Garrow Kedigian's Proustian Ambiance
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| The timeless living of Garrow Kedigian |
If Marcel Proust walked into designer Garrow Kedigian's New York apartment today he would feel right at home. The elegant layered interior reflects the clear link between Garrow and his french roots (he's a member of the noted Petrossian family). The comfortable home has a history of men with great style living in it. Actor Fred Astaire was a prior owner of the spacious Park Avenue nest and frequently hosted glamorous parties for his friends there. Today, that entertaining tradition lives on, the first party Garrow hosted was a black tie move in party the night he bought the apartment and coincidentally he just turned 40 as well. His expertise in the art of party giving was apparent the minute I started talking to him about doing this piece.
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| Designer Garrow Kedigian |
Tip: Don't over think the details. He advises following your inspiration and keeping it simple.
What influences your menu choices when you entertain?
I like to serve fingers foods that are easy to eat standing up. I often give cocktail parties and the hors d'oeuvres are always passed.
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| A subtle reminder of the apartments past owner. |
Tip: Throwing a great party begins with finding a good caterer and having a good relationship with them. It's also very important to be clear about your expectations. I have a great caterer that I use for everything, Soleil. They are really wonderful.
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| The hors d'oeuvres are always simple and presented on trays to guests by waiters. This array of trays are waiting for the guests to arrive. The black and white fabric is from Garrow's fabric collection. |
Who or what has most inspired your entertaining style?
My family is in the food business so that has influenced me, but my grandmother has inspired my style. She hosted a wedding for my first cousin Diane Perrier at her country villa. It really opened my eyes to lavish entertaining with style. Everything was perfect.
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| Beautiful gold rimmed etched glasses. |
Tip: Always serve clear beverages i.e. white wine, champagne or seltzer because they don't stain the upholstery.
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| Beautiful flowers are a must. The flowers for this party were done by designer Kurt Miller, who is a frequent lucky house guest. |
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| These beautiful malachite boxes are made to order by Designer Kurt Miller. |
Do you have a favorite china or tabletop item that you collect?
I have been an avid collector since I was a child. Going to the Paris flea markets is one of my favorite things to do. Since my interiors are very layered I am always on the lookout for great pieces. I love Wedgwood Jasperware and vintage Greek pattern glasses.
Million Dollar Interview
I am a big fan of podcasts. There are several that I listen to in the car on a regular basis and one of my favorites is Million Dollar Decorating. The host James Swan always presents a really informative and entertaining show with the stars of interior design. Its a bit like a design hall of fame: Suzanne Rheinstein, Alexa Hampton, Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz and on and on the list goes.
Today I am featured in episode 140. So please tune in and listen to a lively discussion of design influences and ideas that have guided my career. Enjoy!
A Day in the Graden
One of my favorite ways to spend a summer afternoon is lunching with friends. Our friends Ian and Madeline Hooper recently invited us to a divine Saturday lunch at their house, Rockland Farm. Of course no visit is complete without a tour of the garden. So after lunch we took a walk through their Garden of Eden. The only way to describe their garden is if gardening were an Olympic sport the Hoopers would be gold medalists.
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| The Potager with its raised beds and seating area. |
Their ten acre farm is a breath taking example of gardening's finest pleasures. A series of gardens rooms that flow one after another that feature a 450 rock ledge with a dry garden, pastoral views of the mountains and a water garden that would make Monet envious are some of the highlights of this paradise.
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| This beautiful support was made from branches found on the property. |
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| The pool and pergola. |
A Stylish Setting
Who wouldn't want to spend a weekend at Rosecliff Mansion, the stunning ocean front property on historic Bellevue Avenue in Newport? The house was the setting for the annual Newport Flower Show. The show which is fast becoming the grand dame of flower shows on the east coast was brimming with inspiration around every corner. From the judged arrangements to the garden installations on the front lawn of the mansion the creativity of the participants was boundless.
Thomas and I were very happy to have been asked to be a part of this esteemed event this year. The table we designed for the oceanside terrace was inspired by the colors of nature that engulf the property: blue and green. We really tried to achieve a modern formal setting that reflected the history of Newport society and that would offer a fresh background for the judged arrangements that were displayed on the table.
The custom blue of the my fretwork fabric printed on white fit the bill and when paired with the blue, green and gold of my china it really looked crisp and summery. A clean, modern and traditional table perfect for today.
The four flower arrangements that were displayed on the table were done by the shows participates and were judged arrangements. I was very lucky that Newport style maven Bettie Pardee decided to come out of flower show arrangement retirement and do one for our table. Hers was an airy symphony of complimentary blues and greens that fit the table perfectly.
Jeri Bedient did a wonderful arrangement that used an heirloom punchbowl from her collection. I got to meet Jeri while I was there and her arrangement is as delightful as she is. She went out of her way and bought my book to have an idea of our style and her interpretation of it was pitch perfect.
The amazing Julia B. and her line of custom linens came to the rescue and created these amazing monogramed napkins for the table. Since Thomas and couldn't decide which monogram to use we split them fifty fifty and alternated napkins on the table.
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| Our table on the terrace of Rosecliff. The Fretwork tablecloth is made in a custom blue for the show. Garden Folly seat covers on the white ballroom chairs in leaf echo the lettuce Charlotte dinner plates from my collection. |
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| The new Thomas charger in gold paired with the Charlotte dinner plate in lettuce and Charlotte dessert plate in Celeste Bleu. |
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| Bettie Pardee's summery arrangement. |
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| Arrangement by Jeri Bedient. |
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| Custom napkins by Julia B. |
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| Hand painted place cards that I made to echo the Garden Folly fabric motif. Vintage place card holders from Etsy. |
Why are fun place cards so hard to find? I had a deuce of a time finding cute ones. So I decided just to make my own using watercolors in a fun loose style. Presto, interesting and unique place cards. For additional images please check my Instagram or our Traditional Home Magazine Designer Takeover feed from the show, both have fun videos and a broad array of beautiful images from the show and Newport.
We are thrilled that we have been asked back to do it again next year! The shows theme is Fete des Fleurs: Paintings and Parterres and will be held again at Rosecliff and starts June 23, 2017.
We are thrilled that we have been asked back to do it again next year! The shows theme is Fete des Fleurs: Paintings and Parterres and will be held again at Rosecliff and starts June 23, 2017.
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