Once every two weeks, Town & Country puts together an assortment of the best design news and happenings— everything from interior design projects that pique our interest and auctions of note, to any must-have products on the market.
In Brittany, a Dreamy Story Rooted in Interior Design Awaits
If walls could talk, what stories would they tell? On the Atlantic Coast of Normandy, a historic townhouse could entice design fanatics with dazzling tales of an 18th-century French importer for the Indian trading company in Port-Louis Brittany who lived there. Or, perhaps, they’d speak of the creative duo behind Antoinette Poisson, a Parisian design team dedicated to reviving the savoir faire of domino paper for home decor and furnishing, who revived the townhouse and made it into their home and workplace. But, until walls become enchanted with the ability to speak, only a new book, “A Year in The French Style, Interiors and Entertaining by Antoinette Poisson” will do.
Antoinette Poisson is a brand that focuses on using domino paper. In the past, they have collaborated with brands like Gucci and Diptyque.
© Flammarion, 2023
The home is in Normandy, France.
© Flammarion, 2023
Vincent Farelly and Jean-Baptiste Martin, the designers by Antoinette Poisson, came across the townhouse by chance after a client, Francoise Beuze told them of the enchanting Breton town of Port-Louis and introduced them to the historic house. They eventually acquired the home and chose to use it as both a working headquarters for their wall decor and domino paper business and a home. Aside from their own creations, the two have worked with brands such as Gucci, Ladurée or Diptyque.
The townhouse was once the home of a merchant who was a part of the East Indian trade company.
© Flammarion, 2023
Not only does the book provide an ample amount of design inspiration, but also takes readers through everyday activities in Brittany.
© Flammarion, 2023
The book does more than present fantastical French interiors and celebrates the rhythm of a French lifestyle: shopping at the local market, finding antiques, mushroom hunting, paper making, textile dying, and more. The book is surely a source of design inspiration and historical design knowledge, but more importantly, a method of escapism.
A Year in the French Style, Interiors and Entertaining by Antoinette Poisson
Credit: Rizzoli
Salon Art & Design New York
Last Friday, the 12th iteration of Salon Art & Design opened its doors to the public. Within New York City’s Park Avenue Armory, 50 leading exhibitors in design from around the world displayed rare vintage, contemporary, modern, and blue-chip art and design. New galleries included Guy Regal NYC and Mercado Moderno. ABASK, a new design online retailer made its US debut, marking its first anniversary with a physical debut at the fair. In their book, they spotlighted over 100 makers, 600 items, and 60 exclusive items from Carl Aubock, Oeuvres Sensibles, Lobmeyr, Osanna Visconti.
ABASK, an online design retailer, marked its one-year anniversary with a physical debut at the fair.
Dean Kaufman, Courtesy of ABASK
Silvia Furmanovich presented jewelry and home decor.
Alice Mesile
Other highlights include Silvia Furmanovich’s presentation which included an array of earrings and other jewelry in flora and animal motifs alongside highly decorative vases, stools, and other accents. A foldable screen depicting gardenia in a tropical setting and butterfly brooches were the chief objects. Donzella brought a gorgeous cabinet made in collaboration between Gio Ponti and his protégé Piero Fornasetti in Milan for the Milan home of the Ceccatos. The piece was up for grabs for a whopping $240,000. During their opening night, Lobel Modern sold three items including a Karl Spring vase, a Philip and Kelvin Laverne painting, and a set of chairs.
Fancy Champagne and Caviar at RH?
RH is hopping on the caviar craze, and their new champagne and caviar bar at RHGuesthouse New York is a testament to it. Located in the Guesthouse cellar sits a 32-seat lounge where Imperial Kaluga caviar by esteemed purveyor Petrossian is the focus of the meals and is paired with world-class champagne.
Interestingly, the interior itself looks like caviar: the room follows an orange-yellow color palette and consists of banquettes outfitted in camel mohair velvet, gold-marble tables, and handblown-glass chandeliers. The iridescent lacquer walls and Italian marble-mosaic floors reflect the colors, echo the colors, and encase visitors in a caviar haven.
RHGuesthouse’s new champagne and caviar bar is set in a speakeasy-like format.
Courtesy of RH
RH Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Gary Friedman commented: “The Champagne & Caviar Bar at the RH Guesthouse New York reflects our vision to imagine an alluring space and immersive experience that transports you to both the glamour of secretive and sensual speakeasies of the past and the most luxurious private lounges and clubs of the present.”
Head to rhguesthouse.com to book your visit.
Valentino Collaborates with Painter Mario Schifano for Exhibition at New Flagship Location
At Valentino’s new flagship store located at 654 Madison Avenue, shopping has evolved beyond the clothes. The new store is set over three floors, including a basement, ground floor, and a second-floor mezzanine. Each floor consists of a distinct visual narrative based on specific material palettes. On the occasion of the opening, the Maison will be showing an exclusive exhibition of the Italian painter Mario Shifano (best known for his postmodern collages). Curated by Magazzino Italian Art, the exhibition features five large-scale paintings by Schifano in an attempt to communicate a relationship between the art and fashion world.
Valentino’s Madison Flagship store consists of three floors.
Courtesy of Valentino
Over the years, Valentino on Canvas, the brand’s initiative to support the aforementioned, has shone a light on emerging contemporary painters and sculptors. In 2020, Valentino staged two physical experiences where the codes of the Maison were interpreted by contemporary art through a series of projections and other means of expression. In 2022, Valentino sponsored the Italian Pavillion at the 59th Biennale di Venezia, supporting the work of artist Gian Maria Tosatti.
The store also features an art exhibition comprised of works by Italian artists.
Courtesy of Valentino
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Style News Editor at Town and Country covering society, style, art, and design.