LOOK BACK: Muse Baron Nicolas de Gunzburg- FORWARD: Todd Alexander Romano

Baron Nicolas de Gunzburg, Horst

I think the first time I ever met Todd Romano, was in the office of the late decorator Parkin Saunders- and I recall being impressed by his personal style, very 1930's playboy, very Baron de Gunzburg!  (He was wearing an ascot perfectly knotted)  I'm sorry to say, we haven't had a chance to reconnect since that first meeting which must have been about 1995.  

Interesting to note, that the Baron, a stylish figure in European and (North) American society, first settled in Hollywood- and later went to New York. 

Todd is now based in San Antonio, Paris, Los Angeles and New York- Click aqui to find out more about the ultra glamorous and very interesting Nicolas de Gunzburg.  Check out this fabulous portrait of Todd Romano which reminds me so much of the Horst photograph of Nicolas, who was known as "Nicky".  (aka Nikki)

Todd Alexander Romano

In researching the Baron, I learned, not surprisingly, that he had been a muse and inspiration to designers Bill Blass, Oscar de la Renta, and especially Calvin Klein, who considered the Baron to be a style mentor.  When, after his first big fashion show, Calvin approached the Baron to ask his opinion, whether it was a success or a flop- the Baron said "You showed great courage".  Wow!  Can you say "concise" ?

Adding further parallel interest to my story of two gentleman of great style,  Todd has done extensive work for Suzy Hilfiger, a wife of the fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger.  Check out Todd's beautiful site here and you can see for yourself the extent of his talent and fabulous point of view.

I had posted previously about Todd's recent completion in Naples, Fla. of the former cottage of Albert Hadley- which made the cover of House Beautiful, for the second time!  (first time was when Albert was still the owner)  This then reminded me of how my other decorator friend, Mario Buatta, had designed a maisonette previously belonging to Sister Parish - for his client Patricia Altschul.

I recently was riding my bike down the alley where the entrance to Albert's former small guest house is located, and took this snap of it- after I showed it to Mario, he noted  "Very New England" - and indeed there is that quality to this charming property, located in the historic district of Naples.

I-fone photo by Dean

And here's the main house living room when Albert had it- a place where I spent many happy evenings of cocktails and long conversations!

via House Beautiful

And here is the same room from the Todd Romano decoration- some of the renovation had been done by previous owners who were subsequent to Albert's ownership.

Todd Alexander Romano, House Beautiful

What fun for me to have these talented gents in my life, and to have the Baron for inspiration- he makes me want to smoke so badly!  But, I did give up using Tenax in my hair back in the late 70's-
Don't you love how Nicky's hair is slicked back?  Not an easy look to pull off.  But in his day it was THE LOOK !  Check out Todd's Instagram too! DF *****

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Inspiring: Bruce Gregga in California

Interior design by Bruce Gregga

One of the things I love about this image is the very Horst look of the photography...how suitable since Bruce Gregga was often associated with the fashion photographer Victor Skrebneski for many years. 
I read with interest on the Cote de Texas blog, that John Saladino had bought one of the houses in Montecito that Bruce Gregga had remodeled.  The mix of modern architecture, California gardens, and French antiques is intoxicating to me~ and check out those stunning topiary trees!  Pretty much love this whole vibe.  DF ***** 

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Fantasy in Decoration IX

Lilly at Lee Jofa

Horst Interiors 1995

After work Martini

Rock Crystal Lantern

Braquenie fabric

Dita von Teese

Vintage Chanel Scarf

Andre Leon Talley

Claudia Schiffer

Dresden

Millefiori

Fortuny

Bizarre Silk

Lesage

Melania Trump

Shells

Chateau Living Elle Decor

Chanel

We had the most delicious "grazing" supper tonight~ and very good cocktails and conversation~ while bolts of lightning and thunder beat down!  The half light and the sound of the thunder was heavenly~and the heavy Summer rains created huge puddles, so we had to go barefoot~ahhh.... sweet Summer !  Sleep well, and enjoy the day tomorrow. Cheers!  DF *****

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Pushing It Around

DFID

Dear readers, I'm forever rearranging my furniture, even though I always say I won't- I've been doing it since I was about twelve years old... this green velvet and cerulean blue combination is very Emilio Terry.  Read more about Emilio Terry here .

DFID

The pair of Louis XV style chairs were against the wall, across from the sofa-  I like this slightly asymmetric flanking of my chesterfield with a pair of chairs... although we keep thinking we want something in a fabric on the chairs-

Perhaps Les Touches, Brunschwig as used by Mark Sikes  

DFID

This is a rental, with low ceilings, and I must work around them and the ceiling fan, as well as the beige plush carpet- so my modus operandi has been to just "decorate"  for now...

DFID

Also, this morning, I decided to hang another picture above the collage over by the sliding glass doors...it did help to visually raise the eye, which is terrific, since my ceiling height here is - 7'-10"  !!!! And there is no "crown" molding either- we keep discussing changing the mirror to a flat white finish or changing it entirely.

As seen on first dibs (SOLD) 

DFID

DFID

DFID

I like this shot- the grainy look reminds me of old Horst photographs in the House and Garden of the 1970's, which was always probably my favorite magazine, besides the old Paige Rense Architectural Digest...dating myself- and personally, I do like this jumbled look, since the architecture is just a plain shoe box...I do hope you've enjoyed this very personal glimpse into my private quarters!  Cheers!  DF *****

PS, Last night, on Turner Classic Movies, I caught William Haines in the 1928 silent film, "The Smart Set" -

he was very amusing- and became a very prominent designer after leaving the world of film... 

Horst, Inspirations From The Past



Coco Chanel, Horst

I've long admired the work of the late fashion photographer, Horst, and was recently perusing the book by the same name "Horst" by Valentine Lawford - (Knopf) - and found these iconic images, which I shot with my digital and have posted here-





Baroness de Rothschild, Horst

They're taking on a slightly weird, Warholish look here, since they're pictures of pictures of pictures...but I was also inspired by the chic WordPress blog called Slim Paley...and I once was able to catch a cherished glimpse of Horst himself, lunching alone in a window table of the Isle of Capri restaurant, on Third Avenue, in Manhattan.  I wonder if that place is still there? Anyone?



Maisons-Lafitte, Horst

Look at this amazing garden, near Paris, that he caught with his camera!  I love the peacock perched on top of the classical bust on pedestal.






Baroness and Baron de Rothschild, Horst

Look at the luxurious fur throw on the sofa, above.  I once had a client, who had a fur throw on the back of her library sofa, in Winston-Salem.  That's as chic as it gets!  Pauline de Rothschild was a fashion designer, and a muse of the society decorator, Billy Baldwin.  You can learn more about her in his books- of which there are several.




Babe Paley, Horst

Look at this fabulous portrait of Babe Paley- taken by Horst at her Kiluna Farm, in Manhasset, Long Island.  This one picture is worth a thousand words!




Princess Chavchavadze, Horst

This one, above, is almost too good to be true.  I'll excerpt the text for you to give you an idea of how brilliant Mr. Lawford's writing is- "Princess Elizabeth Chavchavadze, in the drawing room of the Palazzo Polignac overlooking the Grand Canale in Venice, 1947.  Horst: The sofa the princess is sitting on was designed by and belonged to Wagner.  She was a hostess in the days when Venice was still a favorite holiday resort of the fashionable, which it wasn't later.  She was born Elizabeth Ridgeway and was married first to the Count de Breteuil and then to Prince George Chavchavadze, a member of an ancient Georgian family and a talented professional pianist.  The couch was so deep that she couldn't get out of it." !!! Wow !!! I'm speechless.  

Marisa and Mark, Style Icons

MARK SIKES, the L.A. stylist, has a great blog, and he posted about MARISA BERENSON - a lady I have always admired for her beauty, grace, and polish. This particular portrait of her, by the late, famous Horst - spoke out to me, and I decided to make a post just about this one shot. It screams glamour, and I love the background, as well as her pose. It doesn't show her amazingly striking face, however I feel the image captures a certain intangible glimpse into "la dolce vita" and what true style really is all about, from a fashion editorial point of view. I saw KATHY BECKER today, the editor of Naples Illustrated, and we shot a table setting in our showroom this morning, which was created by one of our talented designers. I am sorry I don't have my own picture of it, however it will be shown in an upcoming issue of "N.I.".

Stay tuned for more news from Naples. ENJOY! DF *****

Vogue's Book of Houses, Gardens, People

Imagine Valentine Lawford, Diana Vreeland, and Horst collaborating on a book! This one is now a collectible, selling for around $350. This is the book I mentioned having the apartment of the late Cy Twombly in its pages.... not to be confused with the re-edition in a different incarnation...look for it in your local used book store, hidden treasure! Or buy it on Amazon.com - Great classic lifestyle book! Enjoy the weekend! DF *****