Lee Stanton Blog



School is Back in Session

School is Back in Session

As the season turns to autumn, we are delighted to introduce a new collection of antique treasures. This latest collection pays homage to the artistic and architectural excellence of early 20th century Dutch design. With a focus on the groundbreaking work of Haagse and Amsterdamse school designers, the pieces show a unique blend of traditional Dutch craftsmanship and modernist design principles. Indeed, these pieces are more than just furniture; they are a testament to a bygone era of artistic innovation and craft.

The legacy of these design schools left an indelible mark on Dutch architecture and design, and now, you can own a piece of this legacy. Our carefully curated selection features five exquisite items from this iconic period. Each piece showcases the movement's hallmark traits - solid wood construction, geometric forms, intricate detailing, and functional elegance.

  

From beautifully constructed desks to stunning wood cabinets, these items tell a story of craftsmanship and artistry that has endured the test of time. Whether you're an aficionado of design history or simply appreciate the beauty of well-crafted furniture, our Amsterdamse and Haagse School collection is a must-see.

As with any period of furniture, I prefer pieces from the earlier and humble stages of the period before they become more embellished and imitated trends.  Therefore, I have focused on those earlier pieces in our collection. Please stop by our showroom to experience the craftsmanship in person or view the items on our website to view a part of Dutch design history!


New Year, New Arrivals

New Year, New Arrivals

As I’ve mentioned before, my recent buying trip to Northern Europe was extraordinary. We just unpacked the second of three shipments and I couldn’t be more pleased. The diversity of this collection may initially surprise you. However, the transitional nature and remarkable quality of these items will result in what I hope will be a pleasant surprise.

My focus this trip was on Nordic and Scandinavian mid-century design. Pieces from renowned design houses, as well as those from influential, lesser known designers, in a mix of rustic, industrial, brutalist, organic and modernist styles. There is so much more to mid-century design than the classic pieces we see so often. I wanted to bring back an edit that could challenge our expectations of the period and expand our understanding of what it means to be 'mid-century'. I've found it's often the earlier that pieces are the most interesting. You can see the original inspiration fully played out, and often there was more experimentation going on too. 

The items in this collection embody the more understated, organic elements of mid-century modern design. Simple yet substantial, their modern elements are edited and structural, not decorative or overtly derivative. In this way, they feel more transitional and versatile in nature than the blatant copies and nouveau mid-century versions that are so common today. Often a simple, incredible design gets elaborated to the point where it loses its original identity. The demand for more, or for similar styles creates an overflow of imitation and elaboration, until eventually, something that was once unique and special gets boiled down into something that is common and ordinary. 

My hope is that individually, and as a collection, these pieces cast light on the diverse artistry of this period, and that you will feel encouraged to mix different elements within your own home. I am delighted to be able to share these extraordinary finds with you, and invite you to come see for yourself in person at our Showroom in Los Angeles, our Private Stash in Montecito, or by appointment at our Stash Warehouse. 


Introducing: New Pottery Collection by Elke Levine

Introducing: New Pottery Collection by Elke Levine

 
I'm delighted to present a new pottery collection from contemporary ceramic artist Elke Levine. Currently on display at our Private Stash in Montecito, the series features six ceramic vessels made using a unique compound of volcanic ash from Sicily's legendary Mount Etna. From the artist:
Success is a whole line up of failures.
-Vincent van Gogh-
 
My work is inspired by nature. It aims to reflect the color, depth and perfect imperfection of natural forms. As with natural forms, imperfection is not a shortcoming but a source of beauty, the irregularity of the rock or the bark of a tree. And as with natural forms where surface and shape unite, the successful ceramic work is the result of a union of form and surface. 
 
This collection has been fired numerous times until the glaze formed the right finish for the vessel. I applied volcanic ashes which I collected in Sicily from the eruption of Mount Etna. The combination of ashes and glazes I used formed a volcanic-like surface. Some areas are shiny and fused perfectly, other areas are rough and textured. It depends on the temperature and amount of firing I choose. I am looking for the vessel to show character and interest.  
 
The importance of creating is all about the journey. The enjoyment lies in experimenting and constantly searching for new designs and ways to create something different.
I have been fortunate to have been able to work with well known ceramic artists from Europe to Indonesia. I learned all kinds of different techniques with porcelain as well as stoneware. I have experimented with different ways of firing my work. 
 
My passion for ceramics comes from the journey I take when creating my vessels. The excitement of bringing an idea to life. Often the outcome is unexpected. I am looking for harmony in the irregular feel of the piece.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For more information, please contact info@leestanton.com.

Bonny Balmoral Part II

Bonny Balmoral Part II

Photo: Keystone/Getty.

I love this photograph of the Queen, taken at her much beloved Balmoral Castle in 1972. Seated at her personal writing desk, and surrounded by her famous corgi companions, the image feels intimate and spontaneous. The elegant array of trinkets covering her desk, rich green tartan carpeting, and blonde wood furnishings give us a glimpse into her personal aesthetic sensibility. It's her pose, however--pert, graceful, and relaxed--that seems to me the most telling. The poise, focus, and incredible reserves of inner strength for which the late royal leader was known seem captured in her softly fixed gaze.

GET THE LOOK

  

 


Bonny Balmoral

Bonny Balmoral

Known widely as the late Queen's favorite residence, Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland plays an important role in the history of the royal family. With its high Scottish Baronial architecture--a variant of Gothic Revival--lush, sprawling grounds, and beautifully appointed heirloom antiques, it's no wonder she considered Balmoral her "happy place". A fitting location then, that it should play host in her Majesty's final hours. 

Pictured above is Balmoral's grand ballroom. Dramatic high ceilings, Tudor-style architectural accents and mounted taxidermy give the space a rustic, lodge-like quality. Gilt chandeliers and richly brocaded tapestries incorporate a more gracious, opulent dimension. 

The lodge-like theme continues. The entrance hall at Balmoral has a robust yet restrained decorative schema, making it a perfect introduction to the rest of the home.

The hallway on the castle's ground floor has beautiful natural light. A colonnade of slim gothic arches flanks a wide spiral staircase, creating a sense of rhythmic dynamism.

The dining room at Balmoral features a handsome suite of studded leather chairs, large, simple mirrors, and a pair of heavily draped French windows. The effect is cozy and inviting.

Wall-to-wall tartan carpeting and floriated Victorian wallpaper create an atmosphere of Highland charm in Balmoral's central drawing room. Overstuffed tartan couches and plush tartan drapes enhance the effect.

The Queen's bedroom at Balmoral is simple yet luxurious. Elegant fleur-de-lis wallpaper creates a rich textural contrast with the wall-to-wall carpeting and various marbleized wood finishes. The antique textile framing her canopy bed adds a graceful, feminine touch. 

Photo: The Royal Collection Trust.


Sweet Sonoma

Sweet Sonoma

If you haven’t seen the Sheldon Harte-designed home in the latest issue of House Beautiful, please check it out here. Furnished with numerous finds sourced by yours truly, the Sonoma wine country home was a project for a dear client of mine. With their open mind and the impeccable taste of their talented designer, the result is elevated yet full of rustic, natural beauty. After shopping in my showroom, the duo agreed they were going to need more, and wanted to see where it all came from.  I agreed to take these amazing clients on a buying trip to England, France and Belgium. In addition to lots of fun and great food, we managed to acquire some of the greatest finds in my career of sourcing antiques for clients.

 

From the orangerie planters in the humble yet spacious open-air entrance, to the architectural industrial lights in the media room, we found so many pieces that felt destined to be a part of the home. The collegiate library table that seats ten family members and friends in the outdoor lounge, the pair of sideboards in the great room to accompany world class art, the huge and unexpected dining table to enjoy farm-to-table delicacies, the carts from fabric mills in the guest house that any guest would love to wheel home, the fun and conversational accessories for both the youngsters and grown-ups to enjoy and appreciate, the numerous sculptures to admire, the functional pieces for the master bedroom and bath to start and end their day with, not to mention the rock crystal coffee table by Lanvin to marvel at in the living room…the list goes on.

One of my greatest joys has always been finding exceptional pieces for my clients that they will live with, enjoy and cherish for a lifetime. Working with this family on their home has epitomized that joy, and the spread in House Beautiful furthermore reminds me how fortunate I am in my career to help furnish the homes of friends. To be able to give them spaces which feel thoughtful, unique, and fun is truly a joy. 

Photo: John Merkl for House Beautiful.


Style Spotlight: The Musée Bourdelle

Style Spotlight: The Musée Bourdelle

 
One of my very favorite places in the world is the Musée Bourdelle in Paris. Located in the 15th arrondissement, in the old studio of French sculptor Antoine Bourdelle, the museum is unlike any other. More than the turn-of-the-century artist's impressive work and collection of sculpture and architectural phenomena, the museum is unique for its dynamic approach to display. Foregrounding the three-dimensional drama of each piece, the curation achieves an interactive sense of theater and movement. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Photo: Lee Stanton

Introducing: New Pottery Collection from Ukraine

Introducing: New Pottery Collection from Ukraine

I am humbled to present a small collection of handsome, handmade and wood-fired black clay pottery made in collaboration with talented Ukrainian potters under abnormal war circumstances.

The collection of variously shaped vessels has subtle hand-drawn decoration, and interprets the traditional black clay pottery that has been crafted on the Poland-Ukraine border for ages. After crossing the border into Poland and making it stateside, the arrival of this collection represents our hope for a supportive dialogue with those faced by the reality of a destructive war. I look forward to continuing my support for the potters making this beautiful pottery, along with their friends and families suffering through this moment of tragedy and loss.

Please contact us for further details.