Tuesday, January 11, 2011

My Napolean complex

No, not what you're thinking, although at 5'-9", I'm not much taller than Napolean was! Rather, I treated myself to this bust of Napoleon that is currently on sale here at restoration hardware.
The surprise was how big he is and a bit out of scale for my bookcase as planned. Thankfully he's not very heavy, hollow terra cotta, and he moved around several times in my apartment last night.
For now he'll live in my entryway - bonus is that he makes an excellent bookend!
On another note, this past weekend I had the pleasure of seeing the celebrated soprano, Renee Fleming in a recital at the Kenney Center. One of her encores was a crowd pleaser and I've attached a clip of it here: O mio babbino caro by Puccini.






If you ever have the opportunity to see Ms. Fleming perform, I would highly recommend it. This was the 7th time in 10 years I've had the priveledge and she never disappoints!
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31 comments:

  1. Divine TheatreJanuary 11, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    I love it! I am a huge fan of busts (er, um...). Anyway, I named my black puggle Napoleon because he looks like an ebonized bust that I have in my library! The side view is exactly the same! His little ears look like Napoleon's bicorne!
    I LOVE the Empire console...

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  2. ArchitectDesign™January 11, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    Thank you, Divine. A puggle named Napoleon really sounds like the cutest thing!

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  3. Heidi @ Decor & MoreJanuary 11, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    Love the bust! Wonder how he'd feel about his supporting role, though? ;-)

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  4. Nita StacyJanuary 11, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    The Napoleon bust is very regal and mixes well with your things. Thanks so much for sharing the clip of Ms. Fleming. She was here last year...and I so wanted to go but could not afford tickets. I hope she comes again soon. I can imagine a whole evening of this would be heavenly.

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  5. Alcira Molina-AliJanuary 11, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    What a perfect find! I believe a dash of Nappy works in pretty much anywhere, in any scale or configuration.

    I also adore your subtlety of placement by the books. Perhaps your console and my chest should date ;)

    http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7hg9ZvKNN5I/TRPVPheK3gI/AAAAAAAACDo/RNLLWFGfpfs/s1600/photo.jpg

    How outstanding that you got to experience la Fleming in the flesh -- every time I hear that aria, I weep.
    Cheers and best, Alcira

    nerochronicles.com

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  6. ArchitectDesign™January 11, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    Alcira - my console and mirror are single and available! lol

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  7. ArchitectDesign™January 11, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    Fleming did a mix of things - from modern to German Lieder songs and Strauss. The encores were mostly showtunes with Puccini thrown in for good luck. The audience GASPED when the song started!

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  8. TopazJanuary 11, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    Lucky you! I would love to hear Renee Fleming live. BTW, what is that building in the poster or print in the background of the first photo? I love images like that.

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  9. KathyJanuary 11, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    Great purchase!...and perfect placement I think. I recommend Napoleon's Letters to Josephine, if you haven't read them (several books out there). I received mine as a gift last summer and it was one of my favorite reads. You have a lovely home, thanks for sharing...k

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  10. quintessenceJanuary 11, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    I think he looks quite comfortable there - we won't burst his bubble about his bookend status. I am not an opera aficionado but even I can tell a spectacular rendition of that beautiful aria.

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  11. Luciane at HomeBunch.comJanuary 11, 2011 at 11:13 AM

    This is my very first time here and I'm really enjoying it. Great post, great blog!

    If can, please drop by my blog and let me know what you think. I've started blogging in September and I'm loving this. :-)

    xo


    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

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  12. DavidJanuary 11, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    I like him in your console!

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  13. ArchitectDesign™January 11, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    Topaz, it's a student drawing from around 1914 of a 'governors mansion'- an auction find. I've been asked a few times, maybe i'll post about it next week.

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  14. pve designJanuary 11, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    Perfect Harmony! Love it.
    pve

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  15. Picture of Elegance BlogJanuary 11, 2011 at 12:27 PM

    Love the bust...I think it's perfect!

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  16. David TomsJanuary 11, 2011 at 12:46 PM

    I wonder how the man himself feels about being on sale at Restoration Hardware and now holding up books in a DC apartment? I love him, and he does look good!

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  17. Eric HJanuary 11, 2011 at 2:39 PM

    @Alcira - I wanted to see the picture of your chest (that sounds really wrong) but can't get the link to work. Please help.

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  18. Yuri-Alex NisoJanuary 11, 2011 at 3:55 PM

    Ida Hancock had Napoleon busts and statuettes scattered throughout her mansion. She was a big Napoleon fan. You're in good company.

    And I love Renee! She's really down to earth in person, too.

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  19. The Devoted ClassicistJanuary 11, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    I like the bust a lot. And a little on the big side always looks better, I think, so I wouldn't have any concerns.

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  20. Daniel ShigoJanuary 11, 2011 at 4:31 PM

    The console, Napoleon, mirror & carpet go beautifully together! Bravo! Things do work together and find their place, don't they, if you love them enough?

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  21. KwanaJanuary 11, 2011 at 5:15 PM

    He's looking great hanging at your place.

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  22. Acanthus and AcornJanuary 11, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    Beautiful music to listen to while I fantasize about how that console would look in my house! But I suppose your new French friend needs a perch.

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  23. AnonymousJanuary 11, 2011 at 9:05 PM

    Great find! Was always fascinated by Napoleon, maybe because of French History in school?
    PLEASE post about that Landscape drawing over your console.
    Your taste is immaculate. Everything looks fabulous.

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  24. The Down East DilettanteJanuary 12, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    Bust terrific, Fleming sublime, taste superb on both counts.

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  25. Thomas HogglestockJanuary 12, 2011 at 3:01 PM

    Was RH actually selling these or was it a retail prop? Either way it is pretty cool. Didn't you and I bond over Kiri Te Kanawa? Not the case so much for Ms Fleming.

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  26. ArchitectDesign™January 12, 2011 at 3:03 PM

    Thomas, yes -they're available at restoration hardware. I think I linked to it.
    Renee is no Kiri, but whats not to like, she's pretty unoffensive. After all, she is 'the peoples' opera singer as she's known.

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  27. Lord CowellJanuary 12, 2011 at 3:47 PM

    I love the bust, and it goes so well with your Empire styled side table.

    Renee - as you said - unoffensive, but as to Kiri: she may be a diva, but she also has the personality of a diva. She once said that she would not come back to sing in New Zealand until New Zealand had a venue suitable for her voice! In terms of personality, Kiri is right up there with Kathleen Battle.

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  28. Mark D. RuffnerJanuary 12, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    Two treats in one - thanks! I have a small cast iron statue of Napoleon and he's small enough to move all around the house. But I'll bet your Napoleon stays under the console, because he looks perfect there.

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  29. Linda MerrillJanuary 12, 2011 at 6:25 PM

    ...he moved around several times in my apartment last night.

    On his own?

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  30. magnusJanuary 13, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    Love your apartment- show us more.

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  31. Style CourtJanuary 14, 2011 at 9:12 AM

    Stefan --

    I love the unexpectedly large scale of the piece in your hallway. And how you placed it in an offhanded way. So much flair!

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