Antiques & Eddie

By Kate Riley December 7, 2009

The very best place to shop for antiques in the Bay Area is the monthly Alameda Point Antiques and Collectibles Fair at the former Naval Station in Alameda, California.  This place is a zoo!  Hundreds of vendors and thousands of customers frequent this event and for good reason:  the selections are incredible.  Regulations are strict – there are no reproductions allowed and everything sold must be at least twenty years old.  It almost ended with a dispute between the partners several months ago, but fortunately the Antique Fair lives on. 

My lucky stars aligned again on Sunday, for who should I happen to run into ?  None other than the amazingly talented Eddie Ross and his partner Jaithan.  Eddie was giving a tour that morning to a sold out crowd.  How fortuitous to run into one of my greatest inspirations in such an incredibly crowded venue !

eddie jaithan and kate

Eddie is very charming in person, and was so gracious to take the time to talk to me.  Jaithan is equally delightful in person.  Doesn’t Eddie have the best smile ?  I told him how excited I was for his special on HGTV – did you catch it ?  He decorated Kathy Lee Gifford’s home for the holidays with his exceptional Eddie touch.

Shopping for antiques in front of the San Francisco skyline is quite an experience. 

sf skyline

Unfortunately, this morning was exceptionally cold and it started to sprinkle toward the end so I was forced to go home a little early, as were many vendors.  Here’s a glance at just a few of my favorite goodies.

These vintage UK bus line routes.  What fabulous art these make! 

uk bus routes

 

These gorgeous pillows made from rustic burlap.  

burlap pillows

 

I loved everything this vendor had to offer, including this beautiful bust draped with pearls, and the lovely embroidered linen pillows in the background.  I never tire of this color blue on any piece of painted furniture.

bust with pearls

 

I was smitten with this gorgeous black hutch with brass detail.  Those cathedral doors are spectacular.  Don’t miss the the charming charcoal ducks up on top. 

black and copper hutch

This pair of twin beds would look marvelous in a girls’ or guest suite – I’d freshen the paint, then drape them with crown canopies and rich fabrics. 

set of twin beds

I’ll stop at any vendor who offers fine sterling and silver plate.  One day I’d like to own a tea set just like these.

silver sets

Retro linens made into pillows.  Very sixties, but made fresh and modern. 

retro linens

I really loved this pair of 3 foot tall lamps – imagine them with tall vanilla drum shades.  Very Ballard Designs and very yum.

golden filigree lamps

How interesting is this architectural piece ? A mantle anchored by skinny columns, yet the chalkboard keeps if from being stodgy.  It’s stunning !

mantle with chalkboard

This pair of ten foot long console tables would look amazing in just the right space.  Perhaps a dining room that also functions as a library ? 

long console tables

 

Many vendors were selling vintage Christmas decor. 

vintage christmas

vintage ornaments

I loved these silver shell and blue crackle glass ornaments nestled in an old wood carpenter’s box. 

silver shells

This Christmas tree made with vintage jewelry completely stopped me in my tracks. 

vintage jewelry christmas tree

 

I stopped to chat with the vendor as I often do.  She giggled as she mentioned that the response to this piece is dramatically different.  She related that anyone over fifty always says, “My grandmother made one of those… I always thought it was tacky.”  And anyone under thirty says “That is so cool !”  Even though I’m over thirty, I happen to subscribe to the latter opinion.  I think this framed display on black velvet is mega cool. 

Even though I could only spend two hours, it was worth it to meet Eddie and take home a few little trinkets. 

eddie and kate

Don’t forget tomorrow is the big Ornament Party – snap some photos of your favorites or feature your best DIY ornaments.  Anything goes !

25 comments

  1. The vintage jewelry tree IS cool! (I’m 39) My grandma had one, and though I did think it was tacky when I was growing up I have recently been looking for instructions on how to make one. Grandma’s was much more colorful and 3-D than this one. So funny you should feature a jewelry tree in your post. Love it!

  2. Og girl!…your stars aligned for you a 3 rd time? Santa loves you well! Great to see you enjoying yourself with Eddie and Jaithan.Fabulous array of antiques to feast your eyes on.Thanks for the pictures.I am moving to Temecula from Allentown ,PA .Can’t wait to start anew with all those fabulous places to shop from,thanks to your insight.Was that our “new” Guess silver hobo?…ahhh ,just fabulous.Inspite the rain,looks like you had a fabulous time :-)

  3. Oh my…I’m so guilty of thinking that I remember my mom and grandma making the jewelry trees. For me, it just brings back good memories…I don’t want one in my house, but it makes me happy to remember when my grandmother was alive…she died when I was 11.

  4. Oh now fun!! You got to meet 2 of my favorite guys, Eddie & Jaithan. I had the pleasure of going on the Atlanta shopping trip earlier this year & I know a couple of my friends went on this one in CA, Cindy from My Romantic HOme and Kathysue (who doesn’t blog). I know you had a blast meeting them & yes, Eddie has a great smile and his personality is infectious. Looks like a fun place to hang out!!

  5. Oh I adore this, I had never heard of it, but jotted down a note to make plans to go. We used to take a trip up to San Francisco at least once a year, but I’ve been swamped for the past year and haven’t been able to do any traveling! I’m thinking I’ll go and visit early next year! Thank you so much for sharing this!

  6. I have been looking for something like this fair down here in San Diego, but there doesn’t seem to be anything. Such beautiful pieces and things there! I love the vintage UK bus line routes. And the small blue table. Oh, I could have some fun decorating with those.

  7. I’m totally bummed! We were supposed to go yesterday, but ended up not being able! I love Eddie Ross too- Can’t wait to see what you found, and hopefully I get to go in January. :)

    Oh, and BTW, I posted a shout out to you on my latest Thrift Scores posting… I posted some of the neat stuff I’ve found “thrifting” (your word? My dictionary doesn’t know that one :) ) That ones scheduled for tomorrow…

    Thanks for the continued great ideas Kate!

    http://design-aholic.blogspot.com/

    -Amy

  8. How lucky are you?? LOVE those vintage ornaments. Too cool!

    I have a question for you about the party…these can just be some of our favorite ornaments, right? They don’t have to be ones we’ve made? I had grand aspirations and even bought some supplies, but with the oldest’s bday party this past weekend, I found myself drawing an Ariel, filling goody bags, and planning party games instead. :s Are you opening the party tonight or tomorrow?

    Okay, so that was way more than one question…

    Stop by if you have a chance. I’ve got my 1 year Blogiversary Giveaway up. :)

  9. How awesome that you ran into Eddie Ross!

    I’m feeling pretty old right now, I’m almost 30, but when I saw that tree it did remind me of the tacky one my Aunt made for my Memaw several years ago. However, this one is pretty.

  10. You’ve got some lucky stars; I adore Eddie and Jaithan! I’m so envious that you have such a great antiques fair close to you, too!

  11. You lucky ducky! He is the master of staging. He is great. I missed the special but I am looking for the rerun and tivoing it.

    You are also lucky to live where you do. I love SF more than any place that I have been. Love a lot of the vendors you showed us too.

  12. Talk about being in the right place at the right time! You look divine, Kate! : ) What gorgeous pieces they have there. I love that blue color, too, and I think I might have left with a pillow or two and some ornaments!

  13. So exciting to bump into Eddie Ross! But I can’t focus on your post because I’m busy admiring your jacket. Love it! Please tell me where you bought it?

  14. This is so beautiful .I like them very much.I love jewelry very much .I find a very good website .I think I will introduce to you .Women will be charming .

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