Center44: It’s A Tough Job…
What I won’t do in the name of friendship! Moi bff The Antiques Diva recently assigned me, her NYC, Chicago, SoFlo, and anywhere else I happen to go Special Correspondent, to meet with antiques dealer Fran Reilly in New York City, and take a look at her new showroom in Midtown’s Center44. So on a cold rainy March afternoon, I grabbed a Starbucks chai latte and headed on over. I had a great afternoon…you can read all about my newest NYC favorite antiques shopping mecca on The Antiques Diva’s blog. But I didn’t share it all with The Diva…I saved some of my favorite finds to share only with you!
Center44 is the kind of showroom where you can wander around endlessly, never realizing you’ve already been down that aisle: there is so much to look at, all so unique and so fresh from every angle.
I was hooked immediately when Fran first took me to her booth to drop our coats before the tour, and her walls were filled with shiny gilded mirrors, a personal weakness, and a stunning pair of zebra-striped armchairs that I can personally attest are super comfy…and Danish: as you know, I have a love for all things French and Danish! This pair of Danish modern armchairs by Jens Risom are in Fran’s booth, ICONIC Antique and Modern.
My apartment is always decorated with extensive quantities of cream and silver, and this little vignette caught my eye immediately. Flourish Arts, Antiques and Decorations displays these bone orbs balanced on silverplate candlesticks, they make a simple yet stunning accent on a coffee table or bookcase.
My passion for cobalt blue propelled me to this vitrine flashing and sparkling with glass and crystal from Bohemian Art Gallery.
French clocks are another passion, I’ve been coveting the clock of a Paris friend for years, and this 19th century Flemish clock face at Ghislain Antiques might do the trick.
I had a good friend who collected religious artifacts, and she conditioned my eye to seek out filigree crosses. A shelf displaying a row of crosses at Frankly Scarlet would make a statement in any room.
My taste runs to practical, livable modern traditional antiques and what better way to modernize antiques than with eclectic lighting? The New Brooklyn has this funky traffic light fixture: fun!
The details:
Center44 222 East 44th Street New York, NY 10017Monday-Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Phone (212) 450-7988 Fax (212) 450-7975
staff@center44.com www.center44.com
Fran Reilly Iconic Antiques and Modern
www.franreilly.com Center44
Moi tip: Sign up for the weekly newsletter, The Shout Out, it’s the perfect armchair shopping to start off your week!
ps: I met the owners, Jim and Paul, and they were so nice and welcoming that it’s easy to see why their showroom is the same: its a great place to brainstorm decorate and find the goods that fit your design dreams. They’re so nice they even let me use their microwave to reheat my chai latte!
3 comments
Center 44 is now on my list of “must dos” next time I’m in NYC. Question – do you happen to know if antique clocks work as well as their contemporaries, or are they just for show?
Good Morning Lady Lotus
As a self-appointed expert in antique clocks and watches as we seem to have bought so many, no, they do not work as well as modern clocks. An expert clockmaker can restore the works and the clock will work, although sometimes parts have to be replaced, and even custom made. But the clock can be made to run.
On the other hand, my experience is that after that initial investment, they need to be cleaned and maintained regularly to keep them working. So this is not a cheap investment.
Personally, I get them refurbished so they are in working order, but when they stop, I don’t call the clockmaker back: too expensive. My beautiful antique Swedish longcase clock is an example: when we purchased it, I had it refurbished and working, although the time had to be adjusted daily. When it stopped working altogether, I stopped using it to check the time.
My clocks are bought for pleasure, not an investment, so while I want them to work, I don’t care to maintain them. If I ever hand over the $$$ for a large French clock face, I probably will not put it in working order. That will be strictly decoration. And worth every penny.
However, my Cartier tank Americaine is carefully maintained and always has the correct time. I expect it to work, and I expect it to tell accurate time. So, perhaps its just me…
EXCELLENT POST – and an excellent introduction to Center 44!!! Huge thanks for visiting and for being The Diva’s Correspondent!
Toma
PS. I completely agree with your comment to Lady Lotus regarding the clocks and buying them for pleasure not as an investment, and not personally caring to maintain them! You took the words right out of my mouth!
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