Nothing Up My Sleeve…?!

We get to work on the coolest stuff sometimes… This “hide the ace” trick once belonged to our client’s great-grandfather, who performed magic on the vaudeville stage. The piece was really just a jumble of metal parts until we restored it to its glory as a vintage illusion. Criss Angel, WATCH OUT!!

A Sentimental Journey

Over the years we have found – and have stated in past articles and blog posts – that there are three main reasons people choose to restore a piece of furniture or decorative art. A piece may have collectible value for the owner, it may have aesthetic value, or it may have sentimental value. In each case, our approach to restoration and/or repurposing will have subtle but important differences.

Since our appearance at the Nashville Antiques & Garden Show in February, the projects we have taken in have been overwhelmingly sentimental in nature.

• a couple is refinishing a dining room table at which the wife “cut her first teeth”
• an overstuffed (and over-used) chair will be rebuilt and reupholstered in order to remain a warm reminder of conversations with a beloved grandparent
• one client has several pieces from a parent she has recently lost – we are honored to help preserve her memories
• another client had a painting done by his father – we consulted with him on the best approach for him to use to clean and restore it.

Perhaps not coincidentally, we recently took a trip up to Rosine, KY to visit the Bill Monroe Home Place. Back in 2001 we had contributed custom-made porch posts and decorative elements to an ongoing, multi-phase restoration effort and had never been to see it them in situ. We had the place to ourselves, and the volunteer at the Home Place regaled us with stories of Bill Monroe and his family. This restoration – as are all “sentimental” restoration projects – is distinguished by a combination of memory preservation and story sharing. We were inspired and energized by our trip.

While all the projects we do have their own unique aspects and challenges, we derive a special kind of pleasure in helping people honor, preserve, and communicate their most cherished memories.

(R.I.P. Earl Scruggs)

Haynes Galleries moves to Music Row

We were at the new location of one of our clients, Haynes Galleries (http://haynesgalleries.com/hgSite/pages/index.html), last week. They’ve got cool new digs right on the Music Row Roundabout – check them out!

According to their Web site, they are planning a show featuring paintings by several members of the Wyeth family. The show will be open to the public starting Saturday, March 10th.

Another Antiques & Garden Show has come and gone…

Rosewalker Arts at the 2012 Nashville Antiques & Garden Show

Thanks to all who dropped by to see us – current clients, old friends, new acquaintances we hope will become old friends… It was our best show yet – lots of new opportunities, products winging their way to all corners of the globe (well…at least the United States!)… And we’re looking forward to receiving pictures from the people who bought architectural elements to use in their oh-so-creative projects!!!

Merry Christmas from Rosewalker Arts

Here’s a picture of our Expediting Manager, Steve, admiring the Rosewalker Christmas Tree… We wish everyone the merriest of Christmases and the happiest of holidays!

Steve admires the Rosewalker tree

The Old Oak Tree on the Old Oak Road

The view outside the Rosewalker Studios

This is one of the oldest trees on our property – and one of our favorites. We have been taking pictures of this at various intervals for the past 15 years. Here it is as of Autumn, 2011!

The Little Antique Shop – a treasure trove of European charm

One of our favorite clients  is The Little Antique Shop, 6608 Hwy 100, Nashville, Tennessee 37205 (615 352 5190). We have done lots of jobs for them — including one piece that came from the estate of Hollywood actress Janet Gaynor (the original “A Star Is Born”)! Terry Oaks gets some pieces you just won’t find anywhere else.

Jam-packed as it is with European furnishings,  you can’t beat the Little Antique Shop for a lazy afternoon browse. Be sure to say hello to Terry and tell him Rosewalker sent you!