Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Arabesque Anyone?




I found an article from House & Garden, August 1967, about Arabesque. So what exactly is Arabesque? Good question. According to H&G, it's an "ebullient, this-minute style of decoration and furniture arrangement" that was derived from the "Arabic-Islamic arts of the Middle Ages." Sounds rather serious, no? Fortunately, it doesn't look too terribly serious, or at least it didn't back in 1967.

Seeing that I've got a deadline fast approaching and am pressed for time, I'm going to cut to the chase and just show the photos. Let's start with the photo at top. Pretty fabulous, huh? I love the Palampore fabric used for the bed hangings and the walls. The matting on the floor and ceiling is kind of wacky, especially when you see that it was also used on the molding and trim. The designer? It was none other than Billy Baldwin.


This room, decked out in one bold print, was decorated by Joan Axelrod. I'm taken with the low-slung sofas that were placed in front of each window.




Of all four rooms, I would say that this one is the most dated looking. Don't you think the fabric on the walls and sofa looks a bit Holly Hobby?


You might remember this photo from the Domino article about House & Garden editor Mary Jane Poole's apartments. Poole was inspired by the photo of Lee Radziwill in her Mongiardino decorated room. My favorite part of the room just might be that blue ceiling.

(All images from House & Garden, August 1967)


13 comments:

  1. That first photo is fabulous! I would love to do the room in the last image, beginning with the blue ceiling and working down. 1967, wow.

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  2. It's nice for Valentino. I like the Leopard rug..
    Yvonne

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  3. Gorgeous rooms. But a little bit too busy for me. The fabrics are amazing.

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  4. That bottom room with the gold patterned fabric, blue ceiling and those painted floors is so lovely! I wish I could sit at that desk to work each day!!

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  5. The blue ceiling is fantastic!

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  6. Love the blue ceiling as well! In fact that room vaguely reminds me of the Green Dining room at the V&A. Also fascinating to see Billy Baldwin's touch of Arabesque - I had no idea!

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  7. I love the simplicity of the furniture arrangement in the first photo. But, my word there is a lot of patterns going on in all of these! The last photo cracks me up! It's so confusing!
    Lila Ferraro
    Queen Bedroom Sets

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  8. Very groove blast from the past. Great high gloss blue ceiling.

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  9. A bit busy, however taking some of the elements....and that blue ceiling!! A wow!

    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  10. thank you.
    these are fantastic images.

    thanks

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  11. Learned about Arabesque...I was ignorent that there was such a style. The first bedroom is truly timeless and beautiful

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  12. OMG what a great look back. I have some old decorating books from the 60's that are really interesting.

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  13. That first bedroom is gorgeous!looks so cozy,soothing, and classic..Great Post!

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