devoted to Rose: a new book from Jeffrey Simpson

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One of the most anticipated-and I can add-beautiful books is on its way. I've waited at least 25 years to steep myself in Miss Rose's world. I chased down every shred of Rose over those years. Her rooms spoke to me as a young designer-and they still do. In fact, there will likely be a surge of all things Rose with the publication of Jeffrey Simpson's book Rose Cumming Design Inspiration. There's every reason to see and be inspired by Rose through her eccentrically glorious rose colored glasses.
She is still a Star.

photograph of Rose Cumming's bedroom, Courtesy of Sarah Cumming Cecil.

(used with permission from Rizzoli)

A veritable feast for the eyes-the book's narrative moves along quickly-entertainingly. I think Rose's life along with her sister's, would adapt easily into A BBC 12 episode series. Sisters from Australia move to New York and "make good." Who could possibly be more colorful than the lavender-blue mopped Rose-her exotic frocks-and the audacious display of her decollete?

Full out glamor-that was Rose.
Introducing emeralds, purples and lavenders into rooms of the era got Rose the attention she craved and deserved. She held court at her shop amidst the finest and the occasional empty candy box or bottle, but it was always full of her unwavering Eye-and everyone wanted to see what Rose saw.
It was a vision.

 As Gloria Vanderbilt, said   Decorating is autobiography-
that certainly holds with Rose Cumming.


 

 a French chair in my Living Room covered in an 18th century French Lampas, a la Rose

from Edward Wormley's 1968 obituary about Rose....The walls were covered with silver leaf, glazed in brilliant blues, grape purples, with Directoire furniture covered in gold leaf and emerald satin. It was rich beyond belief. An ordinary woman would have disappeared in such a room-but not she.

(quote from Rose Cumming Design Inspirations by Jeffrey Simpson)

Some of Rose's Scheming

The book has many of this sort of photograph with Rose Cumming's color and fabric schemes paper clipped together on a client file folder- against a backdrop of Dessin Fournir's extensive collection of Rose Cumming archives.

Photographs by Jayson K.T. Schwaller, Dessin Fournir Collections.

(used with permission from Rizzoli)

I'm happy to admit my love for prints-Chintz-and silver tea papers. Blame it on the era-the Mario Buatta reign-but using them full out-or just a soupçon- they can light up a room. Study his rooms-along with Rose's and the recently featured rooms of Julia Reed's New Orleans home in the WSJ magazine and you will see what I mean.There is no doubt Rose's prints are her signature-they are readily available today thanks to Dessin Fournir-and I can spot them anywhere. Ask any designer worth his or her salt-and they can too. Rose's "Delphiniums" polished cotton print-is still my favorite print of All Time.

and Rose's Silver?
She used IT with abandon-and this too-I love. Her rooms shimmer.
&
Alive and well today, Shimmer.

A true Rose Cumming  L O V E  room-by Benjamin Dhong in the current House Beautiful.

(see all the rooms by Dhong in the current House Beautiful  here)

and there is this Kitchen by Jean-Louis Deniot, his own, done up in all SILVER. Rose no doubt would RAVE.

(see all the Denoit rooms in the current Elle Decor here)

'nuff said-Rose is alive and well- and shining.
The Simpson book is a must have- really.
If you  L O V E what I do here-You will adore this book-
and under wraps- the cherry on top- IT shimmers.

my copy-in the Living Room on a 19th century French chair covered in Rose Cumming Damask in mauve, the book is a shimmering matte silver Rose would have adored.

Little Shrines to ROSE at Home

in the Bedroom

& in the Office

xo, & L O V E to Rose,
& thank you-Jeffrey Simpson.




Photographs noted are copyright of Rizzoli, 2012.
the book at Rizzoli here.
and see this terrific post at John Tackett's elegant blog The Devoted Classicist with something of Rose's here
my ROSE posts here.



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