Veranda May/Jun 2019

“Our world is dull compared to the exuberance of color from the 18th and 19th centuries.” PAUL VANDEKAR, AN ANTIQUES DEALER in New York, was only half-joking with me in his description of the 1700s and 1800s at this year’s Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville in February. I’d stopped in to ask him about a pair of Regency-era jasper-dipped stoneware vases. 1 Their intense cobalt color had prompted me to re-examine how I’ve always thought about the past. I confess that despite having studied art history in college, stories about life “back then” still conjure sepia-steeped visions. But the spectrum of antiques on display that day opened my eyes to a whole new world of color. Eighteenth- and nineteenth-century artisans were wildly prolific and surprisingly innovative. Take the vases. The “dipped”…

Design tastemakers Tanya Meda and Dabito didn’t earn influencer-status by following everyone else. The Instagrammers are masters of style and color, pulling in bold, distinctive pieces. To create their eye-catching spaces, they shop Perigold for unrivaled access to exceptional furnishings. Dabito (@DABITO) channels a bright outlook. “I live for color,” he says. “It’s often the starting point when I imagine a room because color is what gives me so many emotions.” Here, optimistic yellow sets the scene for his playful chandelier. Shop the Jonathan Adler Caracas Chandelier at perigold.com Tanya (@HOUSEOFSIXINTERIORS) maximizes monochrome. Against an airy palette, Tanya’s dining table takes center stage. “I am a believer in the power of white – there’s no better color. Statement pieces stand out beautifully in a white space.” Shop the Aldean Dining Table at perigold.com…

INSTANT HEIRLOOM MEET THE ARTIST • A New Zealand native, Bridie Hall divides her time between her studio, where she turns historic relics into decorative trays, wall art, and other imaginative accessories, and running housewares shop Pentreath & Hall, which she co-owns with British designer Ben Pentreath. THE FIND • Roman emperor intaglios, cast in plaster and enclosed in vivid lacquered cases THE BACKSTORY • “My collections are inspired by the Grand Tour I never took,” says Hall, referring to the tradition of young aristocrats traveling through Europe to finish their educations. Popular from the 17th to 19th centuries, the stylish jaunts were designed to expose students to great art and architecture, and intaglios were often a part of the collections they would bring home. MAKE THEM YOURS • Cases come in eight colors…

A GLIMPSE INTO ANY EXPANsive private jewelry collection is a heady thrill, particularly when the collector herself is a renowned jewelry designer. Hence the anticipation surrounding this spring’s exhibition of jeweler Elizabeth Locke’s micromosaic jewelry collection at Richmond’s Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Crafted from tiny glass tiles known as tesserae, micromosaics were sold as souvenirs for Grand Tour travelers through the late 19th century. Locke has reset many of the 92 pieces on display (ranging from architecture to wildlife) in her signature neoclassical style with hammered 19-karat gold and precious stones. “Jewelry is designed for the era in which it’s intended to be worn,” says Locke. The new, more substantial settings “are scaled to be worn with modern clothes.” The exhibition, “A Return to the Grand Tour: Micromosaic Jewels from the…

CHARLES EDWARDS With 50 years’ experience supplying the American market with elegant traditional style lighting, Charles Edwards showrooms based exclusively in London assist discerning clientele in creating unique light fixtures. charlesedwards.com THE WHITE COMPANY The White Company opened its doors over 24 years ago offering British-designed, beautifully made homeware and clothing collections principally in white, which are supremely stylish, affordable and of designer-quality. thewhitecompany.com THE HEVENINGHAM COLLECTION The Heveningham Collection is the ultimate in stylish, elegant iron furniture custom made in Great Britain. Designs include dining sets, chaise lounge, armchairs and tables. Perfect for the home, terrace, conservatory or poolside. Contact: +44 1424838483 heveningham.co.uk VILLAVERDE The Luna Murano Chandelier Collection combines contemporary design with traditional Italian hand blown slate murano glass. villaverde.london…

THE MIX MASTER Sibyl Colefax and John Fowler Compton two-tier vase, $503; sibylcolefax.com THE PICK-UP ARTIST Laurence Brabant Inseparables vase, $160; gardeshop.com THE IN CROWD Christiane Perrochon Sake bottle vases, from $405; tableartonline.com THE CLASSIC BEAUTY Port 68 Temba large blue vase, $295; onekingslane.com THE MODERNIST Kristine Five Melvaer Glass bud vase, from $420; marchsf.com THE FREE SPIRIT Frances Palmer Round tulipiere nine-spout vase, $1,500; francespalmerpottery.com MAIN IMAGE, PAMELA COOK; REMAINING VASES, BRIAN WOODCOCK. SETTING PLASTER PAINT, $110 PER GALLON; FARROW-BALL.COM. ARTIST CANVAS FABRIC, TO THE TRADE; DELECUONA.COM.…