San Francisco Lifestyles News
The $17.8M Paul Newman Rolex Daytona? Meh, I've Seen Nicer.
When it comes to sensational watches, it turns out Paul Newman, Mr. Hollywood Legend, is my timepiece doppelgänger. An upcoming Sotheby's event is cause for a timely comparison.Paul Newman and I have a lot in common.Newman is a legend, an iconic figure in Hollywood...
$1 Purchase Turns Out to be Cartier Purse Worth Nearly $10,000
With a little help from her online friends, a vintage clothing storeowner discovers an "old" bag is really a fantastic diamond-studded Cartier find. Now she has thousands of reasons to smile.Sometimes, patience – with a smattering of online good fortune – is a...
Best metal beds for 2023
The traditional metal bed, made from iron, brass and increasingly nickel, is rightfully a design classic. Available in myriad forms, from antique-style singles to towering four-posters, the popularity of the metal bed shows no sign of waning.Brass and cast-iron...
The Story Behind Jacqueline Kennedy’s Iconic Pink Suit
Famously worn on the day JFK was assassinated, the First Lady's pink ensemble is hidden from the public eye, preserved for historical importance by the National Archives in a climate-controlled vault outside of Washington. President Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline...
Mahogany Furniture: Quality and History
There is no doubt about it: Mahogany furniture is obviously high quality and beautiful. It is no wonder that it has maintained popularity for centuries. Designers recognize mahogany for its beautiful rich reddish-brown coloring, straight grain and incredible...
A 15th-century farmhouse in south-west France
Antiques dealers love to travel. For some, it is simply part of the job, for others there is also the joy factor. For Marston Luce, it’s both these things. He sells naïve and painted furniture from his shop in Georgetown, Washington DC, and he realised it would be...
The Plastic That Shaped the Future
QUESTION: Recently I purchased a box of assorted costume jewelry at a flea market. What intrigued me was the variety of colorful plastic bracelets in the assortment. While these look like they’re made of regular plastic we know today, the dealer told me they were...
Hoodoo: A Hidden World of Magic
One heavy hitter in the retail hoodoo world was the Lucky Heart Co. of Memphis, Tennessee, which manufactured items such as this “love sachet.” The powder could be sprinkled on one’s person or near one’s “target” interest to attract love. A charmingly labeled vintage...
Great Discoveries: Rare Painting Found in French Home
Dutch artist Pieter Brueghel the Younger produced this painting, titled L’Avocat du village.Image Source: Artnet Always remember to check behind the door! A rare painting produced by Dutch artist Pieter Brueghel the Younger was discovered in such a place inside a home...