FLOWER JAN•FEB 2021
HOUSE l GARDEN l LIFESTYLE
WE’RE COLOR HAPPY +MIXING
IT UP WITH ANNIE SLOAN
A Rainbow of Home Decor BOTANICAL WALLPAPERS YOU’’RE GOING YOU TO WANT
PHOTO BY KINDRA CLINEFF
JANUARY•FEBRUARY 2021
Contents
48 Tulips
They beam happiness, and they prompt glorious floral arrangements in a range of hues other flowers can only wish to match
“Just living isn’t enough,” said the butterfly. “One must also have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”
–HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN
FEATURES
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In the 30 years since Annie Sloan introduced her Chalk Paint, DIY-ers have picked up their brushes to transform everything from floors to chairs. Here she shares her approach to leading a colorful life
Designer Phillip Thomas used jewel tones, dramatic accents, and funky light fixtures to transform an Upper East Side apartment into a space that envelops its inhabitants in warmth, color, and comfort
And not a demure damsel in the bunch! We’ve gathered our pick of floral wallpapers, so fresh and artistic, they’re positively frame-worthy
He loves you, he loves you not, but your girlfriends are there through thick and thin. Show them how much their friendship means with a special brunch
PHOTO BY KINDRA CLINEFF
Bold Strokes
Living in a Jewel Box
Wall Flowers
Be My Galentine
ON THE COVER: Blue accents, including a blue vinyl wallpaper and a light-reflecting ceiling, bring color to the kitchen in an “estate
condition” New York apartment designed by Phillip Thomas. Photographed by Michael Mundy.
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Contents DEPARTMENTS
SCENE
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We’ve got our eyes on...
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Botanical fabrics and jewelry, customizable pendant lighting, coloredglass stemware, and floral-inspired portraits
IN BLOOM
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Decorate: Flowers
Atlanta-based floral designer Kirk Whitfield shows us a bold, stylish arrangement that is easy to re-create
Furniture, jewelry, and home decor for wherever you need a spot of color
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Gardens
A peek into Wethersfield, a classical garden in the Hudson Valley FLOOR-TO-CEILING STYLE RIGHT: John Derian for Stubbs & Wootton Spectrum slipper, $550, stubbsandwootton.com. For more of our colorful picks, see page 22. ABOVE: 3-light fixture from the new Multi Drop Pendant Collection by Currey & Company, curreyandcompany.com. For details, see page 14.
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IN EVERY ISSUE Watering Can 6 What’s Coming Up 10 What’s Online 20 Sources 70 At the Table 72
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January•February 2021
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PHOTOS BY (TOP TO BOTTOM) TOSHI YAHO, LAUREY GLENN, AND DAVID HILLEGAS
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Decorate: Color
PHOTOS BY (TOP TO BOTTOM) TOSHI YAHO, LAUREY GLENN, AND DAVID HILLEGAS
Watering can
A Note from the Editor
Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters, take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply and do not decrease. —Jeremiah 29:5–6 THIS SIXTH-CENTURY B.C. LIST OF INSTRUCTIONS
given to the exiles in Babylon is rich in the one thing I believe we need more than anything, and that is a sense of hope. Taken to a foreign land by force—a circumstance that could easily engender hopelessness— the Israelites were encouraged to live with the future in mind. As I write this, we’re wrapping up 2020, or as I call it, “a surreal season.” There’s something about us humans that makes us crave certainty, and in so many instances in 2020, we’ve not been able to achieve anything close. As a matter of fact, one could say we’ve been in an exile of sorts. We like to plan trips, weddings, work projects, preschool and grad-school attendance, or just dinner parties. I don’t know about you, dear reader, but in an attempt to maintain a spirit of hope for the future, I’ve developed an even deeper passion for gracious living, focusing on constants like beauty, hospitality, and love. I celebrate in my traditional style, albeit in smaller groups; cut from the garden as my husband continues to tend it; arrange flowers in family heirloom containers; write truly heartfelt notes; and continue to cultivate my cultural portfolio. I’ve been reading some of those glossy coffee table design books I rarely make time to
explore, and I’ve been watching design-focused Zoom presentations and iconic Technicolor movies like Camelot, the original Thomas Crown Affair, Gigi, and even Forrest Gump (cause haven’t we experienced the whole “life as a box of chocolates” thing lately?). Along with a vibrant palette to cheer you, in this issue we feature pieces that highlight gracious living: an intimate and thoughtfully planned gathering of girls for Galentine’s Day in Nashville; a fascinating glimpse into the kaleidoscopic world of designer/artist/entrepreneur Annie Sloan; a vibrant and simply beautiful tribute to the tulip; a splashy round-up of some of our favorite floral wallcoverings that will turn up the volume inside and reference the timeless appeal and magic of outside; a private tour of Wethersfield, a dreamy historic garden in Dutchess County, New York, that excites and has truly stood the test of time; and a chic New York City apartment awash in saturated colors that dazzle. Let’s all “build houses and live in them and plant gardens and eat their produce” or any gesture of hope that fits your personal bill, relishing the precious present and emphatically claiming our future. Love and SDG,
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Please send your comments, triumphs, challenges & questions to: wateringcan@flowermag.com OR Letters to the Editor | Flower magazine
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P.O. Box 530645
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January•February 2021
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Birmingham, AL 35253
PORTRAIT BY BETH HONTZAS
Margot Shaw
PORTRAIT BY BETH HONTZAS
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 1
Margot Shaw FOUNDER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Alice Welsh Doyle EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Ellen S. Padgett CREATIVE DIRECTOR Amanda Smith Fowler STYLE EDITOR Kirk Reed Forrester ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kate Johnson PRODUCTION/COPY EDITOR Gregory Keyes INTEGRATED OPERATIONS MANAGER EDITOR-AT-LARGE
Karen Carroll CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Courtney Barnes Abby Braswell James Farmer Marion Laffey Fox Elaine Griffin Tara Guérard Frances MacDougall Tovah Martin
Cathy Still McGowin Charlotte Moss Troy Rhone Matthew Robbins Margaret Zainey Roux Frances Schultz Lydia Somerville Sybil Sylvester
For editorial inquiries: editorial@flowermag.com
Julie Durkee PUBLISHER Jennel O’Brien DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Susan Sutton SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER REGIONAL ACCOUNT DIRECTORS
Wendy Ellis Sara D. Taylor Suzanne Cooper NATIONAL DIRECTOR, HOME FURNISHINGS For sales inquiries: sales@flowermag.com FLOWERMAG.COM
Terri Robertson DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER BUSINESS OFFICE
Silvia Rider GENERAL MANAGER Patrick Toomey ACCOUNTANT Lisa Mitchell SENIOR MANAGER CUSTOMER SERVICE
For change of address and subscription inquiries: 877.400.3074 or flower@emailcustomerservice.com ADVISORY BOARD
Paula Crockard Winn Crockard Gavin Duke Gay Estes Katie Baker Lasker Maloy Love Mary Evelyn McKee Michael Mundy
Ben Page Angèle Parlange Renny Reynolds Scott Shepherd Remco van Vliet Evie Vare Carleton Varney Louise Wrinkle
What’s coming up WASHINGTON, D.C.
Washington Winter Show (virtual) January 7–10 washingtonwintershow.org NEW YORK, NEW YORK
The Winter Show (virtual)
January 19–21
thewintershow.org ATLANTA, GEORGIA
The Cathedral Antiques Show (virtual) January 21–23 cathedralantiques.org HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA
Gloria Vanderbilt: An Artful Life Huntsville Museum of Art Through January 24 hsvmuseum.org LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
LA Art Show February 10–15 laartshow.com WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
The Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show February 11–16 palmbeachshow.com CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
Art of Design Gibbes Museum of Art March 5 gibbesartofdesign.wordpress.com THOMASVILLE, GEORGIA
The Thomasville Antiques Show March 6 thomasvilleantiquesshow.com
Indicates Flower is attending or sponsoring the event. For more events, visit flowermag.com.
W h a t We ’ v e G o t O u r E y e s O n
Scene TEXTILES
A Celebration of Landscapes FRESH-FROM-THE-GARDEN FLORAL PRINTS PAY TRIBUTE TO NOTED GARDENERS OF THE PAST
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By Alice Welsh Doyle
NTERIOR DESIGNER SUZANNE
Tucker of San Francisco firm Tucker & Marks introduced a new fabric collection as an homage to some of the most renowned figures in the world of garden and landscape design, proving that a passion for color, texture, and pattern is a hallmark of more than one creative field. “I was inspired by some of my favorites in the world of garden and landscape design: Gertrude Jekyll, Norah Lindsay, Penelope Hobhouse, Vita SackvilleWest, Russell Page, and Geoffrey Jellicoe,” says Suzanne. “Now more than ever, it feels so right to find refuge in nature and the tranquil world of gardens, to indulge in lush floral embroideries, multicolored botanical prints, and soft dreamy textures.” While it’s almost impossible to pick a favorite pattern, if pressed we would opt for Gertrude (below), a wide satin stripe with bold and beautiful multi colored botanical embroidery—simply dreamy. tuckerandmarks.com
ABOVE: Suzanne Tucker’s Penelope fabric in Indigo RIGHT: Gertrude in Lamb’s Ear
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Scene WHAT WE’VE GOT OUR EYES ON ...
BLING
Crystal Floral Fancies
ESTELLE GLASS We could all use a little more color these days, and an easy and beautiful way to bring it home is through colored glass pieces that have a nod to the past captured in a more modern interpretation. Stephanie Summerson Hall, founder of Estelle Colored Glass in Charleston, South Carolina, was inspired by her grandmother’s colored glass collection, which was often brought out for Sunday dinners. Her grandmother also introduced her to treasure-hunting in small South Carolina towns, often adding to her colored glass collection and sparking a passion in Stephanie. For color inspiration, the creative turns to the flower world. “My florist mother introduced me to the world of flowers early and shared how colors fit together on the color wheel in terms of floral design as well as in the world of interior design, fashion, and even planning a dinner menu,” says Stephanie. “My approach to curating the colors for our Estelle Collection mirrors the same design approach of selecting colors that will complement each other or add interesting contrast.” Whether you favor jewels tones or pastels, there is an Estelle piece sure to bring a note of cheer to your cocktail hour and tabletop this winter. Handblown glass, made in Poland, starting at $65 for a set of 2 stemless wineglasses, estellecoloredglass.com
TOP: Mindy Lam Classic Collection Double Bloom hanging earrings, $198, and Triple Bloom ring, $198 ABOVE, LEFT TO RIGHT: Estelle Colored Glass founder Stephanie Summerson Hall • A cheerful array
of wineglasses ($175/set of 6; available in mixed colors or a single color)
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Currey & Company Debut Dreaming of changing things up at home while you are spending an inordinate amount of time there these days? Currey & Company is introducing a new lighting system that, once installed, can be customized to your liking with the push of a button to manually adjust the cable to your desired height, up to 10 feet. The Multi Drop Pendant Collection, created by senior lighting designer Ian Thornton, is available in single-light to 36-light configurations. Beautifully crafted shades include cut crystal, pierced metal, bone china, glass beads, mirror, capiz shells, and mother-of pearl. “Multi drops are not new to the industry, but we are creating shades in materials in this arena that no one has seen before,” says Ian. The system lends itself to many exciting installations. We love the idea of highlighting a stairwell with several for a moody, dramatic look. curreyandcompany.com
PORTRAIT (CURREY & COMPANY) BY BETH TILLEY GREEN
Jewelry designer Mindy Lam creates magic with Swarovski crystals and semiprecious stones, fashioning them into beautiful and whimsical floral jewelry. “I am so drawn to flowers and nature because I was born and raised on a farm in Hong Kong,” she says. “It felt like every time I opened my eyes, all I saw were flowers.” She started her business in 2002, and her pieces were carried in stores around the country, including Henri Bendel in New York (closed in 2019). Her meteoric rise was cut short when she experienced kidney failure, but she later made a full recovery and relaunched her business in 2016. An explosion happened when the designer launched Mindy Lam Homme in 2020. The collection features one-of-a-kind pieces designed for the “impeccably dressed discerning gentlemen” as lapel pins, which do double duty as home decor accessories. “Both men and women have been snatching them up,” says Mindy. Grab some sparkle for yourself with a pair of earrings, an oversize brooch, or a knockout cocktail ring—a favorite of our editors. mindylamcouture.com
CLOCKWISE FROM BOTTOM LEFT:
Bubblegum Girl (sold; oil on fabric) • Florrie (sold; oil on Designers Guild fabric) • Irish Artist Eva O’Donovan
ARTIST
PORTRAIT (CURREY & COMPANY) BY BETH TILLEY GREEN
Eva O’Donovan Eva O’Donovan’s portraits in oil are at once modern and timeless. Drawn toward strong silhouettes, the artist finds inspiration in fashion magazines from the past 20 years. Her subjects are usually taken from behind-the-scenes shoots at fashion shows, and the poses are often reminiscent of fashion editorials. Eva explains her process: “Through a delicate and purposeful building of layers, the figure begins to reveal itself. The subject and often-floral background form a synchronicity where each element is given equal prominence. I often paint on floral backgrounds because the patterns I choose are an immediate indication of femininity. I have been lucky to source a number of fabrics printed in France, such as designs by Balenciaga from 1950s and Jacques Fath from the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s.” In recent work, Eva addressed femininity and equality by collaborating with the Transgender Equality Network Ireland and presented a series of 14 powerful artworks promoting positive visibility for this community in Ireland today. “I worked closely with the participants featured in the paintings and spent time getting to know each of the women and people, which was key in this project.” The exhibition, titled Chrysalis, was presented in Dublin’s city hall and is currently touring. While no longer living in the wild Irish countryside where she grew up, the artist still draws inspiration from her Dublin garden. “It’s a modest garden that is filled with peony, David Austin– variety roses, hydrangea, and blankets of ‘Rozanne’ geranium brimming over linear granite borders and a central lawn.” Sounds like a lovely spot to dream of the women she wants to paint next, highlighting their fragility and strength in every beautiful and compelling brushstroke. evaodonovan.com
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Decorate: Flowers & Color • Garden
in Bloom
MATERIALS LIST
Variegated sweet peas Hydrangea Clematis
DECORATE: FLOWERS
Kirk Whitfield of K & Co Flowers THE ATLANTA-BASED FLORAL DESIGNER USES BOLD COLORS TO CREATE ARRANGEMENTS THAT ARE EASY TO MAKE BUT STILL BIG ON STYLE Produced by Alice Welsh Doyle • Photography by Laurey Glenn
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in Bloom FLOWERS MATERIALS LIST
Hyacinth Ranunculus Hellebores
MATERIALS LIST
Dianthus Roses Snapdragons Scented geranium Asclepia (milkweed)
HOW-TO MATERIALS LIST
‘Butterfly’ double ranunculus Peonies Tweedia Asclepia (milkweed) Lyschimia
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January•February 2021
STEP BY STEP STEP 1
Make a grid on the top of the container using clear tape, which is easier to hide than green florist tape. Then add a line of tape around the top edge to make it more secure, and add water.
“For the how-to arrangement I wanted to explore colors that one might not necessarily consider using together. Texture helps bring the palette together along with the green elements.” –KIRK WHITFIELD
STEP 2
Strip the bottom leaves from the ‘Butterfly’ ranunculus, and fill the arrangement with the stems, creating a base with their foliage.
STEP 3
Trim the peonies and place them throughout the whole arrangement. I used about 20 stems.
STEP 4
I love the babyblue shade of tweedia with its touch of pink that plays well with the peonies. Place 10 stems throughout the container.
For more information, see Sources, page 70
STEP 5
For the final touches, I added asclepia (milkweed) for texture and to help bridge the colors, and then some lyschimia for their shape and “pokey” quality.
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What’s online OUR TOP PHOTOS OF 2020 We look back at 2020 through the lens of Flower magazine’s top Instagram posts of the year. flowermag.com/top20photos
TULIPOMANIA From the wildly coveted bulbs that caused a market bubble in 17th-century Holland to our favorite tulip arrangements, we celebrate this harbinger of spring. flowermag.com/tulips LEFT: Arrange a tulip cachepot with styling tips from Mimi Brown.
TAKE ME TO TENENBAUM Houston’s iconic Tenenbaum Jewelers is a candy store of fine and estate jewelry dating from the Georgian era to modern day. See what caught the Flower editors’ eyes when we went virtual window-shopping at its new online storefront. flowermag.com/tenenbaum LEFT: Vintage 1970s Neiman Marcus French 18-karat gold coral dome ring with flowers and diamonds, $3,650
FLOWERMAG.COM FOLLOW US
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PHOTOS (TOP TO BOTTOM): © KELLY WEARSTLER: EVOCATIVE STYLE (RIZZOLI NEW YORK, 2019), BECKY LUIGART-STAYNER, AND COURTESY OF TENENBAUM JEWELERS
LEFT: Floral installation by ISA ISA from the pages of Kelly Wearstler: Evocative Style (Rizzoli New York, 2019)
PHOTOS (TOP TO BOTTOM): © KELLY WEARSTLER: EVOCATIVE STYLE (RIZZOLI NEW YORK, 2019), BECKY LUIGART-STAYNER, AND COURTESY OF TENENBAUM JEWELERS
FLOWER
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Makes A Great Gift
in Bloom DECORATE:COLOR
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Over the Rainbow
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THIS COLORFUL SPECTRUM OF FURNITURE, JEWELRY, AND HOME DECOR HAS US MELTING LIKE LEMON DROPS
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Produced by Amanda Smith Fowler
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January•February 2021
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1 SAINT-LOUIS
St. Regis Bloody Mary Set
$1,800
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9 MAHARAM
stregisboutique.com
2 ROSE CUMMING
Sabu on Linen
10 REED SMYTHE & CO.
wellstextiles.com
3 TENENBAUM JEWELERS
Pink Tourmaline Dangle Earrings $3,250 jewelers.com
4 VISTA ALEGRE
Small Vase in Caneleto Pink $885 vistaalegre.com
5 THEODORE ALEXANDER
Vree Dining Armchair from the Jamie Drake Collection Price upon request theodorealexander.com
$120 reedsmythe.com
Vintage 1970s MCM Italian Opaline Glass Orange Pendant Light $550 Circa 1950s MCM Scandinavian Yellow Glass Pendant Light $1,250 bevolo.com
12 CHRISTOFLE
Talisman Flatware Pricing upon request christofle.com
6 VISUAL COMFORT
13 ANNIE SELKE
$735
$142
Penelope Lamp by Alexa Hampton circalighting.com
Bauble Chenille Gold Throw annieselke.com
7 BUNNY WILLIAMS HOME
14 JULIAN CHICHESTER
$7,250
$6,129
Alix Desk
bunnywilliams
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Handblown Bulb Vase in Amber
11 BEVOLO GAS & ELECTRIC LIGHTS
tenenbaum
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$385 maharam.com
To the trade
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Leather Bear
Wing Sofa
julianchichester.com
home.com
15 TEMPLE ST. CLAIR
18-Karat Gold Color Theory Green Ring with Tsavorite Garnets and Cabochon Peridot
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$2,700 templestclair.com
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16 LEE INDUSTRIES
L9540-00 Leather Ottoman $1,098 each or $4,392 for 3 leeindustries.com
8 HIGHLAND HOUSE
Dooley Chair
17 CHELSEA HOUSE
$2,790 C.O.M.
Verona Lamp in Green
highlandhouse
$695
furniture.com
chelseahouseinc.com
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in Bloom DECORATE:COLOR
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18 UNIVERSAL FURNITURE
Walter Swivel Chair $3,920
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universalfurniture.com
26 ASSAEL
Chase Lounge Chair
Tahitian Cultured Pearl Clip-Back Earrings with Amethysts and Lavender Spinel
$4,409
$14,000
chaddockhome.com
assael.com
20 CASSINA
27 FAYETTE STUDIO
19 CHADDOCK FURNITURE WORKROOM
Balla Screen by Giacomo Balla, Originally Designed in 1917
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Looped Berry Rug From $80/square foot fayettestudio.com
$9,800
28 GINORI 1735
cassina.com
Oriente Italiano Dinner Plate in Azalea
21 WILDWOOD
Sinatra Drinks Cabinet
$276/set of 2 ginori1735.com
$3,885 wildwoodhome.com
29 ELIZABETH LAKE
22 ACQUA DI PARMA
Blu Mediterraneo Chinotto di Liguria Eau de Toilette $110/2.5 ounces or
Indian Tulip Dinner Napkin in Lilac and Navy $130/set of 2 elizabethlake.com
30 THEODORE ALEXANDER
$180/5 ounces bloomingdales.com
23 MAITLANDSMITH
Lapis Obelisk
Wingate Club Chair from the Alexa Hampton Collection
$7,797
Pricing upon request
maitland-smith.com
theodorealexander.com
24 WESLEY HALL
31 RALPH LAUREN HOME
Stinson Chair
Platsfield Plaid Throw Blanket
$4,800 wesleyhall.com
ralphlauren.com
Fitzwater Table Lamp
32 CR LAINE
$1,190
$2,115 as shown
curreyandcompany.com
crlaine.com
FLOWER
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$710
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Hawkins Chair
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in Bloom GARDEN
A Haven in the Hudson Valley TUCKED INTO ROLLING FARMLAND IN DUTCHESS COUNTY, NEW YORK, WETHERSFIELD OFFERS ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S FINEST CLASSICAL GARDENS By Kirk Reed Forrester • Photography by Toshi Yano
J
ohn Muir, the famous naturalist, once said, “Into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” Philanthropist Chauncey D. Stillman could have said the same about a swath of Hudson Valley he fell in love with during a ride in the storied Millbrook Hunt. In 1937, Stillman, whose grandfather founded the bank that would become Citigroup, purchased two adjacent farms, giving him 1,000 acres with sweeping views of the Berkshires, Catskills, and Taconic Mountains. He named the property Wethersfield in honor of the Connecticut town where his ancestors had arrived in 1705. For the next 50 years, Stillman oversaw the evolution of the estate. He built a handsome Georgian home to house an extensive art collection, but his main focus was on the land. The 10 acres surrounding the home became beautiful formal gardens in the Italian Classical style of the 17th century (a novelty for
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January•February 2021
that time, when few gardens were embracing the tenets of classicism). Landscape designer Bryan Lynch began the design, but in 1947, Evelyn Poehler came on board and remained Stillman’s collaborator for the next 25 years. In the classical tradition, the gardens are oriented on a strong axis stemming from the house and moving north, south, east, and west. Yews clipped in cones and balls mimic the rolling hills; reflective ponds mirror the sky; an allée of towering arborvitae anchors and allures; and charming statuary heightens the meditative experience. The rest of the property became dedicated farmland and what Stillman referred to as The Wilderness, a wooded area with 20 miles of riding trails. While his life had many of the trappings of extreme wealth, Stillman was passionate about conservation and showed a surprising streak of thriftiness in his approach at Wethersfield. Before many had heard of the
ABOVE: The garden in springtime with the Taconic Range in the background • BELOW: The tempietto at the belvedere
in Bloom GARDEN CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Obelisks, urns, and statuary grace the entries
of each room in the garden. • White petunias in urns designed by late-19th-century architect Stanford White accent the radial steps in the Inner Garden. • Lupines and columbines edge the Citrus Lawn overlooking the Pine Terrace. OPPOSITE, TOP TO BOTTOM: A misty morning in the cutting garden • Two flautists entice visitors through an arborvitae arch. • A fountain features Cupid astride a dolphin in an elegant niche in the East Garden. • The elliptical reflecting pool
“There are hedges, tunnels, and enclosures that make you feel like you’re in a child’s storybook exploring a secret garden.” concepts, he was embracing crop rotation, contour strip cropping, biodynamic farming, reforestation, and innovative drainage. “He was also a conservationist when it came to materials,” says Toshi Yano, head of horticulture at Wethersfield. “The bluestone here is recycled from New York City bluestone sidewalks. Whenever Mr. Stillman saw a sidewalk or street being torn up, he would call for a truck.” For all its grandeur, Wethersfield has an element of humble restraint. Though the home Stillman built is handsome and comfortable, it is by no means a Newportsized mansion. “The gardens here are human-sized as well,” says Yano. “It doesn’t feel like Versailles. It’s intimately scaled. It’s a garden you want to be in with just one other person or even by yourself. There are hedges, tunnels, and enclosures that make you feel like you’re in a child’s storybook exploring a secret garden.” During the Covid-19 pandemic last summer, the staff waived the admission fee, opening the garden to the public. “It was really special for a lot of people,” says Yano. “We probably saw our attendance triple. Nature has been such a balm for people who’ve been stuck inside. These gardens have been a balm for me personally, just as they were a spiritual balm for Mr. Stillman.” The gardens and trails at Wethersfield are currently closed for the season and will open June 4.
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PHOTO BY STEVE FREIHON (THIS PAGE, TOP RIGHT)
—TOSHI YANO, WETHERSFIELD HEAD OF HORTICULTURE
For more information, see Sources, page 70
PHOTO BY STEVE FREIHON (THIS PAGE, TOP RIGHT)
Inspiration board for the color Lem Lem OPPOSITE: Annie Sloan
In the 30 years since ANNIE SLOAN invented her formula for Chalk Paint, enthusiastic DIY-ers have picked up their brushes to transform everything from floors to chairs and chests. Here she shares her approach to leading a colorful life By KAREN CARROLL
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE LEFT: Chalk Paint in Emperor’s Silk is
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always been delighted with his tricks, such as painting beaches purple and the color clashing he used. I have a dusky purple color, Emile, named for his son. But I really do get inspiration from across cultures, continents, and centuries. I love modernist artists such as Paul Klee, but I’m also constantly looking to the classics to guide me. The Bloomsbury Group’s Charleston farmhouse would be my number one influence— an entire home devoted to experimentation in furniture painting and in blurring the line between fine art and the decorative arts. Please give us a little “Chalk Paint 101”—what makes it distinctive? The quality of pigments—nothing is as important as depth and
January•February 2021
richness of color. It’s also water-based, which is not only environmentally friendly but also key for creating different textures and ensuring the paint dries quickly. We add binding ingredients to thicken the paint. This means fewer coats to get better coverage, and the ability to create those distressed looks, industrial textures, and velvety matte finishes for which we’re known. We imagine your own interiors as a kaleidoscope of color. Do you use your house as a laboratory? My home in
Oxford, England, is my refuge and where I recharge with my husband. I use color psychology to zone rooms and paint accordingly. Our bedroom is the dark, jewel-toned Aubusson Blue, which I find deeply relaxing. The living room is Antoinette, a gentle pink that always gets compliments, quite often from men who are surprised to realize they like it! I’m a collector, and when I travel I bring home sculptures, paintings, and even furniture. Home is a patchwork of my travels and my life.
PHOTO (CEILING TILES) BY CLAYRE SAXON
Flower: Congratulations on 30 years of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint! But let’s go back even further. Do you remember your first artistic effort or if you had a favorite crayon or finger paint in the box? Annie Sloan: I was an only child and grew up on a small holding in rural Australia, so I indulged in a lot of creative pursuits to pass the time. I didn’t have a preferred medium, but whether I was choosing my own outfits, drawing, or painting, I was always drawn to bright, bold, Fauvist colors. You went on to get a formal education in fine art. Are there any famous artists you studied who particularly influenced you? Gaugin has been instrumental in my relationship with color. I’ve
paired with pale pink Antoinette to give the wall panels a modern vibe. • Meadow Flowers stencil against a Napoleonic Blue background • At Under the Moon Cafe in New Jersey, 151 ceiling tiles are painted in vibrant shades of Chalk Paint and sealed with a clear wax. OPPOSITE: A chest of drawers painted Amsterdam Green.
“Don’t make excuses or postpone a project. Your only regret once you’ve finished painting will be not having started sooner.” — ANNIE SLOAN
Where do you travel for local color? I love Scandinavia, despite the style being so different from my own. My trip to India last January was a lifelong dream come true and more beautiful, colorful, and inspiring than I could’ve imagined. I just appreciate that all these different places exist, and I like merging bits of them together to create something new. The color Lem Lem was inspired by allium fields you saw in Ethiopia. Are there other ways flowers inform you? I love folk art that celebrates regional botanicals and wildlife, and our stencil designs are heavily inspired by flora and fauna. We have Mexican Bird with tropical flowers; Chinoiserie Bird with East Asian foliage; and Meadow Flowers, which references the gorgeous delicate summer wildflowers of Port Meadow here in Oxford—think cow parsley, fritillaries, clover, and daisies. You have passed along so much artistic knowledge through your books and tutorials. What’s the most memorable stylistic advice you’ve ever been given? Bizarrely, it came from a doctor, back in the days when they made house calls. I was nursing a sick friend, and when the doctor arrived, he immediately said, “No wonder you’re ill. There’s no color in this house!” My friend was an artist, too, but everything she owned was white, down to the cutlery. We brought in vibrant flowers and accessories to liven the place up, and she recovered within days. Color is healthy; color is necessary! And finally, a question we always ask. If you were to choose a flower that best represents your personality, what would it be? The bottlebrush! It’s brightly colored, very interesting, and some might say a little weird. Though native to Australia, it now thrives all over the world.
“The comfort zone is a dangerous place for an artist! That often means changing what I’m doing halfway through a project because my vision isn’t suited to a particular piece of furniture.” —ANNIE SLOAN
ABOVE: A faux-bone inlay chest and wardrobe painted Graphite and Old White is finished with Pearlescent Glaze to create the look of the generations-old craft of inlaying. OPPOSITE: CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Artists Abigail and Ryan Bell created Shibori-style cushions using Provence, Aubusson Blue, and Greek Blue. • A painted runner in Emperor’s Silk and Honfleur • A sunroom painted entirely in Arles. • For a muted, earthy atmosphere, these walls were painted in Olive paired with an Annie Sloan Ticking Stripe in Olive.
For more information, see Sources, page 70
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Living in a Jewel Box Designer Phillip Thomas used jewel tones, dramatic accents, and funky light fixtures to transform a prewar apartment on the Upper East Side into a space that envelops its inhabitants in warmth, color, and comfort
By FRANCES MACDOUGALL • Photography by MICHAEL MUNDY
A
ABOVE: In the gallery, a marquetry wood floor serves as a dramatic foil to the early 20thcentury French stingray chest. Door color is Old Navy by Benjamin Moore. OPPOSITE: The living room carpet is by Stark; blue velvet pillow fabric is by Kravet. PREVIOUS SPREAD: Gracie
wallpaper and a custom console give a hint of what to expect in the rest of the house.
AS THE CHILD OF ATTORNEYS
who divided their time between Latin America and New York and traveled the world visiting museums and exotic sights rather than beaches and amusement parks, designer Phillip Thomas has the benefit of a visual vocabulary that runs deep and informs every choice he makes. “My childhood library was upholstered from floor to ceiling in tiger velvet from Scalamandré. When you grow up in an aggressive environment like that, it shapes you,” he says. He casually cites childhood
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experiences—decorating his parents’ new apartment in Chile while there on his junior year abroad, a month in the Argentine embassy in Russia as a teenager when the ambassador was away—as influences. His mental design catalog is rich, full of international styles and a diverse deck of colors. Nevertheless, his design predilections work for smaller spaces as well. When he started on his first project for a young family with two toddler boys, the wife wanted to go neutral. She’d seen a project she admired. Phillip’s response:
“We can do that of course. But you’re not gray people. You’re much more fun.” His embrace of bold color, vibrant pattern, rich textures, and luxurious finishes inspired his clients to create rooms that are as much reflections of them as they are stylish. A few years later, they came back to him, saying, “The boys are growing, but the apartment isn’t. We need to find a larger space.’ ” What they discovered was an “estate condition” apartment on the city’s Upper East Side— a prewar space with Georgian details and an existing floor plan that suited their needs without a complete overhaul. The plan was to use the same pieces from the first apartment. But Phillip was dead set against an exact replica of that home. “Frankly, I didn’t want their guests to walk in and say instantly, ‘Oh, you used exactly the same furniture,’ ” says the designer. Rooms were reconfigured and rearranged, creating an entirely new feeling with their original pieces. The theme was “glam meets gracious with a wink,” with a goal to create rooms “that excite the eye rather than exhaust it,” he says. The Gracie paper in the entry sets the tone. “It’s intense,” he says. “But I think you want people to stop and appreciate your home from the moment they walk in.” The front door was another instance of push-pull that led the team to brilliance. Phillip envisioned a black lacquered front door, but the wife resisted, suggesting navy blue lacquer instead. “It’s a wonderful twist on the formula,” says Phillip. “I appreciate it when a client pushes back. It makes our journey more interesting.” The designer admits to going a little crazy with the living Story continues on page 62
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THESE PAGES: In the living/dining room, Phillip treats pink as a neutral and dares to treat tiger print the same, anchoring patterns and colors to bring them all together. The flowers reflect his approach to decorating: masses of not perfectly matching tones that come together naturally. Sconces by Vaughan; mirror by Global Views.
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“There are certain spaces that you just want to envelop you. The library is one of those spaces where you feel like you’re getting hugged, like a cocoon.” —PHILLIP THOMAS
room, combining sympathetic prints, patterns, and colors whose affinity was not readily apparent on the design board. “I thought the clients’ heads were going to explode when they saw the palette,” he says. But the room’s large scale and great light gave him flexibility to create three separate seating areas to accommodate a large cocktail party or a get-together with close friends. His priority in this space was to create a room of related but separate environments, a place “where you don’t want to leave.” To do so, the designer thought
about how his clients live. They entertain; their children have friends over; beauty and style are priorities. With that in mind, Phillip turned the previous dining room into an indulgent library/family room. And he integrated the formal dining area into the living space, custom designing the table with a Bronze Corian top that is both practical and great-looking. It’s the details throughout that make the room as intriguing as it is welcoming: the firedogs by Marc Bankowsky; the early 20th-century Leleu floor lamp; the instances of tiger print,
which acts as a neutral, sustaining the patterns at play. In contrast, the library, with its lacquered red walls and iridescent gold ceiling, radiates warmth. “There are certain spaces that you just want to envelop you,” says Thomas. “The library is one where you feel like you’re getting hugged, like a cocoon.” That feeling is juxtaposed by the chandelier— designed by Phillip—that had illuminated the former dining room. He calls it a “celestial explosion, evocative of a chandelier you might see at Lincoln Center.” The kitchen is the room that required significant renovation. “They’re cooking for two growing boys, and they have a cute, rambunctious dog, so this room had to work,” says Phillip. In the interest of style longevity, cabinets were left white and walls were covered with a blue vinyl wallpaper that can be cleaned easily. Great light and a dynamic layout mean the room gets lots of use. The serene master bedroom has a ta-da moment in the wife’s dressing room, with a fabric by Michael Smith covering the walls. “Don’t you want to wake up in the morning and feel like you’re being kissed? It takes me back to childhood when my grandmother covered me in kisses,” says Phillip. The color frames and flatters and connects to the soft pink on the bedroom’s ceiling. That’s the genius of Phillip Thomas. He uses the lessons of a life well traveled and studied to create rooms that are comfortable, interesting, and style rich— with a wink. Continued on next page
LEFT: The walls in the husband’s study are clad in wenge wood, and the ceiling in faux pony hide wallcovering. Lantern by Vaughan. BELOW: In the bar, different papers cover the wall and ceiling, adding energy to the monochromatic space. OPPOSITE, TOP: The library cocoons during the day with allover paint in Ladybug Red by Benjamin Moore and glows softly at night thanks to the iridescent gilt ceiling. Sofa fabric by Schumacher. OPPOSITE, BOTTOM:
De Gournay’s Deco Monkeys spices up the powder room.
ABOVE: In one of the boys’ rooms, Phillip cut the striped ceiling paper into squares, adding energy to the space. Carpet by Stark. BELOW: For the younger son’s room, the designer upholstered a niche to create a quilted headboard. Ceiling paint is Sapphireberry by Benjamin Moore; bed linens by Matouk. OPPOSITE: The kitchen feels colorful despite its white cabinetry thanks to blue accents,
including a lacquered ceiling that reflects light. Side chairs from Serena and Lily; globe pendants by Circa Lighting.
Continued on next page
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ABOVE: In the master bedroom, Phillip added a canopy to the couple’s original bed. Bed linens by Matouk; light fixture by Circa Lighting. BELOW: The room was large, so he and the architect designed a niche for a desk area. OPPOSITE: “She may have been apprehensive at
first, but the fun and femininity of the space are hard not to love,” says Phillip of the wife’s dressing room. Chandelier by Circa Lighting.
WORDS TO THE WISE ON COLOR IN A SMALL SPACE The library’s allover red
worked because we embraced one color. There was less visual clutter than if we’d had contrasting trim and moldings. STUDY THE LIGHT Color changes over the course of a day. There are so many subtle nuances. NEVER IGNORE THE CEILING In the master bedroom,
for example, the ceiling is a subtle pink that bathes the room in soft light. TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE There is a luxury to animal prints, but they can take such a beating and you never notice it. They only get better. LIGHTING MATTERS Don’t shy away from a large light
fixture. It draws your eye up, reveals the architecture. BE A BOOKWORM I know screens are practical choices
for reading, but bookcases are so important. Your books are a reflection of your tastes and history. I tell my clients, “If you love a book, buy it in hardback. Use your Kindle for the beach reads.”
“Don’t you want to wake up in the morning and feel like you’re being kissed? It takes me back to childhood when my grandmother covered me in kisses.” —PHILLIP THOMAS
THEY BEAM HAPPINESS, AND THEY PROMPT GLORIOUS FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS IN A RANGE OF HUES OTHER FLOWERS CAN ONLY WISH TO MATCH
By TOVAH MARTIN • Photography by KINDRA CLINEFF
Sandra Sigman grounded her “totally tulip� arrangement in a pedestal container, letting the various double, French, and lily-flowered forms of tulips express depth. OPPOSITE: Sandra wades between beds of tulips at The Stevens-Coolidge Place.
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SANDRA SIGMAN SPENDS HER DAYS IMMERSED
in flowers. On any given morning, you will find her juggling blooms with the greatest of ease for arrangements at Les Fleurs, her destination flower shop in Andover, Massachusetts. Even so, Sandra felt lightheaded when she rounded the bend at the nearby Stevens-Coolidge Place to behold 30,000 tulips in full splendor. “When I turned the corner and walked into the garden, I literally gasped,” she says. “I guess I was starved for color, but I felt that even Holland would have been in awe.” The Stevens-Coolidge Place is stewarded by The Trustees of Reservations to preserve the 20th-century North Andover, Massachusetts, estate of Helen Stevens Coolidge and her husband, John Gardner Coolidge, a descendent of Thomas Jefferson’s. The staff at the historic estate was full of hope when crates of tulip bulbs arrived in autumn of 2019. But plans for sharing the 2020 Tulip Festival fizzled with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Because the public was not permitted to come in person, the staff pulled together a Plan B that included virtual tours, videos, and demonstrations, enlisting volunteers to make tulip bouquets for local hospitals and senior housing. Sandra was on their speed dial as well; her contribution was to spread the joy via sumptuous arrangements to be featured in a virtual festival. And that’s how the designer spent a few weeks bonding with a flower that is the quintessential ambassador of color. Even before Sandra selected her vases, tulips had already spoken to her. What she saw in that field was a burst of sunshine. “I’m not usually drawn to yellow as a theme,” she says, “but the yellow tulips in that field were so bright and cheery, they sparked my creativity.” No wonder Sandra was ignited. What she saw was not your standard spring display. Rather than planting blocks of just one color in the typical tulip presentation, the horticultural team for The Trustees of Reservations had ordered bulbs from Colorblends, a purveyor known for Story continues on page 55
RIGHT, TOP TO BOTTOM: Colorblends gives its combos striking names, such as Stop the Car for a fervent blend of peach and plum. • Skyliners features pin-striped pastel petals. • The Japanese hybrid tulip ‘Akebono’ opens its semidouble flowers against green-striped sepals. LEFT: When architect Joseph Everett Chandler designed the Stevens-Coolidge gardens, he added a serpentine wall as a nod to Monticello.
ABOVE: Muscari and white hyacinths balance the visual weight of yellow and peach double tulips. Green viburnum softens the flow. OPPOSITE: The rust and blue container informed the colors for an arrangement of tulips, lilacs, bleeding heart, fruit blossoms, Solomon’s seal, and hellebores from Sandra’s own garden.
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“TULIPS ARE ALL ABOUT LEVITY AND REBIRTH. THEIR FLOWERS ARE LIKE BALLERINAS—THEY DANCE” —SANDRA SIGMAN
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THE ART AND SCIENCE OF BLENDING BULBS TIM SCHIPPER HAD A NOVEL IDEA in 1989 when he composed his first combo of tulips, and the concept has caused many a driver to slam on the brakes ever since. He called that initial blend of scarlet and golden-yellow tulips Hot Hot Hot, and it sizzled in the early offerings of the company he dubbed Colorblends. Strong contrasts in color certainly stop traffic, but subtle is now also in the inventory. Based on his vast experience mingling tulips, Tim shared some of the knowledge he learned. TIMING IS EVERYTHING “A combination might look wonderful in theory,” he says, “but if the bloom times do not coincide reliably, it will never come together.” Although tulips are usually grouped as early, midseason, or late bloomers, there is a lot of leeway within those categories. With family roots in the Netherlands bulb industry, Tim works with experts when creating blends. Even so, he trials blends before introducing them in the United States to make sure the bloom times overlap reliably in the climate here. ABOVE: The Colorblends combo Aladdin’s Carpet combines species tulips with muscari and dwarf daffodils. OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The 1926 Stevens-Coolidge greenhouse often hosts workshops.
Orange tulips anchor the foundation. • Sandra used a flower frog to secure the stems of tulips, lilacs, bleeding heart, and Solomon’s seal. • She combined pearly-white French tulips with lily-of-the-valley and Solomon’s seal.
artistic and carefully calibrated combinations. For Stevens-Coolidge, the team chose a blend that featured sherbet and lemon hues. That scene served as the starting gate for Sandra’s ingenuity. Inspired by her connections to Paris—she lived there in her 20s— Sandra slipped easily into a celebration of tulips’ color range. In some arrangements, she coupled them with complementary hues for a spunky, smiling display. But she also found them to be perfect collaborators for what she calls “the soft landing” of building color echoes. “In the French flower shops, it’s all about bringing tones together for a nuanced story,” she explains. She also nestled different forms together to gain depth. Even within the tulip realm, by pairing double, French, and lily-petaled tulips, Sandra achieved arrangements with dimension and intrigue beyond the color factor. The resounding outburst of appreciation was so deep, The Stevens-Coolidge Place plans to stage a vastly expanded celebration of color this spring. With 150,000 bulbs planted throughout their grounds for the Spring Spectacular, flowers will shine and inspire once again. The Stevens-Coolidge Place’s Spring Spectacular will be held April 24–May 16. Pre-registration is required. For more information, visit thetrustees.org.
A DELICATE BALANCE “For a blend to be magical, it has to be balanced,” Tim says. “I keep coming back to the band analogy. Each instrument playing alone might sound fine, but it’s how a band plays together that is key.” Of course, colors are critical in the composition, but textures and the dimensions of each flower are also vital in a mix. Varying heights are also part of the recipe. Selecting the right formula is very similar to building a bouquet, but you never know if the components will sing until you bring them into concert in the real time of a garden planting. COLOR CONSCIOUSNESS Tim tries to offer
blends for every taste. But he has also discovered certain criteria that make his arrangements feel like the epitome of spring. “You need an element that pops,” he has found. Often, he uses yellow as the festive shade. “It bounces off everything beautifully,” he says. “It shines.” Darker hues are often added, especially for a sophisticated presentation. “They are like the drums in a band,” says Tim. On the other hand, without a brighter color to offset purples or burgundies, they can easily feel flat. Not surprisingly, Tim is more apt to go for levity rather than austerity. After all, he’s working with a flower that is the essence of joy.
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wall flowers
And not a demure damsel in the bunch! We’ve gathered our pick of floral wallpapers, so fresh and artistic, they’re positively frame-worthy Produced and styled by AMANDA SMITH FOWLER • Photography by DAVID HILLEGAS
“La Vie en Rose”
EDITH PIAF*
PREVIOUS SPREAD, LEFT: Fullerton by Osborne & Little, osborneandlittle.com PREVIOUS SPREAD, RIGHT: (clock-
wise from top left) Portier in Clover by Designers Guild, designersguild.com • Arbre De Vie by Clarence House, clarencehouse.com • Janta Bazaar in Flax by Thibaut, thibautdesign.com • Caitlin in Citrus by Kravet, kravet. com • Allium by Cole & Son, cole-and-son.com
“Please Don’t Eat the Daisies”
DORIS DAY LEFT TO RIGHT: Rhodedendrum Script and Watercolor Roses by York Wallcoverings, yorkwallcoverings.com • Anaar Tree and Grandiflora by Sanderson through Sanderson Design Group, sandersondesigngroup.com • Dogwood in Celadon by Annie Selke, annieselke .com • Belhaven by Thibaut, thibautdesign.com • Marguerite by Osborne & Little, osborneandlittle.com
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“I love bright, almost-geometric modern florals for children’s spaces and kitchens; darker and more classically inspired motifs for gentlemen’s rooms; and eye-catching, big patterns for contemporary spaces.” —DESIGNER ELAINE GRIFFIN
“We use all wall paper regularly! It’s one of our favorite ways to add drama, color, and scale to a room.” —COURTNEY COLEMAN & BILL BROCKSCHMIDT OF BROCKSCHMIDT & COLEMAN
“Build Me Up Buttercup”
THE FOUNDATIONS
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Spotted Orchid by Anna French through Thibaut, thibautdesign.com • Delft Flower by Designers Guild, designers
guild.com • Leaf Trellis by Colefax and Fowler through Cowtan & Tout, cowtan.com • Rhodora by Osborne & Little, osborneandlittle.com • Bouquet by Anna French through Thibaut • Cowparsley by Sanderson through Sanderson Design Group, sandersondesigngroup.com
*For our entire floral-inspired playlist, visit flowermag.com
“I might use wallpaper to create architecture with a trellis and floral motif, elongate the visual aesthetic with a climbing vine, or give me an all-over-but-theshouting background on which to build layers.” —DESIGNER JAMES FARMER
“Blue Gardenia” DINAH WASHINGTON
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:
Tuileries by Anna French through Thibaut, thibaut design.com • Roseto in Celadon by Designers Guild, designersguild.com • Flora & Fauna in Gray by Scalamandré, scalamandre .com • W3353-1011 by Kravet, kravet.com • Thistle by Cole & Son, cole-and-son .com • Lilacs by Sanderson through Sanderson Design Group, sandersondesign group.com • Lisa in Light Blue by Scalamandré
“Flowers on the Wall”
STATLER BROTHERS LEFT TO RIGHT: Honshu by Thibaut, thibautdesign.com • Exotic Butterfly in Spring by Schumacher, fschumacher.com • Surimono in Moss by Designers Guild, designersguild.com • Sole by Clarence House, clarencehouse.com • Espalier in Prairie by Pierre Frey, pierrefrey.com • Sunlit Palm in Green by Schumacher • Isabelle’s Garden in Chartreuse by Kravet, kravet.com
“Gloria Vanderbilt’s romantic bedroom with a classic Rose Cummings wallpaper is as fresh and beautiful today as it was in the early ’80s.” —DESIGNER MATTHEW PATRICK SMYTH
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“Let It Grow”
ERIC CLAPTON CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Marianne in Fuchsia by Designers Guild, designersguild.com • Togei in Rouge by Pierre Frey, pierrefrey.com • Spontaneity by York Wallcoverings, yorkwallcoverings.com • Valldemossa by Matthew Williamson for Osborne & Little, osborneandlittle.com • Blossom in Multi by Annie Selke, annieselke.com
Wallpaper through the centuries DATING BACK TO 105 B.C.
wallpaper has roots in China and made its way over to Europe in the 15th century. It gained popularity in the 16th century, when it was used primarily in small spaces. Later improvements in technology made it less costly, and by the 19th century, it could be found in every type of room, in grand and modest homes alike. Floral wallpaper flourished in the rococo and Victorian eras of the 18th and 19th centuries. Its popularity waned somewhat during the 1960s and ’70s, when geometric, abstract prints were the rage (except for florals with a Pop Art reference). In 1980s excess, realistic florals, from Chinois patterns to blowsy bouquets, were used liberally, nowhere to greater effect than the English country house look, with its floral bedding, drapery, and wallcoverings. In more recent years, the trend toward neutral interiors eschewed floral papers in favor of textured papers such as grass cloth. Thankfully (for us at Flower), maximalism is thriving again with exuberant pattern mixing and unexpected palettes. Old patterns plucked from the archives look new in fresh colorways and scales. Wallpaper continues to help us create new realities inside our homes—to transform, hide defects, add excitement, and, in the case of florals, bring the garden inside year-round.
“Wildflowers”
TOM PETTY CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Rene in Green and Beige from the Paramount collection by Thibaut, thibautdesign.com • Lotte in Black (far right) by Scalamandré, scalamandre.com • Frutto Proibito in Seafoam and Lemon by Lee Jofa through Kravet, kravet.com • Blommen in Leaf by Schumacher, fschumacher.com • Piper Multicolor Floral by A-Street Prints, astreetprints.com
To learn more about wallpaper from our designers, including their favorite patterns, go to flowermag.com
Be My Galentine
He loves you, he loves you not, but your best girlfriends are there through thick and thin. Show them just how much their friendship means with a special luncheon By MARGARET ZAINEY ROUX • Photography by MARY CRAVEN PHOTOGRAPHY
The centerpiece features a mix of blooms, including parrot tulips, narcissus, hyacinth, sweet peas, mini green hydrangea, and roses. OPPOSITE: “You know it’s a special occasion when you pull out the wedding china!” says Mary Spotswood of the Rothschild Bird china by Herend.
“We’re always in a rush, and that’s why this quiet little brunch was so magical. We all took time out to celebrate us.” —MARY SPOTSWOOD UNDERWOOD
M
MARY SPOTSWOOD UNDERWOOD didn’t have
time to wait for Cupid’s arrow to strike, so she planned her own Valentine’s “date,” complete with flowers, wine, and a delicious home-cooked meal. She even lit a few candles. But this wasn’t the romantic rendezvous for two that you might be picturing. Aptly coined “Galentine’s,” it was a weekday brunch for eight of her nearest and dearest girlfriends in celebration of love, laughter, and friendship. “We were long overdue for some girl time,” says Mary Spotswood, a Nashvillebased personal chef, floral designer, and mother of three. “Between kids, husbands, and careers, we are constantly being pulled in a thousand different directions, and our regular meetups had become too few and far between. Valentine’s Day was around the corner, so the timing was right for a special occasion. Although, every occasion is special with this group.”
ABOVE: Luster Staffordshire dogs, a mantel
vase of dried pepper berry, and a collection of Rockingham plates are displayed on a custom shelf backed in silk. OPPOSITE: Mary Spotswood swapped her eight-top Baker pedestal table for a 60-inch round folding table that she keeps on hand for larger sit-down meals.
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For more information, see Sources, page 70
“There weren’t lots of hearts or red feel like Valentine’s Day, because it wa and it deserved its own unique look
or red roses. I didn’t want it to e it wasn’t. This was Galentine’s Day, que look.” —MARY SPOTSWOOD UNDERWOOD
Mary Spotswood borrowed the idea for this get-together from an episode of one of her favorite sitcoms but, naturally, she took it to a new level. As owner of à la Bonne Femme, she is known among Nashville’s social and music industry circles as one of the most sought-after entertaining gurus, and with good reason. Her style is elegant and effortless, and she makes everyone feel at home, something that she proudly attributes to her traditional Southern upbringing in Virginia. The gathering commenced post-carpool in the warmth and comfort of Mary Spotswood’s Franklin, Tennessee, living room, where the gal-pals indulged in chitchat and bacon-wrapped dates and imbibed blood orange mimosas garnished with candied citrus peel. After reveling in the uncommon luxury of lingering, they moved the party to the dining room. On the menu: a few of the hostess’ signature dishes, including chicken-and-mushroom crepes with Cognac sauce, marinated asparagus, a citruspistachio salad, and dressed greens. The table was covered with a sage linen skirt that Mary Spotswood purchased as a newlywed in Birmingham, Alabama, and a hand-embroidered overlay that she bought across the pond as a student at Le Cordon Bleu in London. In lieu of place cards, each setting was marked with a handwritten name tag tied with picot ribbon to a seed packet of cosmos and a mini bouquet of small roses and sprig buds. “I wanted to send each of them home with a pretty little treat, but I figured I would leave the chocolates and long-stem roses to the guys,” she says. “Cosmos are delicate but easygoing and easy to grow. They come in different varieties, so each one brings a unique dynamic to the garden. I can’t think of a more beautiful symbol of our friendship.”
RIGHT, TOP TO BOTTOM: Chairs are covered in Rose Carol by Hazelton House. • Chicken-andmushroom crepes with asparagus, citrus salad, and mixed greens dressed in mustard vinaigrette • Bittersweet chocolate pot de crème with crème Chantilly, fresh berries, and shortbread cookies decorated with edible pressed flowers OPPOSITE: Feminine florals abound at the ladies-only event. The Portuguese needlepoint rug and handpainted silk wallpaper panels are vintage.
For the chicken-and-mushroom crepes recipe, go to flowermag.com
BLOOD ORANGE MIMOSAS WITH CITRUS CURLS For each blood orange mimosa: Combine 2 ounces freshly squeezed blood orange juice and 4 ounces Prosecco in an 8-ounce Champagne flute. Garnish with a candied citrus curl. For the candied citrus curls: Zest a Meyer lemon or other citrus fruit with a V-notch citrus zester horizontally while rotating continuously. Cut zest into 4- to 5-inch strips. Holding one end, twist the opposite end tightly against itself, making a curl. Repeat with each strip of zest. Place a layer of sugar in a small bowl. Nestle the curls into the sugar while keeping them in a curl. Cover zest with additional sugar. Let stand 12 hours or overnight. Shake off excess sugar. Use curls to garnish cocktails, desserts, or citrus-flavored dishes. You can also use the remaining citrus-infused sugar in other recipes.
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Sources Prices are subject to change. Any items not listed are unknown.
IN BLOOM
PAGES 17–19, DECORATE: FLOWERS: Floral design, Kirk Whitfield of K & Co Floral, kandcoflowers.com. PAGES 26–29, GARDENS: Wethersfield Estate & Gardens, wethersfield .org; gardens are currently closed for the season and will open June 24.
BOLD STROKES
PAGES 30–35: Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, anniesloan.com.
LIVING IN A JEWEL BOX
PAGES 36–47: Interior design, Phillip Thomas, phillipthomasinc.com; architecture, Patrick Gerard Carmody, Architect, PLLC, patrick gerardcarmody.com; workroom, La Regence Inc., nylaregence.com. ENTRY: 1950s Austrian brass and glass chandelier, Regan and Smith Antiques, raganandsmith.com; custom Gracie wallcovering based on Gated Garden, graciestudio.com; custom console, Phillip Thomas Inc.; scrollwork gilt mirror, Flessas Design, flessasdesign.com. GALLERY: Marc Bankowsky stool and Henri Honoré Plé Art Nouveau table lamp, Maison Gerard, maison gerard.com; Murano glass chandelier, Carlos De La Puente Antiques, delapuenteantiques .com; door paint, Benjamin Moore Old Navy in high-gloss finish, benjaminmoore.com; wall paint, Benjamin Moore Dove Wing; marbletopped stingray chest of drawers, John Rosselli Antiques, johnroselliantiques.com; custom flooring, I.J. Peiser Sons, ijpeiser.com. LIVING ROOM: Custom carpet, Stark, starkcarpet.com; Marc Bankowsky andirons, Jules Leleu polished and gilt mahogany floor lamp, and vases (on mantel) in bronze, Maison Gerard; custom-colored crosshatch strié decorative paint, Andrew Tedesco Studios, andrewtedescostudios.com; Icarus sconces, Vaughan, vaughandesigns.com; vintage Italian pink Murano lamps, David Duncan Antiques, davidduncanantiques.com; Global Views Governors Palace mirror, globalviews.com; Maison Jansen acrylic table, James Worrall, jamesworrall.com; custom club chair, Phillip Thomas Inc., in Quadrille Les Indiennes fabric, quadrillefabrics.com, with Samuel & Sons contrast cord and tape trim, samuelandsons.com; custom tufted ottoman, Phillip Thomas Inc., in Nobilis Velours Tiger fabric, nobilis.fr, with Houles Twiggy Braid trim, houles.com; custom slipper chair, Phillip Thomas Inc.; custom ivory sofa, Phillip Thomas Inc., in Holly Hunt Wall-to-Wall fabric, hollyhunt.com; custom club chair, Phillip Thomas Inc., in Luigi Bevilaqua Radica fabric in Azzurro and Samuel & Sons cord on tape; custom dining table, Phillip Thomas Inc., manufactured by Morgik Metal, morgik.com; antique dining chairs, Arenskjold Antiques Art, arenskjold.com, in Holly Hunt Bora Bora leather in Color 6000/26, hollyhunt.com; curtain fabric, Holland & Sherry Silk Taffeta in Ivory with custom-colored Bamaco embroidery, hollandandsherry.com; custom curtain hardware, Phillip Thomas Inc., fabricated by Morgik Metal. LIBRARY/FAMILY ROOM: Wall paint, Benjamin Moore Ladybug Red in highgloss finish; metallic ceiling paint, Modern Masters Flash Gold, paintsupply.com; carpet, Stark Antilocarpa; custom Coco-style sofa, Phillip Thomas Inc., in Schumacher Serenissmo Velvet Rouge fabric, fschumacher.com, with Samuel & Sons piping and tape trim; pillow fabric, Clarence House Samarkind with Robert Allen trim, robertallendesign.com; gold fabric,
Who Did It & Where to Get It
Hutton Collection Zen Garden, huttoncollection .com, with Robert Allen trim; blue velvet pillow fabric, Lee Jofa Shoridge in Lapis, kravet.com, with Samuel & Sons trim; custom Odom-style club chair, Phillip Thomas Inc., in Scalamandré Ungherese Rigato fabric in Lisere with Samuel & Sons cord and tape trims; custom Pierrepont-style club chair, Phillip Thomas Inc., in Pierre Frey Khiva fabric in Prune, pierrefrey.com, with Samuel & Sons cord on tape; custom ottomans with storage, Phillip Thomas Inc., with Studioart Vertigo leather, studioart.it; art, Christopher Gates Scott, shingleisland.com; curtain fabric, Holly Hunt Silk Luxe in Crimson with custom Clara embroidery by Holland & Sherry; custom hardware, Morgik Metal. POWDER ROOM: Wallpaper, custom Deco Monkeys in Terracotta by de Gournay, degournay.com. STUDY (upper photo) Aversa glass lantern, Vaughan; custom ottomans, Phillip Thomas Inc., upholstered in Studioart Elica leather in Arancio; custom sofa bed, Scott Jordan, scottjordan.com, upholstered in Romo Fabrics Peron in Charcoal, roma.com. BAR: Achille Salvagni Emerald bronze side table, Maison Gerard; wallpaper, DPH 70 in Plume by Nobilis. KITCHEN: Side chairs, Serena and Lily Chevron Riviera, serenaandlily.com; shade fabric, Galbraith & Paul Lanterns in Denim, galbraithandpaul.com; cabinetry color, Benjamin Moore Super White; light fixtures, Circa Lighting Montgomery medium globe pendant, circalighting.com. BOY’S BEDROOM (lower photo): Linens, Meridian collection in Ocean Flange by Matouk, matouk.com; wallpaper, Hinson Splatter in Navy on White through Scalamandré, scalamandre.com; paint, Benjamin Moore Tangy Orange; carpet, Brigade in Blue/White by Stark; custom upholstered headboard, Phillip Thomas Inc., with Romo fabric; chandelier, France and Son, franceandson; Roman shades, Quadrille
Wavelength fabric in Blues on Oyster with Pierre Frey Portofino contrast border in Orange; custom-upholstered armchair, Phillip Thomas Inc.; ceiling paint, Benjamin Moore Sapphireberry. BOY’S BEDROOM (upper photo): Wallpaper, Christopher Farr Crochet in Cobalt, christopherfarr.com; ceiling paper, Christopher Farr Cremaillere in Cobalt; carpet, Brigade in Blue/White by Stark; pillow fabric, Fabricut La Lagune in color 03, fabricut.com; custom chair, Phillip Thomas Inc., upholstered in Raoul Textiles Boris in Delft, raoultextiles .com; curtain fabric, Templeton Madeleine in Cerulean, templetonfabrics.com; LED pendant, Raimond medium, lumens.com. MASTER BEDROOM: Linens, Matouk Ceylon collection with custom embroidery; custom Martin Patrick Evan carpet, martinpatrickevan .com; chandelier, Utopia by Circa Lighting; custom-designed bench with bolsters, Phillip Thomas Inc.; window curtain fabrics, Holland & Sherry Glazed Linen in Oyster with custom Marnia embroidery. DRESSING ROOM: Wall fabric, Templeton Je t’Aime in Rouge; custom carpet, Martin Patrick Evan; light fixture, Trillion by Circa Lighting; Mark Bankowsky stool, Maison Gerard.
TULIPS
PAGES 48–55: Location, The StevensCoolidge Place; thetrustees.org/place /the-stevens-coolidge-place; floral design, Sandra Sigman of Les Fleurs, 978.475.9669, @lesfleursviasandra; tulip blends, Color blends, colorblends.com.
BE MY GALENTINE
PAGES 64–70: Event design, Mary Spotswood Underwood of à la Bonne Femme alabonne femme.com. Cosmos seed packets, Floret Flowers, floretflowers.com; Herend china, Corzine & Co., corzineco.com; cookies, Carriage House Cookies chcookies.com.
More Botanical Wallpaper CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Bowood by Colefax and Fowler through Cowtan & Tout, cowtan.com • Defosse Trellis by Scalamandre, scalamandre.com • Orla Pink Floral by A-Street Prints, astreetprints.com • Angel Ferns by Sanderson through Sanderson Design Group, sandersondesign group.com • Wisteria by Cole & Son, cole-and-son .com • Ombre in Pink by Pierre Frey, pierrefrey.com
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 1. Flower magazine, ISSN 1941-4714, is a bimonthly publication of Peony Publishing, LLC, located at 3020 Pump House Road, Birmingham, AL 35243. Periodicals postage is paid at Birmingham, AL, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Flower magazine, P.O. Box 433327, Palm Coast, FL 32164. For subscription inquiries and customer service, please call 877.400.3074. All unsolicited materials will not be returned. Printed in the U.S.A.
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FLOWER
January•February 2021
At the Table
All in the Mix WHEN YOU LAND ON A FABULOUS FABRIC LIKE THIS ONE, USE EVERY COLOR IN IT TO BUILD A LIVELY AND BEAUTIFUL TABLE SETTING Produced and styled by Amanda Smith Fowler • Photography by David Hillegas
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FLOWER
January•February 2021
Salt or pepper cellar with spoon ($115 each), Wizard’s goblet ($105), goblet ($115), Gallic charger ($273), and Convivio dinner plate ($118), all by Match, match1995.com • Oriente Italiano dinner plate in Bario ($210/ set of 2) by Ginori 1735, ginori1735.com • Louisa embroidery dinner napkin paired with Henry appliqué place mat (pricing upon request) by Leontine Linens, leontinelinens.com • Boxwoodhandled Ambiance flatware ($500/ 5-piece place setting) by Alain Saint-Joanis through Table Matters, table-matters.com • Maramba fabric in Plum by Clarence House (to the trade), clarencehouse.com • Oyster plate (stylist’s own) from Adams Antiques & The Potager, adamsantiquesandthepotager.com