A Day of Shopping
Today, while Brett and Hurley hung out at the house doing chores, I took off for Richmond to do a little antique shopping with my good friend, Terri. You may remember Terri from my antique auction trip. She is a great person to have along for a good second opinion.
We went to Gate’s Antiques. I have been here before, but this time, we did a little more looking in detail. Well, to say we did “a little more” may be underestimating what we did. We spent four hours there! We talked to the owner, Jay Gates, a second generation family member to owns Gate’s Antiques.
Gate’s Antiques is located in Midlothian, Virginia, just outside Richmond. Gate’s Antique was opened in 1961 by Jay’s father and mother. Jay starting working with his family in the store around age six. After attending college and working part time in the store, Jay started working full time in 1997. In 2001, he took over management of the store and has led the business ever since. Jay specializes in American and English furniture from 1650-1925. He also specializes in Chinese and Japanese exports. Jay is an appraiser and is an active member of the New England Appraisers Association. Gate’s Antiques has been recognized as a leader in the antique industry in central Virginia. Recently they were voted Favorite Furniture Repair and Refinishing Shop in 2011 by the Richmond Magazine.
http://gatesantiques.com/
We started off chatting with Jay and his mother about Belle Grove and what our vision was for the plantation. We talked about each room and what I saw in those rooms. We talked about furniture, art, rugs and curtains. We talked about colors, fabrics and wall coverings. We talked about what “statement” we wanted to make when someone walked into the Mansion.
Then we were off to see the furniture he had in stock!
All four warehouses!
It was glorious!
So much to see…
So much to pick from…
Jay asked me:
“What do you think about this one?”
“What do you like about this one?”
“What do you not like about this one?”
“Do you like the legs on this?”
“Do you like the finish on this?”
The best part was that when I said, “No, I don’t like that.” He was okay with it. We just moved on to the next piece. And as time went on, he seemed to zero in on what my style was, even though I still don’t know what it is. It was like I explained to Jay. I can take food and place it on a plate and make it look and taste good. But I can’t take furniture and place in a room and make it look right. I need someone that is going to listen to me and help me take those pieces I like and make sense of them in a room.
By the end of our walk through, I was ready to buy most of his items. But I can’t just yet. First we need to get a proposal and see what we have to work with. Then we can make sure that we have the right person doing the job.
So today was mostly window shopping…
But next time…
It will be for real!
Below are some of the items we saw today. If you have Twitter or Integram, you got to “live” it in real time! We will be doing that as we go along. So you too can get the thrill of filling Belle Grove.
Grandfather Clock
Grandfather Clock – Eagle on top
Grandfather Clock
One of two mirrors – I’m thinking for one of the Master Suite Baths.
Could this be our Formal Dining Room Table? Sits 14
Dining Room Table
This Dining Room Table has a main pastel center with legs at either end of the table
One of the Chairs for the Dining Room Table. This Table and Chairs came from an estate in Richmond.
Could this be the Full Tester Bed for our Madison Master Suite?
Could this be the Highboy to go into the Madison Master Suite?
These two tables have a surprise!
They are wash tables!
This is one of their four warehouse. It was a Candy Factory in Richmond. They took it down and rebuilt here!
Isn’t this beautiful! It is a rare Mahogany Wood that is endangered now. We won’t be getting it. Too costly.
But boy it is so pretty!
This is a Linen Press that we are thinking for the Madison Master Suite.
Inside the Linen Press
Could this be one of our beds? No.. I don’t think so!
I fell in love with this one! Its early 1800s Dutch China Hutch. I love the how the glass is on all sides of the shelves.
Inlay on the Dutch China Hutch… a least its too costly.. darn!
This is early 1800s Highboy with all the original hardware! Could it be for our Conway Junior Suite?
1800s Highboy Original Hardware
1800s Highboy Original Hardware
1800s Highboy Base
Rosewood Love Seats – they have been used in several movies. Not Lincoln
Could this dramatic couch be for our Grand Hallway?
Check out the feet! It’s a Lion’s claw with a cornucopia for the leg.
This is a primitive Plantation Desk.
Inside
An English Plantation Desk
Inside
The English Plantation Desk Hardware
The English Plantation Desk Hardware
The English Plantation Desk Hardware
An American Plantation Desk made in New England.
Inside
This an engraving called “Last Meeting” of Robert E Lee and Stonewall Jackson. I would love to see it in the Library.
This is one of two couches that were also in the movies. And Lincoln was one of them!
Tomorrow, it’s off to the plantation to get some measurements.
Hurley will be coming along.
We might just have to get some video of him enjoying the plantation!
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Inside the Summer Kitchen – The Walls are starting to deteriorate. This is also one of the last original Slave Quarters in Virginia that dates back to the 1700s!
Our little Smokehouse has already lost one wall and is starting to lean. We are going to have to get it stabilized.
It will help us restore our Summer Kitchen, Ice House and Smoke House.
These buildings date to the 1700s and 1800s.
Please help us preserve our “living history” so other generations will understand by seeing the real thing.
Thank you!
Wow I LOVE the mirror in the top couple of pictures. Sooo amazing!
Thank you! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram and you can see it as we buy next time!
If you want to seek antiques and other stuff in a mass yard-saling day, one day each summer (I’ll have to find out which weekend) the communities allong Rt 11 in the Shenandoah Valley host a valley long yardsale. You could hop over Rt 33 to New Market and head north, at least to Front Royal or Winchester. Mt. Jackson, Woodstock, Edinburg, Tom’s Brook, Strausburg, Stevens City, and Middletown are along the route. Returing home would be easy, back-tracking from Front Royal along the eastern side of the Blueridge to Fredricksburg area. Friends, who do this annual, say there are lots of gems to find along the way.
Oscar
Oscar that is great!!! Could you let me know when so we can plan it? Thank you.
Nice post…..
Thank you!
Love antiques! Doesn’t quite fit in my home decor but I love looking.
Thank you! If you follow us on twitter or instgram you can see us buy it in real time next time! 😉
*drooooliiiiinggg*
The 1800s high boy, and the plantation desk — I don’t think I could have walked away from those. How beautiful they would look restored!
Grab you napkin! We are going to be doing a lot of shopping soon! I love both of them too! You will have to drop by the plantation to see how they look when we are done.
Michelle and Brett, I can hardy wait for the finished product, How wonderful it will be! Fulfilling your dream! The furniture is fabulous, when refinished, marvelous.
Thank you Anne! It is so much fun doing this part!
I love the antique furniture and the pictures!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you! Follow us on twitter and instgram to see it real time! We will be doing a lot of shopping soon!
Beautiful furniture! The High Boy and mahogany chair are so interesting. I would love to see all of these items in person, just to touch them and feel the history they have lived. Great post!
Thank you John! When you come to the plantation some day, you will get to see it for real!
I love antiques, so I say “lucky you!” Although my designs are very modern, I collect antique cutlery and just love the workmanship. Gone are those days of great, loving craftsmen, so enjoy them! And if ever I come to America, you’ll definitely be on my “to visit” list 🙂
Thank you so much!! I love antiques too! I have been starting to collect tea cups and tea pots. Yes, they just don’t make them like they use to!
Such beautiful furniture. You don’t see those pieces out here in California. What fun to furnish a whole plantation!
Thank you! You know one day you will get a chance to see them in person!!
Btw, I can’t believe this, but Hurley got car sick on the way to the plantation on Sunday! In 9 years, this is the first time!
Hmmmmmmmm, I’m really doubtful if I should show this to my wife. She wouldn’t want to come out of that shop again – only with a lot less money! 😉 That’s ever so wonderful a shop. Thanks for sharing.
Best regards from southern Texas,
Pit
Thank you! Yes, I have to say it would not be a good thing unless you want to part with some cash! I know I spent four hours there and I didn’t come home with anything… yet 😉
Can do serious shopping somewhere like that. The primitive plantation desk, the wash tables, and the Robert E. Lee with Stonewall Jackson engraving are fantastic finds.
You are a guy after my heart! Those were the pieces that I loved the most! Thank you!
Superb finds!
Thank you! More to come!!!
Btw.. we are having a blast hiding our heart! Since Saturday we have exchanged it five times!
I LOVE that Grandfather clock. We both love to go antiquing so I’m pretty jealous right now!
Aw I am so sorry! But one day you both can come see them in person!
BTW… can you email me? Need to chat about the end of the month
I’m sorry I didn’t see your comment sooner. I did email last night!
OMG. What an amazing thing to do! The pieces are gorgeous!
Thank you! It was so much fun! It really didn’t feel like 4 hours!
My brother (former career military – Major, now civilian employee of the Armed Forces) owns the limited edition print “Last Meeting.” It’s one of his treasures.
Oh my gosh!! I would die to have one! They are so rare though and cost way beyond my budget! 😉
I love watching Antique Roadshow and browsing in antique shops,too.
here on Vancouver Island we have lots to choose from. Yesterday my sister and I spent time in downtown Duncan. She found a beautiful lace table cloth for her dining room table as well as a hand embroidered linen cloth for her smaller table. It has lovely mauve flowers. I found some beads and made a pair of lovely red earrings.
I would love to come there to shop! Heck I would go shop almost any where with antiques! I bet they were all very beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
Beautiful pieces. Thanks for sharing.
You are so welcome! 😉 Thank you!
Incredible! I love furniture, and I loved hearing about your trip. Thanks for the preview.
You are so welcome! There will be more to come!
Oh my … so much shopping to do … never enough time!
haha! That is so true!!
I’ve known Jay since I was 5, and you hit the nail on the head about why he’s so good at what he does – he can hone in on what you like, and help you envision where it should go and how best to set up a room. Those are some great pieces you saw! Good luck bringing the plantation to life!
Wow! How cool to find someone else that knows him! He really does all that and more! We can’t wait to shop with him again!
I’ve nominated you for a Leibster Award. The award is a “blogger to blogger award” that both allows other bloggers to show their appreciation to one another, and is a way to get to know some one new.
Here’s what you should do if you are interested:
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the questions that the tagger set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you’ve tagged to answer.
3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.
4. Go to their page and tell them.
5. No tag backs!
Here are the 11 questions from me:
1. When did you start blogging?
2. What motivated you to start blogging?
3. How often do you blog?
4. What suggestions do you have for new bloggers?
5. How much time do you put in on a blog?
6. Where do you come up with your ideas?
7. What other creative venues do you have?
8. Do you post on a particular time/day of the week?
9. What do you find most frustrating about blogging?
10. If you could do any one thing on your blog what would it be?
11. What was the favorite thing you ever did with your blog?
Thank you so much! We really appreciate it!
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Loooove your shopping trip! So many possibilities. I love wandering through antique shops. One can alomost hear each piece share their life story.
Thank you! Yes it has been great fun! But wait there is going to be a lot more soon!
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Thank you so much for sharing our blog!
Tired, I’m sure…but that was FUN! And all the ideas it has given rise…
If you haven’t, you might wish to use the little-taught story of Marbury vs. Madison at the Supreme Court. Few seem to understand the case or its evident politics; it makes a good story with real Constitutional significance…
Thank you Jack! I just might do that!