The Greek Key Is The Sign Of The ' Meander '

In Design And Architecture, a 'Meander' is a decorative border constructed from a continuous line, shaped into a repeated motif.
Such a design is also called The Greek Key or Greek Fret.
Versace's swimming pool with Greek Key tiled border.

This is an auction item, double click to enlarge for info.

I think this French piece is to die for, and guess what it has ? That's correct, Greek Key detailing. Everybody used it and always will.

Meanders are common decorative elements in design, and are considered to Neoclassical. This design is as popular today and at anytime in history.

(( These are exterior or commercial doors with the 'meander' detail around the glass. $ 10,000.00 a pair. From http://www.decodame.com/ )

Nice contemporary corbel.

Tumbled marble in Greek Key Design.

Greek Key application for custom wood flooring.

Beautiful wood molding carved with the Greek Key design.

The Greek Key is on many of the finest antiques as well as reproductions, it is often leafed in gold or antique silver.

Antique silver is my particular favorite. I am drawn to this over and over.

In case you don't know what it is , imagine silver with a very, very light soft pale gold glaze over it , just enough to soften the bright silver It is absolutely dreamy.

( Double click on pics for info.)

It was the most important symbol in Ancient Greece, symbolizing infinity and unity: most ancient Greek temples incorporate the sign of the meander.

Greek vases, especially during their Geometric Period, were likely the genesis for the widespread use of meanders.

The shield of Philip, (602 BC – 640 BC) the second king of Macedonia, was decorated with multiple symbols of the meander .

Let's just say this design literally is 'old as the hills'.

The name "meander" recalls the twisting and turning path of the Maeander River. Where it gets it name.

Not quite a complete Greek Key pattern, but certainly worth a mention.

Sooooo Tasteful.

I have done this on a sofa, it was gorgeous, and elegant.

Crazy Greek Key wallpaper.

You don't have to spend a fortune to have the classic Greek Key Design in your life.

It was the most important symbol in Ancient Greece, symbolizing infinity and unity: most ancient Greek temples incorporate the sign of the 'meander'.

Absolutely Faboo Lus ! What a great mirror !

Scalamandré Fabric

1930's or 40's , they are FABOO !

I would love a set of these sheets.

....and towels.

Such a glamorous pooch. xx

It is everywhere.

On buildings , jewelry, cakes, fabrics, furniture, you can stencil it on walls too.

Just look, you will find it.
Because it is there.

see this great post on greek key bedrooms, fabrics, carpets, 2011

Suggested sites:
http://www.walltowallstencils.com/stencils/new.php Stencils are great , you can apply to walls or a floor .

http://www.homeportfolio.com/catalog/guide/Architectural_Elements/Moldings_&_Wainscoting/Design/Greek_Key.jhtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_key

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

"Romancing The Bone China Tea Cup"

This makes me CRAZY !!!! I love it to death.

This is for when I am playing 'dress up'.

Shanghai by Faberge Limoges porcelain and gold incrustation dinnerware bring back the opulence and the romantic ambiance of the Russian Imperial Court as well as the elegance of a bygone era. Limoges porcelain dinnerware decorated with 24K gold incrustation.

I love , love, love this too !! This is for my everyday, all the time, casual or work clothes.

This is how I want to feel inside, like the ocean,the gemstone turquoise, the sky, or even a cool spring . It's like an elegant , artsy fartsy child of the 70's.

Hand-painted porcelain dinnerware from France contrasts turquoise hues with 22-kt. gold detailing. By R. Haviland & C. Parlon.

The Bold Greek Key Motif with its striking elegance is certain to enhance any table setting. Platinum and Black design make this a signature Versace pattern. The motif is interpreted here in a modern form under the motto ""past meets present""

Red Coral.

Little Interior Design Dishes, YEAH !!!

How fun are these ???

Occupied Japan of course, this stuff is so much fun to hunt for. If you ever need to find a present for someone who has everything.......the gimmicky little porcelains that they made at that time are endless. "Just Look, You Will Find it".

Oh LOOK !!! Turquoise !

You can find beautiful prints and watercolors , of tea cups. A grouping of tea cups whether prints or actual tea cups can be quite clever.

By clever I mean, let's just say you have a difficult space you need to fill on a wall. You know, it's bald/naked, it just needs a little something. Maybe it is a pop of color that it needs, or just dimension or another 'layer'.

There all sorts of tea cup and plate hangers for walls. They come in every shape, tall and thin, wide and short. And the tea cup holders come for a single tea cup and saucer to hang on a wall or stand for displaying on a surface. You know those skinny walls between doors or windows ? How about over the pass through to your kitchen.......there is a plate hanger for just that space.

Napoleon believed the bees represented "a sting, but also producing honey," sort of a dualistic symbolism.

Wedgewood @ Gumps

Tea Cup balconies on a building in Japan.

This is available, enlarge it ( double click on pic ).

This is also - ebay

I think these are so happy. I am wondering if my college age daughter would like them for her place.

These are examples of the single tea cup stands that rest on a surface.

www.finehomedisplays.com This site seems to have everything, although no clean contemporary holders. Just Google plate holders.

The Tea Cup Ride @ Disney or was that ' DIZZY ' ?

Sites to go :
http://mycottageofcontent.blogspot.com/2008/08/country-cottage-girl-loves-red-check-it.html

www.finehomedisplays.com

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/templates/SC3.jhtml?itemId=cat16130736&parentId=cat17640731&masterId=cat000553

www.gardenpartyteas.com

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

Collectable Calligraphy Brushes

Are these not cool ?

Coral.

You can find these stands in almost every asian shop. They are great if you need a bit of height where you are accessorizing.

This is simple and great, 3 or 5 of these short square glass containers ( shhh....Walmart ) with the calligraphy brushes displayed brush up. I like glass because you can see the colors of the calligraphy brushes .

I included this just so that you would get the idea....you can find a crystal jar with a broken top, and 'voila'; the container for your brushes.

You can also lay them out in something equally interesting as the brushes.

When they brushes are loose and laying on their sides, people tend to handle them and admire them. So, leave them in a low, almost flat oval bowl, on a cocktail table or end table.

more info about calligraphy brushes and the art:

http://www.writtenlanguage.calligraphy-mvk.ru/content/blogcategory/10/60/lang,english/

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

Try Opera Glasses and A Little Artful Display

Opera glasses are mentioned in a London Advertisement as early as 1730.

Great Design includes Great Display.

You might try a Collection of Opera Glasses.

(These are just examples, I do not particularly care for either one.....just so you get the basic concept)

An interesting thing to do when displaying opera glasses is under glass in a frame, or under the glass of a display cocktail table. You can also use a 'corbel' (bracket/shelve ) one is pictured above. You could use a contemporary piece or an ornate one, based on the look you are trying to achieve.

When I lived in NYC, I had a great pair on the end table in the living room.

You would not believe it, almost everyone would pick them up and go to the window to peep out at the other apartment windows to see what might be going on. It is more common than you might think.

I love these. When I use my opera glasses , I am always squinting with one eye anyway.

The piece pictured above would look fabulous on a long chain or silk rope worn as a necklace.

Very 'artsy fartsy'. I would wear it for sure !

And what fun , think of it.....have you ever thought that you recognized someone from across a crowded room ?

A grouping is always pretty framed on a wall. I like this because the look becomes more '3D' or 'Architectural' , giving the room more dimension and layers.

Oh my........

Suggested sites:
http://www.gilai.com/books/articles/opera_glasses.html

You can pick these up anywhere, consignment stores, antique stores , or the flea market.

They don't have to really work to look great .

Just look and you will find them.

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design

A Chinoiserie PUMKIN !!!!

I could not resist this Chinoiserie Pumkin. Could you ????

Everywhere I looked was beautiful . Eye Candy. I was in heaven.

Not bad for the side of the road, eh ?

When this is posted, I will be on a plane heading home.

Renee Finberg 'TELLS ALL' in her blog of her Adventures in Design