BILLY BALDWIN, on my mind

BILLY BALDWIN

One of my biggest inspirations and favorite decorators of all time, William Williar Baldwin, known as "Billy" - is the subject of todays post, a great look back in order to gain fresh perspective for a new month! 
Way back in 1977, I had the chance to meet the master, but little did I know, I had spent the last two years studying under an early protégé of his- Stan Topol! (1975-77). 
My grand tour chaperone, Robert Morring, placed a call to BB's office from our New York hotel suite, to arrange the meeting- and alas, Billy had already left for Sconset- (Nantucket). 
After a brutal beating by the IRS, the most prominent designer in American decorating was left with very little- and ended his days in a small dependency at the kindness of his friends Michael Gardine and Way Bandy. 
The bookkeepers had not been managing Baldwin's business properly, and it's a minor scandal that dear Billy had to end as he did.  (Albert Hadley was a millionaire at the time of his death, and left substantial bequests to several New York institutions).  Here, a few images to look at and be inspired by- representing the genius of Baldwin!  Enjoy!  DF *****

BILLY BALDWIN

BILLY BALDWIN

BILLY BALDWIN

BILLY BALDWIN

BILLY BALDWIN

BILLY BALDWIN

BILLY BALDWIN

BILLY BALDWIN

Chanticleer, one of BB's favorite spots on Nantucket, see here is very high on my bucket list of places to visit NEXT summer!

Chanticleer, Nantucket

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Happy Birthday RL !

Ralph Lauren

Happy Birthday to Ralph!  An ultimate inspiration, icon, and success in business and in life.  When Albert Hadley was asked by the Laurens to visit their Fifth Avenue apartment for a consultation, Albert took in what magic Angelo Donghia had created~(an uptown loft in white)~and was so impressed that he said he wouldn't change anything!  Brilliant! 

This crisp image of RL himself reminds me of the time I was on the beach in the famous Hamptons, and saw Calvin come out in a white terry robe, standing on a terrace, looking just like one of his own models!  New York, you gotta love it!  DF *****

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Richard Giglio, R.I.P.

Angelo Donghia, sitting under one of his Richard Giglio works, via AD

I've written here before about the time I was taken to the Manhattan residence of the late, legendary interior designer, Angelo Donghia.  What I may not have mentioned was the impact his collection of works on paper by the late artist, Richard Giglio made on me~ dynamite !

Richard Giglio, via Facebook, Raymond Diskin Black

Angelo Donghia

Richard Giglio, studio, via Facebook, Raymond Diskin Black

Angelo Donghia, 1976

You see, there was the most wonderful atmosphere of glamour, artistry, excitement, and freshness, in the house of Donghia~ it was sensational!  These pictures don't fully capture the ethereal and New York-in-the-seventies vibe that was going on, but as I've said before, the combination of satin, bleached floors, lacquered walls, and silver tea papered ceilings is enough to send anybody over the moon! 

Thanks to dear friend Julie Britt for introducing me to her friend Raymond Diskin Black and the world of Giglio...!  I'm hoping to perhaps acquire a Giglio of my very own one day.  Hoping this post inspires you too!  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 

Tony, Hutton, and Maison Objet Americas

Tony Duquette Los Angeles

Did you know that the Maison Objet show has now arrived in Miami?  If you missed it, don't worry, the second annual show will be held in May 2016 !  

Can I tell you how much I like the idea of using a blue malachite fabric with a green malachite bureau plat?

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Do you think More is More, or Less is More?  DF *****

Modern Muse: Patricia Dey Altschul

Beautiful Patricia Altschul

Not unlike Lady Gaga, I've become delightfully obsessed with the fabulous Mario Buatta client, Patricia Altschul.  I think the picture of her above, pretty much sums up why I am so inspired by her~and I first saw it in my Buattapedia on one of MB's bulletin boards...and thought it was Candy Hamm! (I also have worshiped at the altar of Candy, after learning about her from my Stephen Salny book, Michael Taylor Interior Design...(see earlier posts on DFS)

With Mario Buatta

In Charleston

In New York

On Southern Charm, Bravo

With son, Whitney

Charleston

Charleston with Cooper Ray

Nobody can work a pair of shades like Patricia!

In her boudoir, (BRAVO)

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Pauline in My Dreams

Baroness Pauline de Rothschild

Last night, after burning my new "Saint Germain" candle from Ralph Lauren, I had the most vivid dream about the late Baroness de Rothschild....she was talking to me, and giving me a tour of her home ~and wearing a tailleur of a chic solid grey fabric, with the most elegant black patent pumps, which were quite low, and very flattering to her long legs and narrow feet.  I just discovered this blog , called the Esoteric Curious, which has a good bio of her life in a very palatable length, do read it!  Enjoy !  DF *****

"The great danger for an American woman married to a Frenchman is to become too French. To assimilate too much of another nationality weakens you. Though on the surface I might not seem to be 100 percent American, I have tried to remain as shaggy inside as possible."

Baroness Pauline de Rothschild

Elegance Personified, India Hicks

India Hicks, via Facebook

So beyond excited to have beautiful and smart, India Hicks, here today completing our Luxury Home Design Weekend!
IH is launching a direct sales venture for her bath and spa products, read all about it on her Facebook page!DF*****

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A Conch House Christmas

A Key West Conch House

One of the most fun Christmas holidays I've ever enjoyed, was back in the gilded 1980's~ when I drove down to Key West, Florida from North Carolina.  Key West still had a hand tinted post card glow then, and I always would stay in the old quarter, known as Old Town Key West~which has been home to luminaries such as Tennessee Williams, Ernest Hemingway, Truman Capote, and many other artists.  Lilly Pulitzer would get her fabrics from Key West for her orange juice making shifts back in the sixties and seventies then.
So, back to my story.  I was playing tennis with a very good, rated player, and as I ran back to make my return shot (this is like Gloria Upson telling her Ping Pong ball story) I very unfortunately turned my ankle and landed on my left wrist! The courts were asphalt, so yes I had a fractured wrist.  Dr. Avery Plowden at the KW hospital put a nice cast on my arm, and gave me a prescription for Tylenol with codeine.  Later, but not too, I was on Duval Street enjoying dinner with a glass of wine, and if you've ever accidentally mixed a beverage with a codeine laced pill, you know that wonderful
naughty  floating sensation!  I just remember feeling so well,  and the little white lights were blurry in a wonderful way, and I wandered into this kind of gazebo, all lined in unfinished plywood.  In the middle of the vaulted ceiling going up up up was a beautiful plain evergreen Christmas tree, and all it had on it was the white lights.The utter beauty and raw simplicity made quite an impression on me, as the familiar thump of the disco-techno beat pounded away in the background. Whenever I think of a memorable Christmas holiday, this image comes to mind.  The breezes were making the palms sway, and rustle in the moonlight, and it was magical.  Merry Christmas, and hope you had a nice Chanukah too! Enjoy!  DF *****

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Timothy Corrigan Coming to Naples!

Designer Timothy Corrigan AD 100

Exciting !  International interior designer, Timothy Corrigan, is coming to our Miromar Design Center!  He has collections for Schumacher, which we represent, including furniture, textiles, and rugs!  He also has a book, "An Invitation to Grand-Luce'" about his restoration of a Loire valley chateau, which he owns.  TC has offices in Los Angeles and Paris, stay tuned for dates and times!  DF *****

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Chateau du Grand Luce'

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Valentino Garavani for Christmas

New Book I want from Santa

Dear Santa, I would like this book  very much~ click here

From Valentino The Emperors Table, by Andre' Leon Talley

Andre' Leon Talley

Valentino, Gwyneth, and Bruce

Here's Valentino with pal Gwyneth Paltrow ~ and (his) boyfriend Bruce Hoeksema~

Valentino and Bruce out on the town

P.S. Santa dear, if you want to throw in five homes and a yacht~ (like Val has) it's ok ! :)
Enjoy!  DF *****

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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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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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Can We Talk?

Joan Rivers

Rest in peace ~ dear Joan~ you brought so much happiness and joy to our lives!
DF *****

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Joan's New York apartment

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