Feeling Blue
Blue never looked so cool. Solid silks get depth and dimension when kissed with a hint of iridescence or cut in a lattice pattern. Pair the two with a ribbed mocha stripe for some warmth and whimsy, and create a fashionable trio perfect for panels, pillows and more. Probst Decorating, 3300 Magazine St., 895-2094.
Hot Off the Press
Replicating original tin ceiling patterns, these new pressed metal panels are historically accurate in design. Thanks to modern manufacturing technology, they are also more affordable and easier to install than their predecessors. Panels are available in a host of patterns and artisan finishes from the rustic raw aluminum “Mill Finish” to the richly layered finish of “Mahoganied Brass.” M-Boss, 866/886-2677, or go to www.mbossinc.com.
Green with Envy
For more than a century, the skilled craftsmen of family-owned Blenko Glass have given a modern face to the ancient art of glass-blowing. Exquisite coloring, fine details and sandblasted signatures make their hand-blown vases, pitchers and bowls among several prized pieces coveted by collectors from around the world. Blenko Glass, 877/4BLENKO, or go to www.blenkoglass.com.
Show Off
Rodolfo Dordoni’s Boboli table turned heads when it debuted at Milan Design Week 2007. Geometrical and imaginative, the table’s structure consists of glass, marble or wood atop a metal “cage” base of fixed aluminum ribbon-like spindles finished in white, black or chrome. Cassina Furniture, www.cassinausa.com.
The Elements of Design: A Practical Encyclopedia of the Decorative Arts from the Renaissance to the Present (Simon & Schuster, $75)
In the bestselling tradition of The Elements of Style, The Elements of Design is a comprehensive survey of the design styles throughout the history of the Western world. Five centuries of decorative arts traditions including Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, Regency, Gothic, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Modernism, and the Space Age are explored through thousands of prints, photographs and drawings making the book an indispensable reference for collectors, historians, decorators and all those interested in the decorative arts heritage. Borders, 3131 Veterans Blvd., 835-1363, or go to www.bordersstores.com.
Doctor’s Orders
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams wrote the prescription for modern living. The corner chair is one of six pieces from the “Dr. Pitt” collection—each one comfortable, flexible and easy to live with. Pull them apart, or push them together to create smart sectional environments, and change the look with the convenience of slipcovered upholstery. Villa Vici, 2930 Magazine St., 899-2931, 3906 Hwy. 22, Mandeville, 985/674-0909, or go to www.villavici.com.
Just Bead It
Strands of wooden beads replace cascading crystals to give a classic Empire form a spontaneous edge. The Nicolette chandelier, although small in scale, makes a big statement in a powder room, sun room or any nook in need of a punch. The Decorator Shoppe Lighting Center, 5029 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, 888-2801, or
go to www.decoratorshoppe.com.
A Wealth of Detail
Furnishings embellished with rare and elaborate marquetry were subtle signs of wealth and prominence found within the walls of 18th-century European estates. Originating in Sweden, this Louis XVI roll top desk boasts inlaid designs on the outside and inside of its two tamboor doors, as well as on its sides and interior. The ornate pierced railing and ram head adornments enhance the aristocratic aura of this splendid antique. Kevin Stone Antiques, 3420 Magazine St., 891-8282, or go to www.ksantiquer.com.
