‘LIGHTING’

Lighting is key to any design… Without it you are lost!

Some years ago I came across a book review about Syrie Maugham - STAGING GLAMOROUS INTERIORS, written by Pauline C. Metcalf & published by Acanthus Press - New York 2010.

SYRIE MAUGHAM (1879 - 1955) was a trendsetter of her time, a interior designer of more than ‘some note’ her signature design was the creation of “the all-white room” decorating rooms in many shades of white, she was also a fashion icon, & the wife of the internationally renowned novelist & playwright Somerset Maugham. There 13 year marrage was not a happy one and they separated, leaving Syrie to concentrate on a career of her own.

Syrie in history is much like Constance Wilde, Oscars wife, their considerable influence on their era is somewhat muddied in the shine of their husbands careers & infamy. Syrie created elegant & graceful all white rooms for her famous clients during the 1920 - 1930.

Syrie Maugham in her “All-White Room” 213 King’s Road, early 1930’s; photographed by Cecil Beaton, Courtsey The Cecil Beaton Studio Archive at Sotheby’s, London.

These high-style interiors were echoed around the world, Syrie worked on designing rooms for elite individuals, celebrity & royalty alike, she created sets for movies & theatrical productions as well as working in Hollywood, were some of the super glamour of this era ‘owes the elegance to Maugham’s paired down style’.

In the book Syrie’s design ethic is described as ‘Maugham’s blend of traditional refinement & the Style Moderne, with occasional Surrealist flourish-console tab;es floating on dolphin bases, fringed sleigh beds, sheepskin rugs, & miles of mirrored screens - this cosmopolitan beau monde discovered a perfect expression of cafe-society chic.’ - Frankly speaking she was my kinda gal!

Here are some pictures of her work, Not least the Windsors Edward & Mrs Simpson on their wedding day at Chateau du Cande. Also the entrance hall at Villa Bois De Boulogne, some of the items where purchased for the villa by Maugham, although little documentation survives of the work Syrie did there. The style is in some way dated, but it also has a modernism that still works today & the key is the lighting. This images are taken as photographs from the book, so are not of the greatest quality but give you an idea.

Click on the images below…

So lighting is key to a design and Syrie Maugham was a master at it … Here are some examples of projects I have worked on using lighting to work the mood…

Click on the images to see more…