Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Kenneth Jay Lane Entertains



"Kenneth Jay Lane Entertains".  Such a simple title for this March 1977 House Beautiful article.  And yet, were any other words really needed to persuade the reader to peruse the article?  After all, Kenneth Jay Lane's fans are legion.  (I for one will never part with my KJL Maltese Cross cuffs, dragon bracelet, and panther ring.)  And an article that also chronicled his dinner parties?  Even better!

Lane (that's him above, holding what appears to be one of those coveted Tiffany & Co. heart-motif silver repoussé cups) has long had a yen for the exotic, most notably his collection of Orientalist art.  And his home has always reflected this passion, stuffed to the gills with treasures and mementos garnered on far-flung excursions.  His dining room, seen below, is no exception.  It was tented to resemble a Moroccan tent.  And would it surprise you to know that under that tented ceiling, Lane liked to serve his guests Moroccan food (especially couscous), which was prepared by his Moroccan chef?

The article's photos show what Lane's dining room looked like at such feasts.  For smaller affairs, a round table was set with dinnerware from India, carafes from Japan, and a tagine that I assume came from Morocco.  Lane also used mismatched dining chairs.  If the guest list grew at the last minute, he simply pressed one of the room's skirted tables into service at a corner banquette.  Lane mentioned that he took his dinner parties in stride, saying "I never worry and always hope."  Great advice, although I do think that having a Moroccan chef certainly helps...a lot.







All photos from House Beautiful, March 1977

8 comments:

  1. Thomas12:37 PM

    I remember this issue- the cranes in the dining room in particular- How grand they are without taking up a lot of space ! The house has a fantasy about it a la Tony Duquette but not as "manic" if I can use that term-

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  2. Few could pull off that mix of styles, patterns and colors like Kenneth Jay Lane! I know. I tried to utter and complete failure after seeing the HB photos. One needs the pair of cranes, the lacquered bowls and plates, the Orientalist paintings, the...oh heck...the talent!

    April, Just Verte Style

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    1. Anonymous2:08 PM

      The hairy chest!

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  3. Love his style + his jewelry! KJL a true talent. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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  4. Tagines! Having brought back a genuine tagine from our Marrakech honeymoon and managed to crack it, can I recommend the "Emile Henry" tagine to your readers? It's a modern take on the tagine- same effect (ie it gets heat from all sides) but can be used on a standard gas hob without a diffuser. It won't crack. It's jaw-droppingly expensive of course. I hope Mrs Aitch doesn't read this, as she doesn't know yet- I've hidden it at the back of the cupboard...

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    1. Luke, I have my eye on the Emile Henry tagine. Williams-Sonoma carries it. However, the price has given me pause!

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  5. I loved this post. Kenneth is king. I often wish he had a home a collection. I once came across a old alligator stapler he designed but sadly I lost it in auction! great post! thanks for sharing!
    xoxo
    Nicola
    HAUTEheadquarters.com

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