La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
YOU MIGHT REMEMBER THAT A few months ago our friend Marisa, a gifted restoration artist, picked up our antique Art Deco floor lamp (made by J. J. Braze & Co. of NYC) that was in serious need of help (click here).
We bought the lamp in Connecticut in the late 1980s. Solid brass, we thought. It could only handle a very weak bulb and never served much purpose — although we liked it. It didn’t survive well on its sea voyage to Spain (with storage in England). The pole was bent. The brass finial (which turned out to not be original) was broken off. I removed the wireworks (since it wouldn’t work here anyway) and turned it into a candle holder. It was a disappointment. It has stood on the terrace for years now, forlorn and rusting. San Geraldo suggested we ask Marisa to restore it and turn it back into a lamp, one that would actually provide a bit of pleasant light.
Marisa began with a serious cleaning and polishing and discovered that, although most of the lamp was solid brass, the base and cap were brass-plated wrought iron. She was unhappy with the inconsistent color and finish. So were we. We all agreed it should be finished in the same antiqued silver she used for our pub table (click here). Marisa did what became two restorations. In the midst of that, her son was diagnosed with Covid (he’s fine) and the entire house had to quarantine. Then, there was a vacation. (The nerve, I know.)
Well, Marisa and her husband, Santi, (our friend and gifted painter/contractor) stopped by last night to deliver our new lamp. We’re ecstatic. I didn’t get things settled around it, I didn’t get the best photos, but I couldn’t wait to share it with you.
Nutrition and fitness report:
I stretched four times Saturday, twice so far today. I walked 6.5 km / 4 miles this morning. A slice of San Geraldo’s fairly healthy apple cake after lunch today. That’s it for the sweets. Tomorrow, to the gym.
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PUEDE RECORDAR QUE HACE UNOS meses, nuestra amiga Marisa, una talentosa artista de la restauración, recogió nuestra lámpara de pie Art Deco antigua (hecho por J. J. Braze & Co. de NYC) que necesitaba ayuda seriamente (haz clic aquí).
Compramos la lámpara en Connecticut a fines de la década de 1980. Latón macizo, pensamos. Solo podía manejar una bombilla muy débil y nunca sirvió de mucho, aunque nos gustó. No sobrevivió bien en su viaje por mar a España (con almacenamiento en Inglaterra). El poste estaba doblado. El remate de latón (que resultó no ser original) estaba roto. Quité la estructura de alambre (ya que no funcionaría aquí de todos modos) y la convertí en un candelabro. Fue una decepción. Ha estado en la terraza durante años, abandonado y oxidado. San Geraldo sugirió que le pidamos a Marisa que lo restaure y lo convierta de nuevo en una lámpara, una que en realidad proporcione un poco de luz agradable.
Marisa comenzó con una limpieza y un pulido serios y descubrió que, aunque la mayor parte de la lámpara era de latón macizo, la base y la tapa eran de hierro forjado enchapado en latón. No estaba contenta con el color y el acabado inconsistentes. Nosotros tampoco. Todos estuvimos de acuerdo en que debería tener un acabado en la misma plata envejecida que usó para nuestra mesa de pub (haz clic aquí). Marisa hizo lo que se convirtió en dos restauraciones. En medio de eso, a su hijo le diagnosticaron Covid (está bien) y toda la casa tuvo que ponerse en cuarentena. Luego, hubo unas vacaciones. (El descaro, lo sé.)
Bueno, Marisa y su marido, Santi, (nuestro amigo y talentoso pintor / contratista) pasaron anoche para entregar nuestra nueva lámpara. Estamos extasiados. No pude arreglar las cosas al respecto, no obtuve las mejores fotos, pero estaba ansioso por compartirlas con ustedes.
Informe de nutrición y estado físico:
Me estiré cuatro veces el sábado, dos veces hasta ahora. Caminé 6.5 km / 4 millas esta mañana. Una rebanada de la tarta de manzana bastante saludable de San Geraldo después del almuerzo de hoy. Eso es todo por los dulces. Mañana, al gimnasio.
• El suelo de roble Toronto blanqueado es de alta calidad. El zócalo (izquierda) lo abarata. Santi estará aquí pronto para reemplazarlo.
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• Es tiempo de relajarse.
Y Olivia de Lopez…
Jssw:
Olivia reigns supreme.
The lamp is beautiful! Congratulations all around.
Chrissoup:
It‘s so much fun to work with Marisa, I’ve contemplated buying old junk she can give new life. She’s done decorative painting on old furniture, refinishing and upholstery. A person of so many talents.
It looks so fabulous! I’m confused about the difference in look of the finish, in the photo with the light on. Is that a before, or does it just not look silvery once the light is turned on?
Also, I love that face with the Acanthus-leaf-looking hair, on the wall.
Judy C:
That’s just what happens when you snap a picture of a lit lamp… it silhouettes and looks darker. The finish is closer to the silvery look, although it’s more pewter, like the pub table. That face is named Olivia. A gift from our friend Judyshannon (who originally bought it for her parents). It had hung outside the door of their cabin on Lopez Island in the San Juans. When they were older and sold the cabin, Judy brought Olivia to us for our hotel in Palm Springs. She will be with us forever.
The lamp came out great! I love the “disco ball” glass finial. 🙂
Steve:
When the lamp is lit, it and the glass ball make beautiful art on the walls and ceiling.
She did a great job!!!! And it fir in with your surroundings more nicely too. I m glad you kept it. Its not a run of the mill you’d see in any house…it’s different. It’s why I like unusual things.
Mistress Borghese:
I’m now so glad we shipped it here for its new life. Thanks!
Like it, and it looks great lit up.
Kirk:
It creates beautiful art on the celing and walls when lit up.
What a beautiful lamp and such a good job!! Looks great!
Jim:
The one thing I did for the lamp years ago was to buy mica sheets for the top to make the light less harsh. Otherwise you were staring at a bare bulb. It was very orange, however, and didn’t go with the new pewter. I told Marisa to find another use for the mica, and she will.
The crystal finial is gorgeous, especially with the light on. They did wonderful work on the old lamp. So glad you were able to salvage it.
Wilma:
Nothing is beyond salvaging with Marisa around. I keep looking around the house to see if there’s anything else she can do.
Your friend did a great restoration job on that lamp! The antiqued silver finish looks wonderful next to your plum wall too.
Tundra Bunny:
The eggplant wall could probably use another coat of paint (it would be its third repaint). The constant sunlight fades it quickly. So happy with the lamp.
Beautious! Especially when lit up. It’s nice to give new life to old things. I’m waiting my turn.
Walt the Fourth:
I’d never thought of that. I’ll ask Marisa about a personal restoration/renovation. (Wouldn’t it be nice?)
She did a beautiful job!
Debra:
She’s got talent and skill. So much fun to work with her. We have an old framed photo (large oval) I’d love for her to work her magic on.
What a transformation! It’s gorgeous, Scoot. Please send Santi to work on my house. My baseboards look terrible.
Love,
Janie
Janie:
Santi did all our renovation work. New floors, repaired some walls, new tile on the terrace, and all the painting. He might consider a trip to Florida.