Be Inspired Archives - Auction Central News

Trash or treasure? Collectors ‘dig’ old bottles

December 31, 2018/in Be Inspired /by Catherine Saunders-Watson

These bottles from Eureka, Nevada, are typical of those found buried in outhouse pits. The flask-type bottle (middle) is marked ‘F.J. Schneider, Druggist, Eureka, Nev.’ Schneider worked in Eureka from 1870 to 1893. Flanking the medicine bottle are blob-top soda bottles. Image courtesy of Holabird Western Americana Collections and LiveAuctioneers

YANKTON, S.D. (AP) – One man’s treasure may quite literally have been another man’s trash centuries ago.

Ask a designer: How to create inviting front porches and entries

July 6, 2018/in Be Inspired /by Catherine Saunders-Watson

If your front porch or entry area is large, stick with suitably scaled accents, like this pair of palace-size Chinese 18th/19th-century bronze planters. Image courtesy of Cassidy Galleries and LiveAuctioneers

NEW YORK – Interior designer Joan Craig sees many clients who give the decorating of their living room or kitchen a lot of thought. Yet while “people have become much more attuned to developing personality inside a house,” she says, “the outside becomes something that often can be much more generic.”

Encore: From broken china to custom jewelry

April 23, 2018/in Be Inspired /by Catherine Saunders-Watson

Dazzling earrings crafted from an English Royal Albert bone china plate, surrounded by brilliant Swarovski crystals

FRANKLIN, Mass. – For most people an antique china plate, cup or saucer that’s been chipped, cracked or broken might be trash. But to Mary-Ann Wood it’s treasure. Wood is the owner of a business called DinnerWear Jewelry that uses designs cut from these fractured unfortunates and turns them into unique costume jewelry pieces, mostly necklaces, earrings, lariats and brooches.

Storage gets creative, thanks to changing decor trends

February 22, 2018/in Be Inspired /by Catherine Saunders-Watson

This paint-decorated Austrian armoire has a surprisingly modern look, but it’s dated 1816. Inside its doors, there’s plenty of hanging and storage room. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers and Cottone Auctions

NEW YORK – Storage pieces are not what they used to be. Changes in home design and technology mean that boxy, old-fashioned armoires, dressers and china hutches are being re-purposed or are making room for cabinets, shelving and sideboards in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and styles.

Eames lounge chair a landmark in furniture design

November 1, 2017/in Be Inspired /by 8178pwpadmin

Charles & Ray Eames rosewood lounge chair and ottoman in green leather. Image courtesy of LiveAuctioneers archive and Palm Beach Modern Auctions

Of all the furniture designed by Charles and Ray Eames, the Eames Lounge (670) and Ottoman (671) are arguably the most renowned. Introduced in 1956 by Herman Miller Inc., the Eames Lounge chair has become synonymous with modern-design style.

Courtyards, the original ‘outdoor rooms,’ get a new look

August 31, 2017/in Be Inspired, Features /by Catherine Saunders-Watson

Courtyards have been enjoyed for centuries in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. This inviting courtyard in Rome is a place for plants to thrive and people to relax. Perrimoon photo licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

The trend toward outdoor living, which uses comfy seating, bright rugs and weatherproof architectural elements to extend the al fresco season at home, is bringing new attention to a centuries-old architectural feature: the courtyard.

A sparkling salute to vintage fireworks, aka pyrobilia

June 28, 2017/in Be Inspired /by Tom Hoepf

American-made spakler brands in the early 20th century included National, Atomic, Star and UnXld.

Fireworks are transformative. There’s the obvious physical and chemical transformation of a colorful and tightly packaged explosive into an often radiant, loud and enchanting spectacle. However, for some people like Sal Giudice, the transformation is more profound.

Lassoing vintage Wonder Woman collectibles

June 27, 2017/in Be Inspired /by Tom Hoepf

‘Wonder Woman #1’ (DC, 1942) graded CGC VF-7.5 realized $95,600 during Heritage Auctions’ May 18-20, 2017. Heritage Auctions image

Much has changed since Wonder Woman first appeared on the scene in 1941, and yet, some things haven’t changed or have circled back to what once was. The character was revolutionary when she first appeared in the pages of Sensation Comics, and remains relevant today; perhaps more relevant than ever before, given the response to the Wonder Woman film.

Celebrating Roy Lichtenstein – Pop Art Godfather

October 27, 2016/in Be Inspired /by Suzie Ryu

One of the most innovative and influential artists of the latter 20th century, Roy Lichtenstein (American, 1923-1997) put the “Bif!,” “Bam!,” and “Pow!” into pop art. His larger-than-life paintings of people in melodramatic situations were inspired by comic strips and newspaper ads, and Lichtenstein made sure they were presented just that way – with a screened effect that resembled an enlarged newspaper page.

5 things you didn’t know about Pablo Picasso’s early career

October 25, 2016/in Be Inspired /by Suzie Ryu

By Anonymous – Photo (C) RMN-Grand Palais, Public Domain

The art world celebrates the birthday of Pablo Picasso today, October 25. The Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker and ceramicist is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential artists of the 20th century.

Exceptionally prolific throughout his life, Picasso (1881-1973) achieved universal renown and an immense fortune from his revolutionary artistic accomplishments.

Forty-three years after his death, Picasso’s paintings still sell for record prices. His Les femmes d’Alger (Version 0), a colorful depiction of women of Algiers, sold at Christie’s on May 11, 2015 for $179.4 million. It remains the most expensive work of art ever sold at auction.