And the Oscar Goes To...
Actually the Architectural Digest Oscar Greenroom this year goes to Dorothy Draper and Company, Inc., or more specifically Carleton Varney who now runs DD. Above is the rendering, courtesy of my new friend Kelly Reynolds who was lucky enough to work on the project and gave me the inside scoop.
The room was inspired by the Arrowhead Springs Resort in Southern California that DD designed back in 1939. The bar for the greenroom was replicated from the hotel, pictured above, and the famous Draper door seen on the front of the book In the Pink: Dorothy Draper by Carleton Varney which is also from the original installation.
Carleton Varney said, "I wanted to recall the 'Golden Age' of Hollywood, where the mix of white satin, fringes, mirrors, leather tufting and crystal were the components of the design." Staying true to Dorothy Draper fashion, Mr. Varney has employed her trademark use of black and white on floors, seen below at Greenbrier, and doors against glazed aubergine walls to create stunning contrast.
Alas, poor Kelly did not get to go to Los Angeles to actually install the Greenroom but she can still take pride in helping create a beautiful room in which Dorothy Draper would certainly feel at home! You can see more of the finished Greenroom in a future issue of Architectural Digest.
It was 65 degrees here Monday in New York and this brief reprieve had me craving spring even more so I decided to force the issue literally. Forcing branches is an easy and pretty inexpensive way to brighten up your home while it's still cold outside. Just cut the ends and arrange the branches in a sturdy vase filled with water and place in a warm spot.
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Today, I found the most beyond chic blog that I am still obsessing over! 
Her back story is not unlike a lot of creative types who get sidetracked, in her case by reporting for Dow Jones Newswires and now healthcare PR, neither of which have anything to do with design, which she leaves that for her nights. 
"I've always been aesthetically obsessed with war-era design - a gift handed down from my mom. She grew up in Nebraska but always dreamed of working for a New York fashion magazine. After college she applied for a Conde Nast internship -- and a summer program at Radcliffe. She didn't get the former and it broke her heart. But she went off to Cambridge and through that program, ironically got hired as an editor at (now defunct) Mademoiselle. She met my dad at one of Fern Malice's (the one who runs fashion week) parties. My dad grew up in Old Westbury, but spent most of his youth in boarding school and then traveling exotically...ran a gold mine in Bolivia, took a boat of cattle to the Philippines and then lived on an Afrikaner farm in South Africa."
"Porter and I both moved to New York after our respective college years and now live together in a loft in Williamsburg. Porter's a freelance photographer (
I know you all are going to love Hollister's blog as much as I do, epecially the charming stories and photos of her wonderful family and loft. I told her that she must open a store. She has a perfect eye and great taste and if anyone can persuade me visit Brooklyn, it just might be her! 
In the living and dining room was a huge table covered in summer treasures and amazing jewelry including pieces by my new favorite designer Hassan 
All in all, my preview of the summer collection was the perfect pick me up on the coldest day of the year and I want to thank everyone at Vivre who was so nice and helpful!