Fortuny Interiors

by Brian Coleman

Overview

Manufactured in Venice, Italy, textiles by Fortuny have borne the standard of quality and excellence for a hundred years. For walls, sofas, pillows, draperies, bed coverings, tablecloths, and even napkins, the sumptuous art of Fortuny textiles has been decorating old world and new world homes for generations.

Not everyone can afford Fortuny, but some of those who can have opened their doors so we can take a peek. Through luscious photographs and vivid descriptions, we can almost feel the weave and smell the dyes. Contemporary modern condos, elegant historic homes, and metropolitan apartments all wear Fortuny in luxurious high style.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781423624332
Publisher:	Smith, Gibbs Publisher
Publication date:	08/01/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
File size:	17 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Brian D. Coleman, MD, divides his time between Seattle and New York. His articles have appeared in magazines ranging from Old House Journal, where he is the West Coast editor; to Period Living in the U.K. Brian is the author of seven books on the decorative arts, including the recent titles Farrow & Ball and Cottages.

Read an Excerpt

I remember standing in the living room of our house in Rye, New York, when my father first told me that he had purchased Fortuny from the Countess. For some reason, he waited two years before choosing an otherwise ordinary day to share this news. He was standing, as he so often does, holding his glasses on a stack of papers in his hand. “I don’t know what I am going to do with it,” he told me.

I had no idea what I was talking about, but with that air of bravado that most sixteen-year-olds possess, I answered, “Whatever you do, you can’t sell it,” not yet knowing of his promise to the Countess. “You will never have an opportunity like this again for the rest of your life.” Although I couldn’t tell you what we were wearing or what time or day it was, I vividly remember exactly where we were standing and how these words spilled out of my mouth without hesitation or a moment of thought. It didn’t even cross my mind that one day I might work for Fortuny, let alone run it with my brother. What I did know was that Fortuny was something very special, a rare and magical treasure as unique as Venice itself. I had no idea what this would mean at the time, but up there with being born, getting married and having kids, I cannot think of anything that has had more of an impact on my life.

Table of Contents

9 – Mariano Fortuny, 1871–1949, by Guillermo de Osma

12 – Preface, by Mickey Riad

19 – The Fortuny Story

42 – A Passion for Provence

68 – East Meets West in an Atlanta Symphony Showhouse

74 – Safari Modern in Palm Beach

96 – Family Heritage in Westchester County

104 – Traditional Elegance in Tucson

112 – Dressing Room Luxury in Baltimore

116 – An Italian Villa in Montecito, California

122 – A Bit of Venice in a Virginia Manor House

134 – Historic Elegance in Hancock Park

138 – Loire Valley Luxury in Dallas

146 – Greek Island Living in Malibu

154 – Ca’ Rezzonico

164 – Beverly Hills Update

172 – Fin de Siècle Salon on the Upper East Side

174 – Pied-à-Terre in San Francisco

182 – French Elegance in Connecticut

196 – Collector’s Bungalow in Los Angeles

204 – Palladian Classicism in Italy

214 – Horse Farm Luxury in Lexington, Kentucky

226 – Downtown Living in San Diego

232 – Memories in San Francisco

240 – Wine Country Retreat in Napa Valley

254 – Old-World Tradition on Park Avenue

260 – Beachside Color in Santa Monica

266 – Relaxation on the Ranch in Santa Ynez

272 – Haute Couture in Virginia

280 – Fabric Appendix

286 – Resources