I’ve been thinking. Writing up the playroom project made me ponder.
There are rooms I go back to again and again. I study them. I notice different things depending on where I am in a project or problem. Oddly, it doesn’t have to be a design problem, it can be any old run-of-the-mill problem; the rooms take me out of it.
Mulling this over, this habit of drawing inspiration from iconic rooms, I wondered what will stand out as the defining work of our generation?
Who is creating the rooms that we will be pouring over twenty years from now?
Have we already seen rooms that will be identified by shorthand like, “de Rothchild’s living room” or “the Money Room” or “Chanel’s salon?”
I am just a fan. I didn’t want to proclaim, I wanted to learn.
So I asked around. While I am just rambling on with my crazy stream-of-consciousness, I have made a few friends who know things. Really know things.
Over the next week I’m posting thoughts on lasting design from a few bloggers who make a point to reference design history with a few cameos sprinkled here and there. I’ve learned a lot and I’ve gone back to re-examine a fews rooms as well. I bet we’ll pick up some more ideas along the way.
From top, Nancy Lancaster’s “buttah” yellow room from Influential Interiors, Suzanne Trocme; drawing room by John Fowler, also Influential Interiors, Coco Chanel’s Paris apartment, House & Garden, January, 1986; first floor bedroom of Madeleine Castaing’s apartment in Paris, Influential Interiors; Billy Baldwin’s apartment, Billy Baldwin decorates; Pauline de Rothchild’s sitting room by John Fowler, Influential Interiors; Library and “Money Room” of Mrs. Vincent Astor by Albert Hadley, Albert Hadley: The Story of America’s Preeminent Interior Designer.
I think that we might really be long lost siblings as the rooms that you come back to are the same that I come back too. If you ever just want to escape it all – come to San Francisco!
Great Post- Look forward to the results. LA
Grant – you will be oh-so-sorry one day when I show up suitcase in hand!
I can NOT wait to see who is guest posting!!! This should be a load of fun!
Meg – I love your enthusiasm – it has been fun.
Please do come to visit! I promise you will love San Francisco!
Like Grant, I feel I’m a kindred spirit her, too. These are the rooms. Especially, just for me personally, the Lancaster yellow.
The gold trim on the red walls gets me every time. Can’t wait to read what is coming…
* Am sooo thrilled you showed a very fav of MINE~~~ “my” Billy B’s space~~~ I’ve always just LOVED that sooo much! SOOO, “THANKS”!!!
Warmest,
Linda in AZ *
Very excited to see your special guests and read their thoughts on this subject we all love.
So wonderful to see the Chanel salon. I have had this photo clipped for years and its still timeless.
I can’t wait! Have a great week.
We have a lot of the same favorite rooms! And I agree how images of beautiful and inspiring rooms can help solve a myriad of one’s problems.
My Mother let me choose lime green shag carpeting.
I think we owe these fine rooms a round of applause and to the Mothers of the world who influenced and inspired. I look forward to your posts.
I have a book, which I have titled “Interiors of the Heart” and I have clipped and mounted my favorite rooms, for color, for mood, for inspiration.
pve
Can’t wait to read the upcoming posts. I have often wondered who would become our iconic designers now that we are in the age of celebrity designers. I think we probably won’t be reflecting back on the trendy ones who consistently make the covers.
pve, I like the idea of your “Interiors of the Heart” book.
playing catchup so posting at the beginning of the series, but I have to say wow. This series of posts is going to be a decor blogging legend. Also, can I add that I love the room you painted. Its absolutely charming.