Bows and frills

The new Tate exhibition Impressionists in London isn't all that interesting... a bit too much about quite an obscure subject (French artists in exile between 1870 to 1904). But the final room of Monet's Thames series is wonderful. AndJames Tissot's paintings have some fabulous fabrics. Apparently he was the son of a fabric merchant so had a very sharp eye.
The ribbons, bows and frills of his high society paintings are breathtaking - to think that women really dressed like this. The fabric in portraits of men, too, is pretty stunning - whether framing the languid - or jaded - partygoer or the dazed wounded soldier.

Hush! James Tissot/1875

Captain Frederick Burnaby: Late at the Ball

The Wounded Soldier/James Tisson c. 1870

A bedroom and (un) comfort zone

A fabulous bedroom on display in a shop window in Mayfair. So very 50s -  the brilliant use of fabric creates an atmosphere. I used to have a dressing table like this in my bedroom as a child. In fact still have one sans the drapes. But this bedroom isn't a peaceful haven - it's deliberately created to disconcert (more on the designers' website) - the cigarette, the pills, the underwear, the kicked off shoes and overturned chair....