Decorator Scrapbook 2016

Michael Taylor

Outside Tom Britt's guest house, Watermill, NY

The Naples cottage of the late Albert Hadley, (via House Beautiful)

Arizona Biltmore

Michael Taylor

Tom Britt, Watermill, NY

Angelo Donghia, NY

Here's just a few images that inspire me, and hopefully you as well...enjoy!  DF *****

Happy Birthday RL !

Ralph Lauren

Happy Birthday to Ralph!  An ultimate inspiration, icon, and success in business and in life.  When Albert Hadley was asked by the Laurens to visit their Fifth Avenue apartment for a consultation, Albert took in what magic Angelo Donghia had created~(an uptown loft in white)~and was so impressed that he said he wouldn't change anything!  Brilliant! 

This crisp image of RL himself reminds me of the time I was on the beach in the famous Hamptons, and saw Calvin come out in a white terry robe, standing on a terrace, looking just like one of his own models!  New York, you gotta love it!  DF *****

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Richard Giglio, R.I.P.

Angelo Donghia, sitting under one of his Richard Giglio works, via AD

I've written here before about the time I was taken to the Manhattan residence of the late, legendary interior designer, Angelo Donghia.  What I may not have mentioned was the impact his collection of works on paper by the late artist, Richard Giglio made on me~ dynamite !

Richard Giglio, via Facebook, Raymond Diskin Black

Angelo Donghia

Richard Giglio, studio, via Facebook, Raymond Diskin Black

Angelo Donghia, 1976

You see, there was the most wonderful atmosphere of glamour, artistry, excitement, and freshness, in the house of Donghia~ it was sensational!  These pictures don't fully capture the ethereal and New York-in-the-seventies vibe that was going on, but as I've said before, the combination of satin, bleached floors, lacquered walls, and silver tea papered ceilings is enough to send anybody over the moon! 

Thanks to dear friend Julie Britt for introducing me to her friend Raymond Diskin Black and the world of Giglio...!  I'm hoping to perhaps acquire a Giglio of my very own one day.  Hoping this post inspires you too!  DF *****

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Thomas B. Britt

Tom Britt, New York salon, via Love Is Speed

Another of the fabulous New York designers I was most fortunate to be mentored by was Tom Britt.  Originally from Kansas City, Tom is a dynamo of a designer, and a true man of the world.  One summer, I worked in his office, making drawings, and going on trips to the job sites- it was a bit of a shock to see how those apartments were totally demolished, and the furniture in them would be piled in the middle of the rooms and covered with tarps...the reality of what decorators do was beginning to register! 

In order to fully appreciate the immersive experience I had, under Tom's guidance, you need to know, as I did, that Tom and Angelo (Donghia) attended Parsons together.  They even shared an apartment!  So, it was so interesting to me, having already seen Angelo's very glam east side duplex, with its two drawing rooms, one up and one down- and both in satin and lacquer...to then be overwhelmed by the high drama of Tom's two drawing rooms - both in boiserie~ and the upstairs one entirely in a Rose Cumming shade of blue satin...  with the famous Rose Cumming "banana leaves" fabric in the metallic gold colorway in the downstairs drawing room.  Now, add to all of this the maestro (Tom) with his booming, unique baritone voice being broadcast throughout.  Oh, and the Baron Nicholas de Gunzberg had also kept a place in Tom's building, on East 63rd Street. 

I was fascinated and a little intimidated by Tom's powerful and exotic personality, although he was a good friend to me and always treated me with great kindness.  After all, the eminence grise himself, Prof. Stanley Barrows, had said of me that I reminded him of Tom, when he taught Tom at Parsons!  (Stanley Barrows also taught me at FIT).  And now, Julie Britt (Tom's wife) and I are friends on Facebook!  Who knew?  I had only met her briefly when I worked for Tom, as they were no longer together.  A very nice lady.

What happened to sort of derail what I think would have been a brilliant career (for me) was that almost all of my friends and colleagues succumbed to the AIDS crisis.  I was left with Tom and Mario...plus Albert for a while, but this was all after I had moved out of NY and settled for good, in affluent and conservative Naples.  Los Angeles had called out to me, like a siren, and I did almost go out there- but strangely ended up in a town known as the Palm Beach of the west coast!  I call Naples a little town with a big ego.  Armistead Maupin mentioned it in one of his later works, and not in a kind way.  I wrote about it in my sketchy little potboiler called "Diamonds In The Sun" (available on Amazon books)...and so, here I am, after all these years, I'm still here.  DF ***** click here for a great Plum TV video on Tom, and his Hamptons estate....

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Low table, Part II, James Andrew

Designer James Andrew, via NYSD

Here's another beautiful low table ~ from the Manhattan apartment of interior designer James Andrew.  It's a custom silver leaf design, known as a Parsons table, which is the same style I showed in my flat yesterday. 

The silver boxes look smart on the silver gilt finish, and since this image is not new, James has added a Rothschild looking Aubusson tapestry type rug.  You can see more of his work on his site What Is James Wearing? or his professional design site , JAMES ANDREW INTERIOR DESIGN, INC.  

The small sculpture, in the center, is by artist Bruno Romeda.  I had shown this piece before, when I posted about using sculpture as an accessory.  Loving the antique look of the silver leaf with the nearby zebra upholstered ottoman...(see yesterdays post on DFS where I had appropriated a scrap of zebra hide) and even more books on top of more books!  It's so chic how this silvery finish is referencing other things in the apartment, such as a mylar ceiling in the adjoining dining area, and the Donghia champagne silk embroidered with small round mirrors in the master bedroom chamber.  Shimmer and glimmer, all very in- town sophisticated and forever classic!  Enjoy!  DF *****

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Doug Meyer for DIFFA Dining by Design

Echo Design at DIFFA Dining by Design 2015 NY

One of the many benefits of blogging, is having virtual experience, and connecting with old friends and new ones as well~Doug Meyer, the designer and artist, created an installation, called "Heroes"-for the 2015 DIFFA fundraiser, and included my mentor and friend, Tice Alexander, along with John Duka, Tina Chow, Angelo Donghia, and Kalef Alaton.  Thanks Doug for a job well done! DF

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The Heroes’ Gallery pays homage to the artistic fallen heroes who were some of the first victims of AIDS. The installation provides a moment of reflection and creativity while honoring the design icons that lost their lives to AIDS. The installation’s nineteen portraits will be displayed in vitrines along the gallery walls. “My desire was for our space to convey a sense of creativity and thoughtfulness in design while also staying true to the mission of DIFFA,” said Luxe Interiors + Design Editor in Chief Pamela Jaccarino. “Doug Meyer executed a space that echoes that sentiment.”

Designed by Meyer, with furnishings provided by Flexform, the space is centered by the company’s Gipsy dining table, along with armless “Betty” chairs upholstered in the Italian manufacturer’s navy velvet (which also lines the installation’s vitrines). “We are pleased to bring great Italian design for a great cause. It is very important to have a beautiful room where you can create long-lasting memories,” explained David Levy, CEO of Flexform New York.

The portraits are influenced by medallions, cameos, intaglios and sculpted and carved busts, and are accompanied by historical didactic panels and labels. Some of the heroes include: Angelo Donghia, Jay Spectre, Alan Buchsbaum, Franklin D. Israel, Tina Chow, Leigh Bowery, Jacques Demy, Sam Wagstaff, Tice Alexander, John Duka and Kalef Alaton. “This space and these portraits were a labor of love; I hope that by creating this space that some of these innovative pioneers’ contributions and existence will become known to a younger generation of talent,” said Meyer.

 

Edward Celata and Robert Passal via Mon Oncle, by Rio Hamilton

courtesy Doug Meyer

portrait by Doug Meyer

portrait by Doug Meyer

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Seasonal Arrangements - Magnolia

DEAN FARRIS INTERIOR DESIGN

I had found these very decorative copies of tole "planters" at Box Woods in Naples recently, and had a lot of fun deciding what to do with them~you can find Box Woods in the Chesterdales Antiques Market in Naples.

DEAN FARRIS INTERIOR DESIGN

Well, as you can see here, I was inspired to dress up my small foyer with some fresh magnolia, and dried palm, plus artificial (but oh so real looking) pears !

DFID

The little mahogany console ~ which is shown above in the foyer, was replaced (in the small living room) with this fabulous, one- of- a- kind, very Angelo Donghia-John Dickinson metal table, made by David Edelman, the brother of my wonderful client Mary Edelman Wilson.  I like the way it virtually disappears in the space!  We have these in stock if anyone would like to purchase ~ also in a coffee table size!

Naples

Yesterday was a gorgeous beach day~ and I made a very nice Sunday dinner for the two of us~ the recipe I discovered last week on James Farmers blog ! Pork with rosemary, red onion, and apples~ DELICIOUS!  Served with fresh organic baby kale sauteed in bacon, and a sauvignon blanc from California....thanks James!

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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     

Fantasy in Decoration

Maison Auclair

Kelly Wearstler

Howard Slatkin

Ken Fulk

Alberto Pinto

Badminton

Veranda

Carlos de Beistegui

Cecil Beaton

Parish Hadley

Royal Pavilion at Brighton

Liberace

Angelo Donghia

Pavlovsk Palace

Doris Duke

Sao Schlumberger

Howard Slatkin

Ca' Rezzonico, Venice

Venice

Tony and Susan Victoria

This is my current "mood board" - and while I'm certain that all of these images have been on Pinterest, etc. - that just proves my theory that we're all starving for beauty, glamour, and a mad dash of opulent, decadent, fantasy in decoration. Albert Hadley had an exhibition with this same name- I've always found the concept most inspiring.  Enjoy! Cheers!  DF *****