Friday, July 6, 2007

eBay Find of the Day: Dorothy Draper Espana Chest

Ah, Dorothy Draper. What's not to love about her? Such style and panache, and such totally over-the-top WASPy fabulousness.

(If you're not familiar with the legendary designer, be sure to check out the amazing book In the Pink: Dorothy Draper, America's Most Fabulous Decorator, about her life and work, as well as Draper's own recently reissued how-to tome, Decorating is Fun!)

Circa-1950s black lacquer Espana chests like this one, designed by Draper for Heritage Furniture, are much in demand by designers and others who favor a "dramatic-glam" look. Here's one used to great effect by the incredible Los Angeles designer Vanessa De Vargas in her own home:

Similar chests typically sell for several hundred dollars or more (there's a virtually identical model listed by another eBay seller right now with a starting bid of $375, for instance). With two days left in the auction, the bidding may still get heated -- but for now, at least, this is looking like a total steal.

Current bid: $22.

(Bottom photo: Lisa Romerein for Sunset Magazine.)

3 comments:

a. said...

Love Draper!

Unknown said...

I love the last photo of Vanessa's home. Very Chic.

Anonymous said...

Can anyone tell me if that second photo w/ the flowers arranged on the black and silver piece, is indeed a Dorothy Draper piece. Or is the "virtually identical" piece that was on ebay? I saw that in a store near my house and am interested in buying it! Does anyone know how much I should pay? Thanks so much!

 

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