Let's set up a home office 'at auction'

So many of us work from home some, or even all, of the time. If home is your office, you are spending at least 8 hours a day in that space, so it should have serious design consideration. Too often we furnish it with the least interesting items, when, if we consider the time usage, we should put our best efforts in to the decoration.

Both photos Living Etc magazine, UK

Both these photos from Living Etc magazine illustrate that wonderful combination of modern and traditional, which give these home offices real character. In the top photo, they took a 1950's metal desk and painted it a fun red. There is a wonderful Biedermeier cabinet at the entry, and the brick walls have big graphic modern art on display. I would enjoy walking in to that office in the morning to sit down to work.

The office in the bottom photo pairs a traditional desk and lamp with a modern lucite chair. Overhead hangs a fabulous looking chandelier for that added touch of drama!

So taking these ideas as a start, let's find one dramatic piece as the anchor and work around it. It might be a chandelier, a special desk, a chair, or a graphic piece of art.

Doyle New York  has an auction coming up March 9th. It's their Doyle@Home auction which is often filled with items that are great for decorating your home. If we start with a graphic piece of art for our home office, I've picked three examples. This one is Lot 33. It's by Gabriel Godard who is French and was born in 1933. This is titled 'Automne' and was painted in 1966. It's oil on canvas, measures 39.5" x 32", and has an auction estimate of $800 - $1,200.

This painting makes me happy!  It's Lot 10, was painted by Patrick Boudon (1944 - 1988),  and is acrylic on paper. It measures 24.5" x 18.75", and has an auction estimate of $300 - $500.

This painting is by Antonia van Diest (born 1948), a Dutch artist. It's oil on paper, and measures 29" x 21.5". It's Lot 20, and has an auction estimate of $1,000 - $1,500.

Each of these three painting would serve as a great focal point for your home office, whether it's part of a room that is dedicated to work, or one that is multi-purpose.

A fabulous chandelier will really make a design statement in your home office. It can be serious or fun; traditional or modern.  This Italian molded glass chandelier was sold at a Christie's auction in New York for $375 off an auction estimate of $1,500 - $2,000. It's 25.5" tall. It has a sort of 1950's vibe, and I just love the look.

Wright in Chicago has a 'Modern Design' auction coming up March 31st. I love this iron and glass chandelier. What a statement this would be! It's 38" tall and was designed by Eric Hoglund circa 1957 in Sweden. It is Lot 384, and has an auction estimate of $3,000 - $5,000.

This pair of ceiling lights designed by Jacques Biny in France, circa 1950, has a cool masculine vibe. Use one or both over your home office desk for style and great task lighting. These are Lot 322 in the Wright auction, measure 16" in diameter, and have an auction estimate of $2,000 - $3,000.

Obviously we need a desk! If my office space was a bit on the small side, I would pick this desk for size and cool modern style. This is French, and is made of lacquered wood and birch. It sold at a Christie's auction in New York for $1,063 off an auction estimate of $2,500 - $3,500.

The Wright auction includes this George Nelson steel frame desk made for Herman Miller circa 1950. This is Lot 422, measures 48" wide, and has an auction estimate of $300 - $500. It's sleek, and so mid-century. Pair it with a simple lucite, or Eames style chair to complete the look.

 There are lots of traditional style desk options at auction. I am not very keen on the heavy oak desk style. Alternatively, this France tulipwood and parquetry desk is simple and chic. It sold at a Christie's auction for $625 off an auction estimate of $2,000 - $3,000. Pair it with a more modern chair to mix up the style a bit.

Similarly, this bamboo desk and chair have a relaxed traditional look. The light color is also nice because it wouldn't overwhelm a space. This sold at a Christie's auction for $2,125 off an estimate of $1,000 - $1,500.

Finally, we need some place to put our printer and some supplies. Try a tea cart that can be moved around the room to have it where you need it while you're working , and pushed away when you're not. This cool Austrian mid-century tea cart is included in the Wright auction, Lot 372, and was designed in 1950 by Carl Aubock. It's made of beech and has an auction estimate of $2,000 - $3,000.







Your home office should make you happy when you sit down to work. It should also say something about you, and reflect your style. Include one or two key design statements, and the rest almost won't matter.

Don't forget the waste basket!

As we work at our desks we throw out lots of stuff - bits of paper, junk mail, packaging.... We all need wastebaskets, so why not include them in your overall design equation?

Searching the auction web sites there are lots of stylish options.

This cool Scandinavian Modern version, circa 1965, is on offer at the next Los Angeles Modern Auction (LAMA) March 6th. This is Lot 110, and has an auction estimate of $200 - $300. This is your perfect design statement for mid-century modern decor.

For that Hollywood Regency aesthetic, this pair of mirrored waste baskets fits the bill perfectly. These have that glam look to dress up your workspace. One could be used in the powder room as well! These sold at a Christie's Interiors sale in New York for $2,125 off an auction estimate of $1,500 - $2,000. 

This late 19th century oval mahogany rail and spindle waste-paper basket sold at a Bonhams auction for $1,190. It has an unusual style that you won't see everywhere, and would fit in decorating styles ranging from traditional to modern. It's simple and elegant.

If you are an Art Deco fanatic, you may be willing to invest in a  Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann (circa 1925) macassar ebony and gilt bronze waste basket. This one sold at a Christie's Important 20th Century Design action for $6,900 off an auction estimate of $6,000 - $8,000. It's sleek and chic, but you'd have to really want the full Art Deco look!

We seem to be covering a broad design style continuum, and to that we can add this Arts and Crafts bentwood waste bin. This sold at a Brunk Auction in Asheville, NC for $400 off an auction estimate of $200 - $400. It has that slightly rustic look that Arts and Crafts style can have.

I really like this 1930 Donald Deskey designed waste basket. It has style! It was offered and went unsold at a Wright Auction in Chicago. Maybe the auction estimate of $5,000 - $7,000 was a bit of a scare. Cool nonetheless.

I am not always a fan of Piero Fornasetti, but I like this waste basket. The architectural design with the brass rim make this quite chic. I would be happy to show off this waste basket! This sold at a Doyle New York auction for $1,063 off an auction estimate of $300 - $500. Very smart looking!







We all need them, so why hide them! Buy a waste basket with some style, and add it to your decor for some flair!

Glamorous Venetian mirrors

Venetian mirrors are so very decorative. They can be clean and handsome, or elaborate and romantic. The simple one color etched glass type can be very modern looking. While those with blue glass have an added interest and style. I have a pair of oval Venetian glass mirrors that I have used separately and together, and they immediately dress up the place where they hang.

House Beautiful

Elle Decor - Designer: Peggy Braswell Design

 

Elle Decor - Designer: Cynthia Rowley

 

A Venetian mirror works equally well in a hallway, dining room, bedroom, or bathroom. It dresses up the space, and adds a bit of glamor.

This Venetian Rococo style mirror is very smart looking. I love the elaborate design and the blue details. This would be quite a statement in an entry hall, or in a fabulous powder room. You wouldn't need much more in the way of decoration. This would do it all. This is 40" tall and sold at a Bonhams auction in Los Angeles for $366.

This Venetian mirror is much more subtle. The simple rectangular shape allows the eye to focus on the etching in the glass and the decorative details. This would work well in a modern space, and would add style without shouting at you. This sold at a Christie's auction in New York for $3,840 off an auction estimate of $1,000 - $1,500. It measures almost 60" tall, and would be terrific in a living or dining room.

This version takes the glam factor up a notch with the crest detail at the top. It's simple, but highly decorative. Imagine this in your bathroom, or over your dresser in your bedroom. This sold at a Doyle New York auction for $563 off an auction estimate of $800 - $1,200. It's 68" tall. 

This mirror looks like a beautiful sapphire and diamond ring! The blue accentuates the gorgeous etching in the glass. The shape is wonderful and the crest finishes it off. This is 39.5" tall, and sold at a Christie's auction in New York for $1,625 off an estimate of $1,500 - $2,000. I would love to see this in a living room over a simple console table with a vase full of flowers on top!

For something a bit different in terms of Venetian mirrors, this pair of oval mirrors with  scalloped amber glass border are quite elegant. They have subtle styling, but make a statement. I also love pairs of anything. Put these on either side of a painting to set it off. These sold at a New Orleans auction for $1,722 off an estimate of $1,200 - $1,800. They are 37" tall.

This Venetian mirror has it all! It's a great shape, has fantastically detailed etching, and a wonderful crest. This is 49" tall and sold at a Doyle New York auction for $938 off an estimate of $700 - $900.

Designer: Nicky Haslam

Designer Nicky Haslam used a large Venetian mirror over a mantle where it's simple shape allows the etching in the glass to be the design statement. 

There are Venetian mirror styles to suit any taste from glamorous and flamboyant to elegant and refined. They can be lots of fun, and will dress up whichever room you hang them.

Modernism @Auction

There are a number of auctions coming up focused on Modernism that have me quite excited and get the creative juices flowing.

We went to the Stair Galleries preview in Hudson, NY for their February 25th Modernism auction. I love the room scenes they staged. I could easily move in to the 'room' in the top photo, and sit down in one of those comfy looking chairs. The second photo has the look of a 1930s movie set.

For the look in the first photo, this pair of Art Deco black lacquer bergeres are Lot 37, and have an auction estimate of $600 - $800.

The low table is Art Deco-style, and is Lot 38. It's made of black lacquer and chrome and has an auction estimate of $500 - $800.

The Art Deco 3 piece parlor set are Lot 67 and have an auction estimate of $800 - $1,200. Instant Art Deco chic for your living room!

We know Everyone needs a tea cart! This one sitting between the two chairs was designed by Alvar Aalto for Artek. It's a laminated and bent birch tea cart with black laminate panels. It's Lot 45 and has an auction estimate of $300 - $500. A tea cart is so versatile and this one works as an end table, or just might be your bar when you have a party.

Sotheby's New York has a 20th Century Design auction coming up March 10th. It is full of big name designers, including this settee and armchairs attributed to Josef Hoffmann. Hoffman was a co-founder of the Wiener Werkstatte, and I love the clean styling. This set is Lot 33, and has an auction estimate of $2,000 - $3,000.

If you like this style, check out the current exhibition at the Neue Galerie in New York titled Vienna 1900, which includes works by Hoffmann, among others.

Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA) has a sale March 6th titled Modern Art and Design. You could easily furnish your modernist room at this auction. I picked three pieces for my imaginary modernist living room. This pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar (circa 1950) slipper benches caught my eye for their wonderful size and clean lines. They're bigger than a chair, but not quite as big as a love seat.  These are Lot 37 and have an auction estimate of $2,500 - $3,500.

These chairs are also designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1968. I think they'd go quite well in the room with the slipper benches. The backs make them more interesting than other chairs of this style. These are Lot 35 in the LAMA auction, and have an auction estimate of $700 - $900.

The LAMA sale includes this Paul McCobb cabinet made in 1962 for the Delineator Group. It stands 78" tall, is Lot 38, and has an auction estimate of $2,000 - $3,000. The design makes this great for storage and display. I think this would look great in our living room decor, and we can just add some colorful vases to finish the look.













The 20th century brought in fabulous modern design. In this selection from upcoming auctions we span 1905 to 1968. Have fun mixing something from all the design periods in the 20th century for a cool Modernist vibe.

Lighting the way with Lanterns

Lanterns are a wonderful way to add ceiling light to a room. They are crisp and not too dressy like many chandeliers, and thus work with many, if not all, decorating styles.

Canadian House & Home

Both of these photos come from Canadian House & Home. The top photo is a good example of a small entryway with a simple bell jar lantern. In the second photo designer Karla Amadatsu used a bell jar lantern to define a dining space in an open plan living/dining room.

Bell jar is probably the most common style lantern, and while I like the style a lot, I thought I'd look at auctions for something different. 

The next Doyle @Home auction on February 23rd includes this wrought iron 4 light lantern (Lot 251). It's 37" tall, and is a classic hall lantern. It's very smart looking and  has an auction estimate of $800 - $1,200. This would look very chic in a large entryway or library.

This Neoclassical style gilt metal and glass lantern is also included in the Doyle auction (Lot 244). It's 23" tall and has an auction estimate of $200 - $300. It has a delicate style, and would look wonderful in a small entryway or bathroom.

This is a very smart pair of frosted glass and metal octagonal lanterns. These are Lot 556 in the next Christie's Interiors sale in New York March 1st and 2nd.  I think having a pair would be great for a hallway or spread to two rooms! These have an auction estimate $800 - $1,200 and are 37" tall.

I think this pair of French hexagonal lanterns have just enough extra style to make them stand apart from the crowd. These are also in the Christie's sale (Lot 830), and are made of patinated and parcel gilt wrought iron with 3 lights in each. They are 47" tall, so rather big. This would limit them to rooms with pretty tall ceilings. These would dress up an open plan family room or a loft. They have an auction estimate of $3,000 - $5,000.

It's always helpful to see some past actual pricing examples and here are three that are quite different in style and price. This first one was sold at Christie's in new York. It's an hexagonal tole peinte hall lantern, first half of the 20th century. It sold for $3,120 off an auction estimate of $1,500 - $2,000. It's very  chic, and the green makes it a bit different. This would be fabulous in an entryway.

This cute copper lantern started off as a candle lantern, and was electrified later. This sold at a Brunk auction in Asheville, NC for $90. It measure 21" tall, and I could see this in a boys room over a desk, or in a small bathroom.

This fantastic modern example was designed by Andre Dubreuil in 1988. It sold at a Wright 'Important Design' auction in Chicago for $12,500 off an auction estimate of $10,00 - $15,000. The style is sophisticated and delicate. Put this over a dining table or in an entryway for elegant lighting.

Homes & Garden Magazine, UK

A wonderful ceiling fixture adds elegance, and draws your eye in to the space. A lantern is a sophisticated choice, and you can find one at auction that will make your design statement.