The Charm of Chinese Chippendale

The Chinese Chippendale-inspired gilt mirror in the dining room at Fox Hall features a pagoda element at the top.

As I commenced the interior design for a pretty place at 100 Worth Avenue, Palm Beach, which has a fabulous ocean view, I was inspired to share my vision with you!  While the ocean view from the living room and dining room is the main event, the dining room is in need of aesthetic character.  Recently renovated, it now has a contemporarily stark white palette.  It is yearning to be beautified with interesting and detailed wood mouldings, and of course, color.  Voila!  I was inspired to design and embellish the dining room with a bespoke Chinese Chippendale motif!

Stuart surprised me with this lovely cabinet for my office. The Chinese Chippendale-inspired pagoda crown and mullion design on the glass door is charming. On the top shelf, I placed mementos from my television episodes: a watercolor of Highclere Castle from Lady Carnarvon, a bottle of Blenheim Palace water, and seashells from my Palm Beach book.

Thomas Chippendale, 1718-1779, the legendary London cabinet maker, wrote a catalogue in 1754, The Gentleman and Cabinet Maker's Director, featuring 160 of his stellar designs. It was the first and most famous reference book of its kind. One recognizable trademark of Chippendale furniture is the ball and claw foot, but there is a world of detail beyond. To this day, his mid-Georgian designs are stunningly divine and continue to be valued and appreciated, proving the essence of his timeless, classical style.

The very first antique that Stuart and I purchased almost 45 years ago in Connecticut. The ball and claw feet are a prototypical example of Chippendale’s design.

Chippendale combined multiple design cultures within his intricate furniture designs. Between his Gothic, Rococo, and Chinese references, it is his Chinese influence of design, aka “Chinoiserie,” that has always captured my attention and heart! From the intricate fretwork found on furniture legs, galleries, and pediments, along with his pagoda enhanced beds and chairs, and delicately designed gilt mirrors, he also utilized his Chinese-inspired design on outdoor gates, fences, and balustrades. These designs hint at bamboo, pagodas, dragons, and even the reference to lineal Chinese characters.

The Chinoiserie-inspired table in our hall has delicate open fretwork, along with a pieced gallery that adorns the upper edge of the table.

Chinese Chippendale motifs continue to be embraced and embody many of the elegant design aspects in Palm Beach. There is an exotic sophistication that is gleaned from the Chinese export trade which took place in the 18 and 19th centuries. Quintessentially, Chinese Chippendale design lends a quiet nod to worldly travel.

In front of The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach is the Hibiscus guest house, where our family stayed during the week preceding our son's wedding! This attractive gate, with its Chinese Chippendale design, greets the guests.

My goal is to create a white, openwork, Chinese Chippendale-designed wall to separate the front door from the dining room, creating a hallway (which is non-existent), while not blocking the magnificent ocean view ahead. The bespoke Chinese Chippendale motif will also enhance the Chinese decorative elements I will specify for both rooms. I will share the final images once designed and completed!  

Chippendale excelled at the delicate, unified dance between form, functionality and beauty; the essence of harmonious, gracious living! 

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Fly Your Flag!

Fox Hall, c.1803, with our American flag blowing majestically in celebration of the 4th of July!

Have you noticed an abundance of American flags being displayed this 4th of July weekend?  After the long year of quarantine Covid days, the Declaration of Independence, celebrated since July 4th, 1776, also complements the freedom we are presently feeling, in part due to the vaccine and the efforts of dedicated health workers worldwide!  Do you agree?

The first American flag was officially adopted by Congress in 1777.  There is no official record to substantiate that Betsy Ross was the first to create it, but she has been attributed to this task.  Evidently, she had a penchant for red, white, and blue.  (If I had designed it, I imagine it would be a pink and green flag… oh dear!)  The 13 stripes originally represented the first 13 colonies, along with 13 stars, and now 50 stars for our states.  

As my husband Stuart hung our flag over the door at Fox Hall, I stopped to savor the sentiments of freedom, along with my gratitude for good health for our family and friends, which also extends to you too. 

American flags line historic Main Street in Farmington, deemed a “scenic mile” by the state of Connecticut. The flags grace our village from Memorial Day until sometime after Labor Day.

As I admire our flag each day, I thought I would share some time-honored flag protocol with you.

Presentation of the American flag:

When a flag is projecting out from a building on a pole, the Union should be at the top of the pole.

When the flag is hung flat, vertically on a wall, window, or door, the Union (the stars) should be to the observer's left.

Marine One, the helicopter for the U.S. President in office, has the American flag depicted correctly with the Union to the left. I know how to fly a helicopter and I have always been terribly impressed with how Marine One lands and takes off so precisely from the White House lawn, a daunting endeavor, especially with the POTUS on board! Photo credit: @svenvanroij.nl

Flag etiquette for when a flag is being hoisted up the flagpole:

Stop talking and stand reverently. If a man is wearing a hat, the hat is removed and held in his hand over his heart.

Spectators not in military uniform should face the flag and place a hand over their hearts.

Military spectators in uniform should render the military salute.  Members of the armed forces and veterans who are present, but not in uniform, may give the military salute.

This week, Stuart and I took a leisurely drive through several charming historic towns on the Connecticut coast, which I highly recommend. The Griswold Inn is one of the oldest continuously operated inns in the United States, opening its doors in 1776! The flag and bunting decorations that adorn its front facade, celebrate Americana splendidly and appropriately!

Forbidden Faux Pas:

No-no:  To use the actual American flag as a decoration, or to cover or carry something on the flag. 

Instead, use what is referred to as a “bunting” as a decoration, with the blue on top, then white, and then red. 

No-no:  To let the flag touch the ground, become dirty, torn, frayed, or to make any marks on it.

When no longer in pristine condition, the flag should be destroyed in a dignified manner. 

No-no:  To use the flag as clothing. 

A flag is to be honored.  As a child of a military officer, this rule was strictly adhered to!  These days, creative interpretations of our flag are reproduced on fabric for clothes, among other things, but one should never use any part of an actual flag in this manner.  The U.S. Flag Code states: 

“No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform.  However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations.  The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.  Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.”

“Near the heart” sums up my thankful sentiments when I behold an American flag flying proudly in the wind.  Flying the American flag, the emblem of our identity as a sovereign nation, honors our great country and those who have served to protect it.  

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How to enhance the comfort of your dinner guests!

The needlepoint canvas, centered in the kidney pillow, features a single monogram “P” representing the owner’s surname, which she lovingly stitched. Gold brush fringe and a small ¼” cord marry the thread colors of the needlepoint to the Scalamandré silk seat upholstery and curtains.

Would you like your guests to linger longer at the dinner table? 

Traditional chairs such as Chippendale, Hepplewhite, and ribbon-back are not meant to support your back.  Many dining room chairs are inherently delicate due to their pieced backs and delicate splats (the exposed portion of the wood design behind your back).  Formally, your back should never touch the back of a chair.  Your parents taught you to sit upright with brilliant posture, along with no elbows on the table, right?!  You know not to lean against the back of an antique or delicately carved chair, because the mere pressure of one’s back, especially a gentleman’s back, is often enough pressure to break the chair back… which I have indeed witnessed!  So, it is thoughtful to have the addition of a “kidney pillow” to enhance the comfort of your dinner guests, and of course, you too!  

Our little dining room, at Petite Fox in Palm Beach, has six George III dining chairs. The kidney pillows add comfort to everyone’s back!

A decorative kidney pillow, despite its name, is actually a rectangular-shaped pillow. It is not shaped like a kidney, mind you! It is there to support your lumbar, but is not as large as a typical lumbar pillow either. A kidney pillow traditionally varies in size, from 18” W x 12” H, up to 22” W x 14” H. Of course, the appropriate size of the pillow will vary to accommodate and flatter the chair size. It can be larger or smaller accordingly, especially when used as a decorative accessory for any chair. Filled with down, they are divinely comfortable.

This is from a page in my book, The Pretty and Proper Living Room, from the chapter: Preppy and Posh Pillows.

At dinner, a kidney pillow offers gracious support to the lower portion of one’s back while seated. Whether a chair is new and sturdy or has a comfortable upholstered back, the addition of a kidney pillow can be a lovely gesture of your attentive thoughtfulness. After all, they look quite pretty too!

The slightly oversized kidney pillow on this chair complements the Chinoiserie design theme at Petite Fox in Palm Beach.

Scully and Scully offers a divine selection of decorative pillows, including charming kidney pillows.

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Rayne still reigns in the 21st Century!

Look closely at the shoebox… it is a gem! It is the most sought-after Rayne shoebox because there were only 3 years when all 3 Royal Warrants could be displayed in this way, 1955, 56, & 57. Around 1928, the iconic yellow shoebox was created about the same time the Art Deco logo was designed by Charles Rayne.

Stylish shoes fit for a queen, and Rayne still reigns! 

Perhaps you know of Rayne London, the distinguished British shoe company for over 136 years?  The regal reign of Rayne has garnered three Royal Warrants from three successive English queens… an extraordinary accomplishment.  I would like to introduce you to Nicholas Rayne, the fourth generation of the brilliantly designed, Italian-made shoes of Rayne London.  Along with the charm of old-world British aristocracy, Rayne London is renowned for its style, glamour, luxury, and heritage. 

An illustrious list of clientele, from several generations of royalty (Princess Diana, Princess Margaret, Princess Anne, The Queen Mother) to leading movie stars (Elizabeth Taylor, Vivien Leigh, Brigitte Bardot), have revered Rayne’s discrete reputation.  There is a quiet panache in their “solely” original shoes!  

With a penchant for pretty shoes, and I know I am not alone, here is my chat with Nicholas Rayne:

“Good shoes take you to good places!”

The Rayne wedding shoes for Princess Elizabeth’s wedding in 1947.

Rayne designed a very famous wedding shoe.  Please tell me more! 

Rayne made the shoes for the then Princess Elizabeth’s wedding in 1947, which was such a joy for the nation at the time after all the sadness of the war years, which ended two years previously.  These sandals were made in off-white British satin to match Norman Hartnell’s dress.  They have wide cuffed ankle-straps fastened in a diamanté buckle on the side, and about a quarter of an inch platform.

“Cinderella is proof that a new pair of shoes can change your life!”

Rayne has a permanent presence at the V&A Museum in London. What Rayne creation are you most proud of?

If I had to choose only one Rayne creation, from the many thousands over many decades, then I think it would have to be the iconic Wedgwood china heel styles. These were first produced by Rayne in 1958 for only two seasons in collaboration with Wedgwood. The original Wedgwood heels were made of real china, in classic Wedgwood colours. (Can you imagine that, ladies!? And, none of the heels ever broke or fell off the shoes!)

Pink is my signature color.  Have you had a client that was fond of pink as well?

We did have one specific long-standing customer who wore hot pink much of the time.  So, we made up many pairs of shoes for her over the years in this specific colour.  The customer in question was the novelist, the late Dame Barbara Cartland, the step-grandmother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

Pink satin shoes from the 50’s.

Did your father, Sir Edward Rayne, share any protocol for shoes?

One should select a shoe that is appropriate for the occasion and also for the length of time that one will be wearing it.  My father did the fashion commentary for the BBC at Royal Ascot a couple of days each year for about 15 years from the mid-1970s. He went every day during Royal Ascot, as did the rest of my family.  He often, privately (though never publicly on air), pointed out ladies who were wearing shoes that were totally impractical at an outdoor event! In essence, maintain decorum and wear beautiful shoes that go with your outfit and ones you can wear all day in comfort to enjoy the glorious atmosphere and spectacle too.

Are there any faux pas that you know of that ladies may want to be aware of?

Try not to wear stiletto heels anywhere which has wooden flooring!!!  You will not be popular with your hosts once you have gone home.

“It is impolite to stare, unless of course, it is a gorgeous pair of shoes!”

Were your parent's sticklers for proper manners?

Both my parents were sticklers for good manners when my brother and I were in company with adults.  “Elbows off the table!!”  I remember that well as a child.  Also “Sit still,” “Don’t interrupt an adult” and ”Don’t point,” etc.  I suppose that this has left its imprint on me in later years.  I was educated at Harrow School, which was Winston Churchill’s old school.  In those days, the school was very strict on manners like standing up when an adult entered the room (I, too, am an advocate for this courtesy, which seems to have disappeared. Shall we bring it back?!).  My college at Oxford, “New College,” has a motto which is appropriate here!  “Manners Maketh Man.”  (Oh, I like that, another MMM!)

How do you decide what the colors and styles are for your creations each year? 

My wife, Lulu, coordinates the designs in Italy.  She is half Italian, but her English side gives her another perspective too, which adds to styling with a special British twist. 

The book, Rayne, Shoes for the Stars, is filled with lovely images and fascinating history. Ohhhh, a pink party is in my future. I cannot wait to wear these dazzling pink patent creations! Now that you have been introduced to Rayne shoes too, come join me!

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How pretty porcelain can enhance your artwork!

The blue tonality on the top pair of Chinese ginger jars corresponds to a similar color of blue displayed in the painting, by American artist, Margot Stewart. The taller pair of Chinese vases harmonizes colorwise with the colors in the room.

Porcelain plates, vases, cachepots, and figurines add a lovely dimension to walls, shelves, and tabletops.  Porcelain of varying colors, shapes, and sizes can enhance the character of the room where it is placed, as well as the artwork that it is near. The luminous glaze of porcelain gently reflects the lighting in a room, adding an indistinguishable touch of glamour.  A living room or dining room that lacks porcelain accent pieces inevitably appears to be missing that “certain something,” and can emerge as rawwther mundane or flat.  Porcelain and art, when paired well together, can create a symphony of perceptible bliss for any room.

When porcelain pieces are chosen to complement a piece of art with specific colors in mind, the porcelain then becomes part of the overall composition.  I like to conjure that artwork visually extends rays of intrigue toward a nearby piece of porcelain.  Thus, the entire composition expands and is enhanced for the viewers’ pleasure.  Always buy what you love, but keep a color scheme in mind too!

My favorite piece of artwork at my beloved Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, Connecticut is Jockeys (1886) by Edgar Degas.  It is hung over the dining room mantlepiece, which is graced with the Pope Family collection of celadon porcelain pieces, made during the Song (960-1279) and Ming (1368-1644) Dynasties.  The pastel artwork has hung in this location since 1901.  It is believed that the mantlepiece was designed specifically to feature both the artwork and the celadon pieces.  This composition is the perfect illustration of what I am referring to!  The harmony between the various shades of green in the pastel drawing and the soft green of the celadon porcelain is a perfect example of art complementing art.  

In summary, consider collecting porcelain with the colors of your artwork in mind, and the colors of your room too.  Your porcelain will then meld brilliantly and enhance the overall visual aesthetic of the space! 

Porcelain has a most captivating history.  An entire chapter in my book, The Pretty and Proper Living Room, is dedicated to this topic.   

Surrounding art with porcelain plates also adds interest to the subject matter. The blue sweater on our son, Stuart III (accompanied by his dog, Higgins) complements the blue and white porcelain, and blue and white color theme, in our kitchen sitting room.

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How you can use mirrors to enhance your interiors!

Double the delight and visual pleasure with a mirrored wall! In my book, Pearls of Palm Beach, the Irish House chapter opens with this stunning view of the regally designed front hall. The mirrored wall heightens the experience for guests to admire the elegant painting of The State Ballroom, Dublin Castle, c. 1845 by F. J. Davis. It serves as a stellar introduction and sets the scene for one of the largest privately-owned collections of Irish Art, which is featured throughout the house.

Mirrors can bring the outside in and can also be used for a myriad of creative applications!  They can add sparkle to any space, especially when the mirror reflects candlelight and chandelier light.  I was inspired to share just a few more design ideas with you on how mirrors can be used to enhance your interiors.

A thoughtful subscriber from North Carolina wrote to tell me about her mirrored dining room ceiling, and how her guests love seeing the reflection of the crystal chandelier lights, along with the candlelight on the dining room table.  Think about mirroring your ceiling in the dining room as an alternative to simply painting it!

In my Palm Beach book, the elegant Irish House chapter also features a mirrored ceiling which amplifies the beauty of the rich cerulean-blue hallway, adding to its sophistication and intrigue.

Small spaces can grow exponentially with the addition of a mirrored wall.  Because Fox Hall was built in 1803, bathrooms did not exist, so a small area of the Master Bedroom was portioned off to create a bathroom.  When we renovated, I had the “sink and cabinet wall” mirrored, floor to ceiling.  Even though it appears that we have “two loos,” due to the reflection, it does indeed make a marvelous difference visually to enhance the diminutive space.  A mirrored wall will also serve as a wardrobe mirror, for ladies and gentlemen, to look over one’s attire while in the powder room.

Every time I visit Paris, I discover and am enchanted by examples of artwork hung on top of mirrors.  This technique gives depth to both the art and the mirror.  Consider hanging a piece of art on top of a decorative mirror, or on a mirrored wall.

The divine L’Espadon dining room at the Ritz Paris Hotel features these three splendidly grand mirrored areas, each with artwork. The curtains add to the drama, as it appears the artwork is floating in the window. Photo credit: @ritzparis

Another unique idea is to hang a decorative mirror atop a mirrored wall, which serves as a quiet illusion of depth, adding to the richness of the mirrored wall.

How pleased I was to find, purchase, and hang an antique Venetian mirror on top of the mirrored wall in our bathroom at Petite Fox, Palm Beach. There are actually two Venetian mirrors in our bathroom, each over a mirrored wall.

Also, add a mirrored backsplash behind your shelves over a bar, giving additional sparkle to your crystal glasses. 

Consider applying a trellis-work design over a mirrored wall as we did in our dining room in Petite Fox, Palm Beach.

Instead of using glass panes on a door, consider using mirrored panes. This gives a magical and glamorous aesthetic. I did this for my wardrobe closet in my dressing room at Fox Hall in Farmington, CT.

One of the salons at the Ritz Hotel, Place Vendome, in Paris, features mirrored doors. This technique is quite prevalent in the elegantly appointed interiors. Photo credit: @ritzparis

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Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who has the prettiest room of all?!

In the living room at Fox Hall, the mid-eighteenth-century English bull’s eye mirror is hung over the mantelpiece. The “hippocam” that crowns the mirror is a subtle reference to my passion for horses!

A pretty mirror can be the best “bang for your buck” to decorate a wall!  The cost of a mirror quite often is only a fraction of what a painting may cost.  Mummy instilled in me never to buy reproduction art.  It’s always better to purchase a lovely mirror than inferior artwork.  The artwork you choose to present on your walls provides a window into your interests and tastes.  Like “books by the yard,” reproduction artwork is little more than a soulless placeholder on your walls.

In my first book, The Pretty and Proper Living Room, the chapter, “Magnificent Mirrors and Wall Art,” suggests that mirrors have the unique ability to enhance the design of your interiors, whether reflecting the flicker of a candle or the smiles of your guests.  Mirrors are similar to a living painting, one that is always reflecting the current state of your room, the outside view, or simply capturing the life of any moment! 

A mirror, referred to as a “looking glass” in England, has been used historically as a means to increase the daylight or candlelight in a room before there was electricity.  Mirrors are now hung as the eye-catching focal point on a wall.  An ornate gilded frame is the artwork!  When selecting a mirror, ensure that the frame complements the furniture and architecture of the room.  Formal surroundings deserve formal mirrors.  Hepplewhite, Chippendale, and Adam-esque mirrors continue to reign supreme in classically tailored interiors.  While an antique mirror is preferable, especially with a well-earned patina on the glass, reproduction mirrors can be divinely elegant too. Tantamount to a collection of pretty shoes or pearls, I  believe that one can never have too many mirrors!

This page is from The Pretty and Proper Living Room and it features the mirror in my office which is over the mantelpiece. It was the first mirror that Stuart and I ever bought. We thought it was an antique because we purchased it in an antique store on Cape Cod. When we went to hang it, we discovered underneath the backside paper that it was a new reproduction- lesson learned, but we still love it!

Grandmillennial Tip:

There can be more than one mirror in a room.  Consider creating a design theme in a room around a collection of mirrors, and have fun with them!

When hanging a mirror over a fireplace mantelpiece, decide what you intend to display on the mantel first, and then hang the mirror up far enough so that the decorative piece on the mantel does not completely disguise the details on the bottom of the mirror frame. 

Place a sculpture in front of a mirror, so that one can appreciate the back of the sculpture in the reflection of the mirror… double the enjoyment!

Candlelight in front of a mirror is a decadent doubling of what I consider “romantic” lighting.  When placing a mirror over a sofa, bring the mirror up far enough so that when someone is seated, and their head accidentally tilts backward during a good belly laugh, their head will only strike the wood frame, not the glass portion, which could crack or break.

Forbidden Faux Pas:

No-no: To resilver or replace the looking glass on an old mirror.  

Imperfections are part of the charm of an antique mirror.  Embrace the distorted look.  The soft-focus created on the mirror from years of use may give you a reflection from the fountain of youth!  (Another reason why an antique mirror is well-received by guests when they visit your powder room!) 

No-no: To spray cleaners directly on the front of the mirror.  

Instead, spray a soft cloth with the cleaning solution.  Then, gently wipe the front surface of the mirror.  Water and liquids can drip into the frame and begin to disintegrate the silver coating on the back.

No-no: To vacuum the back of a mirror or dust it vigorously.  

The suction of the vacuum, or the action of abusive dusting, will challenge the integrity of the backing paint which protects the silver layer.

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How to dress your “firebox” for summer

A Palm Beach residence, designed by Les Ensembliers Studios, integrates a Buddha statue in the firebox, which serves to complement the other Asian-inspired decorative accessories in the living room.
Photo Source: cdn.designrulz.com via Pinterest

A fireplace has always been, and will always be, the focal point for any room.  

With the summer months upon us in New England, our wardrobes are now changing, an abundance of sunlight is beginning to grace our rooms, sealed windows are sprung open for fresh air, and the whisper of spring cleaning calls to us (in a very faint voice, that is!).  Spring is also a brilliant time to take notice of spaces that have been overlooked or ignored; the discounted areas that could use some sprucing up, too! 

Case in point: while I was admiring how the lilac arrangement on our master bedroom mantelpiece complimented the floral design on Mummy’s Meissen vase, I suddenly noticed a neglected space that I have overlooked as if it were invisible!  The dark, blackened firebox space under the mantel appeared forlorn, begging for attention.  (The “firebox” is the space where the fire is actually built.)  Other than the brass andirons, fire tools, and fender, it pleaded… dress me up!  During the summer months, or when a fireplace is unused or non-working, the firebox space is another piece of unused real estate (space) available to decorate. 

How to make a firebox more visually appealing?  Of course, there is the traditional decorative brass or glass firescreen, which can be a permanent decorative cover for your firebox, but try to think outside of the box for something more unique.  Go shopping in your house, go antiquing, or go to an auction and get creative! 

I went looking around Fox Hall and spied a rather large Spode blue and white porcelain pitcher.  I thought… what if I placed a fairly large leafy plant in it, or better yet, surrounded it with a medley of other blue and white tall vases?  The space would surely be more attractive.  But then I passed by a 4-panel Asian screen made up of gilded temple carvings, which Mummy had designed for a wall when we lived in Taiwan.  I scurried down from the Ballroom with it. When I placed it in front of the firebox, I loved how it melded well with the overall design aesthetics of the room.  Voila, one “firebox dressing-up” was completed!

In our master bedroom at Fox Hall, c.1803, the firebox now has a newly appointed accessory. My husband is a voracious reader, hence stacks of books flourish and multiply on every surface. The portrait was done in Taipei, Taiwan, by Herbert Fung when I was 10, along with my Pekingese puppy, Mischief. I think he forgot that I had blondish hair, but he did transform my ‘Best & Company’ smocked dress from green plaid into the soft blue that Mummy requested!

Here is a sampling of more items that may inspire you to enhance your firebox with a creative composition, either for the summer season or long term:

~a sculpture

~a  large plant or a medley of plants (orchids tend to survive in the shade)

~a collection of porcelains in various heights and sizes

~a decorative folded-paper fan (remember those in the ’80s and ‘90s?)

~a medley of candles or candlesticks

~a Chinese paneled screen

~a needlepoint or antique embroidered firescreen

~a Chinese ceramic garden stool

~a ceramic animal or pair of large Foo Dogs

~a stack of large coffee table books on a stand

~a large decorative tray on a stand

~ a punchbowl, soup tureen, or large copper pot filled with a plant

Well, I doubt my Miss Zsa Zsa would choose this space as a luxurious retreat choice, but an unused firebox can indeed, as shown here, become a distinctive doggie den! 
Photo source: reliable-remodeler.com

Grandmillennial Tip:

Scully and Scully has a very clever collection of decorative firebox Trompe l'oeil options that are darling, especially for a summer house!  I was given the fox for our carriage house, Little Fox, and adore him!  Look at the Lily of the Valley, the leopards, the King Charles Spaniel, and the orange topiary tree... endless options. These will add a touch of whimsy to your fireplace!

Forbidden Faux Pas:

No-no: To keep those dated, pull “black mesh-chain curtains.”  These were once a standard fixture that was attached to the face of the firebox to protect embers from jumping out of the firebox into the room.  Remove the two mesh curtains and use an attractive firescreen instead.

One more thing…. 

Thank you for your thoughtful responses to my last inquiry about what topics you enjoy most about MMM.  Looks like interviews lost out. Interior design, fashion, and manners won hands down! 

Here is another question for you:  ideas on how to inspire even more international subscribers?  Please, let me know: Holly@hollyholden.com. 

XX Holly

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Decorating ideas for under a table!

Symmetry is always music for the eyes! Not only are decorative porcelains presented on top of this lovely English hall console table, but they are further enhanced by the display of additional porcelains, which features a pair of blue vases and a handsome antique Georgian cellarette (wine holder) in the center. A vision of divine loveliness!

Photo Source: whimsicalhomeandgarden.com via Pinterest

Learning from ‘the best of the best’ has always been an inspiring goal, and one that I advocate and strive to promote.  For my public television series, my goal was to show masterpiece, privately owned houses.  Similar to visiting a prestigious art museum or touring a notable palace, the time-honored decorative techniques and nuances you glean from the experience may serve to enhance your ability to decipher the difference between an innocuous designed interior, which is bland and trendy-trite, and/or a timelessly elegant interior, which is charming, inviting and memorable.  Do you too agree that developing a keen eye for details enriches your understanding of what contributes to excellence?

As an advocate of buying in pairs for balance and symmetry, this vignette has it all!  The pair of Chinese blue and white garden stools, perfectly placed underneath the attractive English table, can easily be used for extra seating too.  

Photo source: Lusterineterors via Pinterest

Vignette designed by Rosa Bernal

One decorative element I discerned while filming an episode with Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill inside the Private Apartments at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England, left an indelible impression on me: utilize the unused real estate (space) under a piece of furniture!  

If you watch the Blenheim Palace episode, you will discover a prime example of the technique of displaying decorative items underneath a piece of furniture.  At the end of a long hallway (and there are many!), an elegant console table features a collection of blue and white porcelain, and below it, three large blue and white vases grace the floor and serve to enhance the vignette visually.  The cherry on top?  A grand portrait by Paul Cesar Hellau of Consuelo Vanderbilt, the Duchess of Marlborough, married to the 9th Duke, hangs above the table.  The soft blue hues in her dress complement the blue and white porcelain collection.  The entire visual, floor to almost ceiling, just sings ‘perfection’ to me! 

Look around your house for some unused real estate under a table, console, sideboard, or highboy, and be encouraged to implement a decorative piece there! Here are a few decorative suggestions to inspire you.

• a bust, statue, or sculpture

• a Chinese porcelain footbath

• a cachepot filled with plants or flowers

• a stack of large coffee-table books

• an ottoman, bench, or pair of benches, used for extra seating as needed

• a cellarette, wooden wine holder

• a collection of vases (blue and white or yellow)

• Chinese garden stools (blue and white or rose)

In the hall, outside of our Hunt Room at Fox Hall, a bronze sculpture decided to trot underneath the antique American card table to join the horse painting above, by Edwin M. Fox.

Grandmillennial Tip:

If you have small children, or a rambunctious dog, heavy sculptures, benches, and books work well as decorative elements on the floor, in place of porcelain pieces, which can easily be tipped over and break!

One more thing…. 

Previous topics have alternated between manners that matter, classic interior design, and interviews with notably accomplished people.  I am curious... which topics do you prefer?  Kindly respond to holly@hollyholden.com.  As always, I cherish your suggestions and ideas!  Thank you for inspiring a new friend to subscribe.

XX Holly

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How to properly indicate R.s.v.p. on an invitation.

Two appropriate forms of requesting an acknowledgment are displayed on these invitations, both of which bring to mind fond memories of joyous celebrations!

Longing to send out an invitation and host a little party again? Hosting a party is now coming to fruition after the seemingly endless Covid quarantine. Having recently attended several outdoor receptions in Palm Beach, with guests vaccinated and serving staff masked, an important invitation detail came to mind to share with you!

When composing an invitation with an acknowledgment request, do you know which side of an invitation the R.s.v.p. (French for “Respondez s’il vous plait”) is placed? Is it on the lower-right corner, or... the lower-left corner?

It is placed on the lower-left corner of the invitation!

Respondez s’il vous plait may be written as R.s.v.p. with a capital R and a lowercase s.v.p. The other form is R.S.V.P. in capital letters. The preferred form, and the one I use, is R.s.v.p. It is what Mummy taught me.

“The favour of reply is requested” is another proper acknowledgment request. I use this on my formal invitations, as it relays a touch of old-world charm and formality to the occasion.

I chose this phrase for my wedding reception invitation because the British spelling of “Favour” reminded me of my beloved English father.

Even though this is a formal invitation, it was sent to dear friends who celebrate the same Aries birthday with my husband, whom we now refer to as ‘The Rambunctious Rams,’ and hence, the wording was meant to be amusing!

And, yes, it is appropriate to use the phrase “Regrets only,” along with a phone number, email address, or both, but it is considered less formal than using R.s.v.p.

When including a phone number, email address, or both,  it is preferable to have it indicated underneath the R.s.v.p., on a separate line if space allows.

Grandmillennial Tip:
The “dress attire” is placed on the lower-right corner of an invitation, and is always included on a formal invitation. I remember this by thinking: dress right!

Forbidden Faux Pas: 
No-no: To not respond as soon as possible, at least within 2 or 3 days upon receiving an invitation requesting an R.s.v.p. acknowledgment. 

No-no: When a formal invitation is sent and does not have a response card enclosed, it is expected that you will respond on your own writing paper, in third person (Mrs. R. Stuart Holden, Jr. accepts with pleasure the kind invitation of…).  If a response card is not included, it is a no-no to phone or email your response, even if you know them well.

Note the selective wording on the lower-left corner indicated for this stately, fundraising luncheon. An acknowledgment request card accompanied the invitation.

*Correction: Rachel Trevor-Morgan, the magnificent milliner in London with a Royal Warrant is located at 20 Crown Passage.

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Hats fit for a Queen: Part II

Rachel Trevor-Morgan’s atelier has been at 20 Crown Passage in St. James’s, London, for over 25 years.

Rachel Trevor-Morgan is a renowned British milliner, who has held a Royal Warrant since 2014 from Her Majesty the Queen, who has worn her creations on many high-profile occasions since.  Personally, I adore wearing hats and found both Parts I and II of my interview with Rachel to be delightfully informative!  Part I, which was featured last week, discussed several fascinating nuances of hat-making, while Part II of my interview below, touches upon the traditions and protocol in reference to hats.   

*Please note that the U.K.spelling within Rachel’s answers may be different than our American spelling

~What protocol and traditions should one be aware of in reference to wearing a hat? 

To be honest, whilst there were many hat ‘rules’ in the past, things are a little more relaxed these days.  Here in the UK, there are events where hats are required, and in certain circumstances, certain size hats are required.  I am of course talking about the Royal Enclosure at Royal Ascot where the dimension of a hat must be no less than 10cm.  Hats are also required for Royal Garden parties.

~How do you decide what side of a lady's face a hat should be tilted?

Traditionally hats always tilt the same way. The brim of a hat always dips over the wearer’s right eye and lifts over the left. This is how we always make them.  A smaller pillbox hat is worn over the wearer’s right eye and we always design them that way, but do occasionally make them the other way at the client’s request. 

This is such a pretty, pink tulle bell hat with hand-made roses (R2192) from the Spring-Summer 2021 collection. The design hints at vintage Dior hats and is constructed with wire to give its bell shape and covered with tulle for an airy and light feel. The hat is fitted on a headband to give it the illusion that it is defying gravity.

~Which side of a hat is trimmed for a woman, and for a man?  

Traditionally a gentleman’s hat is trimmed on the wearer’s left, and a lady’s hat would more often be trimmed on the wearer’s right.

 ~What time of day should a hat be removed?

If you have gone to the effort of commissioning a beautiful hat for an event, you want to keep it on for as long as possible!  Having said that, of course, you would want to be respectful to your host and follow their lead.

~Was your mother or father a stickler for manners? 

I did come from quite a formal background.  My father was the vicar and as such we were in the centre of the community; he expected good behaviour!  We always ate together in the dining room.  Table manners are so important and are certainly something I notice.  I have hopefully passed this on to my children.

~Tell us about your bespoke creations for the American market (OH JOY!),  and how one would order a hat from you? 

We have many styles on our website, some in the shop, and many more on our collection pages.  We invite clients to contact us with their requirements ideally via email.  We have a lot of private clients in America, and I am very keen to expand that.  Modern technology makes this so easy now.  We can then work with them on a particular order or special commission.  We can give style advice and, if we have fabric samples, we can colour match to a particular outfit.  Distance has not proven to be a problem; with communication, we can get it right! 

---

CORRECTION:

My sincerest apologies! Last week's MMM featured an incorrect photo/ caption. Below is the corrected information.

A coral, fine-straw hat with hand-made silk roses and buds. This is a shallow crown hat so it is fitted with an elastic for extra security and can be made in any color to complement an outfit. The reference number is R2193.

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Bespoke hats fit for a Queen!

Queen Elizabeth II is wearing one of Rachel Trevor- Morgan’s millinery creations for the first time! Isn’t it divine?! Her Majesty is accompanied by David Brewer, Lord Mayor of London, as she is leaving St. Paul’s Cathedral following a Service of Thanksgiving to mark her 80th birthday on June 15, 2006, in London, England.

“Hats off” to Rachel Trevor-Morgan, the esteemed British milliner, who in 2014 was granted a Royal Warrant from Her Majesty The Queen.  Her impressive, bespoke hats have garnered respect and admiration internationally.  Her stunning millinery creations have a dedicated following from a distinguished arena of clientele.  What an honor it was to interview Rachel! She is now creating her divine bespoke creations for an American audience too.  Derby anyone?!  

(*Please note that the U.K.spelling within Rachel’s answers may be different than our American spelling.)

~When did you know that you wanted to be a designer?

I have always loved creating. At first, I wanted to become an actress and go into the theatre, which led me to thoughts of designing costumes, but somehow I ended up in millinery.  My mother always wore hats to church on Sundays.  She was well known for them.  I think this must have had an influence. 

~Do you have a particular creation that you are most proud of? (Along with your Royal Warrant appointment!) 

Without a doubt, the first hat I made for Her Majesty stands out as one I am most proud of.  It was for her 80th birthday service at St Paul’s Cathedral.  I knew that the hat was for this very special service but I still couldn’t quite believe that she would actually be wearing it until I saw her step out of the carriage!

~Who are your role models? 

I trained with a wonderful milliner called Graham Smith.  He had a great influence on me. Not only was he a superb designer but he was also a grafter and rather understated in his own way.  I have huge admiration for him.  He understood what his clients wanted, and his design ‘handwriting’ was always elegant and perfectly crafted.

 ~Where do you draw your inspiration from?  

I adore the 1940s and ‘50s, the golden age of couture and Hollywood glamour.  I draw great inspiration from old films and books.  At Rachel Trevor-Morgan, we are well known for our handmade flowers and I definitely draw inspiration from beautiful plants and foliage.  In truth, inspiration can come from the most unexpected places such as a beautiful architectural shape or an old painting.

A coral, fine-straw hat with hand-made silk roses and buds. This is a shallow crown hat so it is fitted with an elastic for extra security and can be made in any color to complement an outfit. The reference number is R2173.

~Your creations are enchantingly divine; how do you decide the style for a client?

This year marks my 30 years in business.  Over that time, I have built up some knowledge about what suits different people, which I think perhaps only comes with so many years in the business.  It is so important to listen to your clients and to try and get to know them in order to find out something of their character and their requirements.  That way you can have a better understanding of what will work for them.  I think for me, a lot is instinctive.

 ~When designing a hat to complement a dress, do you have the dress on-site in your atelier, and how do you consider the venue in which it will be worn?

Most clients will bring their dress with them to an appointment, or at least they will have their design and fabric swatches.  I will consider what style might work with the styling and print.  If it is busy, then ideally you would want to keep to a simple silhouette for the hat, but a simple dress would allow for a more extravagant hat. I invite my clients to try on a lot of different styles so that I can see what works.  It is important to consider what event it is being worn for and the venue.  A cathedral wedding?  A village church?  It is important to get the balance right.  You would not want to turn up to a Royal Garden party looking like you were attending Royal Ascot. 

~Have you ever attended a wedding, or a function, where you designed the hats for some of the attendees?!  How was that experience? 

Yes, it is the biggest thrill.  Attending Royal Ascot is where I see the most hats.  It is such fun looking out for our designs and I always feel very proud to see them in action.  Royal Ascot is the peak of our season and we have always been working all hours to get everything finished.  It is such a wonderful reward to see the finished results being worn and looking fabulous! 

~Do you have a favorite color? (My signature color is pink!)  

I definitely have my favourite colours that often turn up each season.  Probably more palettes than individual colours.  I am very particular about colour and what shades I use.  I normally do the dying myself in order to get the exact shade I am looking for.  If I make a hat in a colour I don’t like, it normally doesn’t sell!  I love dusty pinks, hot pinks, aubergine, reds, and greens… to name but a few!

Rachel Trevor-Morgan is known for their flowers which are dyed, cut, rolled, and hand-tooled in-house. They are made out of silk, felt, or straw with their flower-making tools, which are heated before using to give the flowers and petals their shape.

~How long is your creative process from generating designs to actual production? 

It is actually very quick once I get going.  Starting a collection can be very daunting but once the ideas start flowing, I often find it difficult to stop!

~What helps you get into a state of creativity?

 Urgency!  I need deadlines.  

~What are your thoughts on the future of hats? Are they so deeply embedded in British culture that they are here to stay? Why have they endured for so long in the UK?

I believe hats are here to stay.  Hat wearing has always had its ups and downs.  Back in the 1950s, here in the UK, everyone wore hats all of the time.  In the decades since, we have of course lost that formality but there is something about wearing a hat that cannot be replaced. There is a sense of drama and mystery.  You can stand out, hide, become someone else… be who you want to be! 

The navy petal Charlene (R2163) is reminiscent of vintage Dior shapes and is incredibly flattering and feminine. It is fitted on a headband which means that it slides into place and perches on the wearer’s right side, almost like a peek-a-boo effect.

~What are your thoughts on gloves matching your hats? 

I really don’t think there are rules on this.  Stand back and consider your whole look.  What works?  What looks elegant?

~Do you ever repurpose a hat? 

For another event?  Yes, absolutely! I  can think of nothing sadder than a beautiful hat that is designed for a special event being put away and never worn again.

~I am curious as to what people are buying, how it has changed, and how that is translating into what you are designing presently during Covid? 

Covid has certainly been devastating to the British Hat Trade. We are largely events-based so without the British ‘Season’ there weren’t many hats worn.  Recognizing this has made us approach business differently over the last 12 months.  One result was the launch of our new ready-to-wear collection ‘Ella’ (after my daughter).  It is a range of more casual hats and fun embellished berets that have been a huge success.  We are planning a summer season of panamas and bright straws.

Next week, I am thrilled to share Part II of my interview with Rachel.  We discuss the traditions and protocol of wearing a hat.  For example, you’ll learn which side of a lady's face a hat typically slants towards! 

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How to Dress-Up Your Lamps!

Furnishing our pied-a-terre in Palm Beach, “Petite Fox,” has been such a delight. It was love at first sight when I spied two pink and blue, antique French vases, transformed into lamps, while Stuart and I were attending a viewing at Hindman Auctions in West Palm Beach. The bespoke, delicately pleated, pink and white silk lampshades are beyond divine, and just had to come home to our "Holly-pink" living room!

Lovely light brings any room to life!  Lighting is a key component of a room’s ambiance.  Creating a soft, warm glow is the ideal way to establish a welcoming environment in any room.  A light that is too bright or intense serves only as a deterrent to your guests, reminding them of a place that is not that inviting, such as an operating room or a police interrogation room!  I shy away from the seat that is near a brightly lit lamp as the harsh shadows are not becoming to anyone… wouldn’t you agree?! 

Lampshades serve to attractively conceal the lamp’s electrical hardware and shield one’s eyes from the brightness of the bulb.  They add a touch of elegant enchantment.  They can also be clever and whimsical.  Like a stunning sunset, soft pools of light created with smartly appointed lampshades offer an ambiance that serves to subtly captivate your guests.

The lampshade is adorned with a darling pink, pearl-drop glass trim, applied along the bottom edge. The light reflects through the glass, adding a lilliputian touch of glam!

A stately lamp is a composition of individual elements, but I feel that the most important element contributing to the overall aesthetic of a lamp is a well-proportioned, detailed lampshade.  It adds beauty and majesty to a room.  I like to think of a proper lampshade as the lamp’s crown! 

In my first book, The Pretty and Proper Living Room, a chapter is dedicated to lamps and lampshades, featured on pages 286 - 289.  There are samples of the various nuances and details that will contribute to the overall design of a lampshade and complement the room and space.  

Here are a few aspects that you will want to consider when designing a bespoke shade: 

• The shade fabric and color: silk, linen, chintz, woven ribbons, string, paper, parchment, etc.

• The shade fabric design: pleated, ruched, smocked, etc.

• The shade lining: fabric type and color

• The shade size and shape

• The decorative trim: fringe, ribbon, tape, gimp, cord, pleated silk, etc.

• The style and size of the finial, which graces the top of the shade

Taken from a page from my first book, the chapter about custom lampshades offers a glimpse at decorative options to consider when designing a lampshade.

I have seen the most divine lampshade creations in England and France.  How does one find a lampshade designer in the USA? 

• Search for lampshade designer or custom lampshades.

• Call a “to-the-trade” design center and ask for a recommendation.

• Attend a top-tier Showhouse and ask a designer for their sources for custom lampshades.

• I prefer to be in person versus ordering online, to discuss the design, with my lamp in hand, enabling the experts to guide my vision! I have used Blanche Field, my premier source, located in the Boston Design Center, and also at the D&D in NYC.

• This Architectural Digest article shows some bespoke examples to inspire you.

It is true, an elegant custom-made lampshade is an extravagance, but it will serve you and your room well.  I feel it is well worth your investment of time and money.  Be forewarned that once you have a bespoke lampshade, it can become addictive and hard to come back down to the store-bought variety! 

Grandmillennial Tips:

Use some additional fabric that you adore, which is already in the room.  Silk always works well for my design projects!   

When you are choosing a lampshade, consider the colors in the room.  Where will the lamp be placed and how will it be used?

Also, what is the formality or informality of the room?  This will help to determine the overall appearance of the lampshade, including size and shape.  You want to produce a lampshade that appears tailor-made for both the lamp and its intended location. 

Your lamp should have a three-way bulb or a dimmer switch installed, to keep the light low in the evening when entertaining!  (I love to use soft pink bulbs in my living room… women naturally gravitate to them because the soft light makes everyone look and feel pretty.  I often request a pale pink silk lining for lampshades in bedrooms, too.) 

If you are savvy with a glue gun, consider adding your trim to a store-bought shade as a less expensive option for a bespoke detail.  Order a little extra trim and practice gluing some of the trim on a different surface first to see how the trim reacts to the hot glue in advance of gluing it onto the lampshade… I am speaking from a ghastly experience! 

Finials are the little gems at the top of the shade.  Decide if you want to call attention to the finial or have the finial discretely fade into the overall aesthetic of the lamp and its shade, which I prefer. 

Forbidden Faux Pas:

For a well-dressed lamp, you should not be able to see the socket and switch.  An old saying is that “your guests should not be able to look up the lamp’s skirt” (lampshade)!

Lampshades should not be mounted too low, either.  Show less than 1” or 1 ½” of the lamp’s neck. 

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Children's Manners - Part I

Kay Thompson’s “Eloise,” first printed in the 1950’s, has always been one of our most favorite children books! The precious illustrations of precarious Eloise are by Hilary Knight. Some of Eloise’s antics, while living at The Plaza Hotel in NYC, are an accurate, yet slightly exaggerated, glimmer into what small children are truly capable of! Photo credit: Eloise - Written by Kay Thompson.

If you have young children, you have probably experienced those rawwther stressful moments when they simply “forget their manners'' and you wish you had a magic wand to make them “snap-to polite attention!” You know that they know how to behave. You just want to scream, “YOU KNOW BETTER,” along with an explicative... or two! The addition of sweets (chocolate Easter eggs and jellybeans) can exacerbate their misbehavior too. UGH… one feels embarrassed and frustrated as a parent.

We all know what mischief children can get into.

Manners begin at home, with role models such as parents, grandparents, and caretakers.  Mastering anything always requires practice.  My dear friend Gaye shared a splendid method for instilling manners in children.  Tuesday night at her house was “manners night” at the dinner table, which didn’t mean a free-for-all on other nights.  It simply meant that on Tuesdays there were no distractions, no television, and no phones.  Etiquette and the art of conversation were explored.  Even a five-year-old can relay their productive day at kindergarten.  The Tuesday night practice technique worked like a charm, as their adult daughter is enchanting!  As a child, she thought “manners night” was a bore, but admitted that she now looks back on Tuesday dinners as a special time, invaluable to her. 

My daughter and her husband in Berlin, Germany,  have four little children.  When they travel to someone’s house, they make a point of talking to their children in the car about the manners that are expected upon arrival; they do not assume that the children will remember them.  Reminding them in advance to put their “best manners hat” on, such as shaking hands, good eye contact, using inside voices, not interrupting when others are speaking, placing napkins on their laps, sitting up straight, no elbows on the table, avoiding complaints about the food, responding when spoken to, and showing respect to both the house and the adults, are precisely the manners that make a difference.  Manners do not come naturally; they require constant practice.  By teaching them manners, you are giving your children a proper gift which will serve them well... FOR LIFE!  

From the text of the book, as stated by the six-year-old, Eloise:

"Nanny has Irish bacon which reminds her of her brother.
You have to eat oatmeal or you'll dry up
Anybody knows that
Nanny likes her coffee hot hot hot
An egg cup makes a very good hat."

Here are a few pieces of advice from parents and doting grandparents whom I admire: 

“Always, always have a little something in your purse to entertain your children, from a pen and paper to a tiny little toy.  When silence is required in a church or a plane, some lollipops or a little bag of gummy bears are perfect!”

“Always a please and thank you… no popsicle gets handed over without it!”

“When visiting someone’s house, bring your cache of toys or puzzles, or something to amuse your children.  Don’t assume that the house that you are visiting will have toys or something for your children to play with.  Come prepared.”

“Discourage your child from interrupting, yet when they do have a question, try to make the effort to answer them.” 

“I never really put anything delicate, breakable or valuable "away" when mine were little… nor did my mother.  I was taught to "not touch" things.”  

“Ask your hostess if they have a towel or something to cover their dining room chair seat in case your child accidentally spills food on their upholstery.  I have never known a hostess to refuse this request!”

I am curious to know, what suggestions do you have?  
 

Grandmillennial Tip:

A sweet book to give to a new mother is Manners Begin at Breakfast, by Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece.  It is about proper etiquette for children in our fast-paced, technology-centered world.  The book contains many amazing tips and pearls of wisdom to pass onto little ones as they grow up to become responsible and respectful members of society. 

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Pretty In Porcelain: An Interview with Anna Weatherley

Anna Weatherley’s cachepot, filled with a pink flowering hydrangea plant, is a lovely accessory at Blair House, The President’s Guest House, which is located conveniently across the street from the White House. Photo source: The Washington Post.

Pretty porcelain designs can personify your personality, wouldn’t you agree?  The designs you choose for your plates and porcelain pieces speak volumes about you to others and will bring joy to you in your home.  The exquisitely detailed porcelain designs, created by the world-renowned designer, Anna Weatherley, captured my heart the moment I first discovered them.  If you are not aware of her exclusive line of distinguished, hand-painted porcelain, be forewarned… you too will fall in love with each piece!  

What an absolute delight it was to be introduced to Anna Weatherley by way of The White House Historical Association.  (I collaborated with the WHHA as their moderator for a Christmas White House floral design talk in December 2020.)  When we spoke, I felt like a giddy teenager talking to a rockstar!  I was overjoyed when she kindly agreed to an interview with me. 

Anna’s designs are hand-painted by a group of highly trained master painters in her studio in Budapest, Hungary.  The fine shading, small brush strokes, and intricate details are the results of a very time-consuming process for each object.  Not only are Anna's creations elegant, but there is also a delightful touch of whimsy too.  Darling elements such as a brilliantly detailed butterfly, or a tiny ladybug happily flitting about, grace many pieces, sometimes in the most unsuspecting places like inside a cup or underneath a plate. 

Inspired by Thomas Hooker’s botanical artwork, Anna’s plate also features two charming butterflies, a dragonfly and a bug peeking out from underneath a leaf.

Do you pay attention to trends in colors, or how do you choose your color palettes? 

I do not follow any trend or fashion.  I love flowers, they are the most wonderful creations on earth.  I am inspired by the 17th and 18th Century botanical painters: Ehret, Redoute, Alexander Marshal, Nicolas Robert. 

The people who buy my porcelain do not belong to any specific age group, they choose my porcelain because they love my porcelain which is hand-painted with flowers and butterflies.

What an honor to have been chosen to design a pair of cachepots for Princess Diana!  What was your inspiration when given this invitation?

Anna Wintour of Vogue Magazine commissioned me to create gifts for Princess Diana when she was visiting Washington, D.C.  I created a pair of hand-painted cachepots, based on the paintings of the British botanical artist, John Hooker.  The decorations were fruit paintings and I still produce these designs for my dinner plate collection.  Catherine Graham (owner of The Washington Post) also commissioned me to design a collection of hand-painted porcelain gifts for her guests attending the events for Princess Diana.  I even designed a green chiffon evening dress for Elizabeth Dole who attended the dinner with Princess Diana. 

Here is an example of the fruit plate inspired by Thomas Hooker’s British botanical paintings.

For the White House, you were chosen multiple times to create porcelain pieces.  What inspired you? 

For the White House, I produced a large dinner table setting.  The design was based on the very old magnolia tree at the White House garden.  Every year I create a new hand-painted porcelain Easter Egg for the White House Historical Association Shop.

A merry medley featuring some of Anna’s stunning creativity, savvy and bug whimsy!

On a number of your designs, you have images of butterflies that are very detailed.  What inspired you to incorporate them into the designs/patterns?  

The very first design I created many years ago is still the most popular one:   just butterflies.  I like to think that the designs I have created are timeless: delicate green leaves, flowers, little insects, butterflies.  I do not design formal table settings.  I always suggest that the dinner table should be like a flower garden, choose your favorite flower from my large collection and mix and match the plates.

In addition, there are porcelain leaves that are perfect for serving dessert or a first course, little scalloped square plates for bread or pastry, cups for salad or soup, mugs or pitchers for flowers, and small trays for serving salad or lunch.

In Anna Weatherly’s Washington, D.C. studio, there is an abundance of choices, a veritable candy store of elegant porcelains.

How do you attribute being discovered and growing your business so successfully?  Was there a particular teacher, a critic, a collector who inspired you? 

I was not "discovered" as a porcelain designer.  About 30 years ago, I walked into Asprey, the British Jewelers on 5th Avenue, without an appointment.  I was carrying six Redoute dinner plates in a paper bag.  Asprey purchased the plates and ordered more.  The rest is history… and I still produce the same Redoute plates today!

Anna Weatherly has a marvelous presence on Instagram (@anna_weatherley_designs).  The Michelin-starred restaurant, The Inn at Little Washington, features her porcelain.  Only the most distinguished shops carry her line, and my sponsor, Scully & Scully, on Park Avenue in NYC, offers a brilliant collection.  And, OH… if you spy the pair of pink-flowered cachepots?  They have my name on them! 

A rare photograph of the charmingly elusive Anna Weatherley in her Washington, D.C. studio.

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Manners That Never Change!

On the door to our Hunt Room at Fox Hall, we have two references to George Washington, the larger one featuring his handsome grey horse, Blueskin.

"Every action done in company, ought to be done with some sign of respect to those that are present.” This is the first rule in 110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation, and is a welcome reminder for kindness, especially in today’s society.

As an exercise in penmanship as a teenager, George Washington copied, in abbreviated form, the 110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation. The rules were based on the French Jesuits, who originally composed them in the late 16th century. These maxims played a role in shaping the character of our first President of the United States. He took them to heart. These rules were generally thought to be aristocratic, yet Washington interpreted them as decent behavior appropriate for our budding new nation, for equals and near equals. They still hold true today, so I chose a few to share with you. The clever wording is rather amusing, too!

A peek at a few of the 110 rules:

4. In the presence of others, sing not to yourself with a humming noise, nor drum with your fingers or feet. 
(This can be applicable to ringing or vibrating cell phones too, right?!)

5. If you cough, sneeze, sigh, or yawn, do it not loud but privately; and speak not in your yawning, but put your handkerchief or hand before your face and turn aside.

(Sneezing into one’s elbow/arm is now acceptable and encouraged!) 

15. Keep your nails clean and short, also your hands and teeth clean yet without showing any great concern for them.

(To discuss the bleaching of your teeth or the act of filing your nails in public is a no-no.)

38. In visiting the sick, do not presently play the physician if you do not know therein.

(But, offering homemade chicken soup is always appreciated!) 

68. ….Give not advice without being asked, and when desired, do it briefly.

(My in-laws were stellar examples of not giving advice or opinions to my husband and me unless they were asked.  It is an admirable quality, and one I am still learning from and try to emulate!) 

The dining room at Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home in Alexandria, Virginia. Can you imagine the conversations that transpired around this table, along with the civil manners? Photo source: @mount_vernon

With table manners in mind before Easter Sunday:

97. Put not another bit into your mouth till the former is swallowed.  Let not your morsels be too big for the jowls.

(Oh dear, no one wants jowls, no matter what!)

98. Drink not nor talk with your mouth full; neither gaze about you while you are drinking. 

(Eating with your mouth open is never a good idea!)

99. Drink not too leisurely nor yet too hastily. Before and after drinking, wipe your lips...

( I don’t have “leisurely control” when savoring a coffee milkshake, but I do wipe my lips!)

100. Cleanse not your teeth with the table cloth napkin, fork, or knife; but if others do it, let it be done without a peep to them. 

(I would be guilty of “peeping” if my children ever did this!) 
 

Lastly, the rule that contributes to the core essence of civility:

110. Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.

Respect, courtesy, humility, and a good conscience contribute to enriching one’s life with honor.  These guidelines of behavior and general courtesies remain relevant today… let’s pay them forward! 

Consider inspiring a friend to subscribe to MMM today! You may also join me on Instagram for daily inspiration.

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Oh, the tender charm of “little” bouquets!

Lilacs from our garden adorn my daughter Caroline’s monogrammed baby cup, which rests upon a small round silver tray on a table in the living room at Fox Hall. Such a sweet memory to behold for me: my daughter’s baby cup and my mum’s favorite spring flowers!

There is something quite charming about little, diminutive flower bouquets sprinkled about in your house. With Easter upon us, the hopeful anticipation of colorful, fragrant spring flowers comes to mind. No matter what the size of your house, consider making a few petite flower arrangements using small and unique vases. The joy and allure of hunting for, and finding Easter eggs and candy, complements the discovery of a few lilliputian-sized floral arrangements (any time of the year)... both are teeny treasures that bring unexpected delight!

I just received the sweetest pink bunny, pressed glass, egg cup as a gift from our sponsor, Backcountry Mercantile. The owner, Amanda, melds lovely vintage pieces along with her new, carefully curated Italian ceramic pieces. I immediately thought: I can use this as a flower vase! I still have impatiens growing, so it was easy to pluck a few. Voila, an instant arrangement… darling and done!

These tiny silver riding boot vases are from England. The flowers were picked from my mother-in-law’s prolifically bountiful Cape Cod garden.

A dignified way to decorate a serving platter of nibbles or a cheese tray is to place a silver baby cup or egg cup, filled with flowers, too. I anchor the vessel with a tiny piece of poster-board clay so that the flower arrangement will not topple or slide. Be creative and think of small vessels you can use. Below is a silver cigarette holder which appears to be a miniature champagne bucket!

A bedside table, drinks table, side table, coffee table, or powder room are all perfect places for a cheerful little bouquet, even alongside some bubbly. More examples are in my book, The Pretty and Proper Living Room. Inscribed copies are available at Scully & Scully.

Consider inspiring a friend to subscribe to MMM today! You may also join me on Instagram for daily inspiration.

Children’s manners do matter!

Honestly, the best gift of all is being surrounded by six of our eight grandchildren, especially with the magic of Christmas in the air! Mummy had me write my thank you notes two days after Christmas. She placed the presents near my desk so that I could see them when I wrote the notes, which made the task a wee bit easier to do as a child, thinking: Presents = thank you notes = the potential of more presents in the future!

How inspiring it is to receive so many lovely responses from you all each week!  Thank you for also offering your clever suggestions for MMM, for which I am grateful.  I am going to share a few, about enlightening your children, which are worthy of your attention.  After a year of Covid hiatus, it may be time to refresh some manners that matter, as you and your children venture back into social situations again.  Alleluia to that!  These genteel pearls of graciousness are still relevant, no matter what a relaxed society may suggest.  Teaching by example, and sharing these thoughtful gestures, will serve your children well throughout their life!

 Children’s thank you notes:  

“I would like to comment about Mummy's Monday Manner’s discussion on the subject of thank you notes, along with the importance of writing them.  I think it is very discouraging to see that many of today's parents do not encourage their children to write thank you notes, and most of the time, never mention the concept of them to their children.  Learning to write a thank you note is an important skill for children.  It is a skill that they truly need because, at some point in their lives, they will receive gifts!  My parents taught me to write thank you notes and they made it a fun task.  I didn't mind writing the notes because I was very happy to receive any gift that someone was kind enough to give me!”  ~ C.C., Kentucky 

I have touched upon this in past newsletters, noting that even a scribbly crayon artwork from a little one who is too young to write, or a pretty painting, like this petite fox given to me by my talented granddaughter, sweet Felicity, can become a treasured thank you note. Acknowledging a gift is a precious gesture that will be truly appreciated by the gift giver.

Protocols based on gender and age: 

“My mother taught me, and my siblings, a whole set of protocols based on gender and age.  Here are a few:  

Introductions:

~First, a young person does not offer his hand to an older man or woman until the older party offers to shake hands first.  

~Second, a young person always stands when an elder enters the room, be they male or female. 

~When a young lady reaches maturity (and the precise age was rather fuzzy), she stands for an older woman but not for a man who might enter the room.  

~A young man always stands up when his elders enter the room!  

Serving at a dinner party at home:

 Similarly, when (in the absence of a staff!) one helps one’s mother serve dinner at a dinner party, whether formal or casual:

~One serves the oldest woman first (and from the left!) and then the remaining women more or less in order of age, followed by the eldest gentleman, and so on down to the children in attendance. 

~When removing the dishes (from the right!), one follows the same order beginning with the eldest woman.”   ~ P.S., Connecticut 

Thank you, C.C. and P.S. for your discerning pieces of advice.  I hope that these may inspire you to enlighten your little ones, especially while they are young and impressionable.  Do let me know the manners that you feel are important to impart onto your children, especially after Covid quarantine! 

Consider inspiring a friend with children or grandchildren, to subscribe to MMM today!   You may also join me on Instagram for daily inspiration. 

Capture them now, while they are young!

When our son was eight, we commissioned an artist to paint his portrait. We took the artist, along with our son, Stuart III, and his dog, Higgins, to a field of flowers near our stable. I photographed him, while she sketched the scene. The next week, she came to our house to paint a study of him. Then, she took my photographs, as a reference point, and painted the final version in her studio. She is no longer taking commissions, sadly. We cherish having this portrait that hangs in our kitchen sitting-room at Fox Hall.

Nothing says a “classic and traditional family” more than the presence of a charming and bespoke pastel, watercolor, or oil portrait of your precious child (or children), discreetly displayed in your home.  A portrait, that is tastefully commissioned and executed, continues to be a time-honored tradition embraced in noble homes.  Children’s portraits have historically been displayed in the most prestigious homes, from English country and historic houses to contemporary and traditional interiors.  A sweet portrait of your child is a prized, prototypical, decorative element. 

I just adore the historic aspect, along with the impressibility, of pastels as the medium used for a portrait.  Pastels were created in the 15th century.  There is a fragility, an allure, and a softness that only pastels can relay.  From Leonardo da Vinci to Mary Cassatt and Edgar Degas, their masterful use of pastels, especially for children’s portraits, has left an indelible impression on my psyche and the visual experience of their art.  I do not mean to disparage oils or acrylic paint, but I do have an affinity for pastel portraiture. 

When I was at Blenheim Palace, I will never forget climbing the circular staircase in the Private Apartments with Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill, while we were filming her childhood home for an episode of my PBS television series.  I glanced up to see the most charming portrait of Henrietta with her brother, now the 12th Duke of Marlborough, when they were young children together.  This memory of discovering this sweet portrait has stayed with me.  There is something to be said for having an artist capture the essence and innocent allure of your children at a young age. 

Consider commissioning an artist when your child is old enough to sit for at least an hour at a time... after the age of four, perhaps?  (Bribery is usually a necessity!)  And yes, portraits certainly can be created from a photograph.  But for me, I believe an actual study of the child, painted in situ, captures the true enchantment of them.  Call me a purist!  

As an example, in my first book, The Pretty and Proper Living Room, on page 327 there is an oil study of my daughter, Caroline, which was loosely painted in one sitting.  It was a “study” by the artist. 

In my second book, Pearls of Palm Beach, this portrait is featured on page 85. The noted Cuban artist, Pedro Menocal (who also drew the official portrait of Nancy Reagan), created a lovely pastel portrait of Eileen Burns and her three beautiful daughters, in the chapter: Irish House. This pastel portrait captures the quintessence of mother-daughter love!

Grandmillenial Tips:

While living in Taipei, Taiwan, Mummy had a Chinese artist paint me at age eleven whilst holding my dog, Mischief.  Knowing that blue was a color she incorporated into most of her interiors, she had the artist transform my “Peck & Peck” green smocked dress into a soft, Wedgwood blue.  Oh, the magic of an artist! 

If you have individual portraits done for each child during varying years, attempt to use the same artist, or at least make the artwork the same size.  Then, have them framed similarly so that they complement one another when hung together. 

Commission a portrait of your child to give as a gift to their grandparents.  My daughter Caroline did this for us and it is adorable! 

For some reason, children’s portraits tend to be more timeless without their teeth showing.

No children?  Consider commissioning a portrait of your beloved dog or horse, while they are young, as well!

Ron Ramsey, the former Art Director of Golf Magazine for over 18 years, is also a very accomplished artist and excels at portraits in various mediums. Look at this watercolor… isn’t it wonderful? (A two for one: child and horse!) He painted the two adorable daughters of my lifelong friend, Nancy Wall, which have hung in her living room for well over thirty years. I have always admired them! He also creates house renderings. Ron’s website will be up soon, but until then, he can be contacted via email by clicking here.

Forbidden Faux Pas:

No-no: To have a child’s portrait featured over the most prominent space in your house, the living room mantelpiece.  Even though your children are the most important treasures to you, consider a more discrete area to hang their portraits such as the hallway, bedroom, or even the breakfast room!
 

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Secret Stories Quietly Hidden

My grandfather, Major John Johnston Kirkpatrick, attended the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst in England and served in Tientsin, China. He was an avid horseman and polo player. While there, he met my grandmother, who was English too, but born in Tientsin, China where her father was a Western diplomat advising the Qing Dynasty on trade.

Recently, while visiting Foxcroft School for girls in Middleburg, Virginia with my husband, I had a flashback to my wedding.  My dear college friend and bridesmaid, who had attended Foxcroft, asked me a week before my wedding if I had chosen a wedding band for Stuart.  “A wedding band?” I asked.  “Do I need one?”  “Well,” she answered, “Does his father wear one?”  I asked his sister and she confirmed that he did.  Thank heavens she posed this question!  My British father never wore a wedding band.  He only wore a family crest ring on his left pinky.  I had no idea about wedding bands for men.  The thought had never crossed my mind… call me naive!  I quickly visited a jewelry store in Richmond to purchase a wedding band, and I prayed that it would fit.  Thank heavens, it still does after 45 years!

My father, my brother, and my father’s British brother, all wore the same traditional yellow gold, oval-faced signet ring, aka crest ring, on their left pinky finger, with the Kirkpatrick family crest engraved on it.  My beloved father died when I was sixteen, so asking him why he did not wear a wedding band was not an option as a young 21-year-old bride.  I am grateful that Mummy gave me my father’s signet ring, especially since my middle name is Kirkpatrick.  She too had been given her family crest ring. 

In medieval times, members of nobility used these rings to seal letters or mark important documents.  By the 14th century, official documents were required to have the seal of the King’s signet ring, which was the most prized seal of all.  Tantamount to a signature, the signet ring was used as a seal when dipped in hot wax, to show authenticity, similar to a fingerprint or an embossed seal of a notary republic today!  The signet ring wax seal was considered more official than a signature, because the ring had specific markings identified by the person wearing it, thus avoiding forgery. 

The signet ring has also been referred to as a “gentleman’s ring,” and has a long and fascinating history.  They have been worn by people of influence and noblemen for centuries, and have been used to establish lineage and social standing.  Typically, British crest rings are engraved with the family crest, and usually not the full coat of arms or armorial shield.  Inherited signet rings are still worn by aristocratic families in Europe, such as the Royal family in England.  Prince Charles’ signet ring, featuring the feathers of his emblem, is worn on his left pinky finger, whilst Sir Winston Churchill wore one on his right hand. 

Our Kirkpatrick family ring has only the "crest," not the shield or "coat of arms."

I cherish my crest ring and the family history it represents.  When you meet someone wearing one, realize that it is a subtle hint into their past.  It can be simply fascinating to learn more about them through the explanation of their ring.  And, this is why I was inspired to introduce you to the concept that there is a secret story quietly hidden within the engraving of a crest ring. 

Forbidden Faux Pas:

No-no: To wear a crest ring that does not belong to your family lineage.  Instead, design a signet ring with your monogram, or wear one with the seal of a society you belong to, a college, a club, or something of significance to you, thus making the ring an authentic representation of you.

A portion of the Kirkpatrick coat of arms, depicted on my family crest ring, is a hand with a dagger and three drops of blood. The clan motto for the coat of arms is, “I mak sikkar,” meaning, “I make sure.” During the Scottish Wars of Independence, Kirkpatrick drew his dagger to assist Robert the Bruce and said these words. The main historic seat of Kirkpatrick is Closeburn Castle, in the late 1300s.

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