Sunday, July 20, 2008

A love dedication to Aubusson tapestry...

(Melissa Levinson @ 1stdibs)



Ok so lets tick the checklist....My favourite elements of what I consider to be the perfect home consist of a piece of tufted furniture, the colour duck/robins egg blue, a beautiful bathroom, flea market finds, forged iron and now to add to my love dedication list - Aubusson tapestries!


As it's sunday and I'm just too darn lazy to retype it in my own words, here I have copied and pasted a brief description of the history of Aubusson and it's AMAZING weavings ;)



The history of tapestry weaving is continuous. In the 5th cent. A.D. and in the centuries immediately afterward, monasteries and convents were the centers of the craft. By the 15th cent., tapestry weaving had reached a high degree of perfection, and from this century date many great Gothic sets rich with gold thread. A fine specimen is the set of Burgundian Sacraments; a late 15th-century example of a verdure background is the Lady and the Unicorn set (Musée de Cluny). Fine weaving was done at Beauvais in the mid-17th cent. Weavers at Aubusson, France, began in the 16th cent. to make a textile that was gradually improved. The baroque style dominated the 17th cent.; the rococo and classical styles appeared in the 18th cent. Fine examples were woven from the cartoons of François Boucher, who worked both for the Beauvais and the Gobelins looms. The history of the tapestries from the Aubusson regions were well-known for its tapestry and carpets, which have been famous throughout the world since the 14th Century. Its origins were born with the arrival of weavers from Flanders, who took refuge in Aubusson around 1580. There is a famous collection of Aubusson tapestries at Vallon-Pont-d'Arc. The style of the tapestries produced have changed with the centuries, from scenes of green landscapes through to hunting scenes. In the 17th Century, the Aubusson and Felletin workshops were given "Royal Appointment" status. A down turn in fortunes came after the French revolution and the arrival of wallpaper. However tapestry made something of a comeback during the 30's, with artists such as Cocteau, Dufy, Dali Braque, Calder, Picasso being invited to Aubusson to express themselves through the medium of wool. Aubusson Tapestry still thrives today, preserving a range of traditional skills.







When it comes to formal living rooms this heavenly space designed and owned by Hayley Hayes an Interior Stylist and blog author from Brisbane (featured in Australian Home Beautiful magazine oct 06) is pure perfection. I absolutely adore the ornate pasterwork on the ceilings, the neutral walls and louis style furniture, the scattered Rachel Ashwell cushions, the contrasting dark timber floors and of course the piece de resistance, that - too die for - aubusson rug!


From this photo it looks like the background on the rug is blue but in the magazine it looks more cream. Which ever colour, it's stunning!


(Antiques on old plank road @ 1stdibs)




(Jacqueline Adams Antiques @ 1stdibs)


Oooh as much as I LOVE that pillow I also love that louis settee!


(Marcoz @ flickr)



You may well have noticed I have a penchant for aubusson tapestries in PINK! ;)


Who wouldn't love this gorgeous hall runner?



(PrettyPetals @ flickr)



(Manhattan Rug Warehouse)


After mentioning my affection for pink rugs this duck egg blue rug took my breath away. I have to have it!! lol




(Lifestyle Antiques)

An antique pair of pink silk and aubusson feature cushions - Let us pray! ;)




(Kathleen Rhea of The House Of Rhea)


(Hollyhock @ 1stdibs)


How adorable is this little stool? Well for a measly $3,800 US it can be YOURS! hehe



(Candice Olsen via Cote de Texas)

(The House That A-M built and AtticMag)


I currently have 6 gorgeous aubusson cushions but no rug as yet. They are all packed in storage awaiting their special day when they can be displayed and admired in the room they so royally deserve.

If any of you have a piece of aubusson tapestry please email me the link to your pics cause I would LOVE to see them :)

11 comments:

Country French Antiques said...

Beautiful, good thing I brought my napkin with me!
Have a great day!

Jessi Nagy said...

hey doll,
gorgeous photos today.
some of those bedrooms, are to die for.
love the chandiliers, and all the tapestries.
oxoxo,
jessi

beth said...

Anna,
I can´t believe how similar our tastes are! I just did a post on the interiors in Mamma Mia a couple of days ago! Great minds think alike! I also have the same quilt cover as you do in your gorgeous holiday house :)

Anonymous said...

Anna, welcome back!

The settee and pink silk cushions are for me! Your aubusson finds are awesome. Jane

driftwood shack said...

yep- you've done it again lovely stylish images I'm not usually a big fan but I'll fight you for the rug!

Gail McCormack said...

You've certainly found some beauties here Anna! Love them all

Unknown said...

Hey I just wanted to let you know that I will be passing the Brillante Premio Blogger 2008 reward on to you and if you don't mind passing it along to others as well that would be great. Please check out my blog for more info. Daisy~

Linda said...

I'd love to have any of those rugs but don't have the money. I wish IKEA made knock offs of them.

The Paris Apartment said...

WOW! What a post! Those rooms are really lovely. By the way your blog is looking particularly beautiful with the pics down the side. I'm prou to be among them and thank you so much for my web award, I love you too!!
xo
c

Villa Anna said...

Thanks so much for the great comments friends :)

Jane, I'll fight you to the death for those silk cushions LOL ;)

Anna :)

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Lovely post! I've missed seeing your comments and I've been so busy planning the wedding I'm behind on the beauty in blog land! Running about trying to catch up! This is always one of my favorite places to come and absorb the inspiration!

Happy day to you,
Melissa