Was I the only whose mouth was agog while looking at the pictures of Nina Campbell's latest residence in the April issue of Domino?
If All that Glitters is Gold, then Nina is 24 karat (which in this economy is one of the only things holding its value).
I have been a long-time fan of Campbell's decorating and her book The Art of Decoration is one I turn to again and again. As an alumna of Colefax and Fowler, she decorated her flat at the time (1996) in typical glorious English Country House style, with chintzes, glazed walls, lots of books and bric-a-brac - which have all been thrown over in her new digs for a more moderne, swanky look.
in 1996...
If All that Glitters is Gold, then Nina is 24 karat (which in this economy is one of the only things holding its value).
I have been a long-time fan of Campbell's decorating and her book The Art of Decoration is one I turn to again and again. As an alumna of Colefax and Fowler, she decorated her flat at the time (1996) in typical glorious English Country House style, with chintzes, glazed walls, lots of books and bric-a-brac - which have all been thrown over in her new digs for a more moderne, swanky look.
To have built such a prolific career obviously demands dedication and long hours - and most likely, she held back from all nighters at Studio 54 and Annabel's (the latter of which she decorated). But now, in her sixties, the English Doyenne of Decorating is wearing heart-shaped glasses and kicking up her heels ....proving that life only gets better with age. Brava, Nina!
Her sitting room in 2004.... already moving away from the cluttered C&F look...
in 1996...
An earlier arrangement
Her bedroom now...
In 1996....
And a bit earlier....
Photos #1, 2, 3, 7 by Bill Batten for Domino; #5, 6, 8, 9 from The Art of Decoration
And a bit earlier....
Photos #1, 2, 3, 7 by Bill Batten for Domino; #5, 6, 8, 9 from The Art of Decoration
11 comments:
Emily - is it all the same home? I do love watching how it is evolving.
Ah - good point, Patricia! No, the photos from Domino are a different - post-divorce - residence.... which she says had a rabbit-warren layout and few architectural details...
As things evolve, they do get younger don't they?
Or is it just me looking at it this way. A younger, less encumbered self.
pve
PVE, it's true - I also think the happier and more confident we are, the less we need. (That's said, I'm still a member of the English Country House cult!)
Not all that surprising, Nina's streamlined look. She's been veering in that direction for quite some time now. And based on recent photographs of NC, it would seem that the makeover has extended to improved facial contours, aka "work".
ooh - Mr. Worthington - you di'n't! At any rate, Nina certainly has access to the best craftsmen, non? And I'm sure you'll agree she's never looked better.
I love seeing how interiors evolve over time. Great post!
Thanks, Jill! EEE
Emily- Have you read her latest book "Elements of Design"? There are lots of photos of her new home there. Lots of photos of other great homes that she designed too!
Jennifer, no I haven't - mainly because I thought how could she top the Art of Decoration? but any recommendation from you makes it a must-have! EEE
I like her old work so much better. Her new look is rather banal and is the sort of thing every would-be designer in London does. I should also point-out that she did not design the interior of Anabelle's; John Fowler himself did. She was merely one of his assistants on the project.
Post a Comment