It's a Small World

"In miniature, anyone can live in a room designed by an expensive and exclusive New York decorator."

Do you know what I would like to see more of? Miniature rooms. How charming to see elegant rooms shrunk down to Lilliputian size. I marvel at the details of these self-contained little worlds- the tiny furniture and artwork, the miniature rugs, the thimble sized light fixtures. It is probably not feasible for a designer to create these models as selling tools for clients. But for a really good client, wouldn't it be fun to have a miniature replica made of said client's favorite room...perhaps as a thank you gift?

Some of the most amazing miniature rooms I've seen were those designed by McMillen Inc. back in 1932. Because the Depression was underway, Eleanor McMillen Brown wanted to avoid having to lay off any of her well-trained staff. So, her brilliant employee Grace Fakes came up with a fantastic idea- why not make miniature rooms and display them in a traveling exhibition? It would certainly keep the employees occupied for a while.

Done on a scale of one and a half inches to one foot, these rooms are incredible. When you see photos of them, you almost think that you're looking at a life-size room. Everything was made with correct proportions and unbelievable details. There was a mini painting by Van Day Truex and small busts by Wheeler Williams. Small fireplaces, petite Aubusson rugs, and little bouillotte lamps rounded out these rooms. They must have been something to see in person!

Jump ahead to 1978 and miniature rooms were on the mind of legendary window dresser Gene Moore. Moore asked various decorators to design scaled down rooms (a scale of one inch to one foot) for display in Tiffany's windows. Parish-Hadley and Mario Buatta both participated, and again, I wish I had been able to see them for myself. For many passersby, I'm sure it was the first time they had seen a Parish-Hadley or Buatta room up close. And truly, are these rooms any less charming than the real deal?

(Images at top: A small scale room designed by Parish-Hadley for Tiffany & Co.)

McMillen's Miniature Rooms:


An authentic replica of Mrs. Marshall Field's living room


A blue and white bedroom. Notice the tiny magazines and flowers on the tables.


A penthouse sunroom with mural by Barry Faulkner. The plants are real.


The Tiffany Rooms:


Even someone with a large personality like Mario Buatta can do miniature rooms!


Room designed by Kevin McNamara


Room by Angelo Donghia

(McMillen rooms from Sixty Years of Interior Design: The World of McMillen. Tiffany & Co. rooms and quotation from Windows at Tiffany's: The Art of Gene Moore)

Marcia Sherrill at Roland Antiques

Marcia Sherrill has long been a fixture here in Atlanta. Part of it has to do with her vivacious and madcap personality. But the other thing about Marcia is that she is accomplished in so many areas. For years she designed a gorgeous handbag line. She is also an interior designer, a writer, an antiques and vintage furniture dealer, and now a co-founder of a new website called Victory Over Divorce. She's a bit of a modern day version of Auntie Mame.

Sherrill now resides in New York, and I'm sure many of you are familiar with her articles and interviews that are featured on 1st dibs. Marcia recently emailed me with the news that she has partnered with some friends to open a new store called Marcia Sherrill at Roland Antiques. The shop is located at 74 East 11th St., and I do hope to visit it in person soon. (Or you can simply go to 1st dibs and see her wares for yourself.)

Marcia emailed me a few photos of her shop, and I love the mix of pieces. It's the type of shop where you never know what you might find. And if you need a little levity, you might want to read Marcia's monthly column for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles (available on their website). It's a hoot!

A Rant and a Plea for Help

The Sophia Flush Mount


The Basil Flush Mount


"I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!"

You know how I try to keep things positive on my blog, and I'm a firm believer that if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. Well.... most of the time. But there are times when I can really get mad as a hornet, and that's the state I'm in right now.

You see, I'm majorly irritated with Circa Lighting. I've been a long time customer of Circa because I think they have a wonderful selection of lights and the prices are really affordable. I'm hardly one of their bigger clients, but I furnished my last house with sconces and ceiling lights purchased from them. And in my new condo, I found some great ceiling mount lights that I ordered back in early August (see above). The Sophia Flush Mount light was to go in a hallway, and I chose to use the Basil Flush Mount in my closet. And what was even better was that I found out later that these two lights were part of Alexa Hampton's collection for Visual Comfort (a company that is related to Circa), and I'm a big admirer of Hampton's work.

The Sophia was supposed to arrive on September 5, 2008 and the Basil was due in at the first of last December. So... where are my lights?? Well, I've just checked on them again, and now I'm told they should be in sometime in May. May??? Come on, that's nine months after the Sophia was supposed to be in stock. That's ridiculous. When I checked on the lights last Fall, I was told the delay was due to the hurricane and because they were waiting on UL approval. And now the explanation is that they sold more of these lights than they anticipated. Did my order get shoved to the back of the line??

I'm obviously very disappointed because I love these lights and thought they would be perfect in my new home. But can I live with wires hanging out of the ceiling for five more months? Nope. Sorry, but there are too many light fixtures out on the market for me to wait around.

So, I'm asking for your help readers. First, do you think that I should sit tight and wait for my Circa fixtures? Or should I cancel my order? Secondly, I would really love some suggestions for alternatives to these two lights. I would especially like to find a ceiling mount star fixture that is similar to the Sophia. I figure that if anybody can help me find other options, it would be you.

And tomorrow, I'll go back to being positive!

Update: I want to let everyone know that I spoke to the top brass at both Circa Lighting and Visual Comfort. First, I want to say that Circa is not responsible for the delays as they are simply a retail outfit that sells Visual Comfort. The delay is due to a longer than expected production process. In addition, the lights I chose have turned out to be far more popular than anticipated, which meant a larger production run than expected. Both Circa Lighting and Visual Comfort were very concerned about my experience and stressed that they do not take customer service lightly. Visual Comfort is doing everything they can to get these lights in stock and they should be available by sometime later this Spring. I appreciate that they contacted me, and as I think the lights are so good looking, I think I'm going to wait. Thank you to everyone for their help and their suggestions!

Update on Michael Smith and the White House Gig

Well, it looks like it's true. Domino magazine just confirmed my story from last week that Michael Smith has been tapped to be the new decorator for the Obama White House. There were so many rumors swirling around that it's nice to put this one to rest. I for one will be very interested to see what Smith has up his sleeve for the Obamas.

Deborah Buck and the Art of the Tableau

I love Buck House and think that Deborah Buck has the best eye. Well actually, I've never visited Buck House in person, but I have passed by the shop a few times at night and I'm always captivated by Deborah's vignettes and tableaux. I'll admit that styling a tableau is not one of my fortes. You have to really let your creativity and artistic side take control of the situation. You have to let loose, so to speak. Otherwise, your efforts will appear tight, rigid, or at worst contrived.

I think that one reason Deborah is such an ace at assembling objects is due to her artistic background. She seems to innately understand the souls of the pieces with which she's working. And to me, that is the heart of decorating. You take furniture and objects that have stories and histories and you weave them together to create a new story- yours.

Deborah has recently published a book entitled Tableau, and you can get a sneak peek on her website. I think this book looks fantastic for two reasons. From a practical standpoint, you might get a better feeling for creating your own vignettes. And more importantly, you'll be privy to the stories that Deborah has chosen to share through her tableaux.

(Tableau is available for sale on Deborah's site by clicking on the link. The book retails for $71.)









All images from Tableau by Deborah Buck

It Sometimes Pays to be a Blog Reader

I'm sure you'll be reading about this on other blogs as well, but Lee at Pieces has just announced that Peak of Chic readers will get a 30% discount on all items purchased starting today, January 12. Make sure to take advantage of this exclusive sale before it opens to the public on January 15. Oh, and make sure to tell them that you read about the sale on my blog in order to get the discount. Start shopping!

Michael Hampton Watercolors

You know I have a weakness for interior and architectural watercolors, so I'm excited to introduce you to someone who not only values these paintings as I do, but one who can actually paint them too!

Interior designer and watercolorist Michael Hampton is a design jack of all trades. After starting out studying fashion design, Michael realized that pattern making and sewing was not his cup of tea. But the subject that did inspire him was fashion illustration, something which he says brought out his inner draftsman. This discovery led to Michael taking an architectural history class and later obtaining his BA in interior design. (How nice to find someone who figures out what they want to do in life in their twenties!)

Michael has had quite an enviable career as an interior designer, working for ten years for San Francisco designer Steven Volpe and for the past four years with Thomas Pheasant. And while he is quite passionate about his chosen career, he is equally as enthusiastic about his other love- architectural watercolors.

Like many of us, Michael has been influenced by the work of the great Andrew Zega and Bernd Dams, but he also cites Jeremiah Goodman, James Steinmeyer, and Mark Hampton as role models. While much of Michael's work has focused on French architecture, he is currently exploring English Baroque architecture. What I like about Michael's work is the range. In addition to his architectural renderings, he also paints charming interiors.

If you'd like to see some of Michael's works in progress, you must visit his blog Michael Hampton Watercolors. For someone as artistically challenged as I, it's fascinating to see the whole artistic process.



Pavilion at Vaux le Vicomte


A very chic study


A pen and ink drawing of the 1998 San Francisco Decorators Showcase


Drawing Room of Evangeline Bruce


Blue John Vase


Albert Hadley's Apartment

Michael Smith Chosen as White House Decorator???

I've tended to shy away from reporting gossip and hearsay both in real life and in the virtual world (yes, I swear this is true),but my inner Cindy Adams is coming out. I've heard from a few reliable sources (who shall remain anonymous, of course) that Michael Smith has been tapped to decorate the White House for the Obamas. Many of you are far more connected than I, so I'd love to hear what others know. Let's treat this as an online gossip session. Give us confirmation if you have it readers!

Chic Shape, Unfortunate Name

I've recently made an addition to my ever growing wishlist of furniture and objets that I want to own. The latest object of my attention is a kidney shaped table. Perhaps this fascination with kidney shaped furniture goes back to the days when I spent hours and hours swimming in my family's kidney shaped pool. (Hey, I know these pools are no longer the height of chicdom, but many years ago they were considered rather novel.)

Now, I must say that I cringe a little bit at the use of the word "kidney". I do get a little squeamish if I start to think about organs, which might explain why I nixed majoring in Biology in favor of History- far less blood and guts, although studying wars can be a little gruesome. But I digress.

Decades ago, women fantasized about primping and preening at their very own kidney-shaped vanities. These confections were swathed in satin or matelassé, were sometimes bedecked with ribbons or bows, and usually were topped by a piece of glass or mirror. How could one not feel glamorous sitting at these gems while making one's toilet (the old term for freshening up and sometimes putting on one's face). I think it's time for these vanities to make a comeback.

I'm also pining for a kidney-shaped desk or little side table. It would be so elegant to have one of these as a social command post if you will. You could take care of your social correspondence, talk on the phone, or take care of some kind of gracious business. Sure beats sitting in bed with your laptop on your lap!


I'm completely smitten with this Jansen kidney shaped table. Not only is it the right shape, the black laquer finish and gold trim speaks to my Hollywood side. (Available from Flessas Design.)


A bit frilly for my tastes, this table would still make a very feminine vanity. (Available through Heather & Co.)


This 19th c. Russian writing table is really quite elegant, and I like the tooled leather inset. Forget paying bills at this stately table; I'm thinking more along the lines of love letters... (Available through George Subkoff Antiques.)


This type of kidney shaped end table is probably the most ubiquitous of all. Not that that's a bad thing, but when you think of kidney shaped tables, don't you think of these? (Available Ad Lib Antiques)


Modernists like kidneys too. This Mastercraft table would look right at home in my home, surrounded by a few traditional pieces. (Through Assemblage.)


Kidneys look good on the cuff too. OK, so technically it's a bean and not a kidney. Maybe a kidney bean? Elsa Peretti's black jade cufflinks are smashing! (Get these while you can in case Tiffany's chooses to discontinue these too.)

Image at top: A vintage diagram of the kidneys, available through Voila!

The Party Barn

My latest fantasy? A party barn. OK, so living in a high rise might be a bit of a hindrance to making this fantasy come true, but a girl can dream, can't she? It seems that when these lucky barn owners create their party spaces, there is an incredible amount of ingenuity, practicality, and creativity that goes into planning them.



I was greatly inspired by the barn at the Norfolk, England farm of garden and freelance designer George Carter (image at top and above). One enters the party room via tall double doors in which only the bottom section opens. There are fanciful console tables, black painted pyramid sculptures (what Carter calls indoor topiaries), and a musicians gallery that looks out over the room. Such a chic space in which to entertain. If I were to have a party barn, I think I would design mine along these lines; for me, it would be a place to throw caution to the wind and to experiment. Oh, and to have fun too!


Bunny Williams and John Rosselli's barn was designed with entertaining in mind, and comfort seemed to be the driving force behind the design of their space. I can imagine that you might arrive there as a guest on a Friday evening, and you wouldn't want to leave the cozy rooms until late Sunday. Add a few good books, some libations, and a little nosh and you've got the perfect weekend.


And the barn that is generating a lot of buzz now is that of Ina Garten. This is a building that was very well thought out, but then again that is what one would expect of a serious cook and an authority on entertaining. But there is nothing cold and sterile about Garten's outbuilding. Garten is fond of the word "earthy", and this is a perfect label for both her food and her party barn as well. It's a simple space- quite down to earth- but warm and inviting too.

(Images of Carter's barn: British House & Garden, Jan 09, photographer Rory Carnegie. Images of Williams and Rosselli's space: "An Affair with a House". Garten's space courtesy of House Beautiful, Nov 09, photographer Simon Upton.)

Zajac & Callahan

Edward Zajac and Richard Callahan. Not familiar with them? Well, they were only one of the hottest design duos around during the 1970s and early 80s. Truth be told, I had never heard of them until last year when a reader mentioned that I might find their work to be of interest. And how right he was!

Zajac and Callahan each had strong design experience before they joined forces in 1966 with Zajac having worked for McMillen and the great Billy Baldwin and Callahan having been employed by Jansen and Valerian Rybar. When they came together, the pair began to create interiors that were a bold breath of fresh air. Zajac & Callahan took traditional furnishings and combined them in exuberant and exhilarating way. One hallmark of the Zajac & Callahan look was pattern upon pattern upon pattern- not an easy look to pull off. But the key was that they took some unifying factor- color or scale, for example- and used that as a guide. And somehow, it seemed to work. Certainly it was a maximalist look and one that was apropos for that era in time, but I'll venture to say that their interiors don't really look terribly dated.

The interior featured here was a Paris apartment designed by Z&C circa 1971. The yellow entryway could have been designed in 2009! The dining room is totally fabulous with the decadent use of canvas fabric on the walls, although if I were living in this interior today I would remove that tablecloth. The bedroom? Okay, so I might have to tone it down a bit, but you've got to admit that it's a look.

In the new release New York Interior Design, 1935-1985, there is a chapter on the two, and in it Zajac admits that he was a bit dismayed that they became pigeonholed by clients who only wanted this audacious look, and he laments the fact that they never really got to do modernist interiors. I'm sorry too because it would have been interesting to have seen modernism in the hands of Zajac and Callahan. Still, I think it's worthwhile for us to revisit their work.


The lacquered yellow rotunda entryway with smashing blue ceiling.


The fabric shrouded dining room, again with a bright blue ceiling. The rope chairs are a Zajac & Callahan design.


A zany bedroom dominated by the classic Tree of Life print.


The husband's study is a blend of shell prints, plaids, geometric prints, and upholstered walls.

Image at top: The living room with its Chinese wallpaper and Indian rug. And lots of prints!

(All images from House & Garden, Nov. 1971)