Author: Mallory Coates

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Design

Discovering the One of a Kind

in the Flea Markets of Paris

Marché aux Puces de Rue de Voltaire

I was eager to start exploring the vintage and antique home goods market in Paris. I started by visiting a flea mentioned by @kissa.vintage.paris on her immensely helpful instagram page. This market spanned at least a kilometer down Rue de Voltaire on both sides of the street. I spent hours sifting through the treasures of each booth and connecting with the owners.

Marché aux Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen

Marché aux Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen

If you know anything about Parisian flea markets, you know the allure of Marché aux Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen. This renowned flea market dates back to the 19th century and now features over 2,000 booths of antique goods. The market reflects the evolution of Parisian culture and commerce over more than a century.

Its authentic, old-world charm is enhanced by knowledgeable vendors, creating a rich shopping expe›rience. The market is a lively place where people from different backgrounds come together. It’s not just about shopping; it’s about exploring winding alleys and interacting with diverse vendors.

Italian Murano Glass circa 1950s – Blown Glass Globes
Brass Floor Lamp circa 1980s
Murano Glass Chandelier circa 1970s

The market is open to the public from Saturdays to Mondays and to industry professionals only on Fridays. For my first visit, I went on a Friday morning to increase my chances of meeting business owners preparing for the market opening.

A look down an alley of the Marché aux Puces de Paris Saint-Ouen
Original French art
Set of French Upholstered Dining Chairs
Danish Teak Armchair circa 1970s
Bauhaus Style Boucle Chair – Contemporary Italian work
Carlo Nason Mazzega Murano Glass Opaline White Floor Lamp circa 1960s
Carlo Nason Murano Glass “Lotus” Lamp for Mazzega circa 1970s

I met with the client experience manager of a boutique that boasted a spectacular selection of beautiful and unique European luxury pieces ranging from the 19th century to contemporary times. He invited me to tour their warehouse a few blocks away to see more of their inventory. The warehouse was packed with stunning seating, art, and lighting, each piece made with meticulous precision and craftsmanship.

I left with many priceless new industry relationships and am excited to work with these talented professionals to bring unique pieces of art to the UAE.

Categories
Design

Why I quit my job

and spent a month in Northern France

I was living in Lincoln Park, Chicago, working as a product manager for the fastest-growing medical supplies company in the US. With complete autonomy over product portfolios comprising over 100,000 SKUs, I collaborated with international manufacturers, quality engineers, and an extensive team of dedicated logistics professionals to provide custom healthcare solutions for end users.

The procurement process, including researching, outreach, testing, negotiating, and delivering personalized solutions, was something I thrived on. However, I kept wondering if my skills could be used to connect people and business owners with a product I have a deep connection with—design. The idea of joining my professional experience with the world of design was something I couldn’t let go without giving a try.

I decided to go all in, quit my job, and travel to France to spend a month among the world’s greatest collectors and curators.

I stayed with a young French couple in a small country town 50km north of Paris. The property was stunning, and the company even better. I fell in love with French culture.

Why France? Well, I have noticed that the people appreciate the beauty and history of vintage furniture. They view these pieces as artworks that each tell a unique story. And they have some of the best markets in all of Europe dedicated to these items.

When I wasn’t searching through flea markets, connecting with booth owners, and touring packed warehouses, I was exploring and photographing all over northern France.

Thank you for reading. Stay tuned for more posts dedicated to my flea market trips and connections I made.

Categories
Design

European Design Tour 2023

Copenhagen and Berlin

I had the opportunity to visit Copenhagen and Berlin early 2023, where I immersed myself in the environments where some of my favorite artists created their works. It was truly remarkable to witness the artistic influence throughout both cities. The essence of Scandinavian design was palpable not only in the city’s interior décor and furnishings but also in unexpected places like their subways, military housing, and convenience stores. Being surrounded by a culture that so passionately celebrates the innovation and significance of something as seemingly mundane as a chair or a lighting fixture left me absolutely ecstatic.

Design

Designmuseum Denmark

This museum flaunted a unique and breathtaking experience as you entered every room. Not only was it informative, but it was a joy to encounter the layout and aesthetic of the many spaces within this beautiful building, which transitioned from a hospital to the Designmuseum in 1926.
SMK Copenhagen

The SMK art museum, also known as the National Gallery of Denmark, spans over 20,700 square meters and encompasses almost 9,000 paintings and sculptures, approximately 240,000 works of art on paper as well as more than 2,600 middle-aged and renaissance casts of figures. My two favorite sections were the Danish and Nordic 1750-1900 art section as well as the extended contemporary section. The contemporary section joined the original building in 1998 and was designed by the architects Anna Maria Indrio and Mads Møller from Arkitektfirmaet C. F. Møller. Walking from the original building to the modern extension was such a spectacular experience as the structures are joined by an expansive glass ceiling.
Danish Architecture Center

Another amazing organization focused on the spectacular history of the countries’ design and architecture – the Danish Architecture Center. The photo above features one of the museum’s permanent exhibition galleries. This gallery walks the viewer down a road that encompasses Danish chair designs through the years. I have a sweet spot for mid-20th century Danish seating, so learning about “The Chair” that was featured in former president John F Kennedy’s debate with Richard Nixon in 1960 captivated me. This premiere on television added to The Chair’s fame and was afterwards remained at the White House permanently.
HAY Copenhagen

HAY’s flagship store in the heart of the city of Copenhagen overlooking Østergade street. HAY was founded in Copenhagen by Mette and Rolf Hay in 2002, and was purchased by Herman Miller (now MillerKnoll) in 2019. I believe the HAY brand fits well within the iconic, function-first, and sleek style of the MillerKnoll portfolio and am excited to see the brand grow.

Architecture

Nyboder (New Row Houses); the historic navy housing district in Copenhagen via an architecture boat tour on the canal.

Although the Danish style has evolved, the geometric repeating pattern of the Nyboder navy housing established in the 17th century is still portrayed in modern Danish architecture today.
The ceiling of a metro station in the city of Copenhagen attributed to ARUP architecture.

The focus on scandinavian minimalism, soft and natural light, and functionality of the Copenhagen Metro stations produces a sense of safety and cleanliness that encourage people to opt for public transportation instead of driving cars.

This is an example of one of the many ways the design of the city plays into the incredible culture of Copenhagen.

Categories
Design

Design on the Tracks 2023

DESIGN ON THE TRACKS 2023

Chicago, IL

I was so excited to come across an instagram post for what appeared to be a vintage design festival set against the backdrop of an abandoned train track venue. Could it get more Chicago than that?

I convinced my friends to join and we made the drive out to Lawndale. Walking in, I realized this was going to be better than I could have ever imagined. The layout was arranged in an open-concept, booth style environment, with each booth representing a separate business.

I had such blast taking photos at this event. There was natural light pouring in from a magnificent sunroof, casting a warm glow over the entire space.

What truly stole the show for me was the abundance of rare 60s and 70s Italian seating scattered throughout the venue. One standout piece was the absolutely incredible and undeniably sexy deep green Italian leather sofa showcased below.

This event not only perfectly showcases the immense amount of creative talent residing in Chicago, but also demonstrates the collaborative spirit and close-knit community among vintage business owners in the city. I’m immensely grateful for stumbling upon that Instagram post, and I eagerly anticipate next year’s edition.

See below for info on the event:

Design on the tracks

All photos shot by Mallory Coates. Kodak ColorPlus 200 35mm

Written by Mallory Coates November 20th, 2023

Categories
Design

20th-Century Home Furnishings: Best of Chicago

MY FAVORITE CHICAGO VINTAGE FURNITURE DEALERS

03/10/2024

This year I spent my birthday in my most favorite way possible- going to all of my most-treasured vintage showrooms around town and capturing them on film.

Lets review my favorite photos and pieces:

DIAL M FOR MODERN

About — Dial M For Modern

This 70s Danish leather sofa stole the spotlight for me. The perfect patina on the leather, beautiful muted green color, and incredible modern shape makes this piece a true gem in my book. I think this piece perfectly captures the essence of Dial M for Modern; high quality pieces that each have their own unique type of beauty.

Another detail that caught my attention was the glow from this post-modern lamp. It’s soft, purple-tinted light resembled an ethereal orb, and I could imagine the incredible ambiance it would bring to a room.

URBAN REMAINS

Urban Remains Chicago | reclaimed and recycled american antique architectural artifacts and other oddities

Urban Remains was such a pleasure to photograph. The museum-like store is filled with salvaged stained glass, pier mirrors, mantels, and photography dating back to the 1800s.

SALVAGE ONE

Salvage One Home

I was truly blessed with the best weather and sunshine on this day.

This was my first time at Salvage One and I am so happy we decided to go in. The entire property is filled with unique and fascinating salvaged architectural pieces and furniture. There are three floors worth of interesting finds to explore so be sure to take your time at this special place.

Honorable Mention: South Loop Loft

South Loop Loft

I cannot close out this list without including my all-time favorite 20th-Century decor and furniture store, South Loop Loft. This West Loop showroom is filled with Beth Berke’s curation of European seating, lighting, art, rugs, and more. Her work has left a lasting impression on me and is also a huge source of inspiration. If you only had time to visit one vintage showroom while in Chicago, make it SLL.

All photos shot by Mallory Coates. Kodak ColorPlus 200 35mm

Written by Mallory Coates March 10, 2024

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