in keeping with the current little augury topic- all things Kate-
Let's take a look at Kate's decorating style.
A purist, No surprise there. And pure Americana at that-which really shouldn't surprise either.
a Hepburn welcome at Fenwick
Remember she did consider herself to be of the Campbell's Tomato Soup kind.
Kate by Snowdon 1991
Well- she certainly loved red.
her Residences included- the Houghton family home, Fenwick, Old Saybrook,Connecticut, which was rebuilt after a 1938 hurricane flattened it. She would always return here for weekends, holidays- sharing with her brother Dick-who was a permanent resident. This was the place that all the Houghtons claimed as their own- with 19 rooms, 8 bathrooms, a screened patio it could hold the clan. In ME, Hepburn writes:
Then we all sleep in our old rooms:
I'm the east end, second floor.
Dick & Tor-top floor, east end and west end.
We're all here for better or for worse.
It's where I spend my free time.
You can see-it's a family house.
It's a bit odd but it seems to work.
She lived here exclusively at the end of her life.
after the 1938 Hurricane, among the ruins
The white brick house, 8,382 square feet was what might be expected. Years of accumulated family possessions- perhaps just a touch of Philadelphia Story elegance.The living room has colors of nature, with splashes of Hepburn's favorite red. A three-seater whitish slip covered couch has two white and four red pillows. Behind that, a library table filled with books. Behind that again, a long bookcase.On one white wicker chair is a black-and-white throw; on a wooden chair, a red throw. Near the fireplace: a small red-and-green sled. On a window seat: a vase with pretty glass flowers, greenish glass ball, rabbit, seagull, birds perched on wooden blocks. The inside echoes the outside. (Jacqueline Blais, USA Today)
Views of Fenwick
On one white wicker chair is a black-and-white throw; on a wooden chair, a red throw. Near the fireplace: a small red-and-green sled. On a window seat: a vase with pretty glass flowers, greenish glass ball, rabbit, seagull, birds perched on wooden blocks. The inside echoes the outside. (Jacqueline Blais USA Today)
The big Fenwick Kitchen
another residence, in New York , was purchased early on in her marriage to Ogden Ludlow, "Luddy", in the now historic Turtle Bay area. Hepburn owned the four story brownstone from around 1928 to just before she made Fenwick her permanent home. The townhouse held 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, maintained its original wood burning fireplaces and mantels. Decorated over a period of 50 years- it was eclectic to say the least-antiques, Americana, decoys, paintings by Hepburn, choice African furniture and artifacts.
in New York townhouse
In one of her last chapters Hepburn reminisces about the home she shared with Spencer Tracy-at times they maintained separate residences in L.A. and also had nested together in a guest house on St. Ives a part of George Cukor's estate. She spent most of her time there with him in his final years.
Spencer by Kate
Kate in Tracy's horsehair rocker
The room she loved most was made of wormy chestnut planks. She had designed a desk for Tracy. She recycled some wooden valances she had made for Tracy's previous apartment, making them the top of the desk and the base of was made up of 2 three-drawer chests. From the leftover valances she had a knee hole cut and placed it in between the chests, while on top of the desks slots were made to hold papers.
at the desk
Kate also designed a mantel of chestnut. She called for fires to be built year round, moved a red upholstered chair about that was her chair, while Tracy rocked in a black horsehair antique rocker Kate had reworked for him.The room was rounded out with a pine cupboard, an African chair, a "heavenly Navajo rug-pink red on white with black, some French blue, about 10 x 12."
after St.Ives, some of her favorite pieces went to Fenwick
Kate at St.Ives
In 2004 Sotheby's had a two day sale of Property from the Estate of Katharine Hepburn. The sale made up furniture, paintings and decorations from all three of Hepburn's homes.
a Victorian mahogany armchair and gout stool from the townhouse, she called it "her throne," a Chippendale-style mahogany slant front desk from Fenwick, an American carved and painted wood figure of a swan from the Los Angeles home were included and sold for phenomenal prices.
Kate at St.Ives
From the house in Fenwick comes an American brass and oak plant stand (est. $800/1,200) which Cynthia McFadden, a close friend of Miss Hepburn's and an executor of her estate notes, "Kate bought this plant stand about 20 years ago while we were scouring antique shops in North Salem, New York. She always loved the piece and had it constantly filled with her beloved wild flowers or with Casablanca lilies." It was 2004 and Hepburn with all her confessions, quirks and personality bugaboos were highly prized. She was an ICON.
at auction
Never before seen by the public were 100 of Hepburn's own paintings and drawings at auction
She started painting in 1938, while on board Howard Hughes' yacht. It became a passion and she pursued it while on locations all over the world.
Sod-paintings, drawings, watercolors, sketchbooks and sculptures,depicting views of Fenwick, as well scenes from the house on St.Ives. Also her is also her painting table, small easel, palettes, paint boxes and brushes.
By Kate
self portrait
her final word on decorating-
'Life's what's important.
Walking, houses, family.
Birth and pain and joy - and then death.
Acting's just waiting for the custard pie. That's all! '
