Object(s) of the Day

I know that it seems that I have disappeared off of the face of the earth. Well I felt like I came close during the last few weeks that we spent in the southern hemisphere. Australia and New Zealand to be exact.

The first stop on our itinerary was the beautiful waterfront city of Sydney, which reminded me so much of San Francisco so I felt right at home. Aside from the eclectic architecture, incredible food, and the lovely beaches the city has a diverse number of museums. The Art Gallery of New South Wales was one of my favorites.

The building is a neoclassical gem that houses a wide variety of collections from Old Masters and Aboriginal Art to Contemporary and Asian.

In particular their Asian art department has an extraordinary collection and I took the photos of the following pieces for their purity of form and exquisite patterns and textures.

The Summer House

My friend Janet from JCB and I share a similar passion for architecture and garden follies in particular. She is has been so wonderful to introduce me to many future painting subjects. While either reading her blog or looking at her incredible photo albums I noticed this exquisite little pavilion.

It turned out that the pavilion was practically in my back yard! Well actually it is a 50 minute drive from my home in DC to the historic William Paca House in Annapolis Maryland.



William Paca was born in Annapolis in 1740. He was educated in Philadelphia and trained for a legal career, which he pursued back in Annapolis. William Paca was Maryland's governor for three one year terms from 1782 to 1785. He supported state ratification of the United States Constitution in 1788 after proposing the addition of the Bill of Rights. In 1789 President George Washington appointed him a federal district court judge, which was Paca's last office in a life of public service. He died in 1799.

Construction of his estate began in 1763 and continued until 1765 when it was completed. The architecture of the Main House was built in the Georgian style, which was typical of this time. His two acre garden was also laid out during construction. It included parterres, canals, and a small pond featuring a delightful wood bridge in the Chinese Chippendale style. The entire gardens were surrounded by beautifully detailed brick walls. At the far end of the garden he built the two story summer pavilion. From the upper floor the Paca family could view the garden, entertain guests and enjoy summer breezes.

Sadly the original gardens and summer house did not survive over the years but in the 1960's and 70's the gardens were restored to their former glory. The summer house was reconstructed from the portrait above of William Paca, which includes the original summer house in the background. While visiting some friends in Annapolis I was able to quickly visit the gardens and measure the existing pavilion so that I could create the painting above back at home.




If you are in the DC area and want to escape the modern life of the city make sure you head to the William Paca house and step back into the 18th century while enjoying it's peaceful gardens.

Chick Austin's Palladian Villa

One of my favorite briefly lived magazines was Classic Home, which was published for a short time during the 90's. I am fortunate to have saved two issues from the fall and summer of 1995. The magazine featured fascinating articles and rarely photographed interiors.

One article in particular has always stood out in my mind and I have been meaning to share it with all of you.

I don't know about you but until I read this article I had no idea of who Chick Austin was but I sure wish I could have known him. He is a fascinating character and a true aesthete.




In 1900 A. Everett Austin Jr. was born in Boston to a wealthy and influential family. At the early age of three his parents began taking him to Europe and exposing him to much of it's artistic treasures. He attended various schools abroad in Paris and Dresden and back to the US in New England. In 1922 he graduated from Harvard University.

Shortly after graduating he was off to Egypt to join an archaeological expedition. From there he began studying painting in Siena, Italy and brought his experiences and expertise back to Harvard where he taught a painting class of his own. During this time Chick also studied architecture and museum studies.

1927 marked an important and life changing period in his life when he was named director of the Wadsworth Atheneum museum in Hartford Connecticut and continued his position there until 1945.

Founded in 1892 the Wadsworth Atheneum has become one of the oldest public art museums in the United States. During his tenure there he transformed the traditional direction of the museum while expanding it's focus to include modern French and American painters such as Picasso, Miro, Mondrian, and Edward Hopper.

While honeymooning in Italy with his new wife, Helen Goodwin, they came across the Villa Ferretti between Padua and Venice. The Palladian design of the villa provided the architectural inspiration for him to build his own version in wood back in Hartford where construction began in 1930.

The original Villa Ferretti

Chick Austins interpretation in Hartford Connecticut

Although he embraced modernism and the Bauhaus movement with open arms his other passion and expertise included the Baroque and Rococo periods. The villa was decorated in Austins two favorite styles. Baroque and Rococo on the first floor and Bauhaus modern on the second.






Sadly, Chick passed away from cancer in 1957 but fortunately his widow and children gave the preserved house and most of it's contents to the Wadsworth Atheneum museum in 1985 where it can be visited by appointment only.

In discussing Chick one of his close friends was quoted as saying "A whole cultural movement in one man". What a fitting observation for a man who left behind so much beauty.

The Gates of Nantucket

One cannot visit the island of Nantucket and not be completely entranced by the beautiful houses, glorious gardens, and the surrounding beaches. As we recently explored the island I found myself constantly having to pinch myself, as each house and garden that I came across outdid the previous one. In particular I was drawn to all of the different gates that offered a framed window into the enchanting gardens beyond.

I found that the arched arbor with the white pickets were typical for Nantucket and I loved all of the different variations.

Another common feature of Nantucket gardens were the beautiful old hedges with many of them forming arches above the gates.

It had rained heavily the night before leaving everything wet and smelling wonderful. I loved the patina of moss on this old wood gate.

During one of our bicycle trips to Sconset, which is on the same island, I came across this charming cottage. Note how the climbing roses are trained to continue over the roof. Another common garden feature in Nantucket.

Even the birdhouse in the distance is charming.

I almost fell off my bike when I came across this extraordinary hedge.

Another photo of the same gate showing the gardens beyond.

The dramatic height of these hedges created an amazing perspective drawing your eye to the front door.

Off to Maine

Were off on a long road trip to Maine and Nantucket for a little R&R, hiking, and of course antiquing! I will look forward to sharing photos from our trip with all of you upon our return.

On my own

I am thrilled to announce that I have taken the plunge and decided to go out on my own. Michael Hampton Design is official! For the past 15 years I have been fortunate to work for two of the most talented designers who have taught me so much and who have helped train my eye to recognize beauty and refinement. With all that I have learned I felt that it was time to pursue my own projects and my own vision. I am incredibly excited to see what the future holds.

I thought that I would share some vignettes from my own home with all of you.

A grouping of various carved heads from China, Bali, and a small marble Roman. With a bronze neoclassical tazza in the back.

A small tablescape including a 19th century miniature portrait painted on ivory with an ivory frame. These miniatures were painted as souvenirs and the frames were made from old piano keys. In the front I have a small lidded bowl from Korea, which was a gift from my former boss, Steven Volpe.

I love the sculptural forms and beautiful patinas of the various old African currency that I have collected. The small circular piece is actually an old stone Khmer bracelet. In the background is a partial view of my original watercolor painting of the Chateau de Clagny painted by Andrew Zega and Bernd Dams. One of our most treasured pieces.

Roses and a couple of favorite parchment and shagreen boxes. The roses were a gift from my partner David to celebrate going out on my own. They are the perfect roses. If only I could make them last forever!

These are a few of my favorite rooms....

I keep a collage above my desk of rooms and images that never fail to inspire me. One of them is the dining room of former antique dealer extraordinaire, Acko Van Acker. Sadly his former shop on the rue de l'Universite' exists no more but years ago I had the great pleasure of visiting his shop. At the time it was one of the most interesting shops in Paris. He had an eye for the extraordinary and the unusual and he mixed in all together into a fantasy world of beauty, proof in the room above. It was the kind of shop you could truly spend hours in. If you have the book "Antiquaire" make sure you look for the photos of his shop.

Another room that always inspires is the Manhattan townhouse of Jane Holzer formerly known as Baby Jane Holzer who was one of Andy Warhol's superstars.
I have always loved the juxtaposition between modern and classical as the above photo shows. What a surprise to walk in this the entry of a classically designed building and find the John Dickinson metal console, surrounded by modern paintings, and the Giacometti chair. The box of fruit loops and the strange bouquet of black flowers add a very personal and unique touch to the rooms. I would pull up that fabulous Giacometti chair right up to the console and have myself a bowl of fruit loops. All I would need is a pitcher of milk!

I am the first to admit that I have and always will be a true Francophile. How I wish that I could have lived during the Ancien Regime. However I have lost interest in period rooms. Sure they are always fascinating to admire but again I love the mix of the 18th and 20th centuries as shown in the above. What makes this room so fresh and inspiring is many things. First the modern painting contrasted with the Louis XV chairs below. Second the omission of the expected rug and curtains. It is clear that the light coming into the room is perfect so why obstruct it with a window treatment. And the terracotta tiled floor has the most beautiful color and patina so why cover it. One can only imagine the view from the windows!

We are off to Boston for the weekend so I should have lot's of great photos to share with you next week.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!