Greetings!

I hope you are well and enjoying spring’s first blooms. Our daffodils, forsythias, and cherry blossoms are gorgeous and especially cheerful this season. Early spring can go from glorious to gloomy in a minute, so having these flowers in the garden, in the house, and in the shop makes me happy whatever the weather may be.

Speaking of happy, I’m thrilled to share exciting news.

I have been invited by Down East magazine (one of my very favs!) to be a judge for their inaugural Maine Homes Design Awards competition. As many of you know, I am passionate about Maine as well as design, so I gladly accepted! There is a total of five judges, including Martha!

This is a judged competition to select the best Maine design in five categories: kitchen, bathroom, living/dining space, exterior curb appeal, and landscape. The competition is open to both the trade and general public. Anyone can enter their Maine work, and I invite you to do so. For further info please visit Maine Homes. Also, follow along on their Instagram.Here is more news: our former home is featured in the May/June 2018 issue of Southern Home magazine. There are 12 pages of our home and garden with some never-before-seen photos. Please pick up an issue. A little sneak peek below.

Now for Tone on Tone news: I recently updated our shop’s website with lots of fresh inventory. It’s been a while since I last updated the site – apologies! There are new seating, case goods and tables, including the below items.

A classically inspired Swedish gueridon table (1900-20) with oval top, guilloche band, recessed apron, fluted columnar pedestal, and quadripartite base, 40″ x 25.75″ x 29.5″ high. This would be handsome standing in a bay window, between two lounge chairs, or as a center table.

Are you looking for a small table that’s not deep? This 19th-century Gustavian console is only 33.5″ wide x 13.5″ deep x 30″ high. There is even a drawer for storage. Place a basket underneath for additional storage, and use it in a narrow entry, hall, etc. Note the shaped apron corners.

Freshen brown wood with simple upholstery, and pair it with painted furniture for an updated look. This very traditional ball-and-claw stool got a makeover with a casual but tailored slipcover in an organic cotton ticking of the palest tone-on-tone colorway. It’s tucked under a Swedish table (35.25″ x 18.75″ x 29.75″ high) that is understated yet elegant – note the beaded apron. The different styles allow each piece to stand out, rather than match each other.

I’ve
been bringing fresh flowers from our garden to the shop. These
sunny daffies, with egg-yolk colored centers, look so sweet in a humble ironstone pitcher. Arrangements of cut flowers from the garden are one of the season’s loveliest pleasures! Makes me happy to tell others that I grew these beauties.

Here is an early 1800s Gustavian nighstand with signature reeding that is quintessentially Swedish! It has a raised gallery, pair of doors plus a blind drawer at the bottom. At 17.75″ wide x 13.25″ deep x 29.5″ high, it’s a smart choice for a small space in a bedroom, bath, master closet, etc.

Do you recognize these six Swedish dining chairs (1920s)? We had them in both our former and current homes. Below are photos showing them around a fruitwood table at our former Tudor. The chairs now have all new seat padding plus linen upholstery, and they are available at the shop. A wheat sheaf along with bell flowers grace each arched backrest. BTW, this is one of the most popular chair models from the Gustavian period.

I’ve had many demi-lune tables but not chests, making this one (1880s) even more special. It deserves a noteworthy spot with a period gilt mirror or modern abstract painting above – such a versatile piece that can go traditional or transitional. There are three center drawers, paneled sides, and tapered legs. The dimensions are 42″ wide x 18″deep x 30″ high.

My favorite part about this next Swedish chest from the 1850s is the unusual scalloped trim. The chest also features outset corners, canted front, lion masks, fluting, and paneled drawers – lots of details! It does sit lower (35.5″ wide x 17.5″ deep x 27.25″ high), making it ideal next to a sofa or bed.
Time for cherry blossoms in DC! After a chilly delay, all the cherry trees are finally putting on their spring show. It’s a resplendent sea of pinks and whites!Shown here is a late 19th-century Swedish painted chest flanked by a pair of French limed chairs from the 1940s. The chairs, just upholstered in white linen, are from a set of four.

This is a classic Gustavian chest with carved leaf tip frieze, fluted corners, three drawers, and pale gray color. It measures 36.25″ wide x 18″ deep x 31″ high.

From the 18th century is this fine French Louis XVI brass mounted mahogany console with bottom shelf. Period French furniture can sometimes be fussy and, therefore, rarely interests me. This console, however, has beautiful clean lines with a sense of restraint. Measuring 32″ wide x 16″ deep x 31″ high, it can work nearly in any room.

That’s it for this post. I’ll be adding more inventory on our website so please check back soon. Please email me if you have any questions: info@tone-on-tone.com
Enjoy these photos of more daffodils from our garden – they make every room of our home so cheerful!
Cheers,
Loi