When my husband and I moved from Dallas to Miami seven years ago, it was a difficult transition for me, but then I met Deirdre Critchlow who was an absolute angel. Deirdre and I met through my blog. I had written about her home – a 1920s Colonial located in the historic Florida Pioneer/Colonial Village of Coral Gables (a suburb of Miami) – and she emailed me asking if I would like to come see it. Deirdre’s two daughters were in town, visiting from New York and Connecticut, and they gave me a full tour of the most beautiful home I have ever seen. All three were passionate interior design enthusiasts, and we became fast friends. Deirdre took me under her wing, adopting me as my “Miami Mom,” and rarely a day went by that we were not in communication. So much of what I know about interior design, I learned from her. Tragically, Deirdre lost a 10 year battle with breast cancer last year, and she is desperately missed by all who knew her.
Before she passed, Deirdre and I worked together to photograph her home with the hope of having it published. We brought the renowned photographer Carmel Brantley down from Palm Beach, and we sent the images to our favorite design magazine, Southern Home. We were delighted when they agreed to publication! Her home is featured in the current March/April 2019 issue of Southern Home, and while Deirdre is not here to see it, I know she is smiling down from Heaven. Below are a few of my favorite outtakes from the shoot… There are many more beautiful images by Brantley Photography in the current Southern Home.
Rick and Deirdre Critchlow
Deirdre and her husband Rick oversaw an extensive renovation and expansion of their historic home under the guidance of architect Jorge L. Hernandez and interior designer Marisel Diaz. Deirdre then brought in her friend, designer Eileen Plasky of EPDesign Group, to help fulfill her vision for the interiors. There is a fun story about how the Critchlows sold the home once they became empty nesters… but they missed it so much they repurchased it when the new owners moved from Miami. (It was actually the decor of the previous owners I featured on my blog that brought Deirdre into my life.) You can read more in Southern Home!
To learn more about this very special home and to see many more pictures, please pick up a copy of the March/April issue of Southern Home on newsstands now, or you can purchase a digital copy here. If you do not already have a subscription to this beautiful publication, readers of The Glam Pad will receive a $10 dollar discount by entering promo code “GLAM” upon checkout. Please visit Southern Home to subscribe.
Beginning in the 1960s, Dodie Thayer’s lettuceware pottery was as much a fixture on the tables of fashionable Palm Beach hostesses. Collectors included Brooke Astor, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, C.Z. Guest, the Duchess of Windsor, Frank and Barbara Sinatra, Dina Merrill, and most of the island’s society ladies. (Click here to read more.) Original pieces are highly collectable and can be found occasionally via auction. Dodie Thayer’s partnership with Tory Burch made it possible to reissue the 1960s Palm Beach classics. Dodie Thayer for Tory Burch lettuceware is also available in green and white.
And if you are interested in purchasing a few original lettuceware pieces, below are some currently available for sale!
It is a right of passage for every interior design enthusiast to make a pilgrimage to The Greenbrier, the iconic resort vibrantly decorated by the world-famous Dorothy Draper & Company, and I can think of no better way to experience “America’s Resort” than by participating in the upcoming Dorothy Draper Design Weekend, March 1-2! The illustrious Carleton Varney and his team will host an unforgettable decorating experience that reveals an inside view and education on the process of selecting the decor at The Greenbrier. I have already signed up, and I am counting down the days!
The celebration starts on Friday, March 1 with a meet and greet reception. On Saturday, Varney will hold a question and answer session followed by a special interior tour of the Greenbrier with the Dorothy Draper & Company team. After a book signing, the evening will conclude with a reception hosted by the Dorothy Draper & Company team. On Sunday, Varney will hold another book signing before the weekend is complete. These events are available complimentary to registered guests only.
The Victorian Writing Room at The Greenbrier Hotel is known as the most photographed room in the country.
Throughout the weekend, The Greenbrier is also offering complimentary entertainment, including bingo, magic shows, family celebrations, movies, workshops and afternoon tea. Some of the most popular activities include the Casino Club, Mineral Spa, carriage rides, bunker tours, off-road-driving, falconry, and tennis. Click here for a complete list of activity options.
To book this rare opportunity to learn from legends in the design world, call 855-453-4858 or book online. I hope to see you there!
Carleton Varney
ABOUT CARLETON VARNEY
Carleton Varney is one of America’s best-known interior designers and president/owner of Dorothy Draper & Co. Inc., one of the oldest continually operating interior design firms in the United States. Named after the founder of the company – Dorothy Draper – who was the doyenne of interior design from the 1920’s to the 1960’s. The company’s design philosophy stresses the use of bright colors and the rejection of all that is impractical, uncomfortable and drab. In embracing this practice, Carleton Varney continues the tradition of Dorothy Draper by being associated with the adventurous use of vibrant colors, floral patterns, and bold contrasts. Mr. Varney’s impressive roster of clients includes superstars from the worlds of entertainment, fashion, and business. He was named one of the 30 “Deans of American Design” by Architectural Digest.
ABOUT THE GREENBRIER
Located amid the breathtaking mountains of West Virginia, The Greenbrier is a National Historic Landmark and world-class resort that has been welcoming guests from around the world since 1778. The natural mineral springs that drew the first guests over 235 years ago continue to lure visitors to the 11,000 acre luxury retreat today. With a guest list that includes 27 of our country’s 45 Presidents, America’s Resort has long been a favorite destination of royalty, celebrities and business leaders. The Greenbrier is widely regarded as one of the finest luxury resorts around the world. Surrounded by the wondrous Allegheny Mountains, The Greenbrier offers exclusive services and amenities such as championship golf, fine dining, more than 55 activities, designer boutiques, world-renowned mineral spa and a 103,000 square foot gaming and entertainment venue.
Designer Eric Ross is a fan favorite here at The Glam Pad, and I was delighted to learn that he is releasing his first book this spring! Enduring Southern Homes provides inspiration for updating timeless interiors by upholding centuries-old design concepts while injecting fresh colors and fabrics into the mix. “Classical design concepts and antiques provide a quiet elegance that celebrate heritage and embrace the future,” said Eric Ross. “They instill a sense of permanence and act as artifacts, sharing stories from the past. It is with layering in color, pattern, and glimmers of today’s trends that the enduring space becomes a home.”
With over 20 years of experience, Eric’s approach to traditional decorating and lifestyle includes a little bit of French country, a lot of Southern hospitality. Enduring Southern Homes showcases some of his most beautiful projects and gives tips on how to create your very own enduring home, regardless of where you live. A native of Kentucky, Eric now resides in Nashville, Tennessee. Below are some highlights from Enduring Southern Homes with photography by Evin Krehbiel…
Enduring Southern Homes is available for preorder now through Amazon for release in March, or you can order an autographed copy here. For additional information, please visit www.ericrossinteriors.com and follow @ericrossinteriors on Instagram. You can also read two previous features on Eric Ross by The Glam Pad:
The second annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach opened on Saturday. I drove up from Miami for the day to take a look, and it is truly spectacular! The 2019 Show House is Fountain House, a 10,000 square foot Mediterranean-style home on the Intracoastal Waterway constructed in 2003. You can see the before pictures here and here. The home was transformed by 21 participating designers including Meg Braff, Cindy Rinfret, Lee Ann Thornton, Danielle Rollins, Lee Robinson, and Louise Cronan. Bunny Williams is honorary chair with design chairs Ellie Cullman, Pauline Pitt, and Steele Marcoux.
Below are highlights of some of my favorite rooms. Thank you to Carmel Brantley of Brantley Photography for providing photography. Additional photography was provided by participating designers and a few shots are included from my iPhone… Enjoy!
Design by The Lee W. Robison Company, Photography by Carmel Brantley
Lee Robinson and Kyle Johnson designed the grand staircase as an ode to a garden pavilion, culminated with various plants, fish, flowers, pagodas, insects and a twisting pathway. A wall of moss and succulents was installed by Green Wallscapes up the winding staircase, and live birds chirp merrily in a custom pagoda birdcage. The birds are are named after great classic designers – Elsie (De Wolf), Albert (Hadley), Dorothy (Draper), Sister (Parish), and Mario (Buatta). The wallpaper is Schumacher’s “Garden Pavilion” and Mary McDonald’s “Don’t Fret.” If you love Lee’s work, you can tour his historic home here and here, and you can see more of his work here.
Design by The Lee W. Robison Company, Photography by Carmel BrantleyDesign by The Lee W. Robison Company, Photography by Carmel BrantleyDesign by The Lee W. Robison Company, Photography by Nickolas SargentDesign by The Lee W. Robison Company, Photography by Carmel BrantleyDesign by Cindy Rinfret, Photography by Nickolas Sargent
Cindy Rinfret transformed the soaring entry from dated early-2000s to classic Palm Beach, reminiscent of the great homes from the Mizner era. She brought in custom wallpaper and panels she designed with Nicolette Mayer Collection, and antique Moorish arches. Exquisite lighting, including a 1970s Jansen palm tree chandelier and sculptural chandeliers, perfectly illuminate and define the space. Click here to see another of my favorite Rinfret designs. I am also a fan of Cindy’s books, Classic Greenwich Style and Greenwich Style: Inspired Family Homes.
Design by Cindy Rinfret, Photography from my iPhoneDesign by Cindy Rinfret, Photography from my iPhoneDesign by Cindy Rinfret, Photography by Carmel BrantleyDesign by Lee Ann Thornton, Photography by Nickolas SargentDesign by Lee Ann Thornton, Photography by Nickolas Sargent
I could have stayed in Lee Ann Thornton‘s charming and cozy sitting room all day! The star of the show is the Lisa Fine “Calico Stripe” fabric she used to upholster the furniture, walls, and positively entrancing ceiling… Lee Ann had each stripe mitered and painstakingly pieced together to perfectly fit the ceiling, creating a work of art. Single pattern application is always a resounding yes in my book, and pops of turquoise add a Palm Beach punch of color. Pictures do not do this room justice! To see one of my favorite homes designed by Lee Ann, please click here.
Design by Lee Ann Thornton, Photography by Nickolas SargentDesign by Lee Ann Thornton, Photography courtesy of Lee Ann ThorntonDesign by Lee Ann Thornton, Photography by my iPhoneDesign by Lee Ann Thornton, Photography by my iPhoneDesign by David Scott, Photography by Carmel BrantleyDesign by Billy Ceglia, Photography by Nickolas SargentDesign by Yarn Design Associates, Photography by Carmel BrantleyDesign by Meg Braff, Photography by Nicholas Mele
Meg Braff‘s bedroom design is a Palm Beach Chic ray of sunshine! The room and bathroom are enveloped in Meg’s signature line of fabrics. Lucite chairs from Highland House add a touch of old-school Florida, and the perfectly coordinated closet was styled by Cabana Vintage. I am a huge fan of Meg Braff, and I highly recommend her book The Decorated Home: Living with Style and Joy. You can see more of her work here, here, here, and here. Her photographer, Nick Mele, is known as the new Slim Aarons, and you can read my Q&A with him here.
Design by Meg Braff, Photography by Nicholas MeleDesign by Meg Braff, Photography by Nicholas MeleDesign by Meg Braff, Photography by Nicholas MeleDesign by Meg Braff, Photography by Nicholas MeleDesign by Meg Braff, Photography by Nicholas MeleDesign by Meg Braff, Photography by Nicholas MeleDesign by Louise Cronan, Photography by Carmel Brantley
Louise Cronan designed the perfect Palm Beach loggia. She upholstered the furniture in Tillet Textiles’ iconic Chrysanthemum fabric, which she had made to be indoor/outdoor safe. Tillet Textiles were a favorite of First Lady Jackie Kennedy, and she used lovely Daisy print in her White House bedroom. Also included in the loggia is a darling pillow needlepointed by Louise using a canvas from Lycette of Palm Beach.
Design by Louise Cronan, Photography by Carmel BrantleyDesign by Louise Cronan, Photography by my iPhone Design by Louise Cronan, Photography by my iPhone Design by Louise Cronan, Photography by Nickolas SargentDesign by Danielle Rollins, Photography by Carmel Brantley
Danielle Rollins created a romantic pink room perfect for Palm Beach. She incorporated her own china for a leisurely breakfast in bed, and artwork she created for Wendover Art. The closet features pieces from her own clothing line. I adore Danielle’s style and her book Soiree: Entertaining with Style… Rizzoli will be releasing her second book next year. You can tour her beautiful Atlanta home here.
Design by Danielle Rollins, Photography by Carmel BrantleyDesign by Danielle Rollins, Photography by Carmel BrantleyDesign by Danielle Rollins, Photography by Carmel BrantleyDesign by Danielle Rollins, Photography by Carmel BrantleyMaster Bedroom Design by David Mitchell Brown, Photography by Carmel BrantleyCabana Design by Tina Anastasia, Photography via @kbshowhouseCabana Design by Tina Anastasia, Photography by Carmel BrantleyFountain House
The Palm Beach Show House benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County and the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club in Bronx, New York. Please click here for additional information. On Instagram, you can follow @kbshowhouse and hashtag #kipsbaypalmbeach for updates. And Architectural Digest has an excellent overview of each room from the Show House including a summary of the designer’s inspiration. The Palm Beach Show House is open through February 20.
Sponsors of the Kips Bay Decorator Show House Palm Beach:
Benjamin Moore; Kohler Co.; The Rug Company; Cambria; VERANDA; The Shade Store; Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa; Aston Martin Palm Beach; David Sutherland, Inc.; Ceramic Matrix; Dacor; New York Design Center; Morgan Stanley Wealth Management; Currey and Company; The Grand Tour; Chesneys Fireside; Fabricut; Sean Rush Atelier; The Royal Poinciana Plaza and Susan’s Jewelry.
After admiring Shelley Johnstone‘s elegant work in a friend’s home, the owners of this newly constructed Georgian knew she was the perfect designer to transform their interiors. Shelley worked with the family for over three years to turn their house into a home, incorporating a mix of antiques with new and vintage pieces. The goal was a lived-in feel with pieces from different eras to create a layered effect. “Working this way can take some time,” Shelley told Luxe magazine. “But the house will look great in 20 years.” Let’s take a tour with images from Luxe and additional images from Shelley!
I am a huge fan of Shelley Johnstone’s work, and you can see past features from The Glam Pad below. For additional information, please visit Shelley’s website and follow @shelleyjohnstonedesign on Instagram.
