Sister Parish was one of the most influential designers in American history, and I was thrilled to see the home of Susan Crater, Sister’s granddaughter, featured in the April issue of Architectural Digest. Located in Bedford, New York, Susan and her husband embellished what was a bland 1960s shell with pilasters, cornices, mantels, and other classical details. Rooms and porches were reconfigured to accommodate their family and Susan’s mother, Apple Parish Bartlett, who visits the home as a winter stopover.
When it came to the decor Susan, a former lawyer and cofounder of Sister Parish Design, was daunted. “We had all these collections—Sister’s, Mom’s, mine—as well as my company’s fabrics,” she explained. “And the idea of drawing a thread through the house to unify it and make it cozy was just too much for me.” Throughout the more-than-year-long renovation, Apple and Susan collaborated with Eliza Crater, Susan’s daughter who works for designer Markham Roberts in New York City. “Pop Pop’s [Sister’s] aesthetic is very much mine,” Eliza said, “and how she would want my parents’ house to look is always in the back of my mind. But the front of my mind knows that she would want this house to be comfortable for the people living in it now…”
For more, please see the April 2017 issue of Architectural Digest with text by Douglas Brenner and photography by Oberto Gili. And for additional information on the life of Sister Parish, you will enjoy Sister Parish: The Life of the Legendary American Interior Designer, written by Apple Parish Bartlett and Susan Bartlett Crater. I also recommend Sister Parish: American Style and Parish-Hadley Tree of Life.
Traditional Decor is Back in Vogue
Sister Parish Home Goods Collection
Chintz is Back in Bloom!
Miles Redd Refreshes his Family Home
Anonymous says
March 22, 2017 at 12:59 pmwhat is the fabric name on the curtains and bolsters in the living room? its beautiful
Andrea says
March 22, 2017 at 1:51 pmI wish I knew, aren't they gorgeous? The magazine says they are couture-grade chintz curtains originally made for Sister's Maine bedroom. For a similar look, you might try Alicia by Colefax & Fowler.
XOXO,
The Glam Pad
Dean Farris says
March 22, 2017 at 4:47 pmThe flower is called an Auricula- John Fowler and Nancy Lancaster loved them, and later Sister and Mario adopted them
Dean Farris says
March 22, 2017 at 1:50 pmAndrea!
Wow, imagine having Sister in your family! What fun to have some of her pieces to work with and to continue the legacy Apple and Susan plus Eliza must all be commended!
Thanks for this post as I was not aware of it, since I rarely read AD anymore.
Dean
Merlyn Corcoran says
March 22, 2017 at 2:11 pmHere's a link to the Jean Munro fabric Polyanthus
http://www.jeanmonro.com/hand-printed-fabrics/polyanthus/celadon
Andrea says
March 22, 2017 at 3:16 pmFabulous, thank you so much!!
XOXO,
The Glam Pad
Regine Karpel says
March 22, 2017 at 2:48 pmBeautiful.
http://www.rsrue.blogspot.com
Cynthia Lambert says
March 22, 2017 at 5:55 pmNice to know that Sister's design ethic is being passed down through the generations.
Dolores says
March 22, 2017 at 11:14 pmThat is the most beautiful home I've seen in a long time, it is absolutely timeless, happy, comfortable and gorgeous.
Thank you for such wonderful cheering 'eye-candy'..
anaimal jam says
August 6, 2018 at 4:07 amwhat is the fabric name on the curtains and bolsters in the living room? its beautiful