The most sybaritic sale to date

I stumbled across Sotheby's sale of the Collection of Prince and Princess Henry De la Tour d'Auvergne Lauraguais the other day at work. If only I was in London on May 3rd... 

I could definitely find a few things to bring back to New York.

A gilt bronze mounted mahogany green painted and parcel gilt campaign bed, Empire, 1st quarter of the 19th Century

Two pomegranates, Qajar, Persia 19th Century

Three gilt bronze and green painted tole chandeliers, Empire Style, 20th century

A silk and metal thread applique "bohca" panel, Ottoman, Bursa, or Istanbul, 19th Century

(ethnic textiles are a new love)

Emilio Terry (1890-1969) An Ornate Fountain, 1931

A number of these fantastical sketches are included in the sale

View the rest of the sale here.

You won't be disappointed... the Prince and Princess were studied sybarites.

The Pope

 

So are you obsessed with the painted Empire screen, the cast bronze leaf, or the taxidermy bird? They're all amazing and they're all available at my favorite Charleston antiques store, John Pope Antiques. John has had the shop for the last 4 or 5 years and has done amazingly well... from museum quality antiques to really affordable pieces, you'll definitely find something to take home.

Normally most people would be worried about the extra expenses of living in New York... I'm actually going to be saving money since I will no longer be able to regularly frequent this shop.

 

A collage of paintings from every period... I've always loved the St. Sebastian on the demi-lune table...

 

I love everything about this combination... the painting, that tribal fabric, and the blown glass light fixture...

This pair of lamps are definitely my favorites right now. Cast metal painted to simulate marble? I don't care if they're Jansen or not, I'll take them!

 

A detail of my lamps...

 

What is there not to like about this? 

Well... actually I can understand someone hating it, but that's fine, just means it'll have a better chance of ending up with me.

 

I love the vibrant glazes of these Asian statues... instant collection. I'm particularly obsessed with that turquoise color right now.

 

and finally, something I wouldn't normally go for... but I love the purples and blacks in this painting, especially combined with that pop of chartreuse 

Basically you have to stop by if you're ever in Charleston... I mean, he carries around an 18th century chalice to drink out of with his Pope costume every Halloween... I'm pretty sure it doesn't get any more sybaritic than that.

Visible Storage

Well I'm finally back after a long, productive week in New York. While I'm there I always go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, specifically to view the American Wing. While the American Art and Sculpture Gallery has remained under renovations for what seems like decades, the period rooms remain on view along with my favorite part of the Met, the Visible Storage Gallery.

Can you imagine a more bizarre piece of furniture? The mere idea of this ridiculous, but I love it... however, I would definitely ditch that crimson velvet immediately...

 

This chair and I are currently in the midst of a passionate love affair, hooves and all. I love EVERYTHING about it... the worn finish, threadbare champagne colored silk,  and the touch of vermilion.

 

And then a pattern of interest started to emerge...

and again...

and again... 

 

I can't help it... 

if there's one decorative style that speaks to me the most it's American Empire. It's robust, refined, and can sometimes be a little awkward. I'm thinking the curator of American Furniture should start a little adoption program of sorts... I would gladly foster any of these wonderful pieces, or even provide them with a permanent home. 

Some rooms I love...

 Over the last few months I've been collecting some photographs of my favorite rooms while I've been looking through some of my favorite blogs. 

Take a look...

 

The MOST amazing dining room in Marcelo Lucini's apartment.

I'm obsessed with the color, and the gilt chairs are fantastic. 

via Habitually Chic

 

Ever since my best friend painted her bedroom black, I've become enamored with black walls... especially with a huge gilt mirror.

via here

 

Loving the black walls and the collection of portraits... 

via Bijou and Boheme

 

Completely in love. 

Wouldn't change a thing.

via Patricia Gray

 

Not only do I just love this as a photograph, but I love it as an actual bedroom. The draping of the fabric is a work of art in itself.

via Patricia Gray

 

A room by Jonathan Adler... 

the chandelier, the portrait, the bust, the orange chair, and the turquoise? 

Fantastic.

via Elle Decor

...and I just saw this apartment today on one of my favorite blogs, The Neo Lifestyle

I'm completely obsessed with it. I've never seen an entire apartment and thought, "ok, I could live here without changing a thing."

 via New York Social Diary

Because crowns aren't just for royalty...

 These are amazing... I need to start collecting them. I honestly don't think I could ever have enough. I'd love to switch out the ones above my bed and display the others... and if I could find one the right size I would definitely wear it.

 

A 19th Century Italian Giltwood Corona

 

An 18th Century Italian Giltwood Bed Ornament from 1st Dibs

 

A 19th Century Danish Bed Corona from 1st Dibs

 

This design is new, but I like the juxtaposition of the ornate with the gauzy draperies 

 

I'm not sure about this dusty rose color... I'd love to see that replaced with a very saturated purple and I would replace the carpet with ebonized floors and leopard rug

 

 A completely over the top French Empire design