Laid-Back Entertaining

A lot of people I know are cutting back on entertaining due to financial reasons. Obviously, we are all watching our pennies right now, but I don't think we should curtail entertaining at home. If anything, now is the time that we should focus on what's really important: spending time with family and friends.

As I've gotten older, I've learned to relax and not be so uptight about having people into my home. I do think (or at least hope) that my home is warm and inviting, but I can say that it is not by any means perfect. As I'm writing this, my powder room has partially removed wallpaper. It ain't pretty, but it has not stopped me from having people in. I consider the wallpaper a temporary situation, and people who know me know that I will one day soon have a remodeled powder room.

The other thing that I'm more laid back about is food. Food does not have to be fancy- only tasty. I love putting on a spread for people, but there are times when it's fun just to relax and enjoy some conviviality with one's friends. And this leads me to the point of this post. When did the cocktail hour get so elaborate? Sure it's fun to assemble a platter of antipasto. And what's better than sharing caviar with your guests? But for those on a budget or who are trying to be less uptight, there is nothing wrong with serving the basics. Such as ... Ritz crackers or Triscuits.

Just look at the gorgeous Horst photo above, taken in 1963 at the Long Island home of Consuelo Balsan. What are those crackers in the Chinese dish on the beautiful tray table which rested on the gorgeous Aubusson rug? Ritz crackers! Truly, have you ever met anyone who didn't like Ritz crackers?

And what about Triscuits? In Susanna Salk's paean of everything WASP, A Privileged Life: Celebrating Wasp Style, Salk writes of memories of "Triscuits with Cracker Barrel Cheese and warm white wine in plastic tumblers." I don't remember the warm white wine so much, but heaven knows that I've eaten a lot of Triscuits and Cracker Barrel Extra-Sharp Cheddar in my day. And don't forget that the only crackers you can serve with cream cheese and pepper jelly- the old stand-by served by all Southern Belles and Gents- are Triscuits.

Now, I'm not saying that you should forgo elegant entertaining altogether. I actually regret that formal entertaining is not as fashionable as it once was. But, when you're having good friends and family over for a few casual drinks, give yourself a break and pull out the box of Ritz.


According to an old New York magazine article, Albert Hadley served a bowl of unsalted Triscuits to the journalist interviewing him. Yet another reason to love Mr. Hadley.


I don't think Triscuits and Ritz were around in 1941 when Dorothy Draper wrote Entertaining is Fun!: How to Be A Popular Hostess, but she was pretty down to earth with her advice. For harried hosts and hostesses who were faced with unexpected guests, she suggested serving English muffins with sliced ham and grilled mushrooms. Were Dorothy alive today, I think she'd just say to serve some cheese and crackers and call it a day.


Sister Parish was one character who I wish I had been able to meet. One of her favorite drinks was vodka with ice and a dash of Clamato. She also on occasion served appetizers of ham wrapped around a pickle with some cream cheese, cut on the diagonal, as well as peanut butter and bacon sandwiches. And based on what has been written, people loved her get-togethers...even the food!

The Good Old Days

When I think of the olden days, I think of that episode of Designing Women in which someone said "Remember the good old days. They were old. They were good. They were days."

Seriously, certain activities seemed far more stylish back then than today. Like shopping. Going to the movies. Even going out for a cocktail or a meal. None of this tattered jeans and flip-flop business- people actually dressed up and made an effort when they went out. What happened?

I found some old images of movie theaters, restaurants, and department stores, and after seeing how glamorous these venues were, I can understand why people dressed up. You and I would if we had the chance to visit a movie theater designed by Samuel Marx. It's a far cry from our local AMC theaters with the stadium seating and surround sound. And wouldn't you want to primp, powder, puff and buff yourself before going to a shoe department decorated by architect Paul Williams?

(And I do want you to know that I try to do my part to keep up the good grooming habits of the old days. I once lived in a high-rise building where fire alarms were a common occurrence. And every time that alarm went off I always applied my lipstick and spritzed on some perfume before I made my way out of the building. Why risk my life to look good in a possible fire? I have no earthly idea, but I blame it on my mother who told me to always wear lipstick when I left the house. That's a throwback to the good old days, but it's one that I wholeheartedly adhere to-even at risk to life and limb!)


Samuel Marx designed the soigne Pump Room in the Ambassador Hotel, Chicago in 1938. The walls were cobalt blue, the banquettes white leather, and the light fixtures crystal. And if you dined at the Pump Room, you could expect this:


You'd wear a hat too if your waiter served you flaming game bird skewers with such flair!



Marx also designed the Lamar Theater in Oak Park, IL. I'd be tempted to give up my Netflix subscription and start going to the theater again if my AMC looked like this.


If the cosmetic counters at the department stores looked like Helena Rubenstein's Fifth Avenue salon c. 1948, then I would be willing to get this treatment:



Or even this one:



If only the Waffle House looked like this! (The Vienna Coffee House at the Mark Hopkins Hotel, San Francisco; designed by Dorothy Draper)


I might actually forget about the recession and buy some new shoes if shoe departments were like this one at Saks in Beverly Hills, c. 1938 (designed by Paul Williams).

Image at top: Remember when people used to dress for the theater? The last time I attended the theater, people brought in Cokes and Goobers!

Thoughts on Stripes

As my week has turned out to be a bit crazy, I decided to dispense with a lot of the chit chat and simply show some photos of big and bold striped walls. I think I first fell in love with stripes after seeing some old photos of Dorothy Draper's work (that woman certainly influenced me and legions of others!). I like stripes of all kinds, but particularly a wide stripe in a graphic color combination- think green and white, red and white, and of course black and white. Of course, with striped walls it's advisable to keep the rest of the room a bit simple. Too many prints fighting each other is guaranteed to give you a headache. That said, you can introduce some pattern into a striped room. Just look at Draper's florals and Redd's animal print below.



I have always adored Dorothy Draper's living room. Those bottle green stripes are beyond snappy! (Image courtesy of Condé Nast Archives)


A striped room by Anne Coyle. I love how the stripes are reflected in the mirrored cocktail table.


Miles Redd used one of his favorite striped fabrics for the walls of this living room. (I know, you've seen this room a million times before, but it's still gorgeous!)


How smashing is this bar in the home of designer Sam Blount? The black and white stripes mixed with red curtains and flowers is bold and snazzy.


My, oh my! Are these some stripes or what? Here, the stripes are railroaded rather than vertical. Although a bit too gutsy for my tastes, I just had to show you this photo. (Design by Melvin Dwork, whose work I do like!)

Photo at top: A Dorothy Draper designed room at the Arrowhead Springs resort. Unfortunately, I don't know if the stripes are pink and white or blue and white.

Regency Redux

"What is Hollywood Regency?" I can't tell you how many times I've been asked this question. And to be quite truthful, I'm able to give a vague description of this style, but an informed, detailed answer? No.

That is why I am very excited about the October 2008 release of Regency Redux written by design historian and writer Emily Eerdmans. The book not only describes the aesthetic of the Regency period in England (defined by a "penchant for clean lines and restrained ornament, directly inspired by ancient Greek and Roman architecture, combined with the swagger of the French Empire style"*), but it also explores the various modern interpretations of this style. Of course, I think it would be safe to say that Hollywood Regency is one of the most well-known variations of the Regency look. But the Regency period inspired many other designers outside of Hollywood, including Dorothy Draper, Syrie Maugham, Oliver Messel, Sybil Colefax, and others.

The Regency style continues to influence today's designers, namely Miles Redd, Geoffrey Bradfield, Jacques Grange, and most famously Kelly Wearstler (who has written the book's forward). Their work is featured in "Regency Redux" as well. With lavish photographs and informative text, this book will finally answer the question that has stumped many of us!

(* quotation taken from the book's website- Regency Redux)


This room is stunning! Painted by none other than Rex Whistler, the Painted Room was located in Port Lympne, the home of Sir Philip Sassoon.


Top right: a view of Eltham Palace, built by Stephen and Virginia Courtauld in 1936. Bottom left: A still from the 1936 film Wife vs. Secretary- a great example of Hollywood Regency. Bottom right: A photograph by the late Hoyningen-Huene.


A dressing room with a daybed by Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann and Classical modern lamps by Jean-Michel Frank.

Image at top: Cover of "Regency Redux" with an image of The Greenbrier, decorated by Dorothy Draper

These Photos Make Me Want To.....

Work! (I know- can you believe it?) Yes, sometimes work can be a joy, while at other times it can be pure drudgery. This is exactly why you should create a work environment that is comfortable, functional, and aesthetically satisfying. After all, don't you want to be inspired to write the next Pulitzer Prize winning book or become the next Billy Baldwin? And how are you supposed to do this while sitting at a faux-woodgrain laminate desk in a drably colored room? Depressing!

The great thing about decorating offices is that you can do it on a restricted budget. OK, so you're stuck with that horror of a laminate desk. No problem- drape it with an inexpensive yet chic fabric such as a solid-colored linen and trim it with decorative tape. How about using a bamboo ballroom chair as your desk chair? Sometimes you can buy used ones from party supply companies. Add a little cushion to the seat and voila- you've just added a little glam to your office. Bookcases, especially for you designers, are critical for organization. I know most of us would give our right arm for some Billy Baldwin/Cole Porter brass bookcases. Until your ship comes in, IKEA makes some decent ones that can be painted or covered in wallpaper. And make sure to paint (or paper if you choose) your walls in a color that makes you happy.

So, with a little creativity and ingenuity, you too can create an office that will have you beaming with pride, much like Ms. Draper below!



Images above: 1) Office in the home of Temple St.Clair Carr, as seen in Elle Decor So Chic, photographer Eric Piasecki
2) Sitting room of the late designer Roger Banks-Pye
3) A Nina Campbell designed study
4) A desk vignette of a room designed by Keith Irvine

Graphic Classics

My post yesterday made me think about classic color combinations, and in my mind there's nothing more classic than black and white. Think black and white marbled floors, black and white striped awnings, and even black and white silhouettes. This graphic color combination is always crisp, tailored, and elegant. You may not want to design an entire room entirely in black and white, but perhaps these black and white items might inspire you to add a little graphic punch to your home.


"Tess" chair by Chair Couture


"Black Aves Platinum" by Royal Crown Derby


Black and white striped ottoman, one of a set of 3, at Dragonette Limited


Black and white obelisks at Biggs Powell


Chevron patterned black and white tray by Oscar de la Renta for Lunt


"Black and White Story" stationery from Kate Spade

Image at top: Hampshire House, New York, designed by Dorothy Draper. One of Draper's favorite color combinations was "dull white and shiny black". One of her trademark looks was black and white checkered floors- beautiful and stylish then, still so today!

Upcoming Book Releases

It seems that my wish list on Amazon just keeps getting longer and longer, especially since there are so many exciting book releases in 2007. I'm anxious to get my hands on these books, but alas, it looks like I'll have to wait a little while! Here are a few that I'm looking forward to:



"Privileged Life: Celebrating Wasp Style" by Susanna Salk. I know that I already mentioned this book a while back, but I think this is going to be a good one. Alyssa at Petite Tresor was kind enough to alert me to an update on the book over on the Fashionista website. Jackie O, Grace Kelly, C.Z. Guest- what more do I need to say?

"Florence Broadhurst: Her Secret & Extraordinary Lives" by Helen O'Neill. A biography on the tragic life of Broadhurst, an Australian designer. Her wallpaper designs have a cult following to this day.

"Decorating Is Fun! How To Be Your Own Decorator" by Dorothy Draper (my idol!). I have a first edition copy of this 1939 classic, and I truly treasure it. Draper writes in such a light-hearted manner, and her decorating tips are certainly applicable today.

Prince of Chintz

In the current issue of Vogue Living, there is an article about the current popularity of floral chintz in both fashion and home design. I know that most people have a love/hate relationship with these traditional florals. Used in moderation, however, they can actually be pretty, feminine, and stylish. The article even shows one print, "Delphinium" by Rose Cumming (the one in the top left-hand corner), that I could actually see myself using.

That being said, I tend to prefer floral prints that are either bold in color or graphic in design. Of course, I think that Dorothy Draper was the queen of floral prints. While some of her designs are quite tame, there is one in particular that I truly love. "Baroque Bouquet" (part of Carleton Varney's fabric line) incorporates two of Draper's favorite things- floral prints and Baroque architecture. I first saw this print used on pillows at the mini Dorothy Draper boutique at Bergdorf's, and I have to tell you that this print has some major wow!

Josef Frank, the Austrian architect and designer, designed some very exuberant fabric for Svenskt Tenn in Sweden during the mid-20th c. His floral prints are over-the-top, but I think that they would look pretty wonderful as an accent to a room. I particulary like "Milles Fleurs" and "Nippon".

Milles Fleurs

Nippon

Frank did design one floral print that is actually somewhat tame but is striking nonetheless. "La Plata" is such a beautiful blue and white floral print. I could see this print being used for cushions on white wicker furniture, or even as a tablecloth with plain white china or better yet blue and white porcelain!

And finally, what about this Leslie and D.D. Tillett floral print? It is so graphic and yet very classic! Jackie O. was a fan of the Tillett's fabric, and I can certainly see why. I have tried to find out if this fabric is still being made, so if anyone knows anything about it, please let me know.