Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Busted!…how to use sculptures at home


From Belgian Pearls blog



From Velvet & Linen blog: Giannetti's Studio

Sculpture has been an art since prehistoric times, in fact all ancient cultures  produced an enormous number of masterworks, Egypt and Mesopotamia, pre-Columbian Americas, ancient Asia and of course ancient Greece and Rome. Today we can admire centuries and centuries of art but we also have access to modern and contemporary sculpture.

Since I'm always looking for unique accessories when decorating a room, I often use sculptures, large or small depending on the project, expensive or flea market finds depending on the budget or the style we want to achieve in that particular home. I am also always attracted of how designers  use  sculptures, in particular busts, in their projects. In fact the use of sculptures in marble, stone, precious metals, wood and any kind of material  can add a focal point to a room, it can just create a vignette or it can set the whole interior decoration’s mood.

Let’s examine some examples together:

wrightdougfirst
Doug Wright designed a stunning living room with seagrass carpet, white linen slipcovers, antique tapestry and he also placed a classic marble head on the coffee table. 
Try to imagine the room without that sculpture…don’t you think it will miss something?



Apartment in Rome
A dramatic light hits the Roman bust in the library of a classic interior in Rome.



CaldwellFlakeinc
Caldwell-Flake uses a weathered simple bust as juxtaposition to the rich warm veneer,
 the marble top and the lavish metallic wallpaper.



Claudia Gian Ferrari
Art collector Claudia Gianferrari’s  house in Milan, full of books, art and sculptures,
in one image we can see four already.



PaoloMoschinoAtHomelondon
Designer Paolo Moschino’s dining room in London features
a classic bust on a pedestal, overlooking the elegant, formal dining table.



40_elledecorredshowercurtain-1
A whimsical bathroom featured in Elle Decor,
with a stern bust in an otherwise vibrant space.



jacquesgrangeparisflat
Jacques Grange’s eclectic apartment in Paris, classic, traditional, contemporary, edgy.
The Roman sculpture on the column gives verticality as does the graphic ceiling light.



jacquelinekennedyonassis1040fifthavenue
Some of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’ superb collection of Greek and Roman sculptures,
 in a very elegant and traditional Manhattan penthouse.



Apartment in Rome
A beautiful bronze boy’s head, as seen on my previous post A house of books (HERE).
An oil paint leaning on the antique chest, an old wood container with patina
and an ornate silver bowl compliment the sculpture.



Gianni Versace
 Gianni Versace villa, Lake Como, from my previous post The end of an era of excess (HERE).
Not a minimalist…he loved collecting antiques, everything is “real” here.



Arturo Martini sculpture
Arturo Martini’s superb sculpture on an antique “angoliera” of rich veneer.
 See more on my previous post The art's lady (HERE).



Kelly Weastler
Kelly Wearstler classic: here she used a Greek bust, an antique chair and bright mosaic tiles.



-Kelly Wearstler-
Kelly Wearstler contemporary: here we have a sculpture totally different from the one above,
with a unique table and geometric paneling.
Shapes, straight lines, curves, they all work well together.



Barry Dixon
Barry Dixon design, what not to love…proportions, scale,
monochromatic palette with just a hint of fresh, pale green.



And now a few of my own images:


Picture 002
A green beryl head I bought in Brazil, I was told that in a million years it would become emerald!
I’ll wait… and in the meantime it sits on my fireplace mantle
on top of books and in front of an oil painting!



Venice sculpture
A client’s apartment in Venice with a signed and dated 1769 bust
sitting below a delicate 18th century oil painting.



Venice Rubelli textiles
While visiting Rubelli textiles in Venice I took a picture of this fireplace with a bust of a Doge. I was told that the Rubelli family tried to find the name of this important person, but without success, after much research they could not figure out who this Doge was… from my previous post Rubelli in Venice (HERE).



Estate 2009 520
A client’s classic apartment in Milan with a terracotta bust of a young girl
and a 19th century delicate portrait.




Estate 2009 428
A client’s sleek apartment in Milan with a classic sculpture above the hidden China cabinet,
white books, essential lines (and poor photography…).



varie 251
And finally…a lovely bust seen at The Cross Decor & Design in Vancouver.


So…busted or not?
Do you have a bust in your home? How did you display it?
Let’s talk!

©2012 Brillante Interiors writes about new trends, timeless decor, iconic pieces, design ideas, or at times just musing about "a certain Italian way of doing things".

If you need help to enjoy your home more, please send me an email.  It will be an investment in happiness at home, a well designed house is always a good part of a great life and a beautiful room will make you happy every time you walk in!


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6 comments:

the modern sybarite ™ said...

Loved this post. So often we focus on the art for the walls or the objects for a sidetable or bookshelf. This was great!

A CRITIC'S EYE said...

I always wish to see sculpture in the round but of course in most interiors it is not possible. I usually have large sculptures positioned on a pedestal and treat them as art objects which they are, and not as decorative pieces.
I once saw a collection of bronze figures on a black grand piano which looked magnificent.
Giovanni Da Bologna's mercury is an stunning piece at Gianferrari's which I have seen at the National Gallery's Rotunda in Washington D.C.
The Bust position at Paolo Moschino's does not make sense. Why position it so that the art work behind it would be impossible to see?
The bust in the bathroom watching the bather? Oh well.

Kathy said...

Love Busts so love your post and the way they are displayed. Most of mine are from the Met and I have displayed them in various ways until last Christmas I had to find a way of displaying them at the same time as making room for all my Christmas decorations. I ended up putting them all on top of my bookcase and really liked the look. I posted them on my blog (if you want to take a look). They were dressed for the season too.

peggy braswell said...

I adore Bust! Grand post. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

Parnell said...

I really love your blog. I really enjoy your writing and sense of readers participation. I use to spend alot of time in Italy so you bring back some amazing memories especially of of the mix of classic and modern the Italians do soooo well.

I also wanted to introduce you to my work. I create botanical paintings and a bit of other things. Please take a look at my blog to see what I'm up to.

Www.parnellcorder.blogspot.com

Keep up the good work!

Regards
Parnell

Mary said...

Hi Albarosa,
I love this post!!! And it has inspired me to write a post on "furniture as sculpture"--do you mind if I reference you in my post? Just wanted to check, and of course, I'll give you credit.
I hope that you are having a wonderful "Semana Santa" as we say in Spain and Mexico. Oh, to be in Spain during this week or Rome or Barcelona (any Southern European city would be great).
Be well and thank you,
Mary

 
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