I was saddened to learn of the passing of designer Dan Carithers earlier this week. Known as a true southern gentleman, Carithers’ classic and timelessly beautiful interiors will continue to inspire the design world, and his legacy will endure. Today we pay tribute to a great designer who was also a great man.
From The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, via Legacy.com: Dan was born and raised in Jefferson, GA. After attending UGA, he began his career at Rich’s Department Store rising to the position of Director of Fashion Merchandising. After 18 years, he opened his own design firm while remaining as a consultant for Rich’s in addition to Baker Furniture Co. He consulted on the Althrop Collection, inspired by the ancestral home of Earl Spencer, and designed a successful furniture collection, DC Designs, for Sherrill Furniture. He has been published in numerous magazines including Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Southern Accents, Veranda, Metropolitan Home, House and Garden,Town and Country, Elle Decor, Traditional Home, and Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles. Greatly acknowledged by both his clientele and his profession as “the southern statesman of style”, Dan was recognized as a “Giant of Design” by House Beautiful as one of the top 125 decorators in America, and inducted into the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center’s Hall of Fame. He was named an Icon of Design by Traditional Home and honored with the Philip Shutze Award presented by the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. He was awarded the Horizon Award for Innovation and Design by the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Society of Atlanta.
When Carithers’ own home was featured in Traditional Home, the magazine reported, “Throughout his career, this dean of Atlanta design not only has known a good thing when he’s seen it, but he has also had the good sense to hang onto it, no matter what the prevailing design wind. ‘If I love it, it’s right,’ he fires off in a gentrified Georgia accent playful with self-mockery. As a result, many of the furnishings he couldn’t resist when he bought his home nearly three decades ago remain as appropriate for it today as they were then.”
Dan Carithers with his wife Nancy
Some of my favorite images of his work are below…
In 2016, Atlanta Magazine featured real estate images of “Maison des Bois,” which was for sale at the time. The estate was updated by architect Yong Pak and Dan Carithers and was also featured in the May-June 2005 issue of Southern Accents.
Here is the home as it was featured in the May-June 2005 issue of Southern Accents, images via Sue Murphy Designs.
Dan Carithers’ legacy continues with Atlanta designers including Margaret Kincaid and Heather Dewberry. In an interview I conducted with Kirkland in 2016 she said, “My old boss, Dan Carithers, was a huge inspiration, both in his aesthetic and his work ethic. I got to work for him for over six years, and I learned so much.” Dewberry was called to draw upon her experience with Carithers when decorating a Buckhead home featured in Traditional Home. “I told Heather that she’d have to replicate Dan’s best work in my house,” said the homeowner. Dewberry was happy to oblige, saying, “I pulled out all my best Dan tricks.”
Legacy.com reports tributes in Dan Carithers’ memory may be directed to the Emory Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (c/o Courtney Harris, Office of Gift Records, Emory University, 1762 Clifton Road , NE Atlanta, GA 30322).
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Dean Farris says
February 2, 2018 at 7:08 amBeautiful tribute!
Daryl Hornby says
February 2, 2018 at 7:22 amAll of his work is timeless and beautiful… I send out my condolences to his family and the design world.
Sandy says
February 2, 2018 at 9:05 amGreat post as always. Beautiful rooms.
I am still mulling over January’s posts. You know one thing I have taken away…Take time to hunt down what you really love and it will stand the test of time. I am really over the change change change mode; maybe my age (57) has something to do with that. I always tore pages out of magazines and kept them in folders. I still have them even in the day of digital. I find that those pages I tore out all those years ago are still things I love. They have stood the test of time. I have never been too trendy especially with my furniture. I am glad I held true to my heart.
Marlene says
February 2, 2018 at 9:19 amThank you for this beautiful tribute . I had the pleasure of hearing him speak in Williamsburg . Truly inspiring with a sense of humor. I had always admired his work and kept the issue of Southern Accents of Nancy and his home. He was such a southern gentleman and loved his style which is timeless.
Elizabeth says
February 2, 2018 at 10:45 amThese are seriously beautiful rooms and what a great looking couple! She is so beautiful! What a wonderful tribute Andrea. Xo
Nancy says
February 2, 2018 at 11:15 amDan Carithers was one of my favorites. His rooms were elegant but warm. He will be missed.
Ccchintz says
February 2, 2018 at 2:17 pmHis work is a classic example of anti trend thread we been discussing on this blog. I liked his saying If I like it, it must be right’ said I bet, with a wink. Rest in Peace and condolences to your family and close friends friends. You will not be forgotten
Mary says
February 2, 2018 at 7:35 pmSuch a gentleman.
Very sad news to learn today, but we thank you for sharing it with us.
Our condolences to his family and friends.
Linda peterson says
February 2, 2018 at 9:09 pmWhile I was not privileged enough to call him a friend, I have been in his home. What struck me was the kitchen. While it was gorgeous in every wat, it was very obvious that it was really used. There were well thumbed cookbooks and a cooktop that looked as though it cooked many meals. It made me happy to know that all of this beauty was not just for show.