Classic Decor Gets Its Due — in a Giftworthy Book
Entertainment and education mingle in this design reference, brimming with anecdotes, history and design lessons for today
Way back when the design-blog landscape was just a wee fraction of what it is today, Jennifer Bole’s The Peak of Chic was one of my first daily reads. I have learned so much from her extensive knowledge of interior design history, and I’ve picked up from her much of my ability to identify classic elements and the work of some of the greats. Although chock-full of facts and information, Boles’ writing is is full of anecdotes and personality, making her design lessons a joy. Here’s a peek at the chic in her latest book, In With the Old: Classic Decor From A to Z.
Monograms. “There are some who think that monogramming one’s household effects is equivalent to a dog marking its territory,” Boles writes. “I’m Southern, and heaven knows that Southerners love to emblazon everything, sometimes even toilet paper, with their initials. But just like chocolate, liquor and trashy novels, monograms are best enjoyed in moderation.”
This is just one example of how Boles’ writing style makes a glossary a thoroughly entertaining and informative read. I never knew the subject of monograms could be so funny.
This is just one example of how Boles’ writing style makes a glossary a thoroughly entertaining and informative read. I never knew the subject of monograms could be so funny.
Portieres. I recognized these drapes hanging between rooms from my grandparents’ antique Tudor home, but I never knew what they were called before I picked up this book. While the fabric adds to the decor, the function was of the utmost importance, to keep cold drafts from large hallways out of rooms that had wide openings rather than doors.
Boles points out that portieres are also a great solution to doorless spaces today. “My bedroom has a walk-through closet leading to the bathroom, and every night when I get into bed, staring me in the face are rows of shoes and coat hangers,” she writes. “A more pleasing view could certainly be achieved if I were to hang pretty curtains at the closet opening.” She also advises leaving the oppressive dark velvet portieres from the Victorian era behind and sticking with lighter, tailored fabrics.
Boles points out that portieres are also a great solution to doorless spaces today. “My bedroom has a walk-through closet leading to the bathroom, and every night when I get into bed, staring me in the face are rows of shoes and coat hangers,” she writes. “A more pleasing view could certainly be achieved if I were to hang pretty curtains at the closet opening.” She also advises leaving the oppressive dark velvet portieres from the Victorian era behind and sticking with lighter, tailored fabrics.
Jib doors. Lined up flush with a wall, a jib door lacks the usual door trimwork and prominent hardware (such as exposed hinges) of a typical door. “The purpose of a jib door is to give a wall a seamless appearance,” Boles writes. She recommends using them for situations like in small entryways where a standard door’s appearance would chop up the space too much, or in a wallpapered dining room to create an uninterrupted scene (think wall mural or extensive chinoiserie flowering branches).
Boles also points out that decorating icon Albert Hadley cleverly hid a bathroom behind a jib door in the wallpapered hallway in his Manhattan apartment.
Boles also points out that decorating icon Albert Hadley cleverly hid a bathroom behind a jib door in the wallpapered hallway in his Manhattan apartment.
Checkerboard floors. “Entry halls and foyers are prime real estate for checkerboard floors, where their graphic pattern can welcome guests with a dramatic ‘Hello!’” Boles writes. While most checkerboard floors alternate in a grid or diamond pattern, this floor featured in her book has the tiles on a slant, which adds a playful touch and engages the eye. According to Boles, it was inspired by a floor originally designed by architect David Adler.
Browse great designs with checkerboard floors
Browse great designs with checkerboard floors
Malachite. Before I read this book, I knew that artist Tony Duquette embraced malachite’s black and green swirling pattern, but I had no idea that the mineral was “redolent of tsarist Russian opulence.” The Ural Mountains mineral has been enjoying quite a resurgence lately, with its pattern appearing on wallpapers and lacquered boxes.
Zebra prints. Boles traces the popularity of the zebra print from real hide rugs to the cruelty-free zebra patterns so popular today. From Parish-Hadley’s classic hooked wool to Jonathan Adler’s boldly colored rugs, the pattern is a classic that keeps evolving.
The fabric on this porter’s chair is a silk ikat called Illusion, by Jim Thompson.
These are just a few nuggets from the book. It’s also full of asides like famous design quotes, how to host a card party, the fabric hall of fame, descriptions of fabulous real-life interiors from old movies and more. I would gift this book to any design lover this holiday season, and it’s one I’m going to share on my guest room nightstand. It’s a wonderful reference I’ll pull out again and again.
The fabric on this porter’s chair is a silk ikat called Illusion, by Jim Thompson.
These are just a few nuggets from the book. It’s also full of asides like famous design quotes, how to host a card party, the fabric hall of fame, descriptions of fabulous real-life interiors from old movies and more. I would gift this book to any design lover this holiday season, and it’s one I’m going to share on my guest room nightstand. It’s a wonderful reference I’ll pull out again and again.
“Classic design never goes out of style, whether in fashion (think of Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s) or interior decorating,” writes Boles, shown here. This philosophy had guided her as she highlights design elements that have lasted through many different design eras.
Campaign furniture. The cover, complete with a charming illustration by Laura Boles Faw, features a leather and metal folding French campaign chair. Boles explains that the chair and other campaign furniture pieces date back to the early-19th-century Napoleonic Wars, when officers would retire to their well-appointed tents with furniture that was both deluxe and easy to carry.
“The style’s clean, simple lines give it a perpetually modern appearance that made it highly valued in the 19th century, just as it is today,” she writes.