[David Hicks interior; image ©David Hicks 1970 Ltd]
It seems my year-long posting of Louis-XV-style chairs has become so overzealous that I’ve accidentally converted a friend. Landscape designer, Robyn Pope, recently shared with me the pictures, above, of a vintage French chair she found for her daughter Taylor at San Francisco’s Swallowtail Interiors. ( 2217 Polk St., 415- 567-1555) Robyn says in the past she never gravitated toward this style but it’s growing on her. The graffiti-esque Declaration of Independence upholstery really appealed to her too — perfect for teen Taylor who is away at boarding school. (Younger sister Clare agreed to pose here.)
It’s funny how modern Louis-XV chairs can become, depending on the upholstery and finish. David Hicks of course was known for painting them white and covering them with high contrast, contemporary fabric. And many furniture historians think the centuries-old “Louis” is one of the most brilliant designs of all time. Writer Florence de Dampierre (or her publisher) chose one for the cover of her tome, Chairs: A History.
[West Coast interior designer, Vanessa De Vargas, often uses Louis-XV-style chairs in a fresh way, as seen above. The abstract floral is Lulu DK.]
[Here’s a favorite: Oregon designer, Jen West, used an ikat robe bought on eBay to cover her child’s chair]
This is the lovely holiday window at Swallowtail Interiors. Robyn shared it with me and I thought it would make a nice ending to my week of December posts. I owe Grace a huge thanks for her hospitality and patience! It was so much fun to hang out in different surroundings, and I’m truly appreciative of every reader who glanced at these posts. Warmest wishes for a safe and happy holiday!
Courtney