Grey Gardens Style

Summertime, sailboats, and sunsets! I suppose that is what started me on the sailboat painting collection. Spending summers in East Hampton and Amagansett, my eye wanders toward art that will remind me of those summer memories and how good it can be. Long Island is really a very special place in the summer – and now living in California – I can tell you that there is nothing like the summers on the east coast. On this post I am displaying some of the Grey Gardens Collection – and each one has a different style.

The first painting is beautifully done and also framed in a heavy silver wooden frame. The colors are unusual and subdued and the style of the painting is slightly impressionistic. The painting is oil on board and is signed by the artist, which appears to be Florence Viccetti.

Sailboat Painting on board by Florence Viccetti

The painting below has a completely different look, but I was drawn to it because of the colors and style of the painting. This is a vintage painting – as you can see the style of boats in the picture and also the look of the painting. This artist, William Ward Jr. has  signed the work.  He died in 1935 so my hunch was right about this one being vintage.  William Ward Jr. painted landscapes and seascapes and he is listed for his works. The frame is simple- but charming. Again – slightly impressionistic style – and the colors are great.

Oil Painting of Sailboats by William Ward Jr.

The painting below appears to be a very old painting perhaps done in Morocco or the islands somewhere.  Hard to say – but the colors are really alive – and beautiful.  The sails have deep red and blue from the sunset. This artist signed the painting “ Loraine.” There is no date but it is a vintage piece.

Sailboat painting signed "Loraine"

The next painting is European – and has a completely different style than the ones above. This is a Renaissance style painting – and it is well done.  Original frame with some wear – but this one has the gallery look!  I am sure at Grey Gardens – in the 1920’s one could imagine art work like these in one of the rooms! Decorating with artwork is amazing – you can really create a great look.

Renaissance Style Oil Painting

Paintings are available for sale at GreyGardensCollections.com.

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As I began putting together the concept for Grey Gardens Collections one of the first items that came to mind to talk about was white ironstone. For those of you who are not familiar with white ironstone — ironstone is china that was first made and patented in Staffordshire England in 1813. It was harder than earthenware and stronger than porcelain. In 1842, James Edwards marketed the first white ironstone china in America and it has been very popular ever since.

I first noticed ironstone at an antiques show in East Hampton. I remember walking by Martha Stewart just after I had been admiring the beautiful ironstone collection at a dealer’s booth. I bought my first piece about 20 years ago at a large flea market and the vendor told me she was born and raised in East Hampton, and I immediately connected the ironstone with the original Grey Gardens house. Knowing that during the 1920s and 1930s, Edie and her family had the best of everything, I could picture ironstone on the table at the Beales’ home at Grey Gardens back in the early days.

White Ironstone at Grey Gardens Collections

I have been collecting for years since and I get great use out of my collection on a daily basis. Ironstone is so utilitarian as it is very sturdy and only comes in one color — white. I think that the simplicity of these white plates, platters, pitchers, and tureens is the reason why so many people love to collect it. You can always spot ironstone, and the older the pieces, the better. The older ironstone from the late 1800’s has a very slight blue tint and you can tell the older from the newer by this characteristic.

You will find different markings on the bottom of the ironstone. Some are so old and the stamp has worn away – but very often it can stilll be recognized. I recently contacted the White Ironstone Association at www.whiteironstonechina.com, as I was curious to know what certain markings meant. (You can go to the website or call 203-938-3740 and learn about your pieces.) I called about a recent purchase – a soup tureen and was pleased to learn the details about it – the markings when compared to a chart revealed the date it was created and the name of the pattern.

Ironstone Pitcher with Hydrangeas

Decorating is easy with ironstone and there are many ways to use it. One of my favorite decorating ideas for a dinner party or event — or just everyday use – is to fill an ironstone pitcher with any kind of floral bouquet.  Or take a pedestal bowl or a tureen without the top and fill it with seashells or lemons or any other decoration. Your guests will take notice without a doubt!

We have a wonderful selection of ironstone at Grey Gardens Collections, including a perfect soup tureen with the ladle and cover. There is not a single chip anywhere and it is in pristine condition. Coffee pots and vegetable bowls are also become available, and I post them as I find them.

Ironstone goes with everything — and the best part is that you can use these different pieces very often. The displays you can make with ironstone will add to your style — just as you see these in photos – ironstone stands out from the ordinary china.

Ironstone Collection courtesy of Country Living Magazine

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Welcome to the first post of “Grey Gardens Style.”

Antique Hydrangea Fabric by Grey Gardens Collections

To introduce myself, my name is Eva Marie Beale, and I am married to Bouvier Beale — whose Grandmother (Big Edie) and Aunt (Little Edie) lived at Grey Gardens in East Hampton. Their story was made famous by the Maysles Brothers documentary in the 70s, and more recently by the HBO movie, “Grey Gardens,” starring Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore.

After Little Edie passed away in 2002, we made the decision to put together a book of photographs and writing from her early life and published “Edith Bouvier Beale of Grey Gardens, A Life in Pictures.” We wanted to share some of the images we have of Edie as she was growing up, and give some background on her early history.

While working on the book, I became absorbed into the time period and the style of the era. Little Edie inspired me in many ways as I began to understand her story.

For years I have been treasure hunting at flea markets around the world and developing my own design sense. As these two interests came together, it seemed a natural progression to develop a line of items called “Grey Gardens Collections,” as a tribute to Little Edie.

Where to start? Naturally, I thought the best way to start would be with antiques and vintage items. I was very familiar with some of the items that Edie left behind, like her famous French opera glasses – or a beautiful silver tray.  These items share one thing in common — opulence.

My desire has been to develop a style defined by luxury combined with comfort that evokes the lifestyle of the Big and Little Edie at Grey Gardens during the 30s and 40s. I have always been attracted to antique paintings, fabric, silver, ironstone – and other antiques that together create décor with an eclectic feel.

One of Grey Gardens Collections’ first projects was an antique hydrangea fabric design inspired by photos of Big and Little Edie posing outside of the house, in front of Hydrangea bushes. Our Antique Hydrangea fabric is available in three colorways (pink, blue and white) and also available as pillows.

We will also be developing wallpaper, duvet covers, table covering and more. Stay tuned!

Big Edie (left) and Little Edie (right) pose in front of the Hydrangeas & Rhododendrons at Grey Gardens

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