Abrash Galleries

Fine Italian Jewelry Trunk Show to Benefit the Female Soldiers Forgotten Heroes Project

Karen — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 23:25:55 +0000

Enjoy wine, cheese and small bites while browsing the fine Italian jewelry for your special someone on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, 2015 from 3-7pm at Abrash Galleries , 40 Main Street North, Woodbury, Ct. Exclusive Italian designer pieces will be offered. This is a fund raiser for the Forgotten Heros Project which provides community based transitional housing and special services to female soldiers in Ct. These female soldiers who have served in our military often return with physical, mental and emotional scars of combat. Some of them wind up on the streets homeless and without the special services that they need. The Forgotten Heroes/ Homes for the Brave provide the referrals and case management services that are necessary in the transitional process to ensure a higher level of success for these exceptional women.

The Ct Junior Womenʼs Club of which Woodbury is a chapter, has chosen to embrace fundraising for Female Soldiers: Forgotten Heroes/ Homes for the Brave as a state project . This is a wonderful opportunity to give back to those who gave of themselves so freely for you and your country and at the same time make a loved one very happy.

For additional information please call 203-263-7847.

Rug Lecture at John Bale Book Company

Karen — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 12:15:50 +0000

Karen will be giving a lecture on oriental rugs at the John Bale Book Company at 158 Grand Street in Waterbury Ct on October 10th. The lunch/tea begins at 12noon and concludes shortly before 2pm. The price of the lecture and lunch is 20.00 per person and reservations can be made by calling 203-757-2279. Space is limited so all are encouraged to make arrangements ahead of time. John Bale Book Company is a premier seller of antiquarian and used books, and has an outstanding cafe.
The discussion will cover the origin, designs and history of rugs. If there are questions on a particular piece that you own please bring it along with you she will be happy to give you the information on it.

From Woodbury, CT to Dubai – In Search of Carpets on the Silk Road

Karen — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 02:29:22 +0000

Karen Reddington-Hughes of Abrash Galleries , Woodbury, Ct has been asked to be part of a USAID/ABADE (Assistance In Building Afghanistan By Developing Enterprises) program that will meet in Dubai to facilitate business relations with Afghan carpet producers. It is a 3 day event and the purpose is to improve Afghanistan’s economic and political stability through the development of its most important sector- while connecting directly with their best carpet producers. The event takes place from Sept 10-13th.

Afghanistan is a country that has been known for its beautiful hand knotted rugs replete with designs that at times tell their stories. The weavers are many times women that are working on looms in their own homes and the rugs may take as long as 8 months to complete. Once the piece is completed though the journey often just begins. There are very few finishing facilities in Afghanistan to shear the wool and wash the rug to ready it for sale. The rugs are trucked to Pakistan where they are then finished and a “Made in Pakistan “ label affixed to a rug that was actually created in Afghanistan. The weavers are paid a significantly reduced price for this unfinished piece. Finding a more direct route for Afghan rugs would most assuredly benefit all concerned.

“The native motifs and patterns tell the history of the country and provide a snapshot of the grit and determination of its people. It is with much enthusiasm that I go forward to meet with the suppliers of such treasures. I have always marveled that the weaver- like an artist , knows at the beginning of their creation that they will then let it go once completed. What a beautiful gift to us all!”

It is Karen’s hope that she can bring back some of these original designs that have defined the people of Afghanistan and share them with her customers and friends.

Abrash Gallerie’s hours will be from 1pm – 5pm from September 9-20th.
Closed on Mondays.

Karen Reddington-Hughes
Abrash Galleries
40 Main Street North
Woodbury, Ct 06798

Appraisal Day at the Mattatuck Museum

Karen — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 03:36:58 +0000

Mark your calendars for Sunday, March 29th from 1-5pm for a special event at the Mattatuck Museum at 144 West Main Street, Waterbury, Ct. Done in an Antiques Road Show style the museum will open its doors to the public and ask them to bring their treasures that they may wish to have identified by experts that will be provided by the Woodbury Antiques Dealers Association. Verbal appraisals will be done for 20.00 an item that is a donation to the Mattatuck Museum.

Antiques Dealers that will be participating on this day are Steve Jablonski of Antiquario – Villas and Cottages Antiques who specializes in 18th and 19th century American and European antiques, Ronnie Barokh of R.M. Barokh Antiques who specializes in 17th to early 19th century English and Continental decorative and unusual furniture, paintings and object dʼart, Thomas Schwenke from Thomas Schwenke Antiques who is known for 18th and 19th century furnishings, Carole Winer of Country Loft Antiques whose specialty is French antiques and wine accoutrements, Wayne Mattox of Wayne Mattox Antiques who specializes in formal and country furniture as well as folk art paintings, and Karen Reddington-Hughes of Abrash Galleries whose specialty includes antique Persian, Turkish, Chinese and Indian rugs.

For additional information please contact Stephanie Coakley at 203-753-0381 EXT 117

CT Female Soldiers Forgotten Heroes Veterans Day Benefit

Karen — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 16:52:34 +0000

Abrash Galleries
40 Main Street North
Woodbury, CT 06798
November 11 3-7 PM

Please join us for a fine Italian Jewelry Trunk Show Tuesday November 11, 2014 from 3pm-7pm. Proceeds will help to provide case management services to female soldiers throughout the state of CT. This is a fundraiser for the Forgotten Heroes Project which provides community based transitional housing and special services to female soldiers in CT. These female soldiers who have servced in our military often return with physical, mental and emotional scars of combat. Some of them wind up on the streets homeless and without the special services that they need. The Forgotten Heroes/Homes for the Brave provide the referrals and case management services that are necessary in the transitional process to ensure a higher level of success for these exceptional women.

If these times are not convenient please call for a private appointment. 203-263-7847

Abrash Galleries 10th Anniversary Featured in Connecticut Magazine

Karen — Sun, 05 Oct 2014 01:54:08 +0000

Check out “Oriental Rugs as Essential Style: Woodbury Shop Marks 10th Anniversary” in Connecticut Magazine here!

Day Tripping in Woodbury

Karen — Mon, 29 Sep 2014 03:45:23 +0000

As the Autumnal cool in the air replaces the heat of the Summer the urge to enjoy the landscape of New England calls to us all. Woodbury Ct is the perfect day trip for weekenders and homesteaders alike. An ideal melding of antiques, history and outdoor trails makes this a great location for a Saturday adventure.

Getting an early start will require some breakfast fortification that can be found at the various diners and restaurants. Dotties Diner with its famous cinnamon donuts highlighted in Gourmet Magazine is a must.
The Woodbury Flea market is located at the intersection of Rt 64 and Rt 6 . Open at 7:30-2pm on Saturdays and 10-2pm on Sundays an array of antiques and treasures are displayed in a field that is walkable and has adequate parking.

The town of Woodbury was founded in 1672. A beautiful array of historical buildings line the Main Street making this a wonderful place for a walking tour. A booklet on the history of the homes can be checked out of the Woodbury Library. The Glebe House Museum is located directly off Main Street on Hollow Road and is a very important historical landmark. This is where the founding of the Episcopal Church in the United States took place. A rare garden designed by the famous English horticulturist Gertude Jekyll also graces the property. The museum is open from 1-4pm.

The Main Street is also lined with such a high concentration of antique stores that Woodbury has been known for some time as the “Antiques Capital of Ct”. The antiques dealers here take special pride in the fact that they helped to establish the CT Antiques Trail and have continuously provided beautiful merchandise to designers and collectors alike. The Woodbury Antiques Dealers Association website is a great reference for shops and hours of operation.

Flanders Nature Center and Land Trust located at 5 Church Hill Road has trails for hiking,walking and wildlife observation. Pack a picnic and enjoy the scenery. The founder of the nature center- Natalie Van Vleck was one of the very first women cubists in the United states. Her paintings can be viewed in her studio located on the same property.

Ending the day with one of the many top shelf restaurants is a must. Carole Peckʼs Good News Cafe offers nouvelle cuisine that is sure to please the most discerning foodie. Bon appetit!

Hooked Rug Lecture – Abrash Galleries

Karen — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:22:44 +0000

Woodbury, Ct- Renown hooked rug designer Jan Elizabeth will be appearing from 5:30-7:30 at Abrash Galleries at 40 Main Street North, Woodbury, Ct on August 29th to lead a discussion on the maintenance and care of hand hooked rugs.

Jan Elizabeth has been a designer, maker and restorer of hooked rugs for more than 3 decades. She has made large area rugs for decorators in the tri-state area some of which were replications of family heirlooms. Her rugs have been highlighted in Litchfield County Times as well as Country Home Magazine.

Jan Elizabeth has expertise in the care and repair of hand made hooked rugs and will be available to give quotes on repairs and washing after the talk. Please bring your rugs with you. Refreshments will be served. If you plan on attending please call 203-263-7847.

What is the proper way to maintain an oriental rug?

Karen — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 21:28:37 +0000

Many people wonder just how frequently an oriental rug needs to be cleaned. Much depends on where the rug is placed and just how much traffic it is getting. The rule of thumb is that oriental rugs need to be washed at least every 5 years. The foundation of the rug is usually a cotton warp that the wool fibers are woven through. It is important to keep that cotton foundation in good condition. If a rug is not maintained the foundation may get dry and this is what causes the rug to crack. Very much like a fur coat is cleaned, oiled and stored an oriental rug needs the same treatment to ensure its health.

When the rug is brought for cleaning it is dusted first to get all the dirt and grit out and then submerged in water and hand washed on both sides to ensure that the piece is thoroughly clean. It is then rinsed in a clean pool of water and put on a large drying rack in a climate controlled room so that it can air dry.
Once a rug has come back from washing it is a good time to examine whether or not there are any repairs that need to be made. The overcasting is the individual knots that secure the natural fringe on either side of the rug. Many times the fringe may get caught in a vacuum cleaner and pulled out. This causes the side of fringe to become uneven. By overcasting the fringe in a uniform line it prevents the rug from unravelling into the border of the piece.

The sides of the rug are secured by wool binding . Through the years this too may need some repair as it sometimes becomes frayed. It is important to maintain the binding so that the gaurd border that goes around the perimeter of the piece is protected and will not unravel.

The above repairs are considered common maintenance on a rug. Damage done by moths or animals may require reweaving or using a kashmir knot.

Properly maintained your oriental rugs will last for generations to come! Oriental rugs are the foundation of every great room.

Decorating with Repurposed Antiques

Karen — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 21:27:37 +0000

As design trends change some people will opt to go out with the old and in with the new. Others will see opportunity that exists with what they already own. An antique suitcase that sat nicely stacked as an accent may be transformed into a stylish coffee table once it is set upon a low wood platform. Old chalk boards can be tastefully hung in a kitchen to add both character and a useful canvas to put up reminders .
Vintage seltzer glass bottles area beautiful sun catchers positioned in the right spot and old copper buckets and tubs are fabulous ice buckets to showcase the white wines at a dinner party.

Residing at flea markets and thrift shops are treasure troves of objects just waiting for your imagination as far as repurposing is concerned. A worn out kilim rug can be reclaimed to reupholster a stool or a seat cushion or be made into a pillow.

Antique faience jugs are ideal to make into lamps especially of there are cracks and other imperfections that would make them less useful for their original purpose. Even old cookie jars can make some great lamps especially for a childʼs room.

Old wooden tool carriers can do double duty as magazine storage and decorative old doors can be transformed into tables that are quite the conversation piece. With a little paint and elbow grease a battered piece of furnishing can become both useful and stylish.

Repurposing can be seen as away of melding creativity and environmentally responsible shopping. It is a fantastic way of recycling a piece of history!

The next time you are antiquing keep this in mind.

For more information on repurposing please call Abrash Galleries at 203-263-7847 We are located at 40 Main Street North Woodbury, Ct 06798