well read ~ part one

whether they’re stacked on the floor or alphabetized on ornate custom shelving, books are an essential part of our daily lives…a true reflection of our passions and professions…more tomorrow!

Karl Lagerfeld

Albert Hadley

Alexandre de Betak

Andy Newcom

Bill Blass

Brigitte & Alain Garnier

Bunny Williams

Charles Spada

Christopher Knight and Carlos Aponte

Cristina Azario

David Kleinberg

Dransfield and Ross

Garagnani and Poccianti

Gil Schafer

Greet Lefevre

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bill blass ~ pure genius

I leave you this week with one of my all time favorite interiors, the Manhattan apartment of the late, great Bill Blass…famous for his American sportswear, Blass was also a passionate collector of antiques…in fact, when on the road, he would ask friends about the best antique shops and he never went anywhere without a list! His prized collection of antiques was auctioned off by Sotheby’s back in 2003 and included rare pieces such as a writing and reading stand, circa 1810, that was originally from the House of Commons and was on a list of furniture salvaged from the fire at the Houses of Parliament in 1834…

He knew how to buy, but more importantly, he knew how to create a stunning environment…every piece, every detail, was elevated to a higher level…a lifetime of collecting united into a single work of art…pure genius

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

“What I have here is the result of a lifetime of collecting. There is no relationship between the things themselves—except that I like them. You know how American women choose to wear a dress and invest it with their own spirit: I admire that sort of philosophy, and when I collect things, I choose how they are going to look in my life. The way I decorated here was to surround myself with the things I love…and they all have great dignity.” ~ Bill Blass

photos and resources from NY Times, S – B Long Interiors, Mark D. Sikes, Fashion Vs. Art

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a timeless jewel ~ nina griscom’s manhattan home

Today’s post is a look back on an old favorite…the spread, Nina Griscom‘s Manhattan town house featured on the pages of House & Garden, October 2006…it seemed like a perfect segue from yesterday’s post and seeing as this is one of my “go to” interiors for inspiration, I thought you would enjoy it too…

Still just as timeless today as it was 6 years ago, this home exudes elegance and sophistication…a muse for the late designer Bill Blass, Nina attributes much of what she knows to the maestro’s thoughtful mentoring, citing specifics such as: the importance of scale and juxtaposition, how to walk into an antiquaire’s, how questions are asked, how deals are made, and the need for a sense of humor…gifts from Blass are displayed throughout the five-story town house and carry deep personal meaning…what a beautiful tribute to his legacy and what a gorgeous space to call home…truly a timeless jewel

photos from House & Garden, October 2006 via Nina Griscom

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