doris duke's shangri la, part two

I am absolutely in love with this room at Doris Duke's Shangri La in Honolulu, Hawaii. It is just so feminine and lavish - the Mughal Suite

 

She was inspired by a honeymoon to the Middle East.  She continued to collect and commission artifacts in keeping with the house's style for the next several decades leaving an impressive archival legacy:  

Let's go outside:

Mughal Garden

Pool with the Playhouse:

    

I'll be honest, I was beyond excited to tour this house... but then realized it was also a no-go with baby. I'm not sure what their official policy on children is but just so you know, should you fly all the way to Hawaii to see this house, be prepared to dedicate a significant amount of time to it. From what I understand, and why it wouldn't have worked out, is owned by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art in cooperation with the Honolulu Museum of Art. Only allows a few people to visit each day. You have to buy your ticket (and like I said, there's not many spots!), wait for a bus, take the museum's bus to the house, tour and then shuttle back. All said and done it was a few hours too many for a little one. We're planning to make another trip back when our daughter is old enough so I can get my house fix! And you can always order the book.

 sources: mostly here, some here, here, here, here

doris duke's shangri la, part one

I know this "polar vortex" has a lot of friends Stateside on ice. Think warm thoughts! And to help you do that, let's tour another Hawaii house! This house is amazing, and famous - I'm talking about Shangri La. The house Islamic-style mansion built in 1937 designed by Marion Sims Wyeth. It was owned by heiress Doris Duke, who spent her winters here. The house is on the outskirts of Honolulu, near Diamond Head. Look at this loggia on the "playhouse"

The house
 

 

The Entry:

Central Courtyard:

Going inside:

Damascus Room

Syrian Room

 

Mihrab Room:

   

The Dining Room:

Going into the Living Room:

Lastly for today, the private hall which leads to my favorite space:

 sources: mostly here, some here, here, here, here

the sendai tansu

This is a story about learning to be a parent. It is also a story about furniture. Last week a friend introduced me to a local antiques dealer who happened to have a very large shop of beautiful pieces. He had several Meiji era tansu chests.  In trying to pick a piece, I have learned so much about tansu chests. Since we are in Northern Japan, we are near Sendai. Sendai  is a famous style of tansu. They're known for their heavy and intricate ironwork. source

I picked out a merchant's chest in this style. You can buy your own here if you're in the States. source

It was gorgeous, with original working locks, key and intricate metalwork. I'm told the blossoms are plum blossoms but in my mind they look a bit like lotus blooms. I had my husband and a friend transport it home; they were good sports because these things are not light. source

As I was cleaning it that night I noticed the antique ironwork had many sharp points, especially on the drawer-front corner pieces. I decided it had to go; it wasn't baby safe at all. So, so beautiful, but not baby-friendly. I went back with another Japanese friend and we picked out a possible replacement. I'll post pictures when it is in place. And in case you are interested, this is what a Sendai Tansu looks like in place in a traditional style home. Sorry I couldn't find a bigger image online. source

Lesson learned - this was my first furniture purchase since my daughter was born. I think the dealer thought I was a bit nuts when I went to pat down every single piece of furniture in his inventory... When I went back the dealer also asked, "what style does your husband like?" I told him the lightest since we have to walk up stairs to our apartment. Looking at another chest he told me, "No, your husband will not like this one. It is too heavy." source

More on how Sendai Tansu Chests are made:

agateware

Are you familiar with agateware? I was not, I'm still just learning about pottery. I saw this while surfing 1st Dibs. Apparently, it is decorated with a combination of contrasting colored clays to mimic agates, gorgoeus. This example is said to be an early piece of Wegwood's work, dates to circa 1770/80.

Another one with fine details.

bazaar goodies

I just wanted to share some of the neat things I saw this past weekend at that bazaar. There nothing that I felt I "had to have" but I did see a couple odds and ends that were interesting. I wish there was better lighting for photos, but look at these chairs. They were new but really lovely.

A vendor from Indonesia brought quite a bit of teak furniture. These benches caught my eye for their shape.

 Lots of daruma dolls like this one

 And my favorite, washi eggs in lots of colors

Many kokeshi dolls

 
Hatano pottery, which truthfully I don't know much about yet but it was fun to examine and had such lovely glazes. Most of the signs were in Japanese except for one says, "Hatano" so if you know anything about it, please share!

  One of the antiques dealers had a lot of goodies. Nothing I brought home but I did admire these porcelain pillows.

 The tag on this simply said, "Imperial Doll House" and was quite a nice set. It included the porcelain faced dolls.

He didn't speak any English and my Japanese is not good so I couldn't ask what the porcelain things were with the teapots. Any suggestions? I did admire the many kashigata wood molds for making sweets.

 I really liked this Shisa/Shishi dog but I had nowhere to put him. I think of everything he was one of my favorites of the day.