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Good Quotes: Andree Putman on Authentic Style

2008-04-07-putmankitchen.jpg Interior designer Andree Putman had these wise words to share regarding style: "Unless you have a feeling for that secret knowledge that modest things can be more beautiful than anything expensive, you will never have style."

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Quote from: Chic Simple:Home
Photos: from this 2005 New York Times Magazine slideshow; by Henry Bourne

Comments (9)

Wow nice work

posted by RKDsign on 2008-04-07 11:48:33
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Aaaahhhh...!

posted by monika1 on 2008-04-07 13:43:23
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great quote.

posted by eebnyc on 2008-04-07 17:50:38
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Now THAT is small and cool.

posted by wannabe minimalist on 2008-04-07 19:38:19
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Andree hit the nail on the head. I buy what I love and what I think is beautiful, not what is trendy/expensive.

posted by kuroneko on 2008-04-07 22:09:03
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Agreed... but I can't help but feel that while everything in the pictures appears understated and beautiful, it also appears expensive.

posted by jick on 2008-04-07 22:58:02
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The only thing that is modest in the above interior is the plate those expensive bon-bons are on. And probably that is expensive too. I recently read in a book where she complains about the prices of furniture. But I wonder how much her demi-lune sofas are, not to mention her design services. Just like every other designer who aspires to humility, she is really out of touch and quite pretentious. Luckily for all of us she is a genius and we can enjoy her talents even if her mouth runs.

posted by M on 2008-04-08 00:59:31
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Many many years ago, I saw Andrée Putnam put together a design-on-a-shoestring for a US tv show (GMA? Today Show?...?), and she pulled it off very successfully, sticking to her signature look of restrained simplicity.

Her designs do not feature many "big name" pieces, and those that she does include are relatively modest. For example, the Thonet chairs above are quite common, and can often be found for a song.

I am sure her services are expensive, and she has a forceful personality, but her designs speak for themselves.

posted by monika1 on 2008-04-08 08:11:59
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If those thonet chairs are not new, they ARE expensive. That particular back is more expensive. Most of the apartment is custom, and that is a finn juhl chair -- a nice one. I'm sure some of that other stuff is for show. I doubt the owners pay their bills sitting on that industrial stool.

Design on a shoestring is a showbiz gimmick. Sure there are some good tips, but what pleases viewers is talent, the expensive talent of a genius.

posted by M on 2008-07-08 12:03:45
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