BAROQUE STYLE: Judith Auclair, NAPLES

The latest and greatest from Judith Auclair, progress shot, courtesy, MAISON AUCLAIR, NAPLES

While I've posted many times before about my friend, the decorative artist and antiquaire, Judith Auclair, I had to share this image her firm just sent over~a work in progress, but love the grand and massive scale.  Judith has done many large scale installations, including a grotto bathroom in the Caribbean, an over mantel in a 19th century Old Naples cottage, and chandeliers for a new palace in Russia.  Click here to read an article about her and her work! 

courtesy, MAISON AUCLAIR, NAPLES

courtesy, MAISON AUCLAIR, NAPLES

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Inspiration: Victoria Press

via Habitually Chic

The late English designer, Victoria Press, whose Cheyne Walk house in London was purchased by Michael Bloomberg, has inspired me with her shabby elegant style~ one that I admired when living in the U.K. back in the late 1970's...see more of her splendid townhouse on Habitually Chic or T the magazine of the NY Times.  DF *****

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Lacca Povera as Inspiration for Doors

Lacca Povera

Recently, I posted about my entry door, and a painted treatment for it.  An Andrew Martin wallpaper and the 18th century art of lacca povera (poor mans lacquer) inspired me to further embellish the door, with a chinoiserie motif~

18th century lacca povera 

The Venetians created this style, and it satisfied a desire in the rococo for opulence, without the extravagant expense.

Lacca Povera commode 

Prints were cut out, pasted on, and varnished over to get the look~see here for more on lacca povera from a 2012 piece by John Tackett on The Devoted Classicist ~

The door before

This door was a plain vanilla, before it was done in a trompe l'oeil molded look with faux marbre~

DFID 

I cut out plates from left over wall paper, shown above~

DFID

A quick snap shot gives an idea of the dramatic look of it~

DFID

I haven't yet varnished over the plates.  The varnish will give it a more finished look~ and then I would like to have a leopard rug made for the area to give it a very Madeleine Castaing mood~ stay tuned!  Enjoy!  DF *****

Richard Lowell Neas

Bunny Williams

Here I am 1993, shirt by RL

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DFID Lacca Povera Door

Couldn't resist adding this last shot of my "lacca" door ! I finally had a reason to buy Mod Podge from Michaels! DF

(notice the three more pieces I added ~)

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North See Vintage

North See Vintage

Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of meeting Kevin Calica, and his partner, Frank Cassata, when they came down to give a talk and book signing for Kevin's new book, "Strength and Simplicity - 100 Ways to Live Your Life as Art"

Check out North See Vintage on Facebook - Frank had been collecting thousands of vintage fabrics and wallpapers in his Southampton, NY studio for years, which led to North See Vintage.  We carry their pillows, place mats, art, and the book by Kevin Calica!  

North See Vintage at Andrew Martin, Estero, FL

Available at MP Interiors, Estero, FL (239) 498-9074
Miromar Design Center, Suite 101
dean@mp-interiors.net 
www.mp-interiors.net MP Interiors Enjoy!  DF *****

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Mirror, Mirror...

Dean Farris Interior Design

DFID

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I had fallen in love with the beauty of antique, gilt framed mirrors, probably beginning when I was working in New York~ for some of the top interior designers of the 1980's and into the 1990's...there were many times when, perhaps at Kentshire Galleries, or H.M. Luther, I would find myself staring into a fabulously elegant and decorative mirror, wondering who that terribly good looking young man was staring back at me!  It was beyond glamorous, having just stepped out of a dark green Rolls, or a long black Mercedes limousine, to find myself shopping for things that often were in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

18th century Chippendale

For example, the mirror shown above, might be delivered to a clients home on approval~ George Clarkson would have liked this one, and most likely had it installed above a mantel in a beautiful, huge, living room in a 1920's Tudor high on a hill in Bronxville.  These investment pieces can sometimes even be used as collateral at the bank...I remember a funny thing, the client saying that she had "tried to work with Mario Buatta, but found him intimidating"...it seemed like an odd thing to say given that we had pulled up to her house in a chauffeur driven Silver Shadow!  

18th century baroque (French)

What I admire and appreciate on an old mirror is de-silvering~ as seen in the above example. Hand carving, water gilding, and ancient looking glass is a very seductive combination.  Imagine this one played off of a highly lacquered wall finish, perhaps an aubergine...I'm forever suggesting antiqued mirrored glass to my clients as an architectural element.  These shapely frames look splendid above a marble or old limestone mantel. They also look very nice above console tables and sideboards.  I like to flank them with porcelain jars, as shown in my first image, at the top.  You can find these mirrors online, but I really do believe you need to see it in a shop or via your designer before making a purchase.  Think of it as a work of art, decorative art. To see some good examples, go here (Sotheby's online). Or, a Milanese palace here also on the Sotheby's site.

The former Mellon townhouse, East 70th Street, New York

Even someone as fabulous as the late Bunny Mellon ~ who had a huge art collection, used a mirror as a focal point in her elegant Manhattan townhouse. Notice the proportion of her mirror to the mantel beneath it.  The hand painted floors were one of her trademarks~ and they are something that I love as well.  Mirror, mirror, whose the fairest of them all? Mirrors add mystery and elegance, use them whenever you can.  They can help fill out walls for those of us who don't have an art collection, such as paintings and drawings.  Enjoy!  DF *****    

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