The Peak of Chic®

Sister Parish Design

2009-11-06T09:12:00.006-05:00

Yesterday I stopped by Mrs. Howard to pick up a copy of the newly released Sister Parish Design: On Decorating and was lucky enough to meet the authors, Susan Bartlett Crater and Libby Cameron, as well as the illustrator of the book, Mita Corsini Bland. I'm sure most of you are familiar with Susan and Libby; Susan is Sister Parish's granddaughter, while Libby was a protégé of Mrs. Parish. The two joined forces a few years ago and founded Sister Parish Design, one of my favorite fabric and wallpaper lines (and I'm sure a favorite for many of you, too.) And Mita is recognized as a leading watercolorist and illustrator. All three are not only very talented, but immensely likable too.

I just started to read the book last night, and from what I've read thus far, I'm completely charmed. The text is engaging, and I am enjoying the interviews with prominent decorators as well (Miles Redd and Todd Romano, anyone?). And Bland's illustrations are simply perfection! I can already tell that this will be a favorite book in my library.

Crater and Cameron also brought a few samples of their line's new linen prints as well as a cotton print, "Bolero", which I'm absolutely taken with. Definitely check out the new prints on their website, or visit one of the showrooms which carries the line. Grizzel and Mann in Atlanta has a great selection of Sister Parish Design fabric and wallpaper. (I also want to note that the fabrics and wallpaper are hand screened in Great Barrington, Massachusetts and Westerly, Rhode Island, which only adds to their appeal.)

From bottom to top: "Desmond" linen; "Sunswick" linen; "Burmese" linen; "Dolly" linen.

"Bolero". I love the colors- brown, coral, shrimp, navy, and pale aqua.

(Images at top courtesy of Sister Parish Design; bottom two by me.)

Wallpaper On My Mind

2009-11-05T08:00:00.003-05:00

If you're as taken with wallpaper as I then you must pick up Wallpaper: A History of Style and Trends by Carolle Thibaut-Pomerantz. So very interesting, and you will want to paper your world with scenic prints galore. The photos are absolutely gorgeous, like this below:

Le Palais-Royal, c. 1808-11 (maker unknown). According to Thibaut-Pomerantz, this example is a precursor to scenic decors. The grisaille paper is mounted on an eight-leaf screen; the blue background is hand brushed. I knew I had seen a similar scenic paper before.

Here is a strikingly familiar scene in the 1953 House and Garden's Complete Guide to Interior Decoration. Surprisingly, there is no mention of the screen- only the Bristol blue walls, the wall to wall carpet, and the damask fabric. Is it a reproduction? I'm assuming so.

And then I started to think about this paper:

An 18th c. inspired scenic paper designed by Georges Geffroy, installed in the bed-living room of designer Marcel Rochas.

So now I'm on the hunt for grisaille paper with a blue background. Any ideas where to look for reproductions?

(Image #2, Wallpaper: A History of Style and Trends by Carolle Thibaut-Pomerantz, Flammarion 2008.)

Chic It Up!

2009-11-03T11:13:00.008-05:00

I try to chic it up every day (not always successfully), but one event that most definitely manages to do that is Winterthur's Chic it Up! design conference. This year's event, to take place at Winterthur on Friday, November 13, will cover 1940s design- and as you know, this is my very favorite era.

Want an idea of what will be discussed? Well, Donald Albrecht will speak on Dorothy Draper and the Greenbrier, Pauline Metcalfe will enlighten us about Syrie Maugham, and J. Thomas Savage, Maggie Lidz, and Eugene Gaddis will talk about Thomas Waterman, H. Rodney Sharp, and Chick Austin respectively. And this is only a taste of what's on the agenda. What impresses me is the breadth of the conference as it focuses on interior design, architecture, decorative arts, and collecting.

You better believe that I'm going to be attending. In fact, I've been waiting for over a year for this event. If you're in the area, or if you want to make a weekend trip of it, then by all means make your reservation so that we can all chic it up.

(For more information, click here or call 800.448.3883)

An example of 1940's design: Winterthur's Gold & White bedroom as it appeared in 1947.

Henry Francis du Pont next to the famous Montmorenci staircase; photographed by Kertesz.

The garden at Gibraltar c. mid-1940s, another du Pont estate in Wilmington. Don't you love all of those gorgeous blues?

Historian Maggie Lidz will be lecturing on H. Rodney Sharp and his 1930s Moorish-Venetian-Spanish Florida home, The Hacienda, which is seen above. Quite a difference from his Georgian estate in Odessa, Delaware, also above, which is part of the lecture.

All images provided by Winterthur.

That Print Again

2009-10-29T08:00:00.001-04:00

I'm being haunted by Braquenié fabric. A few weeks back I posted about one of my favorite Braquenié prints, "Le Rocher", that has been retired but that does make a banded appearance in their current "Bordure Cheverny" print. (Kim Huebner of Pierre Frey was kind enough to comment that "Le Rocher" has not been permanently discontinued, only sent for a rest in the archives. Frey owns Braquenié.) You can see "Le Rocher" at top and "Border Cheverny" beneath it.

So as I was reading The Givenchy Style over the weekend, I saw the photo below of the "Châmbre d'Hélène" in Givenchy's estate Le Jonchet. The glorious fabric draped, swagged, and upholstered all over the room is Braquenié's "Tree of Life". The tree has roots of what appears to be my beloved "Le Rocher".

I'm thinking that this was a sign that 1) "Le Rocher" will be reintroduced in the Braquenié line and that 2) it will eventually find a place in my home. There's no harm in being hopeful, is there?

(Givenchy photos from The Givenchy Style by Françoise Mohrt)

Norman Parkinson: A Very British Glamour

2009-10-28T08:00:00.001-04:00

Need testament to the glamour of the good old days? Then by all means, pick up a copy of Norman Parkinson: A Very British Glamour by Louise Baring. Parkinson, one of 20th century's most innovative photographers, captured the sophistication that was fashion during the 1930s through the 1980s. What was unique about his work was that Parkinson was one of the first photographers to shoot models outside of the studio, often posing them on the street or in some incongruous setting. (Look at the cover, above, which features a model in a butcher shop.) Much of Parkinson's work was featured in Vogue (both British and American) and Harper's Bazaar, magazines at which Parkinson worked with the likes of Alexander Lieberman and Diana Vreeland. In fact, it was Parkinson to whom Vreeland remarked "How clever of you, Mr. Parkinson, also to know that pink is the navy blue of India."- this in response to Parkinson's photo of a model posing in a pink coat in Jaipur.

While the text is quite interesting, it's the glorious photographs that make this book a must-have for you glamour pusses and fashion hounds. And if you're a fan of the legendary model Carmen, then you're in luck; there are lots of photographs of her posing for Parkinson through the years.

Celia Hammond photographed for a Wetherall advertisement, Paris, 1962

Carmen Dell'Orefice on a crane in front of Old Bailey, London; Queen magazine cover, September 1960.

"Young Velvets, Young Prices" photographed for Vogue, 1949, from the roof of the Conde Nast Building.

(All images copyrighted Norman Parkinson Ltd., provided courtesy of the Norman Parkinson Archive, London. Norman Parkinson: A Very British Glamour, by Louise Baring, Rizzoli New York, 2009)

My London Flat

2009-10-27T08:01:00.001-04:00

What? You didn't know that I have a flat in London? Well, actually I don't, but I'd love to own one someday. And I always say that if I do obtain a London home, I will most certainly decorate it in a very British manner. I know, some might say how boring or expected, while others might think "damn American trying to out British the British", but why not? So what would my dream flat look like? Well, probably something like this- the flat of Tom Parr in Eaton Square as featured in Living in Vogue.

Parr, seen above, is the former director of the venerable firm Colefax and Fowler. You might also recognize his name as he used to be the design partner of David Hicks. What I'm taken with is the home's warmth and coziness. As Parr said about his work "When you walk into a room, you should think 'What a lovely atmosphere' and not just notice individual objects." I couldn't agree with him more.

The image at top and above are the dining room/ guest room. Behind Parr you can see the sofa which doubles as a bed. The bookcases are faux bird's eye maple, and there are numerous Indian Raj paintings in the room. The dining table is a Colefax & Fowler design. Also, I think the lighting is close to perfect in this space.

The drawing room walls are covered in a handmade paper inspired by an old damask. The carpet (a pattern called "Rock Savage") is a replica of that in Cholmondeley Castle. Note too the marbled molding. And I think that mossy green velvet sofa with the bullion fringe is terrific. (Remember my post on bullion fringe? This is the way it should be used.)

Beyond the drawing room is the tomato red bedroom. The Colefax velvet sofa turns into a bed. This room is actually my least favorite of the three, and I can't decide if it's because of the ferns in the photo or if it's something about the velvet on the sofa. Or maybe it's the way that shade of green looks against that red. I guess it doesn't really matter because the other two rooms are knock-outs, or at least they are to me.

(All photographs from Living in Vogue by Judy Brittain and Patrick Kinmonth; photographer Snowdon.)

Park Avenue Potluck Celebrations

2009-10-26T08:00:00.001-04:00

I just finished reading my review copy of Park Avenue Potluck Celebrations: Entertaining at Home with New York's Savviest Hostesses. I love to curl up in bed and read cookbooks...and sometimes cook from them too. This one came along at a fortuitous time as the holidays are right around the corner.

Members of The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have contributed their favorite recipes that they rely on to celebrate holidays and the seasons. There are menus and recipes for Valentine's Day, Passover, Derby Day, and of course what I'm thinking about now: Christmas. I haven't tried any of the recipes, but I thought the Society's previous effort was a success so I'm anxious to try my hand at a few of these dishes. (Also, the fact that Florence Fabricant is associated with this book is like a seal of approval.)

I've included a dessert recipe below that I'd like to make, but if you're not someone who enjoys cooking or reading cookbooks, you should at least look at the photos of the gorgeous interiors and tablesettings. You just might be inspired to get into the kitchen and whip up something to celebrate.

Roaring Twenties Coffee Bavarian Cream (Makes 12 or more servings)

2 packets plain gelatin
1 cup whole milk
1 cup brewed espresso
1 cup sugar
2 large egg whites
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups heavy cream
Small chocolate truffles for decoration, chilled

Place the gelatin in a 4-cup glass measuring cup and stir in the milk. Bring the espresso to a boil and whisk it into the milk mixture. Stir in the sugar. Transfer the mixture to a metal bowl and place it in a large bowl filled with ice and water. Stir from time to time as the mixture cools. When the mixture starts to thicken, transfer it to the bowl of an electric mixer.

Beat the mixture at high speed until it is smooth and fairly thick and lightens in colors. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with the salt until they hold peaks but are not dry. Fold the egg whites into the gelatin mixture.

Whip the cream until stiff and fold it into the gelatin mixture. Transfer the mixture to an 8-cup metal ring mold or another fancy mold. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.

To serve, unmold the mousse and decorate it with chocolate truffles, if you like, which can also be piled into the center of the unmolded dessert.

(Recipe and photographs from Park Avenue Potluck Celebrations: Entertaining at Home with New York's Savviest Hostesses, Rizzoli New York, 2009, photographer Ben Fink.)

More Style in Miniature

2009-10-23T08:00:00.002-04:00

A few months ago, I wrote about miniature rooms that were created by McMillen back in the 1930s to help market their firm. That led to a discussion of the Thorne miniature rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago, some of the most famous of all miniature rooms. Well, I got all excited when I found photos of other tiny rooms (in this case 15X24 inches) in a 1934 issue of House Beautiful. (Obviously, it doesn't take much to get me excited.) Additionally piquing my interest was the fact that one Mary Miller, a decorator from Atlanta, designed the rooms. I'm not familiar with Miller, but I think if I were around back in '34, I'd hire her to decorate my home based on these pint sized replicas alone.

The room at top, my favorite, was designed in the Regency style. According to the article, the walls were chalky white and the ceiling was deep emerald green, while the black floor was bordered in boxwood green and outlined in white. I love the tiny leopard print rug not to mention the stars on the overmantel mirror. And look at the charming curtains, swag, and arrow motif rod. A bit elaborate, but I wouldn't mind having them in my home. Large scale ones, of course.

Then there was the Georgian room. The Romney portrait and the Aubusson rug established the color scheme of the room. The apricot pink walls and ceiling and pastel colored fabrics allowed the mahogany furniture to take prominence.

And since it was 1934 and all of the magazines were breathlessly touting the "modern" look, Ms. Miller designed a Modern room with a neutral color scheme which included a dark brown rug and ombré brown walls. I'm not so sure about Miller's choice of browns, but perhaps it was a 1930s thing. My favorite detail is the mirrored fireplace surround.

Now, I know that we are all rushed for time so hobbies don't seem to be a priority, but don't you think somebody should consider creating a new collection of miniature rooms? Don't look at me- I don't have the time nor patience. I just like to look at them!

(All images from House Beautiful, March 1934)

What's in Their Library: Lynn Goldfinger, aka Paris Hotel Boutique

2009-10-22T08:38:00.000-04:00

Many of you are fans of Lynn Goldfinger's wonderful online shop Paris Hotel Boutique, and for good reason. Lynn has the uncanny knack of finding treasures of all kinds-hotel silver and china, vintage art, and antique furniture- that evoke that romance of a bygone era. (Not, however, a cheesy, romantic bygone era. Think Belle Epoque Paris or London's Jazz Age, for example.)

To me, what really sets Lynn's shop apart from the others is her selection of vintage books. Subjects range from cookery to fashion to design and travel, but there is a common thread that ties these books together, and that is the books' covers. Have you noticed how Lynn manages to find books that have absolutely fantastic covers?

In a twist on my library series, I thought it would be fun to have Lynn provide us with a list of her favorite cover art. While it's true that you can't judge a book by its cover, a colorful, whimsical, or downright chic dust jacket certainly entices you to pick a book off of the shelf. And you know, there's really nothing wrong if you do buy a book based solely on its cover design. I've done it before, and I ended up reading- and enjoying- books that otherwise I might not have purchased.

When asked about her love of smart dust jackets, Lynn responded "I don't know what got me hooked on them. I must confess that I'm not an avid reader, but there is something about vintage book covers that intrigues me; their artwork, simplicity, design, interesting titles, etc. They are like small works of art. Current books just don't have the pizazz that these old covers had. Since I love all things vintage, books fall right into that category."

Portrait of New York and Face of the World by Cecil Beaton. "I love all of the dust jackets that Cecil Beaton designed. Brilliant works of art!"

Pierre Balmain- My Years and Seasons "A rose is a rose...what a pretty cover. Quite an interesting autobiography about this French fashion designer."

Bergdorf's on the Plaza by Booton Herndon. "This is one of my favorite jackets with a wraparound image of the Plaza Hotel illustrated by Irving Docktoer. The book is quite rare. I have my copy proudly displayed in my office."

Decorating is Fun! "Two rare editions of Decorating is Fun! by the fabulous Dorothy Draper. I just love the whimsical green or pink striped covers. And they have wonderful pink endpapers as well."

Esme of Paris by Esme Davis. "Great whimsical circus-themed dust jacket. The blue & red colors compliment each other well. It's also a fascinating autobiography of Esme Davis, famous for her fashionable perfumes."

David Hicks on Living - With Taste "Guess there is something about stripes on a dust jacket that tickles my fancy. This is a particularly good book as well!"

I Married Adventure and Four Years in Paradise by Osa Johnson. "We all know how trendy these book covers have become. You'll especially see I Married Adventure displayed in just about every home decor magazine. The zebra and giraffe stripes make these books better without their dust jackets. Also, the giraffe cover (Four Years in Paradise) is actually more rare than I Married Adventure!"

Goodbye Picasso by David Douglas Duncan. "According to the Harry Ransom Center at The University of Texas at Austin, the jacket design is based on a photo-collage created using Picasso's self-portrait as an owl- with holes for his eyes- and a photograph by David Douglas Duncan. Very cool indeed!"

The Pink Palace by Sandra Lee Stuart. "Let's say I love anything pink as much as I love hotels. Especially the Beverly Hills Hotel, which is the epitome of luxury! Those paired together makes this one of my favorite book covers!"

The Snob Spotter's Guide by Philippe Jullian. "What's not to love about this cover? The fun title...the whimsical illustration of dressed up animals with a large fleur de lis."

Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote. "A classic. Simple cover in bright orange. A much better cover than the reproductions of this classic book."

The World in Vogue. "Graphic and eye-catching cover from 1963. Must read Courtney at Style Court's recent post about this cover and the reissue of the book."

Le Nouveau Voyage de France "This book from 1899 doesn't have a dust jacket and it's sublime without it. An elaborate robin's egg blue cloth cover with a gilt and pictorial spine. Wonderful Art Nouveau motif with birds, flowers, and plants. Page edges are gilt. One of my absolute favorites! And it's a large book to boot. Looks great on a coffee table!"

Spellbound by Color

2009-10-21T08:18:00.001-04:00

I love color in my home, but not so much in my wardrobe. (Look through my closet and you'll see a sea of black, gray, and bit of greige thrown in for good measure.) But a panoply of bright colors is usually not something to which I gravitate. Lots and lots of shocking, wild color in one room feels like getting hit in the head with an anvil. But if an array of vivid color is limited to one piece or a confined area, and if the colors are arranged in a tight, linear way, well, that's an entirely different story. An angular composition of color seems to give a semblance of order to what otherwise might be chaos; it adds a severity and an edginess to the colors which I like.

Take, for example, the fabric I've shown at top. I don't know who made this fabric, but I'm absolutely in love with it. I realize it's not for everyone, but think about this geometric print being used in a controlled way- perhaps on a seat cushion, pillow, tablecloth. It could very well bump a room from great up to fabulous. And it has the Brooke Astor seal of approval.

Think something like Harran II, Frank Stella, 1967; the Guggenheim Collection.

I think this quilt, Bittersweet XII by Nancy Crow, 1980, would be magnificent hung on the wall as artwork, especially if housed in a very minimal, contemporary space.

This Donald Brooks coat from the 1960s/70s is fabulous. The colorful bands read sophisticated, not cutesy. It's that wow piece that would make the rest of your neutral wardrobe sing.

There's a reason that this book makes appearances so often in chic interiors, and it's just not because it's about Christian Liaigre. I think it might also have to do with that cover.

Even better than the Liaigre cover is this one, American Painting by Barbara Rose.

(Unfortunately, I can't remember from which publication the photo at top was taken.)

Things To Do This Weekend

2009-10-16T08:14:00.005-04:00

If you live in Memphis or happen to be in Memphis this Saturday, October 17, please come to the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art for a panel discussion on "Updating the Traditional Home", moderated by yours truly. Sponsored by the Decorative Arts Trust, the discussion will include three of Memphis' top designers. DAT lectures are free with museum admission. The event begins at 10:30am. For more information, visit the Decorative Arts Trust website.

And if you're looking for something to do in Atlanta this Sunday, I invite you to attend the Plaza Towers Tour of Homes and Silent Auction which benefits MODA (Museum of Design Atlanta). The tour runs from 1pm to 5pm followed by a silent auction from 4-6pm. Tickets are $40. For more information, visit the website. Seeing that I live in the building, I'll be going through the units on tour. If you see me wandering around, make sure to say hello!

(Image of Plaza Towers: David Christensen, photographer.)

Update on "More is More"

2009-10-16T08:13:00.001-04:00

A few people have inquired about the limited edition sets of Tony Duquette and More is More. Boxed sets (covered in that wonderful Jim Thompson "Gemstone" fabric) are available at both Saks Fifth Avenue, NYC and via tonyduquette.com. Each set retails for $550 plus shipping.

Clean Freak

2009-10-15T08:16:00.001-04:00

Sometimes, I think people in the design world are just far too picky about the details. I don't mean details like the trim used around a pillow or the way a curtain is finished. And I'm not talking about hardware, lamp finials, or the other sundry decorative accents that really are important. No, I mean details like household products. How many times have you read an interview in which a designer mentions that he or she only uses a certain type of soap or toothpaste because of the packaging it comes in? Sound silly? Well, I always thought so too until I realized that I'm guilty of it myself. Just open my pantry door and you'll see cleaning products that were chosen not only for their ability to keep things spic and span, but also because of their chic, retro bottles, jars, and tins.

In fact, when I was at the hardware store and saw this glass cleaner that looked like something Betty Draper might have used, I bought it. It's the drawing of the 1950s housewife that got me (it's hard to see in this image). It actually seems to work pretty well, too.

I have not yet bought Town Talk Wax or Marble Polish, but I really want to- only because of those tins! Since it's been around since 1895, it must work well, don't you think?

I love my Tibet Almond Stick to touch up scratches on furniture. It really is quick as a wink. And the metal canister has a Victorian look to it, which I'm sure is what initially caught my eye.

There's Wenol metal polish that's originally from Germany. It's utilitarian looking in that 1960s European kind of way.

There's my Stick Um candle adhesive, selected because of the tin...

..and my Hagerty silver polish- love that shade of blue!

Is this post completely random? Of course it is! And what's with Rosalind Russell's photo at top? Well, my mother once read where Roz loved to clean and enjoyed going to the hardware store to buy the latest cleaning products. Wonder if she was a sucker for the packaging too?

Old School Entertaining

2009-10-14T08:45:00.000-04:00

I hope you'll indulge me in another post on entertaining. It's been on my mind a lot lately because 1) I'm speaking on the subject for the Atlanta Homes & Lifestyle's Christmas House and 2) I've got to figure out what the heck I'm going to serve on Christmas Eve. And, as the holidays are a time for formal entertaining (at least I think it should be formal), why not look back to the 1960s when International Society entertained in a very formal way. Let's see what these soigné hostesses liked to serve thanks to an old issue of Town & Country.

Take, for example, Mrs. Samuel Pryor Reed (that's Annette de la Renta to you and me). She preferred soups, puréed vegetables, and all kinds of soufflées but nixed meat, though she admitted that poultry and veal were acceptable. (You don't see puréed vegetables on menus anymore, and I wonder why not? It's like fancy baby food for adults and it's usually delicious.) I agree about the soufflées too; I never met a soufflé that I didn't like.

If you want to get really fancy, take a cue from Madame Pierre Arpels, who was really gorgeous by the way. Her suggested menu included "Truite en gelée, sauce maison, served with Pouilly-Fuissé; Selle d'agneau, haricots verts, pommes noisettes, served with Bordeaux Leoville-Las-Cases; salade, fromage, and a soufflé Grand Marnier accompanied by Champagne Dom Perignon." You see, another soufflé.

Of interest to many of you will be Donna Marella Agnelli's choice in food. In the country, it was Piedmontese cuisine like white truffles, bagna cauda, and venison. In the city, it was French. French food seemed to be a favorite amongst these hostesses, and it's not hard to understand why.

Traveling over to London, there was Mrs. Diana Phipps. (Fabulous paisley dining room and dress, by the way.) What was served in her swinging dining room? Pancakes with smoked haddock, cottage cheese, mushrooms and mornay sauce, marinated lamb on skewers, saffron rice, and fried aubergines, then Crème brûlée with peeled grapes. (I'm an adventurous eater, but this just doesn't sound very appetizing to me.)

So what am I going to serve for Christmas Eve dinner? I haven't a clue, but after reading this I realized that I want Annette de la Renta's hair, Madame Arpel's good looks, Marella Agnelli's style, and Diana Phipps' dining room. And maybe the courage to serve a soufflé to a houseful of guests!

More is More: Tony Duquette

2009-10-13T08:22:00.002-04:00

Last week I attended a party for Hutton Wilkinson, his beautiful jewelry line, and his new book More Is More: Tony Duquette. More is more, and during the party I kept thinking "I want more!" Like this:

Sadly, that wasn't going to happen so I ended up buying this:

But don't think that the book was a consolation prize. I haven't yet finished the book, but so far I'm thoroughly enjoying it. More than one person has said that "More is More" is even better than the first Tony Duquette book. I'll let you know when I finish it. The photos are absolutely gorgeous. Want to take a look?

There is also a limited edition set of both books in a slipcover case finished in "Gemstone", the malachite fabric from the Tony Duquette collection for Jim Thompson.

That's also "Gemstone" on the table as well. The hostess' beautiful house featured other Jim Thompson/ Tony Duquette fabrics, including "Gemstone" in the beige colorway as well as:

"Golden Sunburst". In fact, one smart guest had a skirt made of this print in the silvery color. She said it doesn't wrinkle!

And now for the gratuitous vanity shot of Hutton and me. Naughty Hutton made sure we had our picture taken in the bedroom. I think he said something very funny, which explains the enormous grin on my face.

Bring Back the 80s...

2009-10-12T08:38:00.000-04:00

Fabric from the 1980s, that is. There are certain prints that were last popular in the 1980s- prints that were exotic in a stylized kind of way and that packed a whole lot of punch. They were aggressive, much like 80s fashion. Case in point- the fabric on the cushions and chair shown above. I've been trying to find a fabric like that for some time now, but I suppose this print has fallen out of favor. Personally, I think it's high time to bring it back.

I've had quite a few helpful readers comment about the fabric at top. Some say it was Brunschwig, while others say Braquenié or Clarence House. Regardless, it's a fabulous print. In fact, one reader from Texas who shares my favorable opinion of this fabric was kind enough to send me an old Architectural Digest article in which our beloved fabric appeared:

Another favorite print that I'm pretty sure has been discontinued is this Braquenié print, above. My parents used to have this fabric throughout their bedroom and sitting room, and I also remember seeing it used as curtains at Le Gavroche back in the late 1980s. I'd love to use this fabric on something in my home-if only it were still in production.

A Clarence House print c. 1989 (if you can see it; the photo was tiny). The blue and tan colorway makes this print seem more palatable for those not into vibrant color.

And then there is this Braquenié fabric, Bordure Cheverny, that is currently available. It's a beautiful print, but for me it's all about the banded print amongst the flowers. They need to produce that print solo. Just my humble opinion.

"Perfect" Entertaining

2009-10-09T08:28:00.000-04:00

Yesterday's post about entertaining reminded me of one of my favorite movies, "Rear Window". One thing about that movie that has always annoyed me, however, was how Jimmy Stewart's character was always critical of his girlfriend Lisa (played by Grace Kelly) as being too perfect. Now tell me, what man would not be head over heels crazy over the fact that he was 1) dating a woman who was as gorgeous as Grace Kelly; 2) dating a woman who brought over a Mark Cross train case with a silk peignoir set in order to spend the night (I'm more taken with the Mark Cross train case but obviously the man would be excited about the overnight stay part); and 3) dating a woman who surprised him with dinner from 21! Scenario #3 really gets me because here was Grace with a waiter from 21 in tow with dinner for two. Lobster, no less. And all Jimmy Stewart could do was make a snide comment about how perfect everything was as usual. What a fool. Wouldn't you want someone to show up at your door with lobster from a fabulous restaurant- with a bottle of Montrachet no less? That's what I thought.

A little perfection never hurt anyone as long as you strive for it in moderation. So, if I were Lisa and I was surprising my significant other with such a feast (in my case it would probably be from La Grotta seeing that it's next door to my building), I'd go for perfection in my tablesetting too and perhaps set a table like these:

The dark colors of Lee Radziwill's vignette adds just the right amount of masculinity for a table for two. Vermeil chargers and flatware; Le Tigre cushions on the chairs. Ostentatious? You bet, and I love it.

A casual table by Elsa Peretti. I wouldn't serve lobster from 21 on this table; a bit too casual, and after all, you're not ordering dinner from 21 every night. Still, it's romantic.

Betsy Bloomingdale was being thoughtful and included a small TV on the table so that her husband could watch a game. I wouldn't include a TV on the table during my little dinner, but if you do decide to do so, expect to have to wear that peignoir set to get his attention.

And you know, TV trays are not tacky. Just look at what the late Nan Kempner did to hers. If my dining companion complained about things being too perfect, I'd show him the door and console myself with my Flora Danica plates.

(All table images from The New Tiffany Table Settings)

The Silent Butler and Some Canapes

2009-10-08T08:31:00.002-04:00

You know what I've always wanted? A silent butler. No, not that kind of butler but rather a handy sterling or silver plated contraption used to quietly and efficiently (and stylishly too) whisk away crumbs from a table or ashes from an ashtray. Do I need one, you ask? No. No one I know smokes, and my guests tend to be pretty tidy eaters. I think I like it for novelty's sake.

I've been eyeing this Tiffany Bamboo silent butler for years!

A more traditional Chippendale style piece

The other silver piece I'd like is a canapes server that looks similar to a silent butler. It's a lidded compartment with a smallish sized handle. (Any ideas as to what it's called?) There is this fabulous scene from an obscure Joan Crawford movie titled "Harriet Craig" (it's about a woman who is compulsive, possessive, a liar, and a bit of a sociopath, yet, she keeps the tidiest home you've ever seen. She goes nuts when things are out of place. Oh, and her prized possession is an Oriental vase) in which she serves her beleaguered husband canapes in something like it. Well, that scene did it for me. I want to serve canapes that way too.

So, channeling my inner Harriet Craig (that's Joan as Harriet, above, next to her prized vase), if I were to pass hors d'oeuvres from said silver dish, I'd probably serve something retro like this:

Cheese and Bacon Croquettes

Season cream cheese very highly, using grated, fresh horse-radish root for the predominating flavor. Shape into inch-long croquette forms and roll in finely chopped, well-grilled bacon. Skewer and serve before the bacon softens.

Then again...maybe I wouldn't!

(Image at top: Italian silent butler c. 1935-40)

Alessandra Branca's New Classic Interiors

2009-10-07T09:00:00.001-04:00

Alessandra Branca is a designer who marches to the tune of her own drummer, and the results are always stunning. She's not a designer who embraces every trend, nor does she change her "look" every few years. A Branca interior of today looks much like those from twenty years ago- warm, inviting, comfortable, and spirited. These attributes can also describe Alessandra herself. I had the opportunity to speak with her a while back, and she's truly as warm and charismatic as her interiors. But you don't have to take my word for it. Alessandra's new book New Classic Interiors is testament to her zest for life- and for decorating.

The most important part of a designer monograph are the photos, and trust me, there are plenty of gorgeous shots of Alessandra's work. Truly, I could pore over them for hours. Oh wait... I have! But I was also charmed by the text. Alessandra describes her varied sources of inspiration, including Rome, the city in which she was raised. After reading about what a typical day is like for Alessandra in her hometown, you will want to move there pronto. And, you'll want to start decorating your home with some Italian flair. Alessandra also gives the reader little design tidbits, such as why bouillon fringe came into being (I won't spoil the surprise. I call it a surprise because I get excited about such things). And, you get an inside peek at all of Alessandra's gorgeous homes too.

I've included some images from the book below. We're all familiar with Alessandra's rooms with her trademark use of red and yellow, but her work extends beyond that. Just take a look:

(All images from New Classic Interiors by Alessandra Branca; Stewart, Tabori, & Chang. All sales proceeds will benefit inner-city educational programs.)

What Is It About This Home?

2009-10-06T08:43:00.001-04:00

I bought a copy of Carrie Donovan's 1981 compilation of New York Times design articles, Living Well : The New York Times Book of Home Design and Decoration, a few years ago. Despite photos of homes of the beautiful people- you know, like Halston and Paloma Picasso- as well as a few palazzos and country piles, there is one home that has stuck with me for years. And you know what? I can't really figure out why, because it's not really my style...or maybe it is.

It was the home of Manhattan caterer Donald Bruce White. White lived above the shop so to speak in a five story townhouse built in the late 19th c. Part of the townhouse was designated for White's catering business, while the rest of the house was his personal space. The article mentioned that White's home was a melange of styles. So why my interest in this home?

Here, White, seated at the head of the table, holds court at a dinner in his private dining room. I know you may think that I was drawn to this photo because of the female guest dining in her fabulous fur hat, but that's only part of it. The room is understated. It's quietly chic. It's not trying too hard to impress. It's a type of decorating that seemed more prevalent "back then", but unfortunately not so much today. (Oh, and I love the ceramic pumpkins on the mantel.)

The living room in which White received clients. Again, it's a room that wasn't decorated to death. It was comfortable and inviting, but I would think it allowed White and his clients to get down to business. As my mother and I like to say, "It is what it is", and "it" wasn't trying to be something that it wasn't. (Does anyone know if the multicolored fabric on the pillows and seat cushion is still made today? If not, it needs to be. It's pretty fabulous.)

And then here is White's private kitchen. I hate to state the obvious, but isn't the copper cookware the draw here? That bombe adds a little eye candy to the photo too.

Maybe the reason I find White's home appealing is because it seemed that people and their enjoyment of good food and a little conviviality were the focus of this home. Not showy furniture or artwork. Not in your face fabric or wallpaper. Rather, it was a place for living a seemingly good life- something I try to remind myself as I'm decorating my home.

Tabletop Extravaganza

2009-10-06T08:41:00.000-04:00

After visiting Mrs. Howard last week for their tabletop trunk show, I'm happy to report that people are still buying china, linens, napkin rings, and other table accessories. Thank goodness. I thought only a few of us were still entertaining at home. Happily, that doesn't seem to be the case.

Geoffrey Ross of Dransfield and Ross and Marc Blackwell were there to assist the ladies with updating their china and linens. (I'd love to say ladies and men, but I only saw female customers.) Now tell me, wouldn't you want to entertain a home, a lot, if you had pretty pieces like these?

Here's cute Geoffrey Ross ready to help update our tables.

Dransfield and Ross give napkin rings a whole new and fun look. How cool is that Taj Mahal ring? You wouldn't even need to put a napkin in it; you could just display it somewhere.

Dransfield and Ross napkins. Which color to choose?

Marc Blackwell's tabletop collection, also seen at top. Polka dots, stripes, and lots of silver and gold.

For information on the Dransfield and Ross and Marc Blackwell collections (oh, and William Yeoward too), contact any Mrs Howard location.

The Art of Tableaux

2009-10-05T08:47:00.000-04:00

I try really hard to assemble and display collections like these:

Stanley Barrows' collection of bronze dogs and furniture mounts. (For another post on Barrows, click here.)

Robert Metzger went so far as to design a lucite etagere for his shagreen collection which included clocks, matchbooks, and an opium pipe.

Lisa Taylor's grouping of interesting pens.

A cropped photo of Bill Blass' carved ivory crustaceans, a collection much revered by Blassophiles.

After seeing these photos, I realized that unfortunately, I'm just not there yet!

(All photos from LIVING WELL - THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK OF HOME DESIGN AND DECORATION)

Jaime Hayon for Baccarat

2009-10-05T08:45:00.000-04:00

Owen Lawrence hosted a party last week in honor of Spanish artist Jaime Hayon's Crystal Candy Set collection for Baccarat. Hayon's work is always vibrant, whimsical, and a bit fantastical, so it's no surprise that these candy jars, part of a very limited edition collection, are no ordinary candy dishes. I just don't see filling them with peanut m&m's, although I suppose you could.

I find it refreshing to see companies like Baccarat and Lladro (another line for which Hayon designed a collection) commissioning young, quirky designers to create pieces that might entice a younger generation into collecting crystal or porcelain. These old line firms may not survive if they rely solely on their traditional, bread and butter client base (I think quite a few of us, myself included, fall into the latter). Anyway, enough of the pontificating. On to the photos of the collection:

After Nine

Harcourt Lolly on the left and Lucky Green at right

Pina Passion Vase

Jelly Copper

And, because I love a beautifully set table, I couldn't resist a few snaps of Fio Pichardo's handiwork:

To inquire about the Hayon for Baccarat collection or any other Baccarat pieces you see in the photos, contact Owen Lawrence at (800) 499-3607.

(The image at top was taken from Hayon's website.)

What's In Their Library: Stephen Drucker

2009-10-02T08:39:00.001-04:00

I'm really excited that House Beautiful Editor-in-Chief Stephen Drucker agreed to give us a peek into his enviable design library. Stephen is a very erudite man and his passion for design is infectious. Spending time with him is like attending a design history class- but one that is so interesting that you want to sit in the front row, absorb every word, and wish that it would never end. When I asked him to provide me with a list of his favorite design books, I knew we were in for a treat. Stephen's favorites include tomes on his beloved British design, but modernism and Hollywood kitsch make appearances as well. And when you read Stephen's remarks about each book, I think you'll also see that in addition to being a fountain of design knowledge, he is really a lot of fun.

Van Day Truex: The Man Who Defined Twentieth-Century Taste and Style by Adam Lewis. "If I could throw the ultimate dinner party of stylemakers then and now, I would seat Truex on my right."

New York Interior Design, 1935-1985, Vol. 1: Inventors of Traditionby Judith Gura. "This one book could be your entire decorating reference library. Personally I can never get enough of Ruby Ross Wood."

The New York Apartment Houses of Rosario Candela and James Carpenterby Andrew Alpern. "Original floorplans of Manhattan's grand old apartment buildings. Could I really get by on Park Avenue with a 40-foot-long living room and four maid's rooms?"

The Englishman's Roomby Alvilde Lees-Milne. "Various English gentlemen, their portraits by the brilliant Derry Moore, and short essays about why they love their nothing-to-prove homes. Everything but the cup of tea."

Colefax and Fowler: The Best in Interior Decorationby Chester Jones. "I've read this 25-year-old book about 400 times. Somewhere in these pages, I'm convinced, is the secret ingredient of Englishness."

Form and Re-Form: A Practical Handbook of Modern Interiorsby Paul Frankl. "Paul Frankl's Machine Age prayerbook. Cork! Linoleum! Vitrolite! It's the future that never quite happened, and a masterpiece of book design."

Visionaire 37: The DV Memos. "These memos written by Her Highness to her staff will help you understand why everyone who worked for her couldn't stop talking about her for the next 40 years. Her eyes did not see the same thing as yours and mine."

Bill Blass: The Sothebys Catalogue. "Hardly a day goes by when someone doesn't tell me that their apartment was "inspired by" Bill Blass's Satyricon on Sutton Place. This catalogue of his effects will humble you quickly."

Hollywood Lifeby Gavin Lambert. "A true romp in the mud, about the great LA houses of the 1960s and 70s. It all seems slightly skanky now, as if everybody's living on the set of "Imitation of Life." Or "Boogie Nights." Dig that brown suede cover."

Getting Twiggy With It

2009-10-01T08:58:00.000-04:00

I know, a horrible title. But it was late. I was punchy.

I'm loving Houles new Twiggy collection, one that was inspired by the legendary model and her fashion sense. We always talk about tiebacks and tassels being jewelry for the home. Well, this window jewelry was meant to be reminiscent of necklaces, pendants, and belts. Don't be shocked if you see me walking around with some of the collection on my person!

Available at Brunschwig showrooms.