Sunday, November 28, 2010

Scandinavian Design

The long awaited guide to Scandinavian Design by Lars Bolander and Heather Smith MacIsaac.

I have always been attracted to Swedish design and furniture. Perhaps it is the color palettes of pale greys, whites and blues that are so soothing to me. Maybe, it is the clean and simple lines that bring harmony to my otherwise chaotic world. Whatever the reason is, swedish design and furnishings are very prevalent in my own collection and I was extremely excited to pick up a copy of the latest book by Lars Bolander and Heather Smith MacIsaac, both of whom are experts in the subject. If you are a lover of Swedish design, you should see this book! A comprehensive overview of all aspects of Scandinavian design, the book is a visual delight as well as being a serious resources guide for anyone interested in the tenants of Scandinavian decor.

So while I lounged around this Thanksgiving holiday, I chose some of my favorite photos below from the book to share with you. In doing so, I realized how many of my own swedish style pieces could fit right into these photos.

"Tailored white slipcovers bring an exquisite 1770s Swedish dining room down to earth."
Above, from my own collection on 1stdibs, c. 1910 French Louis XIII Style Os du Mouton Walnut Chairs Upholstered in Belgian Linen with natural french nailheads.



Swedish Gustavian Style Chandelier, also on 1stdibs.



"Though many of the elements in this eighteenth-century Swedish living room display age and wear, the overall effect is fresh and inviting. A delicate floral fabric for the sofa’s squabs, along with pieces of blue and white porcelain, brightens the otherwise muted tone." (Scandinavian Design).



This 19th Century Antique Swedish Style Server would fit right in the living room above. It is one of my favorite, simple pieces that capture the essence of my love for swedish interiors.



As would this charming Swedish Style Painted Drop Leaf Secretary (on loan right now to the set of Twilight: Breaking Dawn, currently being filmed in New Orleans). This little piece will be in Edward and Bella's romantic cottage along with a couple of other pieces from my shop.



Another of my favorite swedish pieces -- this Swedish Style Painted Corner Cabinet.



And this oyster white painted commode.


And finally, this Vintage Painted Swedish Style Table.




This wooden bed featured in Scandinavian Design is so simple and yet so inviting. It echoes the simple, painted frame of this lovely 19th c. convent bed -- part of my new inventory on 1stdibs.
With its shorter than normal frame and high sides, this bed would be perfect for a child's first bed.


For more Swedish design and inspiration...
Visit the Lars Bolander showrooms in New York and Palm Beach Here.

(Photos courtesy of Lars Bolander's Scandinavian Design).
A special thanks to Rhonda Eleish and Edie Van Breems whose books Swedish Interiors and Swedish Country Interiors have also inspired my work and this post.

Friday, November 26, 2010

La Bastide de Marie

Amidst Provence, France, there exists a place this beautiful. A fully restored 18th-century stone inn sitting placidly amid endless vineyards, La Bastide de Marie is a delightful farmhouse estate in Provence - a portal into old-world French living.
Sit back and enjoy the photos....





























I'm just speechless.....


(Photos courtesy of La Bastide de Marie).

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thanksgiving in Paris


If you are ever in the Marais neighborhood in Paris, you will find this quaint store at 20 Rue Saint Paul where Americans can get all the fixings for their Thanksgiving feast. There is even a great cajun restaurant upstairs where you can enjoy some real Louisiana cooking. In Paris????? Yep. Of course, you can always just come down to New Orleans to enjoy a real cajun Thanksgiving too.
But wherever you are today, I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

The Ladies in Waiting...

These petite bergeres are the sweetest pieces I've ever had at my store. Born in 19th century France, these pair of walnut beauties landed in my care, sorely tattered and torn. My master crafstman and upholsterer went to work..... I had a vision.....

Carefully restored.... piece by piece.... french tack by french tack.... nothing but the softest, most beautiful belgian linen would do..... and soft, down-wrapped cushions to sink in....

The attention to detail is beyond words......























Part of my newly restored pieces at disegno Karina Gentinetta on 1stdibs.

And before I sign off to start working on the million things I have to cook for our Thanksgiving dinner, I just wanted to thank the crew at 1sdibs for these wonderful photos of my featured items on 1stdibs this week.


Tuesday, November 23, 2010

New York Stores Unveil Holiday Windows

The city's department stores are unveiling their holiday displays all this week. From a messy food fight to exotic travels, each store takes you on a unique holiday journey.


Children check out a Barneys New York window: Mario Batali, Bobby Flay, Emeril Lagasse, Guy Fieri with his signature squeeze bottle and Wolfgang Puck, who is chewing on a giant shrimp, are in the throes of a food fight.

Bobby Flay and Emeril Lagasse get in on the action.

Another Barneys window showcases what Doonan calls the food firmament's "gourmet glamor girls"--Rachael Ray, Lidia Bastianich and Paula "Ms. Butter" Deen among them.

Simon Doonan, the creative designer for Barneys New York, created the holiday windows along with his team.


Sandra Lee, who is dating New York Gov.-elect Andrew Cuomo, is featured in one of Barneys' windows.


Henri Bendel unveiled its holiday window which features the Nutcracker theme.
Theme: "The Nutcracker" (712 Fifth Ave.)


Lord and Taylor went with its customers' favorite New York memories for its holiday windows this year. One of the scenes pictured is of a White Christmas.




Lord and Taylor includes past and present memories of Christmas in its windows, including this 1950s Christmas scene.

A couple decks the halls in a scene in one of Lord and Taylor's holiday window.


Bloomingdale's decided to go digital this year in its holiday windows.


Bergdorf Goodman has a wanderlust theme for its holiday windows.



Two gents pause to check out Bergdorf Goodman's holiday windows.


Bergdorf's windows are packed with cool old-school maps.


More vintage items in Bergdorf's holiday windows.


Macy's kept it traditional this year. It presented scenes from the popular Christmas folk story "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" in its holiday windows.


A detail from Macy's "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" window series.

The puppets are incredibly sharp looking in Macy's holiday windows.


Saks' holiday windows will be unveiled on Monday. The main character in its window series is a little girl who is obsessed with bubbles and snowflakes

The little girl in the Saks windows wanders through a cabinet of curiosities which becomes the passageway into an enchanted land.


Saks Director of Windows Julio Gómez shows off an octopus as the holiday windows are being set up. Its windows will be unveiled on Monday.


The Saks windows open with a cocktail party at a giant table setting.

(Photos and captions courtesy of Abbie Fentress Swanson: WNYC/WQXR and the New York Daily News).