The Perils and Pleasures of Thanksgiving Decorating

Doing something for the first time can be daunting, even if it’s something you know how to do. This is as true in decorating and entertaining as in anything. I will never forget the feeling near terror as I faced decorating the great room at Rancho La Zaca last year for Thanksgiving. My sweetheart Tom… Continue reading The Perils and Pleasures of Thanksgiving Decorating


(Last) Postcard From Havana-Part 4: Sketchbook

Here is one last look at Cuba, in my simple, scribbled drawings. If you said your 5-year-old could do this, you’d be correct. It doesn’t worry this “artist” (liberal use of the term) in the least. For years  I have kept little sketchbooks of my travels and I find they amuse me as much as… Continue reading (Last) Postcard From Havana-Part 4: Sketchbook


Postcard From Havana-Part 3: Vicente Wolf and Hemingway’s House

One of the most memorable meals of my life was with a small group of friends years ago at the restaurant Georges, atop the Beaubourg (Centre Pompidou) in Paris. It lasted from 2 until 7 – or was it 1 until 8? – and went through I don’t know how many bottles of wine and… Continue reading Postcard From Havana-Part 3: Vicente Wolf and Hemingway’s House


Postcard From Havana-Part 2: Vicente Wolf Weighs in

It occurred to me I really should speak to renowned Cuban-born New York designer Vicente Wolf about Cuba – how it has influenced him as a designer and how Cuba has inspired him. Graciously he obliged. His answers, which might have surprised me before I went there myself last week, do not surprise me now.… Continue reading Postcard From Havana-Part 2: Vicente Wolf Weighs in




A Sauce That Will Rock Your World

As promised, a beautiful green sauce of herbs, capers and olive oil that will rock your world. It could also profoundly enhance your Thanksgiving – or at least your Thanksgiving leftovers – and it’s certainly not too soon to think that. Good gracious, here it is November already! First referenced in my post from October… Continue reading A Sauce That Will Rock Your World


The Ultimate Status Pumpkin

Not quite meant for Madison Avenue but but can’t help grinning at my friend designer Tom Samet’s take on the ultimate status… pumpkin. Meanwhile, cruising through The Daily Beast yesterday I was stopped in my tracks by some other pumpkin carvings, those by artist Ray Villafane. The Beast says the pumpkins will reportedly be on… Continue reading The Ultimate Status Pumpkin


Weekend in the Country

MILLBROOK, NY-Wow, talk about timing. It’s a good thing our 2nd Annual Duck Shoot and Lunch was last weekend and not this slushy old messy one. And what a beautiful weekend it was. Spending time with friends; stomping around the countryside in all its autumn glory; shooting some ducks (which become food); and eating and… Continue reading Weekend in the Country


Katie Ridder’s ROOMS

Katie Ridder’s new book ROOMS, is just out. If you want a breath of fresh design air, be sure you get this one. Funny I say “breath,” because that is one of the things about Katie’s work you aren’t conscious of…until you are: Her rooms breathe. It isn’t that they’re airy, necessarily, though some are,… Continue reading Katie Ridder’s ROOMS

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Muriel, Muriel, Muriel

Well I’m just full a beans today with so much to tell. Last night. Tout New York was at Phillips de Pury for the divine James de Givenchy’s reception for the equally divine Muriel Brandolini, there to sign her new book, The World of Muriel Brandolini, and to preview the coming sale of some of… Continue reading Muriel, Muriel, Muriel

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