September 2, 2010
This time of year is always bittersweet…summer is over and a new school year begins…all my children have moved on to their exciting year…all is quiet again. But now I get a chance to sit back and do what I love best…READ!!! I am a lover of learning and will always consider myself a perpetual student — of art & design, lifestyle…even law at one point (but that’s another story!). What I enjoy most is the way learning allows me to expand my horizons and share some of that old and newfound knowledge with others…this blog being the perfect example of one such opportunity.
In thinking about the “Back to School” theme for this week, I was reminded of roaming the galleries of great museums worldwide and noting labels for 17th century portraits referenced as “School of Rembrandt,” or great 19th century genre paintings referred to simply as ”American School.” I also thought about important figures such as French couturier Paul Poiret and the school he opened, Ecole Martine, where young girls (without any formal training) were assigned to paint outdoors in their natural surroundings, in turn, enabling Poiret, to manufacture beautiful textiles from their “flowers of fancy” illustrations.
A 1920s green-painted armchair with Martine floral fabric cushions. Available at Alan Moss in New York.
Single Armchair designed by Paul Poiret, French 1920s
The passage of information from one to another is powerful…links of thoughts, ideas, and creativity. That is my intent with this blog and my interest in so many others – a means for life-long students like myself to continue to ”school” each other.
So, here we go…read on as I promise Branca’s Scoop du Jour this week will be a quick study! Enjoy…
September 2, 2010
In my book (if you’ve read New Classic Interiors, then you know this is true!!!) desks are incorporated into nearly every room of the home.
They can double as a bedside table…like this 1930s french polished macassar with silvered bronze detailing desk by Ruhlmann.
Art Deco chic in the corner!
For work or play in the communal family room…like this Branca Collection black-painted and red tooled leather top trestle table desk (in my own den!)
A trestle table desk for work or play!
And, because it not only has the looks but the books, too…I had to share this mid-20th century desk found at Gerald Bland Inc. on Madison Avenue in NYC.
Brass Inlaid Satinwood Campaign Desk
September 2, 2010
I love the collegiate look of a cozy, comfy sweater — in fact, I still have my father’s old Oxford cardigan from his days there. Named after James Thomas Brudenell, the 7th Earl of Cardigan and a British commander in the Crimean War, this classic button-down style sweater has been in fashion since the 17th century. Like a fine antique…the look just keeps getting better with time!
That’s why I was thrilled to see J. Crew’s website now has a monogram shop bringing back my favorite line of their “Jackie” cotton cardigans and shells!
I literally buy these up in every color and wear them all throughout the year! Great for travel…the button-downs are $62 and an additional $10 to add your letters.
Autumn colors…
Jackie O would approve!
September 2, 2010
Linda Levinson Designs MORE than just accessories for your hair and home (if you don’t already know about her fab line then definitely visit www.lindalevinsonjewelry.com)
…how about your plate and palate? Levinson is also the creative curator behind the blog Gluten Free Boy, where she exhibits elaborate eats that are all gluten free!!!
Click on these delicious snapshots to read Levinson’s blog posting this week that is all about the perfect school snacks for homeroom parties, holiday celebrations, and every other classroom event that you (and your kids) can think of…
Homemade Gluten-Free Cinnamon Bagel Chips
Wheat- Free/Gluten-Free Donut!
But — it’s not all sweet treats — since every September I go back to being good after indulging in a summer of fun and pasta (carbo loading anyone???!!!)…I also love Levinson’s tips for the end of season farmer’s market picks. Make sure to read that posting, too!
September 2, 2010
Both Christie’s & Sotheby’s auction houses offer short-term courses on a range of art-related topics and I’m always checking out their seasonal calendars to see what classes I can sneak in. The best part is that they are typically range from 1-3 day sessions — short enough to justify a weekend study jaunt to New York or London! Here are some of the Fall events that caught my eye…
NYC…1-day course
Secrets of Champagne, December 17, 1-5pm…
Registration Tel: +1 212 355 1501
christieseducation@christies.edu
London…3-day course
An Introduction to Jewelery, Nov. 29-Dec.1, 10-4pm
To book your place you can download a booking form here and email it to us at education@christies.com. Alternatively you can book your place over the phone by calling +44 20 7665 4350.
New York 3-day course
Contemporary Art at Auction: A Collectors Salon, Nov. 8-10, 9:30-2:30pm
For further information or questions about Public Programs, please email: publicprogramsNY@sothebysinstitute.com
Tel: : +1 212.517.3929
London…3-day course
Frieze Art Fair Course, Oct. 13-15
For further information, call Gillian McIlwaine on +44 (0)20 7462 2490 or email g.mcilwaine@sothebysinstitute.com
August 27, 2010
Endless Summer- 1966
I’m getting SUPER excited for all of the fun things my team and I have planned for Branca this Fall…we’ve had a very busy warehouse week getting ready for the new season and are totally clearing out what remains of the Branca Saleroom web inventory as of this Tuesday, August 31!!!
To make the summer celebrations last just a bit longer…here you go…one final chance to buy some of our favorite antiques at the BEST, BEST prices we’ve ever offered!!!
Click HERE to buy!
August 27, 2010
Take a good look at these HOT Summer Saleroom items and let us know if you want to make a bid?
Better hurry…things are already going buy, buy, buy!!! Click on the images to see the AMAZING prices on our website www.branca.com and if it is marked “SOLD” call us anyway — you never know what we may have in Store at Branca!!!
1. A Louis XV ormolu-mounted red and gilt-lacquered bureau, France, circa 1750…the slant-front desk makes it compact and the perfect conceal to those papers you never got around to going through this summer!
2. A Louis XVI oval-back fauteuil, France, late 18th Century…a must in my book — literally — you will see this furniture form incorporated in nearly every room pictured in New Classic Interiors.
3. This late 19th Century French Provincial white-painted bookcase can also store dishes and serving pieces — casual chic!
4. A Louis XV style daybed, France, circa 1860…it may have dainty cabriole feet but its tough enough to withstand serious slumber. The sleeping solution for a study that doubles as a guest room.
5. This is truly 1940s Venetian chic — the pentagonal shape is just the right size to sparkle above a console or dressing room vanity.
6. A pair of Napoleon III green wrought-iron garden chairs, France, circa 1860…add some Branca-striped cushions and you are good to go for lounging-away the days…
7. I ADORE these 19th century stone capitol lamps – on a sideboard, desk, or bedside table lamps — tres chic!!!
8. How about some Italian Rococo to liven things up? This Venetian bench, circa 1780…is the right size to go directly at the foot of a bed (rather than your tv!).
August 27, 2010
My great friends Carolina Irving, a former House & Garden editor, and Lisa Fine, a textile diva, have created a line of beautiful blouses, caftans and coats — that will make you feel like you’re basking in the glow of summer splendor whenever you put one on — that’s how I feel whenever I wear any of their pieces!
Carolina Irving and Lisa Fine
This is one of my favorite pieces!
Iriving & Fine LUMA Coat
Click on the images above to check out more wonderful “wears” on their website!
August 27, 2010
Enjoy the cool down before it cools up this Fall…
One of my favorite NYC stops for gelato (92nd and Madison Ave.) and now available at Whole Foods everywhere!
Ciao Bella Gelato
A portion of the proceeds from Lovin’ Scoopful goes to the Special Olympics — so you have good reason to eat up!!!
Lovin' Scoopful
Not only is the dulce de leche delicacy lactose friendly — it’s also nutritious with lots and lots of Vitamin A & D!!! Who knew?
Laloos Goat's Milk Frozen Yogurt
August 27, 2010
From coast-to-coast — some suggestions for enjoying the remaining long days of summer — OUTDOORS!
Ravinia Festival in Highland Park welcomes the BEACH BOYS for a Sept. 1 concert at 8pm sharp!
(Refer back to one of my earlier blogs for perfect picnic pointers)
Beach Boys at Ravinia Festival
New York’s Hudson Valley offers a Big Band Concert & Sunset Picnic on Sept. 11 at Boscobel House & Gardens — built in 1808, it is one of the finest examples of Federal architecture!
Boscobel - End of summer concert
The Grove in Los Angeles, CA – you can see stars and sit under the stars at Movies in the Park this August!
The Grove Movies in the Park
