Chic Rustique:Part Deux

You may not be able to stay at Jacques Grange's Portuguese retreat but you can buy the furniture he owns! I got a lovely email today from John Himmel who produces the wonderful handwoven rope furniture that is not only popular with Jacques Grange but also interior designer Michael Smith. The Rope Collection was inspired by the French designers Adrien Andoux and Frida Minet who's rope furniture was woven from the fronds of palm trees in the South of France. John Himmel grows their palms in the Madoura Islands in Indonesia where is it hand braided into a flat rope and woven onto their hardwood frames. They are available through John Rosselli in New York and Florida; Holly Hunt in Chicago; David Sutherland in LA, Houston and Dallas; and Webster in Boston. Makes me want to get to work on buying and decorating a Caribbean retreat!

Art Moderne Style Three Seat Sofa

Art Moderne Style Sectional Pieces

A John Himmel chair in private home.

Art Moderne Style Loune Chair

Art Moderne Style Lounge Chair Ottoman

A John Himmel in a Michael Smith interior.

Art Moderne Style Bed

Art Modern Style Bed with Footboard

Duquette Inspired?

I was going to promise that this is my last Tony Duquette related post but I don't think I can make any guarantees. There is just so much to talk about where Mr. Duquette is concerned. I came across the photo above of one of his nameless interiors and I was struck by the framed Asian painting or wallpaper on the left side of the room and the pagoda and vases of pink flowers that stand on the table beneath it. I kept thinking I had seen something very similar and then I realized it was on the cover of Michael S. Smith's Elements of Style book. I know that are not a perfect match but it's funny how much they looked alike. Michael's book is actually one design book I don't own so I'm not sure if he admits to a Duquette inspiration or if it was just a coincidence. Either way, I think it's interesting and inspiring none the less.