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!
Please don’t forget to get your Cookie Recipe Entered!
Click James Madison to Learn How to Enter!
Deadline is March 29th!
No Entry Fee is Required!
We are accepting donations that will go towards our Restoration Fund!
We really do appreciate any small donation you can make!
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!