Dallas is currently one of the fastest-growing cities in America, and inevitably with rapid growth comes change. Last year we saw some of the most beautiful historic homes demolished in the celebrated neighborhood of Highland Park…. an unfortunate pattern Jamie Singer of Crown Control Homes is working to reverse.
“I’m trying to save as many historic homes as I can because a classic, well-constructed house never goes out of style,” Jamie told CandysDirt, a local online real estate publication. “I try to keep the original charm and integrity as much as possible and update the interior to make it visually current.”
Her latest rescue is a 1927 Italian Revival designed by the illustrious architectural firm of Fooshee & Cheek, and located on Beverly Drive. She purchased the home in a private sale after learning the former owner was ready to downsize, but was not willing to sell to a buyer who would tear it down.
Through Crown Control Homes, Jamie has assembled a renovation dream team, and within just three months she had the 3,958-square-foot home updated with every luxury and modern amenity imaginable. Great care was given to retain historic charm, as Jamie kept original details in tact such as door handles, pecky cypress paneling, moldings, leaded glass windows, and railings.
Let’s take a virtual tour through the video below, photography by Costa Christ Media, and historic images.
Historic Images of 4209 Beverly Drive
The neighborhood has been so supportive of Jamie and her efforts. She has been delighted to make friends with many of the past owners who stop by to see the updates and share stories. The following images were provided by Susan Bullock, who’s now husband picked her up from this house on their first date… They now have grandchildren and still live in Highland Park.
Unsurprisingly, there have been nonstop showings of this breathtakingly beautiful and charming home since it went on the market last week! We are thrilled it will continue to grace the neighborhood, hopefully for another century to come.
Jamie also happens to be an old college friend of mine, and ever since I have known her she has been passionately dedicated to giving back to the Dallas community. Her latest endeavor through Crown Control Homes is a tremendous gift indeed! Stay tuned as The Glam Pad will be featuring Jamie in an upcoming Style Profile Q&A where we will peek inside more of her expertly renovated historic homes and learn the secrets of her process!
For additional information, please contact Teffy Jacobs with Allie Beth Allman & Associates. 4209 Beverly Drive is offered at $4.495 million.
If you weren’t able to attend the FLOWER Magazine Atlanta Showhouse last fall, you are in for a treat! The magazine has posted virtual room-by-room guides and insights from the designers, along with photos of every space, design-team video tours, and resources used in each room.
The site for the 2022 Showhouse was a 10,000-square-foot newly built English Regency-style home, located on over two exquisitely landscaped acres in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood. Charlotte Moss served as the Honorary Chair, Suzanne Kasler as the Design Chair, and an additional 21 celebrated designers turned the house into an enchanted oaisis!
This is without a doubt one of the prettiest showhouses we have ever seen. Below is a video overview with interviews from Charlotte Moss, Suzanne Kasler, and FLOWER’s editor-in-chief, Margot Shaw. We are also sharing photography by Emily Followill and links to the video tours of some favorite rooms. So pour yourself a cup of tea, sit back, and enjoy!
Cutting Room, Powder Room, and adjoining West Gallery
Cutting Room, Powder Room, and adjoining West Gallery by Bunny Williams. CLICK HERE for more pictures, details, and resources.
Dining Room
Dining Room by Alexa Hampton. CLICK HERE for more pictures, details, and resources.
Secret Speakeasy, Wine Cellar, and Adjoining Morning Bar
Secret Speakeasy, Wine Cellar, and Adjoining Morning Bar by Corey Damen Jenkins. CLICK HERE for more pictures, details, and resources.
Study, Sitting Room, and En Suite
Study, Sitting Room, and En Suite by Mallory Mathison Glenn. CLICK HERE for more pictures, details, and resources.
Primary Bedroom
Primary Bedroom by Cathy Kincaid. CLICK HERE for more pictures, details, and resources.
Bedroom and En Suite
Bedroom and En Suite by Beth Webb Tristan. CLICK HERE for more pictures, details, and resources.
Gentleman’s Dressing Room and Adjoining Powder Room
Gentleman’s Dressing Room and Adjoining Powder Room by Don Easterling and Nina Nash. CLICK HERE for more pictures, details, and resources.
Screened Porch
Screened Porch by Ashley Whittaker. CLICK HERE for more pictures, details, and resources.
This is such a small taste of FLOWER’s visual feast of a showhouse! To see pictures, video tours, resources, etc. of each of the rooms, please visit FLOWER magazine. They did an incredible job of documenting this glorious event for all of us to enjoy! Thank you, FLOWER!
Welcome to TGP Tidbits where we round up the latest happenings and our musings of the design industry each week. This week we take a look at the 2023 Winter Show, Mary McDonald for Paterson Flynn Martin, and Paris Déco Off. Written by Natalie Aldridge
The Winter Show 2023
January 20th marks the start of the annual Winter Show. In its 69th year, the Winter Show celebrates and showcases première art, antiques, and design exhibited by many of the world’s top experts in the fine and decorative arts. Starting in the 1950s as a benefit for East Side House Settlement, the show has since become the leading antiquities and decorative arts show in the United States.
By Ajay Suresh, New York, NY, Park Avenue Armory.
Taking place in the historic Park Avenue Armory, the show will run from January 20th to January 29th. Throughout the show, the Armory will host lectures and cocktail parties featuring industry leaders such as Suzanne Tucker, interior designer; Emily Adams Bode Aujla, founder of Bode; Michael Diaz-Griffith, author of The New Antiquarians: At Home with Young Collectors; and Mitch Owens, World of Interiors American Editor.
Whether you are in the market for antiquities, an industry patron, or simply seeking inspiration, The Winter Show is not to be missed. Tickets are available HERE.
Mary McDonald for Paterson Flynn Martin
Just off the heels of her latest collection launch with Schumacher, interior designer Mary McDonald has launched her latest collaboration with carpet giant Paterson Flynn Martin. In 2013, Paterson Flynn Martin, an F. Schumacher & Co. company, unveiled their first collection with the renowned designer. Much like her collection with Schumacher, the collaboration has become a mainstay offering superbly reimagined classics in natural materials.
The new collection features three theatrical geometric abaca rugs in multiple sizes and hues designed in a similar vein to her line with Schumacher. Take a look!
Paris Déco Off 2023
Paris Déco Off, otherwise known as “fashion week for the interiors industry”, launched its five-day design spectacular this week. Each January interior designers, decorative arts media, industry craftsmen, vendors, and design enthusiasts come together in Paris for an event that draws more than 40,000 visitors from across the globe.
Approximately 120 showrooms open their doors to showcase their latest collections of fabrics, wallpapers, trimmings, wall coverings, and more. Since the inception of Déco Off, giant lanterns have adorned the main promenades of both the left and right banks for the duration of the showcase. Lighting the way for visitors, each lantern uniquely features a print from a participating fabric house. This year’s Déco Off takes place January 18th to the 22nd.
In January, we predicted the color green will be de rigueur this year, particularly natural hues. Following a cycle of daring colors, natural hued greens will provide relief and a return to a more organic approach to design. While The Glam Pad never recommends following trends, we just so happen to adore green! And you might recall, one of our favorite new releases last year was G: Forever Green by Carlos Mota (book review here).
Today we are revisiting a 125-year-old country home in upstate New York, Black Squirrel Farm, that belongs to Palm Beach-based designer Jack Fhillips. Fhillips loves green so much that his entire farm is decorated exclusively (with the exception of one guest bedroom) in shades ranging from pistachio to sage to mint and bottle-green. The result is is a serene oasis for relaxation that flows seamlessly with its natural surroundings.
Let’s take a look inside with photography provided by Carmel Brantley of Brantley Photography.
Originally a boarding house, the simple shingled structure “was a sad old house, in a way” when Jack purchased it with updates reflecting “the sins of the ‘70s and the bad vibes from the ‘80s,” he said. While renovation was underway, Jack began collecting furniture and accessories. He selected 18th- and 19th-century English furniture to complement the style and period of the house.
While some pieces had a pedigree, others were rescued from the curb or discovered at thrift shops and given a second life with paint and upholstery. “When I see a chipped plate or a dented, dinged piece of furniture, I say, ‘If only you could talk,’ he said. “It means more if it’s not perfect.” The mixing of fine antiques and salvaged finds evokes the “British bits-and-pieces” approach to decorating and gives a house comfortable, welcoming character perfect for a retreat in the country.
Did you notice one room – a guest bedroom – that departs from the green theme? A brown and white Mount Vernon toile inspired Jack to begin collecting George and Martha Washington items, including an antique print of the first President.
Jack Fhillips has offices in Palm Beach and Manhattan. You can learn more by visiting Jack Fhillips Design and follow @jackfhillipsdesign on Instagram for ongoing inspiration. I also recommend following @brantleyphoto for beautiful photography inspiration. To see more of Jack’s work, as featured by The Glam Pad, please click on the links below…
To see much, much more of this gorgeous farmhouse, please click here. This home has also been featured in The Cottage Journal, and additional photography was graciously provided by Carmel Brantley of Brantley Photography.
Earlier this week, The Glam Pad’s Contributing Editor and interior designer, Natalie Aldridge, shared a tour of her chic Upper East Side apartment with Homeworthy. If you missed it, we’ve included the video below… Her style is collected, old world, sophisticated, and whimsical. It is a lovely representation of her personality! Today Natalie is sharing a few of tips for creating your own collected style that showcases the story of your life.
“Home to me is a space where you feel comfortable to express yourself, and be creative, and explore all your fascinations with hobbies and decorating and collecting and anything you want to do,” Natalie told Homeworthy. “I don’t like things in my own life to be too decorated or too planned or too perfect. I like a little bit of quirkiness and found objects… I just like to collect my space and make it feel like something that was found rather than decorated,” she continued.
Natalie loves incorporating estate sale items and antiques into her home, not only because of the quality and uniqueness of the piece, but for the story behind them. “I really like making up a life or a story for someone who previously owned them,” Natalie explained while pointing to an antique mirror she purchased from the estate of a 100-year-old world traveler who lived in Wisconsin. “Obviousy I didn’t know the woman who owned this mirror, but I have this idea of who she might have been, and I love carrying that with me.”
NATALIE’S 10 TIPS FOR CREATING A COLLECTED LOOK
Collect what makes you smile no matter the provenance or cost.
I often find that the term “collecting” is daunting to many. The notion of a collection often conjures an idea of high value, rarity, and exclusivity. The sight of rare first-edition books, watches, or cars may come to mind. It’s time to throw that notion out! If something evokes memories, and creativity, and makes you smile or even laugh, it is worth keeping around.
2. Trust your intuition.
Items of adoration tend to find their homes quite naturally. Trust your gut when acquiring a new item so that it will find its place.
3. Keep it clutter free!
Clutter, or at least the impression of it, instantly degrades a space. The best way to avoid this is to group like items. A lone-standing ashtray or matchbook can seem disparate and even messy. Grouping like items brings intention and drama while eliminating a sense of clutter.
4. Take your time.
Interiors do not come together overnight. Not even in a year. As an interior designer, I find the glossy pages of shelter magazines can be deceiving. A spread in a magazine highlighting the glorious interiors created by a skilled designer can give the impression of a space coming together quickly and seamlessly. The reality is quite the opposite.
Complete interior design projects, from gut renovations to decorating, take years. And that does not account for the years before a designer steps in that a client spent collecting and building their aesthetic preferences.
5. Up-cycle.
Nothing brings me more joy than finding a new life for an old piece of furniture. Many pieces in my apartment are estate sales or second-hand finds that I have refinished, recovered, and restored on my own. This is not for everyone though. Many upholstery shops, local furniture makers, and even some Etsy stores can realize your vision for you.
6. Cherish your family heirlooms.
Cyclically, it seems my generation has an appreciation for heirlooms far over the previous generation. Heirlooms are so important in keeping the story of your family alive for decades to come.
7. Forget the labels.
Labeling the style or period of your home can often stifle the interiors. Items of modernity mix perfectly well with antiquity.
8. Search high and low.
You never know where you may find your next acquisition. I scour estate sales, auction websites, antique shops, markets across the globe, and everywhere in between when I am in search of something for my home. You never know where you will come across your next treasure.
9. Remember your audience.
At the end of the day, the audience of your home is you! A home is not a stage set for good impressions. Home is a reflection of you and it is a space for expression.
10. Have fun!
Do not take yourself or your interiors too seriously. This is supposed to be fun after all.
Welcome to TGP Tidbits where we round up the latest happenings and our musings of the design industry each week. This week we take a look at Mary McDonald’s Latest Collection for Schumacher, Stephanie Sabbe’s new concept store, Heirloom Artifacts, and a peek inside Natalie’s Upper East Side apartment! Written by Natalie Aldridge
Mary McDonald’s Latest Collection for Schumacher
Million Dollar Decorators, the short-lived reality series that covered the drama of interior design, aired on Bravo when I was thirteen years old. The hysterical and glamorous Auntie Mame-esque designer Mary McDonald captivated my attention. Not only was I enamored by her award-winning work, but by the prospect of pursuing a career in interiors.
More than a decade later, Mary McDonald continues to inspire me and my work as an interior designer with her illustrious projects and notable collections with industry giants. One such collection with Schumacher has made waves in the industry. First released 2013, McDonald’s collection with Schumacher redefined classics with a modern edge. Since its initial debut, the collection has grown with additional color ways, trimmings, and prints.
In a much anticipated lead-up, Schumacher has just released an exciting new collection of performance fabrics and trimmings with McDonald. Featuring springy greens, spritely hues of blue, sunny yellows, and dashes of pink, the collection screams outdoor entertaining while still remaining classic. Take a look below and click here to view the whole collection!
We also adore this quick-fire interview with Mary McDonald herself!
Nashville-based interior designer, Stephanie Sabbe, has launched her first ever home goods concept store. Known for her organic approach to traditionalism, Sabbe has forayed her eye for objet into Heirloom Artifacts. The shop offers a selection of artisan textiles, antiquities, and a variety of home accessories, including candle chasers, accent pillows and restored antique chairs, all carefully curated by Sabbe herself.
Aiming to provide a creative space for all, the shop also hosts monthly workshops like chain stitching and still-life painting. The store is located in the Belle Meade neighborhood of Nashville and is surely a hidden gem one mustn’t miss.
TGP x Homeworthy
This week our very own Contributing Editor, Natalie Aldridge, let Homeworthy inside her chic Upper East Side abode. Lover old school glamour, quirky collectibles, and classic interiors, Natalie takes us inside her her 500-square-foot apartment filled with stories and good humor. Stay tuned for a more in-depth look tomorrow on TGP!
We love introducing favorite designers and getting to know them better through our ongoing “Style Profile” Q&A series… Today we are delighted to welcome Anne Hulcher Tollett, Principal and Creative Director of Hanover Avenue, a full-service interior design firm located in Richmond’s historic Fan District. The north star that guides their process is: “Design everything our clients need and want in creative ways they’ve never seen or imagined.”
From high-end residential to boutique commercial, Hanover Avenue uncovers each client’s distinct style while designing spaces they’ve never dreamed possible – beautiful rooms that feel like a perfect reflection of what they love and how they love to live. Whether traditional or modern, Hanover Avenue believes rooms ought to be gracious and beg a person to come inside – comfortable, practical, with enduring style and unexpected moments of personality!
“Good design isn’t just about picking fabrics and finishes,” says Tollett. “It’s about creating a dialogue between every element in a room. I have just as much fun reimagining my client’s existing furniture as I do knocking down walls and designing a new kitchen!”
Welcome, Anne!
Anne Hulcher Tollett (center) with her design team and French Bulldog “Souvenir”
Q: When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in interior design, and what did your career path look like?
A: I know it sounds crazy, but I’m sure I wanted to be an interior designer before I even knew my playtime could be a career! Was I three years old? Four? For as long as I can remember, I was imagining new spaces, studying floor plans, wishing I could move walls or raise a ceiling. Interior Design has always just been my default to boredom…. Stuck in an ugly waiting room? Re-imagine it! Dying in a boring statistics class? Re-design the chairs!
I began studying Interior Design at The University of Georgia, and because my parents decided to have a grizzly divorce right in the middle of that, I found myself taking a break from college and becoming an intern at Sotheby’s (first in New York and then in Los Angeles). In their 20th Century Works of Art Department, I was totally immersed in decorative objects and furnishings. Pure heaven for me! After Sotheby’s, I finished my degree in Painting and Printmaking at VCU – a turn of events that has ended up being the best thing for my design career! Those fine art classes taught me to see spaces as a composition much like a painting or sculpture.
I got married and moved to Austin where I was making art and teaching art lessons, but so much solo studio time made me miss the camaraderie of people and the creativity of interior design. On a whim, I applied to be the in-house designer at Wildflower where I built a loyal client base. Within a year, I started my own firm, and here I am 20 years later, still doing what I love! Now we are a proper atelier of interior designers with experience from around the country and the world. It is a dream. I never take one minute with our fabulous team or our incredible clients for granted!
Q: How do you define your style?
A: Liveable. Well-traveled. Gracious. On trend but never trendy. I like rooms that look like they evolved over time and beckon you to come in to plop down on the sofa. Even the most beautiful fabrics or complicated profiles are meant to be lived in and enjoyed. I like creating spaces that have a soul, a history, a few imperfections, a little “twinkle in the eye”…. Even our most carefully curated rooms never take themselves too seriously. I like rooms with a little humor and a quiet confidence knowing they will stand the test of time in both durability and style.
Q: Who are your favorite designers (past and present)?
A: Bunny Williams is still practicing and at the top of her career, but she is a mentor to so many of us for her deft furniture plans and layering of textiles, light, and antiques. Even if you are a modern designer, it is worth studying Bunny’s furniture plans and color theory. She is a genius at space planning! Beata Heuman is newer in her career, and her use of color, irreverent profiles, and combinations of color is incredible! Her design has an unstudied, effortless quality with a flawless execution. Her spaces have a lighthearted humor that I find so endearing. I am never bored when I see rooms from either of these two amazing designers.
Q: What is the first thing you do when embarking upon a new project?
A: We take time to really get to know our clients…. We ask what they love and how do they love to live? We think about their spaces “today and tomorrow” because we want to ensure the interior design is enduring both aesthetically and practically. We discuss what existing furnishings (if any) have sentimental value so we can be sure to include those in the plan, we take careful measurements, and we make sure we all have our arms around the budget. We have found this approach creates a solid base which fosters client trust, designer confidence, and ultimately, great design.
Q: Over the last two years, how has interior design changed and also the way your clients are living? Are they requesting fewer open concepts, and more home offices, gyms, etc?
A: We haven’t seen much change over the years. Is that weird? Most of our interior design is so carefully tailored to our specific clients that every project ends up being unique. The only real change we have seen in the industry over the last two years is the ridiculous lead times for furniture and the cost increases. We sure do miss 2018!
Q: What are 5 everyday luxuries you could not live without?
A: Is coffee a luxury? I can’t live without morning caffeine, so that’s top of the list. I drink it out of a drip machine we got for a wedding present 20 years ago. I like it to taste like dessert – oink!
Diorissimo perfume by Christian Dior. I have been wearing it since middle school. I basically bathe in it… If they ever stop making this scent, I will short circuit.
This isn’t an everyday luxury, but I am so grateful to have a wonderful housekeeper to clean my house. I have endless respect for full time working moms and dads who come home after long days at the office to scrub a toilet!
Trish McEvoy high volume mascara in jet black. It costs way too much for a dumb tube of mascara, but my Gawwwddddd, is this stuff ever worth it! This magic mascara has no clumps. No smears. No Trashy Lashy!
This one isn’t a luxury for me. It’s a luxury for my funny Frenchie named Souvenir. It’s called Blissful Dog Elbow Butter, and it’s not for his elbows, it’s for his adorable and boopable nose! It keeps him looking glossy, and boogie, and on his A Game when clients visit the studio.
Q: Where do you find inspiration?
A: Oh gosh, this probably sounds so contrived, but so much inspo is found in nature – the color of the sky meeting the sea, the color of orange berries on a green bush, a stormy sky. Entire palettes of rooms can be created from the colors of a peach on a tree. But I am MOST inspired once I meet a new client and begin working on spaces with them. The treasures they have collected over the years, the trips they take, their lifestyle, their hopes and dreams, those are the things that are the true impetus for creativity for my team and me! It’s easy to pull colors and profiles together, but the real thrill comes when we have been so inspired by the family we are designing for that the final result looks like it all just appeared out of thin air – perfectly designed as if by interior design *magic*!
Q: What is your favorite movie house of all time?
A: Ok, ha! I literally had to ask my team what this meant because I thought you meant “movie house” like “cinema”…. I get it now, but there isn’t just one house….! Like a true designer, I love rooms from several!
The upstairs hallway in Meet Joe Black! French Gray walls with INSANELY amazing art. The Rothko up there is BONKERS against those paneled walls.
The kitchen in The Game with its neutral palette and classic finishes. So timeless!
The Family Room from the townhouse in The Undoing. I love the cozy ocher mohair sofa, relaxed art, and inky walls.
Nan Pierce’s Dining Room in Succession is so chic, warm, and classic. There is an understated elegance to the space given the scale of the house, and I love a dining room with a fireplace!
I love the slipcovered furniture against the antiques in the Living Room of the beach house in Something’s Gotta Give! Forgiving fabrics and finishes are so fantastic in rooms with loads of saltwater covered people and pets. And I love that there are plenty of table lamps for reading (builtin bookcases galore!) and end tables to place a drink. An ottoman anchors the room and doubles as a coffee table. It’s such a classic and durable space!
Jules’s Bathroom from The Intern. I’m a sucker for a clawfoot tub, mosaic floors, killer brass fittings, and a shelf built into the wainscotting for bath potions! This room will never go out of style!
And the united team vote for best whole house if we haddddd to pick jusssst one is Anatomy of a Scandal! “Layered, Moody, Chic, Approachable, Timeless, Livable”, says the Hanover Avenue design team!
Q: When you aren’t busy designing, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
A: I should say I mountain climb or sculpt or write short stories, but really, I love to just lounge and hang with my family and friends. Work is so fun that it never feels too much like work, but I do think it’s important for the team and me to step away so we can be recharged. Every night, we all head out of the studio to be home for dinner, and when I get home, my husband and daughters and I will play with the pets, chat about the day, sometimes play spades, sometimes dream of our next family trip, or just watch the news. It’s really laid back during my free time, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Q: Anything else you would like to add?
A: Thank you so much for including us! We love The Glam Pad!
Thank you, Anne, for joining us today and sharing your refreshing and elegant approach to design! For additional information, please visit Hanover Avenue and follow@HanoverAvenue on Instagram for ongoing inspiration.
The new year brings a moment of reflection of the past and anticipation for the year to come. Each January, The Glam Pad often takes this time to speculate and predict the design trends of the new year. While we are ardent proponents of timeless classics and tend to shy from trends, our interiors evolve with time making trends worth evaluating…. particularly when they involve classic styles. There is always room for a balance between the classics and of-the-moment pieces.
Without further ado, here are our top six design trend predictions of 2023.
Nods to the 90s
In a linear fashion we have moved from 1980’s flashy hues and bold prints to the 1990’s quieter counter parts. Nostalgia for the 90s is in full swing after louder interiors reminiscent of 80s opulence have been the domineering trend. One show in particular has helped to usher in the 1990s zeitgeist.
The Crown, now in its fifth season, regularly portrays intimate spaces of notable royal residences including Buckingham Palace and Balmoral. Though, it was not until the latest season, taking place in the late 80s to early 90s, that Princess Diana’s private Kensington Palace quarters had been displayed. Making a departure from the typical royal English environ, her apartment was feminine, but with a casual elegance not often seen. With wallpaper borders, damask prints, and muted hues, her private residence perfectly captured her youthful spirit and relatability.
Between the Grandmillennial movement, “Barbiecore” and the “Coquette” trend, feminine style is here to stay. The color pink is a cheerful and uplifting response to the difficult years we have all experienced, and florals and chintz have made an undeniable comeback… And perhaps there is even a bit of Shabby Chic nostalgia?
Over the last few years, greens of the emerald variety have captured our hearts. From striking lacquered millwork to luxe velvet upholstery, we cannot get enough of green. The good news is – it’s here to stay, but we will begin to see more natural hues. Following a cycle of daring colors, natural hued greens will provide relief and a return to a more organic approach to design.
Just like the phrase coined in 1943 by the British Ministry of Information in the midst of WWII, buying less, repairing more, and getting creative with DIY projects will once again come to the forefront. This trend has already begun to take hold in the fashion industry. Many designer giants, like Coach and Valentino have piloted up-cycling programs to give their products a new life.
With growing climatic and economic concerns, purchasing habits are shifting. Many feel inclined to invest in beautiful goods that will last for generations to come. There is nothing more sustainable or economical in the long term than acquiring goods, and many times antique goods, that will last many lifetimes.
We all need a little whimsy! After the pandemic and other global events, we are ready for some fun. Parting ways with a serious approach to interiors, we will begin to see more irreverent touches filtrate into homes. Whether it be seemly disparate styles, cheeky needlepoint phrases, artwork that makes you do a double take, or mix-matched throw pillows, there is an art to evoking a smile or even a laugh within a space. A dose of kitsch could do us some good!
Welcome to TGP Tidbits where we round up the latest happenings and our musings of the design industry each week. This week we take a look at Linda Rodin’s latest venture, Linda Hopp Denim, the Bridgerton Prequel, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, and Michelle Nussbaumer’s magical Christmas in Gstaad. Written by Natalie Aldridge
Linda Hopp
In 1979 fashion maven Linda Rodin opened the first-ever clothing store in Soho, Manhattan, called Linda Hopp. A smashing success, the store featured her clothing line as well as other designers such as Calvin Klein and Norma Kamali. The store aided in the transformation of SoHo from an industrial district to a refuge for artists and a bustling neighborhood filled with shops.
Dawn Mello, the fashion director of Bergdorf Goodman at the time then gave Linda Hopp an opportunity all fashion designers dream of, an in-store boutique called The Hopp Store. Fast forward to Rodin’s post-Linda Hopp years, she became a successful stylist for 35 years and created the cult-classic beauty line, RODIN olio lusso.
After an incredible career, the style icon has now revamped Linda Hopp name with a trailblazing line of denim. Embodying the true spirit of Rodin herself, the collection juxtaposes clean hems, funky silhouettes, and to die for fabrics. As an ardent wearer of denim, Rodin intends for the collection to be playful and elevated while still being staple pieces. Denim for days!
Take a look. And don’t forget to spot Winky, Rodin’s beloved Poodle.
Calling all Bridgerton fans! In the midst of 2020 when fantasy was deeply needed, hit show Bridgerton came on the scene giving us all that touch of wondrous fictional romance. Based on the Regency romance novels written by Julia Quinn, the Netflix series portrays London high society through a whimsical lens. The story follows the eight siblings of the noble Bridgerton family as they navigate life in search of love, adventure, and finding themselves.
After two successful seasons, Netflix has announced a prequel limited series following the story of Queen Charlotte, the show’s haughty queen at the helm of high society. Entitled Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, the series will shed light on the early lives of some of the more senior characters.
To ring in the New Year, Netflix released a first look at the young Lady Danbury, played by Arsema Thomas. This scene of a deep stare with to impeccable costumier has us clamoring for more!
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, Netflix
Christmas in Gstaad with Michelle Nussbaumer
Interior designer Michelle Nussbaumer is known for her innate ability to create layered environments. Often using an eclectic mix of patterns, antiquities, and new objet, her interiors evoke a story. The AD 100 designer and author of Wanderlust never misses the beat when creating a home made to stand the test of time and trend.
This Christmas, Nussbaumer gave an inside glimpse of Christmas at her family’s cherished chalet in Gstaad, Switzerland. Perched within the alps, the home exudes history and beautiful memories. Each room, much like Nussbaumer’s other properties, is decorated to a tee. She carefully balances the tradition of Swiss homes with her irreverent decorative sensibility, worldly travels, and love of entertaining. Take a peek!
Images courtesy of Michelle Nussbaumer and Mary McDonald.
Last year we toured the beautiful home of Amy-Beth Ellice, British cookery extraordinaire and author of Amy’s Baking Year. We adore Amy-Beth’s timeless classic style, elegant tablescapes and entertaining tips, and of course, her delicious recipes. Amy’s Baking Year journeys through the seasons with delightful treats for all occasions, featuring everything from back-to-basic and traditional classics handed down through generations, to Amy’s own creations that will take your breath away. We were so inspired by the New Year’s Eve dinner party for four she hosted last year, and we are delighted to share highlights… and a few recipes. This looks like the perfect way to ring in the New Year!
The recipe for Amy-Beth’s champagne cocktail can be found here, and her Baked Alaska here. Click here for a tour of her home. You will also want a copy of her book, Amy’s Baking Year (her second book is in the works!) and for daily inspiration, please follow @amybethellice_ on Instagram.
Queen Charlotte: A 
