Quality is in the details: Bunny Mellon

Now that the sale of the century (thus far) has ended, Mrs. Paul Mellon at Sothebys, we can all sit back from the hysteria and try to learn from this extraordinary taste-maker.  I read from both camps, that the items were just 'ordinary' and/or worn and then also that they were of the highest quality and perfection.  For what it's worth, I heartily agree with those who found the sale overwhelmingly good.

While I never got further than my auction catalogs, friends of mine attended the sale (and texted me these pictures) and attested that though the furniture was indeed not top notch condition (of course not, it is essentially used/2nd hand furniture!) there was no question to the quality of the items; in particular the details which is where this kind of simple perfection excels.

Even the simplest upholstered pieces featured astounding couture details; from ruffled trims to coordinated buttons.  Even the boxed upholstery of the (blurry) French chairs below had squared cushions to match their frames.

Thanks to Josh for sending me these images from the sale.  Now that the auction has ended the discussions will mostly be of the (boring to me)monetary values placed on the items. These high  prices achieved attest to the level of taste acquired by an aesthete in her 103 years and may we all now try to learn a bit from her years of wisdom.

Magazine covers

Do you think a magazine cover such as these would sell well today? No 'celebrity' Kardashians or overly air-brushed photographs of interiors; rather a well rendered image by an artist on a topic covered in the issue.

Imagine a special issue of Architectural Digest or Elle Decor on which Jeremiah Goodman produced the cover. Am I crazy or would this be a wonderful thing and have the design world abuzz? I'm not talking inside the magazine, just the cover; don't take away my pretty photographs!  If magazines are always looking for something new, isn't doing something this 'old' the latest thing?

Another 'old' thing I would love to see in a design magazine spread; Detailed floorplans (oh how a boy can dream.......). Everyone loves a floorplan! Yes or no, am I crazy (I realize thats a whole other question!)?

2014 Holiday Gift Books, 4 of 4

This year I'm presenting a selection of 40 holiday gift books from the same number of publishers, presented alphabetically in chunks of 10. Some none-too-serious recommendations of who might like the titles are indicated. See the others here.

Click covers ↓ to visit Amazon - or click titles ↓ to visit publishers' websites.

	For the educator – tenured or adjunct: Educating Architects: How tomorrow's practitioners will learn today Edited by Neil Spiller, Nic Clear Thames and Hudson Hardcover, 352 pages
	For the lover of great architectural drawings: Graphic Anatomy 2 Atelier Bow-Wow TOTO Paperback, 174 pages
	For the architect of resistance: Extrastatecraft: The Power of Infrastructure Space Keller Easterling Verso Hardcover, 252 pages
	For the urban sociologist: New York's New Edge: Contemporary Art, the High Line, and Urban Megaprojects on the Far West Side David Halle, Elisabeth Tiso University of Chicago Press Paperback, 160 pages
	For the philosopher and urban theorist: Toward an Architecture of Enjoyment Henri Lefebvre, edited by Łukasz Stanek University of Minnesota Press Paperback, 248 pages
	For the lover of curves: Alvar Aalto: Second Nature Edited by Jochen Eisenbrand, Mateo Kries Vitra Design Museum Hardcover, 648 pages
	For the many who can't get enough of Kowloon Walled City: City Of Darkness: Revisited Ian Lambot, Greg Girard Watermark Paperback, 216 pages
	For the historian/theorist: Forty Ways to Think About Architecture: Architectural History and Theory Today Edited by Iain Borden, Murray Fraser, Barbara Penner Wiley Paperback, 280 pages
	For the infrastructure nut: Infrastructure: A Guide to the Industrial Landscape Bryan Hayes W. W. Norton Paperback, 568 pages
	For fans of rough concrete and flat-top haircuts: The Architecture of Paul Rudolph Timothy M. Rohan Yale University Press Hardcover, 300 pages

Shopping in DC: GoodWood

In anticipation of 'Black Friday' later this week I thought I would share with you some of my shopping from this past weekend. I stopped in one of my usual haunts on DC's U Street NW, Goodwood.

GoodWood used to be more of a vintage furniture store but has turned itself into an authentic version of what Anthropology tries to be. The styling in the store is always artful and really fun to walk around. As with most vintage shops there is something for everyone hidden around the next corner, no matter your taste.

I love this antique cabinet which holds antique china, tea, and teapots. I wish I had a cabinet like this in my apartment for my collection!

 These antique Minton cups and saucers were selling for only $8 a set and there were dozens of them.

One of the most interesting item(s) was this pair of faux "faux bois" French armchairs which are very Michael Taylor'esque.

Some details of the chair -really charming- I wish I had a place for these! Also notice the vintage carpet on the floor: lots of affordable antique rugs.

This lovely antique French mirror is deceivingly tall - it wouldn't look out of place in any embassy in town.

Unfortunately there was only one of these mid-century sconces with a Greek key motif or I would have snapped it up!  Someone had done an unfortunate paint spattering to the shaft but thats easy to undo with some sandpaper and a can of black spray paint.  Did you do any fun shopping this past weekend?

2014 Holiday Gift Books, 3 of 4

This year I'm presenting a selection of 40 holiday gift books from the same number of publishers, presented alphabetically in chunks of 10. Some none-too-serious recommendations of who might like the titles are indicated. See the others here.

Click covers ↓ to visit Amazon - or click titles ↓ to visit publishers' websites.

	For the fan of construction and technology: Sagrada Familia: Gaudi's Unfinished Masterpiece. Geometry, Construction and Site Edited by Josep Gómez Serrano, Maria Rubert and Oscar Riera Ojeda Oscar Riera Ojeda Publishers Hardcover, 312 pages
	For the lover of classic monographs on great architects: Sigurd Lewerentz, Architect Janne Ahlin Park Books Hardcover, 208 pages
	For those wanting to delve beyond the eye candy: Shooting Space: Architecture in Contemporary Photography Elias Redstone Phaidon Hardcover, 240 pages
	For the Critical Regionalist: Local Architecture: Building Place, Craft, and Community Brian MacKay-Lyons, Robert McCarter Princeton Architectural Press Hardcover, 224 pages
	For the Classicist: Americans in Paris: Foundations of America's Architectural Gilded Age Jean Paul Carlhian, Margot M. Ellis Rizzoli Hardcover, 252 pages
	For the beginner: The Language of Architecture: 26 Principles Every Architect Should Know Andrea Simitch, Val Warke Rockport Publishers Paperback, 224 pages
	Yet another one for the beginner: Twenty-Five Buildings Every Architect Should Understand Simon Unwin Routledge Paperback, 278 pages
	For the architect/cinephile:  Christoph Schaub – Films on Architecture Texts by Martin Walder and Christoph Schaub Scheidegger and Spiess 3 DVDs, 320 minutes, w/24-page booklet
	For the landscape urbanist: An Atlas of Recycled Landscapes Michela De Poli, Guido Incerti Skira Paperback, 270 pages
	For those with strong coffee tables: Ando: Complete Works 1975–2014 Philip Jodidio Taschen Hardcover, 720 pages