Friday, May 24, 2019

Dining Room Libraries.....Beautiful And Functional Spaces



I like individual rooms for individual purposes. That's why my house is over 100 years old so I can have rooms separated by walls. That being said, I will admit that I get why multifunctional living spaces are the status quo. I may be a dinosaur..... but I get it. We live in an age where space comes at a premium and creating multifunctional rooms is a huge trend. These days it is important to find creative ways to share space that will make your home more efficient. 

I have to admit that there is one "double duty"space I really do like and that's the topic of this blog post. The Dining Room Library. I think this combination works really well and can be quite lovely.

Many of us would like to have a library but very few homes provide the space. Some homeowners use their living rooms as a library but the Dining Room Library could be the perfect solution. They have been around for a few years but have just recently piqued my attention so I decide to create a post about them.

I have gathered some images for you to enjoy while we look at pros of having your dining room in your library......or library in your dining room.. Either way, you get the picture.



I happen to think this is a gorgeous space. Something about the marriage of these two rooms just works for me. Maybe it is because tables just look at home in a library. Dining room libraries are lovely to look at plus they are extremely practical.


When we have a dinner party the guests tend to sit around the dining room table and talk. I can see how being surrounded by walls of books could make it even more comfortable.

via Pinterest

I suppose a library in the dining room would be conducive for intelligent conversations.


Alot of space can go to waste in a dining room, but with library bookshelves this room becomes interesting and super functional.

ladolcevitablog.com

Why not have a multi-purpose space that you’ll use every day!

lifeanddecor@instagram.com

Dining rooms doubling as libraries bring a warm coziness to the traditional formal dining room.


Depending on the books you choose, library walls can be a colorful and dramatic backdrop for your dining room.

houzz.com

I like the way a library wall of book shelves brings texture and dimension to the dining room.


You can even treat library shelves as your dining room walls and use them for displays of artwork, 


Charles Faudree

collections,


and other treasures that resemble the Victorian cabinets of curiosities. Here is a cozy dining room library that just oozes English charm.

Library walls just have a way of elevating the design of the dining room.


Libraries have the tendency to look strictly utilitarian so incorporating a dining room into the mix helps soften the look and makes the library more charming.

via Pinterest


Bohemian style Library/Dining Room of LouLou de la Falaise.

Remember your dining room library space doesn't have to be massive. 


A small dining room surrounded by books is just as lovely.

The dining room library can create a chic backdrop for intimate gatherings as well as turn the space into the perfect cozy reading room.


A great country farmhouse style dining room library. Loving the mismatched chairs and wonderful old table.


If you are not a "neutral interior" homeowner, a library full of books can create a rainbow-like backdrop. Add in some colorful dining room accessories and you are good to go.

shelfjoy on instagram.com

The next few images will show you another reason dining room libraries just make sense. Every library needs a table to read at or work on. Now we see how functional these rooms can be.


When you aren't having dinner or entertaining let the library side take over.

laurelberninteriors.com

The above dining room library is an example of how this combination is the perfect collaboration. What is a lovely room for dining.....


becomes an equally attractive library for reading or working, almost serving as an office.



What a gorgeous space to eat or read in.


If you are considering a dining room re-do and have always wanted your own library, you might give some serious thought to this chic and stylish combination.




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This blog post was published by Lisa Farmer

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Saturday, May 18, 2019

Decorating With French And Swedish Cartel Clocks


The reign of Louis XIV saw French clock making come into it's own with gorgeous, highly ornate, gilt bronze (ormolu) covered clocks fit for the opulence of Versailles. However, it was during France's "Golden Age", c.1740-1830 that the country was considered the leading clock making nation. This was due to the excellence and superior craftsmanship of French clock makers. This was also the era of cartel clocks.

The cartel clock was a Rococo invention. These clocks originated in Paris and were popular from 1730 through the reign of Louis XV. The cartel clock was the first clock to be hung directly on the wall. It was cartouche shaped with the housing or frame (cartel is French for frame) usually executed in ormolu or gilded wood.These French wall clocks often featured Roman numerals on white dials surrounded by gilt garlands and festooned with bronze Greek or Roman figures and cherubs. 

The cartel clock was also admired by Swedish King, Gustav III while visiting Versailles. The Gustavian cartel is a beautiful clock that is usually gilded or painted in the creamy whites that are so evocative of all things Gustavian.

As with all "trends" the cartel clock gave way to the style of the day, the mantle clock, under the reign of Louis XVI. Then, at the turn of the century, in Töreboda, southern Sweden, a firm of watchmakers known as Westerstrand and Sons established their business producing gilded wooden cartel clocks inspired by the early French clocks.

I love them and recently purchased one for myself. I hope you will enjoy the images of cartel clocks that I have gathered and can find one for your old world interiors.



The 18th century was a great age for the development of the mechanical clock. Many new styles were introduced such as the cartel or hanging clock. Before the invention of the cartel clock a wall clock was pretty much a clock sitting on a wall bracket.


The cartel clock was among the earliest forms of clocks designed for display within the 18th-century French home.


Renowned for their abundance of Rococo swirls and arabesques, French cartel clocks were often decorated with gilded cherubs, nymphs, animals and heroes. The whole clock case was covered in gilt and ormolu. 
Chateau de Villette, decorated by Jacques Garcia

The cartel clocks were the trend of the time and were found in all the great houses of the day.

Chateau de Chantilly via homeplusdecor.com

Since cartel clocks were no longer part of furniture, designers were free to make them more graceful and sculptural in style. They literally became works of art.


One of the many makers of these sorts of clocks, as well as other styles, was Frederick Japy, whose Japy Freres would become the leading French clock manufacturers in the 19th century. This is a Japy Freres Large Antique French Rococo Cartel Wall Clock - Circa 1880.



Ritz-Paris bedroom with bronze cartel clock.

The home of Hubert and Isabelle d'Ornano

It is very fashionable to suspend a cartel clock over a large and ornate mirror.

via Pinterest

Floating in the middle of this large mirror is a Louis XVI French Cartel Clock, circa 1760, crafted by Louis Jouard of Paris.

Axel Vervoordt

While a French cartel clock makes a stunning addition to any room, many times they were displayed in the dining room.

via Pinterest

Cartel clock in the dining room of Chateau de Villette.


thefoodogatemyhomework.tumblr.com

These clocks just seem to provide instant elegance to an interior.

via Pinterest


The cartel clock is equally impressive in living rooms.



I agree......you can't have too many French clocks!!


Hallways and corridors are also showplaces for a cartel clock.


A Chinoiserie interior also pairs beautifully with a fabulous antique cartel clock.

Lisa Farmer - Eye For Design

This is the antique cartel clock I bought for my bedroom. I love them floated on mirrors but I had already mounted a sunburst mirror over my largest mirror so decided to use an old handmade tapestry that hangs in my window box as the background for my gilt wood cartel clock. 

Lisa Farmer -Eye For Design

 I love all cartel clocks but I prefer the more casual elegance of the gilded wood styles. The cases would be carved from linden wood, finished with gesso, and then the gilt would be applied to imitate French Ormolu. Sophie and Chanel approve.

via Pinterest

Brian J. McCarthy

And don't forget the class and elegance cartels bring to the bedroom.


via Pinterest

Many times French cartel clocks are displayed on the back curtain of a canopied bed.



While there are many different design styles, the asymmetrical cartel clock is one of the most popular styles.


Incorporate a cartel clock into a lovely vignette.



19th Century French Louis XVI Style Ormolu Signed Cartel Clock And Barometer via Pinterest

elledecor.com
The cartel clock is a excellent accessory for a formal or casual country French interior.

via Pinterest


If a Swedish Gustavian interior is your idea of perfection, the gilt wood Swedish style cartel clock will make a handsome addition.


Another Swedish cartel clock in a beautiful hand carved gilt wood case. Even though they are elegantly designed, these clocks work so well with the simple lines of Gustavian interiors.

Here is an example of a Swedish Neoclassical circa 1820s gilded and carved wood cartel clock.


 Beautiful cartel clock via  ryderantiques.com


A lovely cartel clock in the Green Room of Sturehov Castle built in the Gustavian style in 1780 by the finance minister at the court of King Gustav III.


Now here is a bit of Heaven. A Swedish Mora clock surrounded by fabulous cartel clocks!!



If you like the Swedish gilt wood cartel clocks make sure they are from the Westerstrand factory in Toreboda Sweden. 


It is getting harder to find affordable cartel clocks. I recommend estate auctions or let a booth owner in your local antiques mall know you are looking. You might even be lucky enough to find one on Craigslist, ETSY or EBAY. Just be patient and wait for that bargain to show up!!





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