Palladian splendour

The staircase.

The library.

The dining room.

The billiards room.

A bathroom.

A treehouse.

This jewel of Palladian architecture, Melville House in Fife, Scotland is for sale at the knockdown price of GBP2.5m. It is suggested that an offer of GBP2m might secure it. This represents a hefty discount from the original GBP4.5m price tag, (and even more so in US Dollar terms, with the current weakness of Sterling). You can read the story here.

The decision to build the present house was made in 1697, just after the Earl of Melville was appointed to the lucrative position of President of the Privy Council, from which he earned the princely sum of GBP1,000 per annum. In 1689 King William (of Orange) had made him Secretary of State for Scotland.

It is believed that the original architect was Sir William Bruce, but the subsequent design by James Smith, who pioneered the style of Palladio in Scotland, seems to have prevailed, and I believe we are the more fortunate for it.

The sale is as a result of a repossession by a bank. The refurbishment has been completed, and as a Grade A Listed building this is a tremendous bonus to any buyer; working through planning laws for listed buildings is challenging to say the least.

The original land size has been reduced, and is now only about 16 1/2 acres, and excludes the magnificent tree-lined grand avenue that lead to the south front, (top picture). But the entrance to the north, (lowest picture), is by no means too modest. Obviously good landscaping will be required to create more interest, as the substantial lawns are fine on a sunny day, but of less joy during the majority of Scotland's weather.

Palladio addendum

This news just in today's Telegraph. Oh to be in London, now that Palladio's there!

Adaptation

ANTIQUE 19th CENTURY DRY SINK WITH A MARBLE TOP. Height: 32 in. by Width: 32 in. by Depth: 16 in, estimated USD400-500.


It strikes me that there are probably a number of pieces of furniture for sale at auction, such as this washstand, which could be easily adapted to something pretty and suited to today's living.

For me, I think this would make an ideal drinks table, with its excellent proportions, and drawer for bar requisites.

Others might want to adapt it for proper plumbing, but you would risk breaking the marble, and the piping would be visible underneath the drawer section.

So far no bids, and the starting price is USD150. If it was a little closer to home, I'd bid on it myself.

Fire dogs

Whimsical Pair of American Art Deco Cast- and Wrought-Iron Andirons, first quarter 20th century, in the form of seated long-nosed dogs, presently in a weathered and lightly rusted finish, with some traces of black paint, h. 14", w. 7", d. 16".

Pair of American Cast- and Wrought-Iron Andirons, first quarter 20th century, in the form of cats seated on openwork scrolled bases, presently in a lightly rusted finish bearing traces of the period bronzing, h. 17", w. 10", d. 8".

And cats. Both estimated at USD150-300 at auction on 1 February. The cats are slightly too Hogworth-ish, but the dogs will do nicely, thank you.

Oh, but then I'd need a fireplace, which is a bit unlikely here, of course.

Meaningless art

Thomas Gainsborough, Portrait of Giusto Tenducci. Estimated at EUR400-600,000.

Fernand Leger, The Yellow Checkerboard (1918). Estimated at EUR3-5million.

Gustaf Miklos, Pair of stools (1928/9). Estimated at EUR2-3million.

Jean-Michel Frank, shagreen end table (1928), Estimated at EUR100-150,000.

"Meaningless" to Pierre Berge after the death of his partner Yves Saint Laurent. This staggering collection is up for auction by Christie's from 23-25 February, and a wander through their catalogue received today, is a history lesson in predominantly C20th art of the finest quality.

These are a very few of the 733 items, which are estimated to achieve a total of EUR200-500 million.

In yesterday's Independent, M Berge suggests: "Everyone dreams of attending their own funeral. I am going to attend the funeral of my collection".

Most of the proceeds are expected to go to charity, especially AIDS research.

Seeing red

Ch'ou - the Year of the Ox. Kung Hei Fat Choy! Here's to health and prosperity, the latter somewhat in doubt given the world's economic woes. But we can hope!

A cat contemplates the fate of the rat

All over the world in Chinese communities, including here in Bangkok, preparations are under way for the upcoming new year. These images are from Chinatown in Bangkok - the Yaowarat district.

Design solutions

I thought the above retractable canopy covered sitting area might be a solution to the chaises longues on one side of the swimming pool, (below), which is overlooked

by this, the car park of the next door building, (which came into existence after ours was constructed).

Another solution is to build a metal frame with planting, as below, but I'm not sure whether one so high would be feasible, both in terms of structure and cost.

This is one of the areas being considered in our condominium renovation. My suggested solutions are just ideas, but I would welcome hearing from others as to what they might suggest.

As well as this, there are other landscaping ideas that I will propose, which I think will dramatically improve the environs.

The renovation scheme will also include refurbishment of the cathedral-like lobby, and upgrading all the recreational facilities, including tennis, squash and basketball courts, the gym, libraries, and each lobby's floor.

It's a major task, and long overdue, and I'm taking a huge interest in it.

A river runs through it

Well, a klong (canal), and it no longer runs as mentioned here. This is Bangkok traffic at a good time. Really. The top picture is towards the Chao Phyra River, the lower looking west, towards the "lung", Lumpini Park, both on Sathorn Road. These are some images I took on my traverse today, which will form part of the opinions I am seeking on a major renovation of the condominium we call home. Well, some call it the "palace". I've hardly any idea why.

Braving icy currents

After posting about firescreens previously here, I thought this one had particular merit as well. This is a glamorous mirror-glass firescreen inspired by the Thirties decorator Syrie Maugham. It's lineup with the dado rail creates an almost surreal quality, and its twisted reflections considerably more interest. The chairs are Twenties tortoiseshell.

"I stand here today humbled..."

The Imperial State Crown, (United Kingdom).

Lalique Eagle and seal.

Man Ray - Le TZmoin' Seat.

In an attempt to capture the mood of today's inauguration in Washington DC, and as a non-American, I thought the nearest equivalent was the coronation we have in the United Kingdom for our monarchs. Ours of course happen less frequently, but today's in the United States seems to have taken on a much larger significance than any in my memory.

The originality of my view has been slightly diluted by the same being discussed in today's Financial Times. But I shall forgive them.

In the same theme, I came across two auction items that I had bookmarked - a mascot eagle's head (4 1/2"), and a smaller seal (3 1/8"), both by Lalique, signifying the emblem of the republic, and a May Ray chair designed in 1971, emblematic of the eyes of the world on the proceedings at the Capitol. (Man Ray, or Emmanuel Radnitzky, was born in that city hugely significant with America's history, Philadelphia.)

So, a few symbols to commemorate this auspicious day.

The Happy Buddha

The Ashwood Gallery, Bangkok.

Phra Mahagajjayana - The Happy Buddha in Gilt Bronze - Siam C19th.

Friday's walking tour ended just near the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, at a shopping complex housed in an old white stucco building, O P Place, which is home to a number of antique stores, including The Ashwood Gallery.

The first picture depicts one of the show areas in this large establishment, with a myriad selection of fine Asian antiques, including in one area, the Happy Buddha. Not shown is also a collection of Tibetan rugs, with either their tiger pattern, or the blue and white checkerboard pattern, items that are now appearing high on my "wish" list.

In the same area we chanced upon another shop, but regretted going in to look at items more closely. The owner collared us for about 30 minutes, and seemed impervious to our polite attempts to extricate ourselves; a "selling technique" that needs to be perfected perhaps. "Do come back anytime" is unlikely to be fulfilled.

Old Bangkok

The unusual cool and dry weather has afforded an opportunity one doesn't usually take up - walking through the old areas of Bangkok.

And old and dilapidated they certainly are. Many of these will eventually be demolished to make way for their modern equivalent. In their present state I do not think this is a bad thing. Normally I would be inclined towards conservation and preservation, but I cannot see any merit in these edifices.

The strange thing is these areas sit right next to one of the prime areas of real estate - the river front with its five star hotels, including the world famous Oriental Hotel, (The Mandarin Oriental now).

The third picture shows the back of the former Russian Embassy, which is to be restored and incorporated into a high end condo and shopping mall complex with lagoons and gondolas, reminiscent of the Bellagio in Las Vegas. (The mind boggles...)

Unfortunately rapid development has meant that new infrastructure for telephones and internet is carried through unsightly overhead wiring. There are plans to remove this eyesore, by laying cables underground, but it will be a long a irritating process, and will be carried out in "Thai time".

Lovin' Lamont

An invitation from Alex Lamont to his stand at Maison & Objet in Paris from 23-27 January, Hall 1, Booth E8 is a good opportunity to highlight the outstanding work of this creative designer based in Bangkok.

His furniture and objets d'art are not only original, but beautifully crafted, and I can highly recommend him.

I am showing only a small sample of his work, but am particularly drawn to the shagreen-covered tansus, the bronze vases with their flowing robe quality, and the bronze Bracunzi spiral table. Check out his full collection here.