.
165 makes me think DRAPER.
Oddly there is very little evidence of the British designers of the period like Syrie Maugham at 165. I think it is safe to say, the Lady (Agnes) of the house did the decorating herself.
Here we have the cast of the new episodes of Upstairs Downstairs.
I couldn't wait. Should we have to wait? Dreadful that the series doesn't start in the states til mid April. The story begins with the opening up of the old Bellamy Mansion at 165 Eaton Place and the three episodes encompass the death of the King- the coming of King Edward VIII-Wallis Simpson-Abdication- World War II-and all the intrigues of- ups and downs of -those living under the roof of 165.
Happily, Rose- yes, that is the original Rose Burk, played by series creator Jean Marsh, is back at 165 holding it together along with another sort of Original- Lady Holland played by Dame Eileen Atkins. Eileen Atkins along with Marsh were the creators of the original Upstairs Downstairs. The original produced 68 episodes from 1971-1975 and it's back and it's good, very good- better than Downton Abbey. Perhaps it is Rose that makes it connect-she was and again is- the heart and soul of the story.
Maud, Lady Holland is the spark that sets fire to Eaton Place. She will be likely-the unforgettable character of the series. Maud returns to England just in time to upset the arrangements her daughter in law- Lady Agnes played by Keeley Hawes is making to dazzle her guests and new husband Sir Hallam handsomely played by Ed Stoppard. There is more than meets the eye there I'll tell you! Lady Holland selects the best rooms with plans to dictate her memoirs of the Raj to her -of course-most elegant Indian secretary Mr Amanjit. Uptight Lady Agnes is attempting to get the hang of things, while Lady Holland is stealing every scene with quirky -but stylish clothes, having adopted a Lady of the world wardrobe, Indian saris styled as evening clothes. Be still my heart.
All up to the minute furniture of the Art Deco period fills the drawing room-and that is full of fret work moldings on the walls. While the paintings remain of another era and sofas are bursting with down, damask patterns of velvet and full tilt brush fringes (the scenes above)
The new episodes- alas there are only THREE- but I hope many more are to come. It is already a feast for the eyes.
LINKS
this is an all encompassing blog about every wonderful Period Film- you need to keep up here
everything about the new Upstairs Downstairs at Enchanted Serenity Period Films here
updown.org here
Maison Gerard here
prettily put together at Beyond the Pale here & here
full casts- the first and the second here
BBC
BBC talks to production designer Eve Stewart here
Draper here
.
The Before
The After
all images from the BBC, BBC one, Masterpiece Theatre or the links at the end of this story
the Place-Eaton Place
the Decoration
& decorating by the book, it's almost as if Lady Agnes turned the pages.
for her 165 Eaton Place Style
Dorthy Draper at l. , The Greenbrier Resort decorated by Dorothy Draper, r.
There is undoubtedly something- about it.
165 makes me think DRAPER.
Oddly there is very little evidence of the British designers of the period like Syrie Maugham at 165. I think it is safe to say, the Lady (Agnes) of the house did the decorating herself.
there's even something like this-there.
Watch the full episode. See more Masterpiece.
another shot of Draper
image: South Florida Sentinel
Mike Stocker
Here we have the cast of the new episodes of Upstairs Downstairs.
I couldn't wait. Should we have to wait? Dreadful that the series doesn't start in the states til mid April. The story begins with the opening up of the old Bellamy Mansion at 165 Eaton Place and the three episodes encompass the death of the King- the coming of King Edward VIII-Wallis Simpson-Abdication- World War II-and all the intrigues of- ups and downs of -those living under the roof of 165.
Happily, Rose- yes, that is the original Rose Burk, played by series creator Jean Marsh, is back at 165 holding it together along with another sort of Original- Lady Holland played by Dame Eileen Atkins. Eileen Atkins along with Marsh were the creators of the original Upstairs Downstairs. The original produced 68 episodes from 1971-1975 and it's back and it's good, very good- better than Downton Abbey. Perhaps it is Rose that makes it connect-she was and again is- the heart and soul of the story.
The Cast at 165 Eaton Place
A List from Masterpiece Theatre here
Residing at 165 Upstairs & Down
The Ladies who run the show- Lady Maude l, Rose r
Maud, Lady Holland is the spark that sets fire to Eaton Place. She will be likely-the unforgettable character of the series. Maud returns to England just in time to upset the arrangements her daughter in law- Lady Agnes played by Keeley Hawes is making to dazzle her guests and new husband Sir Hallam handsomely played by Ed Stoppard. There is more than meets the eye there I'll tell you! Lady Holland selects the best rooms with plans to dictate her memoirs of the Raj to her -of course-most elegant Indian secretary Mr Amanjit. Uptight Lady Agnes is attempting to get the hang of things, while Lady Holland is stealing every scene with quirky -but stylish clothes, having adopted a Lady of the world wardrobe, Indian saris styled as evening clothes. Be still my heart.
Lady Maud's Wardrobe
(would love to have it)
South Indian Brocade Sarees Pre Independence India, c. 1930.
handwoven Indian silk by sophisticated artisans in British services
(from my collection of textiles)
The Glamour
watch Wallis make an appearance
When she was just Mrs. Simpson
quote from the blog Beyond the Pale's Miss Nightingale
"It’s a very particular British kind of glamour – all aristocratic complexions, matte lipstick, clicky heels and that clipped Mitford-esque brittleness which defines the period for me."
the Mitford Sisters look on
The Eaton Place Sisters
Lady Agnes and Lady Persie
even the hypnotic 'glamour' of the Fascist Oswald Mosley-who Lady Persie becomes infatuated with-
Oswald Mosley
Lady Persie
ART DECO
Decoration
above & below
all Art Deco pieces from 1st dibs &
The new episodes- alas there are only THREE- but I hope many more are to come. It is already a feast for the eyes.
Solomon
devotee of sweet tea, thick-cut marmalade & the occasional maraschino cherry
all to our particular taste
LINKS
this is an all encompassing blog about every wonderful Period Film- you need to keep up here
everything about the new Upstairs Downstairs at Enchanted Serenity Period Films here
updown.org here
Maison Gerard here
prettily put together at Beyond the Pale here & here
full casts- the first and the second here
BBC
BBC talks to production designer Eve Stewart here
Draper here
.
