Knight Moves: SFERRA

I've been really drawn to marbleized items over the past few months. Cool marbled things like Shandell's chandelier shades keep catching my eye and I feel like the trend is on the rise. I've always loved marbled paper goods and I'm glad to see that the style is increasingly being used on textiles in a sophisticated manner.

While I'll take the mass produced marbled designs, I particularly like things that are marbled by hand since the marbling process creates endless opportunities in terms of color palette and pattern. Through the medium, artisans can create one-of-a-kind textiles and papers...and people like you and I can buy them and have something special and unique in our home.

Thanks to the open range that is the Internet, there are lots of sources for marbleized wares. I went straight to Etsy and Ebay for the handmade and vintage items. Luxe decor purveyors like Sferra and Dransfield & Ross make some gorgeous, off-the-shelf marbled items.

1) Quartz Pillow - Kelly Wearstler for Sferra

2) Hand Marbled China Silk Wide Scarf - Etsy

3) Florentine Napkins - Dransfield & Ross via Bellissimo

4) Satin Fabric - Etsy

5) Onyx Faux Leather Pillow - Dransfield & Ross

6) Onyx Faux Leather Pillow - Dransfield & Ross

7) Marbleized Florentine Pillow - Dransfield & Ross

1) Marbled Paper - Paper Source
2) Florentine Address Book - Etsy
3) Vintage 1930s French Book - Etsy
4) Green Marbled Journal/Album - Etsy
5) Vintage Hardcover Book - Etsy
6) Turkish Marbling Address Book - Etsy
7) Marbled Scrap Pack - Etsy
8) Halo of Dust Book - Etsy

I'm really into the gold marbled pillow à la Kelly Wearstler shown above and could see that used in a bedroom or a living area. I'm also ready to start collecting vintage books with marbled covers since they would display so beautifully. Until my collection evolves, I might just use the marbled paper from Paper Source to make book covers for a set of hardbacks (I have a bunch of really random textbooks from the 70s that won't EVER get pulled from the shelves). If I decide to get fancy then I'll have a calligrapher write the book titles (which should be super interesting in my case) on the front and the spine area of the marbled covers...like these from Etsy seller Neapolitan:

What do you think of marbled things?

Last Sunday I was privileged to be included in a glorious day at Tony Duquette's historic Dawnridge estate. Hosted by the dapper and convivial Hutton Wilkinson along with the warm and gracious Ronda Carman, a luncheon was held in honor of SFERRA's 120th Anniversary. I'm a huge fan of SFERRA linens (I have them on every bed in our house now), so I was more than happy to toast to the venerable company's many years of success. The guest list was full of amazingly talented people and the setting could not have been more ideal for the group. It was such a special gathering and feel very lucky to have been a part of it.

For those who aren't familiar with him, Tony Duquette is legendary for being a preeminent American interior designer, sculptor, and jewelry designer. His name lives on through his partnership with Hutton Wilkinson who now serves as the owner, creative director, and president of Tony Duquette, Inc. Under Hutton's brilliant guidance, the company produces exquisite fine jewelry, home furnishings for Baker, textiles for Jim Thompson, as well as decor and tabletop accessories under the Tony Duquette trademark. To learn more about Tony and the evolution of his art and business, be sure to get the following books: More Is More: Tony Duquette and Tony Duquette. Thanks to Hutton, the books are beautiful and together they offer a more complete glimpse into the late designer's world.

Finally, be sure to log in for One Kings Lane's Tony Duquette Tastemaker Tag Sale tomorrow, March 5 beginning at 8am PT. Until then, take a look at the "Meet Our Tastemakers" slideshow on the OKL site...it shows some great snapshots of Tony and his work!

The interior of Dawnridge.

"SFERRA’s 120th Celebration at Tony Duquette's Dawnridge" Photos by Andreas Branch for Patrick McMullan

Party guests including Tobi Fairley, Jan Showers, Tracy Porter, Stacy Kunstel, Suzanne Rheinstein, Hutton Wilkinson, Clinton Smith, Scot Meacham Wood, and Lori Dennis.

"SFERRA’s 120th Celebration at Tony Duquette's Dawnridge" Photos by Andreas Branch for Patrick McMullan

Tracy Porter, Ronda Carman, Hutton Wilkinson, Lori Dennis, and Scot Meacham Wood.

"SFERRA’s 120th Celebration at Tony Duquette's Dawnridge" Photos by Andreas Branch for Patrick McMullan

"SFERRA’s 120th Celebration at Tony Duquette's Dawnridge" Photos by Andreas Branch for Patrick McMullan

Festive lunch table, complete with gold flatware and vibrant SFERRA linens.

"SFERRA’s 120th Celebration at Tony Duquette's Dawnridge" Photos by Andreas Branch for Patrick McMullan

Clint Smith, Editorial Director of Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles magazine, me, and Scot Meacham Wood. I didn't have much of a chance to chat with Clint, but I had the pleasure of sitting by Scot at lunch and he is nothing short of fantastic!

"SFERRA’s 120th Celebration at Tony Duquette's Dawnridge" Photos by Andreas Branch for Patrick McMullan

Ronda Carman, Cassandra LaValle, and Fred Iberri.

"SFERRA’s 120th Celebration at Tony Duquette's Dawnridge" Photos by Andreas Branch for Patrick McMullan

Ronda and Jan Showers

"SFERRA’s 120th Celebration at Tony Duquette's Dawnridge" Photos by Andreas Branch for Patrick McMullan

"SFERRA’s 120th Celebration at Tony Duquette's Dawnridge" Photos by Andreas Branch for Patrick McMullan

Not a detail was missed...even the wait staff looked fabulous!

"SFERRA’s 120th Celebration at Tony Duquette's Dawnridge" Photos by Andreas Branch for Patrick McMullan

Dawnridge, aka Malachite heaven!

"SFERRA’s 120th Celebration at Tony Duquette's Dawnridge" Photos by Andreas Branch for Patrick McMullan

"SFERRA’s 120th Celebration at Tony Duquette's Dawnridge" Photos by Andreas Branch for Patrick McMullan

More Is More: Tony Duquette and Tony Duquette

"SFERRA’s 120th Celebration at Tony Duquette's Dawnridge" Photos by Andreas Branch for Patrick McMullan

"SFERRA’s 120th Celebration at Tony Duquette's Dawnridge" Photos by Andreas Branch for Patrick McMullan

I LOVE this doorway and rug. The curtains were created with a fabric that Hutton designed. I believe it was called Ermine...whatever it's called, it's stunning.

"SFERRA’s 120th Celebration at Tony Duquette's Dawnridge" Photos by Andreas Branch for Patrick McMullan

"SFERRA’s 120th Celebration at Tony Duquette's Dawnridge" Photos by Andreas Branch for Patrick McMullan

This was taken with my iPhone...which explains the bad quality!

Absolutely amazing place isn't it? I wish there were more shots of the exterior. The grounds are breathtaking...I literally felt like I was in some exotic locale. Like I said before, the luncheon was a truly memorable experience and I'm so thankful to Ronda and Hutton for being such wonderful hosts.

Lastly, be sure to tune into the One Kings Lane's Tony Duquette Tastemaker Tag Sale tomorrow, March 5 starting at 8am PT!

Pages

6/28/2011

Marbled Paper and Fabrics

3/04/2011

A Day in Tony Duquette's World