One my favorite inspirations in design is the inevitable link to the past. Especially since I came into the design world through a degree in the history of decorative art, I am so inspired when I see objects from so long ago which would are so perfectly in style and current today!

I fell in love with the above bowl from the collection of the Corning Museum of Glass; the beautiful translucent deep green glass bowl was created sometime between the 9th and 10th centuries in Western Asia, likely in Iran. I love the scalloped edge, embossed motif featuring birds (also so in right now!) and of course the stunning color. Even though this bowl is at least 1,000 years old it would be amazing in an interior today - just as it is!


Here are a few modern pieces I loved as a way to bring emerald glass into your home - as I am pretty certain the Corning Museum wont be letting this beauty go any time soon!

 I would love to own these elegant emerald Murano glass and brass table lamps! They are Italian, circa 1970. From Amarcord Fine Decorative Antiques via 1stDibs.com.

Kawali green cut glass goblet by Christofle.

This dappled green glass vase is by Venini, available via Michael C. Fina.

Vibrant cut crystal emerald candlesticks from Marvin Alexander Antiques via 1stDibs.com from the late 19th century.

I thought these were an especially wonderful Etsy find! A set of 1950's vintage Anchor + Hocking plates in green glass. They would look great mixed in with a simple white dinnerware set too! From Tinted Vintage in York, PA.

A Boston Goblet by Villeroy and Boch in a lovely shade of green.

Pedestaled vintage candy dish - another great accessory steal on Etsy for just $8! From Easutton Vintage.

And lastly, I had to include this dining room designed by Jay Griffith - the green glass makes the room - oh, and the ibex head and driftwood table is pretty amazing as well! {Photo by Jeremy Samuelson for House Beautiful}.

{First image courtesy of the Corning Museum of Glass}

Good Luck & the Year of the Rabbit

Happy Chinese New Year! I am happy to say I have been loving this new year of the rabbit - and hope it will be a wonderful one for you all as well! I have always been captivated by the show Antiques Roadshow of PBS and loved watching people bring in antiques from their homes to be appraised by experts. Aside from enjoying seeing the pieces showcased, it is so fun to see the participants get so excited when their old family heirloom or recent garage sale find turns out to be of serious value and historical significance. So when I came across the story below I just had to post it! 

In Dorset, England a 79-year old retired factory worker from Cadbury chocolate brought the experts at Duke's at Dorchester auction house a cardboard box containing an astonishingly rare Chinese Ming vase. The 600 year old 'moonflask' was made under the emperor Yongle between 1403 and 1424. It is in perfect condition! Furthermore the piece is especially interesting due its Islamic influences, ie the looped handles, and large scale. The vase is valued at about 1.6 million dollars and will go to auction in May. I feel so happy for the both the owner for his good luck in the year of the rabbit and for all of us, that this treasure has been so well preserved! I love it - 600 years later and blue and white is still timelessly chic! 

{Image Above via Gardian}

You can read the full article here!  

Singapore all dressed up for the New Year! Happy Year of The Rabbit! 

The American Wing at the Met

In May, The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York reopened its American Wing galleries after two years of renovations and updates. The event was complete with a ribbon cutting ceremony by the First Lady. If you have not been to the new galleries or never at all I really suggest you go - especially to see the decorative arts! As you may know, I have a masters in the History of Decorative Arts, so I might be a bit biased but honestly the Met’s collection of Americana is beautiful! It is so interesting to see the objects of daily life from the past. To me decorative arts, (which includes furniture, silver, glass, textiles, and ceramics) are an amazing way to capture the past. They are a fusion of history and art and can really represent the current events, social values, and popular culture of their time. I love painting and sculpture as well but decorative arts are too often overlooked! Well enough of that – I don’t want to bore you but do enjoy these three beautiful side chairs from the Met’s collection for now. I am sure you will hear much more from me on this in the future. . .

1794-99 attributed to Samuel McIntire, Salem Massachusetts. Look at the amazing nail head pattern they used – it would be great today on a simple upholstered dining chair!

1815-20 attributed to John and Hugh Finlay, Baltimore Maryland. A fantastic painted klismos chair in vibrant yellow and green.

 1877-79 attributed to the Herter Brothers, New York City. Such beautiful inlaid floral marquetry pattern on the back!  

I do hope you'll go and enjoy the American Wing at the Met!