Mary Helen McCoy Fine Antiques and Interior Design

Beautiful exhibition of Royal Porcelain by Camille Leprince at Aveline Gallery in Paris. Sharing a peek from the catalog. Enjoy.

Happiest Caturday from our Mr. Zene showing off on our French Regence period carved walnut fauteuil with beautiful tapestry from the same period…( circa 1715-1723 )….

Sharing this beautiful bedroom designed by the talented Michael Simon who I met in NY many years ago when he designed his first room for the Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse in NYC. Michael has an amazing eye for details which draws me to his meticulous style. Hope you enjoy this post and remember it’s all in good taste…it’s all about the details.

This massive French Regence period ( circa 1715-1723 ) carved oak buffet with Bourgogne marble top is waiting for the right home ....It requires a large room and becomes a statement piece. This buffet has extraordinary storage capacity and would look promising in a kitchen / dining area as well....imagine serving from the beautiful top which has seen over 300 years.
Mary Helen McCoy Fine Antiques

Throw back Thursday!
Often I’m asked what is or was my most favorite piece of furniture I’ve had the pleasure of owning in my inventory. Hands down is is Louis XIV period marquetry commode ( chest ) by Thomas Hache of Grenoble France.
This piece was sold to a collector who lives in California after we presented it at Palm Beach! America’s International Fine Art and Antiques Fair ( 2005 ).
It is also featured on two pages in the book about this family of cabinetmakers written by Pierre Rouge and his daughter Françoise Rouge.

Pair of beautiful Zuber wallpaper panels from the late 19th century which were found never used and placed on stretchers for presentation. They are 8’6” high but can be cut down on the “ blue “ ground across the top and bottom to accommodate your space. Provenance: Carolle Thibaut Pomerantz, Paris, FR Specialist of Antique and vintage wallpapers.

The NAADAA Online Antique Art & Jewelry Show June 24 – July 8 | Incollect Join us for June 24 – July 8, 2020 for The National Antique & Art Dealers Association of America Online Antique Art & Jewelry.

Elevate your home décor with selections from Mary Helen McCoy Fine Antiques and Interiors of Memphis, Tennessee, one of the South's most important design resources for Continental furniture and decorative arts. Auction June 11. Catalogue at Doyle.com

Just a little “ gift basket “ of Lilies of the valley “ by Fabrege to welcome May....The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Pair of delightful Old Paris jardinieres from the inventory I fill with seasonal flowers ....this photo taken during the December holidays...

Rare and important Eighteenth century French Marseille Tureen; V***e Perrin manufactory, petit feu faience; Circa 1760-1770.
Height 14 inches; Width 15 inches; depth 12.25 inches. Related example: Marseille, Cantini Museum, in: La Faience de Marseille au XVIII siecle, La manufacture de v***e Perrin, Musees de Marseilles, Agep, 1990, page 137, illustration 75.
Mary Helen McCoy Fine Antiques, Memphis, TN

Lots of luxury car and jewelry gift ideas floating around during the holidays...why not luxury furniture especially period antique furnishings which are presently VALUE items since prices have fallen over the last 10 years. Take for example this pair of 18th century Louis XVI Period French fauteuils ( armchairs ) with exceptional carvings. No, they are not rickety chairs but rather conserved to last many years....solid, sturdy and perfect proportion...Stamped by the maker of exceptional furniture who lived over 240 years ago...JB Boulard. Don’t like the 18th century French Aubusson tapestry covering them? That’s okay....we can change that for you....You are buying the frame, the history, the quality, the maker, and becoming a steward of decorative art for years to come. Made to be used and made to be enjoyed ,inc.

From our archives of sold furniture, an exceptional French marquetry armoire from the Alsace Lorraine region of France. Late 18th century. Note the Germanic influence on the cabinetmaker....Sold this beauty in 2012. We are very fortunate to be able to “ visit “ and admire the piece.

Partial view of our booth at one of the fine vetted antique fairs we exhibited in at the Park Avenue Armory New York. 2011.

Hotel Crillon lobby and “ bar / tea room “ before the extensive renovation. Spent many hours in this area during many trips to France both relaxing with drinks before dinner; having dessert from The Ambassador’s after a fabulous meal; or sitting on that long canapé greeting venders who would drop by to discuss possible purchases. I recall going over the details of the restoration on an 18th century floor for a project while “ perched “ on that canapé. The hotel and staff were wonderful to me. When my mother celebrated her 80th birthday in June of 2004 I booked adjoining rooms. When we arrived they showed us to a suite with a foyer, living room, dining room, two bedrooms, three baths and another salon all with enormous closets for the same price as my two adjoining rooms. Beautiful memories made there but I have not been back since the renovation. Perhaps one day but for now I prefer to save my memories...

An exquisite 17th Century French Nevers Faience Charger with decoration in blue on white with manganese depicting a pastoral scene. Offered by Mary Helen McCoy Fine Antiques. Can be placed on a large stand to make a statement or hang on the wall as a painting.

Antique Dealers always have a few MOST favorite pieces while loving the entire inventory. For my husband, this “ simple “ French Regence Period table made with regional light walnut ( blond noyer ) has been a favorite. It was made between 1715 to 1723. The legs/ feet are exceptional, along with the perfect proportions, carving and quality of the entire piece. Two drawers open on each side. Vetted and exhibited.

On the left is a photo of a section of my stand at the Palm Beach International Fine Antiques and Art Fair in 2003. The 18th century French Regence period marquetry commode you see in the front of the photo was not sold but went back to Mountain Brook, AL where I had a gallery for many years. It sold to a design client and you can see the install in the photo on the right. The last several months I’ve been working with this client, a contractor I’ve enjoyed working with in the past and his subs. She had a very critical problem with mold and moisture which is something we battle in the south. I’m thrilled she called on me to handle this and organize the team. From Memphis to Birmingham I’ve been there for her ( she’s 87 and sharp ). Tomorrow I’ll see the new paint color I selected for the foyer and put this back in place. Will also see the new dining room wallpaper which replaced the one damaged. I’ll be posting a few of the changes as the “ pretty “ is put back in place or repaired. Window treatments will be last as they had to be cleaned and in two rooms replaced.
Point is, I admire this client who has taken great pride in the work I did for her and most of all her beautiful collection we put together years ago....yes, in her 70’s.
I’m thankful for her trust.

Little by little a pulled together and collected vignette in a client’s foyer....window treatments,custom, with a collaboration with designer and manufacturer, Sabina Faye Braxton. 18th century console table with marble top, pair of beautiful Regence period side chairs covered in a more subtle ( we saved the fabulous fabric on the chairs ) Sabina Faye Braxton chenille damask, the Beautiful vase by Collinot all vetted and imported by Mary Helen McCoy Fine Antiques from various locations in France. The pair of Italian 19th century gilt wood altar sticks were made into lamps with custom pleated silk shades by McCoy and imported from The Netherlands. Interesting plant found by client and she locates seasonal color to add variety to the wonderful bowl. Always a beautiful surprise when she opens her home to so many. This project is ongoing as we are collecting and layering just the right items for the right price. Experienced antiques dealer coupled with interior design knowledge allow for the best results....32 years in the antiques business and 29 years in the interior design business are most beneficial when listening to clients who want you to create lovely spaces with excellent quality and reflect their style. Architect for this home is Louis Nequette.

TBT Two years ago a corner in our live/work home ( living room ) with inventory in situ. By appointment only. Happy Thursday!

Top Nine Posts from my Instagram account!
Top row: flowers arranged my Mary Helen McCoy, Christmas 2018, in Old Paris vases; center photo of living room coffee table including personal items with inventory; top right photo detail of a Louis XVI period carved and gilt wood mirror sold to a client in Alabama ( 2018 )
Middle Row: photo on the left is of our 17th Century French Nevers Faience jardiniere filled with flowers on a client’s mantel in Mountain Brook, AL; center photo is a photo of our foyer in the home gallery; far right photo vignette in Dining room of home gallery.
Lower row: photo on the left is a shot of part of our former gallery in Charleston, SC at 120 King Street; the middle photo is a vignette of another client’s living room in Mountain Brook, AL and the far right photo is a vignette of that same client’s dining room ....all of those posts on the last row were throw back Thursday posts. Thank you all for following here on Facebook and liking my page. Sending you all wishes for a most Happy Happy New Year!

From my Instagram account.....a little 18th century French Sevres porcelain as a Christmas gift from Mary Helen McCoy Fine Antiques.....🎄♥️🎄

A scene from holiday past....at Mary Helen McCoy Fine Antiques and Interiors. Festive container decorations.

Pair of 19th century French Old Paris jardinieres I just arranged for a little holiday soirée...

Sourced for a special client and recently installed in a lovely French mas style home in Auburn, AL. Custom embossed linen from Sabina Faye Braxton and supervised by my friend Sabina herself in Thailand; beautiful 18th century carved walnut console table with marble top; pair of Regence period chaises ( side chairs ) recovered in Sabina Faye Braxton chenille ( we saved the golden yellow silk velvet to use elsewhere ); wonderful important jardiniere by Collinot ( French late 19th century ) with client’s fun plant when not filled with amazing flowers when they entertain; a pair of antique Italian gilt wood lamps with custom shades shown in the vignette photo and wired for the US. All gathered From Lyon, Paris, Beaune, The Netherlands, and of course Thailand coming together in a lovely entrance. All from Mary Helen McCoy Fine Antiques and Interiors.

From my business page.

Shared this long ago however I’m sharing again today...
After many years in the antiques and design business I’ve always been drawn to smallish charming homes ( in real life ) rather than homes on a grand scale. Unless a client has the mega money to build and design the interiors of a grand home with the best quality materials it is best to go smaller and achieve an exceptional smaller home. This “ smaller “ home would not be inexpensive to duplicate. I can only imagine how wonderful the architectural details of the interiors would be. I can visualize the spaces and how the beautiful Period French furnishings of the nearby provinces would look inside with lovely document textiles. A dream!

Shared this long ago however I’m sharing again today...
After many years in the antiques and design business I’ve always been drawn to smallish charming homes ( in real life ) rather than homes on a grand scale. Unless a client has the mega money to build and design the interiors of a grand home with the best quality materials it is best to go smaller and achieve an exceptional smaller home. This “ smaller “ home would not be inexpensive to duplicate. I can only imagine how wonderful the architectural details of the interiors would be. I can visualize the spaces and how the beautiful Period French furnishings of the nearby provinces would look inside with lovely document textiles. A dream!

French Regence Period marquetry commode ( chest ) In situ at an important vetted antique fair we participated in under a “ tent “ in Palm Beach 2002. We had a wonderful show however the commode did not sell at the time. Here it sits in the foyer of a fabulous client/collector in Mountain Brook, AL. On each side are a pair of beautiful French Regence Period fauteuils ( armchairs ) I found and had conserved /recovered for this client in France. Regence Period carved and gilded mirror from our inventory. Beautiful pair of 18th century Chinese export vases with French gilt bronze ( ormolu ) mounts purchased by Mary Helen McCoy Fine Antiques especially for this client.

Traditional Tuesday.....Nothing more grand than a gorgeous carved gilt wood mirror. This exceptional French Regence Period ( 1715 to 1723 ) mirror is one of the finest we have offered.

Living with inventory has a few problems.....Mr. Jingles here loves to get into the drawers of our 18th century Louis XV Period mahogany Bordelaise commode. Note how he is ignoring me.....Happy Caturday all! 😻