Map Fad

Is the decorating with maps fad over?  Once Ballard and Pottery Barn and Home Decorators start framing maps and hanging them like art, you know its a mainstream idea.  But does that mean we have to start moving onto the next fad? 

via Elle Decor

via Martha Stewart

via Apartment Therapy

I think that the appeal of cartography-as-art is the personalization that can be achieved. You're from Oklahoma? Go find and old map depicting the state boundaries during the Land Run of 1889. Love to sail? Find nautical maps by the bookload and frame them for your powder room. Have a young astronomer in your house? Have galaxy diagrams wallpapered onto the kid's ceiling.

via Elle Decor

via Elle Decor

via House Beautiful

via Elle Decor

Martha's Maine House via Martha Stewart

To avoid that overtly-contrived, generic store-bought feel, it's generally best to work with maps that matter to you.

And for this reason -- the seemingly endless options available -- the 'decorating with maps' practice may not be so easy to pigeonhole as "a fad."

via DecorPad

via Martha Stewart

via BlackEiffel blog

by Steven Gambrel

by Pootery Barn (typo, and it stays!)

via Simplified Bee blog

via Forever...Whenever blog

via Houzz

And don't just limit the cartography to your walls.  Bring cartography to your doors...

via Apartment Therapy

via Apartment Therapy

 Get down with your DIY self and Mod Podge some things! 

via PS I Made This

via Urban Sardine

Have your favorite globe turned into a hanging light fixture!

via Addicted 2 Decorating

 A rolling map can be easily converted into a window shade!

via Martha Stewart

via O at Home magazine

 Cartography products can be chic and happy in many forms...  A pillow, a plate, a lampshade!

via Rockett St George

via homelife

via Ralph Lauren

All in all, I think it's fair to say that the map fad is indeed a fad.  But, it's a long-lasting fad because it can be so widely interpreted.  Lots of editorializing from the consumer can keep this fad from looking tired.  

The easiest way for you to incorporate a map into your decorating is to choose a map that has personal meaning to you.  Whether you frame it, decoupage it, wallpaper with it, cover a window with it or make a lampshade with it is up to you.  Keep it personal and it becomes authentic!

Have a wonderful day, world travelers!!
Cheers,
Whitney

Upside Down

Upside down house in Trassenheide in Germany

Cheers,
Whitney

A Slice of Turkey

My husband and I were in Saratoga Springs, NY, cruising the downtown shopping scene when my eyes bulged out of my face at the sight of this amazing Turkish Bazaar.  A well-edited, organized shop, the gallery featured rugs, kilims, ceramics, suzanis, dresses, lanterns and intricately designed footwear!  Such fun.  I could have stayed in the shop for hours. 

Fabulous!  If you're ever in Saratoga Springs, you may want to get over to the gallery on Broadway for a Turkish shopping spree! 

Cheers,

Whitney

1stdibs! eBay! ...and, Craigslist? An antique snobbery challenge




He's an antique snob. Are you one too?

 
How do you feel about pre-owned furnishings?  There's a strong market for it, even out-of-region, thanks to online antique exchanges.  I have a blast perusing auction sites and vintage market platforms when working on a tightly-budgeted project.  And I'm proud to say I have no qualms about low-end marketplaces.  But not everyone agrees with me on this.  Some feel that an 'antique' is only and 'antique' when sold by a formal dealer who [presumably] has deemed the piece worth a certain value.

Do you disagree with me?  Let's face it, when buying furnishings that have been previously owned, it's USED, no matter how you cut it.  But, I have watched clients' faces distort in disgust when I suggest a second-hand or Craigslist purchase.  And yet the same faces won't grimace at the mention of eBay or, especially, 1stdibs.  Hrmmmm.

I'm curious: are we all just a little too snobby when it comes to previously-owned goods?  Or, does the vendor have everything to do with the reliability of purchase?  Is the quality presumed to be higher with a higher price tag?  Is the transaction akin to buying a used Mercedes from a listing in the yellow pages (objectionable), but purchasing a pre-owned Mercedes from a dealership (perfectly acceptable)? 



Challenge #1  (I'm thinking about making this a monthly series on CYAH)
Below are three sideboards.  Each piece was discovered on the 3 sites using the single Keyword "Baker."  Match the Baker sideboard to which venue it's currently being listed:
 

Federal style sideboard by Baker.
a) 1stdibs  b) eBay  c) Craigslist




Regency style console by Baker.
a) 1stdibs b) eBay c) Craigslist




Late Georgian style sideboard by Baker.
a) 1stdibs b) eBay c) Craigslist



BONUS POINTS: Match the price to the piece:

$3,500.00

$1,450.00

$510.00

Throw out your guesses in the comment section.  And we'll see who has the best (or, is it worst?) snob radar in the pre-owned furnishings department...

Answers (and links) will posted over the weekend!
Cheers, Whitney

UPDATE & ANSWERS:


Federal style sideboard by Baker.
Available through a seller on NYC-Area Craigslist!  Asking price is $1,450.00
Link:   http://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/fuo/2531142214.html

 

Regency style console by Baker.
Available through a vendor on 1stdibs!  And a steep price at $3,500.00  
Link: http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=455554



Late Georgian style sideboard by Baker.
Available through eBay.  At time of posting, bidding for $510.00
Link:  http://cgi.ebay.com/Baker-Mahogany-Sideboard-circa-1960-/300584730676?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45fc3f0034

How did you fare on our little test?  Surprised with the truth about second-hand furnishings, perhaps?    
Cheers, Whitney