A few weeks back I posted about old fashioned prints, and it reminded me of the Upper East Side home of Camilla and Carl Sorenson (published in Elle Decor, Dec/Jan '05). With the help of designer Steven Sclaroff, they set about decorating their apartment using "high-dowager decor". Inspired by the very English rooms at Chatsworth, they used a melange of old-fashioned prints; florals, stripes, and Chinoiserie prints are used together to give the apartment a slightly eccentric, slightly matronly, and altogether fresh look. What I like most about this home is that the overall design scheme gives a nod to the history of this pre-war building in a slightly cheeky way. This dowager decor will definitely grow old gracefully.
(To read my related post on old-fashioned prints, click here.)
The dining room is papered in a 1940s Chinoiserie print purchased from Secondhand Rose. The fabric on the sofa is Christopher Hyland's "Giuliana", and the armchair is upholstered in Maharam's Aria cotton velvet.
For a similar look, Secondhand Rose has this vintage Chinoiserie print on their website.
Another shot of the dining room, and a view of the living room with some fabulous gray and white cabinetry designed by Sclaroff. The armchairs' striped fabric is "Rayure Chenille" by Clarence House.
Top left: the master bedroom's sitting area with a sofa upholstered in Colefax & Fowler's Beaumont cotton-viscose fabric.
Bottom left: the dressing room with Clarence House's "Gothik Fretwork" wallpaper.
Photo at top: Another view of the living room; the sofa is upholstered in Scalamandre's "Foret" cotton.
Love the alternate wallpaper you sourced! Very interesting dining room.
ReplyDeleteClarence House, Scalamandre & Colefax & Fowler are all top fabric houses. I don't think you could go wrong using any of their fabrics. But to use them all together as was done in this home is a stroke of genuis. Not for the faint of heart. Good post. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks Courtney! Patricia- so true. Takes a bold person to mix and match as such.
ReplyDeleteYes, that wallcovering from Secondhand Rose is a great, and I love the gray and white cabinetry too!
ReplyDeleteGMG- Love the cabinetry too. Gray and white is such a great color combo!
ReplyDeleteso exotic and romantic, I love that red wallpaper and I can't think that room would be so beautiful without it.
ReplyDeleteMichelle- I think you're right- that red wallpaper makes that room!
ReplyDeleteLoved this layout from the start - that CH fabric is still in the back of my mind - hope to use it someday. Dowager Chic is right up my alley - I was a little bit 60 even when I was 6.
ReplyDeleteKC- Me too!
ReplyDeleteokay ,this is TOO weird!
ReplyDeletebought a new bed and moved the old one out last night. i happened to find this exact issue under the bed and re-fell in love with this apartment!
i absolutely love everything about it...
Le Lion- That is weird; we must be on the same wavelength or something!
ReplyDeleteHow funny, I was going to do a post about the same apartment this week. I'm loving Steven Sclaroff's stlye at the moment - between this apartment and the one he helped Kate & Andy Spade decorate, the man is a legend!
ReplyDeleteThis is my all time favorite apartment. The sofa and fabric are amazing.
ReplyDeleteWell, I can now say that my style is "dowager" - I know I am getting old but........... LOL
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I just love all the rooms. Each one is so warm and cozy. But I especially love the living room. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteLove the wallpaper from Secondhand Rose and I also love the wallpapered closet!
ReplyDeleteXO
Anna
this is by far my favorite post of yours thus far. i have ALWAYS loved that chinoiserie wallpaper at second hand rose. and i love seeing it in action.thank you for all of this fantastic info...
ReplyDeleteLove all the wallpapers but love the blue floral wallpaper in the hallway the most!! Any ideas what wallpaper that is.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous- I wanted to know what that paper was too, but it didn't say anything about it in the credits. Perhaps I overlooked it? Let me see what I can find out!
ReplyDelete