Welcome to our NEW Monthly Feature: ATMOSPHERE ASKS. Every month we'll be asking tough (and not so tough) questions covering all manner of exciting topics such as design, travel, lifestyle and food. And every month we'll invite an exciting new guest to give us their take on the topic. It isn't hard hitting journalism, it's just our nosey new way of getting to know the people who inspire us a little bit better. Enjoy!
Margot Austin
This month we caught up with Margot Austin, Senior Editor at STYLE AT HOME for 8 years (left in early October), and we asked: What is the one thing in your home that makes you happiest?
Hi Curtis and Trevor,
Thanks for including me in your blog. I'm going to choose items on my mantel as things that make me happy. A mantel is always a focal point, so I believe in styling it with very meaningful items that act like a capsule of your life and style. Here's the story of mine:
my mantel today (my own photo)
The oil portrait painting. This is a truly fine piece. It's early 19th Century and I find it beautiful in so many ways. I love portrait art for the window it gives us to societies past - in particular the fashion. The lady's dress in this portrait recalls my own wedding dress. I am mad for tartan and have a touch of Scot in my heritage, so I love the plaid shawl, too. The subject has one of those half Mona Lisa smiles that is very pleasing. I also love the piece because it was a surprise gift from my husband marking no special occasion. Kevin is an extraordinary gift giver. He did a story for the magazine with tips on how to get great stuff at an auction. As part of the story he bid on this an brought it home for me. I LOVE it.
The painting hanging on the wall at the auction house (Edward Pond - Photographer)
Kevin with his bidding paddle at the auction (Edward Pond - Photographer)
The portrait in it's first home, with stack of books, - our previous apartment. (my own photo)
A bit about a couple of the other items on the mantel:
1. A pair of cloisonne vases: we found these for $24 at the Brimfield Antiques Show. What a steal. They look magnificent with cherry or crab apple blossoms in them.
2. French bulldog artwork: this was a gift from a great interior designer I worked with. She knew I had a Frenchie and I mentioned how I loved the work of Hugo Guinness. The next thing I knew, she gave me this. Again, a gift given with no fanfare of occasion but with deep personal resonance. Later, by chance, I happened to meet the man who actually owns the dog depicted in the artwork - a crazy coincidence. Here's a link to my blog post about it: CLICK HERE.
3. Two French bulldog figurines: one is porcelain, one bronze. Yes, I am a crazy dog lady. I own figurines...but no tote bags or T-shirts with Frenchies...yet. ;-)
4. Polaroid photo: I love the incongruity of this. It's a shot of my husband as a skinny little pre-teen going for a ride on a mini-bike. His parents brought it when they last visited. Adorable.
5. Tiny bubble clock: a gift from a colleague of my husband's who is also an atique dealer. Every mantel needs a clock.
6. Oak leaf and acorn gilt wreath: This is a wonderful decorative flourish from who knows where. I adore acorns as a decorative motif. This makes a great Christmas tree topper. I like the originality of using something unexpected like this.
Cheers, Margot
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