Objects of Lust: Everything Michael Bruno Owns

Another highlight of yesterday's SF20 show was the keynote address by 1stdibs founder and president Michael Bruno.

If you're not familiar with the site, Bruno jokingly describes it as "eBay for rich people." Looking for an absolutely mindblowing assortment of pedigreed, pristine antiques and pieces of vintage modern design culled from top dealers in the U.S. and France -- and have, say, $12,000, budgeted for a writing desk or armchair? Then report to 1stdibs posthaste. The rest of us will simply have to content ourselves with surfing and drooling.

Anyway, the address was billed as "how you can do the planet a favor by buying vintage," but it was really just Bruno talking about how the idea for 1stdibs germinated. Basically, he was an unemployed expat living in Paris and decided, somewhat randomly, to "put the Paris flea market on the internet." The idea met with almost immediate success, and today 1stdibs is a powerhouse in the design world, with top designers regularly sourcing items there.

I had no complaints about the talk being somewhat different than advertised. It was thoroughly entertaining, and the blue-blooded and well-connected Bruno charmed the pants off everyone in the room. (By the way, taken together, the pants and shoes in that room probably cost more than the down payment on our house.)

The best part, though, was the slideshow of images from Bruno's incredibly chic homes on Paris's Left Bank and in Sagaponack, New York. I'm not ashamed to admit it: I had lust in my heart.

First, the Paris apartment:

Bruno says he furnished the place almost entirely with pieces from the Paris flea market -- and that at first, he was 1stdibs best -- and only -- customer.


Now, the Hamptons "farmhouse":


Oh, and here's Bruno's former home in San Francisco:

A charmed life, indeed.

(All photos except the bad, blurry one at top by Tim Street-Porter, Sally Bruno, and Mary Nichols. Some image scans borrowed from this post by my blogging buddy, 1stdibs profilee and Sacramento interior designer Katiedid, aka Katie Denham.)

Mark Your Calendar: 20th Century Art and Design Show

From Thursday, September 11, through Sunday, September 14, the San Francisco 20th Century Art and Design Show & Sale will be taking place at Fort Mason Center's Herbst Pavilion.

The event features "50 premier national and international exhibitors presenting decorative and fine arts from all design movements of the 20th century."

In other words, it's the good stuff -- and at nosebleed prices. I seriously doubt there will be any bargains, but it still sounds like a fun way to ooh and aah over absolutely beautiful pieces and to educate yourself about 20th century modern design.

The event's keynote speaker is 1stdibs founder and president Michael Bruno, who will kick off the exhibition's first day with a Thursday morning lecture on buying vintage.

Show hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $20, and lectures are $10. Click here for more info.

P.S. Show pics and impressions here.

Trendspotting: Subway Signs

New York City subway roller signs have been all over the design landscape during the last year or so.

Now that Pottery Barn has joined in with its own version (above, $79), I think it's pretty safe to say that the "subway signs as wall art" thing has officially jumped the shark.

Still, if you're hankering for an authentic vintage model, there are a few options. (But be warned -- they'll cost you.)

eBay seller JR's Framed Subway Signs has several restored New York City MTA signs listed for $225 to $1,000 each.

This circa-1940s Chicago streetcar version is $450 from Urban Remains.

1stdibs merchant Metropolis Modern is selling this framed beaut for a mere $1,800.

I don't know about you, but with prices like that, I think I'll just stick with my memories of riding the F train ...

eBay Find of the Day: Klismos Chairs

Klismos chairs are design classics that have also managed the neat feat of being incredibly au courant. (They've popped up in Domino and in House Beautiful of late, and don't miss the recent Klismos slideshow from Southern Accents.)

Based on Greek forms dating from the 5th century B.C., modern-day Klismos chairs have both a refined stateliness and a bit of swaggering attitude, with a neoclassical shape that features splayed saber legs and a curving backrest that cradles the body. Pristine examples from the early 18th to the mid-20th century run several hundred to several thousand dollars at high-end auction houses and on sites like 1stdibs, while new versions from companies like Donghia and Michael Berman will set you back nearly as much.

Or you could try eBay. This set of four midcentury-model Klismos up for auction on the site looks like it's in excellent shape, and will add a bit of stylish pomp to your dining table or a touch of sculptural elegance when employed as occasional seating elsewhere.

Current bid: $99. (Shipping for the entire set via Greyhound is an additional -- and quite reasonable -- $90.) The auction ends on Thursday.

Trendspotting: Are Horns the New Antlers?

Remember how, a couple of years ago, deer antlers started popping up all over design magazines -- usually striking a surprisingly rustic, primitive note in an otherwise sleek and sophisticated interior? I’m starting to notice the same thing happening with animal horns.

Often culled from Vietnamese water buffalo (though African antelope and domestic cow horns make occasional appearances as well), these products tend to be labeled “cruelty-free” and “eco-friendly” because the animals aren’t killed for their horns. Rather, the horns are harvested after the animal dies (or is slaughtered for meat or other byproducts), as part of a “nothing is wasted” philosophy. I guess whether that’s truly cruelty-free is a bit subjective -- as is the lure of having a bunch of dead bovine bits laying around your home.

Still, there’s no denying that the material itself is beautiful and lends a dramatic, earthy touch to a super-luxe, sleek minimalist, or “organic modern” space.

A look at some of the “horn décor” on the market now:

Tyrol Horn Centerpiece, $125, from Plantation Home

Mombasa Pencil Cup, $23, from See Jane Work

Mombasa Desk Tray, $70

Horn Bath Accessories, $25 to $45, from Williams Sonoma Home

Horn Tray, $34, from the Well Dressed Home

Plantation Organic Horn Bowl Set, $95

Roost Horn Bowl Set, $125

Plantation Brushed Horn Bowl, $95

Horn Boxes, $75 to $165, from Vivre

Vivre Horn Frames, $30 and $45

Horn Frames, $16 and $29, from West Elm

Plantation Italian Horn Candleholder, $195

Plantation Set of Three Italian Horn Candleholders, $1,695

Plantation Horn Sconce, $995

Roost Horn Lamp, $429, from Velocity

Vintage Horn Lamp, $980, from 1stdibs

Horn Lamp, $425, from Semplice

Plantation Italian Horn Desk Lamp, $1,195

Plantation Italian Single Horn Lamp, $1,695

Plantation Framed Italian Horn Lamp, $1,995

Well Dressed Home Horn Objet, $165

Plantation Long Horn Statue, $395

Plantation Kudu Antelope Horn Statues, $995 each

Plantation Italian Horn Table, $1,400

Plantation Italian Horn Nesting Tables, $5,995 for a set of three

What do you think -- elegant “safari chic,” or just kind of icky? I can't quite decide -- but I do sincerely hope that "hoof decor" isn't next.

(Photos at top: Kim Christie for Canadian House & Home, May 2007; Jan Cevcik, NaturePhoto-CZ; Rick Brazil for Amy Levine Interior Design)