Chic Coromandel Screens

A Coromandel screen consists of wooden folding panels coated in black or dark lacquer usually carved and sometimes decorated with  jade, semi-precious stones, shell, or porcelain. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, "although these screens were probably made in northern or central China during the Kangxi period (1661–1722) of the Qing dynasty, they received their name from India’s Coromandel coast, where they were transshipped to Europe in the late 17th and early 18th centuries by merchants of the English and French East India companies."

Coco Chanel was famous for owning over 32 Coromandel screens that decorated her 31 rue Cambon apartment in Paris.  In some areas she applied them to the walls like wallpaper. "I've loved Chinese screens since I was eighteen years old... I nearly fainted with joy when, entering a Chinese shop I saw a Coromandel for the first time. Screens were the first thing I bought," she said. Even today, many interior designers and home owners carry on her appreciation of Coromandel screens in their own interiors.  They work in any room but I especially love them hung or displayed behind a sofa.  Enjoy!

Coco Chanel

Chanel Apartment, 31 rue Cambon

Coco Chanel

Chanel Apartment, 31 rue Cambon

Coco Chanel

Chanel Apartment, 31 Rue Cambon

Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel Coromandel Screen Detail

Chanel Apartment, 31 rue Cambon

Pamela Skaist Levy residence designed by Peter Dunham.

Charlotte Moss

Michael Smith

Michael Smith Houses

Ellen Graham residence from New York Social Diary

Babe Paley Residence

Alessandra Branca

Norman Norell via Peak of Chic

Suzanne Tucker

Windsor Smith

Lisa Fine in Elle Decor

Kim Alexandruik

Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life

I can't imagine that there is anything left to write about Coco Chanel but Justine Picardie managed to unearth more intimate details of the famous fashion designer for her new book Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life.  Picardie was the features director at British Vogue and currently writes a style column for The Telegraph and worked her connections to gain access to the Chanel archives and British Secret Service files.  Much of her new book focuses on Coco Chanel's British and American connections including her love affair with the Duke of Westminster.  It will be released on September 21st which gives you just enough time to pick it up before Paris fashion week. 

Speaking of Chanel...

Speaking of Chanel, these are three of my favorite photos of designer taken in Deauville. They epitomize seaside glamour and the one on the boat below looks like it could have been taken today! Just goes to show that classics stay in style forever! She also kind of looks like Catherine Zeta Jones in that photo. Maybe she should be the next to play Coco in a movie!

"Fashion fades, only style remains the same." - Coco Chanel

Coco and Igor

The little straw boaters in the Resort shows of Jason Wu and Oscar de la Renta reminded me of Coco Chanel which then reminded me that there is another film coming out about the iconic designer. Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky is based on the book Coco & Igor by Chris Greenhalgh who also wrote the screenplay. The book and film allege that the two had an affair although it's not really known if they actually did or not but fiction is sometimes more fun than reality. The film crew was allowed access to 31 rue Cambon, Coco Chanel's inner sanctum which lends to the chicness of the story. It will be interesting to see if Anna Mouglalis, in this film, or Audrey Tatou in Coco Avant Chanel is the better Coco. I look forward to the film's release June 11th to find out!

Coco Avant Chanel

Just a reminder that the film Coco Avant Chanel opens today in New York and Los Angeles. I can't think of a better place to see it than the Paris Theatre too! Bon Weekend!

Fashion is Everywhere

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” - Coco Chanel

This is one of my favorite quotes because I always think the same can be said of art and design. Learn more about this amazing designer and her rags to riches life story when Lifetime finally airs Coco Chanel staring Shirley McLaine this Saturday night. Or set your TiVo since you probably won't be home. Why they chose to air this on the biggest going out night of the week is beyond me but...c'est la vie!