GARDENS: Penny Bianchi

Penny Bianchi in Montecito, CA

This article about the restoration of the house and garden belonging to designer Penny Bianchi in Montecito
after the second largest wildfire in California history damaged her gardens, garage and guest house- inspired me!  

I was intrigued by this image above, as it has so many elements I like in a house- a touch of age, decadence even, a bit of classical whimsy, a la her friends, the late Tony and Beegle Duquette... it's amazing, inspiring and even, yes, magical- that she (Penny) was able to overcome the devastation and destruction of her charming european inspired property... Kudos to the Bianchis !  DF

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STYLE: Michael Taylor

Michael Taylor

What could be more soothing and beautiful than this timeless and dramatic bedroom by the late Michael Taylor ? This chamber could just as easily be the work of the late William Hodgins also...so, I consulted with dear Stephen Salny, author of the book, "Michael Taylor Interior Design", and he confirmed that this room was designed by Mr. Taylor, for his client Eileen Michael.  Thanks Stephen!

Notice the big, heavy travertine cocktail table in foreground...the Giacometti slipper chairs, the gilt "frog" chair- and the Dodie Thayer cabbage tureen... the quilting on the bed hangings seems especially luxurious in this setting, speaking eloquently to the raised knot carpet in oyster...a place for sweet dreams...DF

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CLASSIC: Nancy Reagan Style

via internet

The late Los Angeles Designer, Ted Graber, created this stunning, classic, office for former First Lady, Nancy Reagan.  I was struck by the beauty of the palette as well as the classical elegance of the furnishings.  Compare this 80's creation with the more current one (below).  Click here to read the Wikipedia on Ted Graber.  Enjoy!  DF *****

Summer Thornton Interior Design

 

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SIXTIES CHIC: Howard Perry Rothberg, II

Howard Perry Rothberg's personal residence, House and Garden, 1966

So, my blogging friend, Andrea (The Glam Pad) and I were recently conversing about designers of the past, who became iconic, and I started wondering who some of the old guard decorators of Miami (where Andrea lives) might be...and recalled my friend and one time mentor, Maurice Bernstein, (see AD) mentioning Howard Perry Rothberg, II.  I think I even recall seeing a stunning yacht interior in AD by HPR...

Click here  to see a fascinating 1966 story on his personal Coconut Grove residence, a charming small cottage, done in a classic modern style, that still looks fresh, 50 years later! DF
See here for how this house has been restored and updated! 

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Recalling the Anglo Indian Rage, Robert Lighton

Robert Lighton, New York

My dear friend, Tice, often spoke of Robert Lighton - which back in the gilded 1980's we called "RobertLightonBritishKhaki..." The Anglo Indian style was all the rage in early 80's New York.  And I do believe, it's come back in a big way.  (if it ever left us at all) - click here to see the full RL website and his ongoing HUGE 50% SALE prices! 
My darling friend, Julie Britt, a former stylist for Harper's Bazaar, sleeps in a silver-leafed bed by Robert, when she is residing at her pied a terre in NYC...Fabulous!  Beyond!  Enjoy!  DF *****

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Beautiful Britthampton, Interior Designer Tom Britt

Entrance, Main House, Britt estate, Watermill, NY
I-fone photo by Dean

I never imagined that, what I thought was "The Barn" could have been entered via an elegant neo classic David Adler looking portal, complete with a stately broken pediment overdoor, above which was hanging a distressed white pierced metal Moroccan lantern!  Or that, before that vision of classical beauty, I'd find myself in a kind of outdoor room/courtyard~ surrounded by the tallest of tall hedges, and teetering on white quartz gravel.  The shock of the classical!

Britt estate, Main House Living Room, rock quartz under Jean Michel Frank style table from the Michael Taylor estate
I-fone photo by Dean

Then, upon entering the house through the classical entryway, one was faced with the drama of a half-timbered, white washed "barn" such as Billy Baldwin had on Nantucket!  Tom told the story of Billy sending him a beautiful letter, praising this house, after having seen pictures of it.  Tom was only 26 years old when he built his house, in a former circa 1600's potato field.  He and his lovely companion, Julie, had seen a similar place belonging to old friends who were in the antiques business.  Over fifty years later, "Britthampton" is now sitting in a posh area of mini-estates, each with their own high hedges, reminding one of Palm Beach.

Photo: DK Holland

Britt estate, low table from the Helena Rubenstein sale
I-fone photo by Dean

 

Tall, tall fig trees are growing in the barn~and one especially huge one hangs over a bar set-up on a side table.  These gorgeous trees read as sculpture in the room.  The front door and entry is on an axis with the living room fireplace, which is low and modern, a la Frank, and topped with a tall undivided glass window!  The flue is vented off to the side.  The floors are a wonderful and strange kind of poured concrete with a wavy texture, which seem to have been painted with many thick coats of black, murky, waxed looking paint.  Very dramatic with the plain flat white walls, which have some sand in them for texture.  In true Tom Britt style, all upholstered pieces are classic Parsons style models in a Chanel- like quilted white vinyl.  Big pillows are made of vintage looking textiles, and the low table facing the fireplace is from the estate of the late Madame Helena Rubenstein.  While enjoying evening cocktails, served up by handsome Marcelo, I did notice that the glow from the fireplace was coming through the frosted resin Greek key legs of this ultra-chic table. 

The dining area off of the "barn room" is a simple, white space, furnished very Spartan like with a plain, probably English table, white Parsons chairs by Tom, and a plain white console with shells and coral.  Candles are burning everywhere, but the chandelier is conspicuously absent.  Creating a very calm, artist in the studio mood.  One looks out to a white quartz gravel garden with pergolas shading towering stacks of potted geraniums in pinks and reds.  I had the pleasure of meeting the iconic fashion designer, Jackie Rogers, in this very room.  Her tales of past adventures were enchanting, she's a very interesting lady.

Britt estate, Guest House
I-fone photo by Dean

After saying our good nights, Billy and I wandered back to the very decorative and charming guest house, a pavilion of two octagons flanking a square~ to our magical, octagonal bedroom, but that's coming up in the next part of this post on Thomas and Julie Britt, and their magnificent Hamptons compound.  Until then, I'm yours, sincerely, DEAN 

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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Classic: Mercedes Benz 280 SL



1970 280 SL

Lately, I've been lusting after a classic Mercedes, known as the 280 SL...when you google this particular model, certain words come up, such as "classic", "Beverly Hills, Southampton, Palm Beach" and "John Travolta, John Lennon, Audrey Hepburn, and Sophia Loren". Since these cars have become very collectible, the price has doubled in recent years, and I could have bought one in good condition for $22,000.00 but it now appears that they are much higher- (depending on the condition)- but I did test drive the baby, and I loved it.  I also recently bid on one on ebay- but the reserve was probably $45K.  You see a LOT of these in Naples- we have relatively flat roads here, and they are the perfect car for tooling around a small resort town such as Naples.
My friend, Stephen, has one, but then, he has other modes of transport, and you really don't want this for a daily driver- the parts are hideously expensive.  Of course, Stephen is the sort of guy who spends his Summers in a flat in Mayfair, London. 
Having owned in the past two BMW's, three Mercedes, and one Porsche, I'm not so sure I want the headaches attached to owning something so undeniably precious- since the love affair can be so terribly emotional- but if the right one comes along...my heart may win!  Now, if I can just decide what colour I want... DF*****  

Classics are Forever



Foyer, Hopedene, Newport, R.I.

This foyer and staircase, at Hopedene, a famous colonial revival house in Newport, Rhode Island, inspires me with its elegant simplicity, and grand proportions.  Classic!  The royal red carpet, black banisters, and brightly gilded table look stunning and so correct.






Mandarin Console by J. Alexander, Brian Austin Collection

If the gilding is too much for you, and maybe not so suitable for your lifestyle or your budget, then I'd suggest this interesting piece- which comes in a variety of finishes- we could still hang a very ornamental mirror or painting above it.  Classic!

 






Exterior entrance, Mary McDonald,  Los Angeles, CA

 Again, I find the work of decorator Mary McDonald, so inspiring.  One walks through a shuttered gate-like door - into an outdoor garden, and then is faced with the front door entrance into the house.  I love the mystery of this, and the charm, it's CLASSIC!  Also classic is the deep taupe colour Mary used on the stucco.  Enjoy!  DF ***** 

"It" Chair, Cross Back Arm Chair

My time is getting more limited these days for blogging, so, here's a brief glimpse into the classic world my mind inhabits, where old favorites never die, and the classics keep on showing up, perhaps tweaked or updated, but always retaining their sense of history and gravitas. This "Crossback Arm Chair" by Century (model # 3353A) is one of my favorites, I admire how it harks back to early Georgian and Chippendale examples, and yet seems to have a forever, contemporary look as well. Would love it in a leather, or a crisp Alan Campbell printed cotton...and here is a little sentiment I'd like to share with you dear readers.

The past is history

The future is a mystery

Today is a gift

And that's why it's called the present.

I do hope that you'll enjoy today wherever you are, and think about this iconic chair too!

DF *****