Shops: George Champion Modern

/ June 20, 2012
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Slideshow

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The main living room with its traditional fireplace and a lovely assortment of mid-century classics.
The original chimney breast in the corner of the front room. The green tile is by the J. & G. Low tile factory of Chelsea, MA from about 1890. The luster on the tile is luminous after a good cleaning with soap and water.
This is called a 'Rotor' table. This particular one is a steel prototype hand made in Italy designed by Piero Lissoni.
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This whimsical bench was in the kitchen. George believes that it was made by John Risley, a CT artist, in the late 60's.
George tells me that teak accessories are once again very popular. These trays are in great condition. I especially love the Georg Jensen candle holder in the back.
A bolt of original Lucien Day fabric.
A feminine version of a French beret in gray and white with beautiful large white hand stitches and a jaunty red tassel.
Here is the incredible original Schiaparelli label with its distinctive script in bright red.
In the upper front hall, George has 2 beautiful marble top Saarinen tables and a pair of white 'Thinking Chairs' designed by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini, Italy.
This PK 32 chair by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno, Milan was made in 1956. It has a mild rocking action, swivels with a self centering base.
George always has a bit of a 'tongue in cheek' attitude about objects. What kid, young or old, would not want to own this great Wheaties truck in perfect condition.
As part of a small exhibit of objects that are in museum collections and recognized for their good design are Krenit bowls and Eva Zeisel ceramics.
George is slightly irreverent in his approach to modernism. However, this Ducati is a classic and he says it is very rare.
The bathroom features all Waterworks product, simply done in classic 3 x 6 tile, a Cararra floor, a nickel washstand with a Henry fitting. Simplicity at its best.
The original dark gray painted cabinets with gigantic knows are complimented by a honed Cararra counter top and Waterworks Sugar White Grove Brickworks.
There is still work to be done. The condition of the upstairs bath gives you an idea of the amount of work that George needed to do to create his environment.

My friend, George Champion, owner of GEORGE CHAMPION MODERN, is an expert in mid century modern decorative arts and a meticulous shopkeeper in Woodbury, CT.  He bought the house next door to his existing shop and after a year of painstaking renovations, it is finally finished (though knowing George, it will never be done).  I had a preview of it last weekend before its official opening and am completely enamored with the house and its restoration. The original hardware has been polished to its beautiful brass patina, the original tile fireplaces have been thoroughly cleaned, the porch columns reproduced exactly like the originals, the floors waxed and shiny and the paint choices a reflection of George’s exemplary good taste.

Originally, the house was built by the Curtiss family right after the turn of the 20th century as a gift to one of 3 daughters. This is one of 3 architecturally different but grand houses on Main Street, Woodbury, CT built by this  generous industrialist as wedding presents for his children. There is a bit of history lost in the interim, but after several commercial establishments inhabited the building in the 70′s and 80′s it once again became a single family residence. We are told the new owner intended to return it to its previous glory but was always a couple of steps behind in his ability to accomplish the task at hand.  He sand blasted the peeling paint but never got around to repainting it and fortunately because of a lack of funds, left most of the architectural details as originally found.

This is the point at which George Champion bought it. At first he thought he might tear it down, but the town would not give him demolition permission.  So after some procrastination he proceeded with its restoration. Starting from the top down, the chimneys were rebuilt and repointed, a new wood roof and copper flashing installed, followed by copper gutters and a new copper porch roof. Original windows were rebuilt and George himself painstakingly restored a decorative parquet floor in the dining room, turned new handles to operate the radiators and kindly invited Waterworks to do the bathroom, kitchen backsplash and fitting.

While the house is a generous 4000 sq. ft., it is not a McMansion.  The rooms have gracious proportions, the ceilings are tall but not overly so, the architectural detail appropriate and beautiful sunlight streams in the house giving it a wonderful warm glow. The twist here is that George plans to use the house as a showroom for his mid-century furniture and objects rather than the more traditional furniture one might expect. And, the fit is fabulous. The essential simplicity of this assortment allows both the house and the objects to stand independently but feel harmonious.

It is well worth a trip from anywhere to visit George Champion Modern. George has been my personal mid-century tutor, graciously sharing has vast store of knowledge of American, Danish and Italian objects and his impeccable eye.  Please call before deciding to visit.

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