Two posts ago I wrote about those people and things that have influenced my design style and inspire me. But the list became too long. As I believe in sharp editing, I decided to break the list into two (besides, having Bunny Mellon and Lee Radziwill in the same feature truly does not give them proper justice.) But now, as I write, of course I have decided I need a Part Three! Herewith My Influentials, Part Two:
Lee Radziwill. Of Course. More so than her sister in my humble opinion because she had and continues to have more freedom to live life as she sees fit. Her fashion and design sense is everything. Here in her iconic Paris apartment, 2003. Photo by Mario Testino for Vogue.
Billy Baldwin. Legend. Baltimore Boy. Decorator to Jackie Kennedy, Diana Vreeland, and Bunny Mellon. His sophisticated and elegant style looms large.
Miranda Brooks. Genius designer for some of the most naturally elegant gardens in the world. Seen here in the garden she designed for Anna Wintour. So fresh and inviting. Photo by Ricardo Labougle for T Magazine.
Art Museums. I do not get my design inspiration from completed rooms on Houzz or Pinterest or perfect shelter magazine spreads. It is much more organic, starting with art and architecture. Here the beautiful Baltimore Museum of Art, designed by John Russell Pope. It is one mile from my house and it is free! I visit often, even if for only an hour, to refresh my eyes.
Heather Clawson and her Habitually Chic Blog. THE original blog that combined design, fashion, art and culture, Heather Clawson has inspired many, including me, to blog. I still look forward to her smart posts each and every day, which, in our saturated social media culture, speaks volumes about her eye and ability to keep it fresh.
Albert Hadley. The original. Often referred to as the "Dean of American Decorators," he has influenced so many great designers and creatives who inspire me today, including Bunny Williams and Christopher Spitzmiller. Deserving of an entire other post. Photo by Patrick Cline here in his NYC apartment.
Auction Catalogs. A tremendous resource for art and antique lovers...full of the best pieces, often beautifully photographed, along with educational information on an item's history and provenance. And the best catalogs today have gorgeous lay outs and styling, the most recent example of which is Christie's Paris catalog of their March 6 auction of Hubert de Givenchy's Giacometti collection. Which brings me to......
Hubert de Givenchy. Renaissance Man. Clothing designer to the most elegant women of the 20th Century.....Audrey Hepburn, Babe Paley, Bunny Mellon among others....and the interiors and gardens of his homes in France are perhaps the most influential in design in the world. I get a little breathless when I study his work......divine elegance, seriously chic...call it what you will. The Ultimate.
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