Just another mini-update. Of furniture and new homes.

A Queen Anne Burr and Figured Walnut Low Dresser; 1st quarter of the 18th Century

Home alone, as Mike is off to Burgundy to see a double dresser on stretcher legs in Burgundy. Nearly identical to the one above except instead of three drawers it has four; two over two. So actually a bit more like this one:

William & Mary Dresser Base (late 19th to early 20th century)

Remember that massive 19th century giltwood mirror I bought in Madrid a while back? That’s going over the dresser in the entrance hall- should Mike like it once he sees it in person.

Our new method for choosing furniture (to avoid conflict) is we choose a style together, then I do a pre-selection of pieces that are of respectable quality and that I’d be happy with, then Mike chooses from that list what he likes most.

We’ve also chosen sofas for the formal living room. We’re going with Knole settees. The new house has a distinctly Hollywood Regency feel, with a Gone with the Wind grand staircase and heavily panelled rooms; so Knole sofas seemed just right.

The Olivier’s on a period Knole sofa

We found a pair from a dealer in Kent, with brass finials, that’s just stunning and miraculously the right size for a room that’s incredibly hard to furnish. On one wall it has three french doors to the garden, on the other double doors into the study, on the other double doors into the entrance hall, and on the fourth a massive fireplace. So the challenge is placing furniture as to not block passageways. The base palette will be grey, as that’s the original colour of the room, so something like the rooms below, but with much more intense flashes of colour.

Our room is narrower than this, but will be more dramatic- I need a bit of contrast, red or burgundy or something…

The dining room will be easy. I bought the Gustavian chairs while we were still in Spain (which Mike is also picking up today.) We haven’t settled on a table yet, except that it’s going to be oval and English Regency. The general feel I want for the table and chairs is this:

In our version the walls are plain, the chandelier is much more grand and the table is oval.

We finally have a big study. A huge mistake in the house in Spain was that it was only 20 or so m2. As it’s really where we spend most of our time and receive our closer friends, this time it’s big. There’s enough space for two three seater sofas and four armchairs. It’s going to be dark and have the feel of a 19th century London gentlemen’s club; deep reds, browns, greens, The colours of a Flemish tapestry- and velvet sofas.

 And that’s all for now. We move into the house in about three weeks. As soon as we do and have proper internet again, I’ll be back to visit you all as I haven’t been able to with our temporary haphazard phone connection. And many more pictures will follow. I leave you with a photo of one of the actual guest bathrooms at the new place- untouched since the 1920’s!

 

Ah yes, the name of our soon to be town is Mazamet.