Laman

Color Me Happy!

I hadn't planned to profile the interiors of Tony Duquette but once I came across a New York Times article and then I started looking at old photosof his work that I really couldn't resist. They are completely over the top and have an amazing attention to detail and what's even more impressive is that so much of the opulence was created from found objects. Tony Duquette could see the possibilty and beauty in the mundane. According to Linda Fargo of Bergdorf Goodman, "Tony said he was about beauty not luxury. He was Rumpelstiltskin spinning gold from straw." Hutton Wilkinson, his business partner said that "where some people saw a hubcap, Duquette saw a shining disc to set in the middle of an improvised sunburst."

"In Duquette’s hands, the shiny plastic baskets in which hot dogs are served became a Coromandel screen in a Gucci advertisement. Branches were spray-painted and turned into coral. Coral was spray-painted, too. Skateboard decks were used as wainscoting in Duquette’s Beverly Hills house and, at his ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains, he upended rakes and turned them into totemic standards."
The drawing room at "Dawnridge" circa 1980's. Tony Duquette placed two 18th century Venetian dolphins from the collection of Misia Sert on each side of an 18th century Adam settee upholstered in apple green silk strie. I love the mix of all the different colors.

The balcony at "Dawnridge" above was decorated with an 18th century Venetian console table, a standing 18th century red lacquered Burmese Buddha and a turquoise painted rhino from an American 19th century carousel. Duquette has covered the "oculus" of the house with a sheet of glass which holds Chinese porcelains and bronze figures suspended above the entrance hall below. It's this photo that reminds me of what Kelly Wearstler is doing today.

The Duquettes' own bedroom above was decorated with antique Chinese embroideries overlaid with iridescent silk gauze. An antique Chinese graperoot table from the Hearst collection has been draped with an ocelot skin and the bed has been covered with a Chinese panel embroidered with gold thread.

Looking into the office from the garden at "Dawnridge". This small pavilion was built by Tony Duquette around an existing fireplace which was all that remained after a fire in 1972 burned the original house which was on this site to the ground. He furnished this office with his Louis XV ormolu bureau plat and antique Chinese Chippendale chairs.

The lower terrace at "Dawnridge" looking across the swimming pool through the nacre-covered obelisks to Tony Duquette's 28' tall sculpture "The Phoenix Rising from Its Flames".

The dining pavilion in the garden at "Dawnridge" circa 1980's where Tony and Elizabeth Duquette frequently entertained. Hanging from the lattice ceiling is an original pagoda chandelier (this chandelier was moved by Duquette to his Malibu ranch and was later destroyed in the tragic green meadows fire which completely destroyed the Duquette ranch in Malibu below).

In the 1950's Tony and Elizabeth Duquette purchased a 150 acre property high in the Malibu mountains above the Pacific Ocean. Over the next 30 years they spent each weekend at the property which they lovingly dubbed, "The Empire". The property and its 21 structures tragically burnt to the ground in the Green Meadows Malibu fire in the 1990's. Before it disappeared the Duquettes' created an enclave of pagodas, pavilions, studios, and houses on which they lavished their many talents, collections, decorations, and magic.

Tony Duquette placed many pavilions throughout "The Empire". This one created out of an existing skeletal metal pipe structure purchased at the nearby Port Hueneme Navy surplus sales and covered with antlers from the Hearst ranch (Tony and Elizabeth were guests of the Hearst family at San Simeon for the last weekend before they gave the castle to the state). The pavilion is topped with a cast resin onion dome which had been thrown out at the back lot of MGM.

The interior of "Hamster House" circa 1980's (after the 1920's mobile home had been pulled out). The secretary desk is 18th century Venetian and the architecturally painted furniture on the left was originally made for Tony Duquette's dressing room at the old studio on Robertson Blvd.

"The Tea House" which Duquette decorated with an antique Chinese silk temple rug on the floor, Asian antiques and a pagoda chandelier of his own invention. The ceiling was upholstered between the red lacquer beams with quilted bedspread fabrics which Duquette felt resembled inlaid tiles.

The historic Tony Duquette Studio was located at 824 North Robertson Blvd. in West Hollywood. Originally the building was constructed as a movie studio for the silent film star Norma Talmadge. The Duquettes purchased the building in the early 1950's as a ruin and remodeled and restored the structure as their residence and studio.

Featured in Duquette's office above circa 1970 was this 18th century Louis XV desk surmounted by a red and gold lacquered shrine from Burma. The 18th century French windows were brought from Paris by Duquette in the 1940's.

Part of the Duquettes' collection of vermiel decorations including an 18th century salt cellar in the form of a galleon, insects, fruit and toads. Duquette used these decorations to set his party tables and constantly moved them around the house creating "tablescapes" which he called "Games of Chance." Sound like anyone else we know?

Tony Duquette not only designed interiors for himself but for clients as well. One of my favorite projects was for Barretstown Castle in Ireland, which I am sad to say is now a children's camp. According to the history of the castle, Elizabeth Arden acquired the property in 1962. "Over five years, Ms. Arden applied her famous talents for beauty and style to an extensive reconstruction, redecoration and refurnishing of the Castle. Her influence dominates the look of the house to this day. The door of Barretstown Castle is reputed to have been painted red after her famous brand of perfume 'Red Door', and remains so to this day."

The interiors have a slightly 1960's feel to them but at the same time, the seem completely timeless. The dark wall color and furnishings in the room above look similar to what David Hicks was doing around that same time. It's also surprising given Duquette's own homes that this one is actually restrained and dare I say simple? Of course, the pagodas are a giveaway that it is Duquette designed.

I love the bedroom's matching wallpaper, draperies and bedspreads. The color green seems to run through out the home and you have to wonder if that was Duquette's nod to the Irish countryside. Your eye is drawn from the green in the interiors to the green outside the window. One of my favorite rooms is the bathroom below. Except maybe for the green towels and what looks like green carpeting, it could be a modern bathroom.

Hope you enjoyed this little tour of just some of Tony Duquette's interior design work. In addition to this profession, he was also a set designer, costume designer, artist and jewelry designer. His wife was also a very accomplished artist and they made a perfect pair. I am in awe of Tony Duquette, who had so much creative drive and inspiration that he felt inspired to work on designs in so many variations and with a sense of zeal that most of us could never understand. Hope he inspires you to step away from the computer and create something today!
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Summit Talks



On Saturday, Blogger Cote de Texas welcomed All The Best's Ms. Ronda Carmon to Houston to discuss blogging, design, publishing, and other important topics. The summit meeting, held in Southampton, Houston's Museum District, lasted approximately two hours over lunch. In a sign of solidarity, the two parties both ordered the same dish: crab cakes with chicken noodle soup.

Over the course of lunch, it was discovered that the two bloggers share the same politics and the same feelings about the current administration. Whoop!!

Following a quick shopping trip to M. Naeve, the two parted, promising to rendezvous at another summit, date to be determined by their social secretaries. At an impromptu press conference held outside M. Naeve, Cote de Texas stated that All The Best was sweet, friendly, very pretty, easy to talk to, warm, and politically - very smart! All The Best is heading back to Scotland soon, while Cote De Texas headed off to an appointed with a client.
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Amaze Me!


I stopped by Bergdorf Goodman today to check and see if they had the regular Tony Duquette book for sale early. Alas, they did not and I couldn't justify buying myself the $250 limited edition version right before the holidays but I did peruse the book. In it, there was a great photo of an elephant that Tony Duquette created for the Beverly Hills boutique window display for legendary fashion designer Adrian in 1952. Duquette said of the working relationship, "there was no budget. I had carte blanche. I never had a client like that before." Apparently, Adrian's only directive was "amaze me!" And all I can say is that not only was Tony Duquette amazing but so are the windows that were inspired by him! I still can't get over them!

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It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!


As I was saying before my computer decided to stage a revolt, I attended the launch of the Tony Duquette book and the holiday window unveiling party at Bergdorf Goodman Wednesday night. The windows were inspired by Tony Duquette and all I can say is the Bergdorf's has outdone themselves! They always have the most elegant, stylish, creative, interesting holiday windows but these are beyond beautiful. The leopard carpet was pretty crowded so I didn't get as many photos as I would have liked. I think I may have to go back and take more detail shots because there is so much to look at and take in. I think the elephant might be my favorite.

The party was obviously the social event of the holiday season since it was packed to the gills with the fashionable and the fabulous. Linda Fargo of Bergdorf's looked amazing in her Duquette inspired ensemble. There were also a bevy of designers there to buy the special $250 limited edition boxed Tony Duquette book. I saw Antony Todd, John Barman and Steven Gambrel, who my friend and I chatted up. He really is the nicest man. Even Caroline Kennedy and her husband showed up!

If you happen to be in New York over the holidays, you must make a special trip to see the windows at Bergdorf's! And if you can't, you must definitely buy the Tony Duquette book. Either way, you will definitely be inspired by the most creative man who ever lived!













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While I darn Sewing set. SAL Objetivo 4

Antes que nada, siento no haber podido publicar antes este artículo, ya sé que estabáis esperando para saber el nuevo objetivo
que haremos los próximos quince días.
Esperando aún mis hilos, no os puedo enseñar nada nuevo porque sigo igual que estaba. Espero tener todo para 1 de diciembre .

El siguiente objetivo será BORDAR LAS MARIPOSAS , EL PÁJARO Y LA LEYENDA
Esta foto os da una idea. La he tomado de la foto del esquema, ha salido fatal ,pero así tenemos más claro lo que tenemos que hacer.



Nos vemos casi en vísperas de la Navidad y entonces con la mitad bordada del exterior del bolsito.
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Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

My 50th birthday rolled by 3 years ago and now, it's that time again on the 20th. To my complete and utter surprise, two of my favorite blogging friends conspired to wish me a happy birthday in a most creative way, or course! Patricia Gray, the fabulous Canadian interior designer of Architectural Digest fame, asked Ronda Carmon of the delightful AND informative All The Best to contact Ronda's new friend and artist, Patricia van Essche of PVE Designs. Ronda asked PVE to design something special for my birthday and, wow, did she ever: her watercolor completely captures Cote De Texas and me.

If you look closely, you can see my Springer Georgie and also, my baby Cavalier Sammi Jo sleeping on a French chair. There's a Texas armadillo (how did PVE know about my Armadillo days in Austin all those years ago????). I love the flowery urn and the French wine and cheese. A starfish hails all the from South Padre Island. PVE even managed to draw my design books in. I can't remember ever receiving another gift as creative as this and I'm anxiously awaiting the watercolor's arrival.

PVE is available for custom watercolors. Besides her character studies, she does delightful paintings of homes. Be sure to visit her web site and check out her work. Ronda and PVE rendezvoused this fall in NYC and Ronda has nothing but praise for Patricia. She described her to me as a lovely woman, extremely warm and caring, well mannered in the Southern way, and an absolute pleasure to be with!

To Patricia Gray and Ronda: I owe you both a big one! Somehow I'll repay you in kind one day. You helped make this one of my best birthdays ever. I felt so loved by your gift and just walked on air all day yesterday.
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Technical Difficulties

Last night, I attended the amazing Tony Duquette book launch and the unveiling of the holiday windows that were inspired by his work at Bergdorf Goodman and have many photos to prove it. Unfortunately, my computer is being temperamental so I am still working on bringing them to you. Hopefully, I will be up and running soon. Fingers crossed!
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7th on Sale!


Just a reminder that tomorrow is the start of 7th on Sale. For those of you who don't know, 7th on Sale is an amazing fashion experience that offers shoppers thousands of items direct from the world's top designers between November 15 and December 6. You can shop online through eBay for celebrity-worn gowns, magazine-worthy home goods, brilliant jewelry and more with new items added daily. You can also shop in person this weekend in New York. And the good news is that 100% of the money raised goes to services and housing for those living with HIV and AIDS!

You can also check out some of the items for sale on eBay and their opening prices from Vogue at Style.com here and also what's available at the New York sale here.

I have tickets for Saturday so I hope I find some inexpensive gifts for the holidays and something for myself of course! There is nothing better than shopping for a good cause!
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Operación: un hogar más agradable

Esta vez me he decidido por hacer algo que mantuviera mi trabajo en curso en los brazos del sofá , justo cuando llega el momento de descansar por la noche y nos distraemos viendo una película.
Por supuesto que cualquier costurero de esos que todas tenemos o hemos hecho, cubre esa necesidad. Pero mi intención era disponer de un lugar donde dejar el esquema con el resto de material , o una revista o un libro que estuviésemos consultando sin tener que llevarlo de un lado a otro.
En mi caso , suelo dejar guardado lo que estoy bordando sobre una mesa del comedor , así sólo tengo que cogerlo en cuanto quiero ponerme con ello. Pero al final , me da la impresión de que siempre hay algo por medio. Solución : hacer un Guardatrabajos ( sí , sí todo junto ) tipo revistero para el brazo del sofá. Manos a la obra y esto es lo que salió . Muy de mi estilo , je, je.

GUARDA TRABAJOS

Rojos, puntillas, cintas y botones ¡ qué mas se puede pedir !
La tela estampada hace juego con otra que utilicé para el bolsillo grande. Todas son de Dechado , de hace algún tiempo, de esas veces que vas a por algo y ¡ anda , mira qué tela tan preciosa ! ¡ Póngame 25cm de cada una ! Y lo que una no sabe para qué sirve en ese preciso momento , le encuentra un destino al cabo de los meses o incluso algún año.

Con detalle , os cuento .....

Los botones , que son una preciosidad de la feria de Creativa del año pasado , los coloqué para disimular un fallito de la puntilla, no voy a decir cuál , claro. En muchos de mis trabajos, tanto de labor como de trabajo en papel , surgen terminaciones distintas al corregir errores. Y debo confesar que siempre me han gustado más cuando he añadido ese " pequeño cambio".
Es el caso de esos botones . Ahí estaban. Deseando ser protagonistas.... y la verdad es que le dan un toque especial porque van geniales con la tela de patch.

Los  botones

Para tener a mano las tijeras hice a juego , aprovechando restitos, un fob al que añadí puntilla para colgarlas y que cosí por la mitad. Después entrelacé cinta de raso estrecha, la misma que usé para los lacitos .

fob

Y así queda guardado dentro de su bolsillito.

Bolsillo para fob

Ambos bolsillos están forrados con la misma tela de los bordes, un intenso burdeos que ya me ha dado juego en otros trabajos. Ésta tela la compré como trasera ,pero me gustó tanto que pensé en utilizarla para combinar con otras .


Interior de bolsillo

Además de ser vistoso , este guardatrabajos mantiene ordenado mi trabajo.
LLeva por dentro una capa de guata de algodón y cuando lo he probado no he necesitado añadir ningún peso en el lado contrario al bolsillo. Se queda bien agarrado al brazo del sofá. Pensé colocar algo de arroz para hacer contrapeso . Aún así , si veo que se vence al guardar un libro, lo sujetaré un poco con el cojín del asiento
guardatrabajos

Medidas: 65cm x 32cm
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Gatherings

Sometimes when you start to write a post it can end up going off on a tangent. Such was the case with this one.

I originally wanted to talk about the backdrop of fabulous Carolina Herrera fabric that was used at the Apollo Circle Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art which was sponsored by Carolina Herrera. I thought it would make a great home decor fabric. It got me wondering if Mrs. Herrera ever has plans to create a home line. The CH brand has some Hermes type leather accessories and wool blankets but I'm surprised someone hasn't tapped her to create at least a line of bedding by now. She has such impeccable taste that I'm sure it would be an instant success.


Then the photo of Marina Rust Conner in front of the Carolina Herrera backdrop had me wondering if anyone knew that Ms. Rust had written a novel called Gatherings. I own this little book and remember enjoying it when I read it. It's out of print now but you can still find it online. It's funny how her stance in real life almost matches the photo on the book jacket.

"The action in Rust's deftly written first novel centers around Meredith, a wealthy young woman who is trying to overcome a childhood spent in a dysfunctional family plagued by drug addiction, alcoholism, and insanity. Haunted by the untimely death of her mother, who deserted Meredith and her father, she shuttles between a South Carolina plantation and a Maine vacation home owned by her mother's family. She must in turn deal with her cousin Felicity and Felicity's brother Pearce, who have their own demons to conquer, including their uncle's mysterious suicide. As she contrasts Meredith's developing strength of character with the defeatism that threatens to destroy her family, the author's disjointed style of reminiscence and unresolved conversations serves the theme of adolescent trauma quite well."

The book wasn't a best seller but it was well received. It also supposedly mirrors her family in many ways including the mental illness of her mother and life at their home in Maine which she now owns and can be seen in the new Vogue Living book by Hamish Bowles. They say you should write about what you know and I can just imagine her picturing the house and it's interiors below as she was writing. It also just goes to show that every family has demons no matter how perfect everything may appear on the facade.



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