The Buzz on Antiques

Nov 19, 2009

The Buzz: Morbidezza

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By Buzz Kaplan, Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor and author of The Buzz on Antiques. MORBIDEZZA is pronounced “mor bee DET zah” and comes from the Italian word for softness. Morbidezza is a term used in painting (mainly old masters or antique Italian paintings) to describe a technique that exaggerates the delicacy, softness, and fragility of the skin, as [...] (more...)

Nov 6, 2009

The Buzz: Bras De Lumiéres And Other Wall Sconces

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By Buzz Kaplan, Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor and author of The Buzz on Antiques. A sconce, pronounced “skahnz”, is a wall mount that is fitted to hold a candle or candles. Here’s a typical pair of 18th century Italian giltwood wall sconces: And here is another example, this one an amazing set at our gallery: (more...)

Oct 30, 2009

The Buzz: Eglomisé, Champlevé and Cloisonné

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By Buzz Kaplan, Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor and author of The Buzz on Antiques. Eglomisé, pronounced “ay glow me ZAY”, also called called ‘verre eglomisé’ (”vair ay glow me ZAY”), is a decorative glass technique where the glass is painted or gilded on the underside and then backed wih a metal foil. Shown above is an [...] (more...)

Oct 27, 2009

The Buzz on David Phoenix

Posted in Designer Profile, Guest Blogger, Profiles, The Buzz on Antiques • 13 comments

By Buzz Kaplan, Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor and author of The Buzz on Antiques. I met David Phoenix in 2002 when he was already at the top of his game in the Los Angeles high-end design market… Back then, I went to LA to see him because many of my designer clients told me “He’d be a [...] (more...)

Oct 23, 2009

The Buzz: Antique Fretwork

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By Buzz Kaplan, Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor and author of The Buzz on Antiques. In this recession, a lot of us fret about our work or lack thereof. I’d call this “fretwork” but I can’t because that means something entirely different in antiques. So what do I call worrying the day away? Being a “Nervous Nellie”. And [...] (more...)

Oct 16, 2009

The Buzz: You, Glue, & Antique Restorations

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By Buzz Kaplan, Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor and author of The Buzz on Antiques. Museum quality restorations, like those that we do at C. Mariani, increase the value of an antique and return it to its original beauty or at least a period-appropriate approximation. The problem in our business is that most “antique restorers” restore a piece [...] (more...)

Oct 7, 2009

The Buzz: Commode

Posted in Guest Blogger, The Buzz on Antiques • 7 comments

By Buzz Kaplan, Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor and author of The Buzz on Antiques. This is an essential and commonly misused word in antiques. A COMMODE (pronounced “kuh MODE”) is a low “chest of drawers” that typically has two or three drawers, and may or may not have a marble top. A commode is not a toilet. Trust [...] (more...)

Oct 6, 2009

The Buzz on James Lumsden: Back to the Classics

Posted in Designer Profile, The Buzz on Antiques • 6 comments

By Buzz Kaplan, Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor and author of The Buzz on Antiques. The morning I interviewed Los Angeles design icon, Jim Lumsden, I forgot to eat breakfast and had low blood sugar. So when I arrived at his gorgeous home and office in the Hollywood Hills, I was feeling a bit woozy. When I arrived, [...] (more...)

Oct 2, 2009

The Buzz: Cabaret

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By Buzz Kaplan, Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor and author of The Buzz on Antiques. Yes, yes, I’m fully aware of what Liza Minelli sings: “Life is a cabaret!” But that’s just plain Broadway musical baloney. A cabaret (pronounced “ca buh RAY” just like in the song) is actually a porcelain coffee or tea service that usually has [...] (more...)

Sep 24, 2009

The Buzz: Repoussé

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By Buzz Kaplan, Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor and author of The Buzz on Antiques. REPOUSSÉ is a decorative metal technique that you see on many antiques. In a nutshell, it’s hammering metal from the reverse side to create a relief design on the outside, as seen here on the top and border of an antique Flemish [...] (more...)

Sep 17, 2009

The Buzz Word of the Day: Console

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By Buzz Kaplan, Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor and author of The Buzz on Antiques. Ok, so here’s an antique riddle: what kind of table can have four legs, three legs, two legs, or no legs at all? This calls for a hilarious punch line–so if you think of one let me know. But since I can’t think [...] (more...)

Sep 10, 2009

The Buzz: Campaign Furniture

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By Buzz Kaplan, Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor and author of The Buzz on Antiques. Campaign furniture dates back to Roman times but it was perfected by the English during the Georgian and Victorian periods (1714-1901) when the British empire was being built. It’s defined as any furniture made specifically for travel, being designed in such a way [...] (more...)

Sep 5, 2009

The Buzz: Shagreen with Envy

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By Buzz Kaplan, Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor and author of The Buzz on Antiques. True factoid: Shagreen is just plain chic. It’s one of those truths that are “self evident” (to quote our Founding Fathers who would have loved shagreen if they’d been decorators). But honestly, I don’t know one designer who doesn’t swoon over shagreen. Here’s [...] (more...)

Aug 28, 2009

The Buzz: Antique Feet

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By Buzz Kaplan, Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor and author of The Buzz on Antiques. Decorati Access Magazine recently published my thoughts on How Antique Legs Can Help you Identify Periods & Styles. And it got a really great response. YAY. One of the Decorati readers (thank you, Jenny S.) asked if I would post some comments on antique [...] (more...)

Aug 25, 2009

The Collected Interior: The Buzz on Suzanne Kasler

Posted in Designer Profile, Guest Blogger, The Buzz on Antiques • 10 comments

Check out Decorati’s Contributing Antiques Editor, Buzz Kaplan’s, tête-à-tête with top Atlanta designer Suzanne Kasler. Photography by Frances Janisch. SEE SUSAN’S PORTFOLIO ON DECORATI Describe your design style in five words or less. Inspired. What are three most important elements of sophisticated design? Scale, proportion, and attention to detail. Your interiors are so strikingly different and new. Where do you [...] (more...)

Aug 19, 2009

The Buzz: “Scagliola”

Posted in Guest Blogger, The Buzz on Antiques • 4 comments

By Buzz Kaplan, Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor and author of The Buzz on Antiques. Pronounced: “skal YOE luh” (more...)

Aug 13, 2009

The Buzz: “ORMOLU” and “VERMEIL”

Posted in Guest Blogger, The Buzz on Antiques • 1 comment

By Buzz Kaplan, Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor and author of The Buzz on Antiques. Pronounced: “OR muh loo” Ormolu is from the French (meaning ground gold) and is a term used to describe gilded brass or bronze. In recent times, it’s been used to describe even ungilded brass or bronze, but technically it should be gilded. Ormolu [...] (more...)

Aug 5, 2009

The Buzz: What’s the difference between Marquetry & Parquetry?

Posted in Guest Blogger, The Buzz on Antiques • 2 comments

. By Buzz Kaplan, Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor and author of The Buzz on Antiques. . Both marquetry and parquetry are types of veneering. . One comment about veneered antiques generally: most people think of veneering as something cheap or done to save money over wood solids. And this is true if you’re talking about the 1960’s paneling in your [...] (more...)

Jul 30, 2009

The Buzz: Antique Beds 101

Posted in Guest Blogger, The Buzz on Antiques • 3 comments

. By Buzz Kaplan, Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor and author of The Buzz on Antiques. . I don’t sell a lot of antique beds. Why is that? . Maybe I just stink at sales. But more likely, it’s because: . 1. Many antique beds were heavily upholstered or were built right into (and were part of) room paneling (called “boiserie” and pronounced [...] (more...)

Jul 22, 2009

Top Antiquing Tips from Buzz

Posted in Guest Blogger, The Buzz on Antiques • 9 comments

By Buzz Kaplan, Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor and author of The Buzz on Antiques. Keep reading to find out Buzz’s top tips for antique novices to expert designers and anyone in between. . . What are the top 5 questions you would want a first time antique buyer to ask before purchasing a piece? . Anyone buying an antique [...] (more...)

Jul 8, 2009

Antique Terminology: ENFILADE

Posted in Guest Blogger, The Buzz on Antiques • 18 comments

By Buzz Kaplan, Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor and author of The Buzz on Antiques. . The word ENFILADE (pronounced “on fee LAHD”) is an interesting one because it has two distinct meanings: . 1. It’s a very long and low French buffet (it has to have four or more cupboard doors to be an enfilade). Otherwise it’s just called a [...] (more...)

Jun 30, 2009

Buzz Kaplan’s Adventures in Antiquing

Posted in Guest Blogger, Profiles, The Buzz on Antiques • 17 comments

From settees to French farm tables, expert antique specialist and Decorati Contributing Editor for the Buzz on Antiques, Buzz Kaplan has provided our readers with a wealth of knowledge about the vibrant (and sometimes humorous) world of antiques. Now Decorati is giving our readers the exclusive “buzz” about Buzz Kaplan, plus tips from top [...] (more...)

Jun 25, 2009

Design with the Environment in Mind

Posted in Guest Blogger, The Buzz on Antiques • 3 comments

Today Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor Buzz Kaplan of The Buzz on Antiques, explains how you can use antiques and custom furniture to create an eco friendly space. I know what you’re thinking: if Buzz thinks that “going green” means buying this green pair of 19th century Russian malachite urns, he’s got a serious screw loose. He [...] (more...)

Jun 18, 2009

Word of the Day: GUÉRIDON

Posted in Guest Blogger, The Buzz on Antiques • 7 comments

Today Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor Buzz Kaplan of The Buzz on Antiques, gives an informative history of the GUÉRIDON and shows how you can spot one yourself. An antique GUÉRIDON is a 17th-19th century small to medium round French table or stand originally created for the purpose of holding a candelabrum. These circular tables can be supported by columns, [...] (more...)

Jun 12, 2009

How Many People Can Sit at a Dining Table?

Posted in Guest Blogger, The Buzz on Antiques • 20 comments

Today Decorati Contributing Antiques Editor Buzz Kaplan of The Buzz on Antiques, provides the essential guide for dining table seating. I’m glad this question wasn’t “How many angels can sit on the head of a pin?” Because I have no idea so help me God. But I do know my dining tables, antique or otherwise. And when [...] (more...)

Jun 6, 2009

Antique Terminology: Chinoiserie Part II

Posted in Guest Blogger, The Buzz on Antiques • 9 comments

Today Decorati guest blogger and antique expert Buzz Kaplan of The Buzz on Antiques, continues to elaborate on the history of the Chinoiserie style. Click here to read Antique Terminology: Chinoiserie Part I. This European interpretation of the mysterious Orient combined real elements with pure fancy. The result was often wildly whimsical and even silly, which [...] (more...)

Jun 5, 2009

Antique Terminology: Chinoiserie Part I

Posted in Guest Blogger, The Buzz on Antiques • 22 comments

Today Decorati guest blogger and antique expert Buzz Kaplan of The Buzz on Antiques, explains the unique history of the Chinoiserie style and clarifies the origins of this misnomer. Chinoiserie is one of my favorite antique terms because it’s so much fun to say–“shin nwahz REE”. Chinoiserie is from the French meaning “in the Chinese taste” and [...] (more...)

May 20, 2009

Get a Leg Up: How Legs Can Help Identify Antique Periods & Styles

Posted in Guest Blogger, The Buzz on Antiques • 13 comments

Today Decorati guest blogger and antique expert Buzz Kaplan of The Buzz on Antiques, explains how the legs of an antique can play a key role in identifying its period and style. Can you tell how old an antique is just by the shape of its leg? Well, no, not the exact date it was created, because [...] (more...)

May 6, 2009

Antique Terminology: SETTEE and CANAPÈ

Posted in Guest Blogger, The Buzz on Antiques • 20 comments

Today Decorati guest blogger Buzz Kaplan explains the difference between the often confused Settee and Canape. Two words frequently used in the antique trade are “settee” and “canapé” and yet many designers are unclear as to what they mean and how to pronounce them. Here’s how they’re pronounced: SETTEE: pronounced “seh TEE” CANAPÉ: pronounced “CAN uh pee” [...] (more...)

Apr 24, 2009

The Little French Farm Table that Could

Posted in Guest Blogger, The Buzz on Antiques • 13 comments

Today Decorati welcomes our newest blogger- expert antique consultant and author of The Buzz on Antiques blog, Buzz Kaplan. In his first post, Buzz discusses the appeal of the quintessential French farm table. Keep reading to learn more about the history, style, and useful tips to help you make a wise investment. What is [...] (more...)