Ounces of Hangover Prevention

I recently found this 1934 ad, above, for Martini & Rossi Vermouth. What captured my attention was the neat little cocktail setup with those frosted cocktail glasses (which, by the way, were available at Bergdorf's). I'm not used to seeing Martinis and Manhattans served in thick, stemless glasses like those in the ad, and I have to say that they're not what I would use when serving cocktails. I can only imagine that the cocktail would become warm if the glass was held for any length of time.

One nice thing about the glasses, though, was that they were the proper size for a cocktail. Back during the 1930s and 40s, cocktail glasses were small and light enough that you could hold the stem using just a few fingers. Not anymore. Cocktail and martini glasses today are enormous, as big as Alfie's head, in fact! And they require a whole hand grip, too. The problem with these large glasses is that they hold too much cocktail. The urge is to fill these big glasses with enough cocktail so as not to appear chintzy. Only problem is that by the time you finish your drink, you've had the equivalent of two cocktails- not a good thing if you're serving drinks before dinner.

Ideally, a cocktail glass should hold between 4.5 and 5 ounces of liquid. While it's worth seeking out vintage cocktail glasses for both their jazzy designs and their economical sizes, there are, fortunately, some new collections that include correctly sized glasses too. William Yeoward's glassware is never super-sized, but that might be because he's British. His new American Bar collection is quite handsome and affordable too. But if you insist on drinking from those monster 12 oz. glasses, fine. Just don't blame me in the morning.






William Yeoward's Greta glassware includes a 5 oz. martini glass.






William Yeoward's Vesta glasses are the appropriate sizes for the beverages they were designed to hold, including martinis and champagne. (These are not, by the way, part of the new American Bar collection.)







C. 1930 Mappin & Webb set of cocktail glasses, available through Foundwell.

The Genteel Geranium

I've heard some awfully disparaging remarks about geraniums, and for the life of me, I just can't understand how such a well-mannered and proper plant could elicit unkind comments. Thanks to their cheery and good-natured blooms, geraniums are guaranteed to bring one out of the doldrums, something else that means this flowering plant deserves a little respect. (I should add that I'm guilty of making disparaging remarks about gladioli, but that's a post for another day.)

While I'm partial to red blooming geraniums, pink, coral, and white are fine by me too. And did I mention how easy they are to care for? They only require some sun, a good watering, and the occasional deadheading. But I'm certainly not the only one who is a fan of the geranium. Take a look at some of the others who admire this most genteel of plants.

Image above: Lady Diana Mosley (née Mitford), had pots of geraniums including this one scattered around her garden at her Paris home, The Temple of Glory at Orsay.




During the annual Festival of the Patios in Cordoba, Spain, townspeople decorate their patios, terraces, and balconies with geraniums and other plants.



Cecil Beaton grew scarlet colored geraniums- and lots of them- at Reddish House.




The very elegant drawing room at Bentley in Sussex, owned by Mary Askew. Note how the red of the geraniums, pillows, and book end tables punctuate the room.






Countess Margaret Willaumez and her dog Moppet enjoyed the geraniums at their home in Capri, Casa Lontana.

Image at top from The Finest Houses Of Paris; Cordoba, Spain photo from House & Garden, November 1971; Beaton photo from Celebrity Homes: Architectural Digest Presents the Private Worlds of Thirty International Personalities; Bentley photo from Country homes (The Worlds of Architectural digest); Willaumez photo from House & Garden, January 1970.

The Collection of Edward Zajac

When I'm looking through my old magazines from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, it's inevitable that a project by designers Zajac and Callahan will catch my eye. Back in the 1970s, the pair were known for their daring mix of bold color and pattern, something that was very much in vogue at that time. But what was especially notable about their work was their frequent use of furniture and accessories that they designed themselves. Their fanciful chairs and fantastical mirrors always seemed to add a lot of dash to a room.

I recently learned that part of Edward Zajac's collection will be auctioned off at Bonhams on May 22. While some of the lots are antiques, mirrors (see the pair at top), a sofa, screens, and bookcases, all of which were designed by Zajac, are also included in the auction. What a terrific opportunity to own something designed by one of the most noted designers of the 20th century. And just in case you weren't aware of it, Mr. Zajac was a protégé of the great Billy Baldwin.

Mr. Zajac was kind enough to send me some photos of some of his favorite rooms plus his thoughts about each. You can read what he wrote, below. But in the meantime, visit Bonhams website to see the full range of lots that will be up for sale.





“Blanc Niege et les Sept Nains” . One of my early mirrors trembles and twinkles against walls of midnight blue, inspired by Madeleine Castaing and, of course, by Line Vautrin. The entrance foyer to the magical brownstone where I lived in the 80s is filled with treasured objects and beloved cats. The rope chair in which Little Eddie resides is my design as is the featured mirror. Cecil, himself a work of art, perches amidst a collection of Oriental lacquer boxes.




Fantasy in a Regency Folly. This house in Florida was designed after an English Regency house where one often might find a whimsical folly, capturing the exoticism of far away places and pleasures. The Indian folly in this classical house captures the exotic lure of the East with murals painted in the Indian style. A perfect setting for parties filled with the flavors and sounds of Jaipur, Delhi and Hindustan.





One of my favorite houses when I first visited Germany was Schloss Bruhl. It was the inspiration for this version in miniature which my partner, Richard Callahan, and I created for a charity auction. It has resided for many years in our apartment and now has moved on to be enjoyed by 3 generations of Richard’s family.




I could sit for hours in my living room filled with mirrors reflecting the many wonderful treasures which represent a lifetime of collecting. Presiding over it all, my dog George!


Photos courtesy of Edward Zajac.

The English Dog at Home

When I last wrote of dogs, many of you suggested that I buy a copy of Felicity Wigan's book, The English Dog at Home, as you felt it was one of the best books to profile two of our favorite things: dogs and English interiors. Well I did so, and you were right. It's a completely charming book that profiles pampered pooches in posh houses. Forget the life of Riley; I want these dogs' lives!

I admit that at first, the book's occasional dark humor threw me for a loop. In the first chapter alone, Sir Tatton Sykes mentions an uncle who had a penchant for "heroin shooting, lipstick, powder and paint." Then there was Sykes' beloved bull terrier, Lambchop, who despite being loving towards her master was a murderous mother. "She only allowed one puppy to survive as a crippled monster which now lives in the village." I suppose that Lambchop wasn't cut out for motherhood.

But really, this isn't a book that is full of black humor. It's just a little tongue in cheek, that's all. And as any dog lover knows, living with our four-legged friends requires both a sense of humor as well as the patience of Job.




Matthew and Mollie with Mrs. Nutting at Chicheley.






Humphrey with Mr. David Metcalfe. According to the book, "A fascinated crowd has been known to gather in the street below to see Humphrey's daily trick of chasing the blind up the drawing room window."




Mr. Loudon Constantine with Mr. Whistle, Lady, and Puzzle.



Phoebe in bed with Caroline Keith.




The Queen Mother held the rapt attention of her Corgis thanks to a box of chocolate biscuits.




Sir John Wiggin with his pups at Honington Hall.





Mozart with Mrs. Charlie Palmer-Tomkinson


All photos from The English Dog at Home by Felicity Wigan; Geoffrey Shakerley photographer; 1987.

Odds and Ends

My blog posting is going to be spotty this week as I'm wrapping up a few projects. I almost feel as though I'm back in school, furiously finishing up my work before summer vacation. Although nowadays, summer vacation is a rare thing for me.

I do want to remind all of you Atlantans to please join me tomorrow for my lecture, "The Best Seller List: Books that No Designer Should Be Without", at ADAC. My talk begins at 10am, with a light lunch to follow at the fabulous new Porcelanosa showroom. For more information, visit the ADAC website. Registration is recommended.

And for you North Carolina readers, I invite you to join me for another talk, this one on "Timeless Interiors". I will be speaking at the 18th Annual Romance of the Home & Garden Tour in Hickory, NC on Saturday, May 19 at 8:30am. For more information, please visit their website.

How Does Your Garden Room Grow?

You'll be excited to know that my experiment with growing fruit on my balcony has proven, yes, fruitful! Okay, so you may not be all that excited about it, but I am. My strawberry plant has produced two berries so far. Now that I've become an urban gardener (wink, wink), I've taken a new shining to both gardening and garden room decor.

A dear friend recently gave me a 1998 copy of Garden Room Style by Peter Marston of Marston & Langinger fame. Marston & Langinger, as you probably know, are known for their highly coveted garden conservatories and orangeries. (Check out their website to see them. They are truly stunning.)

The book is filled with all kinds of beautiful photos of garden rooms, conservatories, and outdoor spaces that were designed for living. These were not merely spaces in which to grow plants. The book got me thinking about how I might decorate my own garden room or conservatory. Below, you can see some of the things which you might find in my garden room- if I had one, of course. There would be places to nap or read and of course a table at which to take lunch or cocktails. The decor would be very traditional. For me, I just can't see a modern, stark, nor glamorous garden room. It's got to be traditional, cozy, and quaint.

Scattered amongst my selections, you'll also see photos of various garden rooms that were featured in Garden Room Style.

So, what would you select for your garden room?

I would probably have some type of outdoor bench and chairs in my garden room, with lots of cushions on them, of course. This set is from Munder-Skiles, a wonderful source for garden and outdoor furniture.





The Gelati Bistro Set from Charleston Gardens is reminiscent of Frances Elkins' Loop Chair. I think this set would be charming on a patio, balcony, or by a pool. It also comes in other colors as well.




From Garden Room Style




The Wrought Iron Bow Knot Bench from A Rustic Garden might add a vintage feel to a conservatory or patio.




I feel that wicker is a must for an indoor garden room. This Ripple Circular Table from Soane is both quirky and quaint.




A place to store garden books and garden related ephemera is necessary. Why not this Hollyhock Reproduction English Regency two part bookcase with grisaille finish?





Garden Room Style




How great is the Funghi Uplighter from Soane? So clever. I actually think it would look smashing in non-garden rooms as well. What about putting a pair in a garden library?




Garden Room Style




Garden room dining begs for bamboo or wooden handled flatware and floral motif china, much like this Twig Dinner Plate from Treillage.




Garden Room Style




You have to have something growing in your garden room. A fern or something wispy would look nice in this Faux Bamboo cachepot from Treillage.




Garden Room Style



Serenite from Pierre Frey, an embroidered fabric, would be a nice choice for a chair, settee, or even a tablecloth.



You see? There really is a small strawberry growing in my balcony garden.


All garden room photos are from Garden Room Style by Peter Marston, Rizzoli, 1998.