Crown Jewel

You might have seen this image in either Vogue in 2003 or Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People published last year.  It is the home of artists Elliott Puckette and Hugo Guinness.


The prints are Guinness’s own work and they popped up on Vogue’s gift guide this year.  I’ve had a crush on them for a while; my black and white art fetish is the source of teasing between me and the elder Mr. Blandings whose tastes run to stately oil landscapes.

I had visited some of Guinness’s pieces at John Derian’s while in New York.  The dogs are charming, but I am mostly drawn to the floral silhouettes.

Imagine my delight upon drifting into George in Crestwood to find two walls filled with Guinness’s pieces.  Doubly happy to find them encased in vintage frames.

Please do remember your independent retailers this season.  Kansas City is home to some wonderful shops.  George in particular has a level of sophistication to rival the best in any city.

Refine your taste.  Educate your palette.  Determine what you like, not what some corporate marketing department wants to sell you.
 
Imagine what your home would be, what your life would be, if your things were not there to just fill space, were not there to impress, were maybe not even particularly just right, but brought you joy each and every time you brushed by them.

Imagine what your home would be if you applied the same unerring taste that George Terbovich and Connie Beall apply to this shop.

The insets in the hand painted ceiling are large, color copies that have been applied with a temporary adhesive.  A perfect nod to the holidays.  You could do it yourself.  If you like it.

I do.
Photography from Vogue Francois Halard.  Many thanks to my friend Mandy who reminded me of the image.
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19 thoughts on “Crown Jewel

  1. This is why major magazines ask your opinion on things.

    Your call to ‘refine and educate’ is certainly important, but your call to fill our spaces with things that move us is even more so.

  2. what exellent advice !

    it is simply put & probably the best;
    "Refine your taste. Educate your palette. Determine what you like, not what some corporate marketing department wants to sell you."

    wouldn't it be nice to find a client who has done a little homework ?

    xmas hug to YOU !!

  3. David – you should be my publicist! One magazine. And, you didn’t need my preachy advice -you’re living it already.

  4. I think I spied a terrihuahua in a vintage gold frame… that certainly would cause my heart to flutter each time I passed. I’ll have send the hubby a link. You should see the vintage charcoal I have of a boxer, matted in gray, framed in a white vintage oak frame… was tempted to reframe in gold, but somehow his frame suits him just as it is. Rosie would have a crush… her tail would definitely wag when she passed.
    Somehow your blog makes me want to move to Kansas City… do you think I could find an Urban Grace Dream House there?
    Brilliant post. Sorry for the never-ending comment.

  5. Erika – I would find you a dream house right around the corner then Rosie and Paisley and Penelope could all be friends, too. Your boxer sounds wonderful. I just came into some vintage prints in a cerused frame and I am leaving them as well. Fingers crossed on the heavy hint – I make them myself.

  6. Patricia,
    Isn’t it interesting that over the years we do acknowledge and refine our taste and aquire what is meaningful. I still love the same color palette as I did when I was 20!It would benefit interior Designers to really listen to their clients and not toss out the precious babies with the bathwater!

  7. Aesthete – the entire shop is a delicious treat. I’m not sure you can tell, but there is a mirrored wall just beyond the second door in the center of the image making the ceiling just that much more dramatic. Like the houses George does, I always want to just sit and look when I am there, though Connie has a great influence on the contents as well.

  8. Mrs. B., this post speaks volumes. I’m printing it out and adding it to my list of inspirational writings to review on a regular basis.

    (Mrs. E.’s tastes mirror Mr. B.’s. I tend to like people, places and things more….) And thanks for the link!

    Wishing you and the entire Blandings’ Household the Very Merriest of Christmases.

  9. E & E – so flattered to be a part of that file. Hope all is merry and bright for you and yours as well.

  10. I haven’t read Vogue in a while. But, beyond the fashions of textiles, and famous names, it exposed me to colors and patterns. I agree, that it’s best to find out what you like. That’s why I’ve been leaving the magazines on the stands, and simply coming across new palettes, and concepts of design. Either in window displays, or even the dresses I see the ladies flauting, during summer.

    Thanks for this entry! It’s good to encourage exploration, in decor. 🙂

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