Château de la Barre

You might remember Arnaud Chevalier. He is the talented artist and designer about whom I wrote last year. (Click here to read it.) Arnaud recently told me about Château de la Barre, a château hotel that he said was one of the loveliest in France. Located in the Loire Valley, the château has been the home of the de Vanssay family for over 600 years. In fact, the current Comte de Vanssay (who oversees the château and hotel with his wife) is the 20th generation of his family to live in the château.

You must visit the website to see all of the gorgeous photos because believe me, after seeing them, you will want to take a trip to Château de la Barre pronto. (Make that immédiatement.) I'm showing a few photos here. Don't you think the interiors look charming?

To get a better look at the photos below, make sure to click on them to enlarge.




Grand Salon




Vestibule




Pièce à feu




Salon Rose




Grande Salle à Manger





Chambre Marin de Vanssay





Chambre aux Fleurs (looks like it's been "Draperized"...as in Dorothy.)




Chambre Esprit de Jouy





Chambre Jaune




The Château Garden


All images courtesy of Château de la Barre

The Talented Ronald Grimaldi

I have one of my long-time readers, Mr. Toby Worthington, to thank for this post. For the past few years, we have emailed back and forth about the late Ronald Grimaldi, the man who served for years as the president of Rose Cumming. Shortly after Rose died, Grimaldi was hired by Rose's sister, Eileen, to help run the shop, and Grimaldi's career took off from there.

It was Toby Worthington who told me that Grimaldi's Upper East Side apartment had been published in a 1990's issue of House & Garden. I finally located a copy of the issue (April 1999, by the way), and indeed Grimaldi's apartment was as stylish as Toby had claimed. I think of this apartment as being a great example of old-school decorating- and that is in no way a criticism. Rather, I consider it to be one of the best compliments that I can give! It was a personal apartment, one filled with pieces that Grimaldi had collected through the years. It was layered and luxurious, just as one would expect of the man who presided over Rose Cumming.

Now, I will admit that I'm not crazy about the master bedroom (see below), though that might have something to do with the lighting- a little too harsh. But I really think that the beauty of the apartment is in the details: the lacquered red striped Rose Cumming wallpaper in the entryway; the 1940s black and white linoleum floor, also in the entryway; those wonderful Rose Cumming fabrics; the dining chairs that once belonged to Gloria Vanderbilt; and the Zajac & Callahan pieces that really added zing to the apartment. Even if Grimaldi's look isn't really your thing, I think that if you look closely at the photos, you'll find "things" that will intrigue you.





The living room walls were painted in an apple green shade for a "little punch." The tufted settee and chairs were covered in Rose Cumming fabrics. The tufted chair in the foreground was designed by Zajac & Callahan.





The entryway with its 1940s linoleum floor. (I would absolutely love to have old linoleum floors!) The walls were covered in Rose Cumming's "Band-Box Stripe" that was lacquered.




Another view of the entryway.




The dining table was surrounded by 18th c. Portuguese chairs that were once owned by Gloria Vanderbilt. They were covered in a silk taffeta that had been painted to look like tiger skin. The mirror was by Zajac & Callahan.





Grimaldi's bedroom. The bed was upholstered in a Rose Cumming silk damask while the walls were covered in "Directoire Star" by Rose Cumming.





The guest bedroom featured Rose Cumming's "Sussex", a glazed chintz.


All images from House & Garden, April 1999, Eric Boman photographer.

Jean Govoni Salvadore and her Dolce Vita

Yesterday was a typical Monday. I was drowning in emails, drowning in laundry, and drowning in stress. But you know what? I'm going to stop complaining about things like that. Why? Well, because Jean Govoni Salvadore would never whine and moan. She would stay positive and upbeat despite the laundry and emails.

Salvadore is the author of My Dolce Vita: A Memoir, a recently published book that chronicles Salvadore's career first as the Rome based public relations person for TWA and later as the PR doyenne for Villa d'Este in Lake Como. I recently read the book, and while I was intrigued by her impressive career, I was even more taken with her positive attitude. Salvadore is a woman who seems to roll with the punches and who appreciates all that she has been given and all that she has accomplished. Isn't that refreshing in a world in which mean spiritedness seems to run rampant?

Of course, being enthusiastic about one's career is made a little easier when one has encountered interesting and notable people throughout the years. As one of the early female public relations executives, Salvadore charmed her guests with her sunny demeanor. During her years with TWA, Salvadore greeted such luminaries as Richard Burton, Nehru, Hedda Hopper, and Audrey Hepburn when each visited Rome. And later, as the "ambassador" of Villa d'Este, she went on to meet the likes of Billy Joel, Robert Mitchum, and Barbra Streisand as well as to promote the resort in the far corners of the world. What a fascinating woman! What is even more impressive is that she became lifelong friends with many who she met during her career. One of those friends is Pamela Fiori who wrote the foreword to the book.

So why am I writing about a book that isn't design related? I think it's because I believe that we all need a pick-me-up every now and then, and this book is just that. It's breezy, engaging, and fun. It's the perfect antidote to all of the heaviness we see on the news. And quite frankly, it's nice to see someone who, despite an enviable career, has remained down to earth and, from what I can tell, nice too.



Salvadore, at right, greeting a young Shirley MacLaine. Both are attired in Chanel suits.




Salvadore with Richard Burton.





Salvadore's house on the Villa d'Este property was once a greenhouse, seen here in an old photo.





The author with Pamela Fiori and Colt Givner.


All images from My Dolce Vita: A Memoir by Jean Govoni Salvadore; Glitterati publishers.

From Cashiers to Klosters

I just returned from a really nice weekend up in Cashiers, North Carolina where I attended the Cashiers Designer Showhouse. Carole Weaks, Tammy Connor, Tish Mills, Barbara Heath, and James Farmer were just a few of the talented designers who decorated rooms at the charming 1960s-era mountain house. There was even a dose of Hollywood glamour thanks to Mary McDonald and Nathan Turner, guest speakers at the event. The whole weekend (especially the pleasantly cool nighttime temperatures) got me in a mountain state of mind.

So, with mountain houses on the brain, I decided to feature these photos of the Klosters chalet of Robert Ricci, founder of Nina Ricci. Okay, so it might be a stretch to go from Cashiers to Klosters, but they do have something in common. Hiring a top designer to makeover one's mountain house is just as important in Cashiers as it is in Klosters. And in the case of the Ricci home, the top designer just happened to be Georges Geffroy. I'd say that's impressive, wouldn't you?




Suede upholstered doors were an unexpected touch to Ricci's chalet.




Geffroy was responsible for the design of the staircase as well as the terracotta and marble tiled entrance hall floor.




The living room had a pine coffered ceiling and walls covered in Thai silk.




The dining room featured cabinets painted in a style that was indigenous to the area around Klosters. The pedestal table and dining chairs were custom designed by Geffroy.




The dining table set for dinner.


All photos from Architectural Digest Country Homes.

Antiquing with Barry Hutner

Like most Southerners, I was fortunate enough to grow up in a home filled with antiques. And, again, like many Southerners, I don’t think that a house is really finished until there are at least a few antiques placed throughout the house. Perhaps an antique console or an old oil painting. To me, a house devoid of anything old is rather sad. So why do some people avoid antiques altogether? If you’re a die hard contemporary furniture devotee, then I understand why antiques might not fit your lifestyle. And if you’re shying away from buying antiques because the whole process gives you fits of anxiety, well, I get that too. I admit that I’m not completely confident when buying antiques. I feel as though I have a good eye and that I can pick some nice pieces, but when it comes to making a final decision, I get a little nervous. Is the table I’m buying really a Regency era piece? Am I overpaying for it?

That’s why I have enlisted the help of Barry Hutner, proprietor of Parc Monceau Antiques in Atlanta. Barry is considered to be one of the top antiques dealers in the country. (Lucky for me that his shop is right around the corner from my home!) In the past, I have gone to Barry for advice on collecting. He is always so knowledgeable and, more importantly, he understands how best to decorate with antiques. He is not one to advocate a period room look. Rather, he advises designers to mix antiques with classic 20th century pieces or fresh looking fabric and colors to create a tension between the old and the new. Barry believes that it’s this tension that adds so much life to a room. And you know what? I agree with him wholeheartedly.

Barry told me that it's a great time to purchase antiques as their prices are at 1990s levels. That said, he advises building one's collection over time. Buy one good piece a year and in ten years you have ten wonderful things! The important thing to remember is that you should buy antiques that are good quality and that are timeless looking. That way, your heirs will fight over your collection, something that will validate your purchases. Joking aside though, the goal is to think of these antiques as friends you'll live with all of your life. Just look at people like Bill Blass, Nan Kempner, and Jackie Onassis. Did they redecorate and start completely anew every few years? Of course not. They lived with their collections for years!

I asked Barry to provide me with a list of those must-have pieces that should form the core of one's collections. I've included the list below with Barry's thoughts on each. I also chose examples in each category and, when possible, included a 20th c. example. You know, just to add a little tension.

Parc Monceau is located at 425 Peachtree Hills Ave, No. 15, Atlanta, GA 30305. For inquiries, call (404) 467-8107 or email info@parcmonceau.com. To view more inventory, visit their website.









Italian Giltwood Mirror with Birds


Mid-century brass mirror attributed to Mastercraft

A Mirror: "I can't imagine a room without a mirror. They make such an architectural impact in a space."




Pair of 19th c. Italian armchairs


Set of four 19th c. English hall chairs

A Set of Chairs: "A strong pair of chairs balances everything. And, one can never have too much seating."




18thc./19thc. Italian Giltwood Console with marble top


Mid-century silvered horse head and hoof bronze console

A Classic Console: "Consoles can be very glamorous and they add instant impact to a room. Perfect for a foyer, a dining room, a bar..."




19th c. French Louis XV silver over bronze chenets



Late 19th/ early 20th c. brass and iron andirons

Andirons and Chenets: "Andirons are the jewelry of a room. The fireplace is usually the focal point of the room, so you want to make it look its best. A fireplace without andirons makes a room look totally unfinished."



19th c. Louis XVI style French settee


Louis XVI Style settee

A Settee: "Settees are not just for living rooms anymore. Considering using one in a bedroom or even a dining room."




Pair of crystal lamps attributed to Baccarat, 19th c.


Contemporary obelisk lamps of mounted marble

A Great Pair of Lamps: "Lamps are one of the easiest ways to start your antiques collection. A good quality pair of lamps can set the tone for an entire room."

Duarte Pinto Coelho in the Country

Last week's post on Duarte Pinto Coelho's Madrid home generated a lot of enthusiastic response. It seems that quite a few of you are as taken with his work as I. Fortunately for those of us who can't get enough of the late Portuguese designer, I found old photos of his country home in Trujillo, Spain. Published in Architectural Digest Country Homes (1982), the home, built and designed by Coelho, is elegant, layered, and comfortable- just as his Madrid home was. I wonder if Coelho simply refreshed these interiors throughout the years, or if he embarked on a major overhaul from the time it was published in 1982 to last year when he died. Does anybody know?




The Living Room. The 18th c. Chinese wallpaper once hung in the home of Sir Walter Scott. The kilim rugs and mix of prints adds some exoticism, and yet it's still a very refined room.



Coelho's collection of marquetry objects and a close-up of the gorgeous wallpaper.




Another view of the living room.




The dining room/kitchen. Notice the charming blue and white tile around the doors.



The master bath with more beautiful tile.




Coelho's bedroom. Neapolitan gouaches surround the headboard.




The pool at Coelho's villa.


All images from Architectural Digest Country Homes, Jose Luis Perez photographer.