Thursday, April 2, 2015

Robert Couturier, Curtain Master

Designer Robert Couturier's Living Room
from House & Garden, September 1990.
In Robert Couturier's Living Room in his own NYC apartment, the curtains play a large part of the success of the room.  Filled with a mix of stylish continental antiques from the 18th, 19th, and 20th-centuries, an Aubusson rug grounds the arrangement.  Three tiers of white, hinged bi-fold, louvered shutters provide light control and privacy in the bay window that would otherwise dominate the room if the eye had not been stopped by the billowing effect of the curtains.  Panels of taffeta hang by tabs of the same fabric from a steel rod accented with brass finials, support posts, and large tie-back rosettes.

Imagine the same room without the curtains to realize the importance of that feature.  Although it is not the type of room usually seen in magazines today, it still has validity after 25 years.  More posts in the Curtain Master series will follow with a series of un-consecutive series of posts by The Devoted Classicist.

5 comments:

  1. John,
    Just think how avant Mr Couturier was for 1990 ! That chic grey had not yet come into vogue, as it has in more recent years...
    BTW, Tice was pals with RC and always jokingly called him "Bob Taylor"! Last year, RC finished a house here in Naples, which was published, AD I think?
    But, perhaps you knew that minuscule bit of deco trivia already!
    Love these curtain posts! Keep it up!
    Dean

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  2. 'Billowing'...a word most unused today in decor. The color combinations are sheer beauty as all is tied by that Aubusson, another unsung 'Hero' in the World of Interiors today. How I adore the Couturier Eye!

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    Replies
    1. Unlined silk taffeta curtains tailored with flair is a look we love. If direct sunlight can be avoided, it's not so decadent. Thank you for commenting, TS.

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  3. John, Robert must love spending time in this luxe room and yes, the curtains are pure perfection! The burst of fuchsia in the chair by the window is just what the room called for in contrast.

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

    ReplyDelete

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