Estate Sales & Auction Blog

March 24, 2017

Estate Sales & Consignments for the 21st Century

Estate sales “junkies” are amazingly dedicated to the art of seeking treasures.  Yes, we’re calling it an art -- defined as something that is created with imagination and skill.  While estate sale buyers are not necessarily creating anything, they approach estate sales with great imagination and skill.

With the spring estate sale season about to launch, enthusiastic buyers are anxious to dive into a vast array of estates from the well-appointed manors to smaller, more humble abodes, looking for treasures and unique items that simply cannot be found in retail stores.  All this, while at the same time attempting to get these treasures for a bargain price.

We have to admit, we L-O-V-E estates too. We should ... it's our business! With over 20 years in the estates business, we work to refine the art of estate sales by presenting estates in a new way.  We believe we are achieving that. 

With our online estate auctions and online showroom, both buyers and sellers are in a win-win situation.  First, estate sale buyers can view, research, and buy estate finds from the comfort of their own home.  Also, unlike traditional estate sales where the seller sets an arbitrary price with the hopes that a customer will bite (only to lower prices as time passes buy), our online auctions offer buyers the opportunity to set the market price. With bids starting at $1, bidders choose how high they are willing to go to purchase any given item. If the highest bid is only $3, then that piece sells for $3. This format enables sellers to liquidate everything they want to — and we mean everything.  No more figuring out what to do with those odds and ends that did not sell in traditional estate sales.

Beyond the online estate auctions and flash sales, we also offer clients the opportunity to consign their pieces in our amazing 53,000 square foot designer-quality showroom, which is also available to online customers.  Our customers are always amazed at the quality and quantity of our showroom pieces — all conveniently located in Fairfield County without the normal high Fairfield County prices.  Once our customers experience BRG, they never want to pay retail again! 

If you are new to the BRG experience, check-out our estates and most definitely stop by our showroom, with a dedicated parking lot and easy accessibility from I-95 at exit 25, right on the Fairfield/Bridgeport line).  You won’t be disappointed!

March 17, 2017

Integrating Asian Pieces to Create a Stunning, Eclectic Room!

Image: traditionalhome.com

Whether you're looking for a Zen-like room or a fun, eclectic design, Asian furniture and decorative pieces can play a key role in anyone's decorating style while at the same time creating a stunning and welcoming room.  

Creating a Zen-like Space:

When most people hear the phrase “Zen-like,” they envision peace, serenity, and relaxation.  There are several “basics” that should be integrated into any Zen space. Zen often refers to the five main elements: earth, fire, wood, metal, and water.  Sparingly using pieces that represent these elements will help set you on your path to creating a Zen space.  Include using soft, earthy tones (like white, beige, gray, greens, or even pinkish-beige.  Choose one main color that will dominate your theme and then add a few complementary colors in your accessories. 

Using simple furniture pieces with the typical Asian clean lines, is another key piece of this puzzle.  Wherever possible, use light, soft, natural textures like linens, wool, or grasscloth. Use your editing skills to minimize clutter and over-embellishment.  Integrate live greenery such as palms, bonsai trees, or ferns and then add Zen elements like bamboo, stones, a Zen piece of artwork.  

Creating an Eclectic Space:

Eclectic essentially means a mix-up of different styles that oddly enough creates a cohesive look and feel to a space.  To do this, you need to forget about anything “matchy-matchy.”  Using different patterns, colors, and furniture styles will help you create a space that is fresh, fun, and fashionable. But beware, there are some basics you need to understand in order to create a cohesive look and avoid creating a chaotic “Hot Mess!”  

First, you want to find a unifying color and then your main focal point (this might be bold wall color, large piece of art, stunning fireplace, or an amazingly ornate area rug) and use complementary colors in other pieces.  You’ll also want to mix opposites; hard and soft, rustic with refined, square with round, plush with austere.  You’ll want to combine neutral furniture that will allow you to use colors and textures in the accessories (pillows, throws, etc.). Ensure that there is a balance in the types of pieces you’re using.  For example, use three pieces of Continental furniture, three Asian, three rustic farmhouse to balance your eclectic mix. Finally, in the words of Coco Chanel, “It is always better to be slightly undressed,” it’s better to have fewer, more impactful pieces than to have a lot of little pieces that create clutter.

Image: Asian Interior Decorating Style, LUSHOME.com

Where is the best place to find an amazing array of Asian furniture and decorative items?

Well, of course we’re going to tout ourselves!  Whether you see it in one of our online estate auctions or in our showroom, BRG offers a wide variety of Asian pieces in our inventory at any given time. Check out our Pinterest page, “Integrating Asian Pieces to Create a Stunning, Eclectic Room!” for some inspiration photos and pieces currently in our inventory that can help you achieve your design.

March 10, 2017

GET THE LOOK!

In the festive spirit of St. Patrick's Day we wanted to offer you something with a subtle Irish tilt.  This Irish/Welsh style hutch is the perfect starting place especially when it’s combined with an interesting mix of old and "new" accessories.  Shop BRG to get the look!  

Our showroom manager, Roger, worked his magic yesterday in creating this Irish inspired display.  He began with this beautiful 18th century American oak cupboard and decorated it with a vintage set of Secla pottery dinner plates, cups, & saucers. Then he added an amazing set of five antique brass ladles, a pair of painted cement lions, brass candlesticks, a variety of antique French pottery. For visual interest, he threw in an antique Dietz No. 3 police lantern, antique lead crucible, and a small assortment of antique medicine bottles.  At the base of the hutch, Roger included a set of yellow ware batter bowls, a vintage galvanized shopping basket (turned on its side) and a chunky piece of driftwood.

Hutches offer a world of versatility in home decor.  We were further inspired by this Irish/Welsh hutch (below) featured in Traditional Home ("Gorgeous, Updated Classic Home").  We love the eclectic charm of mixing old with new, so we wanted to show you how to recreate the look using items from our showroom.  

 Gordon Beall

Don't be surprised at how easy it is to curate pieces from our showroom to recreate this timeless, but fun look ... and so, from the antique Irish/Welsh cupboard with and blue and white porcelain pieces to silver coffee sets and an amazing set of sisal dining chairs, shop BRG to get the look!

It all starts with the hutch (we used the same hutch, but BRG has plenty to choose from) and a great collection of blue and white porcelain to fill a stunning cupboard/hutch! We used our amazing set of Johnson Bros. Blue Willow service for 9 mixed with other pieces in our showroom; including a pair of historical Staffordshire flow blue large platters, and a Spode Signature Collection "Rural Scenes" Georgian Devonian Shape dish, just to name a few!

Then add in some warm wood tones with an antique regency banded mahogany round dining table and unique seating (like this sisal chair that comes in a set of 8).  Follow with a set of tall, narrow glass and brass table lamps for a little bling.  For an added touch of elegance, throw in some pretty silver pieces like this four piece silver-plate tea/coffee  service and a few other silver accessories. Finally, to tap into the warm tones and to add a pop of color, repurpose an amber-toned pitcher to use as a vase on the table.  Alternatively, go for a mid-century two-toned frosted glass vase and a few interesting small porcelain pieces like this large collection of vintage hardstone fruit and a pair of antique English Staffordshire greyhound dogs with game. We chose a large  Chinese stacking bride’s basket for the top of the cupboard.

Find more inspiration on our Pinterest board:

Get the Look: Blue & White China in Irish/Welsh Inspired Hutch/Cupboard

Get the Look:  Irish/Welsh Cupboard with Green & White Accessories

Another fantastic Greenwich Multi-Estate sale closes tomorrow night, February 22nd beginning at 7:30 pm EST. This sale has a great mix of decorative arts and collectibles. Highlights include a nice collection of baseball cards featuring greats like Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Duke Snider, Carl Yastrzemski, and Yogi Berra.  

The sale also includes a number of services in desirable patterns by Royal Chelsea, Vignaud Limoges, Shelley, and Royal Worchester Saguenay along with sterling silver accent pieces for your tabletop.

Decorative arts include a complete leatherbound set of Charles Sumner's works with one of them signed by the author himself. There are beautiful rugs, a Hitchcock dining set, smalls for your cocktail table or etegere and a single owner collection of nicely painted duck decoys.

Finally, the art in this sale is a wonderful selection of mediums and genres.  Most are nicely framed and bring a great burst of color.  You'll find landscapes, still lifes and portraits, all ready for your bids!

Happy 2017!  We here at BRG are looking forward to another year of growth and success which really means serving our community as a trusted liquidator and serving our customers as the best decorating resource in Fairfield County!  

With that in mind, I’m going to attempt writing a blog.  It’s new to me but something I have wanted to try my hand at for about two years now.  Be patient, be kind and send me your thoughts and suggestions!  Give us a great tip, recommend an awesome decorator, share a photo of a BRG piece in your home... I’d love to hear from you.  christie@blackrockgalleries.com

As I dip my toes into the pool here, I’m starting with the gratuitous 2017 trends post….I know, I know, not another what’s in and what’s out.  I’m writing the piece with a BRG twist.  How you can find pieces at here at BRG (or tag sale or online auction) that update and refresh your home for the new year while staying on trend at an affordable price point.  I’ve scoured the decorating magazines, Pinterest, design blogs all over the world wide web and came up with a list that reflected the common trends and ones that can be seamlessly incorporated into your home without much fuss!

Here goes nothing…

1. GO GREEN! And I mean the color.  Green is popping up everywhere from tropical themed wall coverings to plush velvet upholstery.  Pantone even named “greenery” its color of the year.  It’s the perfect color to bring a spring-like feel into the dreary days of winter.  If you are like me, once the holidays pass, I’m all about waiting for spring to arrive.  Here are a few pieces in auction and the store that will help you spring forward!

Suite of four beautifully matted and framed botanical prints available in BRG's upcoming March Fairfield Multi-Estate Auction.

How amazing is this Taitu Foglie Milano Italy service?  Invite 24 of your closest friends over and show off this fab set. Available in store, on our website and 1st Dibs for $5750.

Small in size but big on statement color! Use small accent pieces to bring this year’s color into your home without breaking the bank! 

1. 19th Century French Confit Pot 9 1/2” high  - $195  

2. Vintage Pressed Green Glass Beverage Set - currently available at auction

3. Over-sized Antique Majolica Floor Vase 23 1/2” high - $350

Cozy up in this well-proportioned custom settee. Available in store and online $950 (Item #40691)

For the farmhouse chic home, this Antique Green Painted Tool Box is perfect 35” long. Available in store and online $150.

 

Lastly a few oils in all shades of this harmonious color.  Pick your favorite shade and shop the aisles of BRG.  We promise you’ll find something great!  XO - C