Wow ! Really inspiring- the history- thanks for the post!
One of my former class mates at FIT (where we had the original 50’s Parson faculty) was a charming girl named Marie Claire- I sent her a cover letter and a resume’ trying to get an interview there at McMillen where she was working- I got back a lovely hand written note and an invitation to drop by for a tour- I was as green as the walls of Ann Pynes escape hatch- !
I went there – I think it was in the summer when everybody was away- and encountered the most beautiful, most peaceful salon – very much a legacy of Bill Odom “Mr. Taste” and mentor to Van Day Truex and so many other interior design historical figures-
Later many years on I spied Mrs. Sherrill while shopping on Bergdorf’s famous 7th floor where I was working at the time- fond memories of true elegance!
This was a lovely interview. I love hearing about old school decorating firms like this one and the impact they have had on the industry. I hope McMillen, Inc. goes on for at least another hundred years. Ann Pyne and her daughter Elizabeth have an interview on the How to Decorate podcast, it was episode 78 from March 5, 2019.
This fascinating post is one of your very best. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the text of your interview with Mrs Pyne. She is refreshingly forthright and honest about the firm and its principals. As a (former) Southerner who went to Parsons to assuage her unhappiness, I can totally relate to her mother’s experience. It worked for me, too, although I followed a slightly different path afterwards. Thank you very much for posting this. Best wishes.
Wonderful and inspiring article.
What a terrific, insightful interview! Thank you for sharing it with your readers.
Thank you so much for this article and the photos of these glorious interiors!
This is one of the most interesting posts I’ve read — thank you for sharing it! The photos are high and rich on glamour.
Wow ! Really inspiring- the history- thanks for the post!
One of my former class mates at FIT (where we had the original 50’s Parson faculty) was a charming girl named Marie Claire- I sent her a cover letter and a resume’ trying to get an interview there at McMillen where she was working- I got back a lovely hand written note and an invitation to drop by for a tour- I was as green as the walls of Ann Pynes escape hatch- !
I went there – I think it was in the summer when everybody was away- and encountered the most beautiful, most peaceful salon – very much a legacy of Bill Odom “Mr. Taste” and mentor to Van Day Truex and so many other interior design historical figures-
Later many years on I spied Mrs. Sherrill while shopping on Bergdorf’s famous 7th floor where I was working at the time- fond memories of true elegance!
Well done! Probably the best article i have read in a long time.
This was a lovely interview. I love hearing about old school decorating firms like this one and the impact they have had on the industry. I hope McMillen, Inc. goes on for at least another hundred years. Ann Pyne and her daughter Elizabeth have an interview on the How to Decorate podcast, it was episode 78 from March 5, 2019.
Thank you all for the lovely comments! This was such an enjoyable post to write, I loved learning the rich history of McMillen, Inc.
Joshua – I found the Podcast: https://www.ballarddesigns.com/howtodecorate/2019/03/podcast-episode-78-mcmillens-ann-and-elizabeth-pyne/ It is fabulous, thank you so much for sharing!
All the best,
Andrea
The Glam Pad
This fascinating post is one of your very best. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the text of your interview with Mrs Pyne. She is refreshingly forthright and honest about the firm and its principals. As a (former) Southerner who went to Parsons to assuage her unhappiness, I can totally relate to her mother’s experience. It worked for me, too, although I followed a slightly different path afterwards. Thank you very much for posting this. Best wishes.