Friday, August 30, 2013

Study Abroad



Many of the great decorators have partially credited their success to their Parsons education. And some have specifically referred to their time spent abroad in Europe, where they were enrolled in the Parsons study abroad program, as an education from which they continued to benefit throughout their careers. It seems that their intensive studies, which included touring and learning about the great European houses and palaces, provided inspiration for years to come.

Such was the case with the late designer, Joseph Braswell, who studied at Parsons as a young man. According to the Jan/Feb 1975 issue of Architectural Digest, Braswell was engaged by his long-time St. Louis clients, the Yalems, to create a space for their inveterate entertaining. Braswell, with the assistance of architect William Bernoudy, conceived of the idea to create a separate pavilion that adjoined the clients' house, one which would be in keeping in the main house's architectural style. But when the designer began to flesh out his vision for this party pavilion, he thought thought back to his Parsons-era visit to Sanssouci, the Potsdam, Germany summer palace of Frederick the Great. Said Braswell, "I had seen it on a tour of Europe when I was a student at the Parsons School of Design. I never forgot it or any of its details. Certainly this was my inspiration for the Yalem pavilion."

Other than a reference to the Yalem pavilion's carved and gilded palm trees, the article does not mention other interior references to Sanssouci. However, I wonder if the Chinese House, a garden pavilion located in Sanssouci Park, provided the most direct source of inspiration. You can see that both structures are more or less similar in shape, and the Chinese House is surrounded by those glorious gilded palm tree columns, which also make appearances in the Yalem pavilion.

I think that Braswell did a marvelous job updating the notion of a pleasure pavilion. The pavilion's interior is certainly elegant and a little grand, much in keeping with the spirit of Sanssouci, and yet, it's got spunk, too, thanks to those lacquered red walls and that vivid yellow upholstery.  In fact, one could imagine a modern-day Frederick the Great, perhaps a bachelor host and bon vivant, holding court, so to speak, in such style and splendor.           






You can see Braswell's work on the Yalem pavilion, above. I can only imagine the fabulous parties that were hosted in those rooms.





Two images of the Chinese House at Sanssouci.



Braswell photos from Architectural Digest, Jan/Feb 1975, Norman McGrath photographer.  Chinese House photos from wikimedia.

11 comments:

  1. Dear Jennifer,

    Oh, I had forgotten about this exquisite Braswell project- isn't it just stunning? It's so timeless, being based on the classic Sans Souci. I was most fortunate to meet Joe Braswell, at his Sutton Place apartment- he was hosting a cocktail party with his then partner, Ward Willoughby.I was on my way to Europe- for the grand tour, with my own chaperone, Bob Morring- the former partner of Stan Topol- Bob had an antiques shop on Peachtree Road- being taken to Mr. Braswell's apartment was my first of many exposures to being "inside" an Architectural Digest spread...it's always a delightfully weird sensation to have already seen a place in the magazine before actually seeing it in person-and of course Ward made an fabulous 1970's entrance- dropping his full length fur on the floor, for the maid to pick up later, as "Native New Yorker" played on the stereo ! Wow! I wonder if any old disco music was ever played in the Yalem pavilion? ! :)

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    1. Dean, Wow! What a fabulously chic memory! Talk about the good old days!

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    2. Just stunning. My two new favorite words: party pavilion!

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    3. Well. uh, Your fab post inspired me! Hoping you have a great Holiday weekend- just take it easy on those dry martinis!

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  2. Such an incredibly chic modern pleasure pavilion. Those parquetry floors against the red lacquered boiserie and gilded palms are to die for. The punch of yellow is striking too. But it would be amazing to update the furnishings with more modern pieces. I can see myself sipping a flute of champagne right now! Thanks for the post.

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  3. In 2007 I acquired Joseph Braswell's table (actually a dining table) shown in the photo with the white sectional and Louis XVI chairs. And have hosted many late night dinners around it. Still have and love it!

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    1. Jeanne, How fortunate you are! I bet you do love it. What a treasure! :)

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  4. Jeanne Wolfe6:25 PM

    Thank you, Jennifer. I've read everything about Joseph Braswell (including all your blogs), but haven't been able to locate a photo of him. Do you know where I could see one?

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    1. Jeanne, As I recall, there is one of Braswell in either Architectural Digest's American Interiors or Designers' Own Homes. I'll see if I can locate a photo of him.

      Jennifer

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  5. Jeanne Wolfe1:04 PM

    Oh thank you Jennifer. I'd be truly grateful. Just found out, on another one of your blogs, that someone wrote in that Joseph was very spiritual and attended spiritual workshops. It was Mike Schwager's post after your Design Legends article. His description of some Joseph Braswell's beliefs are the same as mine.

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  6. Jeanne Wolfe8:01 PM

    Jennifer, I would be eternally grateful if you could locate a photo of Joseph Braswell and email it to me at jewolfe212@aol.com

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