Sunday, August 3, 2014

Fantasy in Decoration V


Cecil Beaton 1949

Hotel Hermitage, Monte Carlo

Maharani of Jaipur, Cecil Beaton



Winfield House

De Grisogono

Dean Farris Interior Design

Marisa Berenson

18th c Russian chandelier

Pilar and Juan Molyneux

Juan Pablo Molyneux

Meissen figure of a Marquis, 1757

Valentino chez Diana Vreeland 


Angelo Donghia, 1973
I can still vividly remember being in the room shown above, the upstairs drawing room of the Manhattan townhouse apartment of the late Angelo Donghia- it was the exact same feeling I had when I toured Versailles~ I almost actually fainted! Opposite the fireplace was a stunning, tall, black Coromandel screen, which was supposed to have come from the estate of Coco Chanel.  The Richard Giglio gouache paintings contrasted wildly- and this country boy had never seen satin upholstery nor glossy blue-green highly lacquered walls, which we were told required something like 22 coats! Those walls fairly dripped with lacquer glimmering like a huge jewel!   The Bagues' looking chandelier glittered against the silvery squares of tea paper on the ceiling...the three tall windows were bare, and in front of them was a table with a huge green philodendron plant!  It read like sculpture in the space.  For as long as I live, I'll always cherish my visit to this now sacred place~ a memory that comforts me with the fabulous vibe of the 1970's!  Disco fever!  Ball gowns at 54 !


Diana Vreeland
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So, enjoy the day!  And be inspired, have imagination, and give it all you've got baby! DF