LINDEN HILL, Dodo and Tory on the Main Line

1543 Monk Road, Gladwyne, PA

Here's another beauty, offered by Sotheby's - click here to read more...once the home of Campbell's soup heiress Dodo Hamilton, and later designer Tory Burch and family- price is now reduced- I adore the Prussian blue shutters, the landscape, and the provenance!  Enjoy!  DF

"Linden Hill"

Dorrance "Dodo" Hamilton - has also been known to restore old cottages from the 20's and 30's in Naples and on Boca Grande- and one can read more about her fabulous life here !

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Charmer on Flagler

via MLS

Last year, this cute house was listed for sale in West Palm Beach.  My designing friend, Louise Wilcox Cronan, had at that time moved to West Palm from Atlanta, and we were having fun looking at the available properties.  I had found this one and sent it to her, after she bought her adorable Spanish bungalow with guest house~which is really coming along in terms of renovations and decorating.  Louise is soooo talented!  I'll have to ask her if she would mind me posting a picture of her new living room, complete with pickled pecky cypress ceiling, and painted floors...

The only thing I'm curious about on this house shown above, is the width of the shutters- unless they fold back- perhaps they're merely decorative? Note the slight similarity to this house, and the one Tory Burch had shown recently, in Southampton, which I re-posted (see below)both have a New England charm, and classic good looks.  DF *****

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Southampton Dream Cottage

via Hernandez Greene Interior Design

So, yesterday, while checking in with the fabulous Tory Daily (Tory Burch Blog) I discovered this so charming and cute little grey cottage ~Tory featured it and the designers Hernandez Greene...I immediately fell in love with it!  It was love at first sight. 
In a few weeks I'll be in the Hamptons, so maybe I can find where this little charmer is and see it in person!  Do visit the Tory site to see more, or Hernandez Greene...the designers did an excellent job of making a small space feel larger, and very calm and beach-like, so suitable for the location.  Using a cool palette of soft blues and creams, with touches of straw on the floor and walls.  Just adorable.  Enjoy!  DF *****

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Gift: Tea for Two, or More!

Palm Beach Tea, from Leta Austin Foster Boutique

What fun to give Mummy or anyone these beautifully presented teas~ named after some of the charming streets of Palm Beach?  I chose the Via de Lago, since the green colour of the tin container should look great with the Tory Burch-Dodie Thayer lettuce ware I plan to give some good friends soon~it's a blend of Lychee and Oolong.  Available through my friend, Leta Foster, in Via Mizner, Palm Beach.  Enjoy!  DF *****

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Tory Burch

Dodie Thayer - Tory Burch lettuce ware, via ToryBurch.com

Recently, I purchased some of the new "lettuce ware" from the collaboration between Palm Beach ceramicist, Dodie Thayer, and fashion guru, Tory Burch .  Well, let me tell you, those people at TB really know how to wrap a gift !  All I can tell you is, it's over the top fabulous~ so much so, that my designer friend, Louise, who lives in Palm Beach, flipped when she got her delivery.  It's quite beautiful and elegant in the presentation ~so, I've decided to save mine and give it to some friends for a house-warming! Thanks to TB and her company for such excellent service!  DF ***** 

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Book: Manhattan Classic, Dean's Roses

Manhattan Classic, Geoffrey Lynch, Princeton Architectural Press

We're always thrilled to receive a review copy of a new design publication, and so, dear readers, here is the latest out on the very distinguished and highly desirable real estate, known as Manhattan Prewar Apartments....whether a classic six on Park or a classic eight on West End, these flats aim to please!  The book does a fabulous job of exposing an insider's view of Manhattan residential dwellings.  Kudos to Mr. Lynch and his editorial team!

Floral creation by DFID

And, while we're on the topic of reading, lest I digress- I was reading the design blog of my California friend, Peggy Braswell (According to Braswell)  and saw a most attractive floral she had written about...which inspired my very own creation, shown above- which incorporates fresh ivory-peach roses, shiny green begonia leaves, and the tips of green palm fronds...what do you think?  See Peggy's post here

'Tumblr, via According to Braswell

At first, you see, dear readers, I was so happy to just have the roses- but then when I saw what Peggy had posted about this morning, I just had to change it up a bit...James T. Farmer and Martha would be so proud!  Perhaps I had what is known as a Martha Moment !!!  Or was it a Peggy Posy? :)

Dean's bouquet shown with Ralph Lauren accessories

Don't you agree, these peachy roses look sensational with the waxed begonia leaves?  The roses have a lovely, subtle fragrance too.  I had a lovely morning arranging this petite bouquet, which I created especially for my desk at work.  I also was inspired by Bronson Van Wyck on the Tory Burch blog...which is another favorite read of mine - check it out!  Cheers!  DF *****

Ultra Alert: Tory Burch

TORY BURCH! What can I say? She is a new kind of super fashion genius! So many of the ladies visiting our design shop have been sporting TB, I couldn't help but notice, if you don't have your TB's yet, GET 'EM !!! And they all the say the same thing: how comfortable they are! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! All about Tory! DF******