French Frothiness for a Friday

Seeing that my posts have been a bit Francocentric this week (with the exception of John Stefanidis, of course), I thought I would end the week with images of a charming Paris pied-à-terre. Designed by Jacques Garcia with antiques from Luc Bouveret, this home, particularly the bedroom, seems perfect for a modern day Marie Antoinette. N'est-ce pas?







Images from House & Garden, Oct. 2002; photographer François Halard

The Dessert Course

Happenstance (i.e.- a web search on "Rambouillet+Marie+Antoinette") led me to the most charming online retailer called The Dessert Course. The site focuses strictly on those items used for setting a proper dessert table, including sweetmeats, tea services, punch bowls, pôts de cremes, and copper molds (not necessarily for the dessert table, but important for making those bombes and baba au rhums). The merchandise is interspersed with dessert and cooking related quotes from Balzac, Proust, and Diderot as well as brief histories of these dessert accoutrements.

As I just stumbled upon this site, I can't vouch for the customer service. However, I always find it exciting to see retail shops that have such a narrow focus- it's usually an indication that the owner is quite passionate about what he is selling. And if you think that it seems silly to own items that some might find extraneous, guess again. In the words of Antonin Carême, one of history's greatest chefs, "I believe architecture to be the first amongst the arts... and the principal branch of architecture is confectionary."


Marie Antoinette footed bowl- a reproduction of the piece famously molded from the Queen's breast.


Green Dragon Punch Bowl, which I think has a multitude of uses


Pot de Crèmes by Mottahedeh


Rambouillet Dairy Service Etruscan Cup


Glass cake stands and a sweetmeat topper


Copper pudding molds by Ruffoni

Image at top: John Nash's engraving of the kitchen at Brighton Pavilion

Crazy for Castaing

Aah, the French and their love of Madeleine Castaing fabric. And really, who can blame them. The prints are colorful, romantic, bold, timeless, and a bit quirky- much like Castaing herself.

A few weeks ago I bought a book titled The French Touch, and I found that page after page was filled with French rooms that were bedecked with various Castaing prints- some homes featured not one but many. Who knew how well her prints worked together?

One designer who is quite skillful at mixing Castaing fabric is Bruno de Caumont. Although not featured in the above mentioned book, de Caumont's former Paris apartment garnered widespread acclaim a few years back because of his deft use of Castaing prints throughout his home. Of course, being the creative director of Edmond Petit (the company that produces the Castaing collection) may explain his enthusiastic use of her fabric, but I think he really did a smashing job.

What I find curious is that you don't see these prints used often in American interiors- only Carolina Irving's home comes to mind. Perhaps we need to remedy that. In the meantime, here are various French homes that show the beauty and range of Castaing's designs.

Evidently, I'm not the only one with Castaing on the brain. An Aesthete's Lament did a great and informative post on the design legend last week.)

"Coppelia"




In the stylish Parisian home of designer Bruno de Caumont


In this dining room of a chateau in the Bordeaux region, designer Jean-Louis Riccardi used "Coppelia" in this gorgeous blue colorway. This print, in this wonderful shade of blue, is one of my all-time favorite fabrics.

"Rayure Broderie"




Again, de Caumont chose a Castaing print to cover this daybed in his home in Paris.


Fashion designer Gilles Dufour chose "Rayure Broderie" in the blue colorway for his sofa in his Paris apartment.


In the same Bordeaux chateau as above, Riccardi, like Dufour, chose the blue version of "Rayure Broderie"

"Castiglione"




"Castiglione" on the walls of Gilles Dufour's Paris apartment.


de Caumont's apartment with "Castiglione" on both the walls and the chair seats.

"Rayure Cachemire"




This room, in the home of Alexandre Zouari, was actually designed by Castaing herself. Notice how she used "Rayure Cachemire" as bands that divide up the red felt wall into panels. She also used "Castiglione" for the Austrian chairs and settee.

"Rayure Fleurie"




Mathilde Agostinelli obviously loves Castaing prints as much as her uncle, Gilles Dufour. Not only does she have "Rayure Fleurie" in her bedroom, but she has a Castaing print rug throughout her Jacques Grange designed home (House & Garden, May '06; photography by Francois Halard)

Image at top: Castaing in a chair which appears to have "Coppelia" upholstered on the back. Photo by Derry Moore.

John Rosselli Lighting

Speaking of John Rosselli- don't you feel like the proverbial child in a candy store when you venture into one of his showrooms? The fabrics, wallpapers, and furniture are terrific, and I'm usually overcome by the urge to say "I'll take one of everything!" But in my opinion, Rosselli particularly excels with his lighting line. The lamps, chandeliers, and sconces are so unique and really quite heavenly. For those of you who don't live near a Rosselli showroom, you can always visit the website for a sampling of their wares. In the meantime, I couldn't resist sharing with you a few fanciful fixtures.


Mirrored Sunface Two Arm Sconce


Carved Wood Interlocking Circle Sconce


Amethyst Venetian Beaded Sconce


Tole Hanging Fixture with Bells


French Tole Umbrella Chandelier

Image at top: Nubian Head Sconces

The 411 on Carolina Irving Textiles

After my post last week on Peter Dunham's shop Hollywood at Home, numerous readers emailed me with inquiries about how they could purchase Carolina Irving's beautiful hemp fabric. Angela of Carolina Irving Textiles told me that if you live in California, you can purchase it directly through Hollywood at Home. For those of you who reside in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut, ordering is through John Rosselli's showroom. And for the rest of us, we can email Irving's office at info@carolinairvingtextiles.com .

Although their website is somewhat under construction, you can see the prints that are currently available. Angela was kind enough to send me these images below. There are also some soon to be released prints on linen that I hope to share with you in the near future!


"Andaluz" in Paprika


"Candia" in Delft


"Kandyli" in Sienna/Olive


"Palermo" in Apple

(Image at top: A sample of Irving's fabrics at Hollywood at Home)

Diamonds and Spades and Clubs, Oh My!

I'm just crazy for these Ostrich Eggs painted with card motifs. In fact, I've always liked the card motif for as long as I can remember. This is rather surprising as I don't play cards. I even own two chocolate brown corduroy card table covers! I can't explain why.

Still, just because you don't host your own bridge parties and poker nights does not mean you can't be a card shark too!

(Image at top: Ostrich Egg Poker Diamond by Assouline, availabe at Vivre)


Assouline Ostrich Egg Poker Clover (also known as a club!), available at Vivre


Playing Card Dessert Plates from Tiffany & Co.


Mirrored Sconces with Card Motif, c. 1930s, at Marvin Alexander Inc.


Italian Arte Povera Cocktail Table with cards, available at Europa Antiques


Card Motif Matelasse by Brunschwig & Fils

Luxury by the Yard

What is my idea of luxury? Alright, I admit it, I have many. Yes, I do think that luxury can be found in the simple things in life, like freshly laundered sheets or a having a small posy of fresh flowers by my bed. But in terms of design, I think it would be most luxurious to have a room with miles and miles of fabric everywhere, especially if it's the same print. Think curtains, swags, fabric on the walls, and upholstered chairs and sofa. Even fabric covered screens! I know, it sounds over the top. Ridiculously expensive. Not so practical. But wouldn't it be luxurious and decadent to just throw caution to the wind and create a room that envelops you in your favorite fabric?

The French seem to excel at this look:


Room designed by Christian Badin


A bedroom designed by Robert d'Ario

The British have their own take on it:


Valentino's London home, decorated by Roger Banks-Pye


Nina Campbell's look is sweet

A Very American Version:


Billy Baldwin used shirred fabric on the walls in Speed Lamkin's apartment

At the risk of losing my argument, I thought I would include a few photos of fashion designer Pauline Trigère's home. What, you haven't thought of having some fabric printed up with your name on it? In the words of this icon of fashion, "Fabric is the dictator."




Trigère print fabric

Image at top: Remember this fabulous image of Mario?