The tastemakers: CeCe Barfield Thompson and Alexandra O’Neill
The New York-based designers met while studying art history at college. Now they have come together to curate our August Interiors sale, as well as creating special collections inspired by the lots that caught their eye
For fashion designer Alexandra O’Neill, who designs ready-to-wear clothes for Markarian, the part of her job she loves the most is finding ‘a reference or an inspiration’ around which to develop an entire collection. For her close friend, the interior designer CeCe Barfield Thompson of CeCe Barfield Inc, it’s all about ‘finding the narrative — one-of-a-kind things that come together to create a unique story’.
A pair of Italian inlaid marble D-form jardinieres, 20th century. 40¼ in (102.2 cm) high, 49¼ in (125 cm) wide, 20½ in (52.1 cm) deep. Estimate: $5,000-8,000. Offered in Interiors on 21-22 August 2019 at Christie’s in New York
Christie’s approached O'Neill and Thompson, who first met at college while studying art history, about curating its Interiors sale in New York on 21 and 22 August. After viewing the lots in the Christie’s warehouse, however, they felt impelled to do more.
A pair of large button-tufted recamiers, 20th century. 36½ in (93 cm) high, 93 in (236 cm) wide, 44 in (112 cm) deep. Estimate: $5,000-8,000. Offered in Interiors on 21-22 August 2019 at Christie’s in New York
‘We love antiques, we love design, we love history,’ says Barfield Thompson. ‘So we thought it would be fun to take [those elements] and create something together.’ The result is two capsule collections — one home wear, the other dresses — inspired by lots in the sale.
A Chinese iron-red and blue enamel vase and cover, Qianlong period, third quarter 18th century. 13¾ in (34.8 cm) high. Estimate: $1,000-1,500. Offered in Interiors on 21-22 August 2019 at Christie’s in New York
A chinese enamel-on-copper large jardiniere, Qing dynasty, 19th century. 24 in (60.9 cm) diameter. Estimate: $2,000-3,000. Offered in Interiors on 21-22 August 2019 at Christie’s in New York
A Chinese enamel-on-copper jardinière, 18th/early 19th century, the interior enamelled as a fish bowl. 24 in (60.9 cm.) diameter. Estimate: $2,000-3,000. Offered in Interiors on 21-22 August at Christie’s in New York
‘Imagine having the perfect hostess ensemble,’ says a smiling O’Neill, who produced special fabrics for a collection of dresses, ‘where you can have the dress that matches your linens, that matches your china and crystal. The great thing about antiques is that they can translate into something beautiful and modern for your home, that also has a history to it.’
A Dutch delft blue and white five-vase garniture, Late 18th/19th century, blue numerals. 17¼ in (43.8 cm) high, the tallest. Estimate: $3,000-5,000. Offered in Interiors on 21-22 August 2019 at Christie’s in New York
‘That’s what we have tried to do with the collections we’ve made,’ confirms Barfield Thompson, ‘to show how you can breathe new life into older pieces and to make them your own.’