THE CHARLOTTE MOSS COLLECTION AT DOYLE NEW YORK MARCH 7th

 Photos by Pieter Estersohn

Many interior designers like to change up their interiors every now and again.  Like a painter with a new canvas, it is a chance to have a clean slate to start anew. Designer's homes are often their laboratories, so it makes sense that they would want change things around from time to time. Having designed homes for the past twenty-five years, New York interior designer Charlotte Moss, a lover of pretty French and English antiques and living with style, is in the "freshening" process. Offering antiques, decorative accessories and artwork at auction with Doyle New York, she is sharing her prized finds accumulated from three homes, stunning retail stores, and years of design projects.  The auction takes place on March 7th at 10am, with a book signing of her eighth book, A Visual Life, March 5th at 6pm (rsvp to events@DoyleNewYork.com).  Access the online catalog to see the collection in it's entirety here: Charlotte Moss Collection.
Wide-ranging collections such as this can provide an inspirational glimpse into the world of a designer, for it tells the story of their collecting preferences while giving a sense of how they live.  With over 400 lots to choose from,  if pretty pieces with classical influences are what you are after, this is the sale for you. Even if you do not intend to raise a paddle,  go to the preview to see and learn about great antiques. It's one of the best ways to train your design eye that provides a real, teachable moment.

 

 A custom console, part of a pair, provided an elegant way to hide a radiator in her 2009 Kips Bay Showhouse bedroom.

  Lot 5044 Pair of Rococo Style Gray Painted Consoles Each with a lattice front, raised on a plinth. Height 37 inches, width 38 inches, depth 17 inches.

Lot 5127 Neoclassical Style Polished Wrought Steel Center Table Therien The circular marble top raised on curved supports. Height 30 1/2 inches, diameter 60 inches.

 Seeing a piece in a room setting brings it to life. Here, robust pink peonies provide a pop of color against the painter wallpaper surface of a low ming coffee table.

Lot 5107 Chinese Style Cream Painted Low Table Inset with a Chinese hand painted wallpaper panel. Height 14 inches, width 24 inches, depth 47 inches.

Lot 5298 William and Mary Style Black Japanned Cabinet on Stand 19th Century Decorated with, figures, trees, etc., the interior with six drawers. Height 50 1/2 inches, width 42 1/2 inches, depth 13 inches.  Estimate $700-1,000

 Photo by Simon Upton

The Pagoda in action on a demilune table in her living room.

Lot 5011 Japanese Style Gilt-Metal Pagoda With a multi-tier roof, on a plinth. Height 16 inches. Provenance: The Estate of Tony Duquette

Lot 5097 Set of Atelier du Vieil APT Green Marble Glazed Faience Table Articles Comprising eighteen teacups and saucers, three large cups, four small plates and eight knife rests.

Lot 5019 Set of Four Louis XVI Style Painted Fauteuils en Cabriolet Each oval padded back and seat raised on circular tapering fluted legs.

Lot 5121 Upholstered Club Chair Upholstery designed by Charlotte Moss With a barrel back.

Photo by Erik Striffler
Digby's Tent fabric covers a chaise and curtain panels in her East Hampton home. The panels are available in the auction.

Lot 5056 Pair of Charlotte Moss for Brunschwig and Fils Curtain Panels In the Digby's Tent pattern, named after English aristocrat Jane Digby, who lived a scandalous life of romantic adventure from 1807-1881

STYLISH GIFTING: GLOBAL GIRL LISA FINE'S TOP 10 GIFT LIST

Photo courtesy of Lisa Fine

Lisa Fine walking the streets of Paris. She calls New York and Paris home, but roams the globe the rest of the time. Her eponymous line of block - printed fabrics in wonderful colors and patterns was years in the making, as she gathered inspiration from her various travels.

She has been to India over 30 times. In the past 10 years, she has worked her way through two passports, sending both back for additional pages. Because of this, I knew Lisa Fine would be just the on-the-go gal to share her unique, beautiful and internationally-inspired gift selections with us.

The native Texan is someone who knows wanderlust very well.  The nonchalant chic textile and clothing designer Lisa Fine finds inspiration all around her. The world is becoming a smaller place, but with her focused eye, she shows us there are still a few far-flung goods worth seeking out that are not on everyone's radar.

Photo courtesy of Irving and Fine

In addition to her fabrics, her easy, chic clothing collection created with Carolina Irving has become a hit among those in the know. The Lucknow dress from Irving and Fine is has the signature flouncy sleeve of the first early styles.

 

 Photo courtesy of Barneys

For those on the go, a chic Passport case makes getting it stamped that much more special. This Smythson Chameleon version is a favorite, from Barneys New York. Give it in the favorite color of the recipient.

Photo courtesy of I Pezzi Dipinti

Airplanes get cold and temperatures drop in the evenings, so I like to bring along a wrap. Luckily, I Pezzi Dipinti just launched an e-commerce shop in time for the holidays. Their cashmere and wool designs have a certain understated chicness to them.  I like to give a matching cashmere sweater and scarf to ward off a chill. The Indian-made Wanka Khana Wool Scarf is hand loomed and tie dyed in varying indigo shades.

 

 Photo courtesy of Hiefer International

Give a farm animal to an impoverished family through Heifer International.

The recipient will receive a card of the type of animal and what country. Donations start at as little as $10 and go up. You can buy $1000 camel and split it among as many friends as you choose.

Photo courtesy of Greyledge Farm

For those that like a good steak, send over some packages of organic and grass - fed steaks from Terry and Libby Fitzgerald's Roxbury, CT-based Greyledge Farms.

Photo courtesy of Creel and Gow

Light up dinner parties with Fluorite votive candle holders from the recently opened curiosity cabinet emporium, Creel and Gow, www.creelandgow.com

Photo courtesy of Shompale

For the friend or special one, give an 18K gold ring made by Masai artisan women from Kenya's Shompale Conservancy. The profits help save the Elephants. This version is embedded with emeralds.

Photo courtesy of Leontine Linens

Personalization shows you went the extra step getting something made. Show your thanks with a custom made set of linen place mats and napkins from Leontine Linens

Photo courtesy of Random House
You can't go wrong with a new book, especially if it involves comfort food and entertaining at home. One such book is a new staple, My Beverly Hills Kitchen, Alex Hitz's Classic Southern Cooking with a French Twist.

Photo courtesy of Rizzoli
For the decorating set, Charlotte Moss has her newest visual delight, A Visual Life, from Rizzoli, featuring her highly detailed collages interspersed with gardening, travel and entertaining inspirations. The red cover adds a festive touch this time of year.