Heavenly Schlumberger

Is there anyone who designed such magnificent jewelry and objets as Jean Schlumberger? Oh yes, I'd gladly accept a Schlumberger bauble from anyone who's feeling generous. But what about these little trinkets? How fabulous would that cigarette box look casually tossed on a side table? And wouldn't those candle holders look terrific on a mantel? Many of the pieces below are now part of the collection of the Virginia Museum of Fine Art, donated by Mrs. Paul Mellon, a major client of Schlumberger. I have yet to find anyone who designs comparable pieces, but if you do please let me know. In the meantime, I'll just have sweet dreams thinking about these lovelies.


Crystal obelisk with red lacquer, 1973.


Crystal coupe with red lacquer, 1973.


Pair of candle holders, c. 1968. Formerly owned by Mrs. Paul Mellon.



Blackamoors, 1961. Black lacquer, sapphires, and rubies.


Gold cigarete box, c. 1962.

Images at top:
Brooches and Pendulette, 1966. Repousse gold, coral, and various gemstones.

Flower pot (gold, amethysts, emeralds), 1960.

Domino: The Book of Decorating

So my posting has been a bit spotty this week because quite honestly, I've been really distracted. Distracted by the great Fall book releases that is.

I spent last night reading the Domino: The Book of Decorating (by Deborah Needleman, Sara Ruffin Costello, and Dara Caponigro), and this book really could not have arrived on my doorstep at a better time. The book is chock full of practical decorating advice on color schemes, furniture, mixing and matching elements in a room, and much more. And let's face it- many times it's the practical advice that we really need. There is nothing more fun than finding design inspiration, but sometimes we just need some guidance with the actual execution part, and this book certainly helps with that.

While many of the photos in the book will be familiar to you Domino readers, there are some that seemed new to me. And while we all know that it's the details that make a room, the same can be said for books too. One great thing about the book is that there is no dust jacket, meaning you can throw the book in your bag and carry it around to the design center, the paint store, and the hardware store. I'm also crazy for the colorful interior illustrations that appear at the beginning of each chapter. It's really a nice touch.

I'm hesitant to give too much away, but let me just say that I think you're in for a real treat. Domino: The Book of Decorating is going to be a great addition to your design library.

David Mlinaric on Decorating

Until recently, I was only mildly familiar with David Mlinaric. OK, actually, I only recognized the name and that was it. So when I heard that there was an upcoming book about the British design legend, I was intrigued. I just got through reading Mlinaric on Decorating (by Mirabel Cecil & David Mlinaric), and I must say that I got the same feeling that I did when I first read one of David Hicks' books. I can't really tell you why, but I suppose it might be because I kept wondering, "Where has this man been all of my life?"

Mlinaric is considered to be one of the top British decorators of the second half of the twentieth century. (And he still is today seeing that he's only 69.) He has had clients ranging from Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton to Lord Rothschild. I think what amazes me about his work is his range. He's done mod and hip, shabby traditional, and clean contemporary, and all of these looks are included in this book. And Mlinaric seems just as comfortable redecorating the great properties of the National Trust as he does designing the interiors of a London flat.

It's really a shame that Mlinaric does not have the name recognition here in the States that he does overseas, but I do hope that this book remedies that. With page after page of photos of exquisite interiors, this book just might have you too wondering why you're not familiar with this talented man. I think that after reading this book, you will be glad to make the acquaintance of this remarkable designer. I know I was.



Mlinaric's studio at No. 33 Tite Street, Chelsea, c. 1960s


The dining room at the Tite Street studio. To me, this room is reminiscent of David Hicks- maybe it's the banding on the walls.


After John Fowler's death, Mlinaric became adviser to the National Trust. Mlinaric was responsible for the redecoration of the Assembly Rooms in Bath. This is a shot of the ballroom, the principal room of the Assembly Rooms.


The guest bedroom of an 18th c. Loire chateau, decorated between 1986 and 1991. The walls were hand-painted to look like cloth hanging from brass rails.


Glebe House, Chelsea, c. 1981-83

What Michael Devine Did This Summer...

Michael Devine has certainly been a busy man. First, his fabric line is now being represented in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut by John Rosselli & Associates. And even better, Michael has just introduced new additions to his fabric line. I'm crazy about the new prints, especially "Dottie", seen above at the far left. (Doesn't it look like a print that Albert Hadley might use?). Michael was kind enough to send me some photos of the new fabrics, and the charming vignettes have convinced me to hop the next train to Kinderhook, NY to visit his shop in person!

(For those of you in Atlanta, Michael's fabric is available at the Jerry Pair showroom.)









Michael used his "Dottie" print on this notepad and pencil cup, available on his website.

Gourmet Tablesettings

Well, time got away from me yesterday so I don't have a proper post for you today. But no matter how busy we are, we can always take the time to pore over a few beautiful images. Let's see how some of our favorite designers and style-setters set their tables circa 1992. (All images from The Tiffany Gourmet Cookbook)


Countess Alba Giannelli-Viscardi


Anoushka Hempel


Comtesse Sheila de Rochambeau


Valentino


Bill Blass


Maxime de la Falaise

Blogging Pink for a Worthy Cause

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, many design bloggers have decided to post Pink today. So, in support of a very worthy cause and in the spirit of camaraderie, I decided to mine my trove of vintage magazines for pink images. We've all heard that pink is a universally flattering color, and if it works on your face then why not on your walls, beds, and furniture too? And pink is not just for women either. Men seem to love it too.









Image at top courtesy of Conde Nast Store

Grant Gibson, Sacramento Street, and a Rant

Seeing that we have no gas here in Atlanta, I've had to severely limit my running around. I use very little gas as it is because I live in the heart of the city and I don't drive an SUV. But still, it's chaos here with people spending all of their time driving around and around trying to find gas. And when you do find it, you have to wait in line for HOURS. It's absurd. Absolutely maddening. And on top of that our governor is in Europe and seems to be doing little to solve this mess. Needless to say, I'm staying close to home and to the office knowing that the situation may not improve for another few weeks. (That's the rant.)

So, my shopping and browsing is now limited to the internet. It's not as gratifying as the real thing, but it will have to do. And the timing couldn't have been more perfect to do a little vicarious shopping with Grant K. Gibson.

I've admired Gibson's work for some time now. The San Francisco designer aces that fresh and clean traditional look with some gusto thrown in for good measure . Recently, Gibson was featured in a California Home and Design article (Oct. '08) extolling the virtues of the shops of Sacramento Street. He's definitely the one to ask. After all, his design studio is located on Sacramento.

I always make a point to visit the Sacramento St. shops during my twice yearly visits to San Francisco. There is something about that street that is so appealing to me. It's not frenzied nor frenetic but rather low-key and charming. In fact, during my last trip there my sister took me to a very trendy, still rather gritty part of town to visit some hip design stores. I took one step out of the car, assessed the situation, turned on my heel and said "May we please just get back into the car and go to Sacramento Street?" What can I say? I'm a creature of habit- and comfort.

There is legendary shop Sue Fisher King- one of my favorites for linens (Porthault included), tabletop, and accessories. And of course there's Kendall Wilkinson Home. These too are favorites of Gibson. But another Gibson recommendation is new to me: Ribbonerie. Gibson suggests shopping there for ribbon for pillows or lampshade trim. Who doesn't love a good ribbon and trim shop?

And one more gem- Birch, a floral shop with a black interior (almost like a retail version of Mrs. Delany's Flowers!) Gibson likes the shop because the black walls make the flowers pop.

So for those of you whose style is being cramped by the gas shortage or those who just want to spend some time looking at beautiful things, visit Gibson's site and those of the featured shops for a little inspiration.




A few glimpses of Gibson's portfolio.


These are the types of beautiful things you'll find at Sue Fisher King


A view inside of Kendall Wilkinson Home


This is just one of many ribbons you'll find at Ribbonerie (both in their store and online.)


A floral arrangement by Birch

Image at top: Gibson about to embark on some Sacramento Street shopping with the doggies. (Photograph by Jen Siska)