Dear Guggenheim Museum, Can you tell me what that color is?

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.finepaintsofeurope.com/img/gug_shadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.finepaintsofeurope.com/img/gug_shadow.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">T</b></span>he <a href="http://www.guggenheim.org/" target="_blank">Guggenheim Museum</a> in New York has partnered with <a href="http://www.finepaintsofeurope.com/" target="_blank">Fine Paints of Europe</a> on two unique collections of paint colors. Apparently, it's not only Pottery Barn who gets calls of "What color is that?" After years of fielding that type of inquiry, the folks at the museum decided to do something about it. <br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Each time the Guggenheim mounts an exhibition it embarks on an elaborate design process to plan the gallery ambiance. Wall color is often used to convey a particular time, place, or culture, and must highlight the works of art without competing with them. The choice of wall color can influence how a museum visitor experiences the artworks, so this process is crucial to the presentation. Guggenheim Gallery Colors includes the original colors chosen for the museum by Frank Lloyd Wright, as well as colors preferred by generations of curators and living artists. [<a href="http://www.guggenheimcolorbyfpe.com/store/pc/viewContent.asp?idpage=15" target="_blank">source</a>]</blockquote><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.guggenheim.org/images/content/New_York/about_us/about_us_frank_lloyd_wright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.guggenheim.org/images/content/New_York/about_us/about_us_frank_lloyd_wright.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.guggenheimcolorbyfpe.com/img/classical_left.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.guggenheimcolorbyfpe.com/img/classical_left.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">T</span></span></b>he <a href="http://www.guggenheimcolorbyfpe.com/store/pc/viewContent.asp?idpage=17" target="_blank">Classical Colors Collection</a> is a collection of 150 paint colors that recreate the color palettes of artists such as Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, and Vasily Kandinsky. Each color was carefully chosen from paintings in the Guggenheim collection and matched by Fine Paints of Europe.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjmBOUalVh9gml0i3QoSx6Pp2TV17TQzCh4f_NcOFvg62zZJdE5kGJmS65vpGim01IOsLm1uo5_rTv0wMOtLrarcVXpjSfgP5689ugxXGiyvbq5cadiqGtYe6cqKy5buTfNHARcL6YwC1/s1600/Guggenheim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjmBOUalVh9gml0i3QoSx6Pp2TV17TQzCh4f_NcOFvg62zZJdE5kGJmS65vpGim01IOsLm1uo5_rTv0wMOtLrarcVXpjSfgP5689ugxXGiyvbq5cadiqGtYe6cqKy5buTfNHARcL6YwC1/s1600/Guggenheim.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">T</span></span></b>he Gallery Colors Collection includes 50 original colors chosen for the museum by Frank Lloyd Wright, as well as gallery colors preferred by curators and living artists for decades. The choice of wall color in a gallery can influence how we experience works of art.  <b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span></b>Learn more about the Gallery Color Collection <a href="http://www.guggenheimcolorbyfpe.com/store/pc/viewContent.asp?idpage=15" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.guggenheimcolorbyfpe.com/store/pc/catalog/gallery_general.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.guggenheimcolorbyfpe.com/store/pc/catalog/gallery_general.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.guggenheimcolorbyfpe.com/img/gallery1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.guggenheimcolorbyfpe.com/img/gallery1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Installation view from </i><i>Villhem Hammershøi, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, June 19-September 7, 1998. Photograph by David Heald©The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, New York.</i></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.guggenheimcolorbyfpe.com/img/gallery2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.guggenheimcolorbyfpe.com/img/gallery2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Installation view from </i><i>Foto: Modernity in Central Europe, 1918-1945, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, October 12, 2007- January 13, 2008. Photograph by David Heald©The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, New York. </i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.guggenheimcolorbyfpe.com/img/gallery4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.guggenheimcolorbyfpe.com/img/gallery4.jpg" /></a></div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Installation view from The Aztec Empire, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, October 15, 2004-February 13, 2005. Photograph by David Heald©The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, New York. </span></i> <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I</span></span></b> have the fan deck for the Classic Colors collection and the colors are really beautiful. They have an earthy muted look that is both modern and classic.  I look forward to using one of these paints soon!<br /> Check out the websites listed above as there are some very interesting videos about the use of paints, how they are chose to display art and how the paint colors can affect our experience of art. <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I</span></span></b>f you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Dear Guggenheim Museum, Can you tell me what that color is?

T he Guggenheim Museum in New York has partnered with Fine Paints of Europe on two unique collections of paint colors. Apparently, it'...

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The Alpha Workshops for Thibaut

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thibautdesign.com/collection/artisan/Alphapage_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thibautdesign.com/collection/artisan/Alphapage_01.jpg" /></a></div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">I</span></span></b>'ve been organizing my home office and sewing room and came across a packet of wallpaper samples from Thibaut that I picked up at last fall's Market Week at the Boston Design Center. Oy, sometimes, things do get buried, don't they?<br /><br />Anyway, the wallpaper samples are from Thibaut's newly released papers made in conjunction with The Alpha Workshops called <a href="http://www.thibautdesign.com/collection/room_photo.php?id=87" target="_blank">Artisan</a>. The papers, and the story behind them, are pretty fantastic. <br /><br />[via Thibaut's website] Founded in 1995, The Alpha Workshops is the only not-for-profit organization in the country that trains and employs people who are living with HIV/AIDS in the decorative arts. The Alpha Workshops has been an industy pioneer, developing a unique training curriculum within a flexible setting and providing a supportive workplace that is responsive to the medical, financial and emotional needs of people living with chronic illness.<br /><br />Decorative arts classes are taught at The Alpha Workshops studio School, which is licensed by the New York State Department of Education. The Alpha Workshops also runs a highly regarded design studio, staffed completely by artisans who have graduated from the school's advanced program. The studios are well-known for hand-painted wallpapers, on-site custom painting and venetian plaster, decorative finishes, gilding, hand-cast lamps and site-specific artwork.<br /><br />The collaboration between Thibaut and Alpha utilizes the best talents of both companies to create Artisan, a bold and inspiring new wallpaper collection. For Thibaut, the license with Alpha presented an opportunity to work hand-in-hand with the creators of Alpha's designs to shape their new interpretation. The artisans of Alpha recognized that in Thibaut, they had a partner who could skillfuly capture the handmade quality of their designs and translate them into a widely available product. The result is a beautiful group of papers that reflects the best of both The Alpha Workshops and Thibaut.<br /><br />For more information about The Alpha Workshops, please visti <a href="http://www.alphaworkshops.org/">www.alphaworkshops.org </a><br />Their website is currently under construction, however, you can still view more info at their About Us page <a href="http://www.alphaworkshops.org/about.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">H</span></span></b>ere are the sample papers we were given. The papers in the images (via Thibaut) are not all the same colorway as the samples I have on hand, so I'm showing both. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thibautdesign.com/images/collections/artisan/mar_roomset_360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thibautdesign.com/images/collections/artisan/mar_roomset_360.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyxaZrxWpSPGyV4v7_d9xuXG5FH8jEBG9pMoZ2F8XXcKUEhctwVgtEKCaSKiS0M-VreXpZp4x2jrNvcCYDerBoUam0IyBWM9Ej1qXr5orQD93pSsduDlNoxqwj3wxR5Li_6wA9JzovK3Y/s1600/01_mar_751_HR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyxaZrxWpSPGyV4v7_d9xuXG5FH8jEBG9pMoZ2F8XXcKUEhctwVgtEKCaSKiS0M-VreXpZp4x2jrNvcCYDerBoUam0IyBWM9Ej1qXr5orQD93pSsduDlNoxqwj3wxR5Li_6wA9JzovK3Y/s640/01_mar_751_HR.jpg" width="447" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thibautdesign.com/collection/high_res.php?productID=6781&patternID=1134" target="_blank">Maryse</a>  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thibautdesign.com/images/collections/artisan/lac_roomset_360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thibautdesign.com/images/collections/artisan/lac_roomset_360.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hcCmdCo2LZ7MUwM-4P7-UiHoxwtRp91ki8ocgh0UgB70vsoErwcqyCOdyNbtZ4pRQGF8qFg7Do_x3Tli20c6g0dvSqpSxpGy6QZB3vAhmusqCkMmsT-yFNz3_PKJ6tptQkLN6SrOebRu/s1600/02_lac_769_HR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hcCmdCo2LZ7MUwM-4P7-UiHoxwtRp91ki8ocgh0UgB70vsoErwcqyCOdyNbtZ4pRQGF8qFg7Do_x3Tli20c6g0dvSqpSxpGy6QZB3vAhmusqCkMmsT-yFNz3_PKJ6tptQkLN6SrOebRu/s640/02_lac_769_HR.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thibautdesign.com/collection/high_res.php?patternID=1131&productID=6758" target="_blank">La Giaconda </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thibautdesign.com/images/collections/artisan/loo_roomset_360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thibautdesign.com/images/collections/artisan/loo_roomset_360.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX29ZEX4yRyQTja8VJP3Oi0SjCaoTy_krXXLZtQlH_x4EYNnVLvcH4i7aQvdBJV5bhmdKIEvcgISgM8M4cWPiGJjHlNb68op3loYOFOEbLe3dbT2byV_8kpuS2471R26OKOVBYUi-HRb1t/s1600/04_loo_714_HR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX29ZEX4yRyQTja8VJP3Oi0SjCaoTy_krXXLZtQlH_x4EYNnVLvcH4i7aQvdBJV5bhmdKIEvcgISgM8M4cWPiGJjHlNb68op3loYOFOEbLe3dbT2byV_8kpuS2471R26OKOVBYUi-HRb1t/s640/04_loo_714_HR.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thibautdesign.com/collection/high_res.php?productID=6820&patternID=1140" target="_blank">Loom</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thibautdesign.com/images/collections/artisan/rev_roomset_360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thibautdesign.com/images/collections/artisan/rev_roomset_360.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHTI8XkoV6pkWZHnyJYMmEnH2dQCXw-WPDHf-VMaO7Dv2urRMOQPMBPUvaxXanzzshZ5gJALXKf-PaQrmJ1MqdVViFvcfBMlFpQuFzq4uWnLZlcEhxN-mZzgy1ANrxH55cSivrpAPxStN/s1600/04_rev_767_HR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHTI8XkoV6pkWZHnyJYMmEnH2dQCXw-WPDHf-VMaO7Dv2urRMOQPMBPUvaxXanzzshZ5gJALXKf-PaQrmJ1MqdVViFvcfBMlFpQuFzq4uWnLZlcEhxN-mZzgy1ANrxH55cSivrpAPxStN/s640/04_rev_767_HR.jpg" width="447" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thibautdesign.com/collection/high_res.php?patternID=1131&productID=6758" target="_blank">Reverie</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thibautdesign.com/images/collections/artisan/ver_roomset_360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thibautdesign.com/images/collections/artisan/ver_roomset_360.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKI2ukZbf01OPLxuc1GWjBCDZ9rFMo7yvIHQsGqyMd08ui8dfmqBYiT2kgVp3OGKzix1hj81DDiWrWyswJLMs-nECyqK2eQwSlZGvf16e4rgdpSqT6NPZD3PfU2JmZ6iM-yJIuRHpISoeG/s1600/04_ver_774_HR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKI2ukZbf01OPLxuc1GWjBCDZ9rFMo7yvIHQsGqyMd08ui8dfmqBYiT2kgVp3OGKzix1hj81DDiWrWyswJLMs-nECyqK2eQwSlZGvf16e4rgdpSqT6NPZD3PfU2JmZ6iM-yJIuRHpISoeG/s640/04_ver_774_HR.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thibautdesign.com/collection/high_res.php?productID=6820&patternID=1140" target="_blank">Verre Eglomisé</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thibautdesign.com/images/collections/artisan/gin_roomset_360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thibautdesign.com/images/collections/artisan/gin_roomset_360.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAU4p5Q6WFfBwfcNtpj9roF_qbmPn8G0_Hd2JvHhvAQmCZH4mLYEa5yafc8fCopNd-mFBKDCxdWGWwJBLOZScgV1Rur6NdkMry8Fpy-2hhtJOhJrREvSwlpqptPhDlbkfGENKfXQ8gxhpV/s1600/06_gin_719_HR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAU4p5Q6WFfBwfcNtpj9roF_qbmPn8G0_Hd2JvHhvAQmCZH4mLYEa5yafc8fCopNd-mFBKDCxdWGWwJBLOZScgV1Rur6NdkMry8Fpy-2hhtJOhJrREvSwlpqptPhDlbkfGENKfXQ8gxhpV/s640/06_gin_719_HR.jpg" width="447" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thibautdesign.com/collection/high_res.php?productID=6754&patternID=1130" target="_blank">Ginkgo</a></div><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">E</span></span></b>ach of the papers has a unique texture and feel to them. The Maryse, for example, is a smooth paper with a stried ground and overlaid block print metallic pattern. The Ginkgo is a thick pressed paper with a block print. The Verre Eglomisé, mimics the look of real eglomisé, which is glass that has been painted on the reverse side. The Reverie has the look of a rand, hand stamped pattern and La Gioconda has a soft, romantic quality to the print. <br /><br /><span id="breadcrumb"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">R</span></span></b>oyalties from the sale of Alpha Workshops for Thibaut patterns will directly support <a href="http://www.alphaworkshops.org/" target="_blank"><i>Alpha’s</i></a> training and employment programs. </span><br /><br /><br /><br />If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

The Alpha Workshops for Thibaut

I 've been organizing my home office and sewing room and came across a packet of wallpaper samples from Thibaut that I picked up at last...

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Get That Look: Downton Abbey - Servants Quarters

<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-LsvvI045Ntglb4O9cUYlFO0H-m-vysUGe85KQ7gc902i_XWtcbxJKnUWuUrEJKIaQYy1UElZjc9k1XBLsw6GiQYQXLQFrDzpMu09AbvrPDYjZnj8JAq4DnlTqd9Die38I_GpXtBDmAd/s1600/downton-abbey-press-release-still.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-LsvvI045Ntglb4O9cUYlFO0H-m-vysUGe85KQ7gc902i_XWtcbxJKnUWuUrEJKIaQYy1UElZjc9k1XBLsw6GiQYQXLQFrDzpMu09AbvrPDYjZnj8JAq4DnlTqd9Die38I_GpXtBDmAd/s640/downton-abbey-press-release-still.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">T</span></span></b>he English period soap opera known as <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/" target="_blank">Downton Abbey</a> is now in full swing and as with Season 1, Season 2 is filled with characters and lots of exposition of the story line. Season 1 just won the Golden Globe for best mini-series tonight, as a matter of fact. They sure know how to pack it all in and if you're not paying attention, you might miss an important bit of story. Luckily, they seem to be running the episodes twice in a row, which gives me a chance to fill in any blanks I missed while tweeting, or blinking for that matter. Downton Abbey is presented by Masterpiece (formerly and forever Masterpiece Theater) which is produced by WGBH, Boston's PBS station. I worked there for many years and if I was there now, I'd have been able to see advance screeners of the whole season by now. I'd also be preparing for an onslaught of work around the sales reporting on all those dvd's as well - and I do not miss that in the least!  I am much happier doing what I'm doing now and watching the show with a decorator's eye. <br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">L</span></span></b>ast week, I wrote about the <a href="http://chameleon-interiors.blogspot.com/2012/01/get-that-look-downton-abbey-kitchen.html" target="_blank">Kitchen</a> of Downton Abbey and this week I am focusing on the rest of the servants quarters - both the basement workrooms and the bedrooms.  These utilitarian spaces were certainly not "decorated" per se. They were functional and practical and there was little room or attention to fripperies like color. Yet, these spaces have a certain vintage charm to that is worth taking a look at. The color palette is a mix of grays and taupes, along with stained oak or walnut, darkened with age. <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/14214555043627988_WnSybX2R_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/14214555043627988_WnSybX2R_c.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">C</span></span></b>arson, the butler ruminates in the servants dining and work hall. Note the room bells on the wall behind. The furniture is heavy and has put up with a lot of wear and tear. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/14214555043628040_yHJaQkra_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/14214555043628040_yHJaQkra_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">A</span></span></b>nna, the maid sitting in the servants hall (pining for Mr. Bates). In the first season, it was noted the electric lighting was upstairs, but not downstairs. Season 2 marks the addition of electricity to the work areas of the house, but the set still shows a mix of gas and electric lighting. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://kpbs.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2011/12/23/DA2_OBThomas_tx700.jpg?8e0a8887e886a6ff6e13ee030987b3616fc57cd3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="http://kpbs.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2011/12/23/DA2_OBThomas_tx700.jpg?8e0a8887e886a6ff6e13ee030987b3616fc57cd3" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">T</span></span></b>he generally evil Miss O'Brien and Thomas, the once valet and now soldier. This image really shows the wear and tear on the table, along with the simple cups and saucers on the cabinet in the background. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/14214555043628046_7HVEAVfI_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/14214555043628046_7HVEAVfI_c.jpg" width="544" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">T</span></b></span>he servants bedrooms continue the muted color palette. The furnishings are simple, often time painted. Servants shared rooms, based on their ranking in the household. The men and women slept in separate hall ways with a locked door (locked to the men's side) between. Generally, there were no locks on the actual bedroom doors and there was very little privacy for the servants. The beds are iron or painted woods. Rooms also had small tables and chairs, clothing cupboards and small side tables. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/14214555043628047_uw9SXUIU_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="632" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/14214555043628047_uw9SXUIU_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/linda_merrill/downton-abbey-servants-roo/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4DI-BJskdDeeZLckR7hQuWj4gVqiuWqc3tx0K7FBmQ2omfgiffpWzDK3QaC4XJqxb83jp1mFaXfqwwMNuyX4hVDFzUkM6F_qY3O02hXErWbZAxUV0XqZISmpItxLGzrihMev7JtFn3UB/s640/Downton+Abbey+Servants.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">A</span></b></span>dditional links for Downton Abbey:<br /><br /><ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">B</span></b></span>logger friend Vic has <a href="http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2011/01/29/the-servants-quarters-in-19th-century-country-houses-like-downton-abbey/" target="_blank">this amazing post about The Servant's Quarter's </a>in homes such as this as well as a <a href="http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/2012/01/16/downton-abbey-season-2-country-houses-in-medical-service/" target="_blank">post on the use of stately English homes as hospitals during WW1</a> and how these events propelled the breaking down of the divide between social classes, the emancipation of women and the rise of the servant classes.  </li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></b></span><a href="http://www.myfavoriteandmybest.com/mfamb-home/2012/1/5/living-inside-downton-abbey.html" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2079637/Downton-Abbeys-dirty-secret-relationship-Granthams-servants.html" target="_blank">"Downton's Dirty Secret" </a>the seamier side of service on the Daily Mail Online.</li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">T</span></span></b>he Oxford Dictionaries has an interesting post about some of the <a href="http://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2011/11/the-language-of-downton-abbey/" target="_blank">language and phraseology </a>used in the series. </li><li> <b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">A</span></span></b>s a fundraiser, the BBC produced two video spoofs called <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=uptown+downstairs+abbey&hl=en&site=webhp&prmd=imvns&source=univ&tbm=vid&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=N8kTT4avHenl0QG-r6TKAw&ved=0CC8QqwQ&biw=1419&bih=935" target="_blank">"Uptown Downstairs Abbey"</a> starring Kim Cattrall as Cora, the Countess of Grantham. Filmed on location at Highclere Castle (upstairs) and Ealing Studios (downstairs scenes) these two videos are hysterical and also explain the continuity issues related to have the sets in two locations. </li><li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCh-o3Vgznvv-BBDc9BoOMHh0kvVQXCVr09wYzq0NJrCKBXXKZTQRVzSHwvsuIvRFF9Ap-TSwccYBSH3H4uhY4bxg2RJi3l_nH_99MyxIVvKGaI5XqvbHxL8Kjf87sZnFKy1DW4vmaZclU/s1600/Pinterest+logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCh-o3Vgznvv-BBDc9BoOMHh0kvVQXCVr09wYzq0NJrCKBXXKZTQRVzSHwvsuIvRFF9Ap-TSwccYBSH3H4uhY4bxg2RJi3l_nH_99MyxIVvKGaI5XqvbHxL8Kjf87sZnFKy1DW4vmaZclU/s1600/Pinterest+logo.jpg" /></a> <b style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">V</span></b>isit my <a href="http://pinterest.com/linda_merrill/downton-abbey-servants-roo/" target="_blank">Downton Abbey Board on Pinterest</a> for additional images, links and credits for all of the above above.</li></ul><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">O</span></span></b>ne of the downsides of doing all the photo research for these posts is that I've managed to actually spoil much of the season for myself, including a fall from grace from a most unlikely character. I'll say no more, but writer Julian Fellowes will have had to really pull something out of his hat to make it all make sense!<br /><br /><br />If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks! <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Get That Look: Downton Abbey - Servants Quarters

T he English period soap opera known as Downton Abbey is now in full swing and as with Season 1, Season 2 is filled with characters and lot...

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