"Uncle Charles' Library" Image by John J. Tackett.

Released September 1, 2013.

REFLECTIONS ON SWEDISH INTERIORS  Authors Rhonda Eleish and Edie van Breems are owners of Eleish van Breems, Ltd., an antiques shop in scenic Washington Depot, Connecticut, that also offers design services.  The Devoted Classicist regrets that it is unknown whether this book presents only classical and/or antiques-filled interiors, but the cover does indeed look promising.


To be released September 17, 2013.

CLASSICAL INVENTION: THE ARCHITECTURE OF JOHN B. MURRAY  One of my co-workers at Parish-Hadley, John Murray's new book showcases eighteen of his projects, both apartments and country houses.  Utilizing the Beaux-Arts drawing format "analytique" which shows various elements of the architecture in a unified, artistic presentation, the studies are accompanied by photographs of each home as well.


To be released October 8, 2013.

THE DETAILED INTERIOR: DECORATING UP CLOSE WITH CULLMAN & KRAVIS  Although not necessarily well-known nationwide, the firm of Cullman & Kravis is highly regarded in the New York City area.  (John Tackett Design is proud to have worked with them on projects in the past).  Co-founder Hedi Kravis has passed, but Ellie Cullman and associate Tracey Pruzon show how the well-considered details add up to make a room a stunning tapestry of ideas.  It should be noted that their previous book DECORATING MASTER CLASS is one of the best of its type and highly recommended.


To be released October 1, 2013

ALLAN GREENBERG: CLASSICAL ARCHITECT Author/teacher/architect Allan Greenberg, who has offices in Greenwich, CT, New York City, and Washington, DC, presents a monograph of his firm's work, showing new residences, university buildings, and civic buildings all designed in the classic style.


To be released October 8, 2013.

MARIO BUATTA: FIFTY YEARS OF AMERICAN INTERIOR DECORATION  The much-anticipated monograph of the work of interior designer Mario Buatta is being published without a dust cover, I understand, but rather with the end boards printed to give the effect of a journal or scrapbook.  Buatta is known for his quips and jokes so the text is expected to be very anecdotal.  Blogger Emily Evans Eerdmans, an accomplished author in her own right, is credited as co-author and can be counted on to keep things on track.  Mario Buatta, who still has a NYC practice, was one of the most famous decorators in this country during the 1980s and 90s, so expect big-budget American versions of classic English Country House Style.  (John Tackett Design is proud to have worked with him on projects in the past, as well).


To be released October 15, 2013.

FIFTH AVENUE STYLE: A DESIGNER'S NEW YORK APARTMENT  Howard Slatkin, co-founder of the home fragrance enterprise Slatkin & Co., presents his first book which showcases just one residence, his own lavish Fifth Avenue apartment.  Combining two Pre-War apartments, apparently no expense was spared to reconfigure the high-rise space complete with opulent finishes inspired by various palaces.  The book promises to be an enjoyable survey of a man's fantasy home realized.


To be released October 15, 2013.

ALIDAD: THE TIMELESS HOME  Photographer James McDonald presents the work of the London-based, Persian-born interior designer Alidad.  (Devoted Readers will recall the post featuring his design for a Paris pied-a-terre here).  Richly furnished projects, including apartments in London and Paris, villas in Beirut and Kuwait, and seaside homes in Sardinia and Cornwall, are presented as a tapestry with color on color and texture on texture.  The text is provided by Sarah Stewart-Smith who is a London interior designer and writer.


To be released October 22, 2013.

STEPHEN SILLS: DECORATION  This is the first book to showcase the solo career of interior designer Stephen Sills, formerly in partnership with Ralph Jones and then James 'Ford' Huniford.  All previously published works -- for glamorous clients such as Tina Turner and Anna Wintour -- was in partnership so there is great anticipation in the Big Reveal of this designer's own decorative visions.  Sixteen homes, all photographed by Francois Halard, are presented.


To be released October 22, 2013.

IN WITH THE OLD: CLASSIC DECOR FROM A TO Z  My friend and fellow blogger Jennifer Boles of The Peak of Chic has compiled an encyclopedia of sorts to present 100 stylish decorating details from the twentieth-century with each entry including anecdotes and advice along with the facts.  What could be more delightful?  Surely this would make a most appreciated gift to anyone interested in interior design.


To be released November 5, 2013.

LUMINOUS INTERIORS  Another former co-worker from Parish-Hadley, designer Brian J. McCarthy brings a unique and refreshing interpretation of classic interiors.  Nine of his favorite projects from around the country are presented with Brian offering insight to his inspiration and revealing the design decisions that led to the finished product.  Brian has become very well known in the New York City area and this new book will ensure that proof of his talent will spread across the country.


To be released November 5, 2013.

DECORATING IN DETAIL  Designer Alexa Hampton, who continues her late father's legendary decorating firm Mark Hampton LLC, uses her second book to share her process to decorate eight homes across the country, selecting fabrics and furniture.  It is intended as a "how-to" book to develop an understanding of the development of the interior design of a residence.


To be released November 12, 2013.

RENZO MONGIARDINO: RENAISSANCE MASTER OF STYLE  Italian architect, theatrical designer and interior designer, Renzo Mongiardino, 1916 to 1998, has been a great influence in the career of The Devoted Classicist, inspiring his own interpretations with a version of classic, eye-pleasing detailing.  Will author Laure Verchere offer anything new about the great designer's work?  Scant preview images from publisher Assouline offer no promises.  But newbies will certainly be impressed by the genius of one of the truly great designers of the twentieth-century.


To be released December 2, 2013.

WILLIAM HODGINS INTERIORS  Although long established in his own practice in Boston before my tenure, Bill Hodgins is another very successful decorator to have come from Parish-Hadley, a great influence in his design DNA.  Baltimore author Stephen M. Salny writes the text to accompany the photos, almost guaranteed to show Hodgin's trademark neutral palatte, often with Swedish neo-classical furnishings, and always with a tailored, architectural sensibility.


To be released March 4, 2014.

JACQUES GARCIA: TWENTY YEARS OF PASSION: CHATEAU DU CHAMP DE BATAILLE  Drawing on his experiences from his work furnishing rooms of Versailles and the Louvre, the interior designer Garcia employed many of these same principles in restoring and decorating his own home, Chateau du Champ de Bataille, over a period of twenty years.  In addition to his collection of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century furniture, porcelain, etc., the gardens have also been restored in a period style.


To be released April 1, 2014.

GEORGE STACEY AND THE CREATION OF AMERICAN CHIC  Interior designer Maureen Footer, who worked at McMillen Inc. and Molyneux before establishing her own firm, has written a much-deserved book on the great decorator of the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, George Stacey.  Greatly influential, he brought a modern aesthetic to the classic French taste.  His Victorian-inspired interior for Babe and Bill Paley's country house at Kiluna Farm with hand-screened canvas walls served as a background for their exemplary French Modern pictures all of which figured importantly in a photo-shoot of Babe for Vogue in 1950;  the famous photo ignited a new-found enthusiasm for Old School comfort.  For the uninitiated in the history of 20th century design, this book should prove to be an eye-opener.  A "tease" for the book, including the John Rawlings photo of Mrs. Paley in a Charles James gown, can be seen at the Little Augury blog post here.

Remember that The Devoted Classicist has not laid eyes on any of these books, but they all show great promise of being very interesting.  Devoted Readers are among the most savvy in the whole blogosphere, so it is hoped they will come back and leave a brief comment after they have had the opportunity to take a look at one of these books.


The Sitting Room of a Parisian apartment decorated by Alidad. Photo by Simon Upton for House & Garden.

The London furniture and fabric designer known as Alidad is also an interior designer.  (The firm was mentioned in a previous post of The Devoted Classicist in reference to furniture designed by Thomas Messel that may be read here).  A relatively small but richly layered apartment overlooking Paris' Place des Vosges decorated for a client was featured in the October, 2007, issue of House & Garden magazine.


Details of the Sitting Room decorated by Alidad. Photo by Simon Upton for House & Garden.

The sunny Sitting Room is dominated by a wall-size Aubusson Louis XV tapestry, one of the designer's trademarks.  The walls are covered with a modern damask fabric the color of topazes to emphasize the jewel tone theme.  A concealed door replaces the conventional doorway so that the expanse of wall is unbroken.  The tufted gold velvet sofa is trimmed with a bullion fringe overlaid with braided tassels.  A side table is covered with fabric Alidad designed for Pierre Frey.  Strips of gold metal trim give the effect of hiding seams, as done when damask was woven on narrow looms.  The 1920s sconce is by Baguès. 


The Chinese Boudoir decorated by Alidad. Photo by Simon Upton for House & Garden.

The daybed designed by Alidad for the Chinese Boudoir. Photo by Simon Upton for House & Garden.

A Chinese Boudoir was created with paneling decorated in imitation of red lacquer with motifs in white gold and yellow gold.  The custom made daybed is adorned with cushions made from a seventeenth-century needlepoint tapestry valance.  Panes of antiqued mirrored glass are interspersed to reflect the candlelight and give an expansive effect.


The Dining Room decorated by Alidad. Photo by Simon Upton for House & Garden.

Vintage velvet covers the chairs with golden trim in the Dining Room with the table covered in red silk damask.  The effect of a 16th-17th century coffered ceiling is given by the trompe l'oeil painting from which a Louis XIV Genoese gilt-wood chandelier hangs.


Details of the Dining Room's leather wallcovering. Photo by Simon Upton for House & Garden.

Candlelight is used in the Dining Room to further the effect of the Old World mood.  Leather wallcovering with the tree of life motif stamped in foil and hand-painted pink flowers and green leaves against a blue background adds another rich layer.


Details of the Passage to the Dining Room. Photo by Simon Upton for House & Garden.

A Passage outside the Dining Room is lined with cupboards to store dishes and glasses behind concealed doors.  The parquetry effect is actually trompe l'oeil painting, by the same (unidentified) artist who decorated the floors and ceilings.


Alidad at the Sitting Room window. Photo by Simon Upton for House & Garden.

A new book on the work of Alidad will be released October 15, 2013.  Featuring apartments in London and Paris, villas in Beirut and Kuwait, and seaside homes in Sardinia and Cornwall, ALIDAD, THE TIMELESS HOME may be ordered at a discounted price with the option of free shipping here.


ALIDAD, THE TIMELESS HOME

Bradley Court

Bradley Court, a 16th century limestone Tudor manor house on the outskirts of the beautiful Cotswold village of Wotten-under-edge, is home to Pepe and Thomas Messel and their son Hal.  Pepe is a painter and Thomas is a furniture designer.  He describes himself as an "haute couturier" with his firm making one-off pieces as well as limited editions through his own firm Thomas Messel as well as the firm Alidad.


In the garden of Bradley Court, Alidad and Messel, far right, converse at the fountain, while cabinetmaker Alan Pinnock and gardener Michael Price carry a console table designed by Thomas Messel and Alidad for Alidad's Velvet Furniture Collection.

Thomas Messel comes from a family strong in design.  His cousin Lord Snowden (Antony Armstrong-Jones) is a noted photographer (and one-time husband of the late Princess Margaret).  His uncle Oliver Messel was the celebrated designer of stage sets and houses in Mustique.  His grandparents created Nymans in the 1920s, giving a 19th century house the appearance of a fourteenth century manor house with spectacular gardens that now belongs to the National Trust.


The Hall at Bradley Court.

The hub of the house is the Hall with its panelling dragged in colors derived from the Cotswold limestone.  Chairs include the one that appeared in a photograph by Lord Snowdon that was used for the last Christmas card sent out jointly by the Prince and Princess of Wales.  A kilim rug covers the center table and antique velvet chenille curtains hang in the archway that divides the Hall from a sitting room they call the Book Room.


The Book Room at Bradley Court.

In the Book Room, a mirror the Messels found in Italy is topped with monkeys and an angel.  Thomas designed the file cabinet disguised as a bookcase and a pair of black and gold lyre-form tray tables.


The Drawing Room at Bradley Court.

The Drawing Room, dating from 1780, is used primarily in the summer.  As Pepe sometimes paints there because of the light from the full-length curtainless windows, Thomas designed a chiffonier that houses stereo equipment and a credenza that stores her canvases.


Hal Messel in the Drawing Room at Bradley Court.

Lord Snowdon was the one who introduced Thomas and Pepe to Bradley Court in 1981, soon after they were married.


A French cherrywood table extends from the dining room to the kitchen. The walnut and parcel gilt heraldic chairs were designed by Thomas Messel.

Not only did he suggest taking down the wall between the Kitchen and the Pantry, Lord Snowdon attacked the partition with a hammer and chisel, leaving them few options other than complete demoltion.  The resulting space combines Kitchen, Dining Room, and Family Room with a television and a minibar in two of Thomas' cabinets.


The 18th century continental bed in a Guest Room displays a handmade quilt from Wales.



The stair in the north tower dates from the Georgian period. The bronze table with a red velvet top was designed by Messel and Alidad.

Pepe Messel in her attic studio.

Thomas Messel often works in the Garden House in the summer rather than in his attic Studio. He painted the "x" chair in the foreground.

Bugle, their Norfolk terrier, on the lawn of the Garden House.

All photos by Simon Upton are from an article written by Tristram Holland and produced by Cynthia Frank from the April, 2005, issue of House & Garden magazine.

Thomas Messel is the editor of the book Oliver Messel: In the Theatre of Design that documents his uncle's influence on interior design, architecture, and fashion.