
Last week, I met designer Jeffrey Bilhuber at a Doyle New York auction gallery exhibition where a signing for his second book, Defining Luxury, the Qualities of Life at Home (Rizzoli, $65) also was taking place.
While we were talking – more about why in a minute – he asked if I planned to bid on anything in the “The Well Appointed Room” sale [a reference to Edith Wharton] of furniture and decorative pieces from three dealers who were friends of his. “No,” I said. “We just finished renovating our apartment.” Then I asked if he planned to bid on anything. “Yes, quite a few things,” he replied.
Well, I figured, he can afford buy what he wants. Plus, he shops for clients like Vogue’s Anna Wintour, Law & Order’s Mariska Hargitay as well as dozens of elite New Yorkers who allow their lavishly decorated homes to be photographed for his books. I still needed basics: new towels for two baths, 13 window treatments, and miscellaneous rugs.

After we finished talking, I looked around the sales floor [above] and noticed multiple groups of framed hand-colored lithographs – the kind you often see in magazines hung in sets of six or more on dining room, bedroom and great room walls. I had given up finding any for my bedroom that I could afford after more than two years of scouring auction catalogs for yellow flowers or fruit.
Suddenly, I noted some that were yellow and very nicely framed. Lot 96 were Belgian flower studies – yellow orchids – done in 1887. The estimate was in my price range. The second set, Lot 144, were yellow apples and pears done around 1853 — also affordable.

I had gone to Doyle to interview Jeffrey Bilhuber, for Shelterpop!, AOL’s home design site where I recently became a contributor. He was making a rare personal appearance. My interview with him was published the next day. I was not shopping.
On the way out, the power of Jeffrey’s suggestion took hold. I left low bids on both lots of lithographs and — while I secretly dreaded getting them all – I was thrilled to snag the set of six fruits at an lucky, absolutely amazing price!
I picked them up yesterday afternoon – thank you Jeffrey.

So where will they go? My idea was over our bed — it’s just so empty there — though I do want my husband’s opinion since I also have a good spot in the dining room. I just need to wait a little before I haul them out of the closet where they are stashed. The new bathroom towels arrived yesterday, too.