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Rock star Bryan Ferry’s London home…
A two bedroom former artist’s studio in Chelsea that he moved into two
years ago and decorated with his own finds from around the world…
“Decorating is so interesting to me, ” he explains, taking a seat on his 19th
century French sofa. “I like to control my environment. How it looks, feels
and sounds. I couldn’t imagine asking anyone else to decorate it”
Great story in the December Wall Street Journal magazine..
WSJ Magazine here
by Rita Konig
Photography Alexia S
“Once I have an aesthetic attachment to something I can’t
bear to break the bond that ties us together.”
Love his point of view…
Paint splattered chair a gift from
Note the lady beneath the lamp shade…
“I don’t buy to fit, he adds. “I buy first and then find a spot for it,
and once I’ve done that I don’t like changing it-as it’s usually taken
quite a while to find that spot.”
A textile draped table set before an unused door…
“Fabrics are important, he says, “because I don’t
go for that hard-edged modern look; I like
frayed edges.”
One large room where Ferry does most of his entertaining…a composite of
all the views. Click above photo to get full screen…
Please read the full article…here
It makes me think of all my favorite
finds from the past year…
Our finds are sort of a Rorschach (ink blot) test…braille for visitors to our homes…
where we’ve come from, where we’ve been, our allusions and ambitions about ourselves…
what we hold dear, what we strive for. And of course…the good deal…the practical…
and the dreaded folly. What was your best find in 2010?
beautiful story on Brian..his taste is impeccable and he is a the loveliest person..what fabulous colours on the curtains………
Carolyn Quartermaine…what a wonderful start to the year. My absolute favorite textile artist!
Hello dear Trish..my best find…your blog, for it made me become a blogger too..you inspire me to think about what I share in my posts, I look at my images I choose with a very critical eye, I think twice and more about how I say it.. I hope to share like you do..so thank you…a best find!!
hugs
Colette
I love La Brocanteuse…a great blog Colette! Love seeing South Africa with a French twist!
I’ll have to agree with Colette, that you and your blog have been one of my very best finds. I love everything you share and more importantly the way you share it. We both have a love for really beautiful old crusty things, and if they are a good deal, that’s even better. I’m looking forward to what 2011 has for both of us. I’m sure there will be a little gold in it somewhere.
Oh, and I just adore the lady under the lamp shade. Caught my eye immediately.
Trish this has really made my day, I love Brian’s thoughts on design and what a talented musician!!
Happy New Years!
Xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Trish,
I guess this feature just proves an artist is an artist no matter what medium! I especially love the coffee table and the Union Jack pillow—I want one of those, being a true Anglophile!
Love this piece and will read more from the link.
Karen
Brian has great taste and I feel the same way he does most of the time about things, buy first then find a place for it. I bought to many things last year for a favorite but then again it’s my business to buy…love it!
Love the loft space – not as wild about the decor – but it’s certainly personal and expressive. It’s just a tad too boho eclectic for me. But I loved his point of view on decorating.
Wow – my second visit of the day here. You’re on a blogging whirl!
I love his use of texture in all of its forms. The artwork and interweaving of colors with antique as well as modern. The perfect mix.
Bryan Ferry definitely has appeal – in many ways,… including this lovely home. Thank you for sharing this Trish and please keep your wonderful posts coming all through 2011.
Sharon
Trish, I have two sons in their thirties,reading this gives me hope. I have attempted to bring culture and beauty into their lives all my life!! Brian’s great taste and personal style, not to mention his attachment to and placement of cherished objects, asserts the notion that not all males, ( other than designers) need a” man cave ” to express themselves.I knew this to be true, but had not really seen real evidence of it till today. I am hoping that by sheer osmosis my boys will get it! I feel positive, and this holiday have noticed definite advancement! This post is especially thought provoking for me.
Nella XO
I have to agree with Colette and Mona that your blog is one of my very best finds. You inspire all of us to remember that good taste is always in style. You inspire and you educate. Thank you.
I have met Bryan and he is a very lovely man. His love of decorating does not surprise me at all. Wonderful post.
I love the spattered chair!
Great color and patina.
L.
I love this, this is exactly my style. Bryan Ferry is the most stylish man of my lifetime clothes-wise. His style has never changed and he always looks laid back, slouchy and elegant.
Love your blog Trish…have been following for some time, compliments of FrenchKissed. Great post on Bryan Ferry’s London loft. What fabulous ceiling and light in the apartment. Also love all of his delightfully eclectic decor. I have seen a lot of artificially “staged and decorated” homes, but this one is lovely, personal and inviting! I must learn more about Bryan.
Hi Trish…love how English and Europeans have so much framed art on the walls..and books everywhere…and a sort of elegant but tattered look…not overly fussy interiors….and as far as best finds …well, it’s not any one piece but how they all compliment each other and sort of pull the rooms together…
ummmmm…a musician with fabulous taste! Thanks for the intro….all the best for the new year…
Love that attitude that you love what you live with and live with what you love. Perhaps you have identified the trend of a lifetime vs the trend of the nannosecond. My best this year find lacks the beautiful patina and whimsey of your great gold leafed acorn mirror. However, my new black bookcase with its regency styling all done in a modern moment seems to combine all the things I love: black, touches of gold, a little industrial, beautiful, useful. All that it holds my books, too! It has an old soul, but manages to be with it. I think technically it might be called “transitional.” I like to think it is here to remind me there is more than one way to grow older.
ps How lovely the incredible and delightfully talented Ms. Quartermaine stopped by. You two do sing a great duet.
I love your finds!
we had a few favorite finds from our last may trip to Paris, but the most admired are the two French chandeliers from the beginning of the last century that my husband lovingly rewired himself.
Hi Irina. I just love that…what a wonderful, tangible memory!
i have always had a mad crush on mr ferry… aaaahhhhh…. and to know he has wonderful taste, even better!
happy new year sweet friend… hope to see you in the springtime… xx
One of my best finds of 2010 was you. 🙂
Happy New Year, Trish!
xo Isa
Hi Trish!
As usual when I want to see images andget inspired I turn up here…..I like the bit of whimsy on Ferry’s desk.., and the splattered chair… Then when you get to the entertaining room…..wow. And you know you are killing me witht at barometer you bought last year! Looking for more great things from you sister…….Oh and I loved your post on the prints, I’mnot a print girl either but i liked that. Onward and upwards in 2011!!!!Maryanne xo
Fantastic! i could move right in. You always post the most unique spaces!
Happy New Year!
xo xo
I am a little different from Bryan Ferry…I like to mix it up from room to room…things don’t stay in one place for long. I have lots of items from French flea markets (a commode is in my latest post)…but last year I bought two sailboat oil paintings that I love from the Long Beach, CA flea market. Your barometer is gorgeous. THAT would be a fabulous find!
Mary Ann
PS. I love how clean, restful and elegant your blog design is!
Dear Trish,
What a home! And I LOVE him for saying “I couldn’t imagine asking anyone else decorating my home”.
A few years ago the wife of my husband’s former boss took me out on a house hunting trip (we had just moved to LA). I have always been passionate about interior design and I remember asking her how she decorated her own home. She looked at me and said calmly “Monika, rich people use decorators” (not knowing anything about my background).
I have thereafter made a point to show my own children that I am very comfortable in my own skin and that will decorate my own home even when we become very wealthy! I never want to raise children with such a poor attitude.
I am so looking forward to see what you have in store for us in 2011! It is always wonderful being here.
ox, Mon
P.S The CEO was later demoted and they had to move from the big house…
I love hearing stories…thank you Monika! Someone once told me her brother told a landscaper “make it look pretty” and I was aghast. What…no list of favorite plants, etc? But (thankfully) for everyone that doesn’t have the interest (or ability) there are scores that live for designing. And if it’s your own home, you only have to please yourself.
That wonderful high-ceilinged room is just to die for. And, absolutely totally English. Divine.