Old Books

Old books can provide an interesting source of ideas. It is amazing at times how a very old volume can

provide examples of contemporary furnishings which would not look out of place in a modern idiom.

A case in point is Colour Schemes and Modern Furnishings by Derek Patmore.

This volume was published in 1945 for the use of H M Forces and is available in our library.

The photo below shows a room in the house of Mrs Chester Beatty in London. Nothing in it

would be out of place today. The detectives among you can doubtless work out where the

paintings by Pisarro, Sisley and Boudin are now!

LOUIS FERAUD

Most couturiers who lend their names to collections for interiors fail miserably.

Ralph Lauren are probably the most successful in the field. Although not as big a range as it was 5 years ago it still covers a large field of fabrics and wallcoverings and is very strong in darker colours which are sadly lacking in many European ranges.

Kenzo and others have succeeded to some degree.

We think that Jean Paul Gaultier's new range will not join the greats.

One of more interesting launches was the joint venture of Louis Feraud and JAB in 1997.

The distinctive Feraud colours and designs were transferred to a cross section of JAB fabrics including cotton and voiles.  Some of the designs are 1.5m high and are particularly striking.

We have some of these on display in the showrooms at present.

Welcome!

Most Wednedays we will post a snippet on some aspect of vintage design.

Generally we will restrict ourselves to the last century which many of you still remember.

Enjoy!

John