The Versailles You’ve Never Seen

Posted on September 19, 2017 by Stacey Bewkes   •   6 Comments

The Versailles You’ve Never Seen

You’ve made the requisite pilgrimage to Versailles and seen the storied chateau, in all likelihood with throngs of others. The Hall of Mirrors was glorious, the magnificent gardens sublime but in truth, you saw only a small portion of the great and hidden splendors of the Sun King’s Palace. Now in a gorgeous oversize new volume, you can enjoy an unprecedented tour of the palace, behind the scenes with the four official palace photographers.

With an introductory preface by Catherine Pégard, president of the Château du Versailles’ supervisory board, the book not only celebrates the more well known public spaces but provides unparalleled access into the private chambers and apartments in the upper floors.…

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Posted in architecture, art, art history, design, garden, history, interior design, photography, travel | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments  

The Timeless Attraction of Toile

Posted on September 17, 2017 by Stacey Bewkes   •   12 Comments

The Timeless Attraction of Toile

Another story in the 30th anniversary issue of Veranda that resonated with personal relevance was the icon selection in the style section celebrating the timeless appeal of toile. Ever since 1760 when Christophe-Philippe Oberkampf founded his textile factory in Jouy-en-Josas outside of Paris, Toile de Jouy has been a mainstay in the world of design. With designs celebrating not only scenes of bucolic life but the scientific and political accomplishments of France, toile became the ultimate storytelling tool.

I have always loved toile for its visual narrative and several years ago when I was searching for a wallpaper for my powder room, below, immediately fell in love with one David Netto used in Gil Schafer‘s magnificent update of Boxwood.…

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Behind the Scenes of Final Portrait with Christies

Posted on September 16, 2017 by Stacey Bewkes   •   5 Comments

Behind the Scenes of Final Portrait with Christies

Talented and charismatic, Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti was also obsessed, possessed and a perfectionist. And it is this last characteristic which is the focus of the Stanley Tucci’s new film, Final Portrait. Based on the book by American writer and art lover James Lord, it follows the writer and artist’s friendship and, the period in 1964, when Giacometti invited Lord to sit for a portrait in his Paris studio. What was promised to be a few hours turned into weeks as Lord became witness to Giacometti’s tortured genius.

Starring Geoffrey Rush and Armie Hammer, above, the film was shot, not in Paris, but rather at Twickenham studios where Giacometti’s studio was painstakingly reproduced by production designer James Merifield.…

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2017 What’s New What’s Next

Posted on September 15, 2017 by Stacey Bewkes   •   Leave a comment

2017 What’s New What’s Next

A big thank you to all who came to Kindel for my chat at the with designers Sasha Bikoff, Phillip Thomas (at home in pajamas below in the new Tuxedo Park Poster Bed) and Senior VP of Marketing Amy Wolbert. We had such fun conversation about color, design and of course Dorothy Draper.

 

As always, it was a hopping afternoon/evening at the New York Design Center as the season kicked off in style. I did a quick cruise through the building to catch a bit of what’s new for you. Crosby Street Studios debuted Cullman & Kravis‘ new “Essence & Evolution” rug collection.…

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Delvaux Brillant

Posted on September 12, 2017 by Stacey Bewkes   •   5 Comments

Delvaux Brillant

When you think of Belgium, french fries, beer, chocolate and Brussel sprouts may come to mind, their famous decor style, or their international position as capital of the European Union and home to NATO. Or perhaps you think of them as the center of the world’s diamond trade, or home to the prestigious Royal Academy of Fine Arts, famous artists such as Rene Magritte and fashion icons such as Dries van Noten. But what you may not know is that Belgium is also home to the oldest fine leather goods house in the world. Founded in 1829, a year before Belgium declared their independence from the Netherlands and became a nation, the House of Delvaux quickly became known for their quality, craftsmanship and innovation, which continues to this day.…

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At Home and in the Garden with Juan Montoya

Posted on September 10, 2017 by Stacey Bewkes   •   6 Comments

At Home and in the Garden with Juan Montoya

With projects around the globe, Columbian born architect and interior designer Juan Montoya is well known for his restrained yet layered luxury. Throughout his diverse projects, modernity is infused with a sensuous mix of elements and international influence. But at his own country house, La Formentera (named after a Balearic Island off the Mediterranean coast of Spain where he spent a year), in the Hudson Valley, a new talent emerged. Without any formal landscape training, Juan transformed over 100 acres of undeveloped property into a magnificent refuge, mixing the power of nature with sensitive and sophisticated art installations. Please join Susanna and me for a visit to the beautiful house and garden at La Formentera.…

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Gucci Décor at Bergdorf’s

Posted on September 8, 2017 by Stacey Bewkes   •   4 Comments

Gucci Décor at Bergdorf’s

It was only a matter of time before the brilliant Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele applied his talents to the home. With the overwhelming popularity of his fashion collections and his overseeing the renaissance of Gucci-owned Richard Ginori, he has now debuted his exuberant super maximalist vision to Gucci Décor exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman.

I stopped by the 7th floor of Bergdorf’s this week where Gucci has taken over the main hall installation with a pattern-filled technicolor fantasy. Michele’s Renaissance inspired fashion is reflected in the Gucci Décor collection, with his signature floral and animal motifs appearing on tables (the folding Star Eye table above above), folding screens (the Floral and Bees four panel jacquard screen above) dishes (the covetable new green Herbarium, produced by Ginori, below)

to chairs, fabric screens, candles and wallpaper.…

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See You at NYDC What’s New What’s Next

Posted on September 7, 2017 by Stacey Bewkes   •   Leave a comment

See You at NYDC What’s New What’s Next

Next week, the fall design season kicks off with the always hopping and popular NYDC What’s New What’s Next. Throughout the design center’s many showrooms, talks, presentations and new introductions will celebrate what’s and what’s next in ideas, design, materials and products. I’m excited to be joining designers Sasha Bikoff and Phillip Thomas with Amy Wolbert, Senior VP of Marketing of Kindel in their stylish showroom to discuss color and design.

Pictured in the adorable illustration above you can also see the new Tuxedo Park Poster Bed, modeled after Dorothy Draper’s own from when she lived in the Carlyle Hotel. The fabulous chinoiserie four poster will be on display for an up close and personal visit.…

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Sneak Peek – Soane Fall 2017

Posted on September 5, 2017 by Stacey Bewkes   •   8 Comments

Sneak Peek – Soane Fall 2017

The French have a great expression for this time of year – la rentrée, signaling the re-entry to regularly scheduled life after the August break. And while we in the U.S. don’t have an August shut down, post Labor Day has that back to business feel.  I am happy to enter the busy fall season with a special sneak peek from one of my favorite companies. Committed to blending historically based global design with the best of British craftsmanship, Soane produces timeless pieces with a sense of the classic and exotic.

As somewhat of a new tradition, Soane introduces each season’s most extravagant fabric on a magnificent bed.…

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Happy Labor Day

Posted on September 4, 2017 by Stacey Bewkes   •   2 Comments

Happy Labor Day

While it’s hard to believe that September is here, I am hoping that all of you are savoring the last days of summer, enjoying the long Labor Day weekend. And while I look forward to the changing of the seasons, it’s always a little wistful saying goodbye to the late light and easier days of summer. As we hold on just a little longer, avoiding the new chill in the air, I’m including a few reminders of this most languorous of seasons.

all photos by Stacey Bewkes for Quintessence
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