Monday, August 13, 2012

Colefax & Fowler and Geoffrey Bennison




Part of my book collection is devoted to old home and garden magazine anthologies like those published by House & Garden and Architectural Digest. If you're interested in old interiors, these books really give you a good sense of what was happening in interior design in, say, the 1960s or the early 1980s. My only complaint about some of these books is that quite often there will be a photo of an interior that really piques your interest, but you're denied seeing the rest of the room or home because only one paltry photo was included in the book. You're left wanting more, and yet there is no more to get, at least not in that particular book anyway.

As I have mentioned before, the 1967 edition of
House & Garden Guide to Interior Decoration (the British edition), is one of these old books that has inspired me lately. Edited by Robert Harling, the book's compilation of photos includes wild-looking London flats, elegant French chateaux, and swank American apartments. It also includes a smattering of photos of prominent showrooms and shops. I managed to find two photos of showroom vignettes done by Colefax & Fowler as well as two black and white photos of the late Geoffrey Bennison's Pimlico Road shop. I know that many of you are fans of both, so I figured I would show you what I could find. I wish it were more than four photos, but you know how uncooperative those old books can be sometimes.

Image at top: What was referred to as a "show setting" by Michael Raymond of Colefax & Fowler. The term makes me think this was not installed in the Brook Street showroom. Very swinging, don't you think? I do like the faux tortoise walls. It looks to me like Raymond used carpet to upholster the backs of the sofas. It might have even been used on the right-hand wall, too.



The caption that accompanied this photo clearly states this vignette was located in Colefax & Fowler's Brook Street showroom. Call me crazy, but I like that patchwork table cloth.




Geoffrey Bennison's Pimlico Road showroom. An 18th century English portrait hung above a Louis XV walnut desk.



Another view of Bennison's shop, which really must have been quite exciting to visit.

All photos from House & Garden Guide to Interior Decoration, 1967, edited by Robert Harling. The book can be hard to find, so searching around the internet is advised.

10 comments:

  1. I have a major thing for quilts! I love that the art of quilting has been revived/renewed by younger textile artists. I have a post "in the works" right now about quilts in today's interiors. Just like in the Colefax & Fowler space, quilts in modern spaces add great texture, depth, and interest.

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    1. Can't wait to read your post! I agree that quilts add texture and most importantly interest to a space.

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    2. John Fowler used a patchwork table-cover (as I remember) in Evangeline Bruce's set at Albany. Or perhaps it was just a quilt rather than a patchwork one.

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    3. Mitch, Everything about that set was perfection. I'm not with my books at the moment, but when I am I will try to find a photo of that table cover.

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  2. I adore looking at these old photos and admit to being a bit stuck in the past as I so like these classically tasteful, colorful, and interesting inteiors replete with antiques, flowers, paintings, and history etc!

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    1. Judith, I know what you mean. I too am hung up the past and always have my nose stuck in an old magazine or book. What I like about these old shots is that they always seem to depict such a pleasant and authentic mix of antiques, books, etc. It's not staged looking like newer interiors seem to be.

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  3. A gazillion years ago I used an quilt like the tablecloth above for a shower curtain (liner behind it of course). I was a bride on the cusp of the bicentennial. It shaped my views for a decade or so!

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    1. Oh yes, I forgot that quilts were all the rage in '76! Makes sense, though, as it doesn't get more American than a patchwork quilt.

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  4. Anonymous1:16 PM

    Have you seen Michael Raymond's take on one room living, its also in one of the British H&G books. Raymond did a grand house for Hardy Amies in the sixties, Mr Raymond is a bit of an enigma, I don't know else he did and
    what happened to him? Maybe he retired and went to live in Brighton...

    Cheers, Herts

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    1. Herts, An enigma indeed! I'll go back through this book to see if I can spot other photos of his work. Was the Hardy Amies' house published? It sounds most intriguing!

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