Au Revoir, Bébé

Roger Prigent of Malmaison Antiques (1923—2012)

Read my Architectural Digest tribute to Roger Prigent (1923—2012), a spirited, rascally, and knowledgeable antiques dealer, who became a friend and who had an impact on my early days as an editor and writer.

Artful Interiors

The Commode (also known as The Yellow Chair), 1905/12, Walter Gay.
Photo courtesy of the Frick Art & Historical Center.

A skilled painting of an interior possesses a degree of magic and wonder that can't be replicated in a photograph of the same space. To see more proof, click here to visit my blog at archdigest.com and the accompanying slide show.

Portraits in Time

In the exhibition’s rotunda are, left to right, portraits of writer Pierre Louÿs, collector Count Robert de Montesquiou-Fezensac, novelist Marcel Proust, author Maurice Barrès, and artist Paul Baignères. The decor of the show was conceived by interior decorator Jacques Grange and set designer Nathalie Crinière. Photo courtesy of the Fondation Pierre Bergé–Yves Saint Laurent

If you happen to be in Paris over the next few months, it would behoove you to spent some quality time at 5 avenue Marceau, home to the Fondation Pierre Bergé—Yves Saint Laurent.

The foundation's latest exhibition is a evocative multi-room tribute to Belle Époque painter Jacques-Émile Blanche, who served as one of the inspirations for the artist Elstir in Proust's À la recherche du temps perdu.

 To read my take on the show, which opened last week and was decorated by Jacques Grange, click here.

Splish Splash

The bathroom of British designer David Hicks, at his longtime country house in the English village of Britwell Salome, is reminiscent of a library. Photo courtesy of the estate of David Hicks

When is a bath more than just a place for a thorough scrub? When it's been decorated by Brad Dunning, Nancy Lancaster, Elsie de Wolfe, and, yes, even me.

To read all about it, click here to be swept away to the website of Architectural Digest.

Mrs. Astor Redux

Brooke Astor in her New York apartment in 1997. Photo: Annie Leibovitz

Last week, Sotheby's sale of Mrs. Vincent Astor's estate brought in $18.8 million. And there's another sale with Brooke Astor provenance in just two days. "Where?" you ask? Click here to learn more.

Merchant Class

The exterior of R. Louis Bofferding's shop in New York City, executed by French artist Pierre Le-Tan.

To read my take on the new website of renowned antiques dealer R. Louis Bofferding, click here.