little augury: August 2009

30 August 2009

ELSIE DE WOLFE: Long May She Reign

In light of the recent travails of Elsie de Wolfe's Villa Trianon:

LONG MAY SHE REIGN

Scene from a Dining Room: Walls covered with mirrored panels done in the style of Jean Baptiste Pillement, with the mirror's backing cut away to reveal painted chinoiserie landscapes. This particular scene certainly appears to me-Chinoiserie Elsie on her throne with her subjects kneeling in reverence or in fear.

read
An Aesthete's Lament: Villa Trianon:The Dilapidation

An Aesthete's Lament: Requiescat en Pace:Villa Trianon

An Aesthete's Lament: Up Close: Villa Trianon

(image from Elsie de Wolfe's 1936 design in Beverly Hills for Countess Dorothy di Frasso. A 70 year secret treasure of her work photographed by SIMON WATSON for House & Garden in 2007, "Elsie in Amber" produced by Mayer Rus, written by Christy Hobart.)

Hutton Wilkinson, president of the Elsie de Wolfe Foundation called it "a lost gem" and a "complete surprise. It has all the bells and whistles of her work. It's absolutely extraordinary," The estate was handed over in 2008- for the sale of its contents and the residence. (read more here.)

This de Wolfe creation 70 years in situ-relegated to destruction. Little is appreciated in terms of the work by this legend. Whoa to the similar destruction of a great work of architecture- this is unlikely. Now it seems that Elsie de Wolfe's Villa Trianon will suffer the same fate.

28 August 2009

Andre, Uggs, and Home

"I like the idea of being warm and secure. That’s what home should be.
That you have a sense of warmth, security, love,
and you love the things around you and surround yourself with beauty." ALT

image from christat23

ALT also confesses to a love for & the wearing of Ugg boots

read the whole charming interview with ALT here " THE HOT SEAT" by Erin Wylie

27 August 2009

having a dress up moment - the HOVEY Sisters

If ever there were two ladies that fit the bill for the new-Between the Wars Era- fashion revival-

it is these two.

Not having officially met them-it is safe to say the Hovey Sisters were Born to it.

Porter & Hollister Hovey

photograph by Valerie Dray

MAKING A NAME FOR THEMSELVES

image from Habitually Chic's story about Hollister Hovey

Hollister Hovey

Picks from Hollister Hovey in the New York Times

The New Antiquarians in the Times

Porter Polaroid Project

Porter Hovey Photography

Polaroid Photographers Plead Their Case

(all listings are links click above)

Hollister

When reading blogs there is a familiarity that's established. I know the Hoveys, along with countless others who tune into their Blog pages. Terrifically individualistic describes them both- something I think quite a challenge to achieve today when inundated with books on achieving a certain this or that Personal style.

In other words- for getting your Personal style- here is a road map.

Here's how to get the Look.

Hollister

Porter

Hollister

Porter

Times photograph by Michael Weschler

The Hoveys make their own map, follow in their parents footsteps, and have their own compass.

image from the NYTimes New Antiquarians article

Photo by Michael Weschler

the Sisters will have to fight over this one

Aquascutum Madame Bovary Trench

Thomas Wylde

all images are from net-a-porter

Designs from top Alexander McQueen, Just Cavalli, Vivienne Westwood Anglomania, Temperley London, Alexander McQueen,Vivenne Westwood Anglomania, Stella McCartney, Valentino Red, Victoria Beckham, Christopher Kane

Rick Owens- not for Muffy darling-

fashion designer Rick Owens is in the esteemed company of fashion designers with their own collections of furniture. new pieces for his collection are slated for unveiling on september 9th at Sebastian+Barquet's London location . Owens pieces will be available in limited editions.

don't expect any thing you can use at Muffy's house. Expect the unexpected- just like his fantastic edwardian tinged clothes.