J.B. Taylor

5th Helena Drive.

Like many starry-eyed little girls growing up in Hollywood, my first love was Marilyn.

I'm sure it would be hard for any aesthetically-minded human not to be moved by her innocence, genius, and dreamy aura. I've read many books about her life, each portraying a different mythology . . . but the fact that many of us have our own interpretation of her story, is further testament to her eternally captivating power.

This year marked the 50th anniversary of her death, and though it's blue to think about all the movie magic she had yet to conjure for us, I celebrate her spirit often. She had a wonderfully inquisitive mind, and fabulous taste . . . especially in clothing (simple Pucci pieces for day, Ceil Chapman gowns for evening), books (her Joyce, Hemingway and Whitman-laden library would've impressed any literary snob), and decor (she began collecting antiques in the 1950s, when it was still considered a bohemian hobby).

Her final home on Earth was a little Spanish bungalow in Brentwood, which she was happily  decorating up until the night of her tragically un-intentional OD. She had just returned from a trip to Mexico, where she ordered pieces of custom furniture that would soon be delivered to her beloved abode. While I'm sure most fans would imagine her home to be adorned with crystal chandeliers, white fur cushions, and gold leafed walls, it may surprise some to see that her nest was casual, warm, and completely unpretentious. She was setting up a cozy home, filled with hand-crafted Mexican art, weavings, Navajo pottery, and souvenirs from her travels.

Many of her beloved Mexican pieces were auctioned off years ago by Julien's in Los Angeles, and I've always treasured their catalog from the sale. It says more about this complex woman than any billowing white dress ever will. 1926–1962.

Sending you love and light, MM, wherever you are!

Select photos from top: Marilyn & mandolin by Milton Greene, her sun hat, photo of her festive dining room by Gene Anthony, Polaroid of her modern woven chairs (photog. unknown), the Iron boot was a gift from Clark Gable to MM during the filming of The Misfits in 1961, her portable record player.

The Best Coast.

As alerted to by Rose Apodaca . . . my ultra-chic friend and fellow Cali-style expert, THIS SUNDAY is the final day of the epic LACMA exhibit, California Design, 1930-1965: Living in a Modern Way. So if in L.A., and a lover of classic West Coast mid-century vibes, hustle down to Miracle Mile, or fear reading the exhibit book and weeping that you missed it in all its golden teak glory.

Above: Another reason to worship this exhibit . . . the rare chance to practically step inside Charles and Ray Eames' iconic living room, every piece of which has been meticulously moved from Case Study House #8, where the Eames' lived throughout their lives, starting in 1949. When touring the home's permanent location in Pacific Palisades, you may only peek through the windows, so this is a special close-up view of their tzotchkes, furnishings, and books (so many of which are the same we have on our shelves at home).

I'm so glad we took the time to experience it when last in L.A., as we exited the show bursting with creative inspiration. I'm filled with even more native Californian pride than before, and dreams of perfectly simple, handcrafted work, surf, sunshine and mod Hollywood poolside glam. Here are some shots we sneakily snapped while viewing the exhibit in March . . .

Above: Fab Paul Fusco photo, c.late-1940s, of Billy & Audrey Wilder hanging with Charles & Ray Eames in the "conversation room" of their Pacific Palisades home. Below: Art Deco Cal-Arts pamphlets.

Above: Claire Falkenstein's model for client Peggy Gugenheim's garden gates, c.1961 (they remain at Guggenheim's home in Venice, Italy). Incantation Textile by Alvin Lustig for Laverne Originals, c.1947. Below: Arches and Dome Renaissance Christmas gift boxes by Joe Hong for Joseph Magnin (San Francisco), c.1966. Kraft paper Doggie bag for Lawry's Foods, art directed by Saul Bass, illustrated by Art Goodman and Phyllis Tanner, c.1961.

Below: Mr. Taylor and my sister, Miss. Lizzie, taking in all the beauty, as well as a bitchin' 1961 Studebaker Avanti, designed by Raymond Loewy, along with three Pasadena Art Center students.

Hang time.

I'm in the midst of a major Spring cleaning, switching out my Winter pullovers for warm weather caftans, and attempting to organize my Hoarders-worthy vintage jewelry collection into one single chest. This is a major feat, considering I have hat boxes full of baubles collected throughout my life, including every bangle purchased in the '80s, a lifetime of band pins (one never knows when they'll feel like breaking out their Adam Ant buttons again), and swag scored from all the glam grandmas I've known. Also highly coveted are my Zuni pawn and old Mexican artisan silver pieces, '50s trading post copper, African beads, '80s Ralph Lauren and '70s Elsa Peretti.

For years I've been hanging all my necklaces on a hook in my closet, but they were constantly becoming tangled up in each other. So, on a recent antiquing trip to Beacon, NY, I spotted a pair of antlers ($30), an item I previously found to be overused decor-wise and swore I'd never buy, but realized they'd make the perfect jewelry hanger. All it took was one nail, et voila! Also purchased was a 1920s tool chest edged with copper ($75), that I lined with camel colored wool. It's made accessorizing so much easier!

The Adamson Family.

After becoming an item in the '70s, my parents moved from their Westwood apartments into a beachside love-nest in Malibu. Yet they were sad to find, that after a while, the morning commute to their fashion jobs in Downtown L.A. via the tortoise-paced Pacific Coast Highway became unbearable. This probably had to do with the influx of celebs moving to the old Movie Colony, as well as the retro re-discovery of teen cruising, and the surfing revival, birthing a million Spicolis in search of babes and waves. So they bought a quiet house in The Valley, but took my sister and I every weekend to the 'Bu, to visit their old haunts, and let us swing on the Country Mart's jungle gym.

I have memories of building sandcastles in the Malibu Lagoon as a little girl, and being curious about the beautiful tile-worked "Adamson House" sign on the road nearby. It wasn't until reading about the home in Martha's Living, that I became aware of what an architectural gem was sitting right there on our shore.

After years of curiosity, we finally took a tour . . . exploring every nook & cranny of the castle-like tile shrine. Land developer Frederick Rindge and his enterprising wife, May, originally purchased the land on which Malibu sits in the 1800s, and after his passing in 1905, his wealthy widow began leasing surrounding property to Hollywood stars, creating the infamous Malibu Movie Colony. With that income, she invested in the founding of Malibu Potteries (c.1926), and in 1930, May's eldest daughter Rhoda married Merritt Anderson,and together they founded the successful dairy farm, Adohr (Rhoda spelled backward). after that success, they began to build her dream home on her family's property, designed under the supervision of architect Stiles O. Clements, and utilizing the talents of pottery artisans like Rufus Keeler. Though the tile factory only existed for 7 years, closing due to the Depression, the works it produced are timeless jewels that still adorn many of California's most beloved landmarks, including; City Hall, the Mayan theatre, and Hollywood's Roosevelt Hotel.

The preservation efforts are astounding . . . the family's original furniture exactly where it was placed in the 1930s, and the eye-dazzling array of colorful tile motifs all in tact, each piece hand-painted and fired using the traditional Spanish cuerda seca glazing technique. Every detail hails from that bohemian era when folks first began fantasizing about traveling to exotic locales. As a result, the decor is an eclectic blend of Spanish colonial architecture adorned with Moorish, Moroccan, Pueblo Deco (my new obsession) and Mediterranean details. Also noticeable are hand-painted Scandinavian wooden pieces, as well as gothic Nouveau-style touches (make sure to catch the iron spider web gate). Real rugs were unneeded, as Malibu Pottery artisan William Handly created full-scale custom Persian carpets made entirely of tiles for the floors. There is even an outdoor tiled tub room solely for washing the family hounds. Also not to be missed are the whimsical children's rooms, covered in fairy tale and Maritime illustrations, not to mention the tiny upstairs "snack kitchen" for guest, and the Egyptian Revival style pool house.

The Adamson House & Gardens

Tours Weds.-Sat. 11am-2pm

23200 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA

Photos: Me and Martha Stewart's Living

The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom (1968)

While sequestered in bed for a week with the flu, I had a chance to catch up on rarities saved in my "Instant Queue", and took a chance on the rarely seen '60s romp, The Bliss of Mrs. Blossom, starring Shirley MacLaine, James Booth, and Lord Richard Attenborough. I'd wrongly assumed I'd seen every likeable swingin' '60s flick in exisitance, so this was a total psychedelic surprise! It is an adorable love story, with loads of mod eye candy and a groovy soundtrack by The Spectrum and The New Vaudeville Band.

It's the story of Mrs. Blossom . . . a wealthy and dutiful housewife/painter of psychedelic artwork, who is quite lonely due to having a husband that is obsessed with building his company, Blossom Brassieres. When Mrs. Blossom's antique sewing machine breaks, her husband sends one of his factory workers, the ever-eccentric Ambrose Tuttle, to repair it, and the two begin an adorable affair, culminating in Mr. Tuttle secretly moving into the attic so they can hang out while her hubby is at work.

While it's a wacky premise, it's not merely a story about adultery. . . it has more heart than that, and is beautifully sweet, with a surprisingly un-formulaic ending. Not to mention the inspiring LSD-meets-Art Nouveau set design by Assheton Gorton, and wickedly wonderful costumes by Jocelyn Rickards, both of whom were also responsible for the look of iconic films such as; Blow-Up, Wonderwall, and The Knack . . . and How to Get It. See it, live it, love it!

Pirates of The Stockholm, Sweden.

On a recent trip to Stockholm's historic Gamla Stan (Old Town), we wandered into a little antique shop in the town square, and though I hardly purchased anything during the visit (I was much too distracted by the charming architecture), I did adopt a very special piece of art that will happily remind me of my lovely Svenska-time, forever.

It's a costume sketch done in pencil and watercolors, c.1930s, with text in Swedish that translates to "Composition for pirate fantasy outfit", signed by the sweet, young artist in the bottom corner. It was love at first spot, and though I was determined not to buy anything that would prove difficult to carry home in my duffel, I couldn't whip out my 86 krona ($13) fast enough. It now hangs on the wall above my bed, yet my only wish is that I could find "Brita" and tell her just how much I adore her work.

Perhaps I've also just found the perfect Halloween costume.

Locals only.

We love to support local businesses whenever possible, so on a recent Main St. stroll, in our nearby town of Cold Spring (New York), we wandered into a couple of new boutiques, and walked out with some beautifully scented swag.

At the newly opened arts and wellness center, The Living Room, there is a wall with hard-to-find herbal medicinals, teas, and holistic beauty potions. Being that I'm a lover of unique ropes and strings (craft nerd-alert!), I freaked over the cool looking and exotic smelling, Shiva Shakti "rope incense" from Nepal ($5), as seen above.

We were also happy to discover Cold Spring Apothecary, which offers beautifully scented products for both the bod and the home. Using solely organic ingredients, everything in the shop is home brewed or made, and the location itself is gorgeous, adorned with air-plant-laden reclaimed wood shelves, hemp linen pillows, Victorian-esque tincture bottles, and a wall of locally harvested loose teas in glass jars. For our kitchen, we purchased their crisply scented Lavender White Tea candle, and I can't wait to bring home more of their intoxicating creations.

 

The Endless Sea.

I'm having a love affair with this wonderfully shabby painting of the sea, picked up at an estate sale in Nyack, NY, for $60 (a total steal, considering my adoration for it is worth, like, millions). It looks so peaceful hanging out with our vintage West Coast pottery, Bahamian seashell, Guanyin, and freshly cut Forsythia from the garden.

What gives, 1stdibs?

We recently attended a gala soiree hosted by ELLE Decor for the opening of the new 1stdibs showroom, located in the New York Design Center (and happily open to the public). For vintage decor-devotees such as we, the evening was a total mind-scrambler, considering there are 54 dealer spaces, each gorgeously showcasing their swooniest items.

Above: An original Kay Bojesen teak ape (one of only seven in the world!), made in Denmark, c.1950s, as featured in the Wyeth boutique.

We had designed business paraphernalia for interiors guru, Charles Burleigh, for the event, who along with his partner Lithgow Osborne, curated the Malmaison space, which featured Helena Rubenstein's custom etched and illuminated Art Deco bed, as well as mirrored obelisks, Versailles-worthy chandeliers, and Rococo cushions.

Above, L: Malmaison's display in the 1stdibs showroom. R: Helena Rubsenstein lounging on her disco bed, c.1930s.

We also fell in love with several items perfect for chez Vintager . . . like an industrial drafting table with ornate ironwork, as well as a life-size brass rhino sculpture (perfect for doing Edie Sedgwick ballet routines upon), and a papier mache bust of a debonair dude with a righteous moustache . . .

Above: A tapa cloth covered folding screen c.1980s, along with a Mexican brass rhino sculpture by Sergio Bustamante, c.1970s, both featured in Darrell Dean's space. Below: Edie Sedgwick dancing upon her leather Abercrombie rhino, as photographed for Vogue by Enzo Sellerio, c.1965

Above: Me falling in love with a moustachioed papier mache mister, as featured in Harris Kratz's blast of a boutique (where we could easily furnish our entire house with dream items).

Love Letters.

I can't think of a better Valentine's gift than a vintage red Olivetti Valentine typewriter (hint, hint, Mr. Taylor). Designed in 1969 by Ettore Sottsass and Perry King as an "anti-machine machine," for use "anyplace but an office." It came with a hard-case and a handle, which made it easily transportable, so if you wanted to write erotic poetry whilst laying on the beach in Mustique, you could (c'mon . . . this was an epic concept, pre-laptop).

Above: Three groovy promotional posters for the Valentine, designed by Egidio Bonfante, c.1970. Below: Milton Glaser, c.1969, and Ettore Sottsass, c.1969 (i'm currently on the hunt to find an original of this, preferably in orange). To view an archive of  more fab promotional posters for the Valentine, go here.

Yet if the Olivetti proves too difficult to find . . . Zuni turquoise rings, Cecil Beaton's Art of the Scrapbook, or '20s kimonos from Illisa's vintage lingerie, would also be much adored ; )

Happy Valentine's Day!

Vintage Obsession: Brunschwig & Fils Textiles

While vintaging in New Paltz, NY recently, I discovered several yards of B & F's coveted linen Ikat print, in an earthy palate of Native American shades, and will now forever be on the prowl for more of their deadstock yardage. I'm so in love with my chic new fabric in fact, that I'm currently having it custom-embroidered and sewn to house our design portfolio (photos of which will be posted soon!) But for now, fabric hunting I shall go . . .

Above, from top: Chevron silk slipper chair c.1985, Samarkand print linen c.1983, Berry glazed chintz c.1986, Tuscany woven sofa c.1989

My kind of motorbike.

This vintage rattan Harley Davidson is being featured in the Une Histoire d'Homme auction today in Paris, and it's making my heart hurt that the starting bid of €900 isn't quite in my decorating budget for the moment. If I were friends with the ghost of Serge Gainsbourg, this would be my gift to him.

20th Century Foxy.

Auctioneers Rago Arts in Lambertville, NJ, is holding an Early 20th Century Arts and Crafts auction on April 24th, and there are quite a few pieces I wouldn't mind adding to my tzotchkes shelf . . .

(L to R): Bisque-fired bank (est. $1,500), risque "brothel tokens" (est. $3,500), and top hat trinket (est. $1,000), all by George Ohr (Aka; the "Mad Potter of Biloxi"). Awesome photos of the eccentric Ohr (and his manifique moustache) below . . .

 

  

(L and Center): Large ceramic Amphora vases with Grés-Bijou by Riessner, Stellmacher and Kessel (Est. $1,750 ea.),  (R): Austrian ceramic vase with spooky trees and pearly leaves by Paul Dachsel of Terex ($800)

Chinese Art Deco silk carpet by D. Shaw Nicholls ($1,200), Silver Crest Decorate Bronze Art Deco etched desk set, which totally reminds me of Blade Runner ($900)

Silver turquoise and enamel necklace by Charles Ashbee, which by the looks of it, has to possess actual magic powers ($4,500), California Arts & Crafts bronze and conch shell lamp ($1,500)

Holmes, Sweet Holmes.

While browsing Life magazine's image archive I came across the earthy '70s abode of art director John Holmes (known for designing the cover to Peter Benchley's best-selling 1974 novel, Jaws). Situated in woodsy Northern California (near San Francisco), the home was designed by William Kirsch using only materials salvaged from old structures and purchased at yard sales . . . like entry doors from a demolished Stanford frat house, railings made of chicken coop siding, chunks of quartz,  driftwood, and over 85 antique stained glass windows. Oh, how i'd love to brew chai in the diagonal wood kitchen (always a favorite design element of mine), pop on a Joni Mitchell LP, and practice my macrame . . .

 

 

 

You don't say!

Perhaps it has something to do with growing up in the super-graphic, Terence Conran inspired late-'70s, but for reasons unknown, i've always been obsessed with housewares and accouterment that communicate, spell it out for you, let you in on their raison d'être. I'll give you a few good examples . . .

Cocktail Time (L to R): 1970s gin decanter with cork (currently $9.95 here), mid-century Couroc ice-bucket ($9.95 on ebay), 1960s Danish brandy decanter by Kastrup Holmegaard for Raymor ($88.50 on ebay)

Fashion talk: c.1960s paper "Love" dress, the truly iconic Le Bag c.Early-1980s (I have a brown and tan one that I carry religiously, which I found on ebay), c.1960s Potato Sack dress

High art: (L and R) Ceramic opium and nicotine jars by Raymor c.1960s ($19.99 on ebay. Eat your heart out, Jonathan Adler!), (middle) c.1930s "drugs" sign salvaged from an old pharmacy (as seen here)

Ooh, spicy!: c.1970s herb jars (£18), carved wooden spice rack c.1970s (available here for $39.99)

Well done: c.1960s Australian Bessemer melamine BBQ platter ($AU 4.50)

   Coffee, tea, me?: c.1970s tea jars (£18), moustache mug (for keeping a perfectly foam-less moustache while you sip!), c.1960s flour power sifters (£15)

Totally cheesy: c.1960s T.G. Green ceramic cheese dome (£22), c.1970s cheese & crackers platter ($14.99), c.1970s enamel cheese dome (£22)

  Kiss my grits: c.1960s T.G. Green utensil jar (£6), c.1950s enamel bread bin (£45), c.1960s Arthur Wood biscuit jar (£8)

And above is the perfect kitchen in which to display all of your wordy decor, as well as some truly literary mailboxes (photos from the absolutely brilliant 1982 design tome, The Los Angeles Times California Home Book by Carolyn S. Murray).

The writing on the walls.

On August 5th, Swann Galleries in NYC held a stellar vintage poster auction, featuring fabulous art promoting films, travel destinations, liquor, proper ettquiette, politics, and so much more. If we currently had any unadorned wall space, then I surely would have set my sights on one of the following collectible gems:


(L) Fly TWA Las Vegas poster by David Klein c. 1950s (sold for $480), (R) Fly TWA Hawaii poster by David Klein c.1970s (unsold)

(L) Motivational corporate ettiquette poster c.1929 by Frank Beatty (unsold) (R) Awesome His Voice is Heard poster by the United Nations Department of Public Information c.1960s (unsold!)

(Above) Fromageries Ch. Dayot market advertising poster c. 1920s ($1,200)

(L) Lot of 5 You don't have to be Jewish to love Levy's posters c. 1970s by Howard Zieff ($1,440) (R) Lot of 17 Only you can prevent forest fires posters c.1960s/70s? ($1,320)

(L) Beautiful George Dola Le Veuve Joyeuse poster c.1936 (unsold) (R) Rare Peter Max City of New York Dept. of Parks Halloween Festival poster c.1970 (unsold)
Photos: Swann Galleries

Cigs, and Hooch, and Home Decor.

Though I rarely indulge in cigarettes, and try to drink only when it's bubbly, if there were a vice i'd need rehab for, it would surely be vintaging. And though i've no use for it personally, i'm constantly coveting beautiful, or humorous smoking and cocktailing accoutrement. And collecting such things is actually quite an unselfish thing to do, as it's only polite to be prepared whilst entertaining ciggy or hooch addicted guests . . . able to offer them amusing ashtrays or coasters to assist in their habit of choice.

Below are some fun items i've spotted that totally have me jonesing (click photos to view full-size) . . .

(Above, L to R) 1960s cowboy "Bar" TV lamp, mid-century Danish wooden apple ice bucket, Porcelain pink elephant bottle stopper c.1950s.

  1960s umbrella ashtray, figural ceramic Mexican slipper ashtrays c.1950s, naughty 1930s porcelain Japanese nodder ashtray.

Hand-painted 1940s Japanese chianti bottle plates, 1950s bar bell ("Ring for another round"), 1950s "Nite Life in Hollywood" mixers ("hi-ball mixers from filmlands gayest nite spots").


French 1920s celluloid cigarette case with figural hand clasp, wooden 1950s "coffin nails, I like 'em" cigarette dispenser, ceramic turtleneck and pipe planter by Relpo c.1960s.


Parisian nite-club linen napkin set c.1930s, figural bathing beauty bottle opener c.1910s, 1940s Hallmark pink elephant party greeting card.

 
1950s Pipe-a-lite table lighter (seen on eBay), hand-embroidered "Man's Home Companion" pillowcase c.late-1800s, the perfect Magritte-style '30s burl wood pipe (spotted on eBay).


Cast iron 4-eyed-man bottle opener c.1930s (trip-out!), pretzel-shaped ceramic liquor flask c.1908!, neon bar sign (from Max's Bar, Los Angeles, CA) c.1920s


Vibrant Villeroy & Boch porcelain coaster set c.Early-1970s, giant Coca-Cola bottle cap tray and coaster set  (so pop arty!) c.1979, old timey bar glasses c.1970s.

 
Inlaid bakelite cigarette holders c.1920s, Japanese straw hat coaster set, housed mini hat-box c.1940s.

And on a sad note . . . today we mourn the loss of Bea Arthur. In honor of the Golden Girl, here is a Bea portrait I adore, as painted by John Currin in 1991;

Portrait © Gagosian Gallery

Happy Days.

The contents of Bobby Protsman's Antique Automobile and Treasure Museum in Atlanta, GA (which i'm bummed that I never got a chance to visit), will be up for auction on March 21st (with all items starting at $0!), and though times are tough, there's no harm in dreaming of starting a collection of jukeboxes, carousel horses, or unicycles, now is there? Let's just hope I don't have too much chai that morning, and find myself uncontrollably bidding on one of the following:

 
(Above) Giant ornately carved coin-operated band-organs from Belgium (probably not very practical, but a sure-fire conversation starter).

  

(L) For jukebox-geeks, this 1946 Wurlitzer is apparently the be-all-end-all. It makes me want to wear saddle-shoes and sip strawberry milk-shakes whilst winking at Richie Cunningham across the soda-fountain counter. It's just the living end! (R) The little saturn, twinkle stars and "Music for You" statement are what really make this baby the tops, and i'd die to have sock-hops with it and dance around to my T-Rex 45's. Sigh . . .


( Above) These vintage coin-operated player-pianos, one with killer lanterns and a woodsy stained glass scene,  and the other in olde-timey-psychedelic-green, would enable me to employ my very own Invisible Irma, and are beyond perfect for playing The Entertainer.

(L) A working 1923 Model T roadster (owned by Georgia Gov. Lester Maddox), which would probably go the perfect speed for my upcoming stint as a licensed driver. (R) And if I should happen to flunk my driving test (it's happened before), then i'll go to plan-b . . . a high-wheeler c.1845.


(L) I love the height at which Ossie Clark hung his stained glass lampshade, (R) and this would be perfect hung low over our '60s turned-wood coffee table, for a bit of tropical-chic.

 
(L) We had to slow down recently while driving in our neighborhood, to let a couple pull out of their driveway in their Victorian horse-driven sleigh! We found this to be the punkest thing we've ever seen. We'd love to have this sleigh, but we know we'd just be poseurs. (R) Their Sunday kicked everyone else's Sunday's bum, and we hope we grow up to be this awesome.

(L) Wouldn't you love to begin each new day with one of "Granny's Predictions"? Not to mention, it comes with an "X rated" 8-track tape for those times when you need a more risque fortune telling. (R) And imagine how excited everyone would feel if they had to enter your house through one of these!

Pretty soon our house is going to lie somewhere between this . . .
 
And this . . .

Going Once, Going Twice . . .

On February 23rd, Christie's in Paris is hosting what has already been called "the sale of the century" . . . over 700 important pieces of art and décor from late designer Yves Saint Laurent and companion Pierre Bergé's Rue de Babylone and Rue Bonaparte apartments. It is a collection amassed during their five-decade-long partnership, in a quest for artistic beauty, and creative inspiration.

Bergé, who after Yves death in 2008, has said the items are nothing when not accompanied by the man, his partner in both life and design since 1958: and when you read the beautiful story in Bergé's own words of why he has chosen to part with the entire collection, I dare you not to feel your heart break.

Offered in this historic auction are important pieces by; Matisse, Picasso, Degas, Duchamp, Cézanne, Brancusi, Mondrian, Munch, Klee, as well as  Calder mobiles, African sculptures, Art Deco furnishings, an Eileen Gray dragon chair, (expected to sell for $6 million), extraordinary Lalanne and Limoges, ancient Roman sculpture, and various other things sure to keep The Met drooling for years to come.

(L) YSL's telephone table, with the original hand lettered art of the couture house's logo (one of the only items in the home not for sale), done in 1961 by graphic designer Cassandre. (M) The apartment's grand salon c.1971. (R) Laurent and Bergé's butler arranging the Jacques Grange-designed velvet curtains in the grand salon.

(L) Detail of the decadent grand salon, featuring Ingres's Portrait of the Countess de Larue (c.1812). (M) An ancient Egyptian sarcophagus adorning a plum purple room. (R) YSL and his beloved mummy c.1980.

(L) A model wearing a YSL gown, lounging in the library c.1972. (M) Ornate '70s Lalanne mirrors adorn the walls of the beyond-luxe music room. (R) Matisse's 1937-38 collage The Dancer, in YSL's library.

You can view all auction items here, and just for fun, here are some pieces I wouldn't mind bidding on:

(L) Calder's Dancers and Sphere c.1936 (estimate: $2 million), (M) portrait of Josephine Baker by Jean Dunand c.1927 (estimate: $20,000), (R) Francois-Xavier Lalanne's Oiseaux de Marbre petit chairs c.1974 (estimate: $50,000)

Photos: Pascal Chevallier (for Vanity Fair), Horst P. Horst, Condé Nast Archive, Christie's

The New Apartment Book (1983).

As previously posted about, I am obsessed with Terence Conran's 1974 House Book, but if I had to pick a second favorite vintage decor tome, it would surely be The New Apartment Book (by the editors of Apartment Life magazine, whatever that is). And like the House Book, I found it at NYC's Strand bookshop for $12.50. Originally written in 1979, the edition I have was revised in 1983 (you can tell by the totally '80s graph paper treatment on the cover):

The "Apt. Book" contains  great ideas for sprucing up a small apartment, lending it a lot of pizazz, on a vintager's budget. Here are some great examples, both totally stylish, and highly humorous at the same time:

(Above) I choose to call this look "crafty-nostalgic-grannie-psych". Note the drawer of old wood type used as a coffee table = sweeet.

There is even a special chapter in the book dedicated to showing young graphic designers  how they should decorate their pads, which of course includes: cork canisters, photo studio lighting, lots of  booze, and grid patterns on your walls and furniture.

(L) Love this Fiorucci inspired desk scenario. (R) I've been obsessed with spice racks lately, so for me, this is some spicy porn. I also adore the tiny T.V. hidden away on the bottom shelf. I'd totally put a pillow in there and watch TCM all day, while sniffing cinnamon and sage.

So many things about this kitchen kill me . . . most especially the old shaving mirror spring used as a pot rack, "Babe Rainbow" and the "food/cigarette" painting above the stove.

(L) Nic and I found this exact Thonet-era rocking chair for $60 in Vermont, so eventually, i'm sure our bedroom will look identical to this (especially if I keep reading these '70s interior design books). (R) This is every aspiring pin-up girl's dream-Xanadu boudoir, perfectly adorned with tropical barkcloths, a pastel rainbow wall mural, gold typewriter, and a burlwood jukebox which plays The Andrews Sisters and Sailor, all day.

This shows how to achieve an "indoor patio" effect. Note the hammock, cloud photo window shades, gazing ball, and fish accent pillows. And you just know they were listening to this.

Upon first glance, I really laughed at how utterly '70s this room was, but the more I see it, the more seriously awesome it becomes. Now I can't mess with it. I'm actually filled with envy.

These demonstrate how to curate an "Art Deco" themed room, either on a pricey budget of $3,308, or a vintager's budget of $733 (today the couch alone would be $2,500).

The book even features an uncredited cameo by Richard Dreyfuss, as confirmed by the address on the package next to the trilby hat (the script for Down and out in Beverly Hills perhaps?).

(L) Here's a grody couple kickin' back in their hammock on a Sunday morning, and totally listening to this. (R) Judy and Vincente, Liza and Peter, Renate and Elton . . . so many fabulous women have married gay men over the years. Note that he just took her to see A Chorus Line, and they loved it so much, they bought the record. Awesome.

Too much late-'70s for my brain to handle, almost. I'm coveting the modern wicker chairs (where can I find those?), but I find the white-gloved-hand cup-cozy to be a bit much, no?

My dream den. We're on our way to emulating this look, and I promise to post pics soon!

The (Holy) House Book.

Next weekend is our big move upstate, to a dreamy little cabin on the Hudson, in Garrison, NY. Since the style of the house is very "1970s Cape Cod woodsy" (a departure from the ornate pre-war buildings I usually gravitate towards), i've been in search of major decor inspiration, and have found endless amounts of it in Terence Conran's brilliant House Book (published in 1974), purchased at The Strand for $12.99. For 1970s design enthusiasts, this book is simply the living end, so track down a copy today, and thank me later:

 

 

Tiptoe through the tulips, with me.

Due to the 2% vacancy rate in NYC, when apt. hunting in Manhattan proper, you have to be prepared to make some living space sacrifices in order to find something suitable (especially on a scribe's salary). So when the mister and I headed East from Los Angeles in 2006, and wrote down our apt.-wish-list, one of the things we wouldn't budge about, was that we wanted to live in a 1-bedroom, not a studio. That was, until we saw a tiny Murray Hill studio that happened to have crazy-high ceilings with Deco moulding, and a giant (by Manhattan standards) wrap-around terrace (= sold)!

So now that Spring had begun, we're really nerding out horticulturally, letting our terrace strut its stuff, and getting it all gussied up for the upcoming BBQ season. This is officially the first time in my life that i've ever planted seeds that have actually sprouted (I always thought I was garden-tarded). I've attributed my newly-discovered green-thumb to the fact that I sang little hippie-mother-earth songs about how beautiful they will be when they grow-up, as they were planted in the soil (it worked, so don't knock it).

My favorite seed-ordering site thus-far is Thompson & Morgan, which has been shilling English seedlings since 1855, and includes a free-packet with every order. Plus, everything we've planted from them, has been sprouting like mad.

Here are some beauties that will be gracing our garden this time around (I chose flowers in colors that reminded me of Africa):

 

By row: Touch of Red Calendula, Purity Cosmos, Thunbergia Alata Superstar Orange, Italian White Sunflowers, Lemon Bird Cosmos, Black Velvet Nasturtium, Zaluzianskya Night Phlox, Black-Eyed Susans, and Star Jasmine.

Along with mint, basil, basket tomatoes, parsley, lavender, mesclun, and chives.

In conclusion, I can't believe what geezers we're fast becoming . . . we actually caught ourselves on Friday night discussing the fact that our Gardenia bush is a real "diva" (and this coming from someone who listened to Rudimentary Peni in high school).

 

House in the country.

Though i'm having a daily love affair with our tiny studio in Manhattan, especially now that the sun is peeping about, the Mister and I have lots of fun dreaming about moving to the country, where we can have  bazillions of animals, and live in a rickety old house that we can restore, which will also have a fully-functioning design and craft studio out back, housed in a giant barn.

Considering that we are both suffering from debilitating antiquing addictions, living in a space larger than 400 sq, ft. could prove to be quite dangerous, and we would most likely be living in a museum of oddities faster than you can say "pack rat", but whatev's . . . it would be awesome!

Here are a few recent eBay items that would be right at home, adorning our fantasy country estate (click images to view larger):

French Victorian walnut settee (sold on eBay for $995, which is cheaper than an IKEA couch, and look at the ornate details!), and a stainless owl thermos with cups, made in W. Germany ($9.99).
 
Tiffany Studios brass web lampshade circa early 1900s (which went for only $350, which is bubkus, considering it belongs in a museum), and Mid-century violin chairs ($399).

Swiss Rorschach tests, circa 1941 (perfect for framing, $82)

1960s sea shell appetizer trays (still available on eBay for $8.99!), and a Mid-Century Zebrawood desk by Herman Miller (about $1,200).

  Turn-of-the-century cameo crazy quilt, and Anglo-Indian carved Rosewood curio-shelves, circa 1800-1849 (I bid $300 and lost them for $406 = heartbreaker).

P.S. If anyone has any tips of gorgeous towns we should visit in Upstate NY, CT, Mass, or Maine, let us know, because those are the places we're planning on exploring in seeking out our dream "art barn".

Photos: myersauctions, shopathomeantiques, winsome*lass, ksnus, lennonhallantiques, crittercabin, fineantiques67, luxuryantiques