a Countess, a Capri Garden

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 a Horst still life

looking through the pages of old issues (1960's-70's) of House and Garden always takes me back to my first time. Pulling through the pages of my GranMa's closet filled stacks- I wonder if I might have lingered over this article a bit longer than most.  Of course- at the time the pictures would have captivated my imagination, the words less so. The Horst photographs continue to grab my attention todya- these glamorous men and women-in the midst of glamorous lives.

Here, Margaret Willaumez steps out onto one of  the terrace gardens of her Capri house-Casa Lontana.

As with most old articles, I want to know- What happened after the photographs ceased? Countess Margaret Willaumez is the woman standing in the doorway, intent on something- seemingly unaware of the lens. She loved only flowers and specimens that were spectacular- for cutting.  "Every inch counts." Her garden more English than Italian, she describes as "delicious." Decorator at Thedlow in New York and contributing editor to House and Garden, Countess Willaumez arrives in May to a profusion of sweet peas, pansies, flax, calendula, larkspur and pinks tended by a trusty gardener year round-she packs off seedlings to him for planting. She is never disappointed.

Rooms with a view:
"From my topmost terrace I can look down and see the flower of the moment and always the morning -glory blue of the sea.  The house built on three levels with three terraces was always filled with flowers the moment the Countess arrived.  All the interiors are simply furnished with a mix of styles and periods-the flowers were the showstoppers here. The  interiors could be lived in stylishly and easily today.

After the interview:
So doing some research on the Countess , I found her obituary in the New Your Times. Just years after the article would have appeared , the Countess Williaumez died after a long illness. She was just 52.

Though her typical time in residence on Capri was from May to October, in 1972- she lingered there through November. On the thirtieth, She died within the whitewashed walls of her hillside Casa Lontana. She enjoyed her plants- but doted on her cut flowers, giving them fresh water each day, clipping stems and rearranging them.

"Even if all its chums are gone, I will never throw away a live flower. I can't. I just find a place for it."

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Horst StillLife

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House and Garden July 1969

creating a beautiful life,
still life by Horst
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Horst Studio

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Still current, the 1969 Horst Manhattan studio, pied a terre. A sometime home away from home, Horst decorated his studio in black and white. Reminiscent of his photography, Horst used houndstooth, zebra, and a cartoonish free form design to connect the dots of his studio.  A vintage luxury ship ad poster glides along over the concealed desk area. Horst added a necessary daybed for overnights, a table/desk in colour blocked red and patterned zebra. Slashes of red adds more drama to Horst's already smashing studio.

Horst and Veruschka

"All forms, inventively used, can be diverting. Cost is secondary. "  

HORST

"It is an exercise in decorating with forms, and also an exercise in economy. It cost very, very little."

Horst and Perry Ellis

Horst elaborates on the design process: 
"Because the ceiling was so high, the room seemed to soar right up through the roof. So I tailored the perspective with a false molding of black paint. It stops the eye. Then I amused myself by seeing how much variety I could give the walls by cutting them into geometric patches with wallpaper, paint and mirror. I didn't want to jangle, just diversion, and I think I have it. It's a harlequinade, claimed down by that big photostat I took years ago of a stature in Rome. The abstract and the classic can be very nice bedfellows, and in this case, that's exactly what they are."

Horst studio images House and Garden July 1969
Horst photographs- 1- Horst photograph 1938 here, 2- Veruschka , New Yok 1962, 3-Perry Ellis 4-perfume advertisement, New York, 1982 (from Horst)
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a Grand Room:Carolina Irving

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Often there are rooms that hold my attention for years. Case in point-this lofty space decorated by Carolina Irving. Most readers of design blogs, and its publications are familiar with Carolina Irving's current home- it has been in magazines, emags and blogs galore. She is not a decorator- she has an eye- as it were. She is a woman of style. I wrote about that room in New York here- saying-'The Carolina Irving home is what Rose Tarlow calls "the essence of intimacy." It is a space that exudes that certain intimacy that I admire and aspire to. We will be watching this room appear over and over again in years to come.' I was right. The fabric designer, writer,collector,fashion designer, mother's living room will grace the upcoming book-Rooms to Inspire in the City by Annie Kelly.

(photograph - Ivan Terestchenko)

 a French wallhanging ,c 1730, is mounted above the fireplace

This grand room - is Grand- and timeless. There are many facets to Irving's decoration -the strong architectural details, the vibrant use of colour-but it is the casual nonchalance that instantly invites one to linger. To stay and examine each corner for each treasure it holds. Textiles, a love evident in her current apartment, appear throughout the room : a French brocade hanging on the wall -another French brocade draping a table, a scarf covering a lamp, a Chinese rug covering an ottoman. Works of art are propped up along the walls and a few personal photographs are displayed on a small table-maintaining a personal intimacy that is unique for such a Grand room. A porcelain collection decorates the large skirted table in the center of the room. Irving's serious textile collection is accompanied by sturdy traditional English stripes on a chaise, an ottoman and a deep divan divine sofa.

Irving described the space she decorated as 'heaven on earth.' 

The angels agree.

more glimpses from the 1993 House and Garden article written by Andrew Solomon and photographed by Ivan Terestchenko.

 all of the images are by and courtesy of photographer 

Ivan Terestchenko- here and here*

  

 * Please contact IVAN for any use of these images.

 see the new Annie Kelly book here

the Lady could decorate

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 an old piece of chintz from the 19th century-once a curtain, 

along with a collection of terracotta figures

'What you see is the accumulation of a lifetime. Nothing was acquired for the rooms. Rather the rooms were acquired for the things. I am a very sentimental woman. I love presents and keep everything I get. The things bought as presents seldom end up by being given: if I like enough to buy it, I like it enough to keep it. It means double shopping. Objects become such a part of me that I would feel like a multiple amputee if I had to part with any of them. The way I have it figured I will part from them long before they part form me.'

Ivory Objects on an 18th century English lacquer desk in the living room

'There are many dear friends in my life who are professional and gifted decorators. I ask a lot of questions and usually get helpful and practical answers. I have always felt however, that friends are more valuable than decorations and I believe firmly in the rule that friends should not work for friends.'

Comfort reigns in the sun-filled living room. All the pictures in the room are needlepoint, except for the Tissot painting above the fireplace.

'So in great part I have done these rooms alone. There is no other stamp on them but my own. The mistakes and oddities are mine and I like them, warts and all. I have many self-imposed rules, which seem to work for me. Every key position in the room should have proper light to read or sew, a place to put a drink, an ashtray, or a book. There should always be something red in a room, be it merely a cushion, a bit of lacquer, or the whole room. And always something living-a dog, a cat, or flowers-as well as a burning fire or lighted candles.'

the Dining Room reflects a lived in English elegance

A brass tester bed has traveled across oceans,
the headboard is covered in an antique quilt

a Basket of Ribbons for her hair

"God blessed me with a happy spirit and many other gifts. 

What I was not blessed with I went out and got. 

Sometimes the price was too high, 

but I've never been much of a bargain hunter."  

from her memoir (1991)

Photographs by Francois Halard

Words in italics written by Nancy, Lady Keith-better known as SLIM.
House and Garden  January 1987

Reggie writes about his visit to the Lady here
in the NYTimes here

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which magazine were you? & now?

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HOUSE & GARDEN Louis Oliver Gropp (1980-1987)

 HG Anna Wintour (1987-1988)

HG HOUSE & GARDEN Nancy Novogrod (1988- 1993)

HOUSE & GARDEN Dominique Browning (1995-2007)

DOMINO (2005-2009)

& NOW?

 OR

or is there something else ?
& No great UK or French or International magazines count because everyone would be WORLD OF INTERIORS)
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...& in the spirit of style court

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short on time, wrapping paper- then this is an idea whose time has come-wish I'd thought of that!
this little gem is actually something I'd love to receive for a present. I am always on the look out for unique wrapping papers-and this is the whole package.

(from an old House& Garden, of course)