Friday, June 21, 2013

A Chance To Learn From The Master


Let's end the week with a history lesson.  Not just any old history lesson, but one given by the late educator and design historian, Stanley Barrows. 

Featured in the September 1978 issue of House Beautiful (yes, I am obviously stuck on this issue,) the article was comprised of three different room vignettes, each of which captured the look of a different era in 20th century design history.  There was the 1900: Turn-of-the-Century Opulence look, which can be seen above.  Following that was the 1950: Mid-Century Comfort room.  And after that, 1978: Contemporary Simplicity.  The background for all three vignettes remained the same: the drawing room of an early 20th century Georgian Revival townhouse, which had classic moldings, an elegant fireplace, and dark glossy walls.

So why should we care about these room settings that were concocted in 1978?  Because this is the closest most of us will ever get to being taught by the great Barrows, who counted Mario Buatta, Albert Hadley, Angelo Donghia, Thomas Britt, Edward Zajac, and many other great designers among his many students.  Considering those designers' talents, I think we should listen up and pay attention to Mr. Barrows.

The caption for the Edwardian-era room above read: "The drawing room in Edwardian times was always ready to receive callers. A formal space for 'at home' afternoons and evenings, it was filled with art and accessories. This room has an atmosphere of flowery fantasy, enhanced by the exuberant use of massed plants and flowers. A rose-and-lilac patterned chintz from Brunschwig & Fils carries out the floral theme on seating and stiffened valances and curtains. Alfred Maurer's striking full-length portrait shows the taste for dramatic poses during this era. A conscious diversity of forms associated with early 20th-century rooms is combined with a feeling of coziness."



1950-Mid-Century Comfort: "By mid-century, few families could afford the servants needed to maintain the Edwardian style. Room design, like life styles, is simpler, with an emphasis on personal comfort and relaxation. The treatment by the second generation of inhabitants reveals a more limited use of pattern, contrasted with larger areas of non-patterned textures. The concern for comfort is reflected in heavier upholstered chairs and sofas. A less complicated, balloon shade window treatment shows the generally softer look associated with interior design in mid-20th-century America. As in the earlier example, a conscious contrast of the lighter values of the fabrics is played against extremely dark porphyry-colored walls. This makes a dramatic background for the light and dark silhouettes of the furnishings. This is a timeless room. Its traditional look is as acceptable today as it was 30 years ago."




1978-Contemporary Simplicity: "Today, while some people seek to fill their lives with reminders of the past, others strive to unencumber themselves of objects. Room designs are based around a select few, or even one great piece. The modern generation in this house has achieved a present-day atmosphere through the elimination of all earlier furnishings and the selection of recently designed seating. A subtly-colored dhurri rug adds a restrained note of fantasy to this 'less is more' setting."



Photos and text from House Beautiful, September 1978, Ralph Bogertman photographer.

11 comments:

  1. I am all about "encumbering" myself with objects. The mid-century design would be applicable today and is my favorite.

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    1. Not Scarlett, I think the mid-century room is more in line with my aesthetic, too.

      I can't live without objects!

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  2. Stanley Barrows was a great teacher, obviously. And what an interesting magazine editorial for 1978, near the beginning of a great surge of these decorating principles to follow.

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    1. Classicist, I agree. I think that Barrows really captured the "look" of each era. And his point that the 1950 Mid-Century Comfort look is timeless still rings true today. I think it's safe to say that many of us still prefer to decorate in this manner.

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  3. Jennifer right now I would lean towards Contemporary Simplicity although my home reflects more of the Mid-Century Comfort at this time with Contemporary art.I would love the change. So interesting using this same room for all three very different styles!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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    1. Karena, I think it's easy to fluctuate between the two styles. All it takes is one piece of contemporary art or furniture, plus the shedding of a few bibelots, to transform a room from one style to the other.

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  4. Thanks for sharing that. I'd say I lean more toward the mid-century comfort style. But I have two loveseats upholstered in a fabric very similar to the slipcovered chair from the Edwardian room, with ruffled skirt too! (They are now under cream colored slipcovers.) I loved the layering of the first two rooms. I'm not as much a fan as the contemporary simplicity, but do long for it on cleaning days!

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  5. I think we got it right in our own heyday of the mid-century. That look is actually closest to the best of Eighteenth century French design, luxurious, comfortable and not overdone, which is why it looks timeless.

    I agree with you that adding or subtracting a few items helps keep a room "current without tipping into a style that will "date" Just reducing the amount of chintz, plants and that carpet would have moved the Edwardian room into a more classic vein.

    Love that full length portrait.

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  6. SB was such a great teacher. Thank you for reminding me how grand he was. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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  7. Very, very instructive. Stanley Barrow's version of mid-20th century comfort strikes exactly the right balance. The latest,
    1977 room illustrates just how easy it can be for a design to look dated, specially when it is emphatically "of its time"
    as was this décor!

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  8. Jennifer,
    I was so fortunate to be taught by Professor B at FIT, from 1980-83 as well as many other Parsons ex-faculty, including Mr. Glenn Boyles, for whom I established a memorial scholarship fund. Stanley was great fun, and had a love of the history of decorative arts and how people lived in the past. He died here in Naples, at the hospital downtown, which had been decorated by Dorothy Draper in the 1950's...he once said that I reminded him of Tom Britt- whom he also taught, and I interned with Tom one very hot Summer...thanks for this reide down memory lane, and also, for posting about the Andrew Calhoun house, in Atlanta, which, hopefully will be landmarked.

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