To Die For

A set of four green painted and parcel gilt side chairs, circa 1965

by Pierre Delbee of Maison Jansen

Amazing.

Sold at Christie's London, 2009 for $16,000

$6,000 over their estimate.

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.

I'm seeing shells...

 A Fornasetti tray...

(via 1stDibs, please click images to be directed to their source)

 

A pair of Maison Jansen eglomise wall plaques...

(via 1stDibs)

 

A Pair of Italian 19th century grotto chairs...

(via 1stDibs)

Flight & Barr Worcester porcelain with shell decoration...

(via Christie's)

 

A Tony Duquette Splashing Water chandelier sold at Bonham's, LA

A Bedroom

My dream bedroom to be exact. 

After watching The Affair of the Necklace, not only did I learn to endure Hilary Swank as an actress, I also discovered the most amazing bedroom...

 

I'm not sure if this room is academically correct... it seems a little bit more Louis XVI a la Maison Jansen... but it's perfect. I LOVE the mirrored wall, the iron bed, and that fantastic side table. 

If only it were mine...

Greek Key

It seems like a post on the Greek key is a prerequisite of any design blog. This decorative device has always been one of my favorites, and now more so than ever. I'm surrounded by flashy gilt examples as the Hollywood Regency style enjoys a renewed vogue and also by worn and burnished specimens that snake their way around the antebellum Charleston peninsula. These are a few of my favorites...

 

I'll start with my favorite ceiling medallion in the Aiken-Rhett House here in Charleston, South Carolina. This dramatic Greek Revival element would have been part of the 1830s transformation of this home. As much as I love this architectural detail, I also love the drama of this photograph...

 

A ridiculously glamorous French ebonized center table by Maison Jansen... I could use this anywhere, any time. I'm obsessed with the refinement, sophistication, and elegance of this piece of furniture...

 

A console and Greek key transom in the dining room of the Richardson-Maxwell-Owen-Thomas House at 124 Abercorn Street in Savannah, Georgia. This home, designed by William Jay in the early 19th century, has a number of very unique decorative details.

 

A beautiful French 18th century wall mount console. I'd love to prop a huge Jean Michael Basquiat on this... I'm thinking it would be the perfect juxtaposition.

 Although I could live without this predictable 1940s decorative scheme, I love this Greek Revival mantle in Tulip Grove, located in Davidson, Tennessee. 

How amazing would it have been if they had gone all out Dorothy Draper and painted the mantle faux malachite, the walls hot pink, and used a crazy patterned bark cloth with ridiculous  gilt cornices for the window treatments?

 

A beautiful and graphic Regency slate fireplace surround, early 19th century. I could use this anywhere... the lines are so strong and dramatic.

 

Although it's hard to see, this door surround includes a fantastic Greek key detail. This architectural feature is part of Rosemount Plantation in Forkland, Alabama. This home was built in 1832 with additions made throughout the 1850s. You'll definitely want to look at the rest of the photographs of this plantation home, just click the image to see the rest...

 

This may be my favorite discovery... a parcel-gilt and lacquer bed by Axel Einar Hjorth, Swedish, circa 1929. Please click the photograph to view some details of this spectacular bed. This photograph makes it appear to be salmon in color, but it's actually a vibrant orange-red. I'd love to design a room around this magnificent work of art...

 

This is the cast iron balcony of one of my favorite homes here in Charleston, the Ladson House at 8 Meeting Street. Not only does it include a Greek key, but a laurel wreath and a star burst, all of my favorite design motifs...

 

... and finally, a pair of black and silver 1940s klismos chairs, they've already been sold on 1stdibs, but I can still dream about them. 

Could it get any better?

A fabulous console by Serge Roche for Maison Jansen

Two of my favorite designers