An Anthology of Decorated Papers

Courtesy Thames and Hudson

An Anthology of Decorated Papers

A Sourcebook for Designers

By P.J.M. Marks

A collection of gorgeously reproduced decorated papers alongside a thoughtful and carefully researched history of this often-overlooked art.

p 12  Paper from the Réveillon workshop in Paris, c. 1745. (detail)

© 2016 The British Library

Decorated papers have been used for centuries, from early as early as 105 AD in the Chinese courts, up to when Benjamin Franklin produced bank notes which were marbled to avoid fraud.  They have been used as wrapping, in bookbinding, as liners, stationary and art. This luxe publication is filled with glorious papers which will thrill almost anyone, especially those with a love of design and the decorative arts.

p 15  Comb-marbled end-leaf from John Evelyn’s gold-tooled leather prayer book, a present from his sister Elizabeth in 1685. (detail) © 2016 The British Library

Sourced from the Olga Hirsch Collection at the British Library, one of the largest and most varied collections of decorated papers in the world, the author, P.J.M. Marks takes us on a journey through examples of brocade paper, block-printed paper, paste papers, gilded, marbled papers and more.

p 130 Eighteenth-century German brocade paper on a green background. Patterned textiles often featured similar motifs. (detail) © 2016 The British Library

P.J.M. Marks is curator of book-bindings at the British Library. Her previous books include The British Library Guide to Bookbinding, Treasures in Focus: Decorated Papers and Beautiful Bookbindings. 

Thank you to Thames & Hudson for the review copy of this book. It can be purchased for your library here. 

Please do leave a comment!

Thank you to my Family, Friends and Followers who support The Arts

xoxo

Karena

The Arts by Karena

Parish-Hadley Tree of Life: An Intimate History of The Legendary Design Firm

The firm of Parish-Hadley Associates was the premier interior design company in America for more than three decades. In Parish-Hadley Tree of Life by Brian J. McCarthy and Bunny Williams, thirty premier interior designers tell of their own personal and intimate experiences of working in this illustrious firm with Sister Parish and Albert Hadley. 

This eminent design firm was commissioned by some of the most prestigious families in America;  the Getty's, Rockefeller's, Astor's, Kennedy's and more. To this day the designers who began with Parish-Hadley Associates work for some of the most esteemed families and corporations in the world!

You will see the aesthetics of interior designers ranging from Brian McCarthy and Bunny Williams to James Andrew, David Easton to Thom Felicia, Mariette Himes Gomez to Thomas Jayne, David Kleinberg to Libby Cameron, John J Tackett, and more! (and I do admire and love all 30 of them!)

Bunny Williams interior, photo credit: Fritz von der Schulenberg 

Bunny Williams recounts in the introduction, "Parish Hadley was the rarity of a combination of two people who were very different in their direction but both passionate about beautiful houses. They came at it from different ways. But it was the combination that made it magic."

Brian Murphy interior, photo credit: Sergio Villatoro

Thomas Hamel interior, photo credit: Matt Lowden

Brian McCarthy interior, photo credit: Francesco Lagnese

Brian McCarthy writes in the introduction:
"Curiosity. It all goes back to curiosity. If we really think back to Parish-Hadley, and all of us who came out of there, the common thread is that we were curious. And that was absolutely fostered by the two of them.

There was also this view to the artistry of design and decorating, and the process of developing  the ideas and the samples. If I think about the level of detail that I go to today, where did it all begin? It began at Parish-Hadley."

Kevin Sharkey interior, photo credit: Paul Costello

James Andrew interior, photo credit:  Mathew Dean

Interior Designer and Author Bunny Williams, photo credit: John Bessler

Interior Designer and Author Brian J. McCarthy
Photo Credit: ©PatrickMcMullan.com

Thank you to Abrams Books for the Publicity copy of Parish-Hadley Tree of Life: An Inmate History of the Legendary Design Firm. I encourage my readers to add this very special book to your library. It can be purchased at Amazon.com or at your local bookseller.

Published by Stewart, Tabori, and Chang, October 13, 2015

Also please don't miss my post on Brian McCarthy's fabulous book, Luminous Interiors! You will love seeing more of his design works!

Thank you to my Friends, Family and Followers who Support The Arts!

Please do leave a comment as they make my day.

Sign up for email alerts to receive notification of my latest features!

xoxo

Karena

The Arts by Karena

"Timeless Style" by Suzanne Kasler

Starting with the cover of  Suzanne's Latest book " "Timeless Style"

you see that there is an extraordinary style that transcends decor.

In this scrumptious book,( because that IS how I feel page after page).  I want to have more.

Suzanne has featured eight homes, from her very own Recency style Georgian in Buckhead, to 

an amazing four cottage compound  in Africa. Her friends who asked her to complete the  project, also own the cabin on Mt. Kenya where  Prince Phillip proposed to Kate Middleton.

As you have seen so far, Suzanne's has a wonderful time with color palettes, some are big surprises.

She will spend hours at Mercerie Parisienne which is a shop devoted to beautiful ribbons.

They will cut yard after yard for her of all kinds; upon returning to Atlanta, (just as I would) spreads them out on her bed, playing  and coming up with all kinds of color combinations. Kasler  says she has worked out some of her most interesting palettes that way.

This ceiling is done in a subtle metallic shimmer of Ralph Lauren paint.You will see her icy blues, platinum's, pale to richly saturated lilac's. Many of her clients are collectors, as is Suzanne, so the rooms will reflect and honor the great works of art sculpture and glazed ceramics

. 

In the vignette above, there is a pattern in the grouping of antique globes,

that actually mimics that of  art on the wall. It takes a keen eye to accomplish this. Natural elements and the rustic also play a part in her design works.

Notice the light soothing shades against the dark wide plank floors. The subtle lavender linen covers on the stools.

All enhances the large Painting by Steven Seinberg

Enlarging the image brings out all of the subtleties of color on the French painted credenza.

In this Family Room orange in the Hermes blanket and pillows with all natural linen just works. I love the break of color in the curtain panels.

It is a way to  color block and anchor a room when there is great ceiling height and many windows.

Prepare to be surprised!

Order Suzanne's "Timeless Style"  here.

Suzanne's award are numerous including being named to The Architectural Digest's AD100 list in 2012. She has also been featured in many major design magazines

Publisher by Rizzoli New York

Review book provided by Rizzoli New York

Written by Christine Pittel

Designed by Doug Turshen with David Huang

Author Photograph by Pamela Mougin

Thank you to all of my readers who support The Arts!

xoxo 

Karena

Art by Karena