Fringe Benefits

I had an extra half hour after work last Friday before heading off to my Book Group, so I stopped in one of my favorite shops in Sacramento, Fringe. Owned and operated by the very stylish Laurie Newman-Wells, this shop is full of unique, beautiful and one of a kind finds. AND, I live very close, so I can drive by almost everyday and peek in the window. Sigh. Lucky me!

As soon as I walked in the door I spotted this wonderful grouping put together by Laurie: an Elk bronze (very politically current!), original painting and wooden hand model on top of an stainless steel apothecary chest. From the get go, you can see that Laurie has such a great eye.

The front window display has a French Leather club chair holding a gilt chandelier sitting in front of a fantastic quadruple head industrial lamp. Notice a couple of pieces from a full set of vintage crocodile luggage! And I have got to find out what the metal basket piece used to be. Perhaps perfect for a table base!

This twig table would be so wonderful as a desk, sofa back table or console. And the tortoise shell is actually a lamp. Fringe also has a great selection of gift items: candles, books...

I think I could take home everything in this window display: The end table made from a metal box, glazed elephant garden stool, the trumeau mirror with old glass, and I love that basket!

This chair was fantastic. It is metal with a brass finish and a black leather cushion. Sigh. I can imagine at a dressing table, or a very chic office chair. The desk is vintage stainless steel .

Another collection of unique finds: Vintage locker drawers, wire basket and globe, painting. Love the vintage gold basket purse.

This marble topped table was beautiful, but what really caught my eye here were the unframed portraits: his and hers. Perfect for anyone collecting portraiture.

These two are quite a pair. I haven't seen a camel like this before and it would be a perfect accent on a large entry table.

Loved this bar cart. Can you see the bottle caddy near the handle? Clever!

Nice collection or transfer ware.

Laurie has a lot of things that can be used inside and out. I love this table which could be the centerpiece in a kitchen with it's butcher block top.

More gift ideas to pamper yourself!

There is a quite a collection of vintage jewelry, and I really like the table under the case! Again it has that sort of industrial chic with the wood top.

Seeing this pair of entry lions with the Bergere chair and large garden urn made me think of something Michael Taylor might have done. Fabulous!

Laurie also has a back patio full of outdoor treasures like this faux bois planter.

So if you are ever in Sacramento, this is a MUST SEE!

The Fringe Website is still under construction, but will be up and running SOON, so keep checking back: http://www.fringe21.com/. In the meantime, if you see something you can't live without, you can contact Fringe at: 916-706-0216 or laurie@fringe21.com

Some of you may have heard of X21 owned by John Conaty, which began in Sacramento near the corner of X and 21st Streets (hence the name). It is well known for it's retro industrial chic style. Fringe is now in it's place and the owners of both shops are quite good buddies. X21 has since moved to San Francisco morphing into Sultana on 1st dibs. If you are ever in Fringe, don't hesitate to ask Laurie about items you may be interested in from X21. She has the inside scoop!