Silent Sunday No. 598
16 minutes ago
Showing posts with label designers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label designers. Show all posts
Garrow Kedigian's Proustian Ambiance
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| The timeless living of Garrow Kedigian |
If Marcel Proust walked into designer Garrow Kedigian's New York apartment today he would feel right at home. The elegant layered interior reflects the clear link between Garrow and his french roots (he's a member of the noted Petrossian family). The comfortable home has a history of men with great style living in it. Actor Fred Astaire was a prior owner of the spacious Park Avenue nest and frequently hosted glamorous parties for his friends there. Today, that entertaining tradition lives on, the first party Garrow hosted was a black tie move in party the night he bought the apartment and coincidentally he just turned 40 as well. His expertise in the art of party giving was apparent the minute I started talking to him about doing this piece.
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| Designer Garrow Kedigian |
Tip: Don't over think the details. He advises following your inspiration and keeping it simple.
What influences your menu choices when you entertain?
I like to serve fingers foods that are easy to eat standing up. I often give cocktail parties and the hors d'oeuvres are always passed.
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| A subtle reminder of the apartments past owner. |
Tip: Throwing a great party begins with finding a good caterer and having a good relationship with them. It's also very important to be clear about your expectations. I have a great caterer that I use for everything, Soleil. They are really wonderful.
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| The hors d'oeuvres are always simple and presented on trays to guests by waiters. This array of trays are waiting for the guests to arrive. The black and white fabric is from Garrow's fabric collection. |
Who or what has most inspired your entertaining style?
My family is in the food business so that has influenced me, but my grandmother has inspired my style. She hosted a wedding for my first cousin Diane Perrier at her country villa. It really opened my eyes to lavish entertaining with style. Everything was perfect.
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| Beautiful gold rimmed etched glasses. |
Tip: Always serve clear beverages i.e. white wine, champagne or seltzer because they don't stain the upholstery.
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| Beautiful flowers are a must. The flowers for this party were done by designer Kurt Miller, who is a frequent lucky house guest. |
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| These beautiful malachite boxes are made to order by Designer Kurt Miller. |
Do you have a favorite china or tabletop item that you collect?
I have been an avid collector since I was a child. Going to the Paris flea markets is one of my favorite things to do. Since my interiors are very layered I am always on the lookout for great pieces. I love Wedgwood Jasperware and vintage Greek pattern glasses.
Million Dollar Interview
I am a big fan of podcasts. There are several that I listen to in the car on a regular basis and one of my favorites is Million Dollar Decorating. The host James Swan always presents a really informative and entertaining show with the stars of interior design. Its a bit like a design hall of fame: Suzanne Rheinstein, Alexa Hampton, Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz and on and on the list goes.
Today I am featured in episode 140. So please tune in and listen to a lively discussion of design influences and ideas that have guided my career. Enjoy!
A Stylish Setting
Who wouldn't want to spend a weekend at Rosecliff Mansion, the stunning ocean front property on historic Bellevue Avenue in Newport? The house was the setting for the annual Newport Flower Show. The show which is fast becoming the grand dame of flower shows on the east coast was brimming with inspiration around every corner. From the judged arrangements to the garden installations on the front lawn of the mansion the creativity of the participants was boundless.
Thomas and I were very happy to have been asked to be a part of this esteemed event this year. The table we designed for the oceanside terrace was inspired by the colors of nature that engulf the property: blue and green. We really tried to achieve a modern formal setting that reflected the history of Newport society and that would offer a fresh background for the judged arrangements that were displayed on the table.
The custom blue of the my fretwork fabric printed on white fit the bill and when paired with the blue, green and gold of my china it really looked crisp and summery. A clean, modern and traditional table perfect for today.
The four flower arrangements that were displayed on the table were done by the shows participates and were judged arrangements. I was very lucky that Newport style maven Bettie Pardee decided to come out of flower show arrangement retirement and do one for our table. Hers was an airy symphony of complimentary blues and greens that fit the table perfectly.
Jeri Bedient did a wonderful arrangement that used an heirloom punchbowl from her collection. I got to meet Jeri while I was there and her arrangement is as delightful as she is. She went out of her way and bought my book to have an idea of our style and her interpretation of it was pitch perfect.
The amazing Julia B. and her line of custom linens came to the rescue and created these amazing monogramed napkins for the table. Since Thomas and couldn't decide which monogram to use we split them fifty fifty and alternated napkins on the table.
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| Our table on the terrace of Rosecliff. The Fretwork tablecloth is made in a custom blue for the show. Garden Folly seat covers on the white ballroom chairs in leaf echo the lettuce Charlotte dinner plates from my collection. |
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| The new Thomas charger in gold paired with the Charlotte dinner plate in lettuce and Charlotte dessert plate in Celeste Bleu. |
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| Bettie Pardee's summery arrangement. |
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| Arrangement by Jeri Bedient. |
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| Custom napkins by Julia B. |
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| Hand painted place cards that I made to echo the Garden Folly fabric motif. Vintage place card holders from Etsy. |
Why are fun place cards so hard to find? I had a deuce of a time finding cute ones. So I decided just to make my own using watercolors in a fun loose style. Presto, interesting and unique place cards. For additional images please check my Instagram or our Traditional Home Magazine Designer Takeover feed from the show, both have fun videos and a broad array of beautiful images from the show and Newport.
We are thrilled that we have been asked back to do it again next year! The shows theme is Fete des Fleurs: Paintings and Parterres and will be held again at Rosecliff and starts June 23, 2017.
We are thrilled that we have been asked back to do it again next year! The shows theme is Fete des Fleurs: Paintings and Parterres and will be held again at Rosecliff and starts June 23, 2017.
An Event of Beauty
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| Rosecliff, the setting for the Newport Flower Show. |
One of my most memorable book signing events that I have done was two years ago at the Newport Flower Show. To have had the opportunity to spend a weekend in Newport, Rhode Island against the back drop of the stunning Rosecliff Mansion surrounded by the beauty of the show and the location was a a magical dream. Needless to say when I was asked to be a part of this years show it took about a spilt second to say yes.
Thomas and I are thrilled to be designing one of the two show exhibit tables that will be featured on the oceanside terrace of Rosecliff for the service a la Russe floral class. Using a custom color of my fretwork fabric as a tablecloth, my hand painted dinnerware of course and Julia B. custom napkins as a foundation we have set out to create a fresh summery take on formal dining. I will also be showing my new Thomas gold chargers for the first time on this table.
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| Sneak peek of the upcoming table setting. |
This year marks the 21st year of the show whose theme is Gilded - Artful Living. The show starts this weekend Friday June 24th to Sunday June 26th. You can follow all the fun of the show, the table, flowers, gardens and mansion on my Instagram feed. We will also be taking over Traditonal Home Magazines Instagram starting Friday night at 5 pm for the weekend during our #designertakeover.
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| Designer Bunny Williams |
Floral Art. The full list of the topics and times is available here for all the great things happening at the show.
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| One of last years inspiring display gardens at the show. |
I was fascinated by the display gardens that were installed on the lawn of Rosecliff. The originality of the plantings and colors as well as the execution is amazing. In addition to amazing floral displays, fantastic speakers and events there is an entire array of vendors with tempting wares in the Oceanside Boutiques and the Gardener's Marketplace.
Alfresco Breakfast with Julia B.
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| Peonies, tulips and freesia a combined to make an pretty bouquet for the table. |
My husband and I just hosted a post prom party out here for our daughter, you can't imagine what it was like having that many kids here. As my husband said afterwards, "we can check that off the list never again" said designer and entrepreneur Julia Berger. as we walked into her beautiful Connecticut garden recently. The woman behind the the luxury custom linen brand Julia B. really loves to cook and entertain friends and family frequently in her home. Her elegant casual style is reflected in everything she does including the way she entertains.
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| A profusion of purple and white Iris bloom in the background around the gardens seating area. |
Breakfast is a colorful mix of fruit, organic yogurt and fresh squeezed orange juice. "I was inspired by the light and fresh colors of my Michael Devine china that works really well with the colors in my linens," she explained over coffee.
Tip: Always have the bar set up and well stocked for your guests before they arrive. In fact, I like to be 99% ready when my first guest walks through the door. It makes for a stress free evening.
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| A colorful breakfast to start the day served on Marie Daage for Michael Devine hand painted Limoges china and coordinating Julia B. napkin |
What influences your menu choices when you entertain?
"I really love food and to cook, I find it relaxing" she said as we sat down for the interview on the first summery day the area has had. She inherited her Japanese mother's love of cooking and entertaining. She spent much of her childhood between her mothers native Japan and her fathers home town of San Francisco, which Julia explained has given her a freedom to mix cultural references in her entertaining and cooking.Tip: Make ahead of time easy to serve hors d'oeuvres for guests to serve themselves. I always have both hot and cold ready and waiting.
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| Julia B. is known for impeccable hand embroidered custom monograms on her linens. |
"My mother has been a huge influence for me. She always entertained and I was always encouraged to be a part of the event no matter the age of the guests or the level of formality. Alice Waters is also an inspiration for me. Everything she does is so simple and real," she explained.
Tip: When traveling be on the lookout for new or unexpected food or flavor combinations. I am often inspired to try things at home that I first had somewhere else.
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| Julia's range of color covers the gamut from subtle to fresh and crisp. The Thomas charger doubles as a tray for the healthy berries and organic yogurt and Julia B. napkin. |
Do you have a favorite china or tabletop item you collect?
"Antique linens are a passion of mine, I have a huge collection. I also love to collect china, glass, silver, salt cellars and vases, really just about anything related to the table. Since we entertain at least two times a week I use it all, all the time," she gushed. When pressed about why she is always hosting she said that there was a rather thin selection of local restaurants that they like. Also Julia explained, "What greater luxury than to be invited for a lovely meal, have great conversation and throughly enjoy yourself in someones home?"
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| An assortment of Julia's accessory collection antique silver creamer and sugar with silver sugar spoon and Michael Devine tumblers. |
A Louisiana Lunch with Keith Carroll
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| The graphic quilt used as a tablecloth was made by Keith's mother. |
His numerous New York projects are a blend of the classic good taste with a modern influence. This Hampton Designer Showhouse veteran, describes his work as "southern style with city chic". He likes to use color and pattern in his rooms and like the table he set for todays post has an air of effortless style.
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| Designer Keith Carroll. |
Tell me about the meal you prepared?
This is a typical southern lunch based on the foods that I grew up eating. A chilled or frozen starter is a very typical way to start a meal followed by a Jumbo of chicken, shrimp and sausage with potato salad on the side. Dessert is a Million Dollar Poundcake made from my mothers recipe. It's made with a pound of butter so its very rich and decadent.
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| A plate of of Pimento Cheese sandwiches and Prosecco are ready for guests in the entry. |
Who influenced your entertaining style?
My mother played a big role in setting my style. She was a great cook and always made big meals with tons of food. The great restaurants of New Orleans and the way they mix the types of foods they serve and the flavors has always inspired me.
Of course the southern idea of having a good time all the time is something I live and entertain by.
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The charming dinner plates are made from the artwork of Louisiana native African-American folk artist Clementine Hunter.Tip: |
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| A frozen fruit salad to start the meal. |
Tip
Include something fun and whimsical on the table...it gives guests something to talk about!
Tip
Start the meal with an unexpected appetizer...not the usual green salad. A frozen salad or unique chilled soup. Keep it fun and interesting!
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| A homemade Million Dollar Poundcake with strawberries was served for dessert. |
I collect old Sheffield silver plate candlesticks and odd pieces here and there. My most recent find was a small box that the dealer called a sugar casket.
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| A country fresh mix of tulips and Queen Anne's Lace were used for the center piece. |
What's James Serving?
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| The style setters intimate dining room. |
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| The host: designer James Andrew in front of his vast collection of design books. |
Just a little luncheon for four friends. We started with Alex Hitz's sour cream corn cakes with creme fraiche and salmon roe followed by his chicken curry and a salad of spinach, red onion, duck prosciutto and blue cheese with a red wine vinaigrette. The dessert was pineapple upside down cake, all so delicious and rather easy to make.
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| A paisley table cloth and Aynsley dinner plates create the background for each place setting. An inspired mix of a patterned salad plate and napkin add interest to each place setting. |
There are seasonal considerations - I love a trip to the local farmers market, then there are moods and themes that come into play - I keep it simple for the most part - I think it is such a treat to entertain at home- and I want everything to have a sense of ease about it!
I like to start with a little cocktail hour in the living room - drinks and some little nibbly things and then go into the dining room for dinner.
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| A collection of patriotic red, white and blue glasses and centerpiece add sparkle to the table. |
There are so many people and things that have inspired me over the years - as a child I was fascinated by the Julia Child show, The Tiffany Table Settings books were amazing. I was honored to create a table setting at Tiffany's while I was an associate at Parish Hadley.
Style icons like Deeda Blair, Valentino, Alberto Pinto, The Duchess of Windsor, The Slatkin Clan- the list is endless - these people have informed my own taste and how I set a table and aspire to entertain.
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| Using an object like this melon tureen makes a great no fuss alternative to flowers as a centerpiece. |
Do you have a favorite china or tabletop item that you collect?
I am a bit of a hoarder- as you can see my place is beginning to look a bit like a chic episode of "hoarders buried alive" There are so many things that I like - and an elegant eclectic mix is most appealing to me!
Splendor in the Grass
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| Under the old Willow Tree on a summer day is the perfect setting for a picnic. |
There's a wonderful farm down the road from us in the country that's surrounded by an old orchard. This idyllic spot boosts not only a beautiful rippling pond but also a magnificent old weeping willow tree that was made to picnic under. After coveting this little oasis for years I finally approached the farmer and asked if we could have a little picnic under her willow tree. He quickly agreed and off we went.
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| A relaxing setting for picnic. |
I think simplicity is the name of the game with this type of picnic. I opted to use a vintage patchwork quilt to compliment the rural setting and blue willow china. Each guest received a tray to hold everything to make eating easier.
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| Daisies made a great country style centerpiece for the afternoon. |
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| Lunch is served. |
Dessert was a chocolate sheet cake that I made from my grandmother's recipe. It was given to her by her good friend and neighbor. I have updated it slightly to make it easier to follow. It is great for a crowd.
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| A crowd pleaser chocolate sheet cake with chocolate nut frosting. |
Chocolate Sheet Cake
This recipe is made in a 11"x13" sheet cake pan.
Serves 10-12
2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1 stick butter
1/2 cup oil
4 tbsps cocoa
1 cup water
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 eggs room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
Preheat oven to 400 and grease pan. Mix together sugar and flour in a large bowl and set aside. In a large saucepan combine butter, oil, cocoa and water and bring to a boil over medium heat and mix well. Pour this mixture over the flour and sugar. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into prepared pan and bake 20 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool.
Chocolate Nut Frosting
1 stick butter
1 stick butter
4 tbsps cocoa
6 tbsps buttermilk
1 1lb box powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Combine first three ingredients in a large sauce pan and bring to rolling boil and remove from heat. Add remaining ingredients and mix. Pour over cake and spread evenly. Serve on its own or with ice cream.
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| A bucolic farm scene made the landscape complete. |
Lunch with the Inimitable Marian McEvoy
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| Springtime arrangements of found greens mixed with roses flanked the place settings. |
On the banks of the Hudson River there is an enchanting house that is home to one of the design worlds greatest legends, Marian McEvoy. The formidable McEvoy, was a fashion editor at WWD and W in Paris at Fairchild Publications before becoming editor in chief of Elle Decor in the ’90’s. She left Elle Decor and took the helm of House Beautiful magazine in 2000. Today the former editor in chief and noted style maven has long since traded the editor's hat for a garden hat and embraced country life with her typical zeal. Her legendary style is well documented as is her passion for sea shells, pine cones, glue guns (she wrote a craft book about them) and she is also an accomplished and gracious hostess.
I have always been fascinated by her quick wit and brilliant conversation. I first met Marian when I was an editor at HFN magazine while she was at House Beautiful. It was during her tenure at House Beautiful that she launched my line of hand printed fabrics by being the first to publish it. I am delighted that over a delicious roast chicken lunch she cooked herself at her magical house, Marian shared her insights into stylish entertaining.
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| The one and only Marian McEvoy. |
What is your entertaining philosophy?
I really don’t do much fancy cooking she explained. Simpler fare is the way to go. Our lunch was roast chicken, potatoes and brussel sprouts for a main course followed by an arugula salad and cheese with a simple dessert of pineapple with local organic cardamon ice cream followed by coffee. When I was a fashion editor living in Paris I would go to Italy and have these big dinners with the Missonis and Gianfranco Ferre. "They would always serve pineapple as dessert. It helps break down the fat,” she said.
She always sets the table the night before and turns the glasses upside down, it's one less thing to think about the day of the dinner. She also is adamant that there is never any type of packaging on the table, use bowls for condiments.
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| The dining room overlooking the Hudson. She frequently changes the wall panel colors. It is easy and she can do it herself. |
What influences your menu choices when you entertain?
“I cook alone,” she said matter of factly. You need to make the dishes that you can do well. Marian recommends making everything before the guests arrive and keep the meal warm on platters and in bowls so there is no fuss when you serve. I will spend a lot of time making soup and I love chili. I put out about ten condiments for guests to choose from-they love it. You get to see adults behave like children!
“Don’t be afraid to serve meatloaf to a fancy crowd! Guests love it and it can be made in advance,” she said with the assurance of someone in the know. I sometimes make a simple Apple Brown Betty for dessert - just butter, lots of apples and walnuts, never cinnamon. Cinnamon definitely is not on Marian’s favorite spice list, “Cinnamon is overrated," she said with disdain, "people use it where it doesn’t belong.”
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| A basket of Easter eggs, some of which were made by the hostess in a simple silver basket. |
Who or what has most inspired your entertaining style?
It was her mother’s sense of drama that played an important role is shaping her entertaining style. “One Easter she had a trough of baby chicks down the center of the table,” she recalled. There was a real sense of occasion for every meal in the McEvoy house. Her life in Paris was a critical influence. Everything was beautiful and studied. Plates weren’t loaded down with huge portions. She clearly prefers sit down meals.
“Never buffet!!!” she exclaimed as if it were a fate worse than death. “I don’t want a plate on my knees.”
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| Additional seating with colorful chair pads line the wall of the dining room. |
Has anyone been a strong influence in teaching you the l'art de recevoir?
“There were so many moments in Paris that influenced my style. My friends Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge did everything impeccably, down to the last detail. Even a glass of champagne was perfection. I had many aha moments with them,” she explained with a vague note of wistfulness in her voice. Asked about the couple’s collection of houses she especially loved the Moroccan house.
“White walls and chintz, very daring at the time.” she proclaimed referring to her friend Yves Saint Laurent's house.
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| On the lower level of the house a river facing room with a stone fireplace is a winter retreat. |
Marian's Tips:
Home grown flowers last longer than store bought ones. There are some beautiful weeds, don't be afraid to use them in arrangements. The dining table is sacred. Make an effort to dress and wear shoes at the table.
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| Being the crafter that Marian is, her dedicated craft room reflects her assured style and passion for nature. |
Do you have a favorite china or tabletop item that you collect?
She explained she has thirteen sets of dinnerware. Everything from simple to over the top: Charles Mason, lots of Frenchie Limoges, German sets, some Gumps, and blue and white Spode.
“I like to dress the table for the season, so I use different sets at different times of the year. In winter it’s Spode India Tree and lighter colors for summer,” she said.
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| Coffee is served on a tray with typical attention to detail. |
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