I found an article from House & Garden, August 1967, about Arabesque. So what exactly is Arabesque? Good question. According to H&G, it's an "ebullient, this-minute style of decoration and furniture arrangement" that was derived from the "Arabic-Islamic arts of the Middle Ages." Sounds rather serious, no? Fortunately, it doesn't look too terribly serious, or at least it didn't back in 1967.
Seeing that I've got a deadline fast approaching and am pressed for time, I'm going to cut to the chase and just show the photos. Let's start with the photo at top. Pretty fabulous, huh? I love the Palampore fabric used for the bed hangings and the walls. The matting on the floor and ceiling is kind of wacky, especially when you see that it was also used on the molding and trim. The designer? It was none other than Billy Baldwin.
This room, decked out in one bold print, was decorated by Joan Axelrod. I'm taken with the low-slung sofas that were placed in front of each window.
Of all four rooms, I would say that this one is the most dated looking. Don't you think the fabric on the walls and sofa looks a bit Holly Hobby?
You might remember this photo from the Domino article about House & Garden editor Mary Jane Poole's apartments. Poole was inspired by the photo of Lee Radziwill in her Mongiardino decorated room. My favorite part of the room just might be that blue ceiling.
(All images from House & Garden, August 1967)