THE sound of breaking glass is just a bout the only thing guaranteed to bring silence to a crowded party in an antique shop. At the opening of Odeon, a new art deco shop on Dublin's Francis Street, the dreaded sound had the expected effect, but thankfully the damage, in a shop where five figure price tags are not unusual, turned out to be nothing more than a smashed wine glass.
The very stylish shop - designed by architect David Sheehan is a new venture for 18th century furniture specialist Paul Johnston, who has been collecting art deco pieces for the past 20 years and much of it is now on sale in the shop. There has been very little art deco furniture available here up to now - Paul does most of his buying in New York and London.
The most appropriately dressed person at the opening party on Wednesday was Marion Kirwin, Paul's sister, who came in full flapper rig out - she bought the beaded black 1920s dress for £12 in Blackrock market that morning.
Among the guests were Peter's longtime friends, Killiney residents Sue and Paul Rothschild of the banking family, designer Michelina Stacpoole and husband George who came up from Adare for the party, one time dress designer and now gallery owner Ib Jorgensen, and of course Paul's wife Marion Shannon, who is a manager at KLM.