“What? First day back and she gives us a pop quiz?”

Well, yes. I realize just because I’ve been off doesn’t mean you haven’t been using your design noodle somewhere else, but I thought we’d get some of the business out of the way.

I sprung the first Pop Quiz way back in December 2007 (you can see all past quizzes and results here.) Here’s the set up – I pull a vintage layout by a designer working today and readers try to guess the designer.

I’ve long established that only thing you take away here is some pretty pictures, a smattering of misspellings and hopefully a feeling that I was very happy you stopped by. Quizzes are the same. If you are the first to name the designer I will credit you when I post the answer later today.

Winning brings the satisfaction of a job well done. Which is less exciting than, say, a lamp, but it’s all I got.

Quoting Edna Mode, “I don’t look back, darling, it detracts from the now.” Sometimes true, but I chose this particular layout as no element seemed to date it. Do tell me if you agree. And, is that door silver leafed in the image top? Oh, how I do like to leaf.

Michael called this at 10:58 p.m. yesterday, “This is Tom Ford’s apartment!”

Indeed. In Paris. Published in House and Garden January, 1998 and featured in HG’s Book of Style, the photos are by Todd Eberle.

The images from this morning are from the book; these are additional shots from the magazine.

After looking at 120 apartments before they settled on this one, chosen for its fifteen foot ceilings and view of the Seine, they decided to keep “the pastry.”

Clean but sensual, the home has a clear masculine aesthetic with the lucky distinction of having Gucci leather left-overs as upholstery.

Let’s do take a moment to admire Mr. Ford, a fine design himself. Every bad decision I ever made had brown eyes like that.

Image of Tom Ford borrowed from the Fashionisto.

For those of you who are new, or newish, to Mrs. Blandings every now and again I spring a pop quiz.

Culled from a burgeoning file of vintage tear sheets are images that I put up on the screen then give you half a day or so to guess the designer.

On only one other occasion did I trip up the whole class.  Even Aesthete, who knows nearly everything (nearly everything that holds my interest) was momentarily stumped.  In any event, this entire exercise was backwards.  All I wanted to post all along was Bill Sofield and Dennis Anderson’s Southampton home from House and Garden, September, 2005.

If you look closely you can see the telltale tusk table just through the doorway between the chairs.

The images from the earlier post were Sofield’s home while he was still associated with Thomas O’Brien and Aero Studios; it seems several readers could feel the influence of that partnership.  His apartment appeared in House and Garden, March, 1993.

This sailor sculpture by Louis Slobodkin was on the mantle in the previous post as was the silver bulb which appeared on the coffee table.  And, yes, I adore the bowl for leashes.

The Southampton home pictured here is something of a castle with a long and spirited history. I’m captivated by the house and its organic, personal decor.  But I am especially in love with the way the dogs are showcased in residence.

They are either beautifully trained or completely indifferent to the photographer and all the rest tromping through their home.  Don’t miss the sleek and noble beast completely sacked on the sofa.  Heaven.

Diego Giacometti lamps and knight prints from the Tony Duquette estate flank the bed.

My only regret in shifting my office is that Rosie, my boxer pup, used to sleep on the sofa in a sunny spot while I worked.  Now I sit in the sunny spot and she is protesting by sleeping in the kitchen.

I’m luring her back in by moving her bed right by my desk.  It’s a tough transition.  The door, now conveniently behind me, would be so easy for the in and out of chasing squirrels but as she has never seen the door opened before it is somewhat terrifying and she backs away slowly, tail tucked, when I try to coax her through it.

Sakes, I got distracted.  The poolside gazebo, shown in the two images above and top, is graced by a Tiffany chandelier designed for Gorman’s Chinese Theatre.  Sofiled and Anderson say in the article that they enjoy the taxidermy as it satisfies a love of antiques and nature simultaneously.  The bears are a nod to local lore that a former owner, a jewelry heiress, once kept pet baby bears there.  I wonder if they slept on the sofa, too.

Photography, HG March, 1993 Michael Mundy.  Photography, HG September 2005, Martyn Thompson.

For those of you who are new to the neighborhood, every now and then I toss out a little pop quiz.

I post images from a vintage design magazine in the morning, see if anyone can guess the designer (someone almost always does,) then come back later in the day with more recent images and the answer.

The winner, as you may remember, gets the satisfaction of a job well done.  The knowledge that he or she has triumphed over other savvy blog readers.

I won’t post any comments until later in the morning so that it doesn’t spoil the fun.  Doesn’t spoil my fun.