The Beginnings of de Gournay

de Gournay's journey began in the early 1990s. I had been helping my uncle Claud during university holidays, and one project we had been playing with was this idea for de Gournay. At the time, it was a small collection of items that Claud had sourced from China, which he was running from his basement while holding down a proper job as a chartered accountant. What started as a brief project soon grew into a lifelong endeavour, and we are both still here, working harder than ever and convinced that one day we will truly 'get there.'

de Gournay's Design Philosophy

The essence of de Gournay’s design philosophy is rooted in the belief that knowing what one is good at and playing to those strengths can lead to extraordinary outcomes - don’t be afraid to take a different path if it feels right. By drawing on historical resources, we create patterns with long lifespans which transcend fashions. Our mantra? Do everything exceptionally well, and eventually, people will notice. 

When it comes to our designs, our biggest design inspiration is history and equally the world around us. There really is very little new under the sun and keeping your eyes open always leads to inspiring ideas, often when you are not looking for them.

Dominic's Top Picks

While we don't claim to be interior designers, I approach styling as an amateur with a strong interest. I start with the constraints that I can’t change and choose to celebrate the eclectic inherited and gathered items rather than discard them. The challenge is to make an interior that is exciting and speaks of your personality. It should be comfortable and stand the test of time, while incorporating items that tell a story of family and collecting. I always try to remember function before form because I believe you can make almost anything pretty, but you can’t change poor basic layout.

Taking a look at the March Fine Furniture and Works of Art auction, I am drawn to Lot 12, the William & Mary side table. It shows the exceptional skill of the maker in the patterns they created with inlay of different woods. It is exceptionally fine and symmetrical work - the longer you look at it, the more you find new details to appreciate.

There are several lots that stand out to me for the decorative statement they bring to a space. They are more than simply supporting actors to the room - these are pieces that create the room. Lot 467, the very handsome and proper William Kent style console, falls in this category, but also in the family for me albeit a different flavour of it is Lot 159, the theatrical Thomas Hope window seats, which I’d like to see paired with Lot 198, the James Wyatt’s giltwood daybeds. Together they could form a most dramatic staging that would stop viewers in their tracks.  

I have a weakness for bronzes and I rather adore Lot 155, the curmudgeonly looking old rhino. Lot 529 are the Pelicans which are an unusual subject, devoid of too much sentimentality, but still lovely to look at. I could imagine everyone from young children to serious adults finding their eye lingering on these for a moment.

The catalogue description says 'novelty', but what a novelty item Lot 571 is! The cold painted bronze crocodile clock is made beautifully enough to demand it be taken more seriously than the subject suggests it might. I adore the Peter Pan connections - who does not want to be able to relive their youth?

The object that surprised me is Lot 178, a simple blue glass and gilt decorated mirror. For me, simple ingredients have been combined in a way that makes the whole more than the sum of its parts.

The items illustrated here have been paired with framed panels of de Gournay's beautiful 'Earlham' Chinoiserie design. The iterations include emerald green dyed silk, sung blue Williamsburg, and Gentleman’s pink India tea paper. These will be offered as part of this auction as three exclusive lots (Lots 501-503).

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Auction Details

Wednesday 26 & Thursday 27 March, 10.30am GMT
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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VIEWING:

• Viewing in Newbury: Donnington Priory, RG14 2JE
  • Friday 21 March: 10am-4pm
  • Saturday 22 March: 10am-3pm
  • Sunday 23 March: 10am-3pm
  • Monday 24 March: 10am-4pm
  • Tuesday 25 March: 9am-4pm
  • Wednesday 26 March: 9am-4pm
  • Thursday 27 March: 9am-1pm
• Dreweatts Remote Viewing Service | Available from Friday 21 March
• Dreweatts 360 Virtual Auction Tour | Available from Saturday 22 March

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Website: degournay.com
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+44 (0) 20 7352 9988
info@degournay.com

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