A fireplace is often the focal point of a well appointed living room.  But for more than 6 months a year, it can be just a blank void starring back at you.  And no one wants to look at a black hole.

Which is why I really, really like this modernist fire screen by Japanese-born and Alessi designer Francesca Amfitheatrof (b. 1968). This piece shimmers with oxidized brass, steel and silver-plated discs.  With a fire blazing behind it, the light must be magical, but even without it, the light playing off the metal will draw attention to your fireplace for all the right reasons.

The screen is being sold, amongst other jewels of contemporary design, at auction in a single owner sale consigned to New York’s Phillips de Pury by über colorist, fab interior designer and cosmopolitan darling Muriel Brandolini. Years ago I had the good fortune to be a guest of Muriel’s brother-in-law Brandino at his most exquisite Villa Brandolini d’Adda at the base of the Dolomites.  As such, I can only guess this sale will be exactly what anything done by the family turns out to be … successful, and very, very chic.