Christie's Arbiter of Style

Christie's auction house was kind enough to as me to be their Arbiter of Style this month.  I chose my favorite pieces from the upcoming Interiors Sale, taking place June 18 and 19 in New York, including this gorgeous painting Anemones with Red Cloth above by artist Nell Blaine. I also answered some fun questions you can read here. I've learned so much from attending auction previews over the years that I highly recommend stopping by even if you think you can't afford anything.  And who knows, you might just get lucky and find something great! Thanks again Christie's! 

Resplendent Rochas Apartment

Brooke Astor isn’t the only chic woman whose estate was up for auction this week.  The contents of the gorgeous apartment of Hélène Rochas who passed away last year is up for auction at Christie’s in Paris today.  I apologize for the short notice but I myself just learned of this yesterday.  Even if you missed bidding, you can still marvel at the décor. 

Hélène Rochas was the widow of courtier Marcel Rochas of the venerable fashion house Rochas.  Hélène met the twice divorced Marcel in the metro and became his wife at the age of 18.  The couture house was closed in 1953 but after Marcel’s death in 1955, Hélène Rochas took over the perfume business and created an empire. She was known for her great beauty and lavish parties that she threw in her apartment in a hôtel particulier in the 7th arrondissement.  It too is up for sale here.

Hubert de Givenchy stated that “Rochas was exceptionally skilled at blending classic and contemporary elements” and you can see that in many of those photos.  I was thinking it reminded me of of the home of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berger and then I read that they lived close and were also friends. Her daughter, Sophie Rochas says “the original interior was conceived by her father and his decorator, Georges Geffroy” but that her made it her own over the years.  You can see one example from the music room that was dark blue in the 1980’s and is now a soothing beige.   

In WWD, “François de Ricqlès, chairman of Christie’s France and a friend of Hélène Rochas, describes the collection as the culmination of a cosmopolitan French style influenced by the wealthy Americans who started coming to Paris in the Twenties."

“It’s a form of taste that has practically died out, in which styles and eras are brought together with elegance and sobriety. The walls are white, the curtains are plain and what stands out is the beauty of the artworks,” he says. “I think it’s extremely Parisian.”

The Hélène Rochas auction catalog was online (not sure where it went) and was more than just a catalog.  It’s was filled with memories from many of Hélène Rochas’ friends such as Hubert de Givenchy and Francois Catroux and was a touching tribute to a lovely lady. 

Hélène Rochas with her son François and daughter Sophie, circa 1950.

“A dinner for six has to be for very close friends." - Hélène Rochas

Hélène Rochas flanked by Francois Catroux and Yves Saint Laurent. 

 Fabio Rieti drawing of Hélène Rochas.

Hélène Rochas in the music room in 1987.

The music room today. 

Hélène Rochas by Andy Warhol.

Hélène Rochas posing for Andy Warhol. 

Andy Warhol and Hélène Rochas at Maxime's in Paris in 1970. 

The private garden. 

“You need less rather than more to be elegant now."

Hélène Rochas

1927 - 2011

Brooke Astor Auction

Brooke Astor was a New York legend and living landmark with alive.  She married into one of the country's richest families and became a champion of many worthy causes and institutions in New York.  It is these charities and causes that will benefit from the auction of Property from the Estate of Brooke Astor next week at Sotheby's. I had the pleasure of touring the exhibition on view through Sunday, September 23, 2012 yesterday and it's worth a trip uptown.  The designer of the exhibit replicated as best he could the placement of furniture and objects as they were in her New York Park Avenue apartment and Holly Hill, her home in Briarcliff Manor, New York.  It's really quite lovely. 

There is really something for everyone from practically brand new upholstered chairs and sofas, miles of books, Chinoiserie art and objects, dog paintings, cases of china and silver, and exquisite jewelry.  The artwork was what caught my eye and I so wish I could bid on it all especially since it's all for a good cause. Those of you not in New York can view the entire catalog online and even bid online.  Bonne chance!

Property from the Estate of Brooke Astor

Viewing: September 17 - 23, 2012

Auction:  September 24 and 25, 2012

Times: 10:00am and 2:00pm both days 

Sotheby's 

1334 York Avenue

New York, NY 10021

The New York Drawing Rom

The Drawing Room as it appears at Sotheby's. 

The early Louis XV carved giltwood mirror circa 1725 is lot #101 and has a pre-sale estimate of $8,000-12,000. 

Mrs. Astor in the drawing room with her beloved dachshunds. 

The Drawing Room

The Axminster carpet from England is lot # 105 and one of my favorite items up for auction. 

These are my favorite chairs in the auction.  There are four Louis XV gray painted and carved fauteuils in lot #122 and two separate matching bergere in lots #118 and #119. If anyone can name the fabric, please let me know. 

The Dining Room

The stunning George III giltwood pier mirror is lot #156.

This gorgeous Samson porcelain zoological dinner service is lot #205. 

The Dining Room

The Sitting Room contains many reverse painted Chinese export mirrors now up for auction. 

The Master Bedroom

Holly Hill, Briarcliff Manor, New York

The stairs were lined with dog paintings now up for auction. 

Raoul Dufy is one of my favorite fauve artists and his painting Sailboats from 1935 is lot #487.  

This gorgeous Chinoiserie screen is lot #443. 

The Blue Bedroom houses a pair of Louis XV style gray painted Lits a la Polonaise now part of lot # 789. 

The Cardinal's Room

The yellow painted four-poster tester bed in lot #679 has a pre-sale estimate of only $500-700. 

This stack of monogrammed T. Anthony luggage was the hit of Instagram when I posted it Monday.  The grouping is lot #819 and has a pre-sale estimate of $1,500-2,500.  

Brooke Astor serving tea in Maine. 

Photos from the New York apartment and Holly Hill via Sotheby's
Photos taken at Sotheby's were taken by me and may not be used without permission.