Shades of Gray - My Newest Captivation

via this Ivy House

Gottmanshofen Maria Heimsuchung Grisaille

Grisaille Painting Capitol Cupola Fine Art Print Christiane Schulze

via Fleaing France

I realize there are legions of women that have recently become captivated by the book - 50 Shades of Gray.  If you thought you would be reading some comments and thoughts about the book - I hate to disappoint.  No Missy, this is about another type of seduction - my growing interest into the world of gray or grisaille.

Christies - Late Louis XV Commode

French Empire Lamps en Grisaille with Scenes From Robinson Crusoe

Grisaille Beadwork - Trinity Antiques on Ruby Lane

via Lecurieux.com

Source Unknown

My little odyssey began about 8 years ago, when we were house-hunting in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area.  We came across a house that had a gorgeous lead-gray living room that I immediately fell in love with.  The memory of that stunning Living Room has stuck in my mind and greatly influenced my more recent renovation of my Kitchen/Family Room.

Antique French Enamel Lockets, Pendants & Watch - Sources Unknown

I recently came across some photos of gorgeous French enamel grisaille lockets and pendants which, of course, were already sold.  I was able to snag one that has yet to be made up, but the scarcity of this enamel technique got me thinking.  I have a growing collection of mourning lockets with glass on both sides that could make beautiful frames for hand-painted grisaille motifs.  The Elyse Locket is my first attempt at integrating the grisaille techinque into one of these mourning lockets.

Elyse Necklace - Emeralds, Green Onyx, Pyrite & Freshwater Pearls.
Recently Commissioned Grisaille Watercolor Putti in Edwardian Silver Paste Locket.

Back View of Elyse Necklace Features a Byzantine Gold Vermeil Cross
Floating in a Sea of 1.5cts. of Minuscule Emeralds

The necklace is composed of gorgeous emeralds and green onyx beads interspersed with gray pearls flanking bezel set pyrite accents stationed along the chain.  A precious hand-painted grisaille watercolor of a mischievous little Putti was recently commissioned to marry the charming folklore of it’s antique counterparts with a beautiful Edwardian double glazed silver paste locket.  This stunning locket, replete with a charming bow top, is a perfect frame to showcase the miniature art - which is a study in shades of gray.  However, there is a very unique surprise on the other side - a diminutive Byzantine cross in 24k gold vermeil, floating in a sea of minuscule emeralds. An emerald briolette capped with a profusion of textural gold vermeil rings, hangs delicately from the toggle clasp to make your exit just as dramatic as your entrance.

Tweet

From Room Jewelry to Real Jewelry - Gray and Gold

Via Fauxology

Carolina Herrera Dress - My Favorite Designer

I have always been enamored with all the little details that make a room take on a distinct personality.  Space planning is fun, but really just a necessity to keep us from bumping into objects - selecting gorgeous sofas, rugs and tables are inspiring and a delightful exercise too.  However, for me, nothing could surpass the delight of spending hours selecting beautiful lighting, mirrors and the just perfect passementerie for draperies - the details are what give a room it’s persona.  I always associated the selection of these minute details like adding just the perfect jewelry for a room.

Elle Decor

My Chippy Antique Italian Chandelier - I recently added new candle sleeves and shades.  Arizona heat/sun really damages the fabric on lampshades.

In between bouts of creating new jewelry designs for the holidays, I have also been very focused on finding the larger decorative accessories for my now 18 month Kitchen/Family Room renovation. Recently, I became very fixated on one of my favorite antiques acquired long ago - a gray and gold-gilded Italian chandelier that sits over the Breakfast table. There is something so soothing and elegant about the dusty gray color combined with the 24K gold-leaf accents in this chippy painted chandelier.

Devon Bracelet - Rough Cut Rutilated Quartz Nuggets and Luxe Gray Moonstone Briolettes 

My first attempt at combining the elements of gray and gold resulted in the Devon Bracelet.  I loved the juxtaposition of the chunky golden needle-embedded beads mixed with the oversized gray moonstone briolettes and deliciously detailed 24k gold vermeil feature beads.  Oddly enough, this bracelet sold about four days after listing to an interior designer from Boston.

Darla Bracelet - Round Rutilated Quartz Beads and Gray Moonstone Briolettes

Darla Bracelet - Gold Needle-Embedded Rutilated Quartz 

Staring at this chandelier combination - I was reminded of the gorgeous but smaller round rutilated quartz beads still left and waiting from a previous project as well as the recently acquired luxe gray moonstone briolettes. The combination of the more delicate golden needle-embedded beads mixed with the oversized gray moonstone and gorgeous detailed 24k gold vermeil feature beads have a more traditional and formal persona when compared to the earlier Devon Bracelet.  Who knows. . .maybe the Darla Bracelet will also find a home with an interior designer.

Tweet