STYLE: Pauline and The Pink Door

 The Baroness Pauline de Rothschild

So, my very kind friend, Ted Glasgow, the super talented interior designer- sent this image to me recently.  It reminded me of how I've always been inspired in my imagination by this icon of style, Pauline de Rothschild . 

Ted works with The Pink Door in Greensboro, NC and is a decorator who is aware of past designers such as Otto Zenke, and later, The Zenkes.

Check out this amazing video of The Pink Door here !  I first discovered this chic emporium years ago while visiting my parents in Winston-Salem.

Our friend, the writer Mitch Owens, is working on a book about the Baroness, and just told me that the new very high style book on Thomas Britt that he's working on is now in the captions on images stage, so you know I just cannot wait for that one to come out!

I imagine that the Baroness would approve of Tom's new book.  I forgot to mention in my previous post, on Carleton Varney, that he'd made a point of reminding the HSN viewers of the importance of fantasy in our lives and in our homes, while selling very beautiful sheets and bedding.  I couldn't agree more!  "Mr. Color" promotes the use of bold palettes and has an international point of view.  He also has a new book out,  "Decorating On The Waterfront" Click here to view/order.  Enjoy!  DF *****

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TIMELESS, Carleton Varney

Carleton Varney

What fun and excitement too, to have famous Carleton as a friend and an inspiration!  An iconic figure in the interior design world, he's written over 30 books- and has appeared on HSN (television) as well as fathering three sons, and running the oldest design firm in America, Dorothy Draper, Inc.  (and prestigious) - a true man in full!  

Speaking of Home Shopping Network, I just this morning purchased some of the famous CV sheets, in the "Versailles" pattern- inspired by D. Porthault!  Click here to read more on fabulous and inspiring Carleton Varney!

Carleton Varney

Carleton on HSN

Carleton Varney

Carleton's Palm Beach residence 

Carleton Varney

Carleton Varney

Carleton Varney

Carleton Varney

Carleton Varney

Carleton Varney

Carleton Varney "Growing Wild"

Carleton Varney

Carleton at MP Interiors (Naples, Florida)

You can also find Carleton by the yard at MP Interiors, in the Miromar Design Center, tel (239) 498-9074 or
www.mp-interiors.net

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KINDEL: Dorothy Draper Collection

I'm very excited that the firm MP Interiors, just north of tony Naples, Fla. - is now representing  Kindel - including the fabulous Dorothy Draper collection! 

Here are some of my favorite pieces from the line.  Please visit us soon to see them in person!
DF *****

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N. P. Trent, Kinderhook, NY

via the NP Trent site

I used to haunt the shop of Stuart Peckner, when he was still on Dixie in West Palm Beach. His taste level is exquisite.  Now located in the charming Hudson River town of Kinderhook, his inventory still contains some of those things I absolutely lust after, including a set of signed French chairs in pale grey original paint. 

Now that we represent the Michael Devine line of fabrics to the trade, I think of this NY town often, since Michael is also located there!  This area is a charming, much less glitzy, alternate to the Hamptons, and one can pick up a country house for a song!  One of the things that I like so much about the image (above) is the citrus-y lime-y yellow wall, which I had first experienced in the Boca Grande, FL home of Mrs. Sheila Labrecque, as decorated by Mister Carleton Varney.  Mario also is known to use this color quite a bit.  It does seem to give a nice lift to the classic antique furnishings.  And, of course, we love to add lots of fresh arrangements from the cutting garden, such as these roses I found on the FB page of designer and author Maureen Footer...

Maureen Footer, via Facebook

Enjoy the weekend, wherever you may be!  DF *****

Cottage Charm !

via The Glam Pad

Remember when I had recently written about my experience in working on the Fifth Avenue apartment of Mary Gilbert, in New York?  Well, this wall glaze is very similar to what we did for her~bold, and inspired by Russian malachite!  The pretty floral chintz combined with the glazed walls reminds me of our friend Carleton Varney...as well as design maestro, Mario Buatta.  I would most likely add a sea grass or sisal large area rug to this room.  Enjoy!  DF *****

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Tommy Tune at The Royal Room

Colony Hotel Pool View From Polo Lounge

This weekend, Billy and I visited Palm Beach, as we had tickets to see Tommy Tune perform at The Royal Room...I had a pre-theater manhattan while contemplating this excellent view of the Colony pool...

Colony Hotel, recently redecorated by Carleton Varney

 It was my first time back, since the re-decoration by our friends, Carleton Varney and Brinsley Matthews...so I was excited to see the new decor for myself, which I liked very much...

The famous Royal Room, where Rob Russell presides

Bill Rain, Tommy Tune, Dean Farris

Our new friend, Mr. Peter Glebo, was kind enough to take this quick snap for our 15 seconds of fame! :) He also very kindly gifted William with an original, signed work of art by famous Tommy! (a belated birthday gift)...

Billy with his new Tommy Tune art

 Needless to say, we had a wonderful evening, and saw some wildly attractive people.  There were even some very well behaved children in the audience!  Afterwards, we took a short walk along fabulous Worth Avenue, then headed back to Fort Lauderdale for the remainder of the weekend.  Fun!  DF *****

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Carleton and the Colony

Image via the Colony Hotel site

Of course, I'm super excited that Billy and I are going back to the Colony Hotel, Palm Beach, to see Tommy Tune perform at the Royal Room~ Our friend and colleague, Mr. Carleton Varney, along with Brinsley Matthews and the CV team, have just completed an overhaul of the venerable old hotel.  It presides over the end of Worth Avenue, like a grand queen!

The Royal Room at the Colony, via the Colony Hotel site

We had just missed seeing Mary Wilson, of the Supremes, playing here right before the renovation closed the hotel.  What fun to see Tommy Tune perform!  Here he is (below) with Liz Smith.  

Tommy Tune, via NYSD

So, here come the holidays, once again!  Looking forward to staying in Naples this year.  One of the most enjoyable Christmas holidays I ever spent was in Key West~ back in the late 1970's !!! Imagine the excitement and the fun!  There were no big cruise ships coming in to the port then, so it was quite a different place from what it has become today. Enjoy!DF***** 

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Dining at The Grand Hotel

Carleton Varney

Here's some powerful inspiration to carry you through the weekend!
Brazilliance wall covering, Carleton Varney, through MP Interiors, Naples, Florida.  
Cheers!  DF *****

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More Fantasy in Decoration

Carleton Varney Dorothy Draper

Rococo fauteuils

Bruce Weber

German Rococo

Rococo commode

Sanssouci

Doris Duke

Versace

What fun selecting more images for my current "mood board"...Enjoy!  DF *****

What's New at MP Interiors?

 

Marine Linard and Carleton Varney

Check out all the fabulous decorative items at MP Interiors, (formerly Webster and Company...)at the amazing, Juan Montoya designed Miromar Design Center.  Located just north of Naples, and only a two hour drive from Palm Beach, you won't be disappointed!  See the MP site here for a complete listing of all the lines we carry!  Including Lee furniture, de Gournay, Stark,  Schumacher, and Duralee...

Cheers! DF*****

Gable Lamp at RL Lighting - MP Interiors

What's Hot Now

Jett Thompson

I first heard about Jett Thompson, a decorator with an incredible eye- when I would visit Webster and Company (now M P Interiors) at the Miromar Design Center.  I saw her new shop today, in Old Naples, and DIED!  See her shop and site here

MP Interiors still carries some of Jett's exquisite pieces, see Marine Linard for more details...

  

We had a fantastic turn out for Carleton Varney...

Carleton Varney in Naples!

Great news!  CV will be in town on Thursday, April 10th, presenting "Once Upon a Time" which promises to be a memorable trip down memory lane as only he can do...tickets are only 15 dollars and benefit the Golisano Childrens Hospital of Southwest Florida.  Purchase here and then enjoy a book signing reception after the presentation, hosted by MP Interiors, Suite 340 Miromar Design Center, where you can then have Carleton sign your copy of his new book, "Decorating in the Grand Manor, A Design Memoir" AND view his latest fabric collection!  You can also call (239) 390-8207 for more information.  Enjoy!  DF *****

Marine Linard, Carleton Varney, Mark Fanta