WELCOME to Nest by Tamara blog

WELCOME to Nest by Tamara blog
Hi- It's Tamara. I'm happy you've stopped by, and since 2010 I've been sharing my passion for interior design, history, art, entertaining, travel & fashion. I am an interior designer, textile designer and writer living and working in New York City and East Hampton, Long Island. My musings have taken me to international design, art, antique and epicurean events and I have lots to share. I'm grateful to have been listed as the #1 top design blog, blogs to watch, top design blogs and named and awarded Rising Star of Design by the IFDA NY industry organization. Please feel free to reach out to our team for an interior design consultation at NestbyTamara.com -Tamara

Take a Look at Star Forts and a lovely collection of these historic pen, ink and watercolor drawings at The Art, Design & Antique Show in NYC!



I have seen these mysterious designs called 
before and often wondered about their origins. 
According to Wikipedia -- 
"A star fort, or trace italienne, is a fortification in a style that evolved during the age of gunpowder when the cannon came to dominate the battlefield.  It was first seen in the mid-15th century in Italy"
Many artists like Michaelangelo refined the style of drawing, planning and sketching. 
 this six piece collection called 
Fortifications, circa 1720-1820  
is available for sale 
this weekend in New York City
I just love these rare pen, ink and watercolor architectural drawings created from the 18th and 19th centuries. This six piece collection was hand picked from England, France and Switzerland and collected over a 15 year period by my friend antique dealer, collector and shop owner Andrew Spindler. Originally created by students at royal military academies as part of their training on proper defense and the design of fortifications, they are a beautiful medley of designs that at first glance look similar to landscape plans for an elaborate French garden. Instead, some are actual built fortifications, such as Vauban de Montlouis in the eastern French Purenees.  Others in the collection are conceptual, architectural exercises in military defense.  These are a spectacular documentation of historic European architecture, military and design. Although these fine renderings are historic, they hold an abstract and contemporary feel as well which allows them to work in a variety of settings.  
Andrew Spindler is showcasing his collection along with a treasure trove of other wares from his shop Spindler Antiques in Essex, Massachusetts this weekend in New York City at the new antique fair
Wallace Hall, at St. Ignatius Church
980 Park Avenue on 84th Street 
January 23-25
Friday 11am-7pm
Saturday 11am-6pm 
Sunday 11am-5pm 
Please look for Andrew in booth No. 17, 
and tell him we say hello!
Happy Nesting 
XO Tamara