Scalamandre Haute Decor and a Fabulous Holiday Gift

I recently had the pleasure of attending a Holiday Open House at Designers Only here in Kansas City. Steven Stolman, the president of Scalamandre was the featured guest, signing his new book, Scalamandre Haute Decor.

In his book, which was a year in the making, Mr. Stolman takes us through the history of Scalamandre. There is a multitude of founder Franco Scalamandre's correspondence saved in the company archives. It includes letters from the era's top designers and heads of major department stores. 

A table at Kansas City's "Dining by Design" to benefit DIFFA, Katy Sullivan uses  Lenox Zebra China and shows a gallery of Scalamandre Fabric patterns.

This fascinating book includes hundreds of images featuring  Scalamandre's luxurious fabrics, wallcoverings, and trims that both Interior Designers and their clients crave for their interiors. 

The Hudson Valley estate  of Architect and Interior Design Alison Spear. Her  sofas are covered in "Falk Manor House" jacquard velvet.

Mario Buatta uses the Scalamandre iconic "Resist" print to perfection in this New Jersey living room.

Scalamandre designed numerous fabrics, wallcoverings, trims and even rugs for many rooms of importance in our Nation's White House, including the Kennedy Blue Room.

One of Scalamandre's most coveted Chinoiserie prints, "Shanghai".

Joye Adamson, the showroom manager of Designers Only, The source for Interior Designers.

Steven Stolman, President of Scalamandre divides his time between homes in Florida, New York, and Wisconsin.

Scalamandre "Zebra" Silk Scarf"

Scalamandre has generously offered one of their "Zebra" silk scarves as a giveaway to my readers. Their website offers a varieties of accessories, from pillows and totes to pet beds and ottomans. This gorgeous silk  scarf is valued at $200 and is a 36 inch square.

To enter please follow The Arts by Karena either via Google+ or or email subscription and for an extra entry, on Pinterest.

The winner will be chosen on Thursday December 23rd at midnight EST.

Thank you to my friends and followers who so generously support The Arts.

xoxo

Karena

The Arts by Karena

Stephen Sills Decoration

 A design book filled with stunning photography by Francois Halard, Stephen Sills Decoration showcases a selection of incredibly  designed properties. Featuring sixteen homes, including Sill's own country home in upstate New York, you will want to include  this equisite publication  in your Interior Design library! 

The tester bed canopy is made from an antique Turkish runner. Plexiglas hanging chairs add  contemporary  flair.

Alberto Giacometti lighting in Sill's dining room.

A rice straw chair by artist Kim Hyun-been contrasts 18th century Turin chairs in Bedford guesthouse.

A fabulous entry hall with paintings and sculptures by Picasso, Mark Rothko, Henri Matisse, and Giacometti. The intricate floor is wood and stone inlay.

A rare 17th century rug mimicking mosaic stonework found on the floor of a Venetian palace inspired this magnificent home's decor. 

Stephen Sills portrait by Lord Snowdon

Stephen Sills Decoration by Stephen Sills as told to James Reginato
Forward by Karl Lagerfeld
Photography by Francois Halard

Review copy courtesy of Rizzoli International Publications, Inc.

Thank you to my friends and followers who continue to support The Arts

xoxo 
Karena
The Arts by Karena

Luminous Interiors by Brian J. McCarthy

Recently named to Architectural Digest's esteemed  list of Architects and Interior Designers, the 2014 AD100, Brian McCarthy has published a new book on his work, Luminous Interiors.  Destined to be a classic for years to come, there are 200 color photographs of sumptuously finished rooms accompanied by his very personal and descriptive text.

McCarthy joined the venerable Parish Hadley design firm in 1983, where he worked alongside Bunny Williams, who wrote a most admiring forward to this luxe book. Since starting his own firm in 1991, business has grown exponentially as has his elite client list.

Atelier Mériguet-Carrère plaster panels carved with nature scenes surround this luxurious dining room. 

Wrapping his interiors in an envelope of equisite finishes, this designer works with artisans around the world sometimes having entire suites of rooms crafted at Feau and Sie in Paris. He uses materials such as  gilt, silver leaf, lacquer, Venetian plaster, and bold architectural elements to transform spaces into his clients vision. 

Three elements, reflectivity, texture, and silhouette are hallmarks of McCarthy's interior designs, adding interest across a rooms "skyline".

A pair of bronze crocodile sculptures by artist Claude Lalanne in the Manhattan apartment McCarthy shares with his partner. Art and sculpture fill every corner  of his home down to the Alberto Pinto dinnerware and water glasses by Deborah Ehrlich. Many of  McCarthy's  clients have world renowned collections of art and as a collector himself,  he believes that works of art are what give  an interior design its "zing".

An antique suzani from Madeline Weinrib graces this 19th-century iron four poster bed made in France.

This home on the south shore of eastern Long Island has dining room murals based on Monet's Water Lilies. The porthole mirror is surrounded by sconces of amethyst and beaded glass.

Luminous Interiors

By Brian J. McCarthy

 Stewart, Tabori & Chang, New York 2013

Photography: Francesco Lagnese, Max Kim-Bee, Fritz von der Schulenburg

This is  a book I will pick up many times and one that is a must for your library. 

Copy and images courtesy of Abrams and Sarah Birmingham of Little Bird Publicity

Thank you to my friends and followers who support the arts!

xoxo

Karena

The Arts by Karena