Hispanic Society of America at Audibon Terrace

Greetings,

It's been a long while since I've posted anything, been working hard and traveling a little but now that the dust has settled I thought it was time to sit and write a few thoughts on a place two blocks from where we live that I had never visited. Audibon Terrace is a rather imposing complex on Broadway and 156th Street. The two Beaux Arts buildings with a brick terrace and fountains is rather disconnected from the street. The iron gates don't seem to help, unlike the Columbia Campus there's not a welcome in kind of vibe, so I always walked right past it. Today I decided to walk in and I'm glad I did.

Looking across the terrace at Boriqua College

The lovely fountain parterre is currently under restoration

The main room is a lovely atrium dressed in Moravian tiles. It's a beautiful grand space on the ground floor with a balcony that currently houses the painting collection. That's one of the problems with the museum. The paintings are hung too high and sadly one cannot truly appreciate them. Add to that the lighting, which is rather harsh. I believe that originally there were vitrines, now moved to two other rooms under the paintings. I think it would have been better to place the paintings in those rooms and to have kept the pottery where it was, or better yet, there are empty vitrines under the arches, move the pottery there.  It's a really great collection, but sadly it suffers from placement.

There are two of these rooms with vitrines. I can easily imagine them lined with paintings, at eye level. So much better than covering those glorious arches in the main hall. Plus, do you really want everyone to see your biggest hits all at once? So much better to have a procession, the Spanish know all about those, we were just in Toledo this summer and experienced a 5 hour affair.....and the balcony, which could still house a few vitrines could be used for temporary exhibits, one of the missing elements to keeping this place truly alive.

The most effective room holds  a series of 15thc carvings

There are several first rate altars and carvings tucked away under the balcony or covering arches.

A huge room on the ground floor holds Joaquin Sorolla's  "Views of Spain". Not quite a panorama, I'd call it more of a series of impressions and it seriously conveys the feel of the country.

The second floor landing. There are some lovely tiles and Roman mosaics

I love the terra-cotta color on the walls and the railings are lovely

One of several gorgeous altarpieces 

A 1600's pottery vessel on an ornate stand. How about putting this on a refectory table in the middle of your atrium? 

The most famous painting is by Goya of the Condesa de Alba. Sadly she was on loan, but again she lives right across from the entrance...first painting you'd see... she belongs at the end of a long room that you need to work your way to. 

They really need to think about placement but it's a first rate collection that should be seen and it's proof that quality is much better than quantity.

What Am I Looking At Today: Torceheres

Happy Saturday Everyone,

While not something one thinks about using often, torcheres are always interesting objects in a room. Some if not most are stands that could support candles as well as vases for flowers.

As with all things they come in various shapes, sizes and styles. I'm looking for a pair to put in front of windows in a living room. They need to be continental, so can't do American or English ....here's what I've found so far.

These are Italian, a bit grand for my space, but I do like them....maybe for someone else...

These two are also Italian. I like that they have gilding, but might have to tone it down a bit.

While technically not torcheres, I have a thing for truncated columns. I like that these are rustic and have a simple shape.

Let's see what happens.....still have a bit more shopping to do.

Until next time.

A New Install. Project on the Mainline

Good Morning,

Always like when a project gets installed, makes all the months of working out schemes and making furniture, buying art and accessories all worth while and seeing that it's fine, it all fits and works and most importantly, the clients are happy with the results. 

Looking at the living room and hallway into the dining room.

A look at the coffee table which is an Chinese panel on a 40's iron base.

The dining room with a 15thc tapestry

Made a dressing room out of an awkward sitting room. love the ceiling and the 40's table.

Silver lamps on the bedside table.

Just a detail of the guest room.

Will have to have it properly photographed sometime soon.....until then, that's all I have.

A Prince and A Puncher At The Palazzo Massimo

Happy Monday,

There are many great ancient sculptures, most are copies of Greek bronzes, last year I was lucky enough to be in Rome for a few weeks and while strolling thru at the Palazzo Massimo I was struck by the hyper reality of the Greek originals.

The Pugilist is famous, a sitting boxer, tired and looking up as if wondering what he's doing or needs to do is a study of human grace and dignity. Every muscle ripples, the thing looks alive, even the eyelashes are rendered...there's no way this could be a real person, but it is somehow more real than real.

The same with a beautiful Prince. Standing with one arm raised resting on a rod, he's full of grace. Equally hyper real, the hands are amazing. There's a wonderful patina on both pieces, rich and glistening. Here are some pictures. Always hit this museum at the end of the day, you'll miss the crowds and have a very enjoyable experience.

What Am I Looking At Today: Bits and Pieces

Happy Sunday! 

Just looking at a few bits and pieces that might fill in a project....always a good idea to get pieces with a little age and character so your interiors don't look like a showroom....or worse, a hotel lobby! Never understand why people want their homes to look like hotel lobbies...

A nice William IV chair

Love oyster wood

Georgian rent table...reminds me of Auntie Mame's 'writer's' apt

Liked these...bronze

Nice color

And that's it for today....till next time.

L

Real Decorating: What I've been working on the last few months...

Greetings all,

I've been pretty busy the last several months working on a few projects of various sizes and so, my blogging has been sporadic at best.....but thought it would be fun to show you all what it is that has kept me away.

A very nice house in Mount Kisco, the gardens are spectacular and we've been working to get them ready for summer. 

Above are two views of the house from the pond.

Looking at the dogwoods

Everything's trimmed and the stone is all tidy.

The pool and back porch....just need some smalls. Love the copper tables.

The guest cottage has new copper and roof.

The main house was going to have only a little work done to it, but as with most things it's grown. We found these great old beams under the 1980's redo....you can see the marble floors and wet bar in what the previous  owners called 'the ballroom'....it's just a cottage!

The dressing room is where there used to be a hall and some unfortunate closets.

Above is a concept sketch for the room.

The library will hold about 5000 books.

The 'ballroom' will become a warm family room with a 23'sofa a la the Topkapi palace......found a great 19th c rug. All chic tones, simple fabric and some high style furniture....shopping shopping as well as making sure the interior architecture and materials all do what they should.......well. that's what we're up to here. 

Until next time. 

What am I looking At Today: More shopping

I always like mixing in items from many periods and in many styles, especially in a modern interior.....as long as the upholstery is clean and simple and there's no fuss on the antique items all will be fine.

A nice pair of columns....always useful.

Always like writing tables

Once these are reupholstered they'll be less frumpy.

Threw this in for myself....i'm a sucker for architectural models.

Like this chairs....don't care for the upholstery, even though it's good quality.

Liked that this looks like it's crouching and the lion heads are nice.

That's it for today....Happy Father's Day!