Maurizio & Kathleen Almanza, owners of Eccola Imports

From their house in Rome, Eccola owners Maurizio and Kathleen source their collectibles that they sell in their LA-showroom. A large size of their inventory is to find on their website eccolaimports.com and when you have a moment to browse through their furniture, lamps and decorative objects you will conclude that this couple has a nose for antiques and modern design. Their taste and style is so much appreciated in Hollywood that the producers from Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Ocean’s 11 hired their props in order to deliver authentic film sets. Herewith some smart pieces from their inventory.

1910 Thonet Bentwood bench

Sixties Aldo Frigerio desk with glass top

Fifties Kurt Olsen sofa

Sixties Carlo Campo set of mirrors

Sixties Gianfrance Frattini armchair

Lunel wall mount lamp

Ico & Luisa Parisi sofa elements

Thirties French industrial set of table and chairs

Franco Albini shelving system from 1957

for sale: Chesterfield in jeans blue

On my way to Temploux, the annual Belgium Brocante ( cheap antiques) market nearby Brussels, I’ve made a mental note not to forget and check the newest arrivals at Jean-Philippe Demeyer shop in Antiques and Decorative Objects. 

For sale: folk art bust from 19th century

When I checked , I was impressed by the success of his companies latest search for unique and eccentric furniture & decor items. A big part of Jean-Philippe Demeyer’s new collections has been reserved already. However I managed to find some beautiful pieces that are ready to mix & match with your interiors. Have a look at the newest arrivals.

For sale: a set of Italian ceramic table lamps

For sale: Italian ceramic lamp

The Chinese Porcelain Company

On my way to Bloomingdales I bumped into this elegant setting, soberly dressed in the windows of The Chinese Porcelain Company. The combination does not exist of more than 5 items but its styling presents the flare of an antiques dealer whom is not afraid to match very old Chinese vases with a marble side table from the period between 1800 and 1900. The drawing of the 20^th century steamer tops this off and functions as the show stopper.

The solution behind this daring match is the layering. The top is very expressive and graphical in its design. This letter feature bridges the decoration of the antiques vases that have a primitive, organic like pattern in duotone that accords with that of the table’s marble top. The bottom of the table is very decorative but does not hurt the simplicity of this antiques and precious ensemble. I hope that this inside scoop does  inform you a little  how to mix & match styles, coloring and patterns. Tomorrow more about Wolfhome.

The Chinese Porcelain Company is located on 475 Park Avenue @ 58^th Str.

A Belgian cabinet

For a home staging project I ordered this old cabinet. It’s from the end of the nineteen century or from the beginnings of the next.  The antiques dealer bought this piece of brocante (the French word for flea) at a Belgium flea market. For the last 5 years or so, a mix between the American Cape Cod- & the French country style has been a much appreciated style for the Dutch market. My antiques dealer told me that his clientele is mad about his white chalked drawers, cupboards, cabinets and kitchen tables. The rougher the condition of its furniture, the better and his customers are willing to pay for it.

I’m not a fan of this mix in country styles but I do like the use of furniture from the late eighteen or early nineteen century for the simple reason that in that period the cabinet makers delivered quality work and ingenious constructions in demountable furniture.

I could not resist checking Jean-Philippe Demeyer’s website in order to find an object that is to match with the new seasonal colours. This German vase from the fifties is an example that would fit perfectly. Be quick if you are interested, Jean- Philippe’s treasuries are hot and their content easy to be sold. Click here for the contact info.

Today I received this lovely card with the best wishes for 2010, sent by Jean-Philippe Demeyer Antiques. I could not resist checking out if the pictured Ghislain Alahambra vase together with the Gothic base aren’t sold yet. I love this combination of form and colour that is easy to mix with any kind of style. Think about a hall, a study, a bay window or a vacant spot in your luxurious bathroom. Have a look at the website and wonder through the new purchases of Jean-Philippe Demeyer Antiques.

Last blog post was about Torsten Grimme decoration skills. Another example of his expertise is the result of his kitchen (see photo above). He combined an old shop counter with a stainless steel stove. This combination of old and new is possible by the neutral settings Grimme created in his kitchen. He plastered the walls white, tiled the floor in mediterrean terracotta and replaced the windows for ones that came from an old Belgian chocolate factory. These features create an industrial but warm environment where the stove is in its place. Below you’ll find some examples of kitchen interiors decorated with new & old elements.

For sale at Robert Dusarduyn

A restored bamboo set from Colonial Indonesia:

1x dining table

4 x chairs

2 x side chairs with arm rests

1 x bench

1x wall unit

numerous side tables

For more information click here

Jean-Philippe Demeyer is the name of a chic decorated boutique in Knokke- le- Zoute, which has been named after its co-owner Jean-Philippe. He and his partners started their enterprise in rare & eclectic furniture and decorative objects 10 years ago. Since then a growing number of a selected and international clientele found its way to his address in this Belgian seaside village. Jean-Philippe knows how to combine colours and styles; his skills result in sober decorated interiors with unique antiques pieces in a beautiful colour palette. The interiors of old English manor houses are his source of inspiration that guide him and his team during their search for the unique pieces from all over Europe.

Click here for his website and see for yourself the results of his skills applied in his medieval house in Bruges. In nearby future we are happy to inform you when new and unique stock will arrive at Jean-Philippe Demeyer.