I have found an upcoming book release that has piqued my interest: Privileged Life: Celebrating Wasp Style by Susanna Salk (Assouline; February 28, 2007). Although I can find very little on the Internet about this book, I am hoping that it will focus on the colorful, traditional, and comfortable style of certain privileged Americans. Perhaps there will be photos of rooms by Sister Parish and McMillen?
In the spirit of WASP chic, I thought I would post some photos of the home of the ultimate WASP style icon- C.Z. Guest. Guest's estate on Long Island, Templeton, was designed by famed architects Carrere & Hastings. After a short time living in the manor house, the Guests moved to a "smaller" home on the property. This house, along with the manor house, were both decorated by Stephane Boudin of Maison Jansen. Guest, like so many other stylish individuals, did not continuously redecorate her home. She stuck with Boudin's work, only refreshing it over the years. The home was certainly stylish, but it was also quite warm and inviting. (Of course, if you were C.Z. Guest, you too could get away with thread-bare carpet and orchids sitting around in green plastic pots.)
(Photos from House & Garden, June 2004)
Many, many thanks for this book tip! Loved these images when I saw them in H & G too :)
ReplyDeleteI love CZ!
ReplyDeleteI hate to be a downer but since I worked as a competitor and know the Assouline's don't expect too much from this book. It's a great concept but they are: #1 very, very French and really don't get anything American and #2 don't really care about quality but somehow really get the fashion crowd to back their books. It's amazing how they publish anything seeing as they have absolutely no staff unless things have changed recently.
I will be interested to see what they do with this! Thanks for posting and keep us updated if you hear anything!
Alyssa- That's an interesting comment. I remember reading a while back that it was a "controversial" publisher.
ReplyDeleteI have an update for you on this one...I saw it this morning...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fashionista.com/2007/03/the_big_book_of_wasp.php
Big thanks Alyssa! I'm going to check it out now!
ReplyDeleteAs someone who hunted down 'The Official Preppy Handbook' before it was reprinted, I'll be adding this to my wishlist.
ReplyDeleteAmbika- Then this book is right up your alley!
ReplyDeleteI had the pleasure of visiting CZ Guest in her smaller home in Old Westbury and she was a treat.(working as scout and editor for Better Homes & Gardens & Traditional Home magazines) The house was beyond wonderful - cozy and elegant. She was so sweet and finding out that I had young kids then, gave me a basket of eggs from her different breeds of chickens which were all different colors. She lived in a classic home, lived the classic lifestyle and was a class act.
ReplyDeleteCynthia- Lucky you and what a fabulous memory. I hope you took a picture of those eggs!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love your blog! Must try to find the book. The only other Assouline publication I have is Happy Times by Lee Radziwill. Content wise - pretty limited. Still, it's visually stunning and just a great piece - a guilty pleasure on a rainy day. Of course, Lee Radziwill is seriously intertwined with both fashion and France and lives there now to Alyssa's point. Would love to see a post about Lee! Her recent interview with NYT was amazing.
ReplyDeleteCZ Guest always had leopard print carpets in the halls and on stairs because they didn't show dog paw prints!
ReplyDeleteThat's how we roll on Long Island--threadbare carpets and orchids in plastic pots!!
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