My wife tells me that such a request from a mother-in-law is the ultimate compliment. So, here we have it. Fantastic! Good job, Duchess of Cambridge.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
March 14, 2012
February 24, 2012
BEAUTIFUL, HISTORIC ENGLISH BANK NOTES: Don’t we love “beautiful money”?
This is a banknote from the reign of King George V. It is so beautiful and typical of the “grand manner” of British Officialdom. Enjoy. it is like reading the introduction to the old British passport: HER IMPERIAL MAJESTY…. Don’t those words ring bells and sound trumpets and vibrate drums! The British have this magnificent sent of tradition and “grandeur” that we all love. Enjoy the old King George V note. I love it.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
February 23, 2012
JOHN LLEWELYN: TAILORING A MAN’S SUIT *** Now that’s living Give John a call: from the US 011.44.7976 742 643
I just spoke to John Llewelyn about doing a couple of suits for me; he is a gracious, creative tailor. Wonderful. Treat yourself. I think the suits start at 1,300 pounds plus fabric plus VAT. Buy your ties at MARINELLA on Maddox Street, and have your suits tailored by John Llewelyn. Perfect.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
December 14, 2011
CHINOISERIE: 18th Century English Country Houses and the craving for all things CHINESE
Thirty years ago, I inherited my grandmother’s bedroom — all the contents and all the clutter. My wife and I decided that we would take one of the large bedrooms in our big old house and dedicate it to my Granny’s things. The Chinese screens and Chinese design damask fabrics are piled just as she had them in her home, as I remember it from early childhood.
I developed an appreciation for the Chinese decorative arts very early in life. As I began to travel extensively, visiting English country houses such as Badminton House, I became very intrigued by Chinese 18th century wall paper, black lacquer, and Chinese export porcelain which came to England during the 18th century when wealthy aristocrats created settings which reflected their taste for the exotic, the grand, and the styles which reflected their ever-expanding contact with the Orient. I am at Badminton House at least once a year and enjoy the Chinese Bedroom. I wander through the Victoria and Albert and am very fascinated by the chinoiserie taste in furniture, fabrics, and export china.
During the recent past, I have been following Adrian McDermott’s restoration of the Chinese Bedroom at Harewood House. It has been a fascinating process as a recently discovered huge roll of Chinese hand-painted 18th century wallpaper has been restored and used in what is now the Harewood House Chinese Bedroom. This spring, Mrs. Moore and I will be at Harewood House, and we are both very excited to see this fantastic restoration. Enjoy this article ; I am fascinated by this kind of work and the people who are skilled and motivated to save our decorative arts history:
May I add a few images of antique Chinese hand painted wallpaper. It is exquisite:
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
September 21, 2011
EXQUISITE SHAWLS EMBROIDERED IN CHINA CA. 1890 FOR THE EUROPEAN TRADE — THE FINEST QUALITY
Victorian and Edwardian ladies required silk embroidered clothing which was so exquisitely created that the fine stitches were unseen by the human eye. These exquisite shawls which were called French Shawls were very popular in Spain, France, and England. When I read BLEAK HOUSE by Charles Dickens, I remember that the aristocratic lady was identified by her exquisite French shawl. I purchased these two shawls while I was in London this summer. The cream on cream shawl is so exquisitely and intricately embroidered, I can hardly see the fine stitching It is a museum piece–absolutely fabulous. The shawl is 48″ x 49″ with 22″ fringe. It is incredible. The dramatic black and white shawl is a very beautiful piece of Chinese embroidery. It is also a large shawl with perfect fringe; it is stunning. You can imagine an elegant English lady leaving the house wearing her beautiful shawl. You can just feel the late Victorian era when you see and feel this beautiful silk work. These days, I have seen these exquisite pieces of embroidery used as beautiful bed covers or glassed wall hangings–they are very stunning.
Fabulous. Enjoy.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
August 17, 2011
THE SAVOY HOTEL: A fabulous Restoration
Last evening, I went to the Savoy Hotel on the Strand to collect friends who were joining me for dinner at RULES. I was thrilled to see my New York friends, and it gave me the excuse to see the newly restored Savoy Hotel. My pictures were taken in haste in order not to attract too much attention, but I think they will give my readers an idea of the beauty of this beautiful building. I am not a hotel man myself, but I do love beautiful settings; the Savoy certainly lands in that category. It is a landmark. Goodness, we had a great evening. Just pop in and enjoy the public parts of the building. Wonderful.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
August 3, 2011
“BLITZ” — LONDON FIRST VINTAGE DEPARTMENT STORE: VINTAGE, VINTAGE, VINTAGE
ONE OF THESE DAYS, I AM GOING TO FIND MY OLD CLOTHES IN A SHOP! I hope they take my labels out.
Thomas Moore email: TMooreSr@me.com Telephone: 801.791.9918
