Frelinghuysen Morris House

If you find yourself in Lenox, Mass., and love art, architecture and design, I highly recommend a visit to the home of the artists and collectors Suzy Frelinghuysen and George Morris.  We were fortunate to take a tour today, which turned out to be a private tour, with our wonderful guide Lorraine (pictured).  The house was completed in 1942 and is an Art Deco jewel box filled with artwork by Picasso, Braque, Miro and many other noted 20th century artists including many frescoes, sculptures and paintings by the owners themselves.  In addition, the house is filled with furniture by many of my favorite designers of the 20th c. including Wolfgang Hoffmann, Alvar Aalto, Paul Frankl and Gilbert Rohde.  One of the things I found most beautiful about the house was the broad mix of pieces and styles of both the art and furnishings.  The house is very personal, warm and intimate and you get a sense that they really just collected what they loved.  

A highlight of the tour was a story that Lorraine told about when George Morris was studying with his teacher and mentor Georges Braque in Paris.  A fellow student was having trouble with a work and told her teacher Braque that she "was having trouble making a wheelbarrow that she was painting look like it was on the ground".  Braque said to her "well then, just paint your wheelbarrow in the sky".  That is going to be my new mantra....Just paint your wheelbarrow in the sky!  

Travel Journal

We are winding down in the Berkshires after a great time away in Upstate N.Y., the Hamptons and Kennebunkport.  There has been lots of sun, sand, good times with friends, old and new, and as always some great design inspiration.  We extended our stay a bit because Marilyn has been doing such a terrific job managing the shop, but are looking forward to getting back to business in a couple of days.  When we return, we will have lots of great new finds to post, but in the meantime, here are a few snapshots of our travels.

Congratulations

Greetings from the Hamptons and congratulations to the winners of the $500.00 Michael Thomas gift certificate.

Pursuing Happiness

Well it's that time again.  We will be pursuing one last shot of summer happiness for the next week and a bit.  Michael Thomas will be open for business as usual while we are gone, and we will be checking in from time to time with new postings.  We will be drawing the winning entry of the $500.00 Michael Thomas gift certificate tomorrow morning before we leave and posting it poolside (or beachside) on Saturday.  Good luck, and please check in on Saturday for the winner.  We wanted to leave you with a new window before we head out and thought Toni Hamel's "Pursuit of Happiness" would make an appropriate centerpiece.  Enjoy the long weekend!

Pair of Art Deco Style Consoles

There are a pair of these outstanding Art Deco style consoles available, but they may also be purchased individually.  Each console has beautifully patterned, rich exotic woods inlaid on both the top and the base.  The graceful and elegant supports are patinated metal.  A single console would be a handsome and dramatic addition to a foyer or hallway.  For the right scale of room, the pair would be striking.  Each console 44 1/2" l.,  20" w.,  33" h.  American, 2nd half 20th c.  SOLD

Gilded Mirror

Here is the latest addition to our collection of Rococo style gilded mirrors.  This one is a bit on the smaller side, and a nice size for a powder room or bedroom.  35" l., 23" w.  Italian, c. 1950's  SOLD

"Curtis Jere" Clipper Ship

The Curtis Jere design house was founded in California in 1963 and produced sculptural works ranging from the representational to the highly abstract.  Works produced by the company, particularly those of the 1960's and 70's, have become highly praised and sought after today.  Writer Mitchell Owens wrote a two page article on the history of C. Jere for the November 2010 issue of Elle Decor.  In it he remarks that "Today those pieces are attracting the admiration of leading dealers in vintage chic".  He goes on to note that after launching in 1963, Jere sculptures were distributed by Raymor, a cutting edge studio in New York City, and retailed at Gump's in San Francisco and other high end retailers in several major cities across the U.S.

This signed, fifteen sail, majestic clipper ship has a rich patina and all the rigging, sails, flags and anchors are in tact.  It would make a great Father's Day gift for any dad who loves the ocean or enjoys sailing.  40" l., 26" h.  American, c. 1970 SOLD

Globe Pendant Light

This modern light fixture has a white glass globe center which is surrounded by an enamelled metal half globe shade.  It is quite large and would add a nice contemporary hit to a home or office.  21" diam.  22" h.  American, c. 1970  SOLD

Pair of Wheat Sheaf Tables

Pair of classic sheaf of wheat tables in gilded metal with silver accents.  Matching pairs of these tables are hard to come by and this is an unusual pair in terms of the design as well as the combination of finishes.  Each table, 20" h., 24" diam.  Italian, c. 1950's  SOLD

Wheat Sheaf Table

Made iconic by Coco Chanel (as seen in her Rue Cambon apartment above), the wheat sheaf table has remained a decorating classic.  This table is a beautiful example with a nicely toned gold finish, a substantial, well-crafted bundle of wheat and a thick rope tie.  24" h., 30" diam.  Italian, c. 1950's  SOLD

"Drexel Furniture Co." Desk and Chair

Elegant desk and chair with Chinoiserie and French influences by Drexel.  The three drawer ebonized and paint decorated desk is finished on all sides, so it can be floated.  The top has three inset and gold embossed black leather panels and burl walnut veneer.  Each of the legs has decorative patinated brass mounts.  The cane back chair has an upholstered seat cushion which is currently being reupholstered in a charcoal linen fabric.  Desk, 53" l., 28" w., 30" h.  American, 2nd half 20th c.  $1,150.00 for the set

Toni Hamel; "The Branding"

The Branding examines the ideology of consumerism and looks at how we are molded from an early age to be good consumers.  Graphite, watercolor on paper.  Framed 29" h., 21" l.  SOLD