Today's post is a little unusual in that it is all about bad (and I mean BAD) design. Dictator Style: Lifestyles of the World's Most Colorful Despots
by Peter York is a tongue-in-cheek look at the terrible taste displayed by some of the world's worst dictators. I hope no one takes offense at my post, because these dictators' terrible deeds should not be forgotten. That said, I do think the trappings that these people chose for themselves are certainly an extension of their greed and their visions of self-importance.
Should you go out and add this to your design library? Probably not. It's obviously not a book that you'll refer to. But, if you have a friend with a twisted sense of humor, this book might be right up their alley. (And not to worry, good taste will return on Friday!)
Tito of Yugoslavia. What a mish-mash! And let's not get started on the taxidermy!
A ghastly room in the palace of Nicolae Ceausescu. Love the collection of porcelain clocks and the oil painting of his wife (did she recently graduate or something?).
Rug owned by Ceausescu. Yikes!
Imelda Marcos as Venus? Notice the coral encrusted bodice and the large shell she's holding- it's filled with mini family members!
by Peter York is a tongue-in-cheek look at the terrible taste displayed by some of the world's worst dictators. I hope no one takes offense at my post, because these dictators' terrible deeds should not be forgotten. That said, I do think the trappings that these people chose for themselves are certainly an extension of their greed and their visions of self-importance.Should you go out and add this to your design library? Probably not. It's obviously not a book that you'll refer to. But, if you have a friend with a twisted sense of humor, this book might be right up their alley. (And not to worry, good taste will return on Friday!)
Tito of Yugoslavia. What a mish-mash! And let's not get started on the taxidermy!
A ghastly room in the palace of Nicolae Ceausescu. Love the collection of porcelain clocks and the oil painting of his wife (did she recently graduate or something?).
Rug owned by Ceausescu. Yikes!
Imelda Marcos as Venus? Notice the coral encrusted bodice and the large shell she's holding- it's filled with mini family members!
12 comments:
You put this together really well! It's actually pretty interesting to see what these folks were drawn to. Yikes is right!
Courtney- It's all pretty awful, isn't it!
Almost bought this but found the printing and paper to be of very poor quality. Interesting, though, that some of the elements in different hands can actually be quite chic.
HBC- Yes, quite true, unfortunately these people never understood the word "moderation".
You really hit the mark on this one! This type of decor is very much an extension of greed and self-importance - and dictators are not always the only ones guilty of it - it makes me laugh a bit, when I see profiles of certain wealthy people with the same design technique. It just goes to show that money cannot buy taste. or style (unless you hire the right decorator!)
Bon Vivant- You're right- many "non dictators" are guilty of it too!
Pretty ghastly and the taxidermy turns my stomach. but gutsy of you to show it.
Sheesh! You just have to wonder what backround these people came from. I think that sometimes you can really "read a book by it's cover"! Glad to see the book!
Hysterical! The picture of the clocks and the portrait with the hat - your comments are so funny! Plus, what's with all those fur coats? Do they show Imelda's shoe collection?
Joni
Joni- They do show a photo of her shoe collection, but there are so many that it's hard to see the forest through the trees, so to speak!
That's pretty hilarious, in a sad kind of way! Thanks for the reference.
Andrea- Sad is an accurate statement!
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