Inspire me!

This spectacular French settee featured on our “Inspire Me” page is not only beautiful but extremely comfortable too. I love how designer Lillian August chose a neutral linen base for her sofa then added the deep mulberry velvet accent pillows and tossed in an ikat print. The mulberry accents are so unexpected in this classical interior yet so very glamorous at the same time!

Tara’s take on design:
Design Strategy – Look at the great mix of furniture styles in this amazing interior

-Classic pewter end tables, featuring eglomise table tops
-An Italian style cocktail table with an aged silver finish and antiqued mirrored panels
-A reproduction Swedish secretary desk with eglomise mirrored front panels
-Antique reproduction French settee

So very lovely, just like Lillian! All products are available through McNabb & Risley.

FYI – Design insight: You may be wondering, what is “eglomise”?

Eglo∙mi∙se: (adj) a decorative furniture technique used in case goods that involves painting or gilding on the back of glass. Once applied, the picture shows through the glass.

Popular in the 18th and 19th Centuries in France and named after decorator Jean-Baptiste Glomy, this technique was usually done on a glass panel that was either applied to or on part of a door. The applied color was usually done in either gold or blue. Glomy used it in mirrors and picture frames as a decorative technique for furniture.

Eglomise was also used in North America during the Federal furniture period by Neoclassical designers. In fact, cabinetmaker Joseph Barry became famous for his eglomise work.