Sophie Donelson blog archive

March 2009

Bansai!

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One of BBG’s dozens of bonsai

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is showing signs of spring—magnolias and hellebores are blooming, but the final bits of dramatic winter light are best viewed in the Bonsai Room, where dozens of tiny centenarians cast dramatic shadows. The room is a great example of using blue-grey paint to give objects greater brilliance. Imagine how lackluster these beauties would be in a white room.
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Extra! Extra!

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These hard-drinking newsies are here to tell you to read my articles

My byline cropped up a few times this week, first in Manhattan magazine, where I profiled a couple ace interior designers, and then in the The Globe & Mail (the New York Times of Canada, as we can it in the biz), where I reviewed the hotel SLS in L.A., which I wrote about last month. Take a looksy! And, as always you can see more of my work by clicking Articles at the top of the page.


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Gilty Pleasures

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Throne room, Topkapi Palace harem, Istanbul

Istanbul decoration: even better than expected. I anticipated the Iznik tiles, but I wasn’t prepared for the glorious alchemy of when European grandeur veered head first into Eastern tradition. Case in point: Topkapi Palace, the home of Ottoman sultans (and around 4,000 staff) from 1465 to 1853. By the 18th century, sultans were obsessed with Rococo style, hence the gilt ornament in the harem’s Throne Room. (There are Delft tiles and Murano glass windows, too—who says globalization is new?) Click MORE for the prettiest patterns I found in Turkey, including from Hagia Sofia.

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Topkapi ceiling

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The Great Art (Deco) Heist

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Recently I was in Brussels reporting an article about the city’s antiques and vintages stores. I tend not to shop while I work. It’s not really cost effective, plus, I’m already carrying a map, camera and notebook. But I made an exception for this oddball lamp—for 33 euro, which I found at La Patine. Couldn’t be, I thought. It’s clearly handmade, and has new wiring and a fresh shade. I asked again, and the shopkeeper confirmed the price and encouraged me to return Sunday so the owner could tell me the story behind it. I left with the lamp and vowed to return. But I probably shouldn’t have…

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Let’s Talk Turkey

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Study hall, Topkapi Palace, Istanbul

I returned from Istanbul nearly a week ago and I still haven’t washed my gorgeous new towels and pestemels, finished eating that sickly sweet Turkish delight or even posted a barrage of images yet. That’s because I was busy sewing pillow inserts for the vintage kilim covers I bought at the Grand Bazaar. (Priorities!) Here’s a teaser—one room of the inimitable harem of Topkapi Palace.


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About Sophie Donelson

I’m a magazine writer and consultant. My stories have appeared in Interior Design, Elle Decor, Departures, and Martha Stewart Living. More details are on the About page.

Selected articles by Sophie Donelson

High Country
House Beautiful, February 2011

Living Large
Martha Stewart Living, September 2010

Gilty Pleasures
Manhattan, July-August 2010

Room Mates
Manhattan, May-June 2010

Oh So L.A. — For Better and For Worse
Globe & Mail (Toronto), May 1, 2010

Sophie Donelson's Flickr feed

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Recent blog posts by Sophie Donelson

October 24, 2011 6:07 PM
Saying It with Flowers

October 16, 2011 7:46 PM
Come and See

July 15, 2011 12:22 PM
Julys I’ve Known and Loved

March 26, 2011 10:05 PM
Under Construction

December 8, 2010 8:23 AM
Holiday Greens

December 2, 2010 2:06 PM
My TV Gig That Never Was: The Unabridged Version

November 29, 2010 10:33 AM
Fowl Play

November 17, 2010 2:12 PM
The Redemption of Herald Square

October 25, 2010 7:46 AM
Shanghai Domestics

September 17, 2010 2:40 PM
Plum TV: Made in the Hamptons

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