The Spring Show NYC

BB with designer Lars Bolander and his son Christopher (this photo by Ann Watt; click on photos to enlarge)
You may remember I attended a luncheon in March to preview the Spring Show NYC, a brand new antiques show in New York mounted by the Art and Antique Dealers of America in the Armory on Park Avenue. Well, last night was the big event, the opening night of this inaugural show which was sponsored by 1stdibs. Sixty top dealers in fine and decorative arts are now presenting their best there through Sunday, May 2. Tickets are $20.

At the door I ran into Lars Bolander, the Swedish designer who I visited with in January. Lars designed the look of this show, lighting up the vast arched ceiling of the Armory, removing curtains so that you could see through galleries, and adding seating covered in yellow zebra stripes. The whole effect made the environment lighter and airier. "It can be very stuffy in here," Lars said.

Close to the front door was Carlton Hobbs who always has the most amazing things. He describes them with wonder in his English accent so it sounds like you're listening to a fairy tale. This huge Italian painting from the early eighteenth century was owned by a son of Malcolm Forbes. The fantasy landscape scene depicts a pair of castles on matching hills. Dreamy.

This very large tile painting is from a 1770's kitchen in Valencia, Spain, and is the only thing like it in existence on the marketplace.

Both of these paintings are approximately $220,000 each. But even if you are not a serious collector, it's fun to browse the offerings and get ideas. I walked with Mario Buatta a while and we looked at some dealers.
Folk art and antiques from Yew Tree Antiques in New York:

Ancient Chinese horses paired with modern art at Iliad on East 57th Street:

This was my favorite painting; Comte Oscar de Ranchicourt Leaving for the Hunt, painted by Theodore Chasseriau, and offered at Jack Kilgore & Co.

I love his gold-buttoned green jacket (I guess that's hunter green?), beige jodhpurs and tall leather boots. The wonderful play of green and gold in the painting and frame make this a treasure. Take in this show if you can and see what you like.

A Visit with Swedish Designer Lars Bolander

In an elegant manor house, leafy green painted furniture accents a neutral color bedroom. (Interiors photos courtesy of Scandinavian Design, showroom photos by B.B)
I thought that after the lights and sparkle of the holidays, a look at Swedish style would offer a clean tonic. At the same time a new book, Scandinavian Design by Lars Bolander with Heather Smith MacIsaac, came to my attention.


I knew the Lars Bolander name because the designer had a store on Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District, not far from our apartment on Jane Street. Since then we have moved, and Lars has moved too; his showroom is now located in the Fine Arts Building on East 59th Street.
His book covers Scandinavia which includes Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland, the styles of which are all inspired by the natural world and the climate of the region. I myself am personally drawn to Swedish design, and in particular Gustavian Style. Gustav III was king of Sweden from 1771 until his death by assassination at age 42 in 1792.

The king was a benefactor of the arts and literature, and traveled widely. At the French palace of Versailles, he was taken with the sophisticated, graceful style of Louis XV and Louis XVI. He edited French decorating for his own Swedish court so that the pleasing furniture curves remained but in place of ritzy gold French gilt were creamy whites and dreamy greys to reflect the Swedish light. Gustavian style beautifully combines elegance with simplicity.


A sunlit room with leggy furniture on a bare floor is enlivened by sky blue on the wall.


Blue, white, green, wood, light.
This to me is Swedish style, and it also describes our apartment, so I thought it would be fun to meet Lars Bolander. Luckily he was in town because the designer now lives with his wife in Florida.
In his bright showroom I found a cheerful array of furniture and accessories,

chairs designs by the dozen,

and this wonderful wood and iron rack.

Lars Bolander grew up on the east coast of Sweden and was educated as an architect. He lived and worked as an interior designer in London and Paris, and came to the United States in 1982 when he opened a store in East Hampton. Now home base is West Palm Beach, "which has wonderful light and easy living," he tells me, "though if you're in Palm Beach too long you get kind of dull so you have to come up to New York and get some inspiration!"
Here we are:

Lars describes Swedish design further as "light colors on walls, painted furniture, little floral print fabrics or stripes or checks in cotton or linen, and wood floors." He is known as a pioneer of Swedish style but when he is working for decorating clients, he likes to "mix it up with just about anything including Russian or Chinese furniture and contemporary art. Paintings and books are very important and give a place a cozy feeling. I like it when you can move things around." And though a pale palette is a Scandinavian hallmark, more intense tones may soon be coming into the work of this Swedish icon who reports that, "We went to India last summer and I got into strong color." Whatever the chosen hue, the designer espouses the Swedish attitude of a comfortable and casual approach, and "the feeling that nothing is overdone."