Wendy Goodman + Tony Duquette = Perfection!

On December 1st, the new Tony Duquette book by Wendy Goodman and Hutton Wilkinson will finally be released! I know I for one can't wait! Recently, a friend of Ms. Goodman's was sweet enough to email me with Wendy's contact information so I could get her take on all the hoopla. Ronda at All the Best already conducted a wonderfully in depth interview with her so I just asked her a few questions and she couldn't have been nicer!

I'd love to know about your first meeting with Tony Duquette and what you thought about Dawnridge. I hear it was unbelievably amazing!

I met Tony while on assignment for House & Garden magazine (HG then)when I was originally there in early '90s doing a story on guestrooms and spied this wild, totally original piece of furniture in Hutton and Ruth Wilkinson's Los Angeles house. I hadn't ever heard of Tony Duquette, but asked Hutton, who was his business partner, if I could meet him on that trip. I ended up staying to produce a story on Tony's extraordinary Malibu ranch and that launched the odyssey of my working with him and Hutton to start imagining this book.

I know it took you 10 years to complete this book and I would love to know how you kept going! In this age of ADD and everyone moving on the next big thing it must have taken some serious discipline and patience!

Yes, it takes discipline and conviction to keep at a project that is so complex as there was so much archival material to unearth and edit...especially challenging for me as I had to go out to the west coast for research in between my deadlines for all the magazines I work with here in New York. What kept me going was my passion for Tony's work and the conviction that his story was unique and had to be told.

I was also wondering if you were involved with the planning of the windows at Bergdorf's. They are also amazing have been really well received in the city and online.

The incredible event of the Bergdorf Goodman Christmas windows is a dream come true! Linda Fargo and her amazing team headed up by David Hoey, produced the most extraordinary tribute to Tony's genius! I had nothing to do with the windows what so ever except to be dazzled and awed that they are beyond magical!

Wendy also mentioned that they have already sold out of the luxury edition at Bergdorf's and the regular book is being rushed into a second printing! Better get your copy today!

Christmas Couture

It used to be that only we humans had to choose just the right outfit for that special Christmas party or event, now we have to worry about dressing our pets as well. My own miniature dachshunds have sweaters that my daughter forces them to wear at Christmas time when we have guests although they invariably wiggle out of them before the night is over. I confess that if they were more comfortable in the outfits and didn't try to chew them off I would probably have them dressed all the time. It's like the ultimate doll, a living toy that you can dress to fit your mood or season.


Look at this guy with his Grinch dog outfit - Love the hooves. He doesn't look that happy though.



My dogs would have this shredded into a million pieces in seconds but I love it.


This one looks a bit more sturdy but it's sized for a larger dog.


Another reindeer outfit - this is the coolest dog! She looks so bored.


This one has a sense of humor.



Foofy outfits for foofy dogs.


Since my dogs won't wear outfits maybe I should have them dyed!!!


Looks like someone's been a naughty dog.



This cracks me up. How do they get three dogs to sit still for this picture. Must have been trained by the Dog Whisperer.



Too cute,


Every dog needs their Christmas pj's.


This cracks me up. Does your dog really need a passenger?


Santa's helper



These two have arms - kind of creepy but very funny.


Last but not least let's not forget our feline friends.


Dog outfit links:

www.dogsmartway.com/Dog-Clothing.php
www.wiggle-n-waggle.com/.../Categories
http://stores.thehautehound.com/-strse-698/Reindeer-Costume/Detail.bok
dinkydawg.com/Pajamas
www.brandnewdad.com/.../halloween/christmas.asp
www.mypethaven.com/santa_dog.htm
www.shortorderdogs.com/HyperCart/Category.asp?category=Holiday+Houndz

An Eventful Evening

It's funny how a night of no plans can quickly turn into a fun and eventful evening. I ended up attended a book signing for Park Avenue Potluck at the Leila Taghinia-Milani Heller Gallery on 72nd Street. Quite a few of the socialites were in attendance including Coco Kopelmann in her Chanel finery, Jamee Gregory in the most amazing white fur coat I have ever seen, as well as Muffy Potter Aston and Rachel Hovnanian, who I recently learned is a wonderful artist. She and her art were profiled in the November issue of Elle Decor.

Park Avenue Potluck is a fun book of recipes from "New York's Savviest Hostesses" and benefits The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and has been so well received that it's already in it's second printing! I still think it's funny that a cookbook by society ladies would feature something so fattening looking on the cover when everyone knows socialites don't eat! Anyway, I was feeling so in the giving mood last night that I actually bought a copy at full price! I also sampled one of the best recipes in the book, Millionaire Turtles by Karen May who were graciously made for the evening by Tate's Bake Shop, my favorite place in Southampton! They even have their own cookbook so why not pick up both!

The Leila Taghinia-Milani Heller Gallery (that's a mouthful!), the event location, happened to be having a wonderful exhibition of work by emerging artist Martin Saar called Bubbles, Bodies and Bond. Martin was sweet enough to chat with us about his work and agreed to a studio visit and profile after he returns from Art Basel. So many people keep asking me if I'm going to be in Miami for Art Basel, I'm beginning to think I am the only person in New York not going!

Wednesday evening is the reason I love New York. You never know where you might end up or who you might meet. And if you don't live in New York, you can still cook like a chic New Yorker by picking up a copy of Park Avenue Potluck. It really is a great book for a great cause!

Animal House

It's funny how you can come across something you've never heard of before and then right after end up seeing it everywhere. Such was the case with the new book by photographer Catherine Ledner Animal House a perfect gift for any design obsessed animal lover!

According to The New York Times, "Catherine Ledner lives with 2 dogs, 2 cats, 11 rabbits and 1 husband in Altadena, Calif. A portraitist and commercial photographer, Ms. Ledner became fascinated by the idea of using wallpaper patterns in animal portraiture, and her new book, “Animal House,” is the result. During her research, she pored over wallpaper books from the 1930s and ’40s, and pulled new samples from the Pacific Design Center. The 47 animals were cast from the pool the local trainers had available. Once she had chosen her matches, Ms. Ledner wallpapered moveable walls in her studio, and invited the animals in."

The fox is my personal favorite and was apparently the shyest, but loosened up the longer he stayed on the set. His paper, from a 1930s pattern, was made for Ms. Ledner by Astek Wallcoverings, a company that can copy any pattern with a repeat.

The deer came twice, once to check out the studio and again for his portrait. “I have a particular fondness for deer,” Ms. Ledner said, “so it was very spiritual” to have him there.

The vulture was shot against a discontinued Cole and Son paper and was a bit timid, moved slowly and responded well to treats according to Ms. Ledner.

Green is the New Black!

After profiling the over the top conspicuously consumptive windows at Bergdorf's, I thought it would be fun to show you what's going on over at Barney's, where they are having a green holiday. And by green, I mean organic starting with Rudolph the Recycling Reindeer above. Each window is chock full of cans and bottles the Barney's team ending up buying from the homeless of the Lower East Side. Only in New York!

In a stroke of marketing genius, the fine folks at Barney's have also married the window theme to the "gorgeous green gifts, fabulously fair-trade fashion, sensationally sustainable swag, orgasmic organic denim and cashmere, environmentally conscious tchotchkes" available in the stores, catalog and on the website.

You can even check out a fun interview with the elf behind it all, window dresser Simon Doonan on New York magazine's website that was conducted by socialite about town, Fabiola Beracasa. I actually walked by the store when they were filming him which was pretty funny.

So do your part for the environment this holiday season and go green by buying something fabulously organic for your loved ones...or at least recycle that diet coke can!

***UPDATE*** You can also read an extended interview with Simon Doonan about the holiday windows in the new December/January issue of Domino magazine.

A Gift that Keeps on Giving!

Before we start getting into the hustle and bustle of holiday posts, I thought it would be nice to start things off on a charitable note. I'm sure some of you may have already heard about Heifer International but for those of you who haven't, Heifer's mission is to work with communities around the world to end hunger and poverty and care for the earth. One way they do this is to let people like you and me "choose a meaningful gift to give a loved one and help children and families around the world receive training and animal gifts that help them become self-reliant."

Heifer lets you gift an entire animal or a share of an animal like heifers, llamas, sheep, goats, rabbits, and even honey bees. I think they would make the perfect present for the person who has everything or for children to give. Kids love animals and I'm sure they would love to pick out their favorite animal to give and to learn how it will help those in need. Just something to think about instead giving someone another tie or something else they won't use. Costs start at just $10 for a share and can go up to $500 for full gift.

"The idea behind Heifer ... is similar to the notion that it's better to teach a man to fish so he can feed himself than to give him a fish that will feed him just once. One animal could eventually benefit an entire community."

Rennaisance Man - Kenneth Jay Lane

The Current issue of The New York Social Diary has a fascinating interview with costume jewelry icon Kenneth Jay Lane.

After spending decades at the forefront of costume jewelry design he has been called, among other things, "the hottest costume jewelry designer around," "the most famous American fantasy jewelry designer of the twentieth century." and "Jewelry's Living Legend". Lane graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1954, and worked as an art director at Vogue.

His residence is as rich and luxurious as his designs.

It is filled to the brim with treasures and mementos that have undoubtedly inspired many of his designs.

A huge array of framed artwork and an impressive book collection adorn every available space in the room.

Collections and keepsakes are carefully placed on tabletops and shelves.


Back to back settees center the room and are lit by twin hanging fixtures. The room reeks of intellectual and artistic pursuit. I would love to get a close up look at some of those prized possession. I am sure each piece has a fascinating story behind it.



Special items are lit individually and others are flooded with ambient light from multiple fixtures in the room.

His trademark jungle themes flow throughout the room as does a liberal dosing of Turkish and Indian accents.



You can see the same influences at work in his jewelry. A golden salamander perched atop a white cuff.
Another cuff with a black and white crystal snake.

Gold Bamboo Bangles
A Black Enamel Flowered Ring

Red Coral Cuff with Pearls.


Ebony Bangle with a Gold Cartouche.


A Gold Cuff with Crystal Star.

Opulent Turquoise and Ruby ring.

Have We Lost Our Everlovin Minds??????

The cover of this months Blueprint Magazine is showing this pink "designer" tree. Now in the hands of a professional, this type of "theme" tree can work in a stylish interior but it always looks sterile and cold. Are we so into appearances that even Christmas has to be staged. What ever happened to tradition and sentiment. The old family ornaments handed down from generations and the handmade ornaments your kids make.
How have we gone from the perfect simplicity of the American ideal of the Charlie Brown Christams Tree to this......

Big Bird Yellow!!!!! Who needs this tree, are we really this tacky?



How about silver spikes for branches? This tree really says comfy down home Christmas doesn't it?


You never know when you'll need a red foil tree. Maybe this is the tree the devil puts up in hell.



Dead sticks for branches. I suppose it could work, but do I really want a dead tree?


Now this one brings technology into play with a center tube filled with lighted bubbling water. Who couldn't feel festive with that kind of trickery going on.



Iridescent mylar! A thing of beauty to be sure but not for you nature lovers out there.


Then we have the ever popular red foil topiary. A truly classic element sure to add class and sophistication to any interior.



Who wouldn't love this stunning purple tree?



Or perhaps you prefer blue foil. This one is sure to make that statement you are looking for.



A red Chile tree for you south westerners.





A lighted Palm for the Floridians in the group.




And of course the newest addition to the lineup the upside down tree. Truly the pinnacle of the new age of Christmas adornment.


Please for the sake of future Christmases show some restraint in your choices. Think back to Christmases past and the simplicity of the finer things we enjoyed as kids. Bring back some sense and sensibility to the Holiday season. And for God's sake please don't buy an upside down tree!!!!