Our latest European shipment arrived bright and early this morning. A few things will come in to the store today and tomorrow however it is a gradual process with items that need a bit more attention.
Luckily the rain stayed away as we unpacked the container. As someone who has only seen the pieces in photos, it was great to finally get a glimpse of all the fabulous pieces that Phil and Steve bought. This container is a real eclectic collection of pieces from 19th century clocks and marble statuary to vintage bicycles and 70′s dining tables.
As you can see there truly is something for everyone!
We have been busy little beavers, creating a new window display for you all. The result; a very earthy, naturally very French feel, with a combination of smart lighting, unique mirrors, and furniture of architectural proportions. Once again we have revealed how using antiques in an interior doesn’t have to translate into a fussy or pretentious room. This is understated style all over and it’s our pleasure!
Don’t forget our shipment arriving at the end of the month. This huge array of goodies will be just what we all need for Christmas!
One of our favourite Interior Designers Stuart Rattle is having an Open Garden Day at his private farm in Musk, just outside Daylesford. Described as “One of the best Australian gardens I have seen. It has style, botanic diversity and theatrical flair” by Rural Australian Gardens, Myles Baldwin. The handsome grounds are indeed inspiring and reflective of Stuart’s interior style. The weekend is coming up, Saturday November 19 and Sunday November 20. Tickets are $10 with proceeds going to the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens Restoration Project. Musk Farm 11 School Road, Musk, look for the sign between Bullarto and Daylesford. Melway Ref 609 D10.
A commissioned painting of the Capocchi's Eltham shop in 1981
It is 37 years this week, since Liz and Phil Capocchi opened their store Second Life Décor on Main Road in Eltham. Naturally much has changed since then, and here Liz reveals a little of the evolution of the business..
What inspired you and Phil to get into the antiques trade?
We were holidaying in the Barossa Valley one Christmas many years ago, and we went to a place called the Ravens Parlour; a large barn of a place, filled to the rafters with all sorts of things antique and vintage. That evening at dinner, we were once again discussing our ideas for future directions, and starting some sort of business for ourselves, when Phillip said “..why don’t we open one of those “junk” shops like the ravens parlour”..the rest is history.
Did you ever think your business would grow this large?
We were always hopeful of climbing to the top of the tree in the antiques industry, but never really dreamt of what was possible. I think the secret to reaching the pinnacle was a slow and steady growth through the years, by nature we are not risk takers and on that foundation we have built a strong business that is ready to pass onto the next generation.
What individual talents do you and Phil bring into the business?
We are very lucky in that our talents are largely complimentary. Phillip is fabulous at sourcing stock, organising the restoration and getting the product to our showroom ready for sale. And with my logical thinking, I look after the admin, staff, and displays in the shop. The displays in store reflect my natural inclination toward interior design.
How has your business changed in the last 37 years?
When we first started we essentially sold Australiana, brass beds, stoneware, a little jewellery, silverware and the odd American clock. Essentially it was an economic way for people to furnish as these items were very inexpensive. A few years after we opened our first store, this stock was becoming more difficult to find because Australia is such a young country and had only a small population in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Consequently the goods we were selling were never manufactured in great quantities. This paved the way for our first trip to the UK and we became importers of regular containers from England. Some 25 years ago our European backgrounds led us to France and beyond and the love affair with all things Continental started. During the first two decades we concentrated largely on beautiful quality objects and furniture from the 19th century, which has now broadened into still mainly European items from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. We particularly appreciate some of the more modern design that came out of the 50s and 60s. With such a broad spectrum to our stock our buying trips are more enjoyable as we can purchase any thing we like regardless of age.
Whats popular in the store at the moment?
Anything that is useful and functional in our modern lives and items that have been given a new identity. A great example is our European leather upholstered gym mats which people now use as coffee tables in their family living rooms.
Where do you see antiques going in the future?
Tastes appear to becoming more eclectic with individual pieces being very desirable; the combination of the old and the new will be an ongoing phenomenon, such as we have just witnessed with our Bromley collaboration. I believe that our clients are looking for comfort and versatility rather than the stiff formal interiors of the last century.
Any tips for those wanting to start buying antiques?
Speak to people that you trust and are comfortable with, buy with your heart and not with your head. Create a relationship with a dealer who understands what you are trying to achieve. Come and see us at Capocchi!
Crazy plaster figure on a Twentieth century stall at the markets down South
Steve and Phil are now back from their buying trip; here are a few shots of some truly weird and wonderful things they saw along their way. Their travels took them all over France, top to bottom, and up into Belgium. We viewed the final shots of the container today, and it is a really exciting collection of pieces. Hopefully we should begin to see things arriving mid November.
Who would think you could find anything of value in a place that looks like this?!
Ambiorix, in the Belgian town of Tongeren
The boys were excited to see this monument to the Celtic leader Ambiorix, in the town centre of Tongeren in Belgium, as we have recently acquired a bronze figure of the same famed rebel leader. We’ve heard Ambiorix may have inspired the Asterix comic book series. Our piece is also a 19th century bronze by Edouard Drout (1859-1945).
Robots, robots everywhere
Steve and Phil are currently on a European buying trip and have spent their time in the South of France so far. Apart from enjoying gorgeous weather with an average temperature of 26 they have been buying up a storm and are really excited, claiming this is already the best shipment of the year, and there are still two weeks of buying to go! We always find a great selection of outdoors and provincial furniture around these parts. It seems to go with the weather…
Liz and Phil Capocchi recently enjoyed a relaxing trip to the Indonesian island of Bali…yet being typical antique dealers they couldnt help themselves but buy a few things for the store. The shipment has just arrived and includes a wonderful collection of native Indonesian sculpture and artifacts. Pieces that sit perfectly with antiques and other modern pieces. The items have been listed on the website this week.
I’m sure a visit to an antique store is not top of the list for many youngsters of favourite things to do. Yet our vintage French childrens merry go round has delighted many visiting littlies, in fact, some of them beg to stay and “never want to leave”!!.
We think that Monti from country Victoria has to be one of the most gorgeous ones to date…
Over the years we have worked with numerous production companies and set designers for film and television. Our stock has starred in some big movies, including Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge and Charlottes Web.
Today, another film opens at the cinemas called Dont Be Afraid of the Dark, directed by Troy Nixey and starring Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce. Filmed in Melbourne, many of our pieces can be spotted, particularly scenes shot in the Library.
The link below shows our chandelier in the dining room..http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2002238976/tt1270761 although since sold, we do have others still like it.
Our David Bromley throws have just been so popular, with constant instore, email and phone inquiries. So…I thought I’d let you all know that the web site was fully updated today with the throws that we have remaining. So this is it, make sure you secure one asap before we truly run out!!
