Thank You, David Easton

Recently I wrote a post about the notable interior designer David Easton who was about to publish his new book titled Timeless Elegance: The Houses of David Easton, with forward by Albert Hadley.

Yesterday, I was delighted to receive a comment from the office of David Easton expressing their thanks for spreading the word about the newly published book, and informed me that Mr. Easton is kindly extending to offer the readers of this blog bookplates signed by David Easton himself.

If you would like a bookplate, please send an email with your name (for inscription) and your mailing address to cgauche@davideastoninc.com and the office of David Easton will be happy to send it to you within the next few weeks.

Personally, I’m awaiting the arrival of my copy of Timeless Elegance, which I purchased last week. I can hardly wait!

Photo courtesy of Architectural Digest, photography by Durston Saylor

A Love for Books

I grew up in a home where education, and along with that collecting books, took precedence. My father had an extensive library of books that covered different topics and passions. My father, who was rarely without a book in hand, instilled my love for reading, and the constant desire to hunt for books.

In design, books are considered details that reflect the owner’s taste and interests. Designers always seek to display books in an unexpected way- whether in a bookcase, on a table, a chair, or simply on the floor. Stack them according to color, size, or subject and let the books speak volumes.

The antiqued mirror tiles on the ceiling gives the illusion of a bigger book collection, courtesy of House Beautiful, photography by Buff Strickland

Designer Stephen Shubel, photography by David Livingston

An architectural touch plus a wall of books in a Swedish loft...courtesy of House Beautiful, photography by Jan Tham

The Viceroy Hotel's study with the diagonal shelves... adds energy to the room.

Designed by Kelly Wearstler, photography by Grey Crawford

Photo 1 photography by Gilles Trillard

Saladino’s Muse

I’m aware that I keep referring to John Saladino’s work in my posts- aside from my admiration for his inspiring interiors, studying his work helps me to understand his thinking process and his point of view.

In a House & Garden article that was published in June 1998, a Colorado home that was put into the capable hands of Saladino was showcased. The owners were avid collectors who needed a guiding hand in designing their home to house their various antiquities, which ranged from Greek, Roman, and Egyptian origins to Japanese screens and Art Deco furniture.

Saladino managed to set the stage for all their antiquities by remodeling the house, and successfully left his own stamp. He created a refined look with a soft palette of grey, off-white, beige, brown, and pale blue- with emphasis on light. He produced a house that was extremely personal that reflected what the owners wanted: a tranquil home filled with treasures.

Ten-foot tall windows and glass doors were installed for maximum natural light. The door led to the terrace

Saladino created this work of art by mixing the Art Deco Ruhlmann chair, an Italian chest, antiquities, plus the Japanese screen

Love the background views of the lake and the Rocky Mountains in the media room which was also used for meditation

Saladino also designed the garden, he was inspired by English brooks

Photos courtesy of House & Garden June 1998, photography by William Waldron

Embroidered Chinoiserie

Today I would like to share with you this panoramic scene of flowering trees and birds designed by Fromental, a company well known for painting and restoring historic wallpaper.

This hand-painted traditional Chinoiserie wallpaper was created before the embroidery process had been developed. Imagine spending hundreds of hours stitching single panels of wallpaper with colorful silk and metallic threads…I can only imagine the level patience and artistry required--all for the love of beauty and elegance.

Photos courtesy of Fromental

Hodgins Style

What’s fascinating about the work of the prominent interior designer William Hodgins is that he always successfully mixes and matches furniture styles and fabrics that add notable touches to his exquisite residential interiors.

Hodgins was educated at The Parsons School of Design in New York. He later honed his skills under the direction of Sister Parish and Albert Hadley before starting his own firm in Boston in 1968. He is an award -winning designer well known for his sophisticated designs.

His mastery in creating classic, harmonious rooms comes from his ability to produce the sense of balance and order in his interiors where blending is the key. Hodgins’ signature style comes from his avoidance of the use of patterned fabrics, and instead emphasizing on rich textures, cream colors, painted furniture, garden sculptures, architectural elements, while placing great importance on light in his rooms.

House Beautiful best described his style, when it said, “His rooms speak for themselves with a whisper, not a shout.” That’s so true…

The first two photos were taken at Hodgins's own apartment in Boston. I love the Italian mirror in the dining room and the random touch of color

The above two photos represent Hodgins's work in Virginia

Photo 1, 2 courtesy of House Beautiful, photography by Antoine Bootz
Photo 3 courtesy of House Beautiful's site, photography by Edéric Vasseur
Photo 4 courtesy of House & Garden, photography by William Waldron
Photo 5 photography by Steven Trefonides

Art By The Yard

The impact of World War II brought changes into the post-war design world. Since color, materials, and patterns were limited during the war until the early fifties, the door was opened to artists and designers who were inspired by growing modernism to create an optimistic atmosphere through their work.

The Textile Museum in Washington D.C. is currently highlighting this optimism by displaying the work of British textile designers Lucienne Day, Jacqueline Groag, and Marian Mahler. These designers used abstract design, musical notes, bold colors, and flower motifs as an inspiration and created fabrics that certainly had a visual impact on mid-century interiors.

The Textile Museum located in Kalorama neighborhood

Herb Anthony 1956 designed by Lucienne Day in different colorways

Paper Dolls 1967 Jacqueline Groag was inspired by her own collection of dolls when she designed this pattern

The sophisticated patterns of Marian Mahler ca. 1952 , untitled

Photo 1 photography by Amal for Picture of  Elegance Blog

Photos 2,3,4 Women Design Mid- Century Britain, curated by Shanna Shelby, selected work from the collection of Jill A.Wiltse and H. Kirk browm III