FIRST IMPRESSIONS
If nothing else one's home is a reflection of
the owner themselves. Given perception is
reality, one's guests make a snap decision immediately upon entering a room. Which
is why interior decorators use key pieces
to make a statement. It can be anything
from a bold color to elegant rug to a work
of art to a major piece of furniture. All can
speak volumes about who, what, where,
when, and why. Most important whatever
one displays should reflect the life, loves,
and interests of those who live there. And
that's what interior decoration is all about.
Considered the first "interior decorator"
Elsie de Wolfe was unable to make a go
of it on the stage. So she leveraged good
taste and social standing to set the stage
at home. Soon everybody who wanted to
be somebody was hiring her to decorate.
Above all else Elsie was able to conquer
any situation. Post the Nazi invasion of
France she escaped with only the clothes
on her back and plenty of moxie. Within
a few weeks she settled into "the ugliest
house in Beverly Hills." And immediately transformed it into a showplace for nada.
Soon Elsie "discovered" a very young window
dresser at Bullock's department store. Quickly
she commissioned Tony Duquette to create a "meuble" for her drawing room while paying
next to nothing for his effort. Tony delivered
a WOW that immediately gained the attention
of all who saw it. Said fantasy was in reality
a used piece of ordinary cabinetry repainted, decoupaged, and embellished to the hilt. And
post Elsie's aggressive promotion - it soon set
a precedent that everybody who was anybody
(or wanted to be) copied. Each piece being
a statement of it's owner's savvy and station.
Given she bagged a king, the oft
maligned Duchess of Windsor
obviously knew how to make an impression. At her country home
the "Mill" - Wallis used decor to
prove she knew chic from chick.
Staging a coup in the Duke's bath,
she had it's walls and a cabinet
painted a la trompe l'oeil. Proof
that when in the bath many of
us prefer fantasy to reality... A
trend that is now quite popular
in Washington D.C.
When translated from the french, trompe l'oeil means "fool the eye." Said technique was revived in the thirties by France's most premier
decorator - Stephan Boudin of la Maison Jansen. The documented
example shown at left remains as
chic eighty years later. And still
in demand given it auctioned off
in 2013 for the price of $20,000 (plus commission). A value that
not only made a statement but
left many absolutely speechless.
The Italian secretary that is currently in our shop
is obviously inspired by Maison Jansen. It's every
surface is adorned with the faux figments of some
mid-century Italian craftsman's imagination. Such
whimsy is just as charming now as it was from it's
very start. Making even the most jaded of us smile.
What better a way to tell it like it is than to center
a room around a statement piece such as this? Not
only is it certain to stand out - it's very presence
will be a testament to the confidence and chic of
whomever is lucky enough to own it. So why not
stop by to see for yourself? Chances are you may
take it home. Or spend the day talking about it!
415 West Janeaux Street
Lewistown, Montana 59457
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