Friday, February 25, 2011

Bonus Round


Behind my desk I have low shelves.  Within short reach, on the top shelf, are lucite boxes of both current magazines and some with which I cannot part.


I have a lot of House & Gardens, a good bit of Domino and a smattering of older AD, House Beautiful and Elle Decor.  Sometimes, and it just might coincide with a hiccup in the writing process, I'll turn around and wonder why I kept certain issues.


Today was such a day.  I ran across a most excellent pop quiz, but I don't want to run it today.  I'm saving it for next week and it will be the mother of all pop quizzes.  Like the abhorred algebra teacher, I will place my head on my pillow each night over the weekend, grinning with anticipation of this too-hard test.


But today I will stand at the front of the class, a class expecting nothing new on a Friday, a class dreaming of red carpet gowns and sunny climes, and ask the tough question in an off-hand, yet steely way.


Anyone want to venture a guess when this was published?  These room struck me as timeless in a not-overly traditional way.  I think the publication is obvious, but if you can also name the designer you will go to the head of the class.

Post Script

Kudos to Los Angeles-based designer Oliver Furth.  At 12:54 a.m. CST, he correctly identified this as an Architectural Digest piece from the early 1990's.  He also recognized it as the home of Harley Baldwin above the Caribou Club in Aspen, Colorado.

I can hardly say "star pupil" as I am learning from him.
Oliver Furth
The design is by Peter Hans Kunz and Alan Tanksley, who had worked together at Mark Hampton and then went out on their own.  You can see Tanksley's portfolio here.  And, Mr. Know-it-All, Furth, here. I mean, geezo beezo the guy must have been, what, ten when this was published?

Images, Architectural Digest, November 1993, photography by Mary E. Nichols; Furth image courtesy of Elle Decor.
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23 comments:

  1. pve designFebruary 25, 2011 at 5:11 AM

    I will give it a shot-
    AD - 80's
    not sure of designer....
    back of the class I go.
    pve

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  2. The enchanted homeFebruary 25, 2011 at 6:09 AM

    I am honestly not sure who did this..but I would really like to know. It is just FABULOUS. The foyer looked like Oscar de la Rentas foyer in the Dominican but I am sure this is not his home....will follow up to see who decorated this gorgeous space, doesn't look recent but is indeed timeless, I agree.
    To the back of the class I go:)

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  3. kmackFebruary 25, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    Well, you would catch me out of town, when I cannot confirm my guess. But, is it William Hodgins, Architectural Digest, Sept 1981?

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  4. Mrs. BlandingsFebruary 25, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    Yes to AD, no to Hodgins. Good work, though.

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  5. Michele from BostonFebruary 25, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    I'm guessing AD as well. Early 90s? And a totally wild stab - Rose Tarlow.

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  6. Bruce BaroneFebruary 25, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    Beautiful space.

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  7. peggy braswellFebruary 25, 2011 at 10:17 AM

    Beautiful images+timeless..hmmmm I will await the answer. Thanks xx peggybraswelldesign.com

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  8. Michele from BostonFebruary 25, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    Also, just had a second cup of coffee: is it the residence of the man who owns some posh old club/restaurant in Aspen, CO?

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  9. AnonymousFebruary 25, 2011 at 11:13 AM

    John Saladino.

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  10. AnonymousFebruary 25, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    I see a few David Easton cues, going with David.

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  11. maryFebruary 25, 2011 at 12:08 PM

    I'm guessing early 90s; has mountains in view-Colorado; gorgeous English rent table--absolutely no idea. But I'm gasping for breath over the beauty of the design, the art, the timeless classic quality. Mary

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  12. RoyFebruary 25, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    Looks like AD circa 1980's, Michael Taylor?

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  13. JessicaFebruary 25, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    I say AD, either David Hicks or Ralph Lauren.

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  14. The Devoted ClassicistFebruary 25, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    That's a chandelier we don't see everyday!

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  15. Acanthus and AcornFebruary 25, 2011 at 4:28 PM

    I could tell the AD part and thought the late 1990's. Wouldn't have had a prayer guessing any of the other details. Love the staircase!

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  16. AnonymousFebruary 25, 2011 at 6:20 PM

    Know I'm late...knew it had something to do with Mark Hampton...his style is so unique, thought it was AD, but would have guessed the 80's or before....great photos

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  17. cotedetexasFebruary 25, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    wow. oliver, that is impressive!

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  18. 72 and sunnyFebruary 25, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    shya. I was going to say early 90s but SF. Oliver. he's brilliant.

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  19. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2011 at 8:04 AM

    Amazing- it's certainly stood the test of time. What a talented design duo!
    -linda,ny

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  20. The Down East DilettanteFebruary 26, 2011 at 12:05 PM

    Oh darn, once again I'm too late for the party--I did after a few moments recognize that they were the rooms of somebody named Harley in above his private club in Aspen, from AD, but before I could pull up any more, I saw that Mr. Furth had done it all. And a good trick it is. Sadly, unlike Mr. Furth, I was more like forty when those rooms were published. Once seen, true room queens never forget a space.

    And yes, it has held up well---it's from right on the edge of when AD started getting awful. I have far more issues saved from pre '95 than after.

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  21. DavidFebruary 26, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    So glad I found your blog! great post!

    -David-

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  22. UnknownFebruary 26, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    So impressed Oliver got it right off! While I did not remember seeing this before, I have been to the Caribou Club. Is that close enough?!

    ~ E

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  23. quintessenceFebruary 27, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    Well I feel better - NEVER would have guessed that!!

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