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The Golden Room
12-14-15
The Golden Room
One of the major highlights from our recent grand tour of Spain was a visit to the exquisitely opulent, Casa de Pilatos in Seville. While touring the magnificent indoor spaces and outdoor courtyards, I was dazzled by a set of rooms that were built in the early 16th century by Don Fabrique Enríquez de Ribera, a Spanish noble and the son of Pedro Enríquez de Quiñones who began the construction of the palace in the 15th century.
The rooms consists of an outer rectangular gallery or entrance hall, with the main room being perfectly square. The walls are ablaze in a way of warm, yellow ochre walls with white red painted borders. Adorning the spaces are an extraordinary array of Roman antiquities. Many of them dating from the second century A.D. which Don Fabrique collected during his sojourns to Italy. Aside from the collection of antiquities and the striking colors, the beauty and uniqueness of the rooms is the combination of Mudejar and Rennaissance Revival elements. In fact the rooms were named for the intricately patterned carved wood ceilings that are separated from the walls by an equally complex frieze of carved plaster. For a truly fascinating and more in depth story on the Casa de Pilatos be sure to visit Christopher Worthlands blog (here).
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Looking up at the intricately carved wood ceiling in the main room
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A striking vignette including a beautifully detailed marble console, Roman bust and a massive carved plaque
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A view from the main room to the gallery, which is flanked by marble doric columns
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Perfection! Atop the center table rests a massive carved Roman helmet in marble
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A collection of Roman architectural fragments in the portico before entering the rooms
Paris in my Heart
11-18-15
Paris in My Heart
We have been devastated to hear about the ongoing tragedy in Paris. With every day my heart hurts a little more for the victims and the amazing and resilient Parisians who will hopefully find strength and comfort in one another. I simply love Paris! It is my most favorite of all cities. A place that shall always be in my heart and continue to inspire me no matter how many times I go. Paris was really where my education and passion for design, furniture and architecture began and is a place that formed the foundation of so much within me. Were sending all of our thoughts and prayers to everyone in Paris, for you are always in my heart!
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Living with Art- An Extraordinary Sale
11-13-15
Living with Art- An Extraordinary Sale
Last month, Christies held an impressive sale titled, Living with Art, which included an incredible selection of furnishings and art from two significant properties. A Oklahoma estate designed by Stephen Sills and the legendary, Villa Hesperides in Montecito, California.
There were a number of items that were surprisingly affordable, given their provenance and exquisite quality. In fact, I was beyond thrilled to acquire the set of four French mahogany fauteuils below for my own home. How wonderful it is to own a set of chairs from such an extraordinary collection by one of my all time favorite designers, Stephen Sills!
I always like to see the furnishings in situ, which bring them to life and create a sense of context. The Architectural Digest article on Villa Hesperides left an indelible impression on me when I was a young design student and helped shape my love for classical interiors, architecture and antiquities.
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A Northern Italian painted brown and pace gilt mirror Early 18th century
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A set of four French Empire mahogany fauteuils. Circa 1810
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A MAGNIFICENT OKLAHOMA ESTATE BY STEPHEN SILLS
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A Pair of Directoire grey painted and parcel gilt chaises gondole 18th century
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A Pair of Queen Anne grey painted center tables 17th early 18th Century
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A pair of monumental crystal chandeliers by André Arbus 20th Century
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A pair of South German painted console tables Circa 1740
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A set of four Italian white marble columns with urns 20th Century
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A pair of Queen Anne style mirrors Modern
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All photos above by François Halard and are featured in Stephen Sills Decoration
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A pair of Italian Carrara marble terms on pedestals 19th century
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A pair of Northern Italian painted and parcel gilt armchairs Circa 1820
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An Italian gilt wood pier mirror Tuscany, late 18th century
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An Italian painted and parcel gilt daybed Early 19th century
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Photography by John Vaughan for Architectural Digest