Be Back Soon

I'm off to New York for a design field trip. I'll be back at the end of the week and hope to be able to share some new finds with you!

Domino Dish

Last night I attended a party in honor of Domino Magazine which was held at Pieces, one of Atlanta's favorite stores. It's always fun to peek around this shop which is filled with some fabulous, well, pieces. The furniture and accessories, however, were not the only draw- Miles Redd and Rita Konig, amongst others, were there to celebrate the recent Domino article on Atlanta shopping. Here are a few fun photos of the evening:

Conde Nast has also rolled out a new ad campaign called "Point of Passion" that features various artists and tastemakers representing each of their magazines. And guess who is in the ad for Domino? Albert Hadley! Here is an image of the ad, which is great because Hadley is featured in his apartment, a home that I truly love (although I've only seen it in pictures!).


Albert Hadley was photographed for Condé Nast's Point of Passion ad-campaign in his New York City apartment, just off of Central Park.

Outdoor Entertaining

Summer's almost here and with it comes long languorous days that beg for outdoor entertaining. Here are a few stylish items that are sure to make your outdoor parties picture perfect.


"Tropica" bamboo and rattan folding chair from Anthropologie


Plastic Fantastic rubber table from Studio JSPR


"Blue Ditto" pillow by Madeline Weinrib


Crochet votives by Two's Company at Vivre


Kim Seybert patent leather coral placemat and coral branch napkin at Vivre


Nouvel stacking tumblers at Moss


"Raj tent" at Raj Tent

Photo at top by legendary lensman Slim Aarons

WASP Style

For those who want an inside glimpse of the WASP lifestyle, you should read "A Privileged Life: Celebrating WASP Style"by Susanna Salk. Salk, who grew up in Essex, Massachusetts and attended Milton Academy, is obviously quite qualified to write about this unique and iconic strata of society. There are photos galore of everyone's favorite WASP icons: C.Z. Guest, Babe Paley, Katharine Hepburn, and Brooke Astor. In addition, there are photos and commentary regarding WASP fashion, WASP lifestyle, WASP food and drink (including a recipe for a Bloody Bull), and WASP homes. The "Homes" section features a photo of Paley's Round Hill, Jamaica home as well references to Sister Parish and Mario Buatta.

In the spirit of this charming book, I thought I would post a few photos that to me capture this lifestyle.



Living room decorated by "Prince of Chintz" Mario Buatta


Living Room of decorator Libby Cameron


Home of Palm Beach decorator/doyenne Pauline Pitt. The dog-motif paintings and floral print fabric are quintessential WASP.


Library in home of McMillen Inc. designer Betty Sherrill (photo courtesy of New York Social Diary)


Home of the ultimate WASP- C.Z. Guest

Window Art

It is interesting to see how some designers' imaginations are piqued by window treatments. Some designers may add a little visual interest with a striking pelmet or valance, while others may swathe a room with swags, jabots, and flourishes alike. Elaborate window treatments are obviously not for everyone, but interesting ones certainly make a room a lot more fun. If copious amounts of fabric are not your thing, then perhaps one of these designs might spark some interest.




Trompe l'Oeil Valance in room designed by Albert Hadley. The valance has faux painted swags and jabots; artist is Chuck Fischer (photo courtesy of House Beautiful)


Chinoiserie style valances with a trim of red bells; design by Keith Irvine


Upholstered shutters by Los Angeles designer Molly Luetkemeyer


Lambrequin in the London home of Jane and Whitfield Hines (photo courtesy of Southern Accents)

Photo at top from Southern Accents

Top Ten Fabric

There are certain classic prints that appear often in various designers' work, and "Le Lac", a glazed chintz by Brunschwig & Fils, is certainly one of them. This chinoiserie design was created back in the 18th c. as a brocaded silk by Philippe de la Salle. La Salle also designed the brocades for the Versailles bedroom of Marie Antoinette (this according to the book "Keith Irvine: A Life in Decoration"). "Le Lac" was given new life as a print in the 20th century.

Keith Irvine of Irvine & Fleming has used this print often and includes it in what he calls the "Irvine & Fleming Top Ten". Other designers, such as Todd Romano, have used this print as well. Because there is an array of colors in this print, "Le Lac" is a very flexible fabric. It looks great in green rooms (such as that of Irvine), red rooms (like that of Todd Romano), and really any other color. And because of the large repeat, there are a multitude of different scenes from which to choose.



A wing chair upholstered in "Le Lac"; design by Keith Irivne (photo courtesy of "Keith Irvine: A Life in Decoration")


Chair upholstered in "Le Lac" in home of Todd Romano


Room designed by Meg Braff, with chair upholstered in what I believe is "Le Lac" (although if anyone knows otherwise, please let me know)

Photo at top: A room with "Le Lac" upholstered chair; design by Keith Irvine

Art En Masse

One look that has gained popularity over the past few years is hanging artwork "salon style"- that is, grouping framed art, usually disparate pieces, together in such a way as to create a cohesive look. This method of hanging art is actually quite rooted in tradition, with its origins going back to the Paris Salons of the 18th and 19th centuries. In order to create maximum impact, you will want to keep some harmony amongst the pieces you are hanging. Perhaps you want to use frames that are the same color or finish. Or, you may want to hang works that have a common theme as designer Mallory Mathison did below (her framed pieces focus on figural studies of females). The goal, however, is to avoid a hodgepodge of clashing frames and art.



A gallery in the home of Kate Spade, designed by Steven Sclaroff (photo courtesy of Town & Country)


Guest room in home of Kate Spade, again with the salon-style grouping of art (note how the art stands out against the vivid blue walls). (Photo courtesy of Town & Country)


Bedroom designed by Mallory Mathison. This gallery is quite cohesive and looks great against the dark, glossy walls (wall color is Farrow and Ball Mahogany).


A stairwell gallery, so to speak, by designer Eric Cohler.


Miles Redd's collection, hung salon style, in his living room (photo courtesy of New York Social Diary)

Photo at top: Kenneth Jay Lane in his sumptuous Manhattan domicile (photo courtesy of Elle Decor)

Vintage Mary McDonald

I finally got my hands on an old November 2001 issue of House & Garden which features the former home of Mary McDonald. Even at this early point in her career, McDonald already had a keen sense of color, although her signature blue and white color combination is evident only in small doses. The gorgeous bedroom was inspired by Dior's Paris salon (which, by the way, has inspired quite a few designers). The white trim, molding, and fabrics provide the perfect counterpoint to the serenely sophisticated gray walls. Other color schemes throughout the house include cream, beige, and white in the living room and aqua and brown in the sitting room. All of these color schemes provide the perfect backdrop for McDonald's antiques, which include inherited pieces of furniture and accessories.





Master bedroom with Benjamin Moore Gull Wing Gray on walls. White pique bed curtains are Country Life's "Birdseye" with lining of Gaston y Daniela's "Ottoman Segura" in silver.


Living Room with mirrored table by Syrie Maugham. Drapery fabric is a Rose Cumming striped print.


The Garden Pavilion which is quintessential Mary McDonald.


Sitting Room with Louis XVI bergere upholstered in Nancy Corzine's "Newport" in Coffee.


Additional views of the living room and the sitting room.


On the left is the guest room; walls and ceiling covered in Manuel Canovas' "Merindol" in Sable. Another view of McDonald's bedroom on the right.

(All photos from the November 2001 issue of House & Garden)

Going Dotty

Looking through the June issue of Elle Decor, I was struck by the red and white polka dot print chair in the home of Debbie Bancroft. One of the first things that came to my mind was the cover of the most recent edition of Dorothy Draper's classic "Entertaining is Fun!". Polka dots, at least to me, are associated with whimsy, fun, and playfulness. We certainly see our share of stripes and geometric prints, but how often do you see polka dots used for a large scale application such as an upholstered armchair? Is this graphic and slightly retro print primed for a comeback?

"Entertaining is Fun!: How To Be A Popular Hostess" by Dorothy Draper


Larabee Road Tidbit Plates by Kate Spade


"Hyannisport" Bedding at Schweitzer Linen



Polka Dot Folded Notes from Carrot and Stick Press


"Polka Dot" Print in Chocolate and Natural, at Lewis & Sheron

Image at top: Bedroom of Debbie Bancroft; designed by Richard Mishaan; chair fabric is "Polka Dot" by Scalamandre.