Curtain Call

While I was in Greensboro, North Carolina a few weeks ago, I visited The Pink Door, a charming antiques and home accessories shop. There was a lot there that caught my eye, but what really struck my fancy were the rather elaborate and, yes, traditional curtains that hung from each window.

One room had curtains that were made of oyster-colored silk which had been fashioned into swags, tails, bows, rosettes, and ruffles. (You can see one of the curtains above.)  While I realize that for many people, this type of curtain has gone with the wind, I find it utterly charming.  These curtains were different from what we typically see today, something which probably heightened their allure for me.  They were proper, dressy, and a little fancy- basically, the antithesis of what people seem to want these days.  But more than anything, these curtains represent a bygone era in design that I miss terribly.  They spoke of the good old days of decorating.

Now, I don't think that this blog post is going to cause anyone to run out and ditch their plain curtain panels for swags and tails, but I do wish that people would start to reconsider certain elements of formal, traditional curtains.  Tailored swags, rosettes, pinked edges, and a few bows here and there don't have to look terribly fussy, especially when crafted of solid-colored fabrics.  Deeda Blair had swagged and bow-bedecked curtains in her home in Washington D.C.  And who can forget those magnificent curtains that John Fowler designed for the Bruces' set at Albany?  In fact, The Pink Door curtains kind of remind me of the Bruces' curtains, though on a much smaller scale.

Well, even if this blog post falls on deaf ears, I say kudos to The Pink Door for being such a stylish, chic shop, all within the confines of some very swish curtains.

Deeda Blair's curtains, which are so feminine and elegant.

The famous John Fowler curtains in the Bruces' drawing room, Albany.

A John Fowler curtain sketch.

Pretty curtains, designed by John Fowler, in Jill Chandos-Pole's bedroom at Radburne.

Mario Buatta is also adept at designing some very pretty curtains.



Top photo by Jennifer Boles for The Peak of Chic; Fowler photos from John Fowler: Prince of Decorators by Martin Wood; Buatta photo from Mario Buatta by Mario Buatta and Emily Evans Eerdmans.

For Will

My friend, Will Merrill, and I were recently discussing some of the more photographed designers of the 1970s. One name that Will mentioned was Charles Dear, a designer who, though not well-known today, was once featured in shelter magazines on a rather frequent basis. I recognized the name for I have seen Dear's work from time to time in some of my old magazines and books, but I know little about him. In fact, I tried to do some online research before posting this, but very little information can be gleaned.

Yesterday, as blogger panic disorder set in while I was trying to figure out what the heck to write for this post, I picked up a January 1971 issue of House Beautiful, and lo and behold, Charles Dear's Southampton home was featured. The house, which won the American Institute of Interior Designers' 1970 Eastern Region Award, was referred to as a "miniature French manor" by the magazine. The home's interior is peppered with popular design elements of the '70s, including Mexican tile floors, sliding glass doors, bold pattern and splashes of lime green. But if you look past the bright colors and bold prints, you'll find an interesting mix of antiques and modern furnishings, including now-classic Bielecky Brothers cane chairs in the dining room, a John Vesey leather and steel chair in one of the bedrooms, and a Triennale floor lamp by Arredoluce in the living room.  Actually, there is quite a bit that's classic about these interiors.

So, Will, this post is for you and anyone else who was a fan of Charles Dear's work.

The living room, above, had layers of pattern, most prominently seen in that rug.  To the right of the sofa, above, was a Triennale lamp that got cut out of the photo scan.

In the guest room, you can see the John Vesey leather chair to the left.

Dear, who was an avid gardener, chose floral prints for his bedroom.

The dining room was a rather simple affair, appropriate for the house's casual feel. The Bielecky Brothers cane chairs are classics.

The kitchen with yet another Bielecky Brothers cane chair.

All photos from House Beautiful, January 1971.

Book Signing Events

Just want to keep you posted on some of my upcoming book signing events.

Next Tuesday, I will be signing books at Laura Pearce Ltd. from 11am-3pm. During those hours only, Laura Pearce will be selling my book at a pre-holiday discounted price of $22 per book.  This will be a great opportunity to take care of your holiday shopping, especially if you plan to buy my book for client gifts.

For more information and to RSVP, please see the invitation above.

And if you live in the Charlottesville, Virginia area, I hope that you'll come to my book signing event on Wednesday, November 6 at the Caspari flagship store on West Main Street.  I love Caspari, and if you ever visit me at my home, you'll likely be served a cocktail with a Caspari cocktail napkin beneath it.  I'm really thrilled that Caspari is hosting this event, and I do hope to see some of you there!

Please see above for additional information on this event. 

Book Signing at Laura Pearce

Regular blogging will resume shortly, but in the meantime, I want to invite you to join me for a book signing at Laura Pearce Ltd., one of Atlanta's premier fine jewelry boutiques.

The event will take place next Tuesday, November 5 from 11 to 3pm. Please come by to say hello and to peruse the beautiful baubles and exquisite estate jewelry.  You'll find all kinds of great jewelry, including pieces by Monica Rich Kosann, Elizabeth Showers, and Katie Decker.  (Trust me, you'll be writing Santa a letter or dropping some major hints to your hubby after you visit Laura's shop.)

For more information, see the invitation above.  Please RSVP to ajamison@laurapearce.com or call 404.350.9207  

Alexa Hampton for Hickory Chair

I was in High Point last week to attend Fall Market, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. So much to see!

One collection that especially caught my eye was that by Alexa Hampton for Hickory Chair. I had seen photos of the collection a while back, but at the Hickory Chair showroom in High Point, I saw Alexa's collection in a whole new light. Alexa had decorated her showroom space with snappy prints, velvets, and chintz, mostly in shades of purple and green.  It was just the right combination of prints and color to help wake up these weary eyes, which had seen lots of furniture that day.  But what impressed me even more was the apparent effort and hard work that Alexa had put into her vignettes. 

Walking through these rooms was like taking a pep pill full of energy, inspiration, and pizzazz.

All photos taken by Jennifer Boles for The Peak of Chic

Sneak a "Peak"

I hope that you'll join me for my Atlanta book launch next Tuesday, October 29.  Atlanta is, after all, my hometown, so I hope to see lots of familiar faces.  The party will take place at ADAC in the 3rd floor atrium, right outside of the new Jim Thompson Showroom.  It should be a fun, festive soiree, and I would love to see you there.  (If you do plan to come, please RSVP to info@jimthompsonatlanta.com)

I'd also like for you to check out my One Kings Lane Tastemaker Tag Sale this Friday, October 25.  The sale is inspired by all of the various entries in my book, so expect to see Malachite, Toile, Chinoiserie, and many other classic decorations. (I got a peek at the lineup, and there are so many items that I want for my own home.  Trust me, this will be a good sale.)  You'll also be able to buy signed copies of my new book.  The sale starts at 11am EST. 

A Little of This and A Little of That

I'm currently in High Point, so you probably won't see me blogging until later this week.  In the meantime, though:

If you're in High Point tomorrow, please come visit me at the Currey & Co. showroom from 3 to 5pm, when I'll be signing copies of my new book.  And speaking of which...

Tomorrow is the big day!  My book will be released tomorrow, October 22, and I couldn't be more thrilled.  After so much hard work, it will be very satisfying, not to mention a great relief, to actually see copies of my book on the bookstore shelves.  Thank you for all of your support for and enthusiasm about my book.  It really means a lot to me.

And a special thank you to House Beautiful, which featured my book in its November issue. Thank you, thank you!

And one last thing- I'll be having a Tastemaker Tag Sale on One Kings Lane this Friday, October 25 at 11am EST/ 8am PST.  The sale will feature items that I have curated, all of which are in the spirit of my new book.  For those of you looking for classic furnishings for your home, this is your sale.


Whew! See you later this week.

Indore Garden Collection by No. 9 Thompson

I am very excited to announce that my book's Atlanta launch party will be held on Tuesday, October 29 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the still-under-construction-but-soon-to-be-open Jim Thompson showroom at ADAC Atlanta, Third Floor Atrium.  I will post more info about the party soon, but in the meantime, mark it on your calendars.  I would love for you to join me in celebrating my new book at my hometown design center.  For more information and to RSVP, please email info@jimthompsonatlanta.com

I'm especially anxious for the new Jim Thompson showroom to open as I want to see the new No. 9 Thompson Indore Garden Collection in person.  I always intrigued by what inspires Richard Smith, Design Director for No. 9 Thompson, and this time, it is his memory of a trip to Udaipur in Rajasthan, India that seasons his designs.  There is the collection's namesake, Indore Garden, which features trailing flowers against a background of a "Jali" screen, and Calicut, which was named for the Indian city in which calico originated.  But my favorite print of the collection has to be Wedding Parade, which you can see above.  Smith was inspired to create this print after seeing an 1850's painting that depicted a wedding celebration.  (I predict that Wedding Parade is going to be a huge hit.)

Take a look below to see a glimpse of the striking new collection.

Wedding Parade

Two colorways of Indore Garden

Ikat Vase

Various colorways of Rambagh Stripe

Calicut

Rag Rug

Painted Paisley

All photos used with express permission of Jim Thompson Fabrics

Marie Warren and Michael Greer

Marie Warren is not only one of the grandes dames of Atlanta decorating, but she is also a neighbor of mine.  Everybody knows Marie and respects her decades-long contribution to the Atlanta design community, so it was only natural that she be featured in the debut issue of Milieu.

Milieu's article included Marie's thoughts and opinions on decorating, but what really struck a chord with me was her emphasis on the importance of being familiar with the work of other designers, especially past greats like Sister Parish and Dorothy Draper.  "The people I work with are aware of the work of the designers of the twentieth century," said Marie.  That is obviously music to my ears.  And one design great who got honorable mention by Marie was the late Michael Greer, someone who Marie deemed "my personal favorite".

So, in honor of both Marie and Michael Greer, I thought that I would show just a few photos from Greer's classic design tome, Inside Design.  This book, a personal favorite of mine, is also a favorite of Marie, who says that she refers to it often.  That's high praise indeed.

Photo of Marie Warren and quotations from Milieu, Fall 2013, written by Timothy E. Revis, David Schilling photographer.