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37L IFESTYLEWEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2014

F e a t u r e s

The painted upright piano thatadorned Rick’s Cafe in the classicmovie “Casablanca” fetched $3.4

million at auction Monday after a fren-zied sale in New York. The orange piano-on which Sam (Dooley Wilson) famouslyplays “As Time Goes By” at the request ofhis one-time love Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman)— was among 200 items fromHollywood’s golden age that went underthe hammer at Bonham’s in New York.

The piano featured prominently in theOscar-winning 1942 romantic drama,with leading man Humphrey Bogartusing it as a hiding place for the letters oftransit that ultimately secure his formerlover’s safe passage to the United States.Dresses worn by Grace Kelly, MarilynMonroe, Judy Garland and Rita Hayworthwere also auctioned, as well as a jacketworn by Clark Gable in “Gone With theWind.” The Lion costume worn by BertLahr in “The Wizard of Oz” was also putup for sale.

Auctioneers had declined to estimatethe Casablanca piano’s likely price, sayingonly that they expected it to fetch “thelow- to mid-seven figures.” Biddingopened at $1.6 million and escalatedrapidly before closing three minutes laterat $3.4 million including taxes. The pianowas specially adapted to allow Bogart’scharacter to perform his sleight of hand

with the transit papers, hiding them inplain sight of the clientele at Rick’s.

The writers decided that the papersshould be stashed in the top of thepiano, but had to alter its lid to make itwork on camera. “The only way thisworks, however, is if the lid opens fromthe rear, otherwise Rick would have toreach over Sam’s shoulder to hide thepapers, a hardly subtle move,” the auc-tion house said. “The solution to thisstaging problem was to have the propdepartment completely remove the topof the piano, leaving the piece securedby a hook and eye only.”

Chewing gum included Most likely made in 1927, the piano

also has only 58 keys, 30 fewer than aclassic piano. It had been owned by adentist in Los Angeles since the 1980s.Bonham’s said the painted Moroccandesigns were restored about threedecades ago under the direction ofWarner Bros. The piano was offered forsale with a signed photograph of actorDooley Wilson and a copy of“Casablanca,” and even came with a wadof petrified chewing gum found stuckbeneath the keyboard. A faint outline ofa fingerprint could be seen on the gum,but its owner was unknown.

A winner of three Academy Awards,

“Casablanca” is ranked as the secondgreatest movie of all time by theAmerican Film Institute, behind “CitizenKane” and just ahead of “The Godfather.”Items related to the film generated snap-py business at Bonham’s, with a draftscreenplay entitled “Everybody Come toRick’s” fetching $106,250, well above its$40,000-$60,000 estimate. The doors fea-tured in the entrance of Rick’s Cafe soldfor $115,000, having been estimated at$75,000 to $100,000.

The famous letters of transit at theheart of the film, estimated at between$100,000 and $150,000, sold for$118,750. One of the chairs from Rick’sCafe fetched $5,000. Several dresses fea-tured in other movies fetched hefty sumsas well, including a gown worn byGarland in “Easter Parade” that sold for$11,875 and another worn by BarbraStreisand in “The Way We Were” thatearned $8,750. A gown worn byHayworth in “The Loves of Carmen”fetched $6,000. However, a dress wornby Grace Kelly in “Mogambo” estimatedto be worth between $15,000 and$20,000, failed to secure a buyer at theauction. —AFP

‘Casablanca’ piano sold for $3.4 million at US auction

This best-selling guide to declutter-ing your home from Japanese clean-ing consultant Marie Kondo takes

readers step-by-step through her revolu-tionary KonMari Method for simplifying,organizing, and storing. Despite constantefforts to declutter your home, do papersstill accumulate like snowdrifts andclothes pile up like a tangled mess of noo-dles? Japanese cleaning consultant MarieKondo takes tidying to a whole new level,promising that if you properly simplifyand organize your home once, you’ll nev-er have to do it again. Most methodsadvocate a room-by-room or little-by-lit-

tle approach, which doom you to pickaway at your piles of stuff forever.

The KonMari Method, with its revolu-tionary category-by-category system,leads to lasting results. In fact, none ofKondo’s clients have lapsed (and she stillhas a three-month waiting list). Withdetailed guidance for determining whichitems in your house “spark joy” (and whichdon’t), this international bestseller featur-ing Tokyo’s newest lifestyle phenomenonwill help you clear your clutter and enjoythe unique magic of a tidy home-and thecalm, motivated mindset it can inspire.—AP

For those who love to decorate, there’s notime like the holidays for adding fun, festivetouches to our living spaces. This year, there’s

something for many tastes and styles. A look at thetrends you’ll see at stores:

Christmas pastThe 1920s inspire a lot of holiday décor, with

West Elm offering glittery Art Deco letter orna-ments and star garlands, as well as Deco-pat-terned, mercury-glass hurricanes in silver and mid-night blue. Elegant, gold, blown-glass animals fitthe vibe. At Pier 1, you’ll find beaded tree swags, aswell as ornaments encrusted with sequins or glassmosaics. Beaded metallic pillars, champagne glass-es and bottles, and chevron-patterned pendantsadd Jazz Age style.

Throw pillows and signs printed with a vintage-style chalkboard Christmas greeting hold charm at

Pottery Barn, where the design is also available ina door mat. Here too, a decorative collection ofold-fashioned village homes, churches and school-houses evokes turn-of-the-century German orna-ments similarly made of cardboard and silver glit-ter. Purchases from the collection support sheltersnationwide through the Give a Little Hope organi-zation.

For a more midcentury look, consider Crate &Barrel’s teardrop ornaments in a sexy, red matteglass. If you’re into making some of your own mid-century modern Christmas decorations, check outthe DIY Network’s website for suggestions includ-ing stockings and ornaments.

Snow glowLED lighting is now in just about anything,

including holiday dÈcorations. Ikea’s Strala collec-tion includes a garland of pierced gold balls fittedwith LEDs, and a bright red tree mat has built-in

LEDs. Frontgate’s Meteor light set twinkles, show-ers, shimmers and glows at the touch of a button.

Clusters of string lights look gorgeous underglass cloches; Restoration Hardware offers both invarious sizes. And snow globes that send up a flur-ry of up-lit flakes with the push of a button are a

twist on the traditional.Also at the retailer: spare,birch-wrapped brancheswrapped in warm LEDs,in various sizes for table-top or entryway floor.

City sparkle“This year I’m seeing

deep, rich hues,” saysdesigner Taniya Nayak.“Think sapphire, deep

emerald and sexy violet. The real wow factor rolls inwith the metallic touches. There is a cool juxtaposi-tion that happens when you mix the sophisticatedrichness of jewel tones and the medley of copperpatina and copper shine.” Pier 1’s peacock-inspiredtree skirt anchors a collection of vibrant ornamentsin faceted glass, sequins or feathers.

There are accent pillows on the market this year

decorated with glitter, bugle beads, sequins ormetallic embroidery thread. Look for snowflake ortree motifs, or seasonal words like “Noel” and “Joy.”One or two on an entryway bench greet guestswith panache; Target and Homegoods have nicelypriced options.

Z Gallerie has the glamorous Folly collection ofwhite and gold pearl wreaths, table trees and gar-

lands, as well as crystal flower spheres and orna-ments in trendy turquoise. Stylized foxes and owlsin white or gold acrylic add a soft, metallic accentto the tree or tablescape, from Ikea. Pottery Barn’schinchilla, fox or bear faux-fur tree skirts add atouch of luxe. Dress the tree with midcentury-stylecopper and brass trims for a cool and current vibe.

Camp ChristmasThe rustic, cabin-y look that took off last year

has held strong. Woodland creatures populate theornament collections at Land of Nod, while, in atwist, hedgehogs and raccoons are photoprintedon little stuffed ornaments at Target. At West Elm,Boston designer Mimi Kirchner’s felt foxes, deer,raccoons and bears sport jaunty scarves and plaidcoats.

Ikea’s Vinter collection features Swedish pat-

terns on cushion covers and guest towels. AtPottery Barn, an advent calendar with farmhousecharm is created out of small, galvanized bucketsmounted on a pine frame. Artists Petra Borner andFiona Howard have designed ornaments for Crate& Barrel evoking European folk art designs. Heretoo, clever tree collars made of glossy red or galva-nized metal to resemble vintage tubs.

For entertainingNayak loves “any mixture of glam and rustic,”

including “a winter-white backdrop with reclaimedwood and a bit of polished chrome.” Crate & Barrel’sgot a selection of laser-cut, crocheted and curledpaper snowflakes in creamy hues of champagne,bronze and white; add a few glittery, beaded orna-ments in silver and muted grays.

Sandy Chilewich has a new collection of matsand runners rendered in gold, silver, gunmetal and

brass, in a chic geometric Pebble pattern. At Target,Nate Berkus’ Ascot Star dessert plates and trays fea-ture a classic foulard pattern in smart black andwhite that would work for get-togethers straightinto New Year’s Eve.

For Hanukah, Jonathan Adler offers a blue,Lucite cube menorah, as well as an array of mod,ceramic-animal menorahs. At Williams-Sonoma, acollection of porcelain plates and serveware incream with a graphic print of ancient templemenorahs would add style to a holiday buffet. SaraPeterson, editor-in-chief of HGTV Magazine, likescolorful dÈcor beyond the traditional red andgreen. “Felt pom-pom garlands are always a partyhit, and not just for Christmas trees,” she says.“String them on stair railings and around mirrors,and drape them from your curtain rods.” Thinkbeyond the living room, Peterson says.

“Add a little decorating twist here and therethroughout your house,” she says. “It’s fun to do

something beyond just setting the table. In guestbathrooms, use a whiteboard marker to write a funholiday message on the mirror, and put down aholiday-themed bath mat. In the kitchen, plantmini cypress trees in colorful glazed pots, and swapout regular dish towels for festive tea towels.” —AP

This undated photo provided by Ten Speed Press shows a client’s roombefore it was decluttered by Marie Kondo in Japan. —AP

The life-changing magic of tidying up

This undated photo provided by Ten Speed Press shows the aftermath of aclient’s room that was decluttered by Marie Kondo in Japan.

Marie Kondo working at a client’shome to clear away everything thatis unneeded and fails to “spark joy,”in Tokyo, Japan.

This photo provided by Ten SpeedPress shows the cover of the book,“The Life - Changing Magic of TidyingUp,” by Marie Kondo.

From vintage to city chic:Holiday decor trends