01 September 2009

Lady Gertrude Do! Do! Do!


Famed femme fatale, star of the London stage and musical theatre, lifetime friend of Noel Coward-


(applause, applause)




Gertrude Lawrence!







Her drawing room at Portland Place was decorated by Ronald Fleming. This-in the day of Syrie Maugham's all white drawing room- Lawrence opted for panache.

The stage set chic room sparkled with a mirrored wall along the bookcase and mantle. Comfortable upholstered club chairs covered in satin with small bullion fringes along the hems, a low slung rather glamorous sofa in a decidedly reptilian pattern, and a fireside bench with deep contrasting bullion fringe-Enter Noel Coward. Curtain up. A Stylish little Vogue Regency drum table probably held lighters, drinks as the white likely lacquered grand piano swayed while played by Noel Coward and Gertie sang.

I wonder what color that Satin was? Champagne- my guess.



A gorgeous photograph of the Lady GERTRUDE, Satin? Magnolia-my guess




Definitely a Satin Bed-Nude- my guess.



Cecil Beaton photographed the actress in bed swathed in chiffon, fur and satin in Vanity Fair 1934's-Celebrities in Bed.
Yes dog lovers that is a dawlin' Yorkie in bed with Gertie.


What color is your Satin? silk satin rather? I know it might not be the thing these days, But baby it undeniably was back then.



Lawrence's drawing room foto from Style Traditions, by Stephen Calloway & Stephen Jones


9 comments:

  1. I do wear satin pajamas on occasion. Black satin.

    And didn't Gertie have a lovely face. I don't think I ever realized.

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  2. Still beautiful, all this days down the line.

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  3. I like neutral colored satin, for my wedding dress it was the pale color of champange.

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  4. I do love satin. It still works. CC

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  5. Darling Girl,
    Satin was quite the thing in my day. It evokes those moonlight and magnolia days and I for one still love satin, but it must be of the highest quality or otherwise it falls flat. BCT

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  6. Champagne would be my guess as well. Or an off white ensemble with a beaded bed jacket for photo ops.

    And a strong vote on the moonlight and magnolias -- you can literally smell them.

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  7. "Style Traditions" by Calloway? Well, that is an introduction I thank you for.

    I was thinking the drawing room upholstery may have quite possibly been done in a green chartreuse set against a dark green carpet.

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  8. Ohhh! I like that & somewhat like the AAl's post today Chic 1932. Are you thinking or do you know? I bet you are right. Yes the Calloway book a 1990 , I was merely a young chartreuse decorator them-well, much younger anyway. la

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  9. I very much enjoyed the photos, the music, the information...

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