My Art Deco Library Project

[Bugguy]

Folks, it has been a while since I last visited. Military duties, travel, farm projects, teen daughters growing up, one I just took across Canada to Victoria, British Columbia to university, you name it!

I am happy to be back, and to share my "middle age crisis" project, the last interior project in our (it was new in 2019) farm house - my library in Art Deco!

It has been a work in development since last December, but is coming to fruition now.

To start, the design "drawings". Worked with our cabinet makers using found original designs.

Is the telephone a traditional land line or tied in somehow to a wireless server or DSL?

 

[Mister Cairo]

Is the telephone a traditional land line or tied in somehow to a wireless server or DSL?

We cancelled our landline with Bell Canada a few years back, as they could not maintain good quality reception to our farm. However, our cell reception is equally crummy given our location.

So when a fibre optic line was put in early last year, mainly for high speed internet, it came with a phone option as well so we jumped at it.

But since the power is over fibre optic cables, it was not powerful enough to ring my 1935 phone like regular phone lines were. So I bought a phone jack power booster, plugged in and it rings like a charm now!

 

[Bugguy]

We cancelled our landline with Bell Canada a few years back, as they could not maintain good quality reception to our farm. However, our cell reception is equally crummy given our location.

So when a fibre optic line was put in early last year, mainly for high speed internet, it came with a phone option as well so we jumped at it.

But since the power is over fibre optic cables, it was not powerful enough to ring my 1935 phone like regular phone lines were. So I bought a phone jack power booster, plugged in and it rings like a charm now!

Thanks! I'm in the Blue Ridge Mtns in Western North Carolina. We have no fiber, standard cable or cell service. They gave us DSL, but that majorly *****. I've been thinking about Starlink, but it's not cheap and you still need to subscribe to the streaming services.

I guess I'm confused about how you connect an analog phone with your fiber. I'll need to spend some time on You Tube to get it figured out.

If I didn't mention it, your library is outstanding. I toyed with the idea of a metal/steel european fireplace surround. They're striking. Great job.

 

[tonyb]

We cancelled our landline with Bell Canada a few years back, as they could not maintain good quality reception to our farm. However, our cell reception is equally crummy given our location.

So when a fibre optic line was put in early last year, mainly for high speed internet, it came with a phone option as well so we jumped at it.

But since the power is over fibre optic cables, it was not powerful enough to ring my 1935 phone like regular phone lines were. So I bought a phone jack power booster, plugged in and it rings like a charm now!

Our “landline” isn’t really that. It came with the cable “bundle” so the wall phone in the kitchen is operable, and my Western Electric 302 would work fine with it, too, if I wished that. (Many years ago I had a modular plug on a braided cord put on it, but that’s a story for another day.) I couldn’t tell you the number, though, as I use it maybe twice a year and the ringer is switched off. Anyone calling that number is no one I wish to speak with.

 

[tonyb]

The framed poster:

1922 Swedish film poster on archival linen backing.

"Lord Savilles Brott" - Lord Saville's Crime" based on an Oscar Wilde story. Actors name and director prominent.

Framed locally in Stratford, Ontario at Carmen's Camera (thanks so much Cheryl!!!). Museum glass, subtle matte border, frame remeniscent of styles popular in the day.

View attachment 750976

A friend will never understand why I spend good money for AUTHENTIC vintage posters when reproductions are cheap and plentiful (some of them, anyway).

He just doesn’t get it. He’ll never appreciate the value in preserving such artifacts, especially the stuff that wasn’t expected to last as long as it has.

 

[Mister Cairo]

More additions as my art deco library project advances into the decor and accoutrements phase.

A direct link to the event that gave the style its name:

A plate from the collection of china designed for the Exhibition des Arts Decoratifs in Paris, 1925.

 

[Mister Cairo]

 

[Mister Cairo]

 

[Mister Cairo]

 

[Mister Cairo]

Early 1930s North American desk lamp.

 

[Mister Cairo]

 

[Mister Cairo]

 

[Mister Cairo]

The chair has arrived!

Purchased from the same dealer in the Czech Republic from which I bought the Czech art deco desk, mid 1930s

The chair though is 1930s French art deco, restored polish but retaining original "charm" in the sense of bang marks from innumerable clangs with desks over the last 90 years!

I have the designer's name, will post shortly.

 

[Mister Cairo]

 

[Mister Cairo]

 

[Mister Cairo]

First attempt at deco styled drapes. Me, my wife and sister love them, my younger daughter not a fan!

Sheers are the same length but, as they hang from inside the frame, they end below the drapes. Getting them hemmed.

Over time I will look for other options to change things up now and again. I was fed up with a sheet nailed to the frame top!

 

[Mister Cairo]

 

[Bugguy]

It just got better and better. What an outstanding project!

 

[tonyb]

You’ve done splendidly. My suggestion (not that you need it, of course) is an area rug anchoring those matching chairs; a couple of small side tables (round ones, maybe?) next to the chairs, to hold one’s beverage of choice; and a pair of bridge lamps, to illuminate the reading material.

 

[Mister Cairo]

You’ve done splendidly. My suggestion (not that you need it, of course) is an area rug anchoring those matching chairs; a couple of small side tables (round ones, maybe?) next to the chairs, to hold one’s beverage of choice; and a pair of bridge lamps, to illuminate the reading material.

The area rug is turning out to be challenging. Anything original is one or two or all three of 1) very expensive, 2) not the right size or 3) in less than ideal condition.

Looking for a suitable modern pattern, thinking lighter cream or other off white, subtle pattern to smooth out the more vibrant curtains. More to follow!

I have one table, 1930s English art deco (yes, round!) en route from England as we speak. I am looking for a solo smaller table, as space is at a premium.

Will keep the updates coming!