Billy Baldwin Does Dallas

The photo above is one with which most of you are familiar. It shows the Dallas living room of the Harding Lawrences which was decorated by Billy Baldwin in the late 1960s. I first saw the photo years ago while reading Billy Baldwin Decorates, and there were two memorable things about this photo. First, the combination of those pink walls, floral print fabric, and modern artwork looks smashing. And secondly, there was some kind of color separation issue with the printing as the blue and white garniture looks strangely bleached out. (That problem seems to have been corrected in Adam Lewis' recent book, Billy Baldwin: The Great American Decorator, where the photo also appears.)

I was always curious as to what the rest of the home looked like, and I recently found additional photos in the May 1970 issue of House Beautiful. Now you know that I think Billy Baldwin was one of the greatest decorators ever. However, while the rest of the house was attractive, it seems to have lacked the punch that the pink living room had. The article did mention that when the Lawrences purchased the house, it was a dark, gloomy Tudor style house. Baldwin was charged with making the home bright and light, and that he certainly accomplished by painting walls and trim in soft, pale tones and upholstering furniture in colorful, cheery prints. Still, for me, the masterpiece of the house is that gorgeous living room, a room that ranks up there as one of the most attractive of all Baldwin's work. It just doesn't get much better than that.



In an effort to make the home feel comfortable, the Lawrences chose to forgo a formal dining room in favor of a combination dining room and library.




The sitting area of the dining room cum library with accents of sunny yellow.




When the Lawrences entertained (which, according to the article, was not often), they set up three tables to accommodate no more than twelve guests.




The "South Porch" where the Lawrences relaxed and took lunch. The cotton fabric was of French origin and made especially for Baldwin.




Mr. Lawrence's dressing room had walls upholstered in brown and white striped cotton.




The master bedroom, an oasis of beige cotton, boasted a view of Turtle Creek Park.




A view from the staircase. You can see the South Porch straight ahead on the first floor, with what I believe is a glimpse of the pink living room to the right. Note too the plaster palm torchères.


All photos from House Beautiful, May 1970.