A Dinner for Nicky Haslam

I'm feeling miserly because I only gave you two photos for the Blass post, so I thought I would show you another example of a lovely outdoor space, one which was set for a party.

A few weeks ago, I attended a dinner in honor of Nicky Haslam, who was in Atlanta to lecture at ADAC.  Hosted by Dennis Hunt, Hal Ainsworth, Winton Noah, and Pamela Pierce, the dinner took place at the stylish home of designer Suzanne Kasler.  While drinks were enjoyed indoors (mixed at Suzanne's chic built-in alcove bar as well as an outdoor table, above, that was covered in Travers' Casmir in Wedgwood,) the dinner was served under a tent on the back lawn.  The menu was Southern and included fried chicken, brisket, biscuits, macaroni and cheese, green beans, chocolate pie, and peach pie.  No one in this designer crowd was shy about cleaning their plates, including yours truly, who ate not one, but two pieces of pie.  (Just so you know, that's not something I make a habit of.) 

A beautiful setting, gracious hosts, delicious food, excellent company, and Nicky Haslam- those are the ingredients for a magical evening.

Special thanks to Angela Patrick of Ainsworth-Noah for providing me with these photos.

Nicky Haslam's Folly de Grandeur

I recently spent the most enjoyable evening reading Nicky Haslam's newly released (as in today!) book, Nicky Haslam's Folly De Grandeur: Romance and Revival in an English Country House. As most of you are probably aware, the book profiles the Hunting Lodge, Nicky's enchanting country house that once belonged to John Fowler.  Perhaps it was the allure of these two designers that had me eagerly anticipating the release of this book.  Whatever the reason, the book turned out to be exactly as I had hoped: interesting, inspirational, and hands down a fun read.

Nicky's book is charming and engaging for a number of reasons.  First, he is an excellent writer, one who throws out all kinds of interesting historical tidbits and practical decorating advice along with humorous, and at times naughty, quips thrown in for good measure.  For those of you who are eager to learn about Nicky's thoughts on fabrics, floors, and like, you won't be disappointed as he includes numerous chapters focused on such aspects of decorating.  And if you are a devotee of the country house style, then you'll enjoy reading about the evolution of the house as well as studying the luscious photos of forty years worth of decorative layers.

In fact, even without Nicky's well-written narrative, the book would still be a success, I think, because of Simon Upton's photos.  There are large room shots as well as many detail photos that capture all of Nicky's amusing and entertaining mementos.  There is just so much to look at in this house- and this book- that one could spend hours studying these pictures.  Wait, I did spend hours studying the book's pictures!

I'm not sure what Nicky's follow-up book is going to be, but whatever it is, I am eagerly awaiting that one too.

© Nicky Haslam's Folly De Grandeur: Romance and Revival in an English Country House by Nicholas Haslam, Rizzoli New York, 2013. Images © Simon Upton may not be reproduced in any way, published, or transmitted digitally without written permission from the publisher.

Come for Drinks

Doesn't the photo above look inviting? I love the way in which this drinks table was arranged with a gracious plenty of everything: liquor, glassware, ice, drink garnishes, and cocktail nibbles. I wish that I could remember from which issue of Veranda this image came. Regardless, I think that a drinks table as elaborate as this one is best suited for a party (or a magazine photograph!) But for everyday use, a smaller drinks table in a library or drawing room is always nice for impromptu gatherings or a solitary drink while reading. If the table is placed near a fireplace, even better.




In an Indian noblewoman's London flat designed by Nicky Haslam.




In a far corner of the living room in a Faubourg Saint-Germain house.




In Blenheim Palace underneath a 1963 portrait of the 11th Duke of Marlborough.




In a niche in Madeleine Castaing's salon at Maison de Lèves.




In the lush red salon of a home in Paris.




In the London living room of decorator Anthony Denney.



In a glamorous New Orleans salon decorated by Nicky Haslam.



In the library at Clandeboye, County Down, Ireland.


Image #1 from Veranda; #2 from Interiors by Min Hogg and Wendy Harrop; #3 from The Finest Houses Of Paris by Christiane de Nicolay-Mazery; #4 from Vanity Fair, June 2011, Jonathan Becker photographer; #5 and #6 from French Interiors: The Art of Elegance by Christiane de Nicolay-Masery; #7 from The Best in European Decoration; #8 from Sheer Opulence by Nicholas Haslam; #9 from The Irish Country House by the Knight of Glin and James Peill.

Blind as a Slat

One of my all-time favorite fabrics is Venetian Blind, a trompe l'oeil chintz designed by the late, great John Fowler (see it above.) If you've read Martin Wood's book John Fowler: Prince of Decorators, you've seen the print; it makes appearances throughout the book as Fowler used it quite often in his projects. I've always wanted to make shades out of Venetian Blind ever since I saw Clarence House's version many years ago. Alas, Colefax & Fowler discontinued Fowler's original print years ago, and Clarence House's version is, yes, discontinued too. I think that's why Nicky Haslam's version was met with great fanfare when it was introduced last year.

Nicky's talented Creative Director Colette Van Den Thillart was kind enough to send me samples after I inquired about the fabric. Nicky's interpretation is printed on linen, and the various colorways are gorgeous! Dovecote Grey has my name written all over it. Now I just need to find some naked windows in my home that I can dress in this fabric. Or, I can do as Colette did and have an actual dress made from the fabric. (If you want to see Nicky, Colette, and the entire staff posed in front of the print, click here.)

Funny enough, on the same day that I received the samples, I happened to find a photo of a room designed by Madeleine Castaing in which the wallpaper looked Venetian blind-esque. It may not be a blind print per se, but you can see below that it somewhat resembles blinds. You know how I love design happenstance, so how could I not write a post on such a charming print?

Nicky Haslam's version is Shutter Stripe. Colors include Dovecote Grey, Moonlight Beige, Pomegranate Red, New Mown Green, Cloudy Lilac, and Unearthly Brown. For more information on Shutter Stripe, visit NH Design's website.




Here, Fowler used the fabric for shades in the home of Anthony Ayscought at 14 Gayfere Street, Westminster. Don't you love how you can see the sheen of the glazed cotton?




Venetian Blind also made an appearance as, what else, blinds in Fowler's early showroom at 292 Kings Road.




Here, the chintz was made into a roller shade at Yarty, a country home decorated by Fowler.




I wonder if this vignette was located in Castaing's Rue Bonaparte showroom? I'd love to know what this wallpaper's print actually is. Might it be Venetian blinds?




This Nobilis paper named "Les Jalousies" graced the entryway of the apartment of M. et Mme Yves Halard.

(All Fowler images from John Fowler: Prince of Decorators; Shutter Stripe samples photo by Jennifer Boles; Castaing photo from Decoration, Volume I (Connaissance des Arts Collection); Halard photo from Les Reussites de la Decoration Francaise, 1950-1960)