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Coffee and Antiques with Bob
Bob Loeser is the Director of Sales at Marisa Perry. You may know him as the elegant man who can get you any diamond you’re looking for, but what you may not know is his love for antiques and art. Some of our customers have gotten wind of his impeccable taste, and have brought pieces in for his input before they buy. He is our favorite resource for all things antique, and he also makes a mean martini!
I decided to sit down with him and pick his brain about antiques and decorating for creating your romantic, antique style home.
How long have you been collecting?
30 years. I collect art, antiques, and interesting objects. Some are not so valuable, but I collect them just because they’re cool. I also have a decent collection of ancient Roman and Greek artifacts.
How do you feel about mixing antique with modern?
I love it. I think that it’s much more interesting today to do that because it shows you have flexibility of taste.
If you were going to suggest a staple for antique beginners what would it be?
I would say buy yourself a little end table, or a side chair, and come to a realization of what styles you like. Work your way up! The nice thing about a small piece like that is that it doesn’t necessarily dictate what the rest of your style will be.
What antique shops in New York do you recommend?
Guild antiques on 83rd and Lexington has a lot of 18th century English styles.
Newel has a beautiful selection of high end antiques (lighting, furniture, etc.) Full array of 17th to 20th century, from Louis 14 to Art Deco. 425 East 53rd Street. A wonderful place for inspiration.
French Louis XVI style (19th Cent) cream painted open arm chair with carved gilt trim with a beige upholstered oval back and seat
What advice do you have for shopping at auctions?
My advice is to watch them and visit them frequently. You never know what will turn up! Also, never go in with one thing in mind! You may be surprised at what you find. Doyle New York is my favorite for the basic collector because they are a local house and deal with local estates. You can find some of the finest 18th century furniture up to modern reproductions at reasonable prices.
What is your favorite piece from own collection?
My favorite piece of furniture is probably the early 18th century French Bombe I have in the living room. Bow front with cabriole legs. Louis the 15th. Covered with inlaid wood with a very decorative pattern and gilded mounts. Marble top.
Favorite Art: a Carracci portrait with a side view of a nude male, 16th century Italian Renaissance.
Paintings by Carraci
Let’s say you find a piece you love, but it has some wear and tear. How do you fix up a not perfect piece?
The easiest thing to do to improve the look of a piece is Olde English scratch cover, or you can buy furniture touch up pens which will help get rid of the scratches.
If you really want to improve the finish, Minwax Finishing Wax. That’s a high quality wax that leaves a high quality finish, You must thoroughly clean with a damp cloth with a mild dishwashing detergent like Ivory. Do not saturate it.
What happens if the fabric on a chair or sofa has some spots?
I used some spray on oxyclean which doesn’t hurt the fabric. Try an invisible spot first to make sure it doesn’t hurt the fabric. Use sparingly and rinse with warm water. But there are some stains that you just can’t get out.
Thank you Bob!
Until Next Time….
Romantic Home: Tea Time
Tea Timing!
Spring time is around the corner and it might be fun to have some ideas in your arsenal for a romantic rainy afternoon idea! Here’s mine! The lost art of the
“Easy High Tea with Sherry”.
For a full and ultimate “HIGH TEA”, you should have tea sandwiches, scones with jam and devon cream, and tiny petit four. Your beverages should include tea, and sherry or champagne. But fear not readers, I am not suggesting that you prepare all of this yourself! So here are my ideas from the minimum to maximum experience for you to woo your significant other. And nothing sets the tone for a romantic afternoon indoors, like a spot {or three glasses} of sherry!
You need to make sure that you have tea! Along with sugar, milk or lemon, depending on how you both take your tea.
Next priority is an Alcoholic Beverage! I recommend Cream Sherry. You can sub with Champagne but Cream Sherry is more authentic, super delicious and much less expensive. And it offers a happy, relaxing, warm blanket feeling over the let’s party feeling of Champagne!
If you are serving this after you have had lunch, I would focus soley on scones and pastries. That said, if you have not had lunch, tea sandwiches are a super treat.
I recommend, olive and cream cheese, or cream cheese and cucumber, ham and cheese, thinly sliced of course, and maybe a thinly sliced chicken or turkey with a little mayo. They should be simple and flat on any squishy bread you like, including the white bread which we have all banished from our kitchens.
Here are some examples of High Tea set-ups!
Scones are easy to find, and devon cream is available at most any gourmet store like Citerella’s, Dean and Deluca, etc. Have it in house for that rainy day. And little macarons or tiny petit four, are also available at most any gourmet store or bakery.
If you are thinking “ Sure Marisa, it’s raining outside, and I am going to run, all over picking up this stuff!”
Well, I would pick up devon cream and tea and Sherry at your convenience, to store and have on hand for that rainy day. And on the day of, I would run out to a specialty store and pick up the bread (sliced) a couple of sandwich fillers in the deli area, scones and petit four in the bakery section, and go home and set it up! If you can’t find petits fours, you can purchase an individual lemon tart and raspberry tart and cut them in squares with a sharp knife!
If you want to be extravagant, you can make a run to La Duree for Macarons!
And after his first glass of sherry, he will not be thinking that High Tea is only for girly parties!! xoxo, Marisa
P.S. Here is my totes adorbs niece Amanda and I at The Plaza for Tea Time!
Romantic Sparkle: Rose Gold
Hello Romantics!
One of the trends we at Marisa Perry are seeing more of {and love} is Rose Gold.
Rose Gold is an option for the type of metal you are able to choose from for your jewelry. Recently, it’s popularity is making it join the ranks of the other metal options; such as yellow gold, white gold, and platinum.
But rose gold in jewelry is nothing new. In fact, rose gold was very popular in the Victorian era. It’s color adds warmth and a certain uniqueness that was appreciated in that time period. And because of it’s unique look, it’s becoming a trend that is here to stay.
Rose gold’s coppery tone softens the overall look of any jewelry piece, which makes it great to pair with a multitude of gemstones. In addition to working well with various gemstones, rose gold looks great on all skin tones. It is a fantastic option for individuals that find other metal options to be harsh or too bold. For example, Many brides are now pairing rose gold jewelry with blush tone wedding gowns.
Rose gold is used in all types of jewelry: rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, etc.
Here are a few stunning examples!
{Liz Rose ring: 2.03ct Oval GVS1}
{The Vintage Alexandria ring: 0.41ct FVS2 Round Brillant Forevermark center stone}
{3 sided Micro-Pavé band: 1.18 ctw}
{Micro-pavé Pendant necklace: 0.19ct GSI1 Round Brillant Forevermark center stone}
{Machalka ring: 0.47 ctw}
Are you warming up to Rose Gold as much as we are?
Love Always, Leeann
**All above items are available for purchase at Marisa Perry Atelier**
In Sickness or In Health
It can be hard to feel romantic during cold and flu season, but worry not! I’m here with the most romantic recipe for your loved one when they are stuck in bed! The Hot Toddy! This is a cocktail designed to soothe the common cold.
1 teaspoon honey
2 fluid ounces boiling water
1 1/2 fluid ounces whiskey
3 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 slice lemon
1 pinch ground nutmeg
Pour the honey, boiling water, and whiskey into a mug. Spice it with the cloves and cinnamon, and put in the slice of lemon. Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes so the flavors can mingle, then sprinkle with a pinch of nutmeg before serving.
Recipes will vary, some will use brandy or bourbon, some add a little tea, some skip the cloves and nutmeg. Also, be sure to have your love drink a big glass of water with it because alcohol dehydrates and that’s the last thing they’ll need while they’re sick…the more fluids the better!
For bonus points, add a little neck massage to soothe those muscle aches!
What are your favorite remedies?
Until next time…
everydayromantic.com 