MASTERPIECE LONDON 2015

Summer in London means Masterpiece, one of the landmark events in London’s collecting calendar, which opened yesterday to the public. As a huge devotee of antiques and art fairs, A-Gent of Style was eager to witness this year’s edition, now in its 6th year, and attended the preview on Wednesday, his enthusiasm hugely enhanced in the last few weeks by the daily build-up on Instagram (where else). Rating Masterpiece as one of his highlights of the London art fair circuit, A-Gent of Style was wowed this year once again by the sheer brilliance and diversity of the elegantly curated vignettes showcasing objets of the highest calibre





Masterpiece London, a true international, cross-collecting fair for art, brings together more than 150 leading exhibitors, old friends and newcomers (A-Gent of Style made once again some great discoveries, and was also delighted to see a few of his most cherished antiques dealers were exhibiting for the first time), from around the world to showcase a superb selection of museum-quality art, antiques, jewellery, furniture and design. The fair attracts avid collectors, connoisseurs and enthusiasts across a wide range of collecting categories and has established itself as notable highlight of the annual art fair calendar. Set in the magnificent South Grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, Masterpiece takes place over seven days until July 1.

Nazy Vassegh, Chief Executive of Masterpiece Fair, London

The mastermind of this masterpiece, Nazy Vassegh, the delightful and brilliant Chief Executive of Masterpiece says, “The eight days when Masterpiece takes place is the epicenter of the art season in London. After just five years Masterpiece is now firmly regarded as both a leading international art fair and a welcome addition to the summer in London. We are particularly delighted by the exhibitors and partners that will join us for the 2015 edition.”

As in previous years, the range of disciplines is vast, providing something of interest for every visitor. Each item is selected and individually vetted by a committee of independent experts and specialists before the fair begins, which guarantees quality and authenticity is of the highest order alongside fabulous bars and dining such as Scott’s, The Ivy and Le Caprice.

 In no particular order of preference (so don’t get jealous, fellas), A-Gent of Style presents today snapshots he took on Wednesday morning of some of the works that dazzled him. Visitors will no doubt relish the chance to acquire such rare pieces or simply enjoy temptation on a grand scale.

– Photos by A-Gent of Style –

A ROOM WITH A VIEW: ART AND THE INTERIOR at SIBYL COLEFAX & JOHN FOWLER

Designing with art is an art form in itself. When unique interiors display art in the home and best showcase the client’s private collections, the results can be utterly dazzling especially when the boundaries between art and decoration are blurred.

Following the success of last year’s exhibition “From the Gallery to the Room”,
Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler, the worldwide renowned interior decorators’ practice, are delighted to present the 2015 exhibition, in association with Jenna Burlingham Fine Art.

 Starting on Wednesday 17 June until Friday 26 June, “A Room with a View: Art and the Interior” will return to the company’s iconic 39 Brook Street, Mayfair venue, and will have on show works by leading Modern British artists including Ivon Hitchens, Patrick Heron, Roger Hilton, Elisabeth Frink, Winifred Nicholson, Mary Fedden and John Piper.

 “The exhibition gives us the opportunity to show what an exciting dynamic can be created in our Brook Street showroom by mixing our furniture and antiques with modern paintings” says Philip Hooper, design director for Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler. “Jenna’s eye for the decorative means that her works are the ideal foil for our antiques. A Room with a view: Art and the Interior gives a true insight of how we consistently find ourselves decorating houses for the 21st century.”

Visitors will be able to enjoy and appreciate the work of these artists, and engage with Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler’s interiors in a new and unusual way.  This, once again, is a great way of broadening up the art’s appeal where classic, modern and contemporary style connect and merge harmoniously.

 “The exhibition is a wonderful chance for me to work with accomplished interior designers, and to exhibit carefully chosen Modern British and Contemporary art, drawings, sculpture and ceramics in the unrivalled setting of Brook Street” says Jenna Burlingham

Exhibition opening times: Monday – Friday 9.30am – 5.30pm

For further information, contact:

Colefax Group Press Office Trudi Ballard Email: trudi.ballard@colefax.com Tel: (0)207 493 2231

– All imagery by Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler –

BENCHMARK for DESIGN: CHATSWORTH and the ‘MAKE YOURSELF COMFORTABLE’ EXHIBITION

In with the old. The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire are hosting until October, 23 at their stately home Chatsworth House in Derbyshire a new exhibition based on chairs. Make Yourself Comfortable at Chatsworth will display some chairs from their private collection alongside modern ones, some of which have been newly commissioned specially for the event. Some of these creations are by established designers such as Thomas Heatherwick, Piet Hein Eek and Marc Newson, others by emerging talents including a collaboration with students at Sheffield Hallam University.

This fun exhibition is not meant to be a historical overview of chair design and, uncharacteristically to the setting, the chairs are meant to be sat on thus providing a totally different experience with a view to encouraging visitors to reinterpret the historic house in new and surprising ways.

Until he makes the trip to Chatsworth House, A-Gent of Style had to rely not only on official photographs but also on social media (where else these days!) to find photos circulating to be able to make this feature. A big thank you therefore to my fellow instagramers for some of the great shots below.

So sit back and relax…

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Participating designers/brands

• Amanda Levete – Drift bench
• Assa Ashuach – 501 chairs
• Catherine Aitken – Fade stool
• Christina Liljenberg Halstrøm for Skagerak – Georg bench and stool
• Daniel Schofield – Veil chair
• Deborah Bowness – Souvenir wallpapers (Chatsworth)
• Deger Cengiz – Chaise Lawn
• Freyja Sewell – Hush
• George Wood – Leftovers
• Joseph Walsh – Enignum I and Enignum II chairs
• Jung Myung Taek – Seating for Communicating: Over the Rainbow
• Liliana Ovalle – Fragment of a Staircase
• Maarten Baas – Clay chairs
• Marc Newson – Lockheed Lounge
• Moritz Waldemeyer – By Royal Appointment
• Nest Design – Fin de Voyage, Swansong chairs and The Siren chairs
• ·nobody & co – Bibliochaise and Bibliopouf
• Piet Hein Eek – Kröller Müller chairs
• Psalt Design (Richard Bell and David Powell) – Chatsworth chair
• Raw Edges – Endgrain
• Sebastian Brajkovic – Lathe V
• Shang Xia – Da Tian Di chair
• Sheffield Hallam University MDes students – Victoria dining chair by Robert Hamilton, Cavendish chair by Hayley Lightfoot, Hart chair by George Heath
• Tamasine Osher – Play & Eat saddle seat
• Thomas Heatherwick – Spun chairs
• Thomas Mills for ifsodoso – Long-Form-Library
• Thomas & Vines – Louis clear chairs
• Tokujin Yoshioka – Water Block
• Tom Price – Counterpart
• YOY for Innermost – Canvas sofa and chair
  
  
  
  
  – photos from Chatsworth House and The London Design Festival websites –