once upon at time

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the idea incubated by Diana Vreeland, Horst and Valentine Lawford in the pages of VOGUE, the conjuring of images in homes we want to occupy. No scratchy arrows or punch words evoking- "how to get the Look." The IDEA was to "read" - to "see" individualism. It doesn't exist anymore in the homes of the famous- and rich.

Why do we love certain houses, and why do they seem to love us? It is the warmth of our individual hearts reflected in our surroundings.  -  

T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings 

Do either of these women need introduction?
I'll remind you of these every now and then and please let me know...

HOUSES, GARDENS, DESIGN and ENTERTAINING? Where are you inspired?

Do such Vreelandesque collaborations exist and have I missed them?




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is it a girl? a quote?

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NO, it's a chest !

As bloggers will say- I'm smitten. I've always been intrigued by chests and dressers. Everyone seems to have a dresser or chest they inherited, they hate or that they inherited and hate. This particular chest photographed with an Olsen atop it and a quote by the same-, says-its all good! But the chest is a show stopper. I know there are paper covered chests and fabric ones- I see them about, but this one is the best of the best- Chest.

What I love about this piece is the use of the Indian floral Chintz and its border placement. The textile has the look of an old one. I'm not advocating cutting up a valuable piece, but if you are up for a project- Give covering an old piece of chest a try. I would love to have one just like this one since the rich luxury of a tented room done up in yards and yards and swathes and swathes of the fabric is completely out of my decorating picture.

Lee Radziwill in one of the most famous of all the 

Indian chintz tented rooms designed by Renzo Mongiardino

Saffron Marigold here has gorgeous Indian florals by the yard , favourites below that would make a great chest.

A HANDSPUN, HANDWOVEN COTTON HAND-PAINTED MORDANT-DYED, RESIST-DYED AND HAND-PAINTED COROMANDEL COAST OF INDIA, 18C FOR THE THAI MARKET
 private collection, Horyu-ji, Nara (image from Narablog)
the real deal-could you possibly take the scissors to something so gorgeous?

something else to do with the Indian chintz-but still, I'd rather have the chest. Does anyone know where it is?

1780s Robe a l'Anglaise

Indian export 18th c. from Cora Ginsburg

see the most beautiful textiles at Cora Ginsburg here

Courtney of style court has several great posts on these Indian florals, here and just recently here.
& The Zhush here found these chests by Byronie Porter recently that are papered, but the company does take commissions and there are papers available that could do-