Lillian William’s flat in 1990’s New York…
A chateau apartment…a stop over on her quest to import
a great deal of 18th century France to the West Coast for her once
and forever fabulous, but now closed, “La Vie de Soleil” shop in
San Francisco. I might have to blame my fascination with the 18th century
France on that wonderful fairy tale place..
My collected group of French antique papers
in a robin’s egg blue 19th century Swedish box…
Ebay and auction purchases…the “Vente” paper from
French Country Home‘s burgeoning boutique here
Acquiring tangible bits of the past…one at a time…
I do enjoy fooling around with copies of the script
and 18th century prints…like this heavily worked up coiffure…
From Love Letters post here
If you can imagine just how messy this process was…
you’ll understand the need for the textile below…
This c. 1790 Ladies powdering jacket
was auctioned of at Kerry Taylor auctions here
More at my Hairdressing post here
Lillian William’s collection of ladies necessities…
Embroidered pocketbooks and buckles…
fans, thimbles and embossed metal sewing kit…
From earlier post More Finds here
Enjoying the 18th century from a safe,
well lit and less over-dressed perspective…
part of my own collection of antique buckles…
More from Lillian Williams New York apartment…
circa 1990 World of Interiors ….
Walls mimicking the bright, saturated colors of the time…
Lillian, a passionate self taught expert on 18th century France,
was consulted for the gorgeous Dangerous Liaison’s film
with Glenn Close, John Malkovich and Michelle Pfeiffer…
which I hope everyone has seen…
18th century French chandelier
at recent auction…
I actually bid on this before realizing it was a mite too big for my office….
but the candlelight over my desktop would have been lovely….
French Chateau doors…19th century…made for the theater?
Ambiance Antiques at 1stdibs
I’m only telling you about these because I have given up figuring
out where I could sneak these in….they’re up for grabs…
Many earlier posts on Lillian Williams here
From A La Refurb du Temps Perdu text Carol Prisant,
photography Michael Mundy World of Interiors 9/90
Trouvais 
I’m with you Trish nothing like going back in time but thankfully in my head since I like modern conveniences. I love Lillian William’s collection in the frame. Your blue Swedish box with the papers is to die for. Your posts are always so much fun to look at and dream!
Hi Trish,
it’s so good to see some “real” pieces! Great post!
And the arrangment of your antique papers in the Swedish box – just charming and lovely!
Amicalement – karin
By the way – still making research about the toile….
As always, I love your posts.
beautiful images. so nice to know a little background from that movie, one of my favorites…
Trish,
I love the French antique papers. In fact you posted an image of a page some time ago that was so beautiful…I’d want to frame it. I love the handbags and the buckles. Thank you for all the links to some wonderful places for more of 18th Century French wares.
Karen
For those of us who collect, it always seems tragic when we don’t purchase. I totally understand. Your Swedish box with the antique French papers is delightful. xx’s
Your site is so incredibly gorgeous. I can’t stop myself from looking and re-looking at it. I have quite a large collection of fans and other curiosities and enjoy so much all of these treasures from the past where the grass is so very green and lush.
Beautiful post . . . Thank you!
Oh, I love your Swedish box and antique papers. I would love to start collecting antique documents. I have a real fascination for them. Wonderful post as always. Have missed hearing from you. I’m sure you will be spending plenty of time in the garden soon. XOXO Mona
I remember her shop in SAN FRANCISCO!I was a teen but was drawn in by all that she did at an early age!I thought she had moved to FRANCE permantely so was surprized to see she had a place in NEW YORK!But that was 20 years ago………..She had a chateau to swoon for…..Google her and see what comes up!Think I will too…………thanks for bringing her back into my LIFE.Elizabeth
Lovely post! Love the Swedish box & French documents as well as the ladies powdering jacket!
AS always love what you show. I love that ladies shirt!
xx
Your blog is dreamy!! The images sublime! I could cry! Vanna
Love all the antique papers! Lovely lovely post!
Once again you have shared and inspired what makes me stop everything else, to reread , dream and plan!
Trish your eye and appreciation for the sublime is so much appreciated.love your blue box with papers…the buckles of course…oh just EVERYTHING. I will be rearranging some vignettes today- you do this to me!
hugs Colette ~ Afrique du Sud
Eyeing your post …………..such a treat. A first time reader…………definitely hooked
Simply gorgeous!!!
love your amazing taste… and those doors… almost stopped my heart…… hoping to see you very soon!! xo
Love it all!! So beautiful, so interesting, so inspiring!! Those Chateau doors are to die for!! Wish I had a place for them!!
SOOOO pretty. Love the picture of the door and also the barber…….Your vignettes are always so enjoyable… Maryanne. xo
Your blog is one of my faves, l love everything in this post . The buckles shoes and fan, and the green of those doors.
sooo nice, love your blog
I’m from Holland and a French Antique lover for many years
now opent my own webshop http://www.demerelbrocante.nl
greetings from Holland
Hi Trish Love the buckles I collect them too and the old papers etc ALL delicious I have the antique pink toile de jouey on a stool now previously a curtain its so pretty isnt it Thankyou Trish Fay xx
Sorry Trish not to have spotted this sooner. The days just fly past at the moment. This post as always is wonderful, I particularly like the quilted Toile de Jouy and yes, the blue trimming is what makes it. Thank you for showing the script from my store, I knew it would find a happy home!!
Why oh why is everything French just so perfect. I need practically everything here, and I’m willing to move a ceiling to fit that chandelier!
Slavica
We just did a fabulous BLOG on http://www.underSpanishMoss.com about using doors to create European Style! Check it out . We would love to mention your beautiful french pair as seen on 1st dibs. thank you for the fabulous blog, it was inspiring!