You Can Judge A Book By Its Cover

I have to admit it. There are times when I buy a book strictly based on its cover. Personally, I'm drawn to covers that are whimsical and artistic as well as those that incorporate decorative motifs. And many times, to my surprise, the books themselves prove to be interesting and entertaining. Here are some striking covers of books that have caught my eye. I can't attest to the quality of the books themselves, but if the "inside" isn't worth it, then at least you'll have an attractive book to display.


"The Savoy Cocktail Book", 1930. I'm a sucker for an Art Deco cover, and I find this one especially intriguing. Makes me pine for the cocktail hour of yesteryear.


"The Blue Danube" by Ludwig Bemelmans (1945). How can one not be charmed by Bemelmans' iconic covers (illustrated by none other than the author himself!)?


"Costumes from the Forbidden City" by Alan Priest (1945). Yes, this book has a beautiful cover, but its subject matter- the imperial robes of the Ch'ing dynasty- appears to be quite interesting too!


"How to Do It, or the Lively Art of Entertaining" (1957) by Elsa Maxwell. How terrible is this cover? So bad in fact that this book is cherished by book collectors alike. I have the recently rereleased edition, and I can attest to the fact that this book is a fun read (I can't remember if a recipe for doughnuts is included, though).


Book at top: "Interior Decoration" by Margaret Lord. A bit reminiscent of a David Hicks cover, this book was published in 1944. Margaret was ahead of her time!

Maison Charles Lamps

Today I'm writing about something that I know very little about- Maison Charles lamps. What I am certain about, though, is that they are some of the most stylish and witty lamps I've ever seen. In fact, I've included photos of Maison Charles lamps in some of my previous posts on lamps.

From what I have read on the web, La Maison Charles was founded in 1908 by Frenchman Ernest Charles. Working primarily with bronze, the Maison Charles artisans were known early on for their reproduction antique lighting and later, in the 1950s, for their fanciful lamps (like those below.) Based on what I've found on 1st dibs, I believe Maison Charles also created mirrors and small pieces of furniture.

The firm is still in existence today, and while their current offerings are quite glamorous, they don't compare to the lamps I've featured here. And if anybody has any additional information on Maison Charles (or needs to correct any information I have here), please do comment. I would very much like to know more about this illustrious design house.


Maison Charles "Corn on the Cob" lamp, c. 1950s, available at Deco Dame


Maison Charles "Corn on the Cob" lamp available at Deco Dame


Yes, it's the ubiquitous coral, but this is still a neat lamp. Maison Charles Coral lamp, c. 1960s, from 1st dibs


Maison Charles "Sunflower" lamp from Fleur

Image at top: Pineapple lamps by Maison Charles, c. 1955, available at Thomas Brillet

Arrivederci!

I'm off for a long weekend vacation. See you on Tuesday with more design dispatches.

Sister Parish Does Yellow!

I recently purchased a 1967 edition of House Beautiful, and guess whose room made the cover? None other than everybody's favorite Sister Parish. I love the clear shade of yellow on the walls and the upholstered armchair. The striking rug with the black and yellow Greek key motif is an Edward Fields design. And check out that custom door hardware designed by Sis herself. I think I could live in that room today! Here are a few more rooms that were chic back then and still look pretty good in 2007.


A glamorous dinner party designed by Ellen Lehman McCluskey. I certainly wish my dinner parties looked like this. The blue damask fabric is Scalamandre, the china, crystal and silver was from Tiffany & Co., and those gorgeous chairs were from Yale R. Burge.


My favorite design trick- a tented room! This one was designed by Thomas Britt. The fabric is a Brunschwig & Fils print, and the towels are Porthault.


I was a bit surprised to find out that Tony Duquette was the designer behind this room. A bit tame for Duquette, although I'm more familiar with Duquette's over the top creations. The rugs are antique Arabian tent hangings- how exotic!


This 18th c. Venetian mirror is very much in vogue today. Design by Melvin Dwork.

(All images from the October 1967 issue of House Beautiful)

Interior Illustrations

One of the downsides of interior design is that the fruits of a designer's labor are not always permanent. We are fortunate enough to be able to see paintings created by the Old Masters, sculptures by Rodin, and furniture by Thomas Chippendale. But how many rooms designed by Elsie de Wolfe are left for us to view? Or what about that fabulous Cole Porter apartment designed by Billy Baldwin? Of course, photographs are one way in which to immortalize these important rooms, but a more artistic (and charming) method is through painting these interiors. Interior illustrations and renderings have been a popular form of interior documentation through the centuries, and fortunately for us the internet (and design blogging) has introduced many people to this art form. Take for example Anne Harwell of Annechovie, a talented painter whose renderings have been scooped up by most of us (myself included!).

Many designers have chosen to have their work painted. Denning and Fourcade, the late legendary designers who embraced "le gôut Rothschild", had many of their homes captured in paintings. Designer David Easton and painter James Steinmeyer recently auctioned off the contents of their New York home Balderbrae, and included were interior paintings by Steinmeyer. And Charlotte Moss is a notable collector of interior paintings. Isn't it great that these artistic gems are just as popular as ever?

For posts on Jeremiah Goodman and his interior paintings, click here.



A painting of Robert Denning's Manhattan apartment (image courtesy of Doyle New York)


A rendering of Denning and Fourcade's Paris apartment (image courtesy of Doyle New York)


James Steinmeyer's painting of Balderbrae's porch, c. 1992 (image courtesy of Doyle New York)


James Steinmeyer's painting of the Leather Room, Chatsworth, c. 2004 (image courtesy of Doyle New York)


Here is an interior illustration in my collection. Unfortunately, I can't read the artist's name as it was faintly written in pencil.

Image at top: Another painting of Robert Denning's Manhattan apartment (image courtesy of Doyle New York)

Bold Borders

According to son Ashley Hicks, one of David Hicks' favorite design tricks was to outline the edges and corners of a room with a contrasting braid or paper (Hicks also liked to apply similar borders on window treatments and upholstered furniture too). The effect is one that is bold and graphic- it visually reinforces the shape of the room. Ruthie Sommers used a similar idea in a room she designed for her husband (above). Wanting to make the room look like it was "tied up like a package", Sommers chose a Hicks style paper for the walls and painted a dark, wide border around the edges of the walls. What intrigued me most about this decorating "device" (to use the words of Ashley Hicks) is that it was used in the former royal palace Kew Palace (England) during the late 18th/ early 19th c. In Princess Elizabeth's room (below), the walls are covered in a green verditer wallpaper, and a Greek key border outlines each wall. How interesting to see this type of decoration used in a historical home, in a mod sixties room, and in a 21st c. California home.


A graphic room designed by David Hicks


Another Hicks designed room; the walls are covered in a blue woolen fabric and the outline is achieved using black braid.


Princess Elizabeth's bedroom at Kew Palace

(Photo at top of Ruthie Sommers' Santa Monica home; courtesy of Cottage Living)

From the Entertaining File...

I'm sure I'm not the only one who clips articles on entertaining. While my style of entertaining may not be as elaborate, I do think the fantasy aspect of these articles is quite inspiring. One can take a few ideas here and there and create a party that is totally chic. Or, at the very least, the photographs may encourage someone to stop worrying about what he/she doesn't have and to just throw a darn party!

This Domino article on editor Tori Mellott's Christmas party (make that a Festivus party) is really quite clever. The idea was that someone can host a fab party for not a lot of money. Now, here in the dog days of summer, the thought of holiday parties may seem a little much. I for one am not worrying about holiday entertaining right now. That said, the decor and the details make these photographs fun to look at- an entertaining feast for the eyes!

To see how another design diva entertains, visit my post on Mary McDonald's Christmas party.


A view of Mellott's living room. I love her red sofa!


A stylish bar. I also like how Mellott has framed her intaglios and prints.


A tray filled with smoking accoutrements.

(Images from Dec/Jan 07 Domino; photos by Marcus Nilsson)

A Young Woman's Apartment

When I was going through my tear sheets the other day, I came across this apartment that was featured in Quest magazine a few years ago. The owner was a young woman in Manhattan who was starting a career as a clothing designer. To me, this apartment is so perfect for a young woman. It's youthful but sophisticated with a little bit of spunk thrown in to the mix.

The walls of the living room are a deep turquoise- a color that is a little unusual but completely dramatic. In order to keep the room from looking too dark, the floors are painted in a white and brown checkerboard pattern. For some shots of color, orange, yellow and brown are used to great effect. And the wallpaper in the entry! I think this particular print (can someone tell me what it is?) provides a little maturity to the apartment. All in all, a pretty great apartment for a lucky young woman. What do you think?













(All photos from Quest magazine; photographer: Fernanda Gilligan)

A Whimsical Approach to Design

A little humor never hurt anyone, and the same can be said for design. A light-handed approach needs to be taken when injecting whimsy into a design scheme. Too much and it might look like you live in a fun house. With this in mind, here are a few fun finds that combine humor and style!


"Spangle" fabric in pink, from Andrew Martin at Lee Jofa


"Family Silver" fabric from Lee Jofa


"Bulldog on Pillow", Meissen, available at Moss


Four Panel Screen with monkeys, c. 1950, available at J.F. Chen

Image at top: "Sans Souci" lamp from Brunschwig & Fils

Budget Living

A few ways to get the look for less (or at least slightly less!):

Luxe: Pair of vintage Mottahedeh urns available at Woodson & Rummerfield's


Budget: Tobacco Leaf Mottahedeh urn at Neiman Marcus


Luxe: "Arles" linen from Robert Kime


Budget: "Mengei" fabric from Buy Fabrics


Luxe: Large Burlwood Bowl from Mecox Gardens


Budget: Burlwood bowls from Anthropologie


Luxe: Jansen brass floor lamp, c. 1950s, from Steven Sclaroff


Budget: "Meurice" brass floor lamp from Jayson Home


Luxe: Chinese Wallpaper Panels from Drum & Company


Budget: Chinoiserie Silk Panels from Source Perrier


Luxe: "Grille Moderne" wallpaper by Studio Printworks


Budget: "Calligraphy Stripe" wallpaper from Ballard Designs