When we were in Palm Beach last weekend for the Lilly Pulitzer estate auction, I simply had to pop by The Colony Hotel to check out Carleton Varney’s incredible renovation… Carleton Varney, president of Dorothy Draper & Company, Inc. is hands down one of my absolute favorite and most inspiring decorators. I have written about his work numerous times, and this post on his iconic “Brazilliance” banana leaf wallpaper remains my most popular blog post to date. In fact, I love this wallpaper so much, we used it to cover our dining room (sneak peek below!), so you can imagine my delight when I saw that Mr. Varney had used beautiful Brazilliance in The Colony to line the hallway between the hotel lobby and the Polo Steaks & Seafood restaurant.
Carleton Varney’s Brazilliance wallpaper.
via my iPhone
Since 1947, The Colony has been at the center of Palm Beach social life, hosting U.S. Presidents, European Royalty, American Snowbirds down for the winter season, and discriminating travelers from around the world. Dignitaries and celebrity guests have included Presidents Bush and Clinton, Prince Edward, Princess Sofia, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Liza Minelli, Bill Blass, and Liberace.
A true “boutique” hotel, small in size with a distinct personality, The Colony exudes charm and friendliness. Some guests stay for weeks, even months. It is ideally located adjacent to world famous Worth Avenue in the center of town, and a stone’s throw from Palm Beach’s best beach.
A true “boutique” hotel, small in size with a distinct personality, The Colony exudes charm and friendliness. Some guests stay for weeks, even months. It is ideally located adjacent to world famous Worth Avenue in the center of town, and a stone’s throw from Palm Beach’s best beach.
Under Mr. Varney’s direction, The Colony has just completed a $12 million renewal, including the 90 guest rooms, suites, and villas. Three spectacular Penthouses top the main hotel, and an adjacent mansion, Casa Manana, has been beautifully reconfigured into seven spacious villas.
Images below are courtesy of The Colony Hotel, unless otherwise noted.
Images below are courtesy of The Colony Hotel, unless otherwise noted.
More banana leaf on the carpet, and custom wallpaper created for The Colony Hotel! Via Carleton Varney’s Instagram
These fabulous tassel sconces are currently on clearance ($34.95!) through Carleton Varney’s exclusive collection for HSN. I just ordered a pair in gold for our dining room.
The swimming pool is in the shape of the state of Florida!
The exterior of The Colony was painted Wolcott Salmon from the Dorothy Draper/Carleton Varney Paint Collection for Fine Paints of Europe.
via my iPhone
And I adore the new uniforms for The Colony’s professional customer service team, which include a Flamingo Pink Lilly Pulitzer Blazer with cream slacks, topped off by a scarf designed by Mr. Varney.
I am dying to stay at The Colony the next time we are in Palm Beach! It truly embodies the essence of Palm Beach, don’t you think? Click here for additional information, and to make reservations.
Now for a little sneak peak of our dining room, which also features Carleton Varney’s Brazilliance wallpaper… If you follow me in Instagram, you have probably seen these, if not… here they are!
Full reveal coming soon!!
A Chat With Carleton Varney
A Weekend at The Greenbrier with Carleton Varney
The Dorothy Draper Design Weekend!
Carleton Varney in Palm Beach Illustrated
I'm dying over your dining room! It looks so good with everything you selected. The last time I saw it, the room was empty and the paper was just hung. I thought it was stunning then. This just brought the house down!!!!! Fantastic! Please show us more.
sharon
How amazing is that? The Brazilliance wallpaper is always beautiful and is perfect in The Colony! And it's going to be FABULOUS in your dining room – can hardly wait to see it finished. The chandelier in the last image…stunning!!
Oh it's gorgeous – I mean your home, I need to hire you next time I decorate.
What a great looking hotel. Wouldn't it be so wonderful to stay there in such beautiful rooms. Looking forward to your reveal. The inspiration board looks so stylish.
Where did you find that chandelier? The hotel looks amazing, but I have a feeling your home will look even better…can't wait.
The chandelier is from Again & Again in Dallas… It is vintage Murano, circa 1970s. Thank you so much for the kind words! 🙂
XOXO,
Andrea
How fun I love that Jungle inspired wall covering!!
I've been a Carleton Varney fan since the first moment I walked into the Greenbrier in 1987. Thanks so much for sharing these pictures. Cannot wait for your big dining room reveal!
How stunning! The Colony is definitely going on my hotel bucket list.
Wow. Just wow. Your dining room left me speechless.