Mary McDonald's Website

Mary McDonald is a decorator whose work I've admired for a few years. I had spent some time trying to find her website, and after a lot of searching, I finally found it (it's www.marymcdonaldinc.com)!

I like McDonald's take on traditional style- in her interiors, rooms are glamorous, snappy, and classic. The dining room below is striking in a subtle and sophisticated way. The walls- covered in a vivid green de Gournay hand-painted chinoiserie print- are what really make this room a knock-out.

Her office (seen below) was featured in the Jan/Feb Domino. Here,the look is more movie star glamour. Once again, there are touches of chinoiserie in the desk and lamps (a girl after my own heart!). And the curtains in the pink room add graphic flair.

There is a section on her website entitled Mary McDonald At Home (currently under construction). Perhaps she is designing her own line of furniture and home accessories? I hope so! I definitely think she is an L.A. designer to watch, along with Ruthie Sommers.

Inspiring Room

I was very taken with the article on the home of Christopher Spitzmiller, featured in December's Elle Decor. I have been a fan of Spitzmiller's lamps for years, so it was interesting to see how he chose to decorate his home.

The lacquered yellow walls of the living room create such a vivid backdrop to the room's furnishings. Spitzmiller mentioned that he was inspired by Nancy Lancaster's "buttah yellow" walls and used this as a starting point for the room. He was also influenced by the home of Mr. and Mrs. David Bruce that was decorated by John Fowler (to see a photo of the Bruce's drawing room, see my post from yesterday). Interestingly, Spitzmiller was able to purchase a few pieces that belonged to the Bruces, including two medallions that were painted by George Oakes. Oakes was an employee of Colefax Fowler who painted numerous pieces for John Fowler.

The living room is, in my opinion, very chic-traditional. You can tell that each piece of furniture was chosen with care, and each piece adds something to the overall design. I am also crazy about his bedroom. I love the paisley fabric walls. Very inspiring!

Marc Jacobs for Waterford on Style.com

Style.com has chosen Marc Jacobs' flowerpot vase for Waterford as its item of the week. I like the fact that Jacobs has chosen to reinterpret the humble flowerpot (dish included!) in crystal. It is simple and striking at the same time.

It looks like it comes in three sizes. The small size would be perfect for a single bulb or bloom (as they have suggested). Perhaps the large size might make a stylish and chic cachepot. You could try lining the pot with moss or green waxy leaves for an interesting look.

John Fowler at the V&A

I recently had the opportunity to travel to London, and at the top of my to-do list was to see the exhibit "John Fowler: Detail in Decoration" at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Although comprising only two rooms, the exhibit was an excellent overview of John Fowler's fifty year career.

For those who may not be familiar with him, John Fowler is best known as the master of the English country look. He began his career as a decorative painter, later branching out into the field of interior design. In 1938, he joined forces with decorator Sybil Colefax to form Colefax and Fowler. Upon Colefax's death, Nancy Lancaster acquired the firm. Fowler learned a great deal from Lancaster, and although their taste was very similar, they tended to have a rather contentious relationship. As has been oft quoted, they were the "unhappiest unmarried couple in England". Fowler left the firm in 1968, and spent his later years advising on the restoration of National Trust houses.

Fowler had a deep interest in document fabrics and wallpapers and began to collect them (later leaving them to the V&A). He reproduced many of the historical patterns that he found, and these figure prominently in his work. One of his favorite document prints was "Berkeley Sprig"- a charming print of a flower against a trellis background. This print has been used in numerous Colefax & Fowler interiors. One of my favorite Fowler fabrics that was featured in the exhibit is a trompe l'oeil pattern of venetian style blinds- he used the fabric for roman shades, an idea that I just may borrow sometime.

One of the most delightful aspects of the exhibit was the display of painted furniture that Fowler either owned or used in his various projects. The painted furniture was rather simple and sometimes rustic but was thoroughly enchanting and contributed greatly to this English country look.

No exhibit on Fowler would be complete without including photos of some of his best-known rooms. Fowler's work for Mrs. David Bruce is legendary, especially his work on her London drawing room. Note the elaborate curtains, which are another hallmark of Fowler's design.

And of course, I couldn't leave out the famous yellow drawing room at Colefax and Fowler's shop/offices on Brook St. A collaboration between Fowler and Lancaster, this room ranks as one of the most iconic rooms in the history of interior design.

Nifty Needlepoint

I have always had a yen for all things needlepoint- pillows, coasters, ottomans. The problem has been that the so many of the needlepoint designs on the market have been saccharine sweet- puppies, rainbows, and the like. It took a lot of searching to find sophisticated designs. When I took up needlepoint a few years back, the one design that caught my eye was a geometric design (see above) by needlepoint doyenne Erica Wilson. I loved the bright colors and graphic design. I'm still working on it, but I know that once it's complete, it will add a major splash of color to my home.

Fortunately, it seems that needlepoint may be making a bit of a comeback, and I think some of its popularity is due to Jonathan Adler and his crazy pillows and accessories. For a modern and fun touch, check out his greek key coasters and bargello pillows.

Should your tastes run towards the traditional, Anthropologie has a beautiful ottoman with scenes of birds and flowers. The scenes depicted, though, are anything but cute. I think they would look great as accent pieces in a den or by the fireplace.

Animal prints are about my favorite prints in the world (with the possible exception of chinoiserie!). These zebra pillows from Neiman Marcus would certainly add some zing to a neutral design palette.


And, for anyone with a wicked sense of humor, there are multitudes of pillows with witty sayings on them- in fact, these seem to be a hallmark of the work of Mario Buatta. He even used one in his room at the Kips Bay Showhouse:

Marc Jacobs for Waterford

Yet another prominent clothing designer is trying his hand at home decor. Waterford recently announced that Marc Jacobs will be designing a tabletop line for the crystal maker. The line is set to debut this winter. Unfortunately, there are no pictures posted yet on the Waterford website, but I was able to find a few floating around on the internet.

More Classic Design Books

Here are a few suggestions for classic books that would be great additions to any design library:


"Decorating is Fun!" and "Entertaining is Fun!" by Dorothy Draper. What can I say? Draper was the consummate cheerleader of decorating- one who taught women (and I'm sure many men too) that a lovely home was accessible to everyone. All it took was ingenuity and enthusiasm. In addition to the witty prose, there is also a lot of practical advice that is still pertinent today.





"The Finest Rooms by America's Greatest Decorators" edited by Katherine Tweed. First published in 1964, this book contains essays by the top decorators of that time- Billy Baldwin, Mcmillen Inc., Rose Cumming, and Michael Taylor. Great photos too!



"Tiffany Table Settings", published in 1960. I love this book, especially as it was the book that started my collection. There are photos of table settings designed by socialites and decorators. Included are tables designed by Billy Baldwin, Van Day Truex, and Valerian Rybar.

Winter Wow

For those of you who love hand-painted wallpaper, you must check out the new issue of Veranda magazine. In it, there is a spread on Dallas decorator Michelle Nussbaumer's winter tablescapes. While the tablescapes are beautiful, they absolutely cannot compare to the panels of Zuber wallpaper which depict a wintry scene of a ship passing through massive icebergs. The detail is absolutely stunning. Owning these would definitely not leave me cold!

Silver Screen

Fire screens can add a touch of dash to a room, but it seems that a good fire screen is hard to find. I have seen many striking ones in magazines and would love to have a screen of my own. Here are a few of my favorites:

This mirrored and chrome screen, designed by Jan Showers, exudes glamour and deco chic. How great would it look in a coolly elegant living room?



Another screen that caught my eye is this bamboo one. You could create a similar look by applying metallic teapaper to hinged wooden panels and adding bamboo trim.

Fun Fabric

Brightly colored and boldly patterned fabric can make a drab room fab. Used sparingly, it can serve as an exclamation point to the overall decorative scheme of a room. One pattern that I've recently become taken with is Clarence House "Chine Copte", a colorful silk with a somewhat primitive looking peacock.

I first spotted the fabric in Nick Olsen's apartment, featured in last month's Domino. He used "Chine Copte" to upholster two vintage bamboo stools.


A few days later, I found the same fabric again, this time in Elle Decor (seen above). The fabric was featured in the Trend Alert column on ethnic prints.

I love the vivid colors against the red background, and the pattern adds a lot of wow. I would probably use it for cushions, a stool, or an ottoman. I think using it on a small scale would keep the pattern from overwhelming the room.

Talkin' Turkey

I know that at this time of year we are inundated with images of turkeys (the living, not the cooked, type). Unfortunately, this much maligned bird is usually portrayed in a kitschy and at times tacky way. I personally love the turkey motif and find that the poor bird is not as ugly as many think. In fact, turkey motif items can be quite chic, believe it or not.

Tiffany & Co. has a few turkey related items that would set a stylish tone to any Thanksgiving tablesetting (they can be used for any fall or winter tablesetting, for that matter). My favorite is the sterling silver turkey carving set, of which I am lucky enough to own. Who wouldn't want to carve the holiday turkey, roast, or ham using these?

Tiffany has also designed a marvelous earthenware turkey that could be used as a table centerpiece or on the sideboard. I think it would look best in a slightly more casual environment.

For an elegant note to the Thanksgiving table, Mrs. John L. Strong has bronze-embossed turkey place cards. These would look great with guests' names written in calligraphy.

And for a touch of Tom Turkey at a reasonable price, why not buy some of these turkey candles from Gump's?

In Tents

Interior tents- current design trend?

In two recent magazine articles on two different New York apartments, tents have made prominent appearances. Jeff Pfeifle, president of J. Crew, tented the entrance hall in his formal apartment. Instead of concealing the ceiling with its beautiful molding, Pfeifle tented the walls only using a Greek Key motif with tassel trim. He covered the walls with tent like curtains, but thankfully chose to leave much of the antiqued mirrored walls unobscured. I think the tent is a nice contrast against the geometric design of the terrazzo floor, and the red gourd lamps with red lamp shades really pop against the cream colored fabric of the tent.

Another tent, albeit one much smaller in scale, was created by Nick Olsen, assistant to decorator Miles Redd. In order to create some visual interest, Olsen designed one which is attached to one of his walls. The exterior fabric is white, and the lining looks like a robin's egg blue. At the top of the tent, Olsen created a small tent-like awning that protudes from the wall. This was a very clever way to delineate his work/dining area within the confines of a small apartment.

Perhaps these designs will inspire you to create your own oasis within your home.

McMillen Chic

McMillen, Inc. is considered to be one of the most influential and celebrated decorating firms of the 20th century. During the latter part of last century, the firm was led by Betty Sherrill, one of decorating's grande dames. Mrs. Sherrill is still with the firm today and is joined by her daughter, Ann Pyne. In the November issue of House and Garden, there is a great story and photospread of the apartment of Elizabeth Pyne, daughter of Ann and granddaughter of Betty. All three generations joined forces to create a feminine and fun first apartment for Elizabeth.

The dining room is an interesting mix of iron furniture- a Mathieu Mategot bench and table and Rene Prou chairs. The classic modern furniture provides a crisp counterpoint to the traditional butterfly and floral wall covering.

The three women have also combined both traditional and contemporary furniture to create a living room that is both youthful and sophisticated. I like the Louis XV chairs with the solid green velvet upholstery next to the punchy fabrics of the curtains and the chrome bench.

And truly, what woman would not like a pink bedroom with Rose Cumming coral wallpaper and feminine linens?

Glamorous Imbibing

To me, no home is complete without a fully stocked bar (perhaps this is a result of my days attending a university known for its partying!). For those of you who do not have the space for a built-in bar, why not try a bar cart? The ultimate cart for me would be of the antique chrome and glass variety. Until I have found "it", I'm thinking of purchasing one from Restoration Hardware. The Hanover Bar Cart is rather glamorous and looks quite similar to those I've seen in the auction catalogues. I might even consider replacing the clear glass with smoked glass.

For one's bar accoutrements, decanters are a must. While cut-crystal decanters are great, I am partial to rather plain ones; plain does not, however, mean boring. Moss, one of my favorite design stores in New York, has a beautiful crystal one made by Lobmeyr of Austria. Part of the Ambassador series, it was designed in 1925. It is very simple and very chic.

And for sterling silver bar tools, Tiffany & Co. is really the ultimate. The Century ice strainer and muddler would add just the right Deco touch to the whole setup.

Classic Room No. 1- Billy Baldwin

I had to share with you photos of one of my very favorite rooms- Billy Baldwin's living room.

I think the dark brown walls are so rich and are especially enhanced by the simple cream- colored slipcovers on the furniture. The Coromandel screen adds just the right dash of Chinoiserie flair. I am also a fan of the oil painting of the dogs which was displayed above his sofa (some of you may recall a spread that appeared in Elle Decor a few years back- it was the apartment of decorator James Andrew, who had bought this very same painting!). Of course, there are the classic Billy Baldwin brass bookshelves (first designed for Cole Porter, I believe) that, coupled with the right lighting, gave real warmth to the room. All in all, an example of decorating perfection!

Comfort Food Plaza Style

I recently read Deborah Davis' book Party of the Century- The Fabulous Story of Truman Capote and His Black and White Ball. Davis' novel is a look at Capote's famous 1966 ball which had all of NYC (and much of the rest of the country) atwitter. Invitations to the event were much coveted, and details of the party were covered in newspapers around the country.

I had always been under the impression that the party was quite lavish. This, however, was not the case. Elegant, yes, over the top, no. Decorations were rather simple. There was a midnight buffet which included eggs and biscuits, but Capote added two rather unorthodox dishes to the menu- chicken hash and spaghetti and meatballs. The chicken hash was a specialty of the Plaza and was one of Capote's favorite dishes.

I thought I would share the recipe for the chicken hash (courtesy of Davis' book), which might be perfect for a cold evening (dieting is suggested after consuming this rich dish!).

Plaza Chicken Hash

4 cups finely diced cooked chicken (white meat only)

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1 cup cream sauce

2 teaspoons salt

1/8 teaspoon white pepper

1/4 cup dry Sherry

1/2 cup Hollandaise Sauce

Mix chicken, cream, Cream Sauce and seasonings in a heavy skillet. Cook over moderate heat, stirring often, for about 10 minutes.

When moisture is slightly reduced, place skillet in a moderate oven, 350 degrees, and bake 30 minutes.

Stir in Sherry and return to oven for 10 minutes. Lightly fold in Hollandaise Sauce and serve at once.

Makes 4-5 servings.

Let Them Eat Cake!

Much has been written about Sofia Coppola's new film "Marie Antoinette". Many reviewers have remarked about the bright pastel colors of the costumes and set design (reportedly inspired by the color of Laduree macaroons).

I recently saw a still photo from the film in which Marie Antoinette (played by Kirsten Dunst), is surrounded by lavish desserts and cakes. I immediately thought of the wonderful Pierre Frey fabric Gourmandise. The recently expanded line now includes tablecloths, china, trays, and pillows.

Does this not remind you of these yummy Laduree confections?