My uncle Billy is a bit of an eccentric. He is an avid antiques collector and has filled his tiny Hollywood apartment to the ceiling (literally) with highly covetable treasures. The words Baccarat, Louis XIV secretaire, Cartier, Elsa Peretti, Hermes, Nouveau Eqyptienne, etc. were part of the language of fancy goods that I grew up surrounded in. It was decided that as an adult that I should make sure buy serving plates from Sevres in the same pattern as Marie Antoinette had chosen, and fine silverware with a royal pattern created for Queen Elizabeth I by Towle Silversmiths. The most paramount information of all was that I must invest in a Fornasetti screen. I think I found this important life fact out at age twelve. If memory serves, Billy has the second screen below.
Fornasetti screen? Fornasetti screen in the Greco-Roman style, no less? I've gone thirty plus years without a Fornasetti screen and have been alright so far but, I admit, I do love that screen covered in pretty hot air balloons. I had seen pictures of those black and white face plates, but I had no idea who or what Fornasetti was. Apparently, one could simply not exist without a little Fornasetti in their lives.
Piero Fornasetti (1913-1988) was an Italian painter, interior designer, and engraver. Over his lifetime he had created over 11,000 items, making his productions amongst the largest of the 20th century. His son, Barnaba, is now at the helm of the company, reviving the Fornasetti design house.
This magnificent Luna baby cradle can almost sway even the most adamant of people who do not want to have a child (me). I've never seen anything like it. I find this cradle so cheery and whimsical. Even the Mr. loves it.
I wanted to do a little blog post of to celebrate this designer so that we could all have a little Fornasetti in our lives. It is paramount, after all!
Yep, That's your eccentric Uncle Billy ! Vanessa your have a Terrific Gene Pool.
Posted by: Marni | Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at 11:16 AM