Hailed for her avant-garde all-white interiors, ‘The Princess of Pale’ was more colourful than her moniker suggests

We explore the interior style of Syrie Maugham, a boldly modern woman with a decorative vision that was lively, adventurous and constantly evolving.

Interior decorator Syrie Maugham was one of Karl Lagerfeld’s key references for the house's most recent couture collection. Here we marvel at her modern touch

The restoration of a 1930s Art Deco bathroom designed by Syrie Maugham

Syrie Maugham 1922 - 1955 was a legendary British interior designer in both England and America. She was extremely progressive for a woman of that time and founded her own business in 1922 to release her creative energy into (despite her husband, William Somerset Maugham, the well-known playwright, not approving). She was credited with designing the "first all white room" (above) in 1929. It was her own living room in London, which she unveiled at a screening party of sorts, decked out with candles and white flowers. It was quite a sensation! Because she became synonymous with white throughout her career, Salvador Dali named this phone design of his "The Syrie Version" because it was all white and cream. Syrie became famous for using white in her interiors, and her own living room, the "first all-white room" catapulted her success. She became in demand by America's royalty. however, while white made her famous, her later body of work is lesser known. This (above) is a surrealist inspired room she designed...notice the horse hoof chair legs. More surrealist influence. Syrie was also known for using the palm statues and the color green. Syrie's bold use of plants in a client's home to create a scape within the staircase. {images via Syrie Maugham book}

We explore the interior style of Syrie Maugham, a boldly modern woman with a decorative vision that was lively, adventurous and constantly evolving.

Speaking of this Martin Battersby photo of various Syrie Maugham-designed pieces, F.P. Victoria & Son is currently having a floor model sale, which includes models of pieces that were originally made by Frederick Victoria for Maugham and Elsie de Wolfe. Models include the Syrie Maugham Magazine Table, which is a slightly taller variation of the table featured in the Battersby photo, and the De Wolfe Muffin Table, a satin nickel and parchment occasional table that would work well underneath a chilled Martini. The sale also features a few models that don't carry the Maugham or de Wolfe moniker, but which are equally as chic. The sale only runs until the end of this month, so visit Victoria & Son's website ASAP to claim your piece of design history. For more information, please visit their website or contact Freddy or Tony Victoria at (718) 392-9651. Syrie Maugham Magazine Table. The table, which was based on a English Regency piece, was adapted by Frederick Victoria for Syrie Maugham. Syrie Maugham Coffee Table, whose design was originally developed by F.P. Victoria for the designer during the 1940s. De Wolfe Muffin Table. According to Freddy Victoria, de Wolfe saw the prototype of this table, which was brass with red leather tops, when she visited Frederick Victoria's showroom. De Wolfe was desperate to buy the table, but Victoria would not sell it to her. Later, she sent Victoria a letter asking for the table and included a sketch of where she intended to use it. Victoria eventually made her a copy of the table. Polished Nickel Cole Porter Table. Freddy's father, Tony, adapted this table from the firm's famous étagère design for Billy Baldwin.

The restoration of a 1930s Art Deco bathroom designed by Syrie Maugham

We explore the interior style of Syrie Maugham, a boldly modern woman with a decorative vision that was lively, adventurous and constantly evolving.

Mrs. Osler, Cap d'Antibes, 1929. Lady Astor playing golf at North Berwick, 1921. The Green Sofa (Mary Auras), 1903. My Studio Door, Tangier, 1920. Lady in Red (Mrs. Owen Barton Jones), 1924. The Hall of Argyll House, Chelsea, London - with Syrie Maugham and Sibyl Colefax, 1930. Miss Rosemary Hope-Vere and Bacchus, 1929. Bacchus! Margaret, Duchess of Argyll, 1931. (Study for "Their Majesties' Court, Buckingham Palace", now lost.) Madame Leo d'Erlanger, 1931. (Study for "Their Majesties' Court, Buckingham Palace", now lost.) The Red Hat (Lady Lavery, the artist's wife, in a Mayfair Drawing Room), 1925. In Morocco, 1913. Lady Lavery, 1922. Mary Borden and her family at Bisham Abbey, 1925. Cynthia Zur Nedden, 1931. A Lady in Black (Jean Ainsworth, Viscountess Massereene and Ferrard), 1917. Cap d'Ail, 1921. A Fair Spaniard (Mrs. Gerard Chowne), 1909. The Spanish Hat (Mrs. Gerard Chowne), 1909. Mrs. Rosen's Bedroom, 1926. Alice on Sultan, Tangier, 1913. Viscountess Castlerosse, Palm Springs, 1938. Miss Diana Dickinson, the artist's granddaughter, 1934. Viscountess Wimborne, 1937.

Explore our selction of the interiors, objects, and architecture of the past century that keenly illustrate the timelessness of expert design.

I just finished reading Syrie Maugham, Pauline Metcalf's new book on one of the twentieth century's most innovative designers. It was high time that Syrie got a book of her own. Actually, Richard Fisher wrote a book on Syrie back in the late 1970s, but that one is both hard to find and quite expensive. I had to resort to photocopying the Fisher book at my neighborhood library. At least I own Metcalf's book. Like so many of the Acanthus Press books that I've read, Syrie Maugham is very much a catalogue raisonne of the decorator's work through the decades. There were some Maugham rooms that I was familiar with, but many were new to me too. Of course, Maugham's famous Kings Road all-white drawing room is featured in the book (it's on the cover, too); after all, this was the room that got Maugham noticed by the press and the public on both sides of the Atlantic. But what many people don't realize is that Maugham also used color- vivid color- in much of her work, and this is a point that Metcalf drives home with such examples as the living room of Ina and William Wallace and even Maugham's later residence at Chesham Place. In addition to color, other Maugham hallmarks include tufted upholstery (Syrie never overlooked comfort), sleigh beds, mirrored screens, fringe, and fabulous window pelmets, all of which are seen throughout the book. Another interesting point made by Metcalf is that at times, Maugham's work "overlapped" with that of Elsie de Wolfe, Frances Elkins (someone with whom Maugham occasionally collaborated), and even Dorothy Draper. Look at photos of all four designers' work and you'll see the influence that each one had on the other. I know that there are those of us who are fascinated by the history of design and those who are only interested in photographs of gorgeous rooms. No matter which camp you're in, I think this book will be well received by both. After reading it, you'll realize that Syrie Maugham was not just a one trick pony. Although she'll be best remembered for that white room and pickled furniture, she did so much more than that. Thanks to Metcalf for showing us that. The famous all-white party room at Maugham's Kings Road home c. 1932. Once this look ran its course, Maugham was smart enough to go in a different direction and decorate her home in a whole new way: Vogue Regency in the Entrance Hall at Chesham Place, Maugham's address from 1937 to 1939. If I didn't know better, I might think that this space was decorated by Dorothy Draper. Rose wallpaper struck a colorful note in the entrance hall at yet another Maugham home, this one at 24 Park Lane. And one more example of rich color, this time in the living room of William Wallace and his wife, actress Ina Claire. This space dates to the early 1940s. I find this Maugham decorated drawing room so charming, and I just had to include it because this home belonged to Lady Rose Leveson-Gower and her husband; she was the older sister to the late Queen Mum. The Manhattan apartment of Grace and Harry Payne Bingham. If only I had traditional windows in my apartment, I would copy that pelmet in a heartbeat. (All images courtesy of Syrie Maugham by Pauline C. Metcalf, Acanthus Press publishers.)

We explore the interior style of Syrie Maugham, a boldly modern woman with a decorative vision that was lively, adventurous and constantly evolving.

Trendsetter, fashion icon, and wife of an internationally renowned novelist and playwright, Somerset Maugham (pictured left with Syrie's signature brush fringe upholstery detail) Interior Designer, Syrie Maugham (1879-1955) created an ultra-chic world that was as unique as it was influential. Author and design authority, Pauline C. Metcalf takes readers on a lively trans-atlantic voyage through Maugham's world, from the drawing rooms she decorated in London to the houses, villas and apartments commissioned by clients in the United States and on the Continent. I read many design books, but I found this absolutely fascinating, well written and very enjoyable. Portrait of Syrie by the designer Cecil Beaton captures her elegant style of living.

A truly fashionable life means a fashionable interior. Mona Bismarck in Balenciaga in her apartment on Avenue de New-York in Paris Even without the fashion, it is still all about the style. The living room in Yves Saint Laurent's Paris apartment So that is why when I was originally shown a collection of Joe Eula fashion sketches, I knew I had to have them. One of our clients, Julie Brown, was kind enough to share the framed drawings she purchased for a client's home. The drawings are in hand painted frames, mounted on gilt edged linen and set behind museum quality glass. That's the way you do it! Photo courtesy of Brownhouse Design Brownhouse Design 662 Springer Terrace Los Altos, California Thank you Julie for sharing! The drawings look amazing!!

The current issue of Vogue Living has a great article on a fantasy room created for actress Rachel Weisz. Inspired by the lives of 19th century Parisian courtesans, Weisz wanted a boudoir with a salon feel. The fantasy room, created in the empty apartment of the late Fernando Sanchez, was assembled with the help of Vera Wang and designer Jessie Carrier. And what fun that must have been! The room is dominated by a gorgeous bed dripping in fabric by Michael Smith and crowned by ostrich feathers! So, I started to think about my kind of fantasy room. Now in reality, I'm a student of the "Albert Hadley/Billy Baldwin/ Van Day Truex with some Dorothy Draper mixed in" school of design. But we are talking fantasy here, so why not go for broke. I don't see myself creating a period piece- Regency England, Belle Epoque Paris, or Renaissance Italy are all very inspiring periods, but they're not striking my fancy at this moment. And I don't want a costume drama. Although Scarlett O'Hara is a heroine to us Southern gals, I'm just not seeing hoop skirts in my fantasy room (although allowances might be made for Scarlett's green velvet curtains; they just might come in handy!). No, my room would be planted firmly in the 20th century; actually, the 1930s to be exact. I see satin, mirror, interesting plasterwork, a bit of Chinoiserie, and moody lighting. It would have to be shot in black and white for that extra touch of drama. Oh, and I see an ermine cape thrown on the ground for that touch of devil may care attitude. If we're talking 1930s, we have to include a Syrie Maugham room. Perhaps a satin sofa like this might be nice, although the fringe is a bit hard to stomach. I suppose this might be my fantasy bathroom, located next to my fantasy room. (Bathroom at Gayfere House, London) What about these unusual ropes, wooden tassels, and porcelain hands on a wall in the fantasy room? (Images from House & Garden, Conde Nast Store) You see, nothing like a little dramatic lighting to change the tone of a room. (Room designed by Thedlow; House & Garden, August 1936) Oh look, there I am striking a pose in my fantasy room! (Photo of late actress Gail Patrick) (Images at top from Vogue Living, Spring/Summer '08; Annie Leibovitz photographer)

Playwright, novelist and short story writer. Born of British parents in Paris. A recent biographer, Selina Hastings, writes that Maugham 'liked sex and he liked a lot of it.' 'Few good-looking young men who crossed his path were left unpropositioned.' Maugham's wife (yes, really) was Syrie, daughter of Dr Barnardo and former wife of Sir Henry Wellcome. Maugham died in Nice, France.

Pushing the boundaries of 20th-century design, the innovative aesthetic of British floral maven Constance Spry stands the test of time

Decorators have been obsessed with plaster objects for many years, and they are once again an accessory du jour. Plaster dipped chandelier from Trove in Los Angeles - I am thinking of doing a DIY project I remember an episode on Million Dollar Decorators where JAM and Ross were at the San Francisco Antiques show, making a bee line for a perfect coffee table that turned out to be a small vintage plaster table by John Dickinson. I think it the price tag was ten thousand dollars. Ross and Jeffrey on the hunt for the perfect coffee table They coveted this John Dickinson table that sold for $30K Since then I noticed more and more John Dickinson pieces being featured in designer rooms. A treasure trove of John Dickinson pieces Plaster tables are popping up everywhere in designer rooms John Dickinson lamps are also very popular Room designed by the legendary John Dickinson Syrie Maugham was famous for using white plaster objects. Syrie Maugham with a white plaster palm tree lamp - Love the chevron rug too - This is 1930 people! "The story behind this literally off-the-wall use of plaster actually began in the '30s. Serge Roche, a second-generation antiques dealer, began making ornate Rococo plaster tables, mirror frames and palm-frond torchiers during the Great Depression to bolster the stock of his Paris shop. Business was bad, so in order to keep going, he decided to design furniture. Not everything was done in plaster, but most of it was. Along with fellow Parisian Jean-Michel Frank—who sold the work of Emilio Terry and sculptors Alberto and Diego Giacometti—Roche became the go-to plaster resource for the decoratrixes of the day, such as Elsie de Wolfe, Frances Elkins and particularly Syrie Maugham, who snapped up pieces for her signature all-white rooms." Syrie Maugham lobster phone "In that era, plaster had a touch of whimsy and the surreal—Maugham collaborated with Salvador Dali on a plaster lobster phone—but it was still mostly focused on traditions past. It's no surprise that as the forward-looking '60s rolled in, plaster took a backseat to steel and glass. San Francisco decorator John Dickinson was part of its revival in the '70s with his almost cartoony animal-footed stools and tables." from The Wall Street Journal Frances Elkins with her plaster treasures Here in New Orleans chandelier designer Julie Neill has been experimenting with plaster. She's made a couple of chandeliers. It's not as easy as my DIY idea of dipping a chandelier. She has worked hard in finding a way to actually make a chandelier in plaster. Julie Neill chandelier in the restaurant Oak in New Orleans One of the first Julie Neill plaster chandeliers Julie said this is the one that inspired her that she saw in a room done by Gerrie Bremermann There are many other ways to incorporate plaster accents into your decor. A simple one is to use plaster brackets to display smaller objects. The little shelves are relatively easy to find and inexpensive. Miles Redd uses plaster brackets Steven Gambrel uses plaster brackets You can also just place a few plaster objects around your home. I have a plaster lamp purchased at Ballard Designs over fifteen years ago. I love this photo, an outtake for the book Undecorate taken by Melanie Acevedo - So much has changed since that photo shoot, but I still have and use the plaster lamp Plaster walls inherent to architecture are amazing I love the plaster objects used in this table setting designed by Dwayne Clark and Bob Gaynor for DIFFA Shells mix well with plaster - Detail of DIFFA table Of course here in New Orleans many old homes have plaster mouldings and medallions I'll let you know what happens if I dip an old chandelier in plaster! Has anyone out there tried this yet? Or made plaster furniture? Please add my NEW address to your blog list: http://thevisualvamp.blogspot.com And please become a Follower again (or for the first time) on this new blog

My bonkers hobby of creating miniature interiors. I love the drama of many historic interiors. Creating these models helps allows me to indulge my 'inner designer'! The rooms are constructed from wood and card and wooden moulded decorative trim, as well as bits of old cereal packets, drinking straws, balsa wood, beads, plastic food packaging etc. The most enjoyable bit is painting the floors, walls and ceilings. Most of the furniture is by playmobil (although I will often customise it).

What to do when your work schedule is so hectic that it leaves you little time to prepare a blog post? You scramble to find photos of a house so attractive that you don't have to devote much time to writing text. Now that I've gotten that off of my chest, I'll get on with the gist of this blog post. The upper Westchester County, New York house you see here belonged (or, perhaps still belongs) to designers Benjamin Garber and William Kennedy of William Kennedy Associates. Built in 1968, the 7,000-square-foot house was composed of quite spacious rooms, which were decorated in that dignified style so characteristic of mid-twentieth-century, high-end design. By dignified, I mean that the house was appointed with fine fabrics, formal, antique furniture, and exquisite porcelains, all set against a backdrop of sophisticated, harmonious color. And although the house could be deemed polite (a compliment in my book,) there is nothing stuffy about this house. Warmth and comfort are much in evidence, with just enough dazzle to keep things interesting. Also interesting is the information provided by the 1974 Architectural Digest article, in which these photos appeared. According to the text, Kennedy once worked for Syrie Maugham, and both men took over her U.S. operation in the 1950s. The interview for this article must have been lively, with much banter about Kennedy's former employer. I'll leave you with this exchange between the two men, in which both share their thoughts on Maugham: "She was the greatest gal I've ever know," says Mr. Kennedy. "Venemous," says Mr. Garber, "but the most charming girl that ever walked into a parlour. Whatever she did, she insisted on quality." "She sold the worst things in the world," says Mr. Kennedy. "But she made them look like quality," says Mr. Garber, "and that is magic that few people do well." P.S.- Does this room, above, remind you of the work of designer Michael Greer? Photos from Architectural Digest, Jan/Feb 1974, Charlotte Brooks photographer.

We explore the interior style of Syrie Maugham, a boldly modern woman with a decorative vision that was lively, adventurous and constantly evolving.

Thank you to the Scully & Scully catalogue for reminding me that the world hasn't completely gone to hell in hand basket. Its numerous pages filled with photos of folding bridge tables, hardboard place mats, wooden breakfast bed trays (similar to the one above), and other traditional niceties always bring me comfort, for they make me realize that some people in this world continue to appreciate such things. Speaking of breakfast bed trays, there was a time when the morning meal often required its own set of dining accoutrements, including china and linen made especially for use on a breakfast tray or a small breakfast table. If you read any of the 1930s and 1940s-era design magazines, you'll find numerous articles written for the bride, advising her of the household inventory she would need to run her home efficiently and entertain properly. Along with luncheon china and luncheon linen, dinner china and dinner linen, and tea sets and tea linen, breakfast china, referred to as "luxuries" in a 1936 House & Garden article, was often recommended for one's "breakfast repertory". Needless to say, brides were encouraged to own a lot of china and linen. (Don't even get me started on the recommendations for bed and bath linen. The lists for these were endless!) Although not a bride, I, too, have breakfast china (Porthault's Trèfles pattern), a large breakfast tray, and a set of breakfast tray linen, which consists of one mat and two napkins. I wish that I could say I use these daily, but instead, it's more like a Sunday occurrence. If only my life were leisurely- and if I had staff- then perhaps my weekday breakfast repertory would be far more luxurious than it currently is. Singer and actress Julie London, photographed in bed with her breakfast tray by Slim Aarons. Truman Capote's Porthault breakfast set, sold at Bonhams in 2006. Mario Buatta created this dining-in-bed vignette for Tiffany. Wooden breakfast bed tray from Scully & Scully Another Slim Aarons' breakfast-in-bed photo, this one of Mrs. Saunderson of Montecito. Brooke Astor's breakfast china by Hammersley & Co., sold at Sotheby's in 2012. Vintage Madeira pink breakfast set from D'Anjou Linens An elegant bed vignette, courtesy of Tiffany & Co. A 1940 Léron linen ad, which shows their charming "Bouquet" table linen. The linen was available in luncheon sets, tea sets, and breakfast sets.

Hailed for her avant-garde all-white interiors, ‘The Princess of Pale’ was more colourful than her moniker suggests

Some looks have aged more gracefully than others.