Echoes of a Glamorous Era

You know how I love the 1930s. And I've spent many an evening perusing 1st dibs for pieces by Jean-Michel Frank, Serge Roche, et al. So I was excited to learn about a new furniture line from Currey & Company. Created by Will Merrill, the "Echoes" collection pays homage to the Modernist greats like Frank, Roche, and Giacometti. According to Merrill, "These pieces of 'Modern' furniture were mixing with, and looking very much at home with the Louis XV and Louis XVI Bergeres and Commodes... The designs of these mid 20th Century pieces were obviously being recognized by the dealers as the 'new Antiques'. And their prices confirmed this, escalating to meet the prices of the 18th Century antiques!" Doesn't Merrill have a point! I think what is great about this collection is that it not only captures the spirit of this legendary period in design, but it does so at a more affordable price.

(And speaking of Jean-Michel Frank, I'm in the midst of reading the new book about him. I plan to write about that next week! It's a good one.)

These nesting tables are reminiscent of those designed by Jean-Michel Frank. In order to create a parchment-like look (remember, Frank used parchment often), craftsmen have antiqued and lacquered abaca paper, giving the tables an aged patina. Love these!


We all know the inspiration behind this bench! It's the classic Serge Roche mirrored bench, used by Elsie de Wolfe in various installations.


This hand-wrought iron table is based on a similar design from Diego Giacometti.


Again, another Roche-esque design. Both the mirror and the pedestal are gesso-finished.

Image at top: Syrie Maugham was an enthusiastic fan of plaster palms.

A Primer on Modern Furniture

I recently admitted to myself that my knowledge of modern furniture (especially mid-century and later) was a bit thin. And this was a situation that had to be remedied. Of course, I was familiar with the modern classics, especially those iconic pieces by the Eames, Panton, Nelson, and Bertoia, but beyond that? Well, I certainly could not write a post about modern furniture with any authority.

I went about my modern furniture education the old-fashioned way- by reading. Fortunately, Vintage Furniture: Collecting & Living With Modern Design Classics by Fay Sweet came to my rescue. The book is a great overview of modernism from the late 19th century up to today. The early adherents of modernism are featured, including Thonet, Rietveld, the Bauhaus, and Ruhlmann. Next, it's on to those very creative Scandinavians: Aalto, Wegner, and Jacobsen, to name a few. And of course, no modern furniture book would be complete without discussion of the Eames, Noguchi, and their fellow mid-century maestros.

Where the book was especially helpful, at least to me, was with its chapters on Pop and Post-Modernism. With the recent death of Ettore Sottsass, Memphis design has been featured everywhere! There have been articles about this movement in recent issues of Elle Decor and Vogue Living. Kelly Wearstler has a Sottsass Carlton Cabinet- one of the most iconic pieces of Memphis furniture- in her new home. Could this be a sign of Wearstler's new direction? Will we be seeing a resurgence in popularity of 1980s furniture? I don't know, nor am I sure if I'll take part in this trend. But at least now I finally have some idea as to what everyone seems to be talking about.

So if you too need, or want, to bone up on modernism, I enthusiastically recommend this primer on modern (and classic) design.


A nifty folding chair designed by Michael Thonet... in 1890!


How gorgeous are these plywood pieces by Alvar Aalto (especially that drinks trolley). To me, this is the kind of modern furniture that mixes well with more traditional antiques.


The iconic "classic" of Memphis- the Carlton cabinet by Sottsass, designed in 1981. Although I can't see displaying this cabinet in my home, I do respect both the design and the spirit of the piece.

(All images from Vintage Furniture by Fay Sweet; Antique Collectors Club; 2007)

Secretaries Day

My furniture wish list tends to be rather fluid. Some pieces come while others go, but the one piece that is a constant is a secretary. I've wanted one for as long as I can remember. While some may think of secretaries as being rather stodgy, I think the opposite. They can be quite elegant, such as those glorious antique japanned types. Or they can be dignified, especially those rendered in mahogany. Secretaries are also quite practical. What a wonderful way in which to display porcelain or other objets. And wouldn't using one of these as a desk make bill paying a tad bit more fun?

I'm still undecided about which type is my favorite. I think I'm leaning towards a Chinoiserie version in either red or black. But after looking at these images below, I just might have to change my mind!




The oft discussed 18th c. Chinoiserie secretary in the home of Ivanka Trump.


I like how Ruthie Sommers mixed a very traditional antique mahogany secretary with a 1940s coffee table, a black sofa with funky nailhead trim design, and a faux zebra rug. (Image from InStyle Home, Spring 07, photographer Ngoc Minh Ngo)


An 18th c. English secretary filled with ivory objects in the home of the late Sister Parish.


A secretary that has been painted with a faux yellow bird's eye finish. In the home of designer John Phifer Marrs (photographer Stephen Karlisch).


Image at top: Venetian mirrored secretaire, c. 1930, from John Salibello

Big 'n Brown

Is anybody else ready to see more brown wood again? After a few years of solid-colored, painted furniture staking its claim on design, I know that I for one am eager for the "return" of rich, dark wood.

Now to be fair, brown wood has never been out of style. It just seems that brightly hued furniture has gotten a lot of our attention lately (this is not a criticism, because I'm a fan too). You can, however, strike a balance between painted finishes and brown wood. You don't want too many brown wood pieces in one room- it will look dark, hard, and heavy (this is where the painted furniture comes in handy). Also, you've got to exercise caution with those big, looming dark wood pieces- what Nancy Lancaster called "Big 'n Brown". And yes, I understand why Dorothy Draper chose to slap a coat of paint on furniture when there was too much brown in one room.

But please, don't banish the brown wood! If my plea hasn't convinced you, then you may want to consider these wood pieces (accessories included) that are mixed with brass, nickel and chrome- now this is truly an easy way to live with wood!


Wooden Pavilion Lantern in Oak and Nickel, from Charles Edwards


Rosewood liquor cabinet with brass inlay, by Paolo Buffa, c. 1938, available at Fred Silberman


1950s French desk, brass and wood, from Visiona


Karl Springer Mahogany and Chrome Dining Table from Assemblage.


Shrimp earrings in wood and gold by Seaman Schepps


Rosewood and brass etagere,from George N Antiques

Image at top: Brass and Mahogany Travelling Writing Box, c. 1830, from Mallett

Frederick P. Victoria & Son

Have you ever wanted a touch of Elsie de Wolfe in your home? Or wanted to channel the cool elegance of Babe Paley? Well, you can do that, in a way, with furniture from the venerable firm Frederick P. Victoria & Son. F.P. Victoria has been in existence since the 1930s, and their clientele has included design and style icons alike- Billy Baldwin, Cole Porter, Duchess of Windsor. Fortunately, F.P. Victoria has maintained an extensive archive of their custom pieces, many of which are named for the particular client. I also believe that some of the items are inspired by famous pieces.

Below are some of the designs that F.P. Victoria currently lists on their website. I've tried to include what information that I could, but for those of you who are well informed about de Wolfe, Maugham, Porter, and the like, I would appreciate it if you could share with us any additional information. I know that I'm quite curious!

Elsie de Wolfe

Elsie de Wolfe side table

Cole Porter


Cole Porter side chair


Baldwin/Porter Coffee Table

Syrie Maugham


Syrie Maugham model reproduction Louis XV step magazine table

The Windsors


Chippendale style Chinoiserie Bookcase


The original- George III style japanned etageres from the collection of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor


Windsor Hurricane Lamp, originally made for the Windsors by F.P. Victoria in the 1950s

Babe Paley


Paley Venetian Mirror, based on a mirror sold to Babe Paley in the 1960s.

Image at top: Elsie de Wolfe mirrored bench after a Serge Roche design for de Wolfe

Avery Noll

I'm always looking for fun new shops and online retailers, so it was with much excitement that I learned about Avery Noll, a great online retailer of vintage furniture and accessories. Owned by Dee Gardner and Delores Gardner-Thompson (a mother-daughter team- how great is that?), Avery Noll carries a fun mix of traditional antiques and contemporary pieces from the 1960s and 70s. Many of the pieces have been "refreshed" with new upholstery or lamp shades.

I recently purchased the bar cart (above) from Avery Noll, so I can attest to their excellent customer service (I had wanted to use an image of the bar cart in my home with all of my "stuff" on it, but unfortunately I haven't had time- so, I had to borrow the image from Avery Noll's website!). I had been searching for a stylish drinks cart, so I jumped when I spotted this one on the site. As much as I like the brass, I'm thinking about possibly replating it in chrome and adding antiqued mirror shelves to it (you know, for that glam 1930s look!). And this brings me to my next point- with such reasonable prices, you can buy a table or desk and tweak it to fit your design scheme... and you still won't break the bank.

Here are a few of my favorites from the site:


Faux bamboo metal end tables


Parchment table


Bamboo desk


Hand-painted fabric wall hanging

Covetable Pieces

How many times do you see something in a designer's home and think "That's perfect! Just what I've been looking for." As I wrote in a previous post, I say this often when I look at photos of Albert Hadley's homes. I want everything he has! But Hadley is not the only designer with a good eye. Here are some other pieces that I covet:


Markham Roberts designed these faux-horn etageres (which technically are not in his home, but you get the idea). They look like something Billy Baldwin might have used. I'll take two please!


I've admired this table, designed by Alexa Hampton, for years. It has a marble top; it's painted with a Greek Key- what's not to love?

This little shell encrusted turtle candlestick has been seen in many fashionable homes. Made in France and sold at one time through Hollyhock (sadly, I don't believe anymore), these turtles are examples of whimsy done right:


In the home of Joe Nye


And at Todd Romano's home


Don't forget about Christopher Spitzmiller's coffee table

And can anybody tell me where I can find one of these glazed urns? Miles Redd seems to use them in many of his projects, and all I know is that I want one!


In orange on Redd's bar


And in blue in Redd's old apartment

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)