Weekend Getaway-Part 2-Antique Mall Shopping in Madison, GA; Christmas at Coteau in Louisiana

Madison, Georgia, is truly one of the most charming and picturesque small towns I have ever seen. Dating to 1809, named for U.S. President James Madison and, according to rumor, saved by Sherman because of its beauty, Madison is filled with incredible architecture and shops that beckon folks from all over the country. Only an hour from Atlanta, this is the perfect day trip destination or, for a relaxed weekend getaway, stay at the Ritz Carlton at Reynolds Plantation (an easy 30 minute drive away). Houses like the two shown in above photos fill the town as do wonderful antique shops. We hit quite a few of the shops but there were three stand-outs that I will visit again...soon!

My only regret is that I didn't have friend Eddie Ross with me! Eddie would have gone absolutely mad in these three....I can see the U-haul truck filled with goodies heading back to Connecticut now!

First stop.....the 20,000 square foot MADISON MARKETS with 75 great dealers. Furniture, art, new, old, accessories, books..you name it, it is at Madison Markets!

My love affair with candle sticks continues....single candlesticks make a great present!

19th Century English Brass Candlestick-$ 50

18th Century French Brass Candlestick-$ 58.50

I would love to see the two single candlesticks in a grouping (including the pair from Greensboro Antique Mall that I featured in last post) on a dining table like designer Steven Gambrel did on this modern table in his Sag Harbor cottage featuring various single candlesticks:

I have a client who needs bar accessories in her dining room...these decanters would be perfect!

Italian Decanters--left is $ 20, right is $ 30

Art always makes a perfect gift. I happen to love beach and nautical art so these pieces caught my eye. I am in LOVE with the Eva Blanche Whelan. From a little research I learned that Whelan was born in Los Angels in 1889, studied art at Stanford University and the Art Students League in New York and Los Angeles School or Art & Design, and died in Los Angeles in 1974.

Laguna Beach Rocks by Eva Blanche Whelan (1889-1974), California artist
$ 600 (normally $ 750)

Yacht Race 10" x 14" woodblock by Resseter--from The Peter Pelham Company, $300

And there is no better gift than books. Madison Markets had some of my favorite design books. I have all of these and highly recommend them for the design lovers on your list.

So Chic, glamorous lives, stylish spaces--from the pages of Elle Decor Magazine-this is my go to book when brainstorming and preparing for client presentations

Southern born, New York designer Charlotte Moss's beautiful book A Flair for Living

Top Atlanta designer Suzanne Kasler's book

my other go-to book: The Southern Cosmopolitan, sophisticated Southern style--by Susan Sully

a beautiful book by New Orleans & Breaux Bridge antiques dealer Patrick Dunne (more on his shop Lucullus in a blog post next week)

Next stop.....FLEAS An'TIQUES...I didn't make that up, I promise.

darn chic pair of vintage Vaseline Glass Candlesticks-$ 200

Another recent obsession is andirons. I can never seem to find ones that I actually love. I find them and they are ok, will work, suit the purpose. I feel about andirons the same as I do about candlesticks. They are the jewelry of the room but need to be architectural and handsome like the ones shown below in a project by the brilliant Atlanta native, New York designer Miles Redd, which are quite similar to my recent finds in Madison and in Atlanta (more on that in future blog posts)....

Here are two pairs that Fleas An'Tiques has...

23.5" tall, $ 450

these are some of the best looking I have ever seen and they will find a home in one of my projects!

21" tall, $ 110

and then these...oh my gosh..to die for! These are at MEIERE HOUSE ANTIQUES

, a wonderful shop in a beautiful old house....My three favorite finds at Meiere House Antiques:

INCREDIBLE pair of brass andirons..app. 15" high x 16" deep, $ 160 for the pair!
again, these ARE going to either our house or a client's ASAP!

another find for a Lafayette client--a charming leaf shaped aqua dish--perfect for a coffee or side table in their living room--and at $ 8, a steal!

Clementine Hunter framed Primitive Print
$ 125.00
For those of you from Louisiana, you know exactly what this is. For those of you who don't google Clementine Hunter or go to http://www.louisianaliving.com/product/clementine-hunter-art/clementine-hunter

Speaking of Louisiana. If you are there tomorrow or Saturday, the Christmas at Coteau festivities and art/goodies market is a must! On the grounds of historic Sacred Heart Academy, this year will be better than ever. Some of the participating artists and vendors are jewelers Simone Palmer, Kathy Prejean, and Janet Ullrich-Theriot; paper goods line Two in Faith by Elizabeth Hesterly and Renee Reaux; and artists Mark Rabalais and Trish Ransom. 

Admission is $ 8.00 and the event is Friday from 9-4 and Saturday from 9-3

In addition to the daily activities during Christmas at Coteau, this beautiful Kelli Kaufman landscape will be auctioned off Saturday night at the Coteau Celebration cocktail party and dinner event. Tickets for the event can be purchase for $ 100 per person by calling 337 662 5275

Beloved Marsh by Kelli Kaufman, Oil on Canvas, 30" x 40", valued at $ 1,600.00

Enjoy your weekend! and remember...support artists, galleries, antiques dealers, and local/privately owned shops only this Holiday season.

RESOURCES:

Madison Markets---144 Academy Street, Madison, GA--706-342-8795--www.madisonmarkets.com

Fleas An'Tiques--184 South Main Street, Madison, GA--706 342 3009--http://www.j-and-k-enterprises.com

http://www.facebook.com/jkantiques

The Meiere House Antiques--270 South Main Street, Madison, GA--706 752 0009

Eddie Ross, stylist extraordinaire   www.eddieross.com

Kelli Kaufman, artist---www.kellikaufman.com