Upside Down/ Inside Out


This was the invitation:
It´s "drawers open and bottoms up" at Rienzi. The Upside Down/Inside Out event highlights select pieces of furniture and other treasured objects from the Rienzi Collection that will be opened up or turned over, giving guests a rare chance to see the inner workings.
Isn't that the best idea ever? Listen, Rienzi is worth a visit any time, if only to listen to the docents. It's worth the price of admission to hear a lady named (no lie) Sally Lunn tell you about the "armaleww" (ormolu) and the "aayperns" (epergnes).

But yesterday we got to see the insides of cabinets, the machinery of an early English long case clock, the undersides of the silver serving pieces, and even an X-ray of a wooden torchiere. They had a first edition of Tom Jones out on display (they kept the Ben Jonson locked up, alas). We saw the stitching and structure of this footstool, created for Spencer House in London [it was evacuated during World War II and then sold off to some rich Texans].

I actually got to the house an hour early (they had the starting time wrong on the online calendar), so I had a chance to wander all over the property and check out the gardens. The camellias were going crazy. In a couple of months it will be all about the azaleas, but I love it when the camellias have their moment.

And I thought of you the whole time, HOBAC.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

An Abecedary of ...

Image
... things to do in Austin with kids. I know it's a day late, but it's a good one --for everything on this list, admission is $5.50 or less per person, excluding food. A lamo Drafthouse children’s movies – last Saturday of each month (free!). Watch the B ats at Congress Avenue bridge (free!). Tour the state C apitol (free!). Watch the water rush over the D am at Red Bud Isle (free!). Swim at E ilers Park , a.k.a. Deep Eddy (adults $3, kids $1). Find f ossils at the Dino Pit at Austin Nature and Science Center in Zilker Park (free!). Play Peter Pan Mini- G olf ($5 adults, $3 for kids 5 and under). Visit the Texas State H istory museum ($5.50/adult, $3/kid over 5). Eat I ce cream at Amy’s (easily <$5 per kid). Play with the J umbo games exhibit at Austin Children’s Museum ($5.50/person over age 2). Visit K iddie Acres (admission is free, but the rides will cost you a little) (Wednesday is discount day). Also, K erbey Lane -- kids eat f
Read more

Reading/ Watching/ Listening

 Reading: The Rules of Civility by Amor Towles. I didn't like it nearly as much as A Gentleman in Moscow . In fact, I liked it only barely enough to keep reading. Watching: Poker Face , on Peacock. Papi and I have enjoyed watching this, one episode at a time, and not every day. It's a little formulaic, but the sets and the guest stars are fun. I like that it changes scenery every episode. Listening to: The Beatles Channel, Sirius XM. Ever since watching Get Back , the Beatles documentary, I've enjoyed listening to them with new ears.
Read more