Last summer, Harvard alumna Luzanne Otte wrote a fascinating and highly detailed academic overview on the history of silhouettes for The Glam Pad. Luzanne is a dear friend of Patricia Altschul, so she was also able to provide an analysis of Patricia’s substantial and important silhouette collection, along with a plethora of previously unpublished pictures (here). Decorating with silhouettes is a tradition that has captivated the world since the 18th century, and today they remain just as popular as ever! Whether you are a serious collector of antique silhouettes, or if you prefer modern silhouettes of your children and loved ones, these works of art are sure to add classic old world charm to any home. You can group them en masse, or simply showcase one or two… the options for decorating with silhouettes are limitless. Today we will explore over 65 examples of homes decorated with antique, vintage, and modern silhouettes. Enjoy!
Michael Aiduss via House Beautiful
Michael Aiduss via House Beautiful
Nancy Lancaster
Jeffrey Bilhuber
World of Interiors
Tessa Foley’s home as featured in Nora Murphy’s Country House
Baron’s Cove @baronscove
From the book Interiors via The Peak of Chic
House and Garden Australia via
Jessika Goranson
Homes and Antiques
Bellamont House via Laurel Bern Interiors
For tips on hanging a growing collection of silhouettes, click here.
What are your thoughts on decorating with silhouettes? Do you collect them? Antique, modern, I love them all! To learn more about the fascinating history of this classic art form, please click here.
Olasky & Sinsteden Refresh a Centuries-Old Guernsey Island Home
An English Country Style Brooklyn Brownstone by McGrath II
Equestrian Style 101
Inside Penny Morrison’s 18th Century Welsh Country Home
Beautiful! There is something so pure about a silhouette – it’s very satisfying to look at. And I love the way that these were arranged.
I love Silhouettes, I do have a few but seeing this encourages me to acquire more. There is a wonderful Silhouette artist I believe in MA, Alison Shriver, she does very interesting Silhouettes of which I have three…
Just a wonderful post today!!!! Loved it. Thanks!
Thank you, Dana! This was a fun one to put together… over a year in the making! 🙂
Xx,
Andrea
The Glam Pad
When I was in grade school (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth!), our teachers all did silhouettes of us individually, for us to give our parents as a gift. Unfortunately, my other was a “thrower outer” and none survived. I wish they had.
I have a few silhouettes mixed in with other small pictures, surrounding my bedroom fireplace. I love them!
Another thing one rarely sees anymore, are silhouettes done in wax and colored. I bought a couple at Portobello back in the mid 1980’s and have not seen them since.
One sloping cut made forehead, nose, and chin,
A nick produced a mouth and made him grin
~ Jonathan Swift 1720
Such great examples! I could barely get pass Patricia’s foyer flooring.
Love Silhouettes, unfortunately when I downsized I got rid of a lot! My halls were filled and loved them!