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!

Jay Crawford and his Timeless Interiors

I don't know much about Jay Crawford other than the fact that he was a fashion illustrator and a founder of Quadrille fabric. But what I do know is that I love his style. I first saw some 1979 images of his Manhattan townhouse (the top two photos) a few months ago and was struck by how chic the rooms still seem as viewed by these 21st century eyes. And then last night I found photos of what I believe is the same townhouse circa 1990 (check them out below). To me, both versions have that certain Billy Baldwin/Albert Hadley-esque flair. Can anyone fill in the blanks and give me more information on Crawford?




(Top two images from Architectural Digest New York Interiors; 1990 photos from Manhattan Style)

Baroque-en Beds

I'm a great admirer of people who have the guts to go out on a limb and do something crazy in their homes, even if it's not so very stylish. Didn't Diana Vreeland once say that it was better to have bad taste than no taste at all? One room that seems to really stir people's fantasies is the bedroom. And no, I'm not talking about those fantasies. This is a design blog after all.

Most of us have tailored, upholstered headboards and plain but appropriate bed linen. Can you imagine having one of these Baroque, bold, and over the top beds in your bedroom?? Probably not. But sometimes it's interesting to see what goes on behind closed doors.

(Image at top: I could say something cheesy like "Snare him in your web of allure", and I just did!)


Only a Hollywood actress would have an over the top bed like this. And that actress was none other than Mae West, famous for her risque one liners. When asked why the bed had a mirrored ceiling attached to it, she quipped "I like to be able to see how well I'm doing!"


Helena Rubinstein was nothing if not innovative and provocative. Here, she was photographed in her illuminated lucite bed designed by Ladislas Medgyes. The bed was only four feet wide by five and a half feet long to accommodate Rubinstein's short stature. Notice the footboard is etched with a vase of roses and an "H".


Yet another illuminated bed, c. 1936. What I want to know is...would the lighting on this bed create down shadows on your face? If so, that might not be so attractive.


Men are not always immune to the flamboyant bed syndrome. Cecil Beaton had this exuberant bed in the Circus Bedroom at Ashcombe. If those walls could talk...

Bunny Williams and BeeLine Home

Everybody has been buzzing about Bunny Williams' new furniture collection, BeeLine Home. (And apologies for the bad pun!) I recently had the opportunity to meet with Bunny and her staff and see the line in person, and I promise you this is a fabulous collection!

First, the whole line has that Bunny Williams' flair. Each piece that I saw- whether it was a mirror, a table, a lamp- looked like a "found" object. The collection was inspired by both pieces in Bunny's own collection and objects that Bunny had been searching for. And one of Bunny's objectives was to provide a mix of modern and traditional pieces. After all, that's the way we live, and I think that's what makes Bunny's interiors so rich, so inviting, and so now (and yet so timeless too)!

The other thing that I shouldn't neglect to mention is the gorgeous finishes of the furniture. One of the reasons that I'm hesitant to buy new pieces is the lack of quality finishes- they either look cheap or too new. And that's definitely not the case with BeeLine Home. There were a few tables that I really thought were antiques...until Bunny pointed out that they were part of her new collection. I was pleasantly surprised.

The collection won't be available for sale until late March. But there's good news for all of you who are not in the trade. The line will be available to everyone at retail shops around the country, including Mrs. Howard, Hollyhock, Mecox, and others. Visit the website to see the entire collection and the retail locations. And if you can, try to see BeeLine Home in person. I really think you'll love it as much as I do.

Oh- and before I forget. These are limited edition pieces, meaning get them while you can. It also means we get to look forward to fresh, new additions in the future!


Hand carved wooden Garden Panel with gesso finish, reminiscent of a 1930s plaster panel.


Shadowbox Mirror, inspired by a mirror in Bunny's Connecticut home, has a mid-20th century feel to it.


This Nailhead Sofa is absolutely gorgeous in person. The combination of the nailhead trim, the curvy apron, and that rich olive cotton velvet is perfection! (The sofa is available in taupe and moss linen twill as well, or can be upholstered in the customer's own material.)


I think this Hourglass Table might be one of my favorite items in the entire collection. It's so glamorous.


This Chicken Feather Lamp is charming in person. And, the price is nice too- $500.


And as we all love Sister Parish (who was Bunny's former employer), I thought you'd like to see the Parish Cachepot, based on a pair of that were once owned by the late decorator. Now where else would you find something as charming as this?

Grown Up Color

Recently, I was interviewed for an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article on color. I was asked for my thoughts on color trends and the predictions that yellow and purple will be THE colors for 2009.

Though I don't have any yellow in my home, I heartily approve of the color- whether it's the "in" shade of the moment or not. I prefer gutsy yellows, much along the lines of Nancy Lancaster's buttah-yellow drawing room. (I recently saw the room in person, and it's far more vivid than I expected. The buttah that I grew up with is quite positively pale in comparison.) To me, the other gold standard of yellow rooms is Chris Spitzmiller's living room. The color- and everything else in it- is perfection!


In terms of purple, I am quoted as saying that I'm not a fan of purple. That is true. It's a great color, but it's just not for me. And then I went on to say that I'm mad for aubergine. The kind journalist asked me "Well, isn't aubergine a shade of purple??" Well, yes it is, and obviously I was having a daft moment. So to clarify, aubergine is one shade of purple that is very me.

But I did go on to say that I'm currently craving deeper, more sophisticated colors like aubergine, moss green, and moody shades of blue. Basically, I'm ready for some depth. And I swear it was as if Jeffrey Bilhuber read my mind. When I read my March issue of House Beautiful last night, I was giddy over his use of color in a Pennsylvania farmhouse: aubergine, kumquat, and indigo to name a few. It's a combination that just seems right for right now. As for that indigo room featured at top, Bilhuber was inspired by a similar color that he saw at Mount Vernon. (If I used it in my home, I'd have to go the high-gloss route just because I'm weak for shiny surfaces.)

I think we've all grown up a lot over the last year- we've had to because of the current political and economic climate. And I think color has matured too.


An armchair in the farmhouse decorated by Bilhuber. I adore this color; I almost want to eat it! The fabric is "Carom" from Malabar.


The kumquat/aubergine combo has some zip, especially against that blue chair frame. Bilhuber obviously has a great eye for color.


Chris Spitzmiller doesn't know this yet, but I'm planning on moving into his apartment with him. His living room is probably my favorite yellow room.


I remember being struck by this room in the Newport home of designer Meg Braff. Back in 2007, you really didn't see this shade of blue very often. It was a breath of fresh air, and it still is. The wallpaper is Farrow & Ball's Plain Stripe blue wallpaper with Stone Blue trim. The red accents look really good against that blue too.


Katie Ridder does some really interesting things with color, and I think her rooms have a lot of depth to them. Again, this room is a unique shade of blue.

(Bilhuber images from House Beautiful, March 2009; Julian Wass photographer. Image of the Spitzmiller living room from House Beautiful; photographer Tara Striano. Braff living room from House Beautiful, June 2007; Simon Upton photographer. Katie Ridder room from her website.)

Masterpieces by RL Goins

Anytime I'm browsing through books on design and interiors of the 1920s and 30s, I'm struck by the bespoke furniture that filled many of these luxe interiors. The pieces were really like works of art and were usually crafted by ateliers of artisans who were skilled in all kinds of techniques and finishes: verre eglomisé; lacquering; gold leafing. And inevitably, I always wonder who are our 21st century Jean-Michel Franks and Jean Dunands? Just how many artists are there today who still have the knowledge of and the enthusiasm for this type of amazing craftsmanship?

Needless to say, I was shocked to find out that there is in fact a very talented artist and designer here in my very own backyard of Atlanta. Raymond Goins has his own atelier, RL Goins, that hand crafts furniture and accessories for clients far and wide, and I think that Ray's studio fills a void in the marketplace for high end, hand crafted pieces with panache. I recently toured his workshop, and I'll admit that I was gobsmacked by the cabinet that is shown at top. The custom "Dutch Gothic" cabinet is made of wood with hand carved shells that adorn the top and bottom. The doors feature hand-blown glass painted with a verre eglomisé, trompe l'oeil scene. Is that gorgeous or what!

Now I know that not everyone has the guts to commission a piece like this. In fact, Ray said that this was for a client with "flair". But Ray understands subtle and he's quite accomplished at that too. In addition to custom work, RL Goins has a gorgeous line of screens, tables, chairs, cabinets, and accessories that have really beautiful finishes. He also works with designers on interior treatments like murals and hand painted scenes. Oh, and he restores and conserves antiques as well. Obviously, Ray is an artist with boundless enthusiasm who has been blessed with a great eye.

(To see Ray's entire line of furniture and accessories, or to see his portfolio of custom projects, please visit his website)


I'm very much in love with this verre eglomisé "Marseilles" screen. It's absolutely gorgeous in person, and the hand painted scene of the Amazon is one of Ray's original designs. Part of the RL Goins collection.


"Fontainebleu" hand painted grisaille screen with trompe l'oeil scene of hunting implements. Original artwork by Ray. Part of the RL Goins collection.


"Albero di Vita" screen with hand painted leather panels. Ray's design features the tree of life motif and is available in other colors as well. Part of the RL Goins collection.


"Nautical" trumeau with a hand painted scene. Scenes and background color for the trumeau are customizable. Part of the RL Goins collection.


"Chelsea Urn" lamp with hand painted design by Ray. Part of the RL Goins collection.


There are also plenty of non-painted items in the collection which really allow the beauty of the wood to stand out. This trestle table has an aged tobacco finish. The neat thing about it is that you can assemble the table and break it down with your hands rather than tools...meaning that it's easy to transport outside for a picnic or some such event! Part of the RL Goins collection.



Custom designed outdoor swinging bench and chair. I'd say this is Gothic done right!


The "Paris" bed is another custom piece designed by Ray.


A custom designed vanity and mirror by Ray. The lacquered blue finish is stunning. So stunning that I'd like to lacquer my whole home in this shade of blue.

Thrifty Chic

So we're all watching our pennies right now. In fact, that's all anybody seems to want to talk about (myself included). If you're looking to add some pizazz to your home but your budget is a bit constrained, why not raid your pantry or your closet of office supplies? Did you know that bubble wrap can be used in lieu of linen for a table cloth? Or that cellophane can make some nifty curtains? OK, so it's a hard sell I know. After all, it takes courage and an iron constitution to swag and drape your windows with plastic wrap, and I know it would be hell to get the stuff to not stick to itself in one big mess. But, some designers have used some pretty unique household items to great effect. At the very least, it might get our creative juices going!



Jean-François Daigre designed this tablesetting for Tiffany Taste back in the 1980s. How great is that bubble wrap tablecloth??!! Of course, anything would look great in front of that grisaille mural. And you wouldn't have to worry about laundering the thing!


According to Emily Eerdmans' book Regency Redux, the art department of RKO Pictures had a limited budget back in the 1930s. In the movie "Dancing Lady" (1933), designer Merrill Pye used cellophane for those sweeping curtains! And note the plastic wrap covered chair as well. Very clever!


You can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear...unless you were Tony Duquette! He used all kinds of detritus such as vegetable strainers, golf balls, and plastic bottles to create beautiful masterpieces. Here he used Styrofoam grapefruit packing cases on the ceiling of his studio c. 1980 (image from Tony Duquette's website).