I'm really taken with those antique and vintage balloon back side chairs. I know that the term "balloon back" is used to describe a few different styles of wooden chairs with bulbous, or balloon, shaped backs, but the ones that I like are those with back splats that resemble balloons. The design of these chairs was originally inspired by the Montgolfier brothers and their invention, the hot air balloon. Their 1783 manned balloon flight captured the imagination of the French people. Balloon mania found its way into chairs, chandeliers, toiles, and even clocks.
Balloon back chairs have a certain novelty aspect to them, one which I find to be charming. The flip side, though, is that you shouldn't add other novelty pieces to the room or the result might be too flighty (!) The same goes for the use of the iconic Ballon de Gonesse toile, a print that is really a classic. I'm not a huge fan of toile, but if I were to use it, I would leave the room's other accents rather plain and maybe even a little masculine. I guess the bottom line is that in decorating, one balloon is better than a bunch.
Image at top: Look closely in the mirror's reflection and you'll see a table surrounded by balloon chairs. Design by Melvin Dwork.
Not only do you have balloon back chairs in this Mallory-Tillis room but a balloon chandelier as well. I probably wouldn't go this far with the balloon theme, but the room does look kind of cute.
A set of four French balloon back side chairs, c. 1950, from James Sansum Fine and Decorative Art. I think they're really quite elegant.
I don't think that these are technically balloon back chairs. However, I'm slipping this shot in here because it's a chance for us to discuss that little closet bar. I love that.
Le Ballon de Gonesse, a c. 1784 toile; from the collection of Musee de la Toile.
It may be difficult to see, but the headboard fabric as well as the wallpaper (or is it fabric?) on the side wall is a balloon themed toile.
A c. 1950 French balloon table lamp from David Duncan Antiques. It might be a little off-topic, but I think it's a fun piece.
Dwork photo from House & Garden, October 1967. Mallory-Tillis photo from House & Garden's Complete Guide to Interior Decoration, 6th Edition, 1960
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
Up, Up, and Away
Monday, August 01, 2011
Bold and Beautiful Fountains
I could lie and tell you that the idea for this post on cascading fountains came from reading something high-brow. But, no, the inspiration came from watching The Bold and the Beautiful. (I don't feel so guilty about admitting that from time to time I watch soap operas, especially after learning that the courtly author Shelby Foote and artist Robert Rauschenberg both watched them.) In a recent episode of B&B, Brooke was lamenting losing her husband, Ridge, because it was believed that Brooke had slept with her adult step-son while both were stranded on a deserted island. In fact, Ridge's son lied about the affair, doing so in order to become the majority shareholder in Forrester Creations (one of the world's premier fashion houses) after being promised the shares by his grandmother, Stephanie, who orchestrated the lie because she happens to be Brooke's mortal enemy. But then Ridge found out the truth and came home to Brooke's Beverly Hills estate to reunite with her, finding her seated at the bottom of an extremely long cascading fountain. Ridge, romantic guy that he is, sent rose petals floating down from the top, alerting Brooke to the fact that Ridge had come home. So you see, as transfixed as I was with the drama unfolding before me, I was equally as mesmerized by the cascading fountain.
Of course, not many people have the land nor the means to install a cascading fountain like those at Peterhof Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia. Now those are dramatic! My taste, though, is for something less baroque. That's why I prefer the more classical fountain at Ballyfin in Ireland (see above.) I think that a fountain like that is really quite doable, though perhaps on a smaller scale.
And going back to Brooke's cascading fountain- after a little research, I think that I've determined that the one shown on B&B is actually that at the Kern estate in Beverly Hills. The house was designed by George Washington Smith in the 1920s, although I don't know who designed the fountain. In fact, the fountain graces the cover of Jeff Hyland's The Legendary Estates of Beverly Hills
The Great Cascade at Peterhof
The Marly Cascade at Peterhof
The Dragon Cascade at Peterhof
A detail shot of the Terrace Cascade at Peterhof
A cascading fountain at Chateau de Villette in France that was designed by Le Notre.
The grand Neptune Fountain at Villa d'Este, Tivoli.
An old photograph of the cascading fountain at the Kern Estate, Beverly Hills. Ridge's rose petals certainly had a long way to travel.
Friday, July 29, 2011
The French Laundry Garden
Let's wrap the week up with a tour of The French Laundry garden. I have yet to dine at French Laundry, though I do hope to do so soon. I did, however, recently spend two lovely mornings walking through their garden which sits right across the street from the restaurant. After seeing the rhubarb, artichokes, squashes, and chickens (yes, chickens), I'm ready to start gardening and designing a chicken coop. Well, sort of. But whether you're a gardener or not, you can't help but to be inspired by such a glorious garden.
I would like to thank Diane Dorrans Saeks (aka The Style Saloniste) for encouraging me to visit the garden. She knew that I would enjoy a stroll through this special place, and indeed I did!
All images are the copyright of Jennifer Boles/The Peak of Chic
Cook Like Alice Waters
And speaking of California, I just learned that One Kings Lane will be featuring Alice Waters on their "Get Inspired" page later today. Waters will be sharing menus and step-by-step recipes from the kitchen of Chez Panisse. Recipes will include Heirloom and Cherry Tomato Salad, Roast Pork Loin with Rosemary and Fennel, Mulberry Ice Cream, and Grilled Boneless Lamb Leg with Olive Sauce. I'd say this is my kind of weekend homework.
Also as part of One Kings Lane's partnership with Waters and The Edible Schoolyard (an organization that teaches urban public school children how to grow and prepare seasonal, nutritious produce), OKL will be selling Waters' "In the Green Kitchen" cookbook at a discounted price.
I'm completely intrigued by the Mulberry Ice Cream and may have to take a stab at it. Now I just need to figure out where to buy mulberries in Atlanta.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Swanson Vineyards Part II
After our tasting in Swanson Vineyards' Salon, we headed next door to check out their Sip Shoppe. More casual than the Salon, Sip Shoppe hosts informal tastings amidst shelves and tables stocked with Swanson Vineyards wine and goodies. Thomas Britt also worked his magic here, this time tenting the entire space in bold red and white striped awning canvas. You know how I love a tented room, so to borrow a line from Rachel Zoe, I died. Actually, I think that I died over everything there!
It's all about the stripes.
A menu of tastings.
Shelves filled with Swanson wine.
He couldn't stop me from buying a few bottles of wine.
What a lucky rooster.
Ira Yeager's charming paintings grace the Sip Shoppe too.
I couldn't resist taking a photo of this top hat champagne bucket.
The courtyard makes you think you're in Italy or France.
Actually, forget Italy. Thanks to French crooner Michel and his barrel organ, you definitely feel like you're in France!
All images copyright of Jennifer Boles/ The Peak of Chic
Monday, July 25, 2011
Swanson Vineyards... Wow!
I'm back from my Napa trip, and thanks to all of the delicious food and wine that I consumed, a good time was certainly had by me! (Did I mention that I'm now on a cottage cheese and cucumber diet?)
One of the highlights of my trip was a tasting at Swanson Vineyards. The entire time I was there, "OMG" kept crossing my mind. How better to describe an afternoon spent drinking fabulous wine, eating cheese and Vosges Haut-Chocolat truffles, and learning about the history of Swanson Vineyards? Oh, and all of this took place in the Salon that was decorated by Thomas Britt. See? OMG!
Alexis Swanson Traina, the super clever Creative Director of Swanson Vineyards, envisioned the Salon as a modern day version of those much romanticized Parisian salons- an intimate place for conversation, discussion, and conviviality. It is in the Swanson Salon that the formal tastings are held. And seriously, you feel as though you're at a chic home. Much of the decor was done by Britt (who, as godfather to Alexis, is someone near and dear to the Swanson family.) Britt chose a pinky red strié finish for the walls that is the perfect backdrop for the eccentric but fabulous paintings by California artist Ira Yeager. Antiques with great old patina are dotted throughout the space.
But the heart of the room is the octagonal tasting table with its magnificent polished wood and geode inset top and impressive metal antler base. (Leave it to Britt to find something as unique as this.) The table is graciously set with beautiful silver candelabra, votives, wine glasses and more wine glasses, and flowers arranged to a casual perfection by Alexis' mother, Elizabeth. It's truly a special spot at which to taste the range of Swanson wines.
I'll stop now because words don't do the Salon justice. If you're ever in Napa, I encourage you (maybe implore is the better word?) to visit Swanson yourself. For those of us who like design, food, wine, and entertaining, Swanson is right up our alley. You don't just go there to taste the wine; you go for the experience. And this truly is an experience that I won't soon forget!
Below are just some of the copious photos that I took of the Salon. Formal tastings in the Salon are by appointment only. Next door to the Salon is the jaunty Sip Shoppe where more informal tastings are held. Stay tuned for my photos of Sip Shoppe plus the charming courtyard of Swanson. For more information on Swanson Vineyards, visit their website.
The tasting table was so lush and beautiful. Of course, I'm also a sucker for silver vases and votives (including that monkey votive!) and a bounty of flowers.
The tasting started with a refreshing 2010 Rosato, followed by a crisp 2010 Chardonnay. Reds followed including Swanson's noted Merlot (2007), a 2007 Alexis Cabernet, and a 2007 Face Cabernet. We ended the tasting with their delicious Crepuscule Late Harvest Semillon. My sister and I were taken with all of the wines tasted. I also have to say that I have never been a Merlot fan, but the Swanson Merlot is one of my new favorite wines. In fact, quite a few bottles of the Merlot, Rosato, and their Pinot Grigio came home with me.
With our Chardonnay, we enjoyed a potato chip with creme fraiche and a dollop of Hackleback caviar. (I'm going to play copycat and serve this at my next to-do.) The cheese plate included my all-time favorite Mimolette cheese. In the ceramic spoon was a rose petal holding Castello blue cheese and a few drops of a Chardonnay syrup. This too might show up at one of my future parties. The truffle at the top left of the photo, an "Alexis Bonbon", was by Vosges Haut-Chocolat. Alexis Cabernet was incorporated into the truffle. Another OMG moment.
The unusual (and very cool) tasting table found by Thomas Britt. Based on the blurriness of the table base photo, it's apparent that I took it after the wine tasting.
The details include antiques, paintings by Ira Yeager, unusual accessories, and of course, those ceramic lions.
All photos are the copyright of Jennifer Boles/ The Peak of Chic.
