Friday, April 30, 2010

Tiffany Taste





Robert Rufino was in town a few days ago as part of a SCAD Style panel discussion, and I'm so disappointed that I was under the weather and couldn't attend. His appearance did, however, remind me of that great House & Garden article in which Rufino's small but supremely stylish Manhattan apartment was featured. Of course, the most memorable part of his home were the beautiful menswear fabrics used, hardly surprising as Rufino has been named to the International Best-Dressed List on more than one occasion.

But the other thing that struck me at the time- and that still captivates me today- are all of Rufino's accessories from Tiffany. It makes sense, really, as Rufino is the former Vice President of Creative Services for the retailer. Oh sure, when I worked at Tiffany's in my mid-twenties, I was able to purchase "stuff" at discount. I had 12 place settings of my formal china by the time I was 23, and I still have some discontinued Peretti pieces that I purchased during my Tiffany days. But the problem was that my style at the time was not as defined as it is today, meaning that certain pieces were simply over my head. That, and my meager salary would only accommodate a purchase here and there. When I see Rufino's cache of Tiffany treasures, I think "Why didn't I think to purchase that while I was there?" or "How come I didn't even know we sold that piece??". Really, I think that Rufino purchased (or perhaps borrowed for the shoot) some of the best- and most iconic- Tiffany pieces like...




Everyone's favorite Bamboo flatware. Thank goodness that someone in my family (my sister) has Bamboo, especially since it's a pattern that has been put out to pasture. I have also always loved the Peretti thumbprint cups and that Teardrop carafe (both still available, thank the Lord), but didn't purchase them while I had my employee discount- dumb move on my part. See those monkey candlesticks? I never knew we sold those until I saw this article. Maybe monkeys aren't big sellers here in Atlanta.





I was lucky enough to receive two Peretti orchid pots as gifts, one in black (like Rufino's) and one in cream. They're some of the most handsome orchid pots I've ever seen, but for whatever reason those got discontinued too. I better take good care of mine.



A better view of that carafe. And another classic Tiffany piece is that sterling flower pot that Rufino employed as a vase.



That simple decanter is none other than that designed by Van Day Truex for Baccarat. Now this decanter has been on my wish list for years. Had I known who Van Day Truex was at 22, I would have snapped one up in a heartbeat- meager salary be damned! And that the crystal ice bucket is from Tiffany as well.

So the moral of the story is...if any of you work at a shop or showroom, take advantage of that employee discount! Don't go broke, but use it while you can!

(Photos from House & Garden, November 2004, Oberto Gili photographer)

26 comments:

  1. The only time I worked retail was in college when I worked at a big dept. store. I neve had a paycheck that didn't purchase clothes. I decided that was a pretty dangeous occupation for me! Thanks for the Tiffany lesson. I've been schooled today!

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  2. Such delicious images. I adore bamboo flatware!

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  3. What a gorgeous carafe. I never could have worked at Tiffany's, though, because I'm afraid I would never have been able to buy groceries! :)

    You've hit on one of my few complaints about having married so young. I was 22 when we were married (coming up on our 9 year anniversary in May) and I hadn't a clue about patterns, interiors, or really even personal style. I knew that certain furnishings and accessories were nice because my mother had told me so, but I didn't respect it as much because they were hers and not my own, and it is really only in recent years that I have been able to truly determine my own taste and style. So, I'm left with china and crystal patterns that aren't necessarily my favorite!

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  4. I really don't think you hit your stride design-wise until your early thirties. Some of the pieces I bought in my mid-twenties really aren't me at all!

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  5. Absolutely. I worked at Marvin Alexander Antique Lighting in NYC and the older gentleman I was replacing due to his retirement counseled me to use the incredible employee discount to buy the best I could afford. Fortunately, I was a bit older and my personal taste had formed early. I ended up with four chandeliers, one lantern, one glass pendant, a set of six sconces, two candlesticks and a plateau, most being Louis XV and Louis XVI gilt bronze with a smattering of French Deco. I did not have the room to uses them all at one point, and I ate salad and spaghetti many a week as the budget groaned, but I have never regretted the purchases - great investments as well as things that please me every day.

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  6. The truth is that our taste evolves over time--and that is great--means we are incorporating all of the newness that life brings. I do love those Tiffany pieces--especially the monkeys.

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  7. Anonymous12:43 PM

    He used a lot of the gray flannel check from Schumacher

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  8. This apartment in House & Garden is one of my all time favorites!

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  9. Edward6:48 PM

    I was in Tiffany's 5th Ave. store last week and it seemed to me they had cut back considerably on home goods. The china patterns were mostly displayed on a wall in a corner and many of my favorites too had disappeared. I wonder what's happened?

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  10. Anonymous8:22 PM

    Do you know if this issue of HG is available or the said article can be found on line with high definition scanned pages or can someone post them and let us all have a good read and look.A younger follower

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  11. Edward- They have discontinued most of their china and a lot of the flatware as well. I suppose that the decision was made to do this was b/c it wasn't selling well??

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  12. Anon- Send me your email address and I'll scan the article for you (and include the text as well.)

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  13. I miss the bamboo pattern so much. Once I was able to afford purchasing it on my own...poof gone!!!
    TIffanys has cut thier line of tableware extensively but a small bird told me patterns much missed may return provided our econmy does.
    Here's hoping....

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  14. Thank you for the Tiffany tour - what a fabulous place to work. I was only familiar with about half of these pieces (and would have missed them in the background of this story besides) so I really enjoyed your pointing them out. Bamboo is my all-time favorite. I still can't believe they discontinued it!!
    -SF

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  15. Anonymous1:41 PM

    I must say that I disagree with everyone about this apartment. While Ruffino produced amusing windows while at Tiffany's, his apartment leaves me cold. Some smart fabrics, yes. Some nice Tiffany accessories, yep. But is he a interior design talent, nope. It just doesn't hold together. Poor sense of scale, nothing bold or chic. To me, it's a C-.

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  16. I long for one of Tiffany's Truex-design silver baskets, the ones he adapted from small wooden produce baskets used to store strawberries at the grocer.

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  17. Robert Rufino, his dog and his home are also featured in this very lovely article:

    http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/node/542

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  18. I remember that story! I also loved it. If I remember correctly, he mentioned serving smoked salmon when entertaining at home. He also loved his dog a lot. He struck me as a person with a lot of great qualities.

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  19. I spent a summer in high end retail and learned more than I could have from any magazine or catalog. Admittedly, I did not take well enough advantage of my discount, however! I've always believed that discontinuing bamboo had less to do with demand and more with the market saturation of the style. I'd love some authentic bamboo...or any one of Mr. Rufino's timeless accessories for that matter!

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  20. I love Tiffany's and you truly could not have picked better pictures. I love a crystal ice bucket from Tiffany's!!! It's the go to gift for newlyweds!
    Lila Ferraro
    Queen Bedroom Sets

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  21. Oh it's all so chic!

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  22. You have put up so many wonderful items.. Everything is gorgeous.

    yvonne

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  23. Wow, you're tempting me to take a position there! Love the apartment, all of the dark masculine fabrics are just to die for.

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  24. Great advice! I got my grown-up kitchen from my years at Williams-Sonoma. I still kick myself for not picking up any goodies when I worked one summer in highschool at Dunhills.
    Isn't it funny how you have such different opinions of an exclusive store before and after you've had the priviledge of exploring the back stockroom!
    Lisa

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  25. I like the contrast in scale between the stripes of the zebra rug and the checked cushions and screens: simple but effective. The dark floors hold it all together. And living in a nyc apartment, I can see how it all works.

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    visit: http://elsaperettidesign.blogspot.com
    and elsaperetti on YT

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