Revisiting the Past

I was going back through some of my older posts last night, and I reread the very first post that I ever published back in September 2006. Back then, I think I had two readers (both family members) and I had to deal with the disappointment of having zero comments! I still love this post, though, because it's so interesting to see how certain decorative motifs that were popular back in the 1930s are still considered to be stylish and chic today.

Like I usually say when I feature images of vintage rooms, there are certain elements in the rooms below that are dated. And, both of the rooms have a lot going on in them. Still, there is an exuberance in both rooms that make them fun and spirited.

So, for those of you who weren't reading my blog back then (I think that would be 99% of you!), I thought I would feature this oldie but goodie again.

I was recently looking through some vintage issues of House and Garden from 1936. I was struck by how modern and vibrant the rooms were, especially considering that they were designed 70 years ago! The above picture was from an ad for Armstrong Linoleum floors. Linoleum was then considered the height of chic. I love the Chinoiserie elements of the room- the Chinese red console and wall brackets, the Chinese Chippendale banister, the blanc de Chine porcelain figures, and the gold Pagoda mounted to the wall. And if that wasn't enough, the designer added a Greek key motif to the mix.

Check out another Armstrong ad below- I love the plaster palm fronds on the wall- very Elsie de Wolfe! And don't you think the white dining chairs with apple green satin upholstery is very au courant?

Excellent Advice from Bunny Williams

I recently read an article (New York Times, I think) about Bunny Williams and her new book Bunny Williams' Point of View. In it, Williams said that people should visit the crème de la crème of antiques and furniture stores in order to train one's eye. The merchandise may completely be out of your price range, but you're getting an education while you're browsing. I think Williams is quite right.

One website that I like to visit from time to time is that of Kentshire Galleries, the venerable English antique shop located in Manhattan. Of course there are no prices listed, only colored dots by the item that indicate a general price range ($10,000 and below, $10,000 to $50,000, and $50,000 and up). Yes, the dots can be a little intimidating, but just to be able to look through such a wonderful assortment of furniture, porcelain, and accessories- it's a virtual feast for the eye and the mind. And the great thing about this whole process is that when I do see something that I like in a local antiques shop that is in my price range, I will be ready to buy with confidence.




A pair of Chinese Quing Dynasty cloisonne elephants, c. late 18thc- 19th c.)


Pair of Italian Painted Nubian Pedestals, c. 1790


Pair of Art Deco glass and bronze screens, c. 1910


Pair of Regency faux painted bamboo benches, c. 1810


Pair of George III Adam brackets, c. 1770

Image at top: Regency Gilded and Faux Marble Chiffonier, c. 1805

(All images courtesy of Kentshire Galleries)

Glorious, Glossy Red

I recently came across this image above in my copious amount of tear sheets, and I quickly remembered why I tore it out. From an old issue of House & Garden, this vignette is so chic, so glamorous, so Asian, and so perfect! But what really makes this image so striking is the glossiness of everything- nothing to me is richer looking than a high gloss, high sheen red.

I was trying to figure out how to incorporate this shot into a post, and lo and behold I found this dining room in the December issue of Elle Decor. Designed by Brian McCarthy, this shiny red room is reminiscent of my favorite vignette, no? The walls are so glossy they almost look wet! Not to mention that fabulous mirrored door in the corner- yet more sparkle. And because the entire apartment is a feast for the eyes, I'm also including a shot of the elegant and au courant living room too. You can't have too much of a good thing!





(Top image courtesy of House & Garden. Bottom two images from the December issue of Elle Decor; photographer William Waldron)

Mongiardino's Turkish Fantasy

Those of you who have read my blog for a while know that I have a real thing for tented rooms. I think it is the combination of coziness, exoticism, and luxuriousness that appeals to me. I came across this photo of a room designed by Renzo Mongiardino, and of course at it was a tented room, I was taken.

While working on a client's home, Mongiardino was faced with a room defined by its very high ceiling. The client was prepared to lower the ceiling to a more comfortable height. Mongiardino, however, saw this as an opportunity to create a room that was inspired by a Turkish tent that he had once seen in a Swedish museum. Not only did the tent transform "the extraordinary dimension into a correct dimension" (Mongiardino's words), but it lent the room a rather Orientalist flavor. Quite a successful, and glorious, room!

(For related posts on tented rooms, click here.)


A charming sketch of the tented room.

Karen Robertson Collection

Many of us were taken with Karen Robertson's hand tinted, framed sea fans that were featured in Southern Accents earlier this year. Recently, Robertson has expanded on the shell theme with a new line of pillows. The ultrasuede cushions feature stylized starfish, sand dollars, sea horses, and other creatures. What a stylish gift for those on your holiday gift list who live in warmer climes. Or, perhaps a stylish gift for you as you dream about Summer which is many months away!

Devine Fabric

One of the most striking photos in the House & Garden article on Aerin Lauder's Long Island home is that of the master bedroom- the fabric on the walls and the bedding is just "devine". Michael Devine, that is.

Devine is the creative mind behind his eponymous line of fabrics. What makes the line so striking is that the fabric is hand blocked, which emphasizes the hand stenciled, loving hands look of the designs. But there is nothing homespun about these fabrics- they are truly sophisticated and to me, a bit reminiscent of the work of the late, great Alan Campbell. Others must agree as Devine's line has been accepted into the prestigious Mason et Objet Editeurs show in Paris in early 2008.

And lest you think Devine only devotes his attention to fabrics, he also has an amazing looking shop in Kinderhook, NY (a shop that I hope to someday visit in person). If you're not in the market for fabric, definitely visit his online shop which carries all sorts of stylish home accessories including ice buckets, wastebaskets, and other wares which incorporate Devine's divine fabric.


Some of Devine's charming prints


"Garden Folly" in lemon (which is, big surprise, one of my favorite Devine prints!)


"Bagatelle" in Sea


"Fretwork" in Scarlet


"Pavillion Stripe" in Peony and String


"Celeste" in Delft


A view of the facade of Michael Devine Home in Kinderhook, NY


Ice buckets in the "Bagatelle" print, available on Devine's online shop


(Image at top: Photo of Aerin Lauder's Long Island bedroom. Wall and bedding fabric in "Gramercy" by Michael Devine. Photo courtesy of House & Garden; photographer François Halard).

Holiday Style - Aerin Lauder

I think we've all been waiting with anticipation for the December issue of House & Garden - most especially for the article on Aerin Lauder's Long Island home. And I can say that the article does not disappoint.

We've seen the home before in a past Vogue Living, but here the home is decked out in its holiday finery. It's absolute perfection- but then, what would you expect from the impeccably stylish Lauder? Lauder pays homage to her late, beloved grandmother by using many of Estee's antiques and treasures, but what Lauder has managed to do is to give it her own youthful flair.

I won't spoil the surprise for you, but here are two photos from the spread. Don't worry- there are plenty of great shots that you'll find in the article. Enjoy!





(Images courtesy of House & Garden, Dec 07; photographer Francois Halard)

Quiet English Elegance

I've long had a love of all things English- perhaps it's a result of having grown up in a family of Anglophiles. Lately, however, I've been particularly drawn to the British homes that I've seen featured in various magazines. I don't really know why. Perhaps it was the "Anglomania" exhibit at the Costume Institute last year? Or perhaps the whole English look just feels "right" right now.


I'm especially taken with this London flat, designed by Robert Kime. Yes, the home is somewhat formal and grand, but to me it seems comfortable nonetheless. The walls in the main room (which consists of living, dining, and music areas) are a custom color created by Kime- he likens the blue/gray/rose color to a three-week-old bruise! Despite the sickly connotation of this comparison, the walls are a perfect backdrop for the fine antiques and richly patterned fabrics that are used here. Of course, the fabrics are sublime, but one would expect that from Kime, who is also a textile designer. What I find interesting is that used on their own these prints can be rather bold and a bit distracting, but here they are really quite subtle. The mix seems to give the flat a depth of character, and isn't that really what good design is all about?


The living area of the main room with the bruise colored walls.


The dining area of the main room shows Kime's deft use of pattern (I believe the dining chairs are upholstered in Kime's "Peacock" ikat print, the sofa to the right in "Chenille Stripe", and the sofa on the back wall is in "Long Runner"). The narrow mirrors hanging on either side of the portrait were added to create "internal architecture", according to Kime.


A very orderly and symmetrical vignette.


More images of the flat. Note the top right picture which shows the extremely modern and minimal kitchen in the background. Quite a contrast from the rest of the home.

Image at top: The music room area of the main room with a Flemish tapestry on the wall. The chairs are upholstered in Kime's "Harlequin" print.

(All images from the October issue of British House & Garden; Simon Upton photographer)

Gray and White Matter

I've got gray and white on the brain. It's everywhere lately! And what is more classic than this color combination? It can be crisp and tailored, cool and glamorous, or moody and mysterious. Think Dior's Paris salon, Mary McDonald's former bedroom, Charlotte Moss' Pagoda logo for The Townhouse, or a glam set from a 1930s movie. It's a fail-safe mix of color (or might that be non-color?) that is always chic.

(For information on Dior's glorious rue Royale apartment, see the article from the October issue of Elle Decor)


"Fioretti" wallpaper from Cole and Son- a perfect combination of gray, white, and a bit of black


Mary McDonald's bedroom (a perennial favorite) that was inspired by Dior's salon.


Gray and white vintage cabinet available at Coleen and Company


"Portobello", a grisaille handpainted wallcovering from Paul Montgomery Studio


"French Paisley" fabric in gray and white, from the Suzanne Rheinstein collection for Lee Jofa


20th c. Duchesse Brisée available at William Ockham

Image at top: This gallery in Château de Tanlay has walls painted with grisaille trompe l'oeil images. (Photo courtesy of World of Interiors)

A Truly Fascinating Find

For those who have not yet read the November issue of World of Interiors, I have to share a most interesting story that appears in the magazine.

A Dutchwoman who recently purchased an apartment in Paris called the magazine to alert them to an unusual find in her new home. The walls of the sitting room were painted with beautiful panoramic scenes similar in style to those of Zuber. What is amazing, though, is that the walls were painted by the former homeowner, a designer by the name of "J. d'Ars". In fact, he signed his creation with "J. d'Ars, décorateur, 1955".

Now here's the really interesting part. After some sleuthing, the new homeowner was able to piece together the story of J. d'Ars. As a young man, d'Ars had been a waiter at a Russian restaurant in Paris. One evening he was serving a young American couple who was celebrating their honeymoon. The waiter and the groom fell in love that night! The American man eventually set d'Ars up in an apartment and in an interior design business. And every year for about fifty years, the American man, unbeknownst to his wife, would come to Paris to spend a few weeks with his love. They especially enjoyed visiting France's glorious châteaux, which in turned inspired d'Ars to paint the walls with scenes of these châteaux.

Now, if I had been the lucky new homeowner, I would have kept the walls intact. How can you alter something with such beauty (not to mention such history)? Unfortunately, the Dutchwoman did not agree and she removed the paintings (d'Ars had painted the scenes on paper backed with card). She has preserved these paintings and plans on using them in her own château, which I suppose may be a very appropriate place for these marvelous paintings.






Even the ceiling was painted!

(All images courtesy of World of Interiors; photographed by René Stoeltie)

Decorating Dilemma

It can be a challenge to figure out what to put in a hallway or entryway. Consoles are always a great option- they tend not to take up too much room, and it's a perfect place on which to display an objet d'art, a small cluster of flowers, or a tray for keys and other detritus. But once you've chosen a console, then you've got to figure out what to place on the wall above the console. Artwork? A mirror? And what size? What a design dilemma!

An easy solution is to find a console/mirror set such as the ones I'm showing here. The scale of the two pieces match, which only leaves you with having to decide what to place on the console. If this is all a bit too matchy for some of you, you can always throw the whole look off kilter with a quirky sculpture or bibelot.




Italian polychrome mirror and console, c. 1950s, from Dragonette Limited


Wall console & mirror, c. 1950s, from Chapman Radcliff


French metal mirror and console, c. 1940s, from Ellen Ward Scarborough Antiques


Art Moderne console and mirror, French, c. 1940s, available at Retro-Modern


French console and mirror, c. 1950s, at Retro-Modern

Image at top: Italian Neoclassical Style mirror and console from Coup d'Etat Antique & Decoration