Think Prints!

For all of you print lovers out there, I think you'll be pleased with many of the Resort/Spring 2008 lines (clothing that is!). There are prints to please everyone- florals, graphics, ikats. And if you'd prefer to keep your prints on your furniture and walls, well then that's fine too.

Oscar de la Renta, long known for exploring the exotic with his designs, has used ikats on dresses, coats, and shoes. I know we've seen ikats in interior design for some time now, but I still think de la Renta's ikat shoes would be perfect for kicking around the design center. Carolina Herrera, no stranger to prints herself, used sweet florals, humorous chair prints, and cherry prints- a little frippery for Spring and Summer. And let's not forget Tuleh, a line which always, in my opinion, uses some of the best prints. This year Bryan Bradley has used a fabulous grisaille fabric for a coat (check Bergdorf's site to see it) as well as a fun, but not at all cutesy, umbrella print for another coat.

It just goes to show that fashion and interior design really aren't all that far apart. Now if someone would just create a clothing line that embodies the style of Billy Baldwin, I would be a very happy woman.


Violet print dress by Carolina Herrera


"Viola d'amore" by Avigdor through Classic Revivals


Ikat dress by Oscar de la Renta (Resort 2008 Collection)


"Black Luce" ikat print by Madeline Weinrib



Chair print dress by Carolina Herrera


Chair print by Kravet


Umbrella print coat by Tuleh


Umbrella print by Kravet


Poppy print press by D&G Dolce & Gabbana


"Unikko" by Marimekko

Image at top: Embroidered ikat flat by Oscar de la Renta

Pea Green with Envy

Lately, I've really been drawn to weird and unusual shades of green. Yes, it may not sound particularly appetizing, but shades like moss, loden, and pea green can be quite beautiful. Still need convincing? Well, for me, it was the room at top, designed by Mario Buatta, that made me reconsider green (usually not a favorite color of mine). Of course, the fact that Buatta covered the walls in mossy green velvet makes it a rather easy sell. I don't think I'm alone, because others were won over by Nick Olsen's room below (I'm crazy for Nick's room too, but I saw the Buatta one first).



What I've noticed, though, is that the designers who have used these odd shades tend to be quite creative in their use of it. Buatta and Carolina Irving have both chosen mossy and murky shades of green fabric to upholster walls. Miles Redd chose a lacquer finish for the olive colored walls in one of his projects. And designer Richard Adams did not hold back with his use of green- he painted the walls, upholstered the banquettes, and covered the lampshades in the same shade of green.

Bottom line- after years of bright, happy colors, maybe it's time to inject a little moodiness into our homes.

(Nick Olsen used Benjamin Moore's "Oregano" for his apartment. My friend Clinton Smith used "Kyoto Green" from Valspar in his guest room to great effect.)


A room by Miles Redd (photo from Southern Accents)


A sliver of a shot of Carolina Irving's entrance hall.


Living room of London designer Richard Adams

Call of the Wild

The blogosphere has been atwitter over the fabulous leopard print-clad room designed by Mary McDonald (in the Feb. issue of Domino)- and understandably so. This homage to Madeleine Castaing is stylish and fun. And while McDonald used the same leopard print for the walls, curtains, sofa, and armchairs, it's not animal overload. Fortunately, McDonald has not abused the leopard print, something which some people so cruelly do in the name of style (and if you need proof of this, then read my book review of "Dictator Style" for some truly terrible examples of animal prints gone bad). But I digress.

If you want to dip your toe into the sea of animal prints, you could add some leopard or tiger print pillows. Elsie de Wolfe did so at Villa Trianon, and they look quite smart against the caramel colored velvet sofas. Nan Kempner obviously thought so too.


Villa Trianon, Elsie de Wolfe's home



If you're feeling confident and want to mix your prints, you should see the apartment of writer and stylist Julie Fowler. I had to take photos from the TV as this apartment was featured in an old episode of Sheila Bridges show, so forgive the quality. Anyway, Fowler has a very small apartment, and she chose to incorporate various animal prints (something which she has always been drawn to) mixed with shots of bold color. I especially like how she has draped the ottoman with the leopard fabric. (If any of you readers know Julie Fowler, have her email me because I'd love to have photos of her apartment to show you. I think many of you will really like her home.)


Living room of writer Julie Fowler


A vignette from Fowler's home

Or, you could throw restraint out the window (like Mary McDonald), and embrace the animal print. Betty Sherrill of McMillen did, and how chic is this dining room?


(Photo courtesy of New York Social Diary)

Of The Young and the Restless

Yesterday's Home & Garden section of the New York Times introduced me to a new fabric line- Of the Young and the Restless. (OK, so the name is what first caught my eye. After all, "The Young and the Restless" was my soap of choice as a teen- the Sturm und Drang in Genoa City was just too good to ignore.)

Designed by friends Pearce Williams and Courtney Loadholt of Charleston, the hand-printed line is comprised of a range of designs, some of which are subtle ("Woodgrain"), edgy ("Thorny Rose"), or graphic ("Houndstooth"). I've ordered some samples, so I'll report back to you when I receive them. And for the record- the line was conceived during a period in the friends' lives when they were young and restless, hence the name.

"Nesting Shells" in Coral


"Woodgrain" in New Money


"Birdhouse" in Floridian


"Houndstooth" in Black


"Thorny Rose" in Holiday

Image at top: "Thorny Rose" in Honeymoon

Ashley Whittaker Design

I have really been curious about the work of New York designer Ashley Whittaker, who was named one of the Domino 10 in 2007. I could tell from the photo of her apartment that her look was tailored and traditional- but with a twist. She incorporated just enough color and pattern (and fun accessories) to make her home au courant, but she managed to maintain a classic rather than trendy look. I think that this was the hook for me! Fortunately, we can see more of her work in the February issue of House Beautiful.

The house, located in Southampton, is yet again a striking mix of color and pattern. The furniture consists of many timeless pieces, but the boring is banished with Whittaker's use of playful prints. I think my favorite room is the dining room- I love the turquoise fabric on the walls combined with the pink/coral fabric on the chairs. And, as Whittaker is a former protege of Markham Roberts, I think you can see a bit of his influence in her work, but the look is wholly Whittaker.



The cheery sunroom with lattice, wicker, and various fabrics in orange!


The use of blue in this sitting room inspired the use of it throughout the house. I like the various shades of blue- from ice blue to turquoise to navy.


A very feminine and cozy bedroom-I love that Cowtan & Tout print on the vanity skirt and the pillows.


The living room; the ottoman fabric is "Nairobi" from China Seas through Quadrille

Top images: Views of the dining room. The turquoise linen on the walls is from Quadrille; the coral linen fabric on the chairs is by Travers.

(Photography by Eric Piasecki)

Frederick P. Victoria & Son

Have you ever wanted a touch of Elsie de Wolfe in your home? Or wanted to channel the cool elegance of Babe Paley? Well, you can do that, in a way, with furniture from the venerable firm Frederick P. Victoria & Son. F.P. Victoria has been in existence since the 1930s, and their clientele has included design and style icons alike- Billy Baldwin, Cole Porter, Duchess of Windsor. Fortunately, F.P. Victoria has maintained an extensive archive of their custom pieces, many of which are named for the particular client. I also believe that some of the items are inspired by famous pieces.

Below are some of the designs that F.P. Victoria currently lists on their website. I've tried to include what information that I could, but for those of you who are well informed about de Wolfe, Maugham, Porter, and the like, I would appreciate it if you could share with us any additional information. I know that I'm quite curious!

Elsie de Wolfe

Elsie de Wolfe side table

Cole Porter


Cole Porter side chair


Baldwin/Porter Coffee Table

Syrie Maugham


Syrie Maugham model reproduction Louis XV step magazine table

The Windsors


Chippendale style Chinoiserie Bookcase


The original- George III style japanned etageres from the collection of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor


Windsor Hurricane Lamp, originally made for the Windsors by F.P. Victoria in the 1950s

Babe Paley


Paley Venetian Mirror, based on a mirror sold to Babe Paley in the 1960s.

Image at top: Elsie de Wolfe mirrored bench after a Serge Roche design for de Wolfe

Spirited Design

Well, we talked about bar carts yesterday, so inevitably my thoughts went to those cozy rooms that invite one to sit a while and have a few drinks. Evidently, one of the chicest places in which to see and be seen and enjoy some libations was El Morocco, above. From the photos I've seen, I wouldn't call El Morocco cozy, but I'm sure those zebra banquettes alone guaranteed an exciting time.

It may be a cliche, but "clubby" type rooms can be some of the most comfortable in which to relax and socialize. I think that the British excel at this look. Think rich dark woods, deep colors, and comfortable upholstered furniture. This type of room is perfect for a single malt scotch.

Or, you could go the exotic route à la White Webb. Once again, the room envelopes you, but this time the feel is a bit more Oriental (with some Western undertones). What to imbibe in this type of room? Something decadent and mysterious (any thoughts??).

And for something very American, look at the room below by Alessandra Branca. The look is clean and crisp, just like a gin martini.

Although many of these rooms below are rather different in appearance, they are quite similar in feeling: they have comfortable upholstered furniture, the fabric and pillows are interesting and inviting, and they beg for one to sit a while and relax.

The Brits:


A view of Annabel's in London. A rather hodge-podge mix of colors and fabric, yet it still looks quite inviting (photo courtesy of New York Social Diary)


I believe I've shown this photo before, but truly, could you not spend hours lounging in this room?? Room by John Stefanidis

The Exotic:

Room designed by White Webb. All of the fabric is a paisley print in cotton- how luxurious!

The American:


Design by Alessandra Branca (Southern Accents, Jan/Feb 08)

Avery Noll

I'm always looking for fun new shops and online retailers, so it was with much excitement that I learned about Avery Noll, a great online retailer of vintage furniture and accessories. Owned by Dee Gardner and Delores Gardner-Thompson (a mother-daughter team- how great is that?), Avery Noll carries a fun mix of traditional antiques and contemporary pieces from the 1960s and 70s. Many of the pieces have been "refreshed" with new upholstery or lamp shades.

I recently purchased the bar cart (above) from Avery Noll, so I can attest to their excellent customer service (I had wanted to use an image of the bar cart in my home with all of my "stuff" on it, but unfortunately I haven't had time- so, I had to borrow the image from Avery Noll's website!). I had been searching for a stylish drinks cart, so I jumped when I spotted this one on the site. As much as I like the brass, I'm thinking about possibly replating it in chrome and adding antiqued mirror shelves to it (you know, for that glam 1930s look!). And this brings me to my next point- with such reasonable prices, you can buy a table or desk and tweak it to fit your design scheme... and you still won't break the bank.

Here are a few of my favorites from the site:


Faux bamboo metal end tables


Parchment table


Bamboo desk


Hand-painted fabric wall hanging