What other verbal ejaculation hovered on my lips when I saw the large mirror alongside the bed - the gay equivalent, I fear, of the bordelloesque looking glass above the bed - I shall not go into but I must admit I was impressed by that crowd-pleasing mattress and accommodating expanse of reflection. The large mirror flanking a bed has made a remarkable return in a number of interiors within the last few years and I think is a subject worth discussing in another post.
From that point it's downhill all the way, or should I say, a race to the bottom. Perhaps I should stop now whilst I'm ahead, but I really want to show you these rooms which, whether your taste is offended or titillated by them, are so of their time: a time of power dressing, wide shoulders, big hair and Gordon Gekko.
It is rare nowadays to see interiors completely built around a social schedule that does not involve daylight, but here you have a perfect example. What daylight, twilight actually, there is, is merely incidental, the windows almost suffocated under shades and screens. Think of it another way - what you are seeing is the 1980s version of an 1880s Aesthetic Movement interior.
Anthony Machado died of complications of AIDS in 1995.
I must find the attribution for the photographer but the photos are from Architectural Digest, December 1980.
I'm even more speechless than usual about your posts. I think your time away put me off my Blue game. I'm glad I was doing something else in the early 80's. I'm not sure I could enjoy a meal at that dining table or within 50 yards of the dining table.
ReplyDeleteSo single minded, so perfect.
ReplyDeleteI think these interiors show that nothing is really new, just reinvented. There is a stunning moodiness about them that I find soothing (ironic for a hetero, 60ish woman?). They are like theatre sets, a living museum in a way. As for rooms with no daylight with single purpose, there is the Bill Blass dining room. Or even Keith Irving's living room when a skyscraper was built into his view. He blocked it out with blinds, and turned inward. I write this from my deep green study with curtains drawn (the eastern view is filled with views of decks and uninspired backyards). I chose to block the view, limit the glare on my computer screen and create my own world. For years I have dubbed it my "Edward VII goes to Africa room". The leopard carpet seems quite at home. If you, dear Blue, were to see my theatre set, serious medication for you might be required!
ReplyDeletep.s. Don't ever limit your posts to what you fear may be unacceptable to some. Your world view is needed here.
Don't fret for me H-B-D. I'm not offended. I always enjoy Blue pushing my modest design envelope. This is impressive and a lot to take in but I don't think I like this as much as you. It would be fun to visit in person to see what it was really like. It's sad that we'll never know what Mr Machado would be doing today.
ReplyDeleteCocaine, anyone?
ReplyDeleteOf course, Home is ever-so-right, we need differences reflected and fearlessness cultivated in this community. I love to look at the stuff even if I hate it. And I do, I truly truly do. But Blue, you could read to me from the back of a matchbook and I would sit perched upon the egde of my chair waiting for the gem... fearless, Darling, be fearless, what interests your eye is a gift to us.
ReplyDeleteYour remark about the mirror killed me... Thank you for some levity this morning!
ReplyDeleteHome before dark, Blushing Hostess and Terry - you are very kind people and I'm feeling a more than a little nonplussed by your generosity to me. I stepped backwards onto the trail of these men without realizing the significance, and not just for me, of the step taken. I'm a most unlikely historian.
ReplyDeleteMr Darling - Quite!
Peak of Chic - you're welcome. Watch this space.
House of Beauty and Culture - as you say, so single-minded. It is a completely personal statement and is so linked to a brief moment in time.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I hate this most-expensive-tariff-at-the-mandarin-hotel stuff. Dear old Anouska Hempel would be tripping out here. I can't believe you have found such a roll of honour for decorators who succumbed to AIDs or an untimely death. It's a wonderful tribute to them all you've made Blue. It's too depressing to think you'll come up with more?
ReplyDeleteOh, Rose, there's more!
ReplyDeleteI was surprised to see the 1995 date of death, thinking it was almost ten years earlier. But you might be surprised to learn that Machado was VERY popular in the early 80s, among the Go-To Guys of the Press in those last days when men dominated High Style Interior Design.
ReplyDeleteJohn, I too was surprised to see such a late date on Machado's obituary and I need to check.
ReplyDelete" ... those last days when men dominated High Style Interior Design." is a very interesting statement, and although I hadn't formulated it in such a way I should have seen that pattern in what I am doing with my posts. All the forgotten decorators I'm writing about are indeed men and they did dominate interior design in those years. Your comment, for which I am very grateful, has set me thinking about another series of posts.