SIMPLE CAPODIMONTE, WHO KNEW?

For Capodimonte this mirror is as simple as it gets!  I had never seen  a piece as streamlined  before. I have always admired Capodimonte before but since my taste run toward clean and easy, I had never run across a piece I had to have , until now. It is 24 inches round and I picked it up at a consignment shop for about $95.  Tracy 

COFFEE TABLE TURNED BENCH, MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE!

At consignment stores and estate sales coffee tables are abundant and not usually quick sellers.  This makes for a good selection and pricing to match.  Benches on the other hand are not as abundant and usually gone before you get there. (did I mention I have a weakness for benches, I use them everywhere)   I bought this coffee table turned bench at a consignment store for $40.00.  It had a thin and chipped piece of glass on it which I promptly discarded, sent it to the upholsterer spent another $100 or so and now have this great looking bench. I am ready to change the fabric on this again so I will post an update when I do. One good thing about recovering benches or stools is that they don't require much fabric so you can either splurge on something more expensive than you normally would or the other extreme, you may have a remnant left over from another project that would work well with you you have. Tracy

MASSIVE ALABASTER LEAF

Have I mentioned I have a thing for alabaster?  It will be a frequent visitor here on Urban Picker. Unlike the grapes which you can find now and then, this is the only alabaster leaf platter I have ever seen. Trust me if had found another it would also be mine!

It sits in front of the window atop our built in computer workspace. The light coming through sets it aglow. It measures 18 inches long and 12 inches high. Some tranquility amidst the madness.

I found this several years ago at an estate sale. It was in the garage and a little on the crusty side and it was $4. This leads me to a "hunting" tip.
While at an estate sale always head for the garage not last, but first. All those things in the living room that are all spiffed up and known treasures and will be priced accordingly. But unknown treasures lurk (albeit a little crusty)in the garage and are usually priced to get rid of!  If anyone has something like this or runs across one I would love to see it!
Happy hunting, Tracy

FABULOUSLY "SERIOUS" ALBASTER GRAPES

If there is  any such thing as serious fake grapes these would be the ones.
They are vintage(probably 1960s) made in Italy of alabaster and are large.  The large bunch is 15 inches long the smaller one 10 inches with beautiful natural stems.  I bought these at an area consignment store for $40 or so.

You can find alabaster grapes at high end antique shops as well as kitchy inexpensive shops.  They usually range in price from $95-$295. Many of them are dyed funky bright colors and have a thick coat of shiny varnish which is not easy to remove. I have tried to strip grapes in the past and it was not pretty, nor did it work very well. So hold out for ones that are ready to be seen. I like to save the color for the many fun acrylic grapes that you can find. Check out my older posts for a good example.

What I love about grapes is that the only truly serious ones are rippening in vineyards, I am grateful for those too! Tracy