Russian Rooms A La Anna Karenina

For my fellow Anglophiles who can't seem to get enough of period movies and actors such as Keira Knightley, Jude Law and Matthew Macfadyen (Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice), we have only a few days to wait for the new Anna Karenina movie opening in theaters November 16.  The director, Joe Wright, and the producers worked together on Pride and Prejudice and Atonement, so we can expect another winner. 

Although this movie is set in Russia, rather than England, it will still more than satisfy our interest in the fashion, elegance, life and drama of the 19th Century.    Anna Karenina, the novel, is an epic, tragic love story written by Leo Tolstoy in installments from 1873 to 1877.  It is considered by many critics as one of the greatest novels ever written. 

At the recent fall furniture market, Maitland-Smith unveiled our own new lifestyle of lavish Russian-inspired furnishings with all the gilt, carvings and inlays that one expects of the period. 

 Here we have a handsome chest of drawers with hand carving, gilding and loads of brass pulls and escutcheons made in our own foundry.  The finish is a combination of black lacquer with polished mahogany and the top is black waxstone with a brass inlay.  You must agree that this is very regal indeed. 

Next we have a writing desk which also evokes the Russian Empire look with black lacquer and gilding, black leather inlay and brass accents.  I can almost picture Count Vronsky working here. 

Lastly we feature a tripod occasional table with gorgeous wood grain on the top and beautiful marquetry inlay.  Pierced interlocking circles of brass encircle the top and the black lacquered legs are gilded. 

While we hopeless romantics wait for the next season of Downton Abbey to begin, we can look forward to sitting in the dark very soon with a big bag of popcorn ready to transport ourselves to 19th Century Russia and experience Anna Karenina. 

These new Maitland-Smith pieces will be available at your local fine home furnishings store next summer should you wish to create your own Russian-inspired rooms. 

Elegant and distinctive pieces for your home today, with quality and style to last a lifetime... Do you have a Maitland-Smith treasure?  www.maitland-smith.com