Rose Cumming Wallcoverings

Rose Cumming defined glamour in the Golden Age with a passion for bold colors and striking designs. Operating out of her famous New York shop, which she ran for 45 years, she was one of the founders of today's interior design industry. The Dessin Fournir Companies have reintroduced Cumming's original designs, as well as creating new woven textiles, printed fabrics and wallpapers in the spirit of the originals, building on the flair and élan for which Rose Cumming was known.

Dessin Fournir recently added all of the wallcoverings to their website, a literal feast for the eyes!

Zebrine in 5 colorways.

Josephine in 5 colorways.

Nairobi in 3 colorways.

Gothenburg in 7 colorways.

Galaxie in 4 colorways.

A little something on the side?

Side, accent, occasional - whatever you wish to call them, these little tables are the perfect exclamation point for any room. Styles run the gamut and choices are endless!

A Baroque statement of elegance from Julia Gray, Ltd. Handpainted with a deft touch of aged gold leaf trim.

The PeeWee table from Oly Studios can thank George Nakashima for the inspiration of its free-edge form.

A little loop-de-loop and the contrast of an antique iron base and foxed mirror top on the Alamota Side Table from Gerard through DessinFournir.

The Hiquily-inspired Henri Side Table in brass from Ironies.

The petite Syrah Wine Table from Lewis Mittman was originally designed to fit under the foot of a club chair in a c. 1900 men's club.Comprised of 37 disks, circular or square, walnut or rosewood, stamped and numbered, the Luna Side Table from Helene Aumont.

Doing what they do best, Ironies uses organic form in its Clover Side Table.

Now it's just a question of which piece of eye candy is for you.

Give me shelter

A sofa should be warm, welcoming and comfortable, with looks to match, as it is generally the foundation around which a room plan is built. Shelter sofas, or tuxedo sofas, are my personal favorite, and their clean, architectural form can be used in a myriad of ways.

The Wabi designed by Francesco Rota for Paola Lenti for the outdoor living room.

DessinFournir's Baines Loveseat, clubby and masculine.

The perfect entry perch, Edward Ferrell's Shelter Sofa.

The Milano Sofa, Ebanista's take on the classic Knole sofa, with hinged arms that can be lowered or held upright with cords tied at the corner finials. The detail was originally used to accommodate the large dresses of noble women.

Great looking with a button tufted back and stacked pillows is the Oly Studio Dakota Sofa.

Crate and Barrel's Nines Sofa is available in both a full version and "apartment" size. It also features eco-friendly construction.

The Archetype Collection through Baker, features the Wood Banded Sofa, with a tight back and bolster pillows, an updated version of a 30's Moderne look.

My personal favorite, inducing extreme sofa envy, is the Pavilion Sofa by Michael Berman Limited.

Care to take a seat?

Louis, Louis, Louis

Thought I might share a couple of words and examples to highlight the differences of the fabulous French periods known as Louis XIV, XV, and XVI.

Though it was originally brought to France by Catherine de Medici, the Italian bride of King Henri II, it was Louis XIV (reign 1643-1715), the Sun King, that made the Baroque style blossom into the first of the great court styles, with the Palace of Versailles being the greatest example. Exemplified by magnificence, majesty, monumental scale, gilding and over-the-top opulence. The colors were lush and saturated, the textiles richly patterned and sumptuous. This period was the first true expression of French decorative style.

Carved and gilded Center Table, offered by East & Orient Company through 1stdibs.com

Exposed wood Arm Chair by Taylor King.

The young Louis XV (reign 1715-1774) moved the court from Versailles to Paris, and the Rococo period began with a flourish of curves, cabrioles and a more intimate scale. As Baroque was a style of the court, Rococo belonged to the nobility, and the royal mistress, Madame Pompadour, was the gracious and elegant leading lady. Charm, luxury, the naturalistic motifs of shells, fish and foliage, and a more restrained color palette of warm pastels marked this period. The textiles were luxurious, but light.

Louis XV Sofa by Louis J. Solomon

Rosewood Writing Desk with brass ormolus and leather top by David Michael

Marking a return to classic traditions and styles, Neoclassicism coincided with the reign of Louis XVI (1774-1793) and his queen, Marie Antoinette. Gracious elegance, symmetry, straight lines, classical motifs and generous scale were the hallmarks. Case pieces saw intricate marquetry and reeded or fluted legs. The colors were a livelier version of the ice-cream palette of the Rococo, with beautiful silks, damasks and velvets providing lush formality.

Parcel Gilt Dining Table by DessinFournir

Celine Medallion Back Chair by French Heritage

There is really nothing quite like French style, no matter what century!

To sleep, perchance to dream...

We may not all relate to these words spoken by Shakespeare's Hamlet in his most famous soliloquy, but we can certainly find a comfy place to lay our heads in these beautiful canopy beds.
Hamlet himself would have been very much at home in the Tudor Poster Bed from Elijah Slocum with its hand-carved English Oak bulbous and gadrooned posts, paneled ceiling and arcaded headboard.

Beautifully simple Shaker style, the Farmhouse Canopy Bed in mahogany from Pottery Barn.

The Portica Canopy Bed by Room & Board is sleek and contemporary in brushed stainless steel.

Exquisite detailing in the hand-painted gold leaf vine trailing up the posts and the luxury of the button-tufted headboard make this Julia Gray Regency Four Poster a spectacular focal point.

Looking like it grew in Sherwood Forest is the Bard's Bed from Ironies.
Striking crotch mahogany is used to glorious effect in the headboard on the Barley Twist Four Poster Bed designed by Kerry Joyce and available through Dessin Fournir.

"To all, to each, a fair good-night, and pleasing dreams, and slumbers light" ~ Sir Walter Scott

Duncan Chair from Dessin Fournir

In my home, I take many different things into account when buying furniture, but the one thing that I rely on the most is comfort. If a product is not comfortable, I don't want it in my living space. I am not one of those people who will sacrifice large amounts of comfort for style, it just is not me. That is why I was so impressed with the Duncan Chair from Dessin Fournir. The chair features simple blocked feet and arms, offering a sense of modesty and quiet comfort in a chair market often characterized by over-the-top designs. This is the kind of chair you want for the Superbowl or other events that would require you to stay motionless for long periods of time. The soft-seat allows you to sink back into the chair for the long haul.

Payne Wing Chair from Dessin Fournir

Dessin Fournir is known for combining a mellow sense of comfort with an understated grandeur, and they have done it again with the Payne Wing Chair. The thing I like about almost all of their pieces, this one especially, is that you can tell the quality just by looking at it. Dessin pieces look and feel expensive and well made. I especially like the beehive front legs on this piece, which really give it an identity in the crowded chair market. The chair reminds me of a throne of sorts and I think it will appeal to most men looking for a self-esteem boost. The wood is fine mahogany and I predict this chair will find its way into many libraries and living rooms.

Schwaller Armchair from Dessin Fournir

The Schwaller Armchair from Dessin Fournir is a nice alternative to the all the ultra-modern chairs you see out on the market these days. It is a lovely French throwback to a long-gone era that features strong Oak legs and an encompassing feel. It measures 24 1/2"w x 28"d x 44 1/2"h and can seat even the most expansive frame. This looks like a great chair for a library or low-key living room. It would be a great chair to sit down in, read the paper and drink your morning coffee in as well. I heartily recommend this chair for a person who would like a change of pace and some good old-fashioned comfort at the same time. It almost looks like it was taken right out of an old picture and plopped into our living room. Enjoy...

Tamarac Dining Table from Gérard

The Tamarac Dining Table from Gérard and Dessin Fournir features "Elegant tapering snake-like legs flowing from the top, with the center legs flaring away from each other, masterfully placed to allow for two chairs to sit at the head position." This is a very adaptable piece, allowing for placement in an assortment of spots around the house. The walnut piece measures 49"w x 57"l x 30"h. This is something I could definitely see myself putting in a kitchen where the space is minimal, I think it is a really fantastic little dining table.

Haagen Chaise Lounge from Kerry Joyce

Radiating class and comfort, this new chaise lounge from Kerry Joyce and Dessin Fournir is a perfect compliment to any classic design scheme. Measuring 80"l x 28"d x 34"h, the chaise is also very customizable to fit the needs of the designer. The material is a walnut burl veneer, with COM upholstery. The piece has an elegant and aristocratic vibe, and would fit well in a variety of settings. Personally, I see this piece being an excellent fit in a library, or some other kind of sophisticated setting. It has the distinction of being a piece that is very comfortable, and extremely stylish.