Desperately Seeking Swedish Antiques
2 Mar
                 
A friend of mine from elementary school recently contacted me via Facebook and told me about this amazing Craigslist listing she saw in South Carolina for Swedish antiques. Thank you Faith, good eye!
          
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My obsession of all things Swedish took me to Bennettsville, South Carolina, a small town not far over the state line. My friends Kristine and Kristin and I drove less than hour, where we met Melissa Mallette.
I had a lot of questions for Melissa before meeting her. How did she get all of these amazing antiques from Sweden? How did she fall in to this specific niche? Why Swedish?
             
Melissa had over 60 pieces in her inventory ranging from the 1700s to early 1900s. Casually arranged in her Victorian home built in the early 1900s, Melissa had a wide range of Gustavian Swedish goods ranging from linen pillows to massive secretaries.
    
 
Melissa is a native of Canada and a traveling chef. I’m thinking she probably could’ve told us some pretty colorful stories about her travels but during our visit the topic was mostly about antiques and home decor. Over time Melissa developed a passion for Swedish antiques and that blossomed in to a business.
  
Melissa has refinished and restored a lot of her pieces.  She refinished the original hardwoods in her home and her big project right now is in her backyard.  She wants to incorporate some of the Canadian culture back in to her life and so in order to do that she learned plumbing and carpentry to construct her own sauna. I’m impressed!
                       
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I was wondering how the perfect chalky white finish was achieved every time and Melissa explained that Old Fashioned Milk Paint was behind that magic.  Definitely worth checking out, Milk Paint is a chemical-free green paint.
                 
Key terms when searching for Swedish antique furniture:
- Rococo
- Biedermeier
- Gustavian
- Swedish country
- Mora clocks
- Gilt mirrors
- rag rugs
    
 
              
              
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                              Image from Decorology
Soon you will be able to visit Melissa at her website, Oyster White Interiors, make sure to check back, she will be posting pictures of her inventory. If you are interested in seeing Melissa’s beautiful furniture in person, you can email her at m_mallette@mac.com to make an appointment.  We will update Melissa’s info when she gets her site going.
Thank you Melissa for your hospitality and allowing us to view your wonderful collection! We really enjoyed meeting you and talking with you. I’m thinking Turkish linen Hammam towels might be a good fit in the guest bath! Visit LeSouk to see more.
                        
Tags: antiques, case clock, Hammam, Lesouk, milk paint, mora, Oyster White, sweden
Sarah moved here in January 2010. Check out her progress by following
Uh…. Jealous
Sarah – where are you!? Why no talky!?
Did you take these pics? I didn’t believe it when I read Melissa’s email. Awesome!!
Hi, I’m here. Yes I took the pictures. When I get a bounce flash I will be en fuego!
You will. Will you come take pics of my black bathroom?
So you’re the one with the black bathroom! Sarah was telling me all about it:)
Major kudos for your eye Sarah…thanks again!
Yes indeedy Melissa, Betsy is the one with the Black Magic, she will unveil soon.
I see the middle of a Mora clock in there.. Nice stuff all around.. in response to the article I would direct you to our website that is dedicated to 17th to 19th century Swedish antiques. http://ryderantiques.com
Craig
I came upon your web site by accident and low and behold
there is my son plugging our web site.
Something interesting,I have a Swedish theatre back drop and
it is about 20ft.by 11ft.Somewhere on my web site you will
see it,it covers a whole wall plus.You don’t see this done in homes,find one and try it.