COLA CURATED - December'25
We hosted a Holiday Party at Apparatus..One-of-a-kind, vintage, and auctions! Nothing says 'thoughtful' like going into a bidding war for someone!
Good Morning! These finds are really good this month and in theory, every letter we write is basically a Gift Guide. We’ve been sourcing a lot of vintage pieces for our clients lately, and thought we would show you some of the things that made it in our moodboards. We do COLA CURATED every month, so you can shop like its the Holidays all the time!! They certainly would be gifts we would love <3
As you know, we post 2 times a month with some sporadic thought essays or project updates thrown in the mix. One of those posts is COLA CURATED, where we show you EVERYTHING we’ve been sourcing for clients and ourselves this month!
These are things we have either shown to a client or saved in various carts.. auctions, vintage, and one-of-a-kind items that once they’re gone they’re gone. Think Etsy, 1stDibs, new vendors on our radar..and any find that brings us joy.
IN OUR CARTS
Abstract Velvet Wall Hanging
As good as a painting..this 48”W x 60”H tapestry would look great as art above any bed.
Ceramic Mirror from a favorite source, LES COLLECTION by Lauren Sands
We’ll never say no to a ceramic mirror, as most of you know.. This one is so playful with the prettiest color blue! We love small artful pieces to create a cozy vignette.
Tommy Simpson Art Chair, also found on LES COLLECTION!
Simpson pieces do not come up often. Most trade privately or through folk art galleries. It is vintage, but somehow feels like contemporary collectible design.
Studio Pottery Menorah
We’ve seen lots of elevated holiday decor, and this would be THE ONE.
Hammered Copper Dish
Hammered copper bowl from the American Arts and Crafts period.Look at the little blue marble feet!
Aria Ceiling Lamp
This contemporary chandelier gives a really beautiful soft ambient lighting glow with its layered linen fabric draping.
Abstract Posy Mobile
Chicest baby nursery gift
Gianfranco Frattini Walnut Desk for Bernini, 1956
No notes. The proportions and joinery are exactly what you want from 1950s Italian design, and this one looks like its in perfect condition.
Black Opaline Glass Pendant attributed to Angelo Lelli for Arredoluce, 1950s
Black opaline pendants from this period don’t surface often in this condition. The pricing here is reasonable compared to Lelli pieces listed on 1stDibs.
Bandido Duo Marble Sconce
Bandido continues to be one of the more consistent contemporary studios working in stone. They are so cool..use them in a hallway, a bathroom, over bedside tables...honestly so weirdly versitle.
Pair of Louvre Alabaster Sconces by Jean-François Crochet for Terzani
How pretty! We see these in a grand entryway guarding your front door.
French Primitive Wood Chopping Block Pedestal
Older French chopping blocks often get repurposed as pedestals because they’re sturdy and already have the right presence. This one is a really fun shape and reasonable price.
Swedish Oak and Birch Chest of Drawers, 1930s
Good 1930s Swedish case pieces are still relatively underpriced compared to Danish work from the same period. How cute is the mix of birch and oak with carved detailing.
French Oak Coffee Table with Round Slate Top, 1970s
This style is really sculptural, and holds up in both newer and older interiors.
Pulpo “Chouchou” Ceramic Side Table by Lorenzo Zanovello
Silver is a neutral. Something like this can make a room have something special without fully standing out.
ETSY FINDS
Barovier & Toso Art Deco Murano Glass
Solid early Barovier work. Prices on similar pieces have climbed this year, especially anything with intact controlled bubbles.
Vintage Italian Murano Glass Lantern
Fully restored Italian lantern form chandelier, Stilnovo style.
Pair of Philippe Starck Pratfall Chairs
Vintage Pratfalls still sit below showroom pricing for new models. The curved back makes them surprisingly comfortable, which isn’t always the case with 90s design.
Italian Square Wood Coffee Table
Italian 70s table with good scale. Can you tell we love coffee tables that feel sculptural?
Glass Half Dome Chandelier by Gaetano Sciolari, 1970s
GASP! Sciolari lighting has been rising for years. Obsessed with the simplicity of this one. Feels masculine and feminine at the same time.
Vintage 606 Sideboard / Shelving Unit
Vintage 606 components are harder to find in the US. This configuration is clean and priced far below new production equivalents. Love the stainless.
Brutalist Chrome Etched Coffee Table
Etched chrome pieces from the 70s have been showing up in more high end resale this year. Don’t think the steel trend is going anywhere.
Postmodern Cipollino Ondulato Marble Table
Cipollino ondulato ALWAYS attracts attention. The stone alone can command high pricing and is definitely a favorite right now, so to see a vintage one from the 80’s is cool because it feels timeless.
THE NEXT 30 DAYS OF AUCTIONS!
We’ve combed through 15,000+++ lots so you don’t have to! Everything below is happening in the next 30 days. Everything listed is based in the US so you can avoid more tariffs on already high shipping. The larger furniture items are all near New York, and lighter easier to ship items everywhere else to keep things as easy as possible. So reach out to a shipper (usually listed with the auction house) or hop in an uber and get addicted to Auctions like us.
Tip: heart what you love and set text alerts before it goes up for bid even weeks in advance.
ART
Shlomo Koren, White Study 1
A clean oil study on theme with Pantone’s color of the year.. but this one hits a little different than Bethany Frankel’s foyer painting..lol. This roast is hilarious btw.
Jorge Castillo Casalderrey, Mixed Media
Castillo’s mixed media work tends to land well below comparable pieces by more mainstream midcentury artists. This one has strong composition and a reasonable estimate.
Thomas Scoon, Golden Companion #4 (2012)
Scoon sculptures hold their value and often exceed their low estimates. This one is already priced better than several recent examples. We find this one really interesting, and great size!
Conrad Marca-Relli, Untitled (late 1970s)
Marca-Relli works continue to be strong performers at auction. Anything from the 70s with this level of condition usually goes past the low estimate.
LIGHTING
Stilnovo Germany Style Brass Theatre Wall Lights (Pair)
A strong pair at an accessible starting bid. Similar Stilnovo attributed sets on 1stDibs are listed significantlyyy higher.
French Gilt Metal Sunburst Ceiling Light
How pretty and fun is this light? We can imagine the incredible pattern the light would make on the ceiling.
French Gilt Metal Sunburst Ceiling Light
A matching piece to the lot above. Rare to see two in the same sale.
FURNITURE
Jean Royère Style Polar Lounge Chairs (Pair)
Royère originals are six figures. Good style versions like this stay livable, and the proportions look right. Fabric is really nice too.
Charles Hollis Jones, Bolt Lounge Chair
This is underpriced compared to recent 1stDibs listings. A very cool piece, with the right styling.
Paul Evans, Wall-Mounted Bar Cabinet (1968)
Directional period Evans pieces regularly exceed estimate. Evans is known for this amazing metalwork. we could see something like this inside Apparatus’s showroom.
RUGS
Fort Street Studio Silk Rug, 12’ x 9’
A rare chance to buy a contemporary silk Fort Street at a fraction of retail. So durable! So pretty, SOMEONE needs this.
ACCESSORIES
Brandimarte Florentine Silver Dish
Earlier Brandimarte pieces are becoming more collectible. Can always use more catchalls.
Deborah Czeresko Art Glass Center Vase
Vintage Aztec Gemstone Mask
This Mask is so Kelly Wearstler ..very low opening bid!
American Folk Tramp Art Frames
A group lot with real handwork. We really want to turn them into mirrors.
Maitland-Smith Harlequin Box
Colin King recently wrote about boxes..Here is an important one.
Tiffany & Co. Art Deco Sterling Cigar Ashtray
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Scallop Shell Box
Small Tiffany boxes tend to climb late. This one is STUNNING.Would be an amazing wedding gift.
Unknown Artist, “ELKA”
Absolutely love this vase! Its 17” High..incredible size for a dining room centerpiece.
Chinese Grey Pottery Vessel and Cover, Ding, Warring States
Its sooo Old. Which makes it even more beautiful.
Edgar Brandt, Monumental Wrought Iron Mirror (attributed)
Large attributed Brandt pieces rarely appear. This one is HUGE. Very low starting bid, but will definitely climb. Such a good hallway mirror.
Signed Handmade Cut Metal Framed Mirror
Group of Silver and Stone Table Articles
Buy the lot, and you have gifts for 8 people!
Shop Where We Shop
Flora and Fauna…
Moodboard by: Cola Studios
Shop our selections below!
Pericia Sofa by Project 213A. Defined by its curved form and deep channel tufting, this wool-upholstered sofa is handcrafted in Portugal. Founded in 2021, Project 213A draws on traditional Portuguese craftsmanship and a commitment to timeless, trend-resistant design.
Matelea Pendant by LGS Studio, 2025. Cast in slumped glass and stoneware with brass accents, this sculptural light draws from paleobotany, reflecting LGS Studio’s reverence for nature and material experimentation.
Yaba Coffee Table by Thierry Lemaire. Finished in high gloss smoked oak with an integrated bronze tray, this table explores volume and void through bold proportion.
Round Leaning Club Chair. Upholstered in pure alpaca, this rounded club chair draws inspiration from early 20th-century French masters including Jean-Michel Frank, Jacques Adnet, and Jules Leleu. The low, recessed seat and curved back nod to the quiet elegance and refined proportions of classic French modernism.
Fragment Side Table II, Small by Studio Ahead. Wrapped in burgundy patinated leather, this sculptural table is part of Studio Ahead’s Fragment series. Organic edges and unexpected texture define the piece, which bridges function and form with quiet intensity.
Allo/Linen Area Rug by Woven’s Textures collection, this flatweave rug in dark khaki combines allo and linen for a soft, tactile surface. Developed through years of material experimentation and collaboration with weavers, the design offers a quiet foundation defined by depth, warmth, and subtle complexity.
What’s Happening
What’s to see…
One to stop by this week: Comme Si is popping up at Quarters this week with their Italian made socks, loungewear, and accessories! Very good gifting, in one of the prettiest designed spaces with other pretty things. It’s happening December 13–14, 11am–6pm, a good excuse to leave the house, and a better one to cross a few things off your list.
Stunning curation this month. The black opaline Lelli pendant is exactly the kinda piece that feels undervalued right now compared to other midcentury lighting at similar price points. I've seen a couple Sciolari half dome chandeliers go for way more than their estimates recently, so that one in particular seems like solid value if condition checks out in person. Rare to see vintag auction coverage this thorough.