Thank You 1stdibs!

I want to thank 1stdibs and Marcia Sherrill for featuring The Peak of Chic in their new column, "Blogosphere". I'm very honored to be mentioned on one of my favorite websites.

1stdibs is not only the most comprehensive site for antiques, modern furniture, and decorative arts on the web, it is also a wonderful way in which to train one's eye. I know I've learned a great deal over the years from studying the listings and reading 1stdibs' articles.

If you haven't checked out this week's new listings, do so and let me know what your favorite 1stdibs picks are.

Delightful Domestic Artistry

One thing that seems to define unique and stylish interiors is the inclusion of something one-off. It could be a striking piece of art, an unusual objet, or even a wall or a piece of furniture painted in a whimsical manner.

Take faux-painted architectural details, for example. Yes, I know, bad examples abound. But, I've found some truly charming examples such as the image from Hollyhock, above. Painted by artist Paulin Paris, the walls, rather like a stage set, are perfect for a store backdrop. That said, I could see using that painted faux mirror in an entryway or a dressing room.

What about that fabulous Christian Bérard trompe l'oeil painted console below? A work of art in its own right and one which I wouldn't mind owning. No, you're not trying to fool anyone with these faux paintings, but that's the beauty of them- they're slightly exaggerated and utterly amusing.

And if these faux paintings just aren't your thing, what about a mural? (I mean a good mural.) Now, would you have said no to Ludwig Bemelmans if he had offered to paint your walls?


A trompe l'oeil painted console by Christian Bérard, in the Jean-Michel Frank designed Guerlain Institute, Paris, 1939




A "fireplace" in the London flat of Rita Konig. Her mother, designer Nina Campbell, commissioned the painted cardboard piece from a set designer. (Image from 9/06 issue of Domino.)


While this is not a faux painted architectural detail, this figural painting is charming nonetheless. Located in the entrance hall of Tony Duquette's home "Dawnridge".


Now really, who wouldn't want these Bemelman murals in their home? Bemelmans Bar, The Carlyle.

Scenic Paper in the Bedroom

I've always loved hand-painted scenic wallpaper, but I never thought of using it in the bedroom until I saw this bedroom above, designed by David Netto. How clever, really, to use a paper that traditionally has been used in entryways, dining rooms, and the like. While it may seem incongruous, the use of this paper works in this room, especially when juxtaposed against the modern chrome bed.

It seems that bedroom walls adorned with scenic wallpaper are not all that common- I just can't seem to find too many images of them. One reason could be expense- if you're spending a pretty penny on this hand-painted wallpaper, wouldn't you like to show it off, so to speak, to your guests? (You could bring the party into your bedroom to enjoy your Zuber, but this might be rather awkward.) Also, the painted scenes could be deemed a little busy for a bedroom. This is, after all, the room in which we relax and recharge our batteries, and this could prove difficult with scenes of battles, expeditions, and mercantilism surrounding us.

An easier sell might be the use of a scenic print with softer colors like blues, whites, and silvers. Just look how designer Marcel Rochas used it in his bedroom. Now this is a bedroom I could live in. It's a vision of icy elegance. I think you could also achieve this look with the Zuber print in the Michelle Nussbaumer image below. How gorgeous would that be in a bedroom?

So, what are your thoughts about scenic prints in the bedroom?


Marchel Rochas' bedroom, c. 1954.


A vignette by Dallas designer Michelle Nussbaumer with panels of Zuber paper. (Image courtesy of Veranda, Dec. 06)

A Passion for Porthault

It can start with a handkerchief, or a cocktail napkin or two, and before you know it- you've been bitten by the Porthault bug. At least that's how it began with me. I'm absolutely smitten with any and all Porthault prints- clovers, millefleurs, lips- it doesn't matter because I love them all. Now I know that some of you linen purists out there won't understand this, and that's okay. Every linen closet should have plain white sheets and towels. But what's wrong with having a little fun? At least that's the excuse that I use every time I hit the Porthault store. I've got the hankies, the cocktail napkins, the china, and even a wastebasket, and as God is my witness- I will own a set of Porthault sheets someday soon!!!

But, in the meantime, I can just daydream by looking at these beautiful beds adorned with my dream linen.


Todd Romano rescued this paisley print from the Porthault archives for his guest bedroom. In my opinion, it's the perfect Porthault print for a man. (Image from House & Garden)


Rita Konig obviously likes it too, although she chose a more muted pattern (image via Domino)


The resourceful Deeda Blair used her trousseau Porthault sheets to create bed curtains (House Beautiful, 9/2001)


Harry Slatkin chose crisp, clean blue and white for his bedding (photo courtesy of House & Garden)


Diana Vreeland's floral print Porthault sheets don't really clash with the other prints in the room- they just add to the vibrancy of it.

The Hunting Lodge- Then and Now

One of the most charming houses featured in the recently published John Fowler: Prince of Decorators (written by Martin Wood) is Fowler's beloved country house, the "Hunting Lodge" . The Gothick style house is actually quite small, but this limitation did not deter Fowler. According to Wood's book, Fowler wanted to create a home that was "utterly unpretentious, very comfortable, with a veneer of elegance and informality and the feeling that one can sit down anywhere without having to move a chair." When I look at the photos of Fowler's home, I'm struck by the soft, faded colors, the chintz, the Mauny wallpaper, and the charming antique furniture. It is, in the words of Fowler, elegant and supremely comfortable.

After Fowler's death, the Hunting Lodge was deeded to the National Trust. Its current tenant is British designer Nicky Haslam, who has kept much of Fowler's scheme intact (do you think that would happen here in the States?). While Haslam's incarnation is a bit more formal and not quite as faded, it's still cozy and inviting nonetheless. British House & Garden recently published an article on Haslam's country home, so I thought I would show a comparison between the Hunting Lodge of each of these design legends.


The sitting room designed by Fowler. The color of the walls was "Sienna Pink", according to Wood.


Haslam's version of the sitting room; note that Haslam kept the Sienna Pink color for the walls.


The dining room from the Fowler era: originally this room had been a front hall. Fowler added trompe l'oeil paneling, a chest of drawers, and an upholstered chair to keep the room from looking like a "dead dining room".


Haslam's dining room, which was the only major change from Fowler's scheme. Haslam eliminated the wall between Fowler's smaller dining room and a service kitchen to create a larger room.


One of my favorite rooms from the Hunting Lodge- here, Fowler converted this little hallway and stairwell into a small library and study. The wallpaper is Mauny.


I'm so glad Haslam chose to keep this beautiful wallpaper, seen in the background.


Fowler painted his bedroom in blue distemper and applied a Mauny border vertically (a trick that Fowler also used in other homes). The bed hanging is "Victoria" chintz.


Once again, Haslam chose not to alter Fowler's scheme.


Fowler's summer house is still there too!

(Haslam images from UK House & Garden, photographer Simon Brown. Fowler quotations from "John Fowler: Prince of Decorators" by Martin Wood)

Finally... the Vreeland Apartment

When we discuss iconic rooms and homes of the 20th century, a few seem to come up time and time again: Cole Porter's Waldorf Towers apartment, Brooke Astor's library, and Diana Vreeland's apartment. It's the Vreeland apartment that has both fascinated and frustrated me- the frustration part due to the lack of Vreeland images in my library.

Well, that issue has been remedied thanks to a few readers who know a great deal about this legendary home. Not only did they give me details about the decor, but they also told me where I could find additional images. And this is what led me to purchase a copy of Architectural Digest Celebrity Homes. I know most of us have seen photos of the Billy Baldwin designed "Garden in Hell" living room, and I remember seeing a photo of the dining room in one of DV's biographies, but have you seen the bedroom before? I hadn't, so that's why I'm showing the images here.

Now, I like Vreeland's living room as much as the next person, and there are certain elements in the room that I love. But could I live in this room? Probably not. The dining room, however, is a different story- j'adore. And the blue bedroom is a respite from the intense red of the other rooms. The twist is that the fabric on the walls and curtains is the same print as the Garden in Hell but in a different colorway. (I believe a reader said it was a Gastón y Daniela print).

So, what do you think???


The Garden in Hell living room


Another view of the living room with a red screen that separated it from the dining room


The striped dining room


A detail shot of the living room


The blue bedroom with a Syrie Maugham designed bed. Wondering what the scarf is doing placed on the coverlet? Why that was where her shoes and handbag were laid out in the evening. What? You don't do that too?

These Photos Make Me Want To.....

Work! (I know- can you believe it?) Yes, sometimes work can be a joy, while at other times it can be pure drudgery. This is exactly why you should create a work environment that is comfortable, functional, and aesthetically satisfying. After all, don't you want to be inspired to write the next Pulitzer Prize winning book or become the next Billy Baldwin? And how are you supposed to do this while sitting at a faux-woodgrain laminate desk in a drably colored room? Depressing!

The great thing about decorating offices is that you can do it on a restricted budget. OK, so you're stuck with that horror of a laminate desk. No problem- drape it with an inexpensive yet chic fabric such as a solid-colored linen and trim it with decorative tape. How about using a bamboo ballroom chair as your desk chair? Sometimes you can buy used ones from party supply companies. Add a little cushion to the seat and voila- you've just added a little glam to your office. Bookcases, especially for you designers, are critical for organization. I know most of us would give our right arm for some Billy Baldwin/Cole Porter brass bookcases. Until your ship comes in, IKEA makes some decent ones that can be painted or covered in wallpaper. And make sure to paint (or paper if you choose) your walls in a color that makes you happy.

So, with a little creativity and ingenuity, you too can create an office that will have you beaming with pride, much like Ms. Draper below!



Images above: 1) Office in the home of Temple St.Clair Carr, as seen in Elle Decor So Chic, photographer Eric Piasecki
2) Sitting room of the late designer Roger Banks-Pye
3) A Nina Campbell designed study
4) A desk vignette of a room designed by Keith Irvine

Of the Young and the Restless- Part 2

I just received my fabric samples from Of the Young and the Restless the other day, and I must say that I was quite pleased. The linen and linen/cotton blend fabrics have been rendered in such vibrant hues: chartreuse, mauve, peach, and blue. And the prints are charming too. I think my favorite combination is "Birdhouse" and "Saffron"- they're gorgeous when placed together. But then again, the "Houndstooth" is nice as well. If you're one who changes out duvet covers, slip covers, and pillows each season, then you really might want to consider this line with Spring and Summer approaching.

I dealt with one of the company's owners when I ordered my samples, and she was a joy to work with. Bottom line- if you're a fan of prints from lines like Lulu DK and Quadrille, then I think you'll really like Y&R fabric.


From top to bottom: "Birdhouse" in Colonial; "Saffron"; and "Thorny Rose" in Honeymoon




Clockwise from top left: "Jellyfish"; "Houndstooth" in Mauve; "Woodgrain" in Old Money"; and "Woodgrain" in New Money

Metamorphosis of a Room

A designer's home is his laboratory, so it's not unusual for it to be a constantly changing and evolving thing. I think this is quite evident in the former apartment of the late, great Van Day Truex. In a previous post, I showed you a photo of his apartment that was taken in 1944 (click here to see that post). I'm including it again as the very top image. The apartment is rather soft and subtle with touches of light blue and black against white walls.

Jump ahead to 1946 (image 2) where the apartment is dominated by vibrant green curtains and upholstery and black walls. The gilt framed mirror and chairs adds some shimmery opulence to the room. To me, the apartment has a very European flair. But, Truex must have been restless, because in 1949, the scheme changes yet again. This time, it's all about red. Red walls, red curtains, and red upholstery. The panes of mirror above the fireplace have been removed, and the framed mirror, the side chairs, and the mats around the artwork provide counterpoints of white (also, check out the fluffy white rug in the center of the room). Again, the room is rather formal, much like the green version, but things seemed to be slightly more restrained than its predecessor.

My favorite version, though, is the pared down 1951 scheme (seen below). I think we now see the modern vision that I associate with Truex. Gone are the ornate curtains and upholstery. The background of the room is rich umber, and the furniture is upholstered in browns and yellow (specifically Siamese yellow). Truex has added modern pieces such as Eames chairs (not visible in the images below), and the windows now have bamboo blinds. And there is no rug- we finally see the polished wood floor. The room now has more of a refined, contemporary American aesthetic, and this, to me, was the genius of Truex.

Time to Get Out the Magnifying Glass

Please help me put my mind to ease. Am I the only one who gets out the magnifying glass when I see a particularly inviting bookcase featured in a magazine or book? (Something tells me the answer is no!). I think I do this partly out of curiosity- is the homeowner interested in design? Architecture? Modern American fiction? The other reason is because I'm always looking for new books to add to my library.

The library that still has my keen interest is that of Christopher Spitzmiller, above. What a fabulous library! And how disappointed I am that many of the book titles are too small to read! It's been murder on the eyes trying to catalogue Spitzmiller's library. From what I've been able to make out, Spitzmiller and I have numerous books in common, but his library still beats mine by a long shot.

Here are a few others that gave my magnifying glass (and my eyes) a workout:


First, this Chinoiserie bookcase in the home of designer Alex Papachristidis is divine, but the books within it are pretty stellar too. A few noted titles: Beaton in Vogue, Sister: The Life of Legendary Interior Decorator Mrs. Henry Parish II, and Waddesdon Manor (photo by Roger Davies; Elle Decor 11/07)


The one that got away... This shot of Michael Devine's library looks promising. Alas, the books are blurry. But I know that Michael has an interesting library. A few I was able to make out: In The Pink and Cecil Beaton (Photo from Domino, Dec 07. Photographer Marcus Nilsson)


My neatnik gene prevents me from piling copious amounts of books on the floor as Keith Irvine did here in his Manhattan apartment. Nonetheless, he has some erudite reads: London Perceived and Pleasure and Privilege


The library of the late Timothy Mawson. This bookshelf has numerous books on Beaton as well as Poiret and David Hockney. You can tell that this was a library of a serious collector- the books are the centerpiece here.


And speak of the devil, after I wrote this post my copy of Elle Decor came in the mail. Time to pull out the magnifying glass again! I don't know if this is Ms. Russell's personal library or that of Elle Decor. Nonetheless, it's a good one. I spy Horst Interiors, At Home with Books, and David Hicks Living with Design. (Elle Decor Mar 08)

Image at top: Christopher Spitzmiller's apartment, Elle Decor Dec 06; photographer William Waldron)