D'ORA & The OPIUM KIMONO

.

from the Neue Galerie Exhibition

The power of the past and its influence on design is something we talk about here all the time.
How can it not be so? I appreciate the modern , the new-but let it be grounded in the firmament of history. For me-it doesn't count if it does not spring from the past.

Madeline Weinrib is always reaching back to create vibrant new designs from the past for modern life. Her Ikat textiles and carpets are saturated in updated rich color and their patterns evolve from her years of travel and diligence in working with the authentic and  skilled craftsmen to stretch those contexts into the future. She does it like no other. I find her bespoke approach to be a unique one in the world of mass, mass, more, more. One of her ongoing collaborations is with Neue Galerie, here she creates a special kimono in the Opium pattern in celebration of their VIENNA 1900 Exhibition.

According to Neue Galerie the OPIUM KIMONO was inspired by the photograph of Viennese photographer  Madame d'Ora. The Weinrib kimono fully reflects the mode of the photograph's Eastern influence. Viennese artists took Eastern influences for their own and indelibly marked them as theirs during the artistic Renaissance in early 20th century Vienna. The Opium pattern by Weinrib is exclusive to Neue Galerie and is woven from resist-dyed silk threads over many months.

Madame Dora Kallmus was the first woman to be admitted to study theory at the Graphische Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt (Graphic Training Institute) & was also a member of the Vienna Photographic Society. Kallmus used the name "Madame d'Ora" professionally throughout her professional life and was a favorite of the aristocracy and celebrity in Vienna and Paris where she had studios. In 1940 Madame fled Paris when the Nazis invaded France.

Artist self-portrait 1925

revealing her beautifully long hands and heavy lids

Madame D'Ora portraits of Maria Ley IM Rokoko 1924, at l., & Tamara Lempicka, at r., 1929

two of my favorite photographs by D'Ora

story LINKS below:
the Opium Kimono is available at the Design Shop, Neue Galerie-here
the Exhibition runs through June 27 of this year, more information here
in the Gallery here
Vienna 1900 art works  here

.

Sophie's Choice, et al

more Sophie:

Sophie's Mom's Choice: from the Times Online- Forward thinking: New Best Friends- Wise Dog Cushion,"Homeware 2009: Interior Must Haves"

the bed that Sophie is not sleeping on

Sophie and Master (courtesy of Missy McLamb photographers)

on the subject of WALLPAPER:

The perfect rooms for papering are rooms with quirky angles & sloped ceilings. These rooms are featured in the latest Elle Decor issue June 2008 Summer Chic! Issue. In the home of Veronica and Jamie Beard, Veronica's aunt and cousin did the decorating- (Chiqui and Nena Woolworth); all three dedicated to the Palm Beach style.

China Seas Wallpaper, reverse of- fabric on the headboard

photograph by Simon Upton

Guest Room Quadrille Paper

photograph by Simon Upton

Wallpaper is making a comeback- that is- IF it was ever abandoned. My young clients still love it in bathrooms and powder rooms and I do too.

My thought has always been- Nothing is better that great paper-Nothing worse than bad paper. It seems a simple concept- Papers can enhance any room really. Best bets are the bath and bedroom, though scenics are stunning in a dining room or foyer. Small foyers and entryways can be perfect places for larger patterns- making an impact and setting up the personality of the home.

Perhaps one reason for the decline in paper is the open planning in houses today. Where do you stop a paper where the Kitchen, Family Room, Breakfast Room are one roaming space? Answer- You don't, So the effects of Paper can be overwhelming in this case. Its not for everyone or every room- Another reason for its demise. its OVERKILL. A house full of wallpaper can be suffocating-even the best of the best- Going from room to room without recitatives is jarring.

Be on the lookout for additional posts and wallpapers I have selected for my clients. There are some wonderful papers you can peruse online- Cole and Son, Mulberry, and G P J Baker.
Osborne and Little and Quardrille.

interesting posts about paper by little augury: (click here) PB in the WH , & here Pardon Me, but Are you wearing my wallpaper?
and by A Bloomsbury Life (click here)

and loving FROMENTAL, more about them on another post.


Ikat Patchwork-FADING AWAY: an Ebay purchase 2007, that just went out in today's sun for a good fade before using it this summer. Most likely heading to my bedroom. Christmas of 2007 - I used yards of an Ikat fabric to make a bow for my front door wreath- it looked perfect and in about 2 weeks of Southern December sunshine it had faded- and nicely so.

Hurry sunshine. Right now the patchwork is quite bright, hopefully FADING will photograph well.