Some of you may recall our dear friend Deborah Buck, a talented artist and designer, from the Top Design Premiere Party she hosted for me. Jaithan and I were introduced to Deborah years ago and soon thereafter realized that she, like us, worshipped at the high church of antiques. Every Sunday, year after year, we’d don our vintage best and hit the flea markets, intent on finding whatever it was we hadn’t yet found. As antiquing partners go, there’s nobody better than Deborah, who has an incredible eye and impeccable taste. For years, she ran Buck House and The Gallery at Buck House, both of which were stocked with hand-selected treasures she'd collected on her travels the world over. Lucky for us, she's now combined those shops into one amazing store, the new Buck House on Madison Avenue in Manhattan.
The expansive new space houses Deborah’s eclectic and ever-changing collection of vintage furniture, lighting, artwork, and objects—all masterfully curated into provocative vignettes. If the goal, as designers often say, is to create “conversation” among the pieces in one’s home, then I can tell you that the new Buck House speaks volumes!
Deborah has a knack not just for finding one-of-a-kind pieces from all over the world, but also for combining them to make a unique aesthetic statement. Here, I love how the bright red velvet upholstery and the neon needlepoint pillow lend unexpected edge to a classic sofa. Whenever I decorate, I love using unlikely contrasts or juxtapositions that can really liven up a room. For the vignette on the right, Deborah used a cool mid-century chair with a Chinese art deco rug, then added interesting accessories like the framed tapestry to pull it all together. The overall look is cohesive but not overdone.
The way I see it, the difference between a house and a home is a little love and a lot of accessories—if you know what to do with them! Thankfully, shopping at Buck House is like a crash course in creating interesting tableaus or groupings. I love how Deborah mixes it up with objects of different heights, shapes, colors, and materials. It doesn’t get too disjointed because each group shares at least one common element—the cool colors of the vases on the left, for instance. Buck House is also full of ideas that we can all use, like Deborah’s statement wall of painted stripes in her signature turquoise. Painting just one wall in bright stripes can add dimension to a room without making it feel over the top.
Speaking of incredible, one-of-a-kind objects, every now and then you’re lucky enough to find two-of-a-kind—the rare pair. That was the case with these gorgeous cloisonné vases that Deborah came across a while back.
Unfortunately, one of the vases had been slightly damaged on the bottom, rendering it a tough sell.
So one night, over a bottle of wine—isn’t that where so many good ideas come from?—Deborah
and I decided to turn these vases into a pair of lamps. Like the old apothecary jar, the possibilities of turning objects into lamps are endless! So in keeping with
the style of Deborah's vases, we chose to cap them with brass fittings, then added beautiful Chinoiserie bases. Check out the final result!
How pretty is that, especially grouped in one of Deborah's signature tableaus? In fact, we were having so much fun that day at Buck House that we decided to do a little experiment, showing how the same object can be interpreted in tons of different ways. All it takes are a couple of key substitutions when it comes to the surrounding pieces. For the first, more feminine look, we chose a pale pink silk shade that picked up on the color of the flowers. The tall candlesticks juxtapose the height of the low-slung box, but both are still diminutive enough not to feel overpowering. The foo dog adds a bit of whimsy while the lilies and fossilized ginger on the left add a natural element so important in a room. And here’s a little stylist secret: uneven numbers of objects (there are seven here) usually work best, making the overall look feel casual and less contrived. Now here's the second look!
This one's more masculine, wouldn't you say? We started with a basic black
paper shade, trimmed in gold. The stature of the gilded bronze box is offset by a quirky dragon letter holder. The blue cloisonné plate matches the lamp’s
style and, displayed on a stand, adds a touch of formality. With an
uneven number of objects (five) and a simple arrangement of lilies off
to the side, the tableau feels pulled together but not too austere. And for more pointers on creating the kind of tableaus that truly make a house a home, check out Deborah’s new book, appropriately named—you guessed it!—Tableau. It’s a great guidebook for anyone who's just learning how to style vignettes, but also inspired reading for those of you in need of a few fresh ideas in decorating.
Finally, if you live in New York or might be planning a visit soon, be sure to stop by the new Buck House on Madison Avenue. Margaret Russell, editor-in chief of Elle Decor and author of the fantastic book Style and Substance, is even co-hosting a party with Deborah to celebrate the new location! Check back soon for all the party pics. And for those of you who can’t make it to Manhattan, visit Buck House's online collection here or at 1stdibs for all her amazing finds!
So tell me, everyone, which look do you like better-—the softer, feminine one with the light shade or the second, more masculine one in black?
What a great insight to Deborah’s new store. Her taste shines through. Next time I am in NYC I will have to stop and see the new shop. The hanging fixtures came out fabulous.
I think that she’s a Baltimore girl, too! We all have such great taste. 😉
The lamps are divine!! I adore them. Can’t wait to check out her store next time I am in the city!
xx-Gina
Love the vase turned lamp !!!
I so agree with you anyone can have a house but its the little touches that make it a home….
Good luck tonight…
All the best,
Kathy 🙂
Can’t wait to stop by! Thanks for the tip! And now I have to rush home and uneven the tableau in my foyer!!! – or maybe I should just pickup something from your etsy shop tonight (@ 8pm)! See you on the web! – Wendy
What a beautiful store full of treasures! I just love what you did with the vases. (thought about doing that with one of my own). The black shade with the gold trim is great! Thanks for sharing.
xo,
cristin
I love the lamp with the black shade.What a great idea. Thanks for all you do.
The store looks incredible. Love that you showed us two tableaus to compare.
Hi Eddie, Love the touches of Chinoisserie, it always makes a room look so elegant and interesting as if it has a story to tell.I died when I saw the black shade on that gorgeous turqouise lamp, Perfection. See you tonight on Etsy, Hugs Kathysue
The lamps are amazing. I personally like the look of the more masculine shade. The colors are incredible!
I hope you don’t mind that I mentioned you in my blog today and used your thanksgiving pictures from last fall.
I put the links to your page and also your etsy page with each picture. Please let me know if this is ok. I will never have as many readers as I would like but the ones I have I know would enjoy your blog so much!
You are an inspiration! Thank you!
Thanks Eddie….great minds, I knew what was coming & what a great solution!
I will be in New York in the near future!
I must stop by the store….thanks for the news!
Leslie
So beautiful! Wish I lived closer but next time we pop up for a weekend, I’ll have to drop in. Those lamps are absolutely beautiful! Great job!
The black shade makes the lamp. White would have been toooo cliche, IMO.
I inherited an old vase my great grandmother painted and had it made into a lamp last year. I have enjoyed it so much and think about those special relatives every time I turn it on. I enjoyed seeing your vases made into lamps.
Hi Eddie and Jaithan,
Enjoyed learning all about Deborah and Buck House…something tells me I’d could get into some serious trouble shopping at her store online. 😉 I’m off to check it out!
Susan
Definitely the black shade,it makes it more current & dramatic.
Oh yes the Black shade—the wow factor is just not there with the cream one. Every room needs an accent of black! Eddie, you and Jaithan need to come to the Metrolina Extravaganza Flea Market—in Charlotte NC. I promise you will not be disappointed. The next big one is in April. The November one was last weekend–I kept thinking”I wonder if Eddie is here?” LOL!
Kathleen
Hi Eddie and Jaithan,
First off, I must thank you for hosting that fabulous shopping event on etsy, tonight! It was so much fun to go shopping with you guys! I must admit that the couple of items that I tried to purchase went before I got to them, but I just know that I will find other wonderful items in your shop very soon! It was really fun watching you both in person. I only know you from your blog, so it was quite a treat! I do hope that Eddie is not suffering from heat rash after being that close to the fire!
I love both of the vignettes, but I really like the extra height that the candlesticks add in the more feminine one.
Be well!
Hugs,
Debbie
Gonna have to go with the black! I love turqoise with black or choclate brown and accented with red. My fav combos.
Love the vace turned lamp with the black shade. I would love to visit New York and her shop, such lovely things.
Great post. I have to say I prefer the softer feminine look, but they are both exquisite.
And what a brilliant idea for a book…it’s not easy to create fabulous vignettes. I’ll be buying her book, for sure!!
BTW-I gave you an award on my blog:)
Love the lamps – the BLACK shade has my vote, although some interiors may dictate the white shade. Thanks for sharing your creative process!
Wow, looks stunning!
What a fantastic “make over” for these vases. I adore the lamp with the white shade…..Aaaahhhhh! 🙂
The lamp looks great with either, but I do love the black shade.
It gives drama against that fabulous stripe paper. Looks like a super fun shop. I want to illustrate that vignette with the lamps.
pve
Stunning and Exquisite Lamps! Once again, you inspire the old to new. My Christmas Wish List is that you would once come to Bowling Green and work your magic on my studio space. BTW, that RED COUCH is to DIE FOR, drop to the floor kicking FABULOUS!
I like the black shade best. Makes the colors pop. Great post Eddie, really enjoy reading how you get things done and the logic behind putting a look together.
Deborah has amazing taste and those lamps are tres chic! Nice work Eddie. XO
I so enjoyed the etsy sale last evening. Thank you both for taking the time to highlight etsy craftsmen and artisans. You featured wonderful ideas and it was so much fun!!
All the best,
Pamela
Sounds like a glorious store!
I love the black shade – very posh.
And you are cute as a button in your bow tie!
xo Terri
If I had one of those wonderful lamps, I think I would have gone straight for the white shade… BUT seeing your choice, I definitely prefer the black! Perhaps I need to be more daring??????
I will drop by her lovely store the next time I make it to town!
I love her colors, all so fabulously mixed and not so matched…really great!
LOVE your vases/lamps, black shade is my favorite! Somehow makes more sense to me!
More DRAMA!
Right now I am packing to fly to Europe, much excitment on all sides of the Atlantic….
XX
Take good care, my friend!
XX
Victoria
Black.
Wow, I just stared at those pics for so long! I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m drawn to the way the white shade photograph is styled, but I think overall I like the black shade better on the lamp. BUT, I like them both and would be happy to have either in my home ASAP!
love the liz taylor pic!
The black looks much more chic!
What a divine place – like a lolly shop for design hungry people like me! 🙂
Have fallen head-over-heals for the cloisonné vases. Would look heavenly in our downstairs hallway!
Thanks for sharing & have a lovely weekend
xCharlotta
The black one with gold trim!!!
I love them both, however I think the white one would create a more pleasant ambiance at night.
Susie
What a wonderful shop! I will make it a stop when i am in Manhattan next month as i lived in that neighborhood before i left for the country. Speaking of neighborhoods….I spent the day with mom in Millerton, NY. What a fab town…..we had tea at the Tea House.
Regards,
Pink Pig!
I’m swooning over the stripes. So bold and beautiful.