Yep, needlepoint on the ottoman and pillows of both sofas. Leopard. 300 tulips on the commode. Good start.

This green, well, this green used like this, not a la Wearstler, is a bit out of fashion, but what you might miss is the crocodiles at the top of the Regency mirror.

The article focuses mostly on the fabulousness of de la Renta himself.

Stenciled faux bois cabinet by Fourcade. English silver. Oh, and two Faberge decanters with the imperial eagle. The entire dining room is painted in this fashion and the ceiling is a robin’s egg blue.

It is the perfect lay out for the holidays. Red and green and gilt galore.

This is such a great mix. The Lee Jofa fabric and cord against the burled wood look so English, but the icons surrounding the bed add a different flavor alltogether. The patterns in this room are extravagent , but the bedding is as simple as a nun’s.

Welcome to Li Galli, as pictured in House and Garden in August of 1992. The island, and it’s imposing home, have a long and rich history.

The island is one of three off the Italian coast that are the basis of the sirens myth from Homer’s Odyssey.

The castle-like structure was built in the twelfth century. But even in ’92, she’d had a little work done. By Le Corbusier. In the twenties the island was owned by Leonid Massine who was a choreographer for the Ballets Russes.

By chance, Rudolph Nureyev heard the family was looking for a new owner. He took a look. “I could see myself on it.” Well, yes, why not?

The house did not have water when he bought it; he installed a pump. Per the siren myth, it’s a little tricky to get to in choppy water. Apparently, it works out better if you have a helicopter.

Nureyev noted that there is not a lot to do here.

I saw Rudoph Nureyev in the Rome airport in 1980. He was exactly the age I am now. And totally gorgeous. He had a large scarf, something like a pashmina, wrapped over his shoulders. My guess is, even in the toughest circumstances, he didn’t have trouble filling his time.
Rudoph Nureyev, 1938 – 1983. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia. All other photos, David Seidner.

This is the dining room from the Beene layout from House and Garden that I posted yesterday. The shades are Brunschwig and Fils and the walls are painted to match. The leopard and zebra rug is by Stark. Mural by Jack Plaia.

I just had to show this, too. It didn’t fit with yesterday, but I thought it was a bit of a must-see. As an aside, this layout was in the same issue as the Boston apartment from last week.

Being a bit of a drama queen, I do love a red room. I know the room, posted below, has made the rounds a bit, but it’s quite good. The high shine of these walls is enviable and the dark mouldings are striking.

Elle Decor, December, 2007, design my Brian MCarthy.

From the Blanding’s archives comes this little Bill Blass number. His own home on Long Island, Beene said he wanted to “bombard myself with color.” Mission accomplished.

Beene said he had always been drawn to neutrals, but suddenly needed color. To his great surprise, he found red “neutral” as well. “You can put red with almost anything …and it works.”

House and Garden, December, 1989.
Especially if your “everything” includes a 16th century Flemish silver-gilt mirror, French sconces, American folk benches (a pair) and a Chinese rock crystal urn. And the shoes? Oh, yes. The silk pumps are fabulous neutrals as well.

Farrow and Ball, The Art of Color, Maine cottage designed by John Lyle and Mark Umback.

Equally lovely, but entirely different in tone, is this room from the new Farrow and Ball book. Just as red, just as shiny, this red reads differently. Classic and restrained, it highlights the gilt of the 19th century American bulls eye mirror and the creamware rather than taking center stage itself. This seaside dining room in Maine would certainly make you want to linger over your clam chowder.

You still have time, you know. If you don’t have to mess with trim all you need is one full day without children. Living room? Dining room? Study? If your mother-in-law gasps, you can smugly reply, “What? It’s neutral!”

Image, top, Mrs. Vincent Astor’s library, Albert Hadley, The Story of America’s Preeminent Interior Designer. And one of my favorites. But, maybe I’ve mentioned it.