Iconic: The Sculptural Tree

via Cote de Texas

This image resonated with me~ while perusing the design site Cote de Texas, by Joni Webb.  What a statement one fig tree can make!  The late designer from San Francisco, Michael Taylor, was known for using trees in this manner.  Here, the founder of Ballard Designs, Helen Ballard Weeks, used a tree in her (former) entrance hall in Atlanta as a piece of dramatic sculpture.  I love this.  Enjoy!  DF ***** 

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Foyer Moment

DFID (my personal residence, Naples)

Well, yes, of course I have always wanted to have a real foyer, and the bigger the better!  While I'm not sure this tiny entrance nook could even be called a foyer, you can see here that I made the most of a minimal space, by using the concept of "more is more".  I simply kept adding things, and will continue to do so!  Still need the rug!  Would love a black and white marble floor!  
My dear friend, Judith Auclair, of Maison Auclair recently gave me the pair of "Poseidon" engravings, which really helped to fill in the wall.  The small table was also a gift, as were the pair tassels, the pair blue Bohemian glass vases, the shelled bust, and the small Michael Aram silver box!  Also, the pair bird porcelain candle holders!  I found the pair of tole ware planters in the Chesterdales group shoppes here in Naples.  I did the magnolia arrangements myself.  The small rug and the gilt framed image were also gifts from years ago.  The chair came from Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach.  How personal and comforting!  Enjoy!  DF *****

DFID

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Nick Olsen in House Beautiful!

I was very excited to see that Emily Evans Eerdmans had posted about designer Nick Olsen.  Nick is a protege' of Miles Redd- and I found this entry hall Nick created to be something I could really fall for-

New York, New York, it's a hell of a town!  (see the current issue of House Beautiful)
Congratulations to Nick- he deserves this coverage- and we wish him all the luck and success in the world! Nick Olsen has created Manhattan magic in a 1,000 square foot one bedroom apartment.
The visual excitement of this flat is something else.  The photography is very good also!  The painted stripes on the living room walls reminded me of what Albert had done for his young friend, the model Robert Yoh- only with black stripes.  Ditto the bright violet leather on the open arm chair. So, what do YOU think of this entry hall?  I love it!  I feel that all the strong colour can make up for those very long, dreary winters that many New Yorkers are forced to endure.  Kudos to Nick Olsen!  Congrats!
DF *****

Nick Olsen House Beautiful

Albert Hadley for Brooke Astor

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"I deeply believe that a beautiful decor can have a beneficial influence on our lives"

Albert Hadley

Making an Entrance, Kirkeby Estate, Bel Air

I found this image (photo by Charles White) in the 1988 book "Interior Views" by Chris Casson Madden. A decorator showhouse, the grand foyer was done by Kalef Alaton and Craig Wright, as an homage to Michael Taylor. I'm sure that Mrs. Reagan would love this hall too. I very much like the overall classical mood, and the house was built in the 1930's. If I couldn't change out the floor, (not a color I love) I would find a beautiful old very colorful Savonnerie and have it installed here. Not shown to the left is a Louis XV gilt console "from the Rothschild collection". The Waterford chandelier is credited as being "ten feet in diameter" ! Wow! That's a lot of crystal for one foyer. However, in studying the image, I feel that the scale of this fixture is perfect for the space - and plan to show it to my long standing clients in South Carolina as an example of proper scale for a foyer chandelier. I know they'll love it, as it exudes the high style they love. It'll go very nicely with the vintage Rolls they keep parked outside...! Enjoy! Looking forward to seeing Mr. Romney and family in Tampa! DF *****

Room of the Week, Barry Dixon

Interior design by Barry Dixon

Virginia based designer, Barry Dixon, has a unique style, and I wanted to spotlight this entrance hall he designed, as my "room of the week". While I adore the interesting salon style arrangement of varied furnishings - I am not as enamored of the wall finish, although am sure it's gorgeous in the actual space. Often, a picture of a room or space doesn't fully capture the essence of what the designer has created. Another feature of the room I like very much are the unusual textiles on the sofa and chairs, and the rondelle the designer used in the center, under the chandelier. I'm not sure, but I think that this house is located in North Carolina, on Lake Norman, near Charlotte. I could be way off. Anyway, think outside the box when planning your entrance hall, with your decorator, should you be so fortunate! Enjoy the upcoming weekend my friends. DF *****