Monday, September 29, 2008

Relishing Regency Redux




On to another book review...

I have posted a few articles about my anticipation of the release of
Regency Redux by Emily Eerdmans. And now that I've received my advance copy, all I can say is "instant classic". I'm actually suffering a bit of those post-reading doldrums- you know, that down feeling you get when you've finished a book that was pure joy to read. No matter because I might just read it again this week!

Eerdmans begins her book by giving the reader a brief history of the English Regency and French Empire styles- an important starting point as the 20th century interpretations of Regency are based on these two similar styles. Then, it's on to explore all of the different sub-genres of 20th century Regency. There's Neoclassical Moderne, Vogue Regency, Hollywood Regency, and Decorator Regency. I'm being a bit vague here as I don't want to spoil it for you, but let me just say that each distinct style is explored in great detail- and with copious amounts of scrumptious photographs (meaning... I want the furniture and interiors featured in this book.)

Also, the gang's all here, with Draper, Fowler, McMillen, Maugham, Arbus, Leleu, and others being prominently featured. And as the Regency look played such an important role in Hollywood cinema of the 1930s and 40s, there are scores and scores of movie stills that are a delight to see.

Now, I must say that I was prone to like this book as 1930s and 40s design suits my aesthetic. But no matter what your style is, if you're interested in classical, modern, traditional, stylized, theatrical or sophisticated interiors, then you too just might find this book to be as captivating as I did.
Regency Redux is a must-have for any design library.


A still from the 1932 movie Transatlantic, which won an Oscar for art direction. The look here is referred to as "Deco Greco".


Another still, this time from the 1935 movie No More Ladies (appropriately named as Joan Crawford starred in it!). Eerdmans makes note of the Regency swags and the Neo-Grec furniture in this room.


Can you tell I'm a sucker for old movies??? Here is an image from the 1945 movie Week-end at the Waldorf. Wouldn't you have liked to attend this staged cocktail party??


The Palm Beach resident of Mrs. Hugh Walker Mercer, designed by Ruby Ross Wood. Wood is one of my all-time favorite decorators (and she was a Georgia girl too!).


A room designed by McMillen for Millicent Rogers... a match made in heaven. Note the Neoclassical details in the room.

15 comments:

  1. So excited to see Ruby Ross Wood is in there! I know you are thrilled to have this one.

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  2. I'm plowing through my copy too - it's an amazing book!

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  3. Jennifer - I cannot wait for this one. Isn't funny how that mirrored surround on the fireplace in the Mercer home sounds dated, but looks so terrific? It's a perfect room.

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  4. Courtney- Yes, and it's a color one at that! Most of the RRW photos I see are B&W.

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  5. Linda- Glad you're enjoying it. I think others will find it to be amazing too.

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  6. Looks like it will be loads of fun to read and study!

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  7. Patricia- That's what I love most about that room! Timeless. :)

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  8. The Hugh Mercer Walker residence was redone about a decade ago by Scott Snyder; it appeared in AD, I think.

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  9. Aesthete- When you say redone do you mean nothing of RRW is left? Perhaps I can find something on the AD site.

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  10. Mrs Walker sold the place sometime in the 1950s or early 1960s. Several owners followed, The architecture remains entirely intact, beautifully so, but obviously the furnishings no longer are part of the house.

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  11. Aesthete- Thank you. Glad to hear that the architecture is intact.

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  12. I don't know whether to thank you or curse you LOL - I just ordered my copy from Amazon. Seems like a good almost-half-price deal!

    I think I'll just get a blow up of the cover room-sized and glue it on my bedroom wall ;)

    Tristan

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  13. Tristan- You think that cover shot is fabulous...just wait until you see the photos inside. You will swoon. :)

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  14. After this last week, I think I'm ready for a weekend at the Waldorf myself! Maybe I'll just polish the shaker collection and start concocting.

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  15. Anonymous2:27 PM

    Where have you seen photographs of Ruby Ross Wood's work? I'm dying to see some!

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