Inspired by Bebe', C.Z., and The Duchess

DFID

I spent this weekend painting my entry doors~ including the idea of favorite images from Christian "Bebe'" Berard, and Monsieur Boudin for Mrs. Winston Guest and The Duchess of Windsor...

DFID

Is it a bit theatrical? Yes.  Is it chic as hell? Yes.  Did it cost a ton of $$$? No.  Did I have fun doing it? Yes~ My old Prof from FIT, Stanley Barrows, wanted me to pursue set design~ can you see why? !

Christian Berard

Cornelia Guest at Templeton, faux marbre mantel

Bois de Boulogne house of Duchess of Windsor, faux marbre pilasters

I had been thinking for some time that I wanted to do something to this tired looking door~ perhaps a chinoiserie wallpaper? A mirrored treatment? Applied moldings? This is what I ended up with, and if I get tired of it, it's easily changed.  I dragged the silver on the "moldings" and then I quickly executed a loose "veining" also in the silver on black. I then added a new pair of brushed nickel ring pulls to the closet doors.  Let me know what you think!  It was more black for Black Friday weekend!  Enjoy!  DF *****

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I Remember C Z

I just woke up thinking about the elegant and iconic social beauty, Mrs. Winston "C Z" Guest. I was remembering being at a cocktail party in Southampton, and having the immense pleasure of meeting Mrs. Guest,who died in 2003. I also spent time with her beautiful daughter, Cornelia- who had been, like Brenda Frazier, a "Deb of the Year"... Horses, gardens, houses, family... this was what they were all about. The night I met CZ, she was wearing a magnificent black and white gown, and still had her blonde mane styled like Gloria Vanderbilts, with the famous WASP flip. I'll always remember her as being a warm and formidable woman, very Boston proper, and one who took no prisoners. Here she is late in life, looking elegant and serene. Enjoy! DF *****