Todd Alexander Romano

Todd Alexander Romano is one of those well-known designers who still manages to fly under the radar. It had been a few years since I had seen his work profiled. Fortunately, his Manhattan apartment can be seen in the current Elle Decor.

Romano's work is characterized by touches of the traditional and the urbane. I like that while his apartment is formal, it is also quite comfortable. I think he "warmed" things up with his use of sumptuous velvets in shades of brown and red. At the same time, he adds a crispness to everything with the antique mirrored panels, the mirrored garden stool, and the wonderful Queen's Ware displayed in the black bookshelves (very graphic).

Romano has a fabulous shop on Lexington Ave.- it's filled with wonderful antiques, and I believe he also carries de Gournay wallcoverings (reason enough to visit). The next time you're in that neighborhood, you should definitely check out his shop!

Carrot & Stick Press Stationery

Was anybody else taken with the leopard print note cards featured in the February Domino? Any and all animal prints catch my eye. The note cards were designed by Carrot and Stick Press in Oakland, CA. Their website has so many great graphic note cards, place cards, and place mats, all in bright, cheery colors.

What I plan on ordering, though, are their stylish note pads, perfect for a bedside table or by the phone. The brown and white striped one reminds me of a Bendel's bag!

Think Pink....In the Dining Room!

I was looking through my style file last night and came across this photo of Mathilde Agostinelli's Parisian dining which was featured in the May 2006 issue of House and Garden. I love the fact that it's pink- pink fabric walls, pink table linen, pink orchids (you can even see the pink sofa in the living room beyond). Pink can be hard to pull off, but it certainly doesn't look saccharine here. I think the neutral patterned carpet and chairs temper the pink and make it look sophisticated. And what about that spectacular chandelier??? C'est magnifique!

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.

Classic Design- Tortoise

These Jansen chairs (sold by Benjamin Stork Ltd.) are fabulous and so inspiring! Of course, the Regency style of the chairs is very Jansen. But what really makes these chairs so striking is the tortoise print oilcloth.

Tortoise print is such a classic and sophisticated way to add zip to a room. Tortoise furniture and accessories were long considered to be a luxury, and we can now recreate that luxury with faux tortoise painted furniture. Markham Roberts designed the faux tortoise mirror below using warm, rich tones. Jeffrey Bilhuber, on the otherhand, used more neutral tones for his tortoise bookshelf.











To add some major wow to your room, why not give the tortoise treatment to your room's architecture? One designer created this knockout faux tortoise door using dramatic red and brown tones as well as a lacquered finish.

For a more stylized and whimsical approach to tortoise, Tyler Hall has designed a witty tortoise print called "Sardinia Tortoise Shell" which comes in five colorways, including a cool platinum.

William Haines Lamps on 1st Dibs

Dragonette Ltd. has just listed some unusual William Haines lamps on 1stdibs.com. Made for Armand and Harriet Deutsch, the table lamps incorporate Chinese figures on wooden bases. The green painted lamp contains rather ancient looking terracotta Chinese figures that, according to the site, represent the zodiac signs of the Deutschs. The other lamp has a white base with blanc de chine figures and is more "stylized" than the other one.









William (Billy) Haines was one of the most prominent decorators of the 20th c., although much of his work was concentrated in the Los Angeles area. Haines spent his early days in Hollywood as a silent film star, but when his career stalled he chose to pursue interior design. Haines' glamorous style was a perfect fit for the Hollywood stars of the 1930s; in fact, Joan Crawford was one of his earliest and most ardent devotees.

Haines was known for incorporating custom-made lamps and lampshades into his interiors. Many of the lampshades were a bit over the top. The excessive fringe and pom-poms on the shades seemed to have been phased out early in his career. The custom-made lamps, usually Chinoiserie in style, were a constant throughout the years.

I thought I'd share with you some images of his lamps that I found in Class Act: William Haines, a really thorough book that highlights some of Haines' most striking interiors. As you can see, the elaborate lamps and shades from his early career gradually gave way to a more sophisticated look.

Murray Moss, Meissen, and More

For those of you who have visited Moss in Soho, you may know it as a mecca for modern design. While Murray Moss fills his shop with both the latest and the most classic of modern pieces, he also has one of the most magnificent collections of traditional porcelain china. Meissen, Nymphenburg, and KPM all fill the shelves.

Meissen is one of the oldest and most prestigious makers of European porcelain. One of my favorite Meissen patterns is "Rich Court", which was designed in 1745. According to the Moss website, Augustus the Strong commissioned this service, which was exclusive to the Saxon court until 1918. The pattern contains beautiful images of dragons and birds depicted in red and gold.

For a more feminine (and less grand) pattern, I think the "Neuosier Flowers and Fruit" by KPM is absolutely charming. I could see using this for a ladies' luncheon, displayed on a cerise or lettuce colored linen tablecloth. The hand painted design is so delicate and beautiful!

Moss also carries more unique porcelain pieces. This Meissen Lobster Box is both wonderful and weird. I would never have guessed that this piece was designed in 1770!

And, for strictly decorative use, these Chinese figures by Nymphenburg would look absolutely stunning on a table, on a mantle, or anywhere you want to add some Chinese chic!

Classic Room- Dorothy Draper

Dorothy Draper certainly enjoyed a resurgence in 2006. She was the focus of an exhibit, was the subject of a new book, and became a newly hip design icon. And while many people may be a little tired of reading about her, DD reigns supreme for me. From the time I first became familiar with her work many years ago, Draper's style has always inspired me.

While I love the drama and theatricality of her work at The Carlyle and The Greenbrier, I am most drawn to this room- her living room in her apartment at The Carlyle. Certainly Draper achieved a sense of drama here, but it was done in a more subtle way.

The rich aubergine-colored walls provided the perfect "Manhattan chic" backdrop to Draper's traditional furnishings. Draper was fortunate to have had many family heirlooms, including the portrait of her great-grandmother, the enormous china cabinet, and the Lowestoft china, all pictured here. What made this room so successful, though, is that she mixed these wonderful antiques with contemporary pieces, namely the low slung coffee table and the modern tufted rug. While this combination of traditional and modern is the norm today, it was rather revolutionary during Draper's time.

And in case you haven't yet noticed (although I'm sure you have!), there are two things in the room that truly scream Dorothy Draper- the floral chintz covered armchairs and the neo-baroque mantel. Can you imagine Draper living without both? I can't!

Stylish Stationery

Haven't we all read lately that the handwritten note is a thing of the past? That email has become the preferred method of social correspondence? While it is true that email has made our lives easier in some regards, it cannot replace the graciousness of a handwritten note. I love receiving notes of thanks and well-wishes, and I make a real effort to return the favor every chance I get.

Of course, bespoke stationery is wonderful. You might want to have at least one set of engraved stationery for more formal occasions. However, you also have the option of purchasing motif stationery- plain paper or cards with a motif engraved on the top. This is a wonderful (and less expensive) way to express your style and personality. Fortunately for us, there is an abundance of stylish stationery on the market.




For the ultimate extravagance, why not consider a set of the Chinese Dragon cards from Mrs. John L. Strong? Yes, they are pricey, and yes, you may want to reserve using these for only the most special people in your life. But aren't they a splashy way to send one's well-wishes?

Dempsey & Carroll has numerous options for motif cards. For an ultra feminine card, I like their floral motif cards such as the Japanese Spider Mum or the Red Hibiscus.

Or, for something more whimsical, their London Taxi cards might just fit the bill.





Smythson, the London stationery purveyor, has some simple but chic correspondence cards. I think their Lipstick cards would be great to send to makeup mavens.


And now for the hard part- what to write? Well, who can forget Strunk and White? Their writing manual/bible was updated in 2005 with charming illustrations by Maira Kalman. The Elements of Style Illustrated is not only helpful in guiding us letter writers, the illustrations also make it fun!