Photos courtesy of Hastening Design Studio
An antique dealer for more than 35 years, Louis Shields is also an interior designer, furniture maker and contemporary painter with his own gallery, Hastening Design Studio, in Middleburg, Virginia. His paintings complement his carefully curated antiques and original designs.
When it comes to picking pieces for Market Hill, Louis says, “I am always drawn to furniture that has a historical architectural inspiration, balanced structural elements, and, if it is wood, then the surface, color and patina are extremely important.”
Louis shares with us a very special piece he’s bringing to the spring show.
“A rare baroque 17th century Swiss “cabinet of curiosity.” These multi-drawer cabinets were fashionable with eccentric European collectors in the 17th century. There are paneled ends with hand wrought carrying handles, two paneled doors decorated in the 18th century with naïve painted figures hunting beside the lake with a castle in the Alps in the background concealing 23 molded drawers and a small pair of cupboard doors. Wonderful patinated surface retaining an extraordinary pale blue color with the original steel handles, locks and key. Mounted on a similarly decorated stand with turned legs and shaped stretchers. Made in Switzerland circa 1650. It is 54” high, 21” deep and 44” wide.”
This is just one of the must-see piece at Hastening Design Studio at Market Hill.
