Friday, May 1, 2009

An Evening To Inspire

Last night I was invited to Peter Dunham's garden party in Almont Yard, the chic alfresco courtyard fronting his showroom, Hollywood at Home. I consider it one of LA's most enchanting spaces -- a secret, tucked-away oasis on one of the most charming streets in West Hollywood.
I'm not alone in feeling this way. There were the stirrings of a movement afoot to start meeting there every Friday afternoon for an impromptu happy hour. (Joel, Seth and Shannon -- you've been warned.)

The occasion was a book signing for the launch of "Rooms to Inspire in the Country" by designer Annie Kelly, with photographs by Tim Street-Porter. 
I've been avidly following their work for years through "The World Of Interiors", to which they are both frequent contributors. 

It's almost impossible to put into words how beautiful and inspiring their new book is. I can't decide whether to gobble it in a single sitting or savor it slowly. It's a dilemma, but a wonderful one.

Here are two sneak peeks of the contents, courtesy of that excellent blogger Mrs. Blandings.


I was especially excited to meet Annie because I owe one of my favorite styling tips to her. I once saw a photo spread of their amazing Hollywood home in which she had hung ivy from her chandelier. It was unexpected, it was faintly exotic and I was completely smitten by its simple brilliance. I've been dripping my own vines at every dinner party since.
(My Annie Kelly homage at our previous home, 2007)

One of the highlights of the evening was meeting both of them. You could have knocked me over with a feather when Annie told me that she not only knew about my blog, she had it bookmarked on her computer! 

In addition to her work as a designer and author, Annie also reviews design books for 1st Dibs in a section called "Required Reading." (Be forewarned: you'll want to buy everything.)
(Tim Street-Porter and Annie Kelly)

Before leaving, I browsed through the Hollywood at Home showroom and was again overcome by Peter's dazzling way of combining pattern, texture and color. There is a distinctive shade of green that crops up again and again in his work. It appears in his fabrics (check out"Almont Stripe" and "Fig Leaf"), his furniture and his business cards and looks something like this:
For me, it's become his signature color and I think of it as "Peter Dunham Green." I'm waiting for him to bottle it. 

9 comments:

Style Court said...

Lisa, I think I'll start using the term PD Green, too! So sad I couldn't make the party. Love experiencing it vicariously through you.

Mrs. Blandings said...

Filled with envy - what a treat. This book is still on my desk as I keep reaching for it again and again. What fun.

Mary said...

AHHH - that green , the color of envy,I think. It is my signature color as well - but when I painted my Laguna shop in '98 - I had to have it mixed. As we left the paint shop , from behind the counter the comment was heard "OH, THAT'll will be back !"

You have, again, made me a bit lonely for my old haunts.

Happy May Day

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

What fun! I have been anxiously awaiting that book for awhile now. It's been sitting in my Amazon shopping cart waiting for release! I can't wait to curl up with it!!

Oh, that green. My favourite colour.

homemade said...

Love thi spost
I doubt that you are in London on May 6th but if you are drop me a line as we are having a book launch for Homemade and i would love you to come along.
with best wishes
Ros x

Laura said...

That is literally the most perfect green that I have ever seen. That Kelly green gets a little much sometimes...this is just perfect. Organic, calming but vibrant...perfect.

firefly said...

This book came in the mail just last week. I keep it close by on my coffee table and savor it every time I pick it up. Delicious!!

Design Cupcake said...

Miss Lisa, Was SO lovely sitting with you in the garden last night! Thank you for chatting, such an inspiration you are. And PD Green!! Brilliant! Lets tell PD to copyright that straight away. xx

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