 |
Million Dollar Decorators
via JL Photography |
LCDQ Legends has been perfectly described as “Spring Break” for interior designers. The scenery was beautiful, the Los Angeles design community was beyond welcoming, and every event just kept getting better and better. The logistics of pulling off such a large event were incredible and the organizers did an AMAZING job! Our morning kicked off with a hilarious panel entitled
“Don’t Hate, Collaborate” by the cast of the Million Dollar Decorators featuring
Martyn Lawrence Bullard,
Jeffrey Alan Marks,
Kathryn Ireland, and
Nathan Turner. The chemistry between these designers was extraordinary as they entertained the crowd with anecdotes about working abroad, filming debacles, and teasing each other about their endearing personality traits.
 |
| via JL Photography |
The panel was held at the Dragonette Ltd. showroom. Patrick Dragonette opened his showroom in Los Angeles in 1997 nd it quickly became one of the country’s top resources for high-end mid 20th century design. Dragonette, Ltd. specializes in the work of legendary designer Billy Haines. This impeccably curated showroom was definitely a highlight of LCDQ.
 |
Dragonette Vignette
featuring Brian Wilson’s painting “The Black Bear” |
 |
“Pedra”Agate Lamps from Dragonette Private Label
with Tony Duquette Snail |
 |
| Enchanting Sterling Silver Elephant Box at Dragonette |
 |
Some Favorite Southern Ladies
Holly Phillips, Leslie Rascoe Newsom and Lisa Newsom |
 |
The One and Only Tony Bucola at Veranda Lunch
Owner of Antonio’s Bella Casa |
Another favorite was Antonio’s Bella Casa, owned by the charming Tony Bucola. Tony’s stunning shop features period European antiques from Italy and France paired mixed with blue chip modern and contemporary art. I literally had to pinch myself walking through his collection of amazing finds from abroad. His goal with his shop was to create a space where “the unique meets the necessary…where all the elements of European living could be brought together with the elegant flair of the Italians.”
 |
Alexander Calder
Antonio’s Bella Casa |
 |
Fab Faience and Rose Quartz Foo Dog
Antonio’s Bella Casa |
 |
Frank Stella
Antonio’s Bella Casa |
Next, it was off to another enlightening lecture on Elsie de Wolfe by Hutton Wilkinson. Hutton began his career in the architectural offices of his father and grandfather. At the age of eighteen, he went to apprentice for the great American design icon,Tony Duquette. Hutton is the Owner, Creative Director, and President of Tony Duquette, Inc. as well as President of the Elsie de Wolfe Foundation.
 |
| Hutton Wilkinson |
Elsie de Wolfe(center) with Tony Duquette
via New York Social Diary
Wilkinson’s upcoming book, The Walk to Elsie’s, relays the rip-roaring tale of the last ten years of the great designer’s life, as told to him and his co-author Flynn Kuhnert by Tony Duquette. In his lecture, he elaborated on this international icon:
“Elsie de Wolfe’s long and rich life spanned for eighty five years from her birth in 1865. She was a true American original…from her rise in turn of the century New York society, her stint on Broadway and her many firsts including being the first woman to fly with Wilbur Wright, the first woman to sue the IRS, and the first woman to charge for taste, thereby inventing the multi billion dollar business of professional interior decorator.
Prominent in New York society and later in Europe, Elsie de Wolfe married Sir Charles Mendl and designed her storied home the Villa Trianon at Versailles, where she hosted her coterie of international society friends. Among her many friends and business associates were the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Stanford White, Cole Porter, the dress designer Mainbocher, Elsa Maxwell, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney and Elizabeth Arden.
After her World War II escape by Rolls Royce, Elsie de Wolfe ended up in Hollywood with the likes of Louis B. Mayer, Mary Pickford and Tony Duquette, creating an entire new world for herself on the west coast towards the end of her long life.”
 |
Harbinger Vignette
Katie Ridder wallpaper, Coleen and Co. Lantern. |
Our day could not have been any more incredible until we entered Harbinger, which now tops my resource list for all things fabulous! Holly Phillips had raved about her friends Parrish Chilcoat and Joe Lucas who own the showroom. They have assembled an amazing array of artists, fabric, accessory and furniture lines that include Katie Ridder, Ferrick Mason, Coleen and Company, Holland and Sherry, Bunny Williams Home, and Hillary Thomas just to name a few.
 |
| Peonies at Harbinger |
 |
Beautifully Dressed Bed at Harbinger
in Front of a Favorite Wallpaper |
 |
Another Colorful Vignette at Harbinger
Colleen and Co. Lighting, Art by Alex Mason |
 |
| By Alex Mason |
 |
| Holland & Sherry Appliques |
In addition to being super talented interior designers, Parrish and Joe also know how to throw a party! They converted their back parking lot into a chic outdoor fete with a quintessential west coast vibe. Moore & Giles also sponsored the event bringing their restored Airstream with them filled with their luxury leathers and small batch bourbon bar. The company was founded in 1933 in Lynchburg, Virginia to create innovative leathers for the high end interiors market. In 2007, they introduced their line of luxury bags and accessories.
 |
| Harbinger Party |
 |
| via Moore & Giles |
 |
| Bourbon Bar courtesy of Moore & Giles |
 |
| Moore & Giles Airstream |
The Veranda finale party was held at the gorgeous new showroom of McKinnon and Harris. Understated elegance and exquisite craftsmanship define this brand. Based in Richmond, Virginia, this family owned company is committed to crafting furniture of exacting standards and timeless design. The white and green palette for the evening was translated into all the details, from the floral decor to the food. The whole evening was a work of art.
 |
| Fantastical Floral Headdresses |
 |
| White and Green Vignette |
Our last night in Los Angeles was spent back at
The Sunset Tower Hotel. A lively cocktail party with our Design Trust group evolved into a festive last supper before we all went our parting ways.
 |
| Design Trust |
 |
| Supper at The Sunset Terrace |
It is so sad to say goodbye, but we always have the next design adventure on the horizon!
