Monday, September 14, 2009

Ann Getty


Ann Getty is a fascinating and very talented interior designer who also has a penchant for Chinoiserie. Daughter in law of J. Paul Getty, oil magnate and collector, she is worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $2 billion (but perhaps those were pre-recession numbers). In spite of her wealth, she decided to follow her passion for interior design and in 1995 she launched her interior design business, based of course in San Francisco. She developed and launched her furniture collection in 2003. Many of the pieces were inspired by the Getty Collection. These photos from her home, her design work, and her collection have gorgeous examples of Chinoiserie including fretwork, lacquerware, pagodas, porcelain, antique textiles, and hand painted wallpaper. What I especially love is her use of color and pattern. So many designers today fall into two camps, neither of which I like-white and beige monochromatic rooms-what Tony Duquette called "the refrigerator door syndrome" or bold, bright, clear colors that I find jarring. To see more of her work and her collection, click here.
















15 comments:

  1. The wallcovering in the first photograph is amazing. I always have this dream that I will one day move somewhere with horrible wall paper and as I peel it back I will find something amazing like this.

    xx,
    Samantha

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  2. She's such an amazing talent. Not one inch in any of her rooms are forgotten.

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  3. What do you think would happen if Ann Getty and Jacques Garcia did a room together? Staggering imagination and use of every square inch. Her work is transcendent of time and country. Just sheer loveliness.

    A happy Monday present awaits you at Jackie VonTobel's blog. She is sketching PINK POGODA designs maybe for a future toile design!!!! Just a little pagoda froth for your day.

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  4. Absolutely fabulous.......that first room. beautifully executed and restrained in a Chinoiserie manner.

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  5. I love learning about all of these interior designers featured on your blogs.

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  6. Home Before Dark-I think their aesthetic is very similar-it would be amazing. Thanks for the head's up on the pink pagodas!

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  7. Sande-That gorgeous room is in her home.

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  8. Kitty-Glad you enjoy it. I love featuring designers whose work I admire.

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  9. Ann Getty-I think takes the cake for full out opulence-that doesn't suffocate.Some of my favourite photographs of her home were taken at Christmas- Her tree is of course phenomenal. What a spectacular fabric on the chair in the last pic. Gorgeous post. GT

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  10. Little Augury-I need to find the pictures of her home at Christmas-I'm sure they are incredible.

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  11. I will dig it up and scan it for you- might be a couple of days. You will love it. A tree to die for, there is also an ottoman in close up that I would love to own (improbable) more likely copy- GT

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  12. My faves are the first picture, the colors, patterns, furniture are to drool for...and the last chair. I love that chair!

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  13. Chic Provence-The first photo is probably my favorite room by an designer.

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