Mix-Master Of Style

Reese Witherspoon shot for Harper's Bazaar April 2007 on location at Tony Duquette's home "Dawnridge" located in Los Angeles
Photo courtesy of Harper's Bazaar

Within the various forms of design, whether it be fashion, interior or architecture, I’m always inspired by the play of the unexpected mixed with the traditional. For me, Tony Duquette is the mix-master of this exact concept of artfully combined style. His creations exemplified the epitome of a seamlessly chic and exotic lifestyle expressed with the very thought that more is much superior then less. Duquette, a master at mixing the unique with the common to create luxe and fanciful, is being celebrated yet again with the new book More is More, by Hutton Wilkinson. This latest coffee-table tome pays homage to the eccentric design icon’s inspirations, personal life and everlasting influences through the presentation of archival interior shots and imaginative vignettes. Wilkinson, a former apprentice and colleague of the internationally acclaimed artist and designer, is keeping the Duquette vision alive through a series of projects and collections. Here are a few of my mix-master must-haves that I’m envisioning for my own personally inspired Duquette look. – KL

Tony Duquette multi-tourmaline necklace – www.tonyduquette.com and Saks Fifth Avenue Palm Beach

I first fell in the love with Tony Duquette jewels when I attended the opening party for the in-store Duquette boutique at Saks Fifth Avenue Palm Beach. The mix and play approach of combining various stones and gems, perfectly demonstrates my personal style of what a statement making piece should be. These special jeweled creations are truly one-of-a-kind and will always be timeless, chic and on my must-have list for added enhancement for any in vogue ensemble.

Here are three trés chic fabrics from the recently launched, The Tony Duquette Collection, by Jim Thompson www.jimthompson.com

Gemstone - The famed 'Malachite" pattern, a favorite of Duquette's which he showcased on dishes, floors, tabletops and within his jewelry creations. A personal favorite of mine as well, always the epitome of grand style

Golden Sunburst - I'm envisioning this updated "California Sunburst" pattern, recreated and repeated in a large scale, perfect for additional pillows for my sleek and graphic daybed.

Spinach Leopard - everyone knows I love a punch of leopard, so amazingly chic and fresh showcased in green. Duquette created the original spinach leopard print for his own personal use in the 1960s.

Biomorphic Console Table – The Selected Works of Tony Duquette by Baker. This recreation, circa 1965, is a prime example of a perfect juxtaposition of organic and luxe, and perfect for my loft. www.kohlerinteriors.com/baker/1_0_0_baker_home.jsp

More is More: Tony Duquette
By Hutton Wilkinson, Foreward by John Galliano
Preorder: www.amazon.com/gp/product/0810957027