TONY DOUQUETTE DESIGNS LAND UNDERFOOT WITH RUGS

Photo Courtesy of Hutton Wilkinson

Hutton Wilkinson, protege and collaborator of Tony Duquette's for over 30 years, rounds out an exuberant collection of fabrics,wallpaper, lighting and furniture with the newest addition, rugs. Duquette is known for creating elaborate Broadway costumes, stage settings and over the top decorative items for New York and Hollywood cognoscenti. His furnishings were often re - purposed from found materials that were elevated by using unique finishing techniques with bold and exuberant results. He lived to 85, and his designs were so in demand that catalogs from a Christie's auction in the 80's sold out immediately. Hutton has made sure the Duquette legacy lives on, by collaborating with companies that best executed the vision-- Baker Furniture, Remains Lighting, Jim Thompson Fabrics and now, Roubini for rugs. The rugs capture the greatest hits of Duquette, bringing glamour and drama to the floor.

A personal favorite, Malachite, in an all- over pattern

Leopard in Spinach has an op art quality to it

Fireworks looks both old and new, with an art deco feel

Duquette loved Coral, and the rug is constant pattern of a flowing coral field

Tibetan Sun is a close match to the fabric pattern, and the dominant colors can take a room in many directions

Golden Sunburst with it's rays and overlapping beams is like a modern work of art

Ermine, a Duquette symbol of glamour and the high life, becomes an abstracted pattern when used evenly across the ground

Beauty and The Beast brings Broadway to life, with a charming grisaille stage set

TONY DUQUETTE LIGHTING LAUNCHES AT REMAINS

Remains Lighting carries on the fantastical and whimsical designs in lighting created by the late Hollywood designer and bon vivant, Tony Duquette. This new launch in The Permanent Collection is available at all Remains locations and was synced up with the release of newest Duquette tome by Hutton Wilkinson, More is More. A hit of luxury and humor is necessary in these times. Companies should forge ahead with inspiring new designs. We can remain hopeful that things will get better, and look to fantasy-- a necessary element to excite and lead the way.


The Splashing Water Chandelier in in Ecru/Tea takes its cue from a fountain, with its animated arc of water droplets frozen in time.



The Splashing Water Table Lamp Inspiration came from a chandelier Duquette designed in 1956 for the opening fete for his Robertson Boulevard. A marble base and linear metal frame highlights droplets held in mid air above and below the shade.


The Splashing Water Sconce in turquoise and pink has scattered arms that fan out with water drops. A cluster of acrylic drops in the center shimmer like a vintage brooch.


The California Sunburst Sconce design came from a 1964 stage curtain he designed for the LA Music Center. The hand-polished metal extended rays of light in a starburst pattern casts a shadow on walls and makes quite a statement .


The California Sunburst Corona Chandelier with sleek angular pieces takes on an entirely new look when suspended.



The California Sunburst Chandelier reminds me of a Bernini sculpture, with its dramatic rays expanding outward.


The Magic Forest Sconce design with wispy branches and feather-like metal leaves are made more lively with acrylic droplets.


The Magic Forest Floor Lamp came from a pair of torchiere-trees Duquette made for the 1952 MGM musical Lovely To Look At.



The suspended Magic Forest Chandelier takes on a whole new look in the round. There is a lightness from the leaves and playful element.


The Dusk Phoenix Candlestick came from themes Duquette often worked wit. The phoenix, a symbol of rebirth and renewal appeared often in his work. This elaborate candlestick combines an ostrich egg, black onyx, and serpentine hard stones, with a hand gilded 23 karat gold pillar, bringing together natural and rare materials.

JIM THOMPSON LAUNCHES THE TONY DUQUETTE COLLECTION OF FABRICS

You may own the book, you have seen the furniture with Baker, here are the fabrics. Hutton Wilkinson worked with Jim Thompson Silks to create a collection of dazzling fabrics. Tony Duquette was a good friend of Thompson's, so it is a natural fit to do a collection with the house today. Glitz and glam, the Duquette fabric line is based on his archives and classic imagery of Malachite, Coral Branches and Ermine Tails. Wilkinson created a line with luscious jewel tones and energetic prints, making a style statement that can be used boldly, as well tonally. The brochure was photographed at The Dawnridge Estate, the inspiration for many of the collections. It showcases the Baker furniture line, accessories, and Duquette baubles with moody lighting and great panache.

Photos by Dana Maione
A screen covered in Golden Sunburst, a silk jacquard weave with a large scale sunburst motif, comes in red lacquer and gold and blue. The back pillows are of Asia Major, a silk blend offered in an array of jewel tones. Then in front, the semi precious stone is center stage with the Gemstone malachite print.



For major glamour, use the prints together. The pelmet of Tibetan Sun, a silk and cotton embroidered motif, is shown with panels of Asia Minor, a nice coordinating patten. Intricate Moroccan grillwork and inlay influenced the Gemstone Grillwork pattern on the middle pillow. This relaxing lair with the warm night air is party ready. Don a caftan and some large jewelry and you are ready to step into this picture.



The White Gemstone print is for a fab moment. It also comes in lapis lazuli blue, rose quartz pink, beige and honey-toned onyx.



Get your Om on with the Gemstone print in Emerald green.



Duquette jewels make the perfect curtain tieback.



The solid silk Fireworks has tone on tone glam. When Duquette did the costumes for the Tony-winning original Broadway production of Camelot, he created them out of Jim Thompson iridescent silks. This collection was destined to be glamorous from the start.

HIGH POINT REVEAL: THE SELECTED WORKS OF TONY DUQUETTE FROM BAKER

Photo by Tim Street-Porter, from "Tony Duquette," Abrams, New York
The Drawing Room

Photo Courtesy of Hutton Wilkinson/The Tony Duquette Estate

Glamour! Fantasy! These words come to mind when describing The Selected Works of Tony Duquette Collection Baker revealed at High Point last week. Hutton Wilkinson, protege and collaborator of Duquette's for over 30 years, owns the Dawnridge estate in Los Angeles, where the original pieces reside. To see the interiors, pick up Tony Duquette by Hutton and Wendy Goodman if you do not already own it. Duquette is known for creating elaborate costumes, stage settings and decorative items, winning a Tony for the original Broadway production of Camelot. For his furnishings he re purposed found materials, elevating them by using unique finishing techniques. He lived to 85, and his designs were so in demand that catalogs from a Christie's auction in the 80's sold out immediately. Thank goodness a book was done recently on his life's work. Hutton was kind enough to invite me to a Dawnridge dinner party a few years back. Not something I will ever forget.

The reproductions by Baker faithfully capture the whimsy and wonder of the originals, using unique materials and special finishes. The archives provided inspiration for designs spanning from 1947-1972. The selected pieces are works of art. Baker is known for sourcing the best materials and as seen below, they let this artisans vision come alive.

THE BIG REVEAL:



Photos Courtesy of Baker
The Abalone Chandelier of painted steel and abalone shells, Circa 1952. Eight were produced and they have already sold out!!!


The Palmer Chair, Circa 1965


The Marsan Chair, Circa 1951



The Macao Garden Seat of lacquered wood, Circa 1960



The Organic Baroque Chair of wrought iron , Circa 1965



The Sunburst Torchere of cast bronze, Circa 1949


The Biomorphic Mirror of cast resin and gold leaf, Circa 1965



One of the signature pieces is the Biomorphic Console of cast resin and gold leaf, Circa 1965


Talk to the animals--- an homage to Dr. Doolittle?! The Ghost Snail Lamp of cast resin and pin shell veneer, Circa 1970


The Abalone Mosaic Cocktail Table of brass and abalone shell, Circa 1959



The Paris Snowflake Screen of 14 karat gold leaf or silver leaf (shown) and cast alluminum, Circa 1951

The Regency Pagoda Lamp of painted cast resin, Circa 1970

The Jeweled Votive Table Lamp of silver or 24 karat gold plated (shown) cast bronze, Circa 1972


The Arrow of The Sea Swordfish Snout Lamp Sculpture of Murano glass and cast bronze, Circa 1972
The Gold Toad Decorative Piece of 24 karat gold plated cast bronze, Circa 1970

The Insect Man Sculpture of painted steel, Circa 1947. A precursor to Burning Man perhaps?

Visit a Baker retailer or the Baker site to purchase these fantastical objets (going fast).