A Visionary Designer ahead of her Time

Maugham’s signature look was defined by her innovative white-on-white interiors, featuring mirrored surfaces, luxurious textures, and antique furniture she “pickled” with white or crackle finishes. These ethereal spaces revolutionised interior design, most famously showcased in the music room of her Chelsea residence at 213 Kings Road, a home she shared with her husband, celebrated author (William) Somerset Maugham, until their separation in 1929.

As her career evolved, Maugham embraced bold, vibrant palettes of pink, red, and green, demonstrating her fearless creativity and eye for drama. Her visionary style attracted a distinguished international clientele, including Wallis Simpson and the Duke of Windsor, fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli, and playwright Noël Coward.

Maugham also collaborated with and promoted some of the era’s most celebrated talents, introducing Oliver Messel’s decorative plasterwork, Jean-Michel Frank’s iconic furniture, and Constance Spry’s pioneering floral arrangements into her projects. Partnerships with architect David Adler and decorator Frances Elkins helped expand her influence across the Atlantic, where she designed for legendary American socialites Babe Paley and Bunny Mellon.

Commenting on the sale, Head of Dreweatts House Sales and Private Collections department, Joe Robinson said, "Syrie Maugham’s aesthetic remains one of the most enduring and influential forces in modern and contemporary design. Time and again, the interior designers we work with, whether participating in single-owner sales or bidding at auction, cite Maugham as a lasting inspiration. Her continued cultural relevance is undeniable, from the schemes of Rose Uniacke and Nicole Gordon to Karl Lagerfeld drawing on her work as the inspiration for his Spring 2017 Chanel Couture show.

"This marks the first time such a comprehensive selection of Syrie Maugham’s collection has been offered at auction, and we anticipate strong interest from collectors, interior designers, and institutions alike."

Auction Highlights

The sale offers a unique window into Syrie Maugham’s world, with carefully curated furniture, artworks, and personal pieces that reflect both her aesthetic and her family’s heritage. Highlights include Maugham's own green and cream painted desk, a place where she envisioned some of her most celebrated interiors and designs; a pair of rare ‘dolphin’ chairs, upholstered in green silk with cream ribbing and ribbon trim; as well as an important collection of modern art with works by John Piper, John Nash, Oliver Messel, as well as a striking portrait of her son-in-law Vincent Paravicini by acclaimed artist Glyn Philpot.

Beyond Syrie’s own pieces, the auction will feature items contributed over the years by four generations of Maugham women, with the most recent additions coming from her great-granddaughters, Syrie and Sacha. Here we take a look at some of the highlights.

Jewellery from the collection will be sold in our Fine Jewellery auction on Wednesday 19 November. The selection will feature pieces by renowned makers including Jean Schlumberger, Tiffany & Co. and Boivin.

Auction Details

Auction: 
Tuesday 28 October 2025 | 2pm GMT
Dreweatts, Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE, UK

Bidding is available in person at our salerooms, online, by telephone or you can leave commission (absentee) bids.

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Viewing:

• Viewing at Dreweatts London (highlights): 16-17 Pall Mall, SW1Y 5LU
  • Tuesday 7 October: 10am - 4pm
  • Wednesday 8 October: 10am - 4pm
  • Thursday 9 October: 10am - 4pm
• Viewing at Dreweatts Newbury (full sale): Donnington Priory, RG14 2JE
  • Friday 24 October: 10am-4pm
    
  • Sunday 26 October: 10am-3pm
  • Monday 27 October: 10am-4pm
  • Tuesday 28 October: 10am-2pm

Further information:
General enquiries: +44 (0) 1635 553 553 | housesales@dreweatts.com
Press enquiries: press@dreweatts.com