See that photo above? A little grand, right? And perhaps not the way I would decorate. But what amazes me is the imagination and artistry that went into the eye-catching window treatments. Those swags…stunning. The ruffles…radiant. The emerald green-and white-striped, polished chintz curtains are as fanciful as René Gruau’s illustration for Christian Dior (pictured left). The designer’s attention to nuances is evident throughout, the perfectly constructed curtains have box-pleated trim and blue taffeta backing with a black silk cord edge. All of the above took an amazing amount of skill and talent. Never mind the fact that you probably won’t be decorating your living room with those pagoda-like swags. I understand that – my home certainly does not have any of it either. But lets give credit where credit is due, and in this case it goes to Miles Redd. Only a deeply talented, creative decorator could execute curtains like that, and I think most of us agree that Redd is one of the best. In lesser hands this room could have easily ended up looking like a circus. Instead, it’s as glamorous as the Ascot race-day sequence in My Fair Lady. A reminder that interiors can be fun...maximalist feasts for the eyes!
images: rene gruau 1949 via art fashion and photos by fritz von der schulenburg via veranda december 2010
