D O Y L E N E W Y O R K
A U C T I O N E D T H E C O L L E C T I O N O F I N T E R I O R D E S I G N E R
D A V I D E A S T O N
O N M A R C H 2 8 , 2 0 0 7
Featuring Furniture, Decorations and Paintings from Balderbrae
Sale Totaled $1,607,130, Well Over Pre-Sale Estimate of $773,300-1,154,800
Doyle New York held an auction of The Collection of David Easton on Wednesday, March 28, 2007. The sale showcased almost 600 lots featuring furniture, decorations and paintings from Balderbrae, Mr. Easton's historic home bordering on Harriman State Park in Suffern, New York. With competitive bidding from a crowded salesroom and numerous telephone, Internet and absentee bidders, the collection totaled $1,607,130, well over the pre-sale estimate of $773,300-1,154,800 with 97% sold by lot and 98% sold by value..
Highlighting the selection of furniture was a pair of rare Victorian ivory inlaid ebony tilt-top tables made by W. Roberts Ports, Ruthin Castle, 1869. The tabletops were inlaid with a facade of Ruthin Castle, and the pair attracted a great deal of attention from dealers and private buyers who bid the tables up to $27,000, far surpassing their estimate of $8,000-12,000. Also selling for $27,000, comfortably over their estimate of $15,000-25,000, was a fine pair of Spanish Baroque ebonized and silver gilt mirrors from the first quarter of the 18th century.
Lighting fixtures in the Collection featured a large Italian Rococo
style painted and parcel gilt chandelier that proved popular among
bidders at the sale. This highly decorative chandelier fetched $24,000
against an estimate of $10,000-15,000. Among the loggia furnishings from
Balderbrae was a handsome set of eight white painted armchairs designed
with trellis backs from Clifton Little Venice, London. Estimated at
$4,000-6,000, the set sold for a staggering $20,400.
David Easton, the renowned architect and interior designer, is known for
his uniquely fresh adaptation of Georgian Classicism. The architecture
and decoration of his American houses blend the tradition and
sophistication inspired by the relaxed elegance and comfort of the great
English country houses with a distinctly American sensibility.
Many of the pieces from Balderbrae came from the legendary London
decorating firm of Colefax and Fowler, and the collection, with its
combination of comfortable and graceful style, suggested the time he
spent working for the venerable Parish Hadley firm. Having designed
many stately homes, he considers the way architecture, interior and
landscape flow together to create a unified vision. Always mindful of
his clients' modern lifestyle, he has a unique way of updating
traditional English-inspired interiors for contemporary residences.
B A L D E R B R A E
Suffern, New York
David Easton and James Steinmeyer purchased Balderbrae in 1980 after a year of searching for a seasonal home and retreat close to New York City. David was drawn to the Suffern, New York property by the potential of the original landscape which offered an enclosed stone walled garden adjacent to a small stone cottage. It was later discovered that the cottage and garden had been constructed prior to 1910 and had once belonged to Louise Beebe Wilder, considered by some to be the Gertrude Jekyll of American Gardening. Over the next four years, the property and gardens would be transformed and restored into what would become one of David’s signature residences.
Working with a clean slate of only the walled garden and existing cottage on the south end of the parcel, David would design and build a new American style main house to complement the existing elements. Constructed opposite from the original cottage, the new structure included a large living and dining space, master bedroom, study and two living porches. The northern exposure of the main house faced an alley of trees leading to magnificent, seasonal views of Harriman State Park. The magical setting of the original landscape was preserved to the south. Taking advantage of the gardens, the southern porches offered the much published outdoor living spaces with an outdoor fireplace, sitting area and a separate dining porch. Opposite the porches, the existing stone cottage was transformed into a two bedroom guest house. A swimming pool was later added to the garden between the two structures.
During the following 20 years, David filled the house with wonderful pieces collected from around the world. The pair of mirrors in the living room were acquired from Gene Tyson, a collector known for the most wonderful mirrors and an amazing eye for beautiful antiques. A magnificent pair of ebonized and ivory turned tables from Geoffrey Bennison could be found in the living room.
Much of the contents of Balderbrae as well as many other fine pieces, including those designed by this icon of American design, will be included auction.
-- Jimmy Steinmeyer
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D A V I D E A S T O N , I N C .
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David Easton Incorporated is one of the nation's premiere full service interior design and architecture firms. Although often touted as a “celebrity” designer, David Easton is a serious practitioner and scholar of neo-classical design and architecture. His wide-ranging architectural talents coupled with his inherent sense of proportion and scale enables him to create not just elegant and timeless interiors, but architectural facades and details of historic significance. By interpreting the taste and aspirations of his clients into extraordinary residences for almost thirty years, David has proven a master of every style.
Over the last decade, David has expanded his business to include very select commercial, licensing and hospitality projects. In order to ensure that all projects receive detailed attention, David maintains a state of the art office and a staff of over forty professionals representing the best in their fields in order to ensure that all projects receive detailed attention. Both Architects and Designers work directly with David, allowing him to bring his talents to bear on all aspects of a project.
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A F T E R N O O N T E A W I T H D A V I D E A S T O N
A B E N E F I T F O R T H E R O Y A L O A K F O U N D A T I O N
Friday, March 23, 4 – 6pm
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Prior to the auction, Kathleen M. Doyle hosted afternoon tea with
acclaimed architect and interior designer David Easton. Held within the
exhibition of The Collection of David Easton, the tea benefited The
Royal Oak Foundation - the American membership affiliate of the National
Trust of Engdland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Guests enjoyed their tea
surrounded by Mr. Easton's extraordinary collection of furniture and
decorations arranged to evoke the elegance and comfort of his country
home, Balderbrae.
The Royal Oak Foundation raises funds for the preservation and
conservation of the National Trust's outstanding portfolio of over 400
historic properties. Through its national program of lectures and tours,
Royal Oak highlights English history, architecture and design, fine and
decorative arts, and gardens. David Easton has had a long history with
The Royal Oak Foundation. In addition to being a member and generous
supporter for over 15 years, he served on the Board of Directors from
1992-1998 and was Chairman of the American Designers for the New York
Royal Oak Designer Showhouse in 1990.
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AUCTION
The Collection of David Easton
DATE
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
INFORMATION
Client Services Department, 212-427-4141, ext. 207 or 242, Client.Services@DoyleNewYork.com
Mary Cunningham, 212-427-4141, ext. 269, Mary.Cunningham@DoyleNewYork.com
CATALOGUE
Subscriptions Department, 212-427-4141, ext. 257, subscriptions@DoyleNewYork.com
View catalogue
MEDIA
CONTACT
Louis LeB. Webre, Vice President, Marketing and Media, 212-427-4141,
ext 232, Louis.Webre@DoyleNewYork.com
Images and interviews are available upon request.
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