decorated Persian carpet - 12' 5½" X 8' 11½" (Item #199116). This wonderful carpet features a central rectangular field on light hued ground with wonderful polychromed foliate decoration with thin bands surrounding and a thicker band with further polychromed floral decoration around. The carpet presents wonderfully

Primary Decorative Accents:

An antique, George III carved mahogany and gilded wood mirror, 18th Century (Item #191954). This is an exquisite mahogany antique mirror with a beveled edge that's framed within a finely carved terminal and pierced crest surmounted by gilded urn and scroll. It has delicate gilded leaves and branches trail down both sides. This mirror has elegant style and showcases expert craftsmanship.

Secondary Decorative Accents:

Chinese Blue And White Porcelain Garden Stool (Item #127535). This stool has a beautiful decoration of flowering vines overall and medallions around the base. The base is open. 19"H x 12" Diam.

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Key Pieces:

A classic bergere armchair (Item #196203). This lovely chair features a carved crest with vine motif, padded and upholstered back and arms with carved serpentine apron on cabriole legs.

A contemporary mirror-top low table (Item #151508). This stunning classical table features a nickel frame, square tapering legs with ball feet, and double curved stretchers with a terminal. A beautiful inset brown mottled mirror top provides a nice lustre to the piece.

A hand-knotted Kashan wool room-sized rug, 6'4" X 10'3" (Item #197837). This is a beautiful and lively classic medallion design. The crimson field is populated by colorful arabesque florets. Its prominent navy border has crisp ivory leaves framing the repeating palmettes and is lined by several geometric guard borders. This rug was finished with hand overcast selvedges and natural warp fringe.

Primary Decorative Accents:

A monumental Baroque gilt wall or console mirror (Item #191534). This intricately detailed mirror features an ornate frame complete with a lovely stylized crest that leads to floral corners that leads to acanthus motifs. This mirror has a Decorative Arts Inc, NY label en verso.

Secondary Decorative Accents:

A Simon Pearce brown-glazed pottery vase (Item #198455). This large and impressive hand-thrown classic brown glazed pottery vase boasts a beautifuly ribbed texture. Signed on verso.

A faux driftwood sculpture in a stylish silvered finish (Item #118615)

A group of gently-used coffee table books (Item #194386)

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Key Pieces:

A Serena & Lily upholsered lounge chair with pillow (Item #198491). This house-ready comfortable chair has low pleated armrests, turned front legs and gently splayed back legs, and original armrest covers.

A brass mirrored low cocktail table (Item #157549). The low table metal frame in a fine antiqued mottled finish. With an inset beveled glass top and inset mottled mirror lower tier. The side supports with overlapping circles and the cylindrical legs with acorn finials. On casters. L. 48", Depth 24", H. 21"

A hand-knotted Sarouk wool room-sized rug, 8'2" x 11'7" (Item #196739). A beautiful Sarouk area rug with a vibrant crimson main field, populated by flowering branches and arabesque floret lines. The navy primary border supports a meandering vine tying together floral bouquets and is further lined by a pair of ivory and blue guard borders. Look closely at the corners of the ivory guard border to find a repeating signature. This rug was finished with hand overcast selvedges and natural warp fringe.

Primary Decorative Accents:

A stunning French Rococo style carved and gilt wood framed hall mirror (Item #199124). A stunning mirror that presents marvelously. The frame is carved with scalloped bottom and straight sides that rise to the crown shaped pediment with scroll form carved and gilt sections. This Regency style mirror is as charming as it is sensational and sure to impress wherever you place it.

A pair of Restoration Hardware writer's task Lamps (Item #198510). These lamps are in an antique brass finish with a scalloped shade and an independent adjustment bar that stays cool to the touch. It features an adjustable height. Model 68910017. These industrial-style task lamps are sure to add class, style and functionality to any desk.

Secondary Decorative Accents:

A Simon Pearce large brown pottery vase (Item #198454). This vase has a satin glaze, ribbed design and sloped neck. It is marked on verso. 17½" H x 9" W. It is an impressive stand-alone display.

A small antique needlepoint footstool (Item #198673). This oval antique footstool features a green and rose accented needlepoint top. Wood frame with cabriole legs and carved flower accents. Hammered studs around border and cranberry colored liner to bottom.

For more style inspiration and fabulous design ideas, follow CJ Swank on Instagram @CJSwank_NewYork.

We hope you enjoy this edition of Complementary. Guest Curations. If you would like to be a guest curator for Black Rock Galleries, let us know.


Brand ambassadors are always welcome.

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Are you interested in becoming a BRG guest curator? Apply here.

We'd love to feature you and your latest BRG finds on Instagram! Simply tag your photos with:

@blackrockgalleries and #myBRGstyle.

Click here for BRG's Image Rights Management and Usage policy.

Upstate Updates with CJ Swank. Black Rock Galleries provides high end estate liquidation services through online estate auctions and a 50,000 sq ft designer showroom. estate liquidator, estate sale, online auction, antiques, fine art, liquidation, clean outs, auction, consignment, interior design, fine jewelry, collectibles, appraisals, estate appraisals, estate services, decor, furniture, furniture consignment, antique center, consignment shop. We offer appraisal services and specialize in fine art, jewelry, antiques and decorative arts. Sell with us. Black Rock Galleries is the tri-state's largest estate liquidator serving New England and the greater New York City area. We are the trusted source for expert appraisals, auction services, estate sales, and consignments. Black Rock Galleries is the east coast's largest and most trusted estate liquidator, with locations in Connecticut, greater Boston, MA and Raleigh, NC, Fairfield, Southport, Apex, TX. We are the best source for expert appraisals, auction services, estate sales and consignments. We have served thousands of families and estates with compassion, professionalism and expertise. BRG works with attorneys, executors, realtors and families to bring the greatest return on personal and estate property in the current market. Our unique combination of services make us the easy choice to get the job done in a timely and stress-free manner. We are with you from the initial consultation to the final clean out. Our house-built online auction software platform offers clients a dynamic approach to liquidating their personal property. This venue is most successful in bringing the best return with the least amount of disruption for our clients. See our services page for a complete description of this offering. Upstate Updates with CJ Swank
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