Black and White Baby: Patrick Mele, NYC

Designer Patrick Mele, via NYSD

Loved this post on today's New York Social Diary so much, had to re-post it!  Style style style! Patrick has it! Click here to read the full story...enjoy!  DF *****

via NYSD

 

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The Mysterious Mr. Mont

A James Mont  case piece, Todd Merrill via NYSD

If you read my post about the late designer (and mentor of mine) George Clarkson, you may recall that I had a small black lacquer desk that was possibly a James Mont piece.  The dealer Todd Merrill, in New York, specializes in James Mont- and this Summer when I was visiting Tom Britt in Watermill, I learned that Todd had opened a Southampton branch of his eponymous gallery.  These images are from the NYSD article on Todd Merrill the dealer-and a gent who is working in his Southampton gallery was planning to join us for dinner when we were at the Britt estate, but had to cancel at the last minute.  Do read the Antiques magazine piece on James Mont, it's very interesting- here by Gregory Cerio.

James Mont table, Tommi Parzinger cabinet, Merrill collection, via NYSD

Screen behind stairs, James Mont, Merrill collection, via NYSD

Lamps, James Mont, chests, Tommi Parzinger, Merrill collection, via NYSD

So then, to make things even more bizarre ~ fitting, since the story of James Mont is so strange and wicked~ my good friend Linda, creator of Calling It Home (design blog), just gave me these fabulous small Asian looking (James Mont looking!) tables!  I think she said they had belonged to her husband's grandmother.  They have gold veined mirror inset into the tops, and are in perfect condition.  Crazy for these!  Thanks again dear Linda!

Small table, possibly a James Mont? One of a pair

   
I'd purchased my writing table which appeared to be a Mont, from the fabulous dealer Bobby Gingold, back in the roaring 1980's - it was missing it's drawer pulls- but otherwise was in pristine condition.  Then, due to renting a very old truck, I suffered a fire, which damaged the desk, and after bringing it down to Florida, I ended up giving it to my old friend Martin McMahon.  I assume he still has it.  DF *****

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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Maureen Footer, NYSD

Maureen Footer, via New York Social Diary

While I had purchased the Maureen Footer book on decorator George Stacey, I then loaned it to a friend, and haven't seen it since!  I had forgotten about this wonderful piece done on her on the NYSD...Maureen has lamps by Chris Spitzmiller in her charming, euro influenced New York flat, which happens to be a studio!  Maureen is a beautiful and elegant woman, and I hope to get a chance to meet her one day. 

Hailing from San Francisco, Ms. Footer represents a certain, smart, type of girl, my kind of girl, with a wonderfully honed eye, based in the classics.  Like I am forever saying, Classics Are Forever.  Not unlike Alicia Silverstone in Clueless!  :)  (see the Vanity Fair write-up on Clueless in the latest issue).  But, I digress.

Wasn't Maureen clever to use that fabulous tapestry as a focal point?  She does not own a television. If you read my blog posts, you may know that I too, wouldn't own one, if they hadn't been given to me over the years.  I still take a perverse kind of pleasure in watching my world's smallest flat screen.  I think the screen itself is no more than 10 x 17 ! Inches.  !

Style is creating a Proustian, elegant ambiance in a Manhattan studio apartment. See more of it on NYSD HOUSE click on Maureen Footer under Decorator Series.  Enjoy!  DF *****

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Bunny Williams

Bunny Williams

It was very interesting to read today on the NYSD, about John Rosselli and Bunny Williams receiving the NYSID Albert Hadley Lifetime Achievement Award~how gratifying for them to be acknowledged in such a manner, and at the famous Rainbow Room no less!  Alexa Hampton was enlisted as a dinner chairman, and surely if any two design professionals deserve such accolades, it would be Bunny and John.  Congratulations!  DF *****

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"Minimalist rooms can be so beautiful, but I can't live in one; I love objects too much."—Interior designer Bunny Williams, December 03

via Elle Decor

Monday Is For Mario

Mario Buatta, The Prince of Chintz, via NYSD

Mario Buatta, New York Magazine

There's only ONE Mario~ and what a great guy he is!  Monday is his birthday, so we thought of posting a tribute to the master on today's DFS...
Mario creates magic for his fortunate clients, and his talent and energy knows no boundaries.  
Lucky me !  I get to call him a friend~ !  Happy Birthday MB you devil !  What a great guy!  DF *****

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6.13.14: Content | New York Social Diary

6.13.14: Content | New York Social Diary

I so enjoyed this intimate interview with self-taught designer, Howard Slatkin.  Enjoy!  DF *****

Howard Slatkin, Fifth Avenue Style

Garrow's New York Glamour

Room by Garrow Kedigian

We love this Garrow Kedigian apartment- on Park Avenue in New York.  The luxe, euro inspired lacquered walls, tufted banquette, and Louis XV mantel are all elements that resonate for us.  See more of New York designer Garrow Kedigian and his chic flat in New York Social Diary...here Enjoy!  DF ***** 

Get The Look!



Ronald Bricke and Associates, Inc.

I was thrilled to see this designer living room, from the private residence of Ronald Bricke, on New York Social Diary...I immediately was reminded of the time I was taken to the townhouse of Angelo Donghia- and how the arrangement in the downstairs white lacquered drawing room had a wild chic and flair.  Well- guess what?  Ronald Bricke worked for Angelo- many moons ago, when AD was associated with Yale Burge, the country french specialist.  Mentioned in the excellent piece on NYSD, was how, when Ronald was a student at Parsons, he was entered into a design contest, and Salvador Dali and the Duchess of Windsor were judges- and of course Ronald was the big winner - a trip to Europe paid for by the Duke!  A similar thing happened to me in design school in New York, and my project was published in "Interior Design" and there was enough cash involved that I was encouraged to fund the Glenn Boyles Memorial Scholarship...which I did.  Mr. Boyles had been at Parsons, and taught many of the top designers, including, I imagine, Mr. Ronald Bricke.  The 1995 Kips Bay showhouse contained an amazing bedroom by Ronald, featuring a very tall tester bed, with a baroque cornice, painted white.  The hangings were in a deep anthracite, and the walls were in a dark cocoa.  He used a rag rug under the bed, from Margareta Nettles, of Nantucket.  The fabrics were by Schumacher.  I will try and post this image for you so you can see it.  Also, tonight I met a wonderful designer, William Murphy, who just moved to town from Atlanta.  His Buckhead house was featured in "Traditional Home" - you may recall- and he is very talented.  Bill will be living down the street from me- check out his site- www.jessary.com Cheers!  DF *****