We are very excited to feature Pablo Solomon, an internationally recognized artist and award winning designer. He has been featured in 23 books, most major magazines and newspapers, TV, radio and even was subject of a short film. Pablo is best known in the design world for his eco-friendly designs and his work with recycled materials and furnishings.
For this feature, Pablo describes the tag sale items in the photos to illustrate various points in buying and in decorating. (The shown non tag sale art by himself and the other artists are in the big money range so I did not put prices–but who knows what will show up in a tag sale 40 years from now?)
I use this photo to illustrate that an entire room can be done basically with items from yard sales, garage sales, etc.–all in Texas. Both of the post-Civil War ( late 1860s) iron beds were purchased for $25 each. The antique oak dresser with mirror cost $100. The table lamp is from the 1920s and cost $5. The standing lamps was $7. The ornate candle holder is from the 1970s and cost $3.
This room’s decorative finds show how the new and the old can be used to create an interesting setting. The items include (except the art–sculptures by me and painting by NYC artist Franck de la Mercedes), the green antique Santa Fe cabinet ( about 1840s) was purchased for $300. The one of a kind pine coffee table for $10, throw pillows $3 each and the art rug for $15. On top of the cabinet is an exceptional large Colonial Texas ( pre 1836) wooden bread kneading bowl from one large piece of cottonwood –$100.
This photo is again a unique blend, all except the art are from yard sales. The 1960s art lamp is a Pierre Cardin, I purchased 2 for $25. I wrote Pierre Cardin in Paris sending him photos. He wrote me back stating his astonishment that they would show up in a tag sale in Texas. The carved wood picture frame is over 150 years old and was purchased for an amazing $8. The art vase for $5. And to top a great setting with a great story–the California oak tree of life cabinet was given to me in exchange for helping to set up a tag sale. The small painting on stone by me is featured in the Joyce Schwarz book on vision boarding and the large painting is by popular Texas artist Nancy Gray. The small bronze I picked up for 25 cents.
The patio shot shows a one of a kind cast iron table with a Texas fossil stone top purchased for $75. The Mexican pot was $1 and the piece of green glass 25 cents. The cat was free.
Pablo Solomon is an internationally recognized Artist & Designer. His work can be viewed on his website, PabloSoloman.com