Do you have a favorite designer? That one person whose work you follow more closely than the rest? The one who seems to reach right into your heart and pull out the spaces made of your loftiest dreams? The work that connects so well with your personal aesthetic that it leaves you breathless? Well, Darryl Carter is that person for me.
Last week I had the privilege of meeting him over cocktails at a private signing for his book, The New Traditional (you can imagine my excitement!) at Pagoda Red. Darryl was charming, humble, and refreshingly down to earth - he even joked about a call from a client earlier in the day regarding a leaky bathroom. Yes, he too deals with the everyday ups and downs and nitty gritty of working life.
I talked to him about how the May 2008 Elle Decor feature of his Virgina vacation home had made a lasting impression on me and that I had yet to find an interior more perfect than that. That's when he slipped me the tip that the November 2009 issue would be welcoming us into his D.C. home! I already eagerly await my Elle Decor each month, but after hearing that I could hardly stand it! And at last, the wait is over, my friends. The images are in, and quite frankly, they are jaw dropping, awe inspiring, breathtakingly gorgeous!
The corporate lawyer turned decorator and furniture designer's signature white walls tells us so much about his design philosophy. A neutral palette means furniture becomes king. The focus is bringing their intrinsic beauty to prominence and to the forefront of appreciation by minimizing visual distractions.
In addition to inherent good taste (he was not formally trained) and an eye for scale, perhaps Darryl's greatest talent of all is his ability to edit and truly embrace the words 'less is more.' Or as Coco Chanel put it (and my personal favorite), 'elegance is refusal.'
By scaling down, our eye can more easily focus in on the finer details (a patina on a vase, a woven pattern on a rug, a herringbone design on a floor...), highlighting a piece's true beauty and distinction. As a result, each object is elevated and made illustrious!
I'm grateful to now be able to add these images to my Darryl Carter inspiration file, which I'm sure will sustain me for much time to come! What a wonderful, spectacular treat for him to open the doors of his home to us and to be greeted by such a warm, soulful, and calming oasis! Thank you Darryl and Elle Decor!
Don't Miss:
*the resources
*the Virgina home
*the book, The New Traditional
*the furniture
*the portfolio
25 comments:
My husband just came down and asked "are you coming to bed?" I aid "in a minute honey, I just need to finish my work." Um, I really wanted to read this post as I saw it on twitter. Love him! I need to come back and peruse all the links. He has such an easy style.
Wow.
By far one of my the most stunning homes that I have ever had the pleasure of seeing! From his white walls, shutters and soaring ceilings, to his carefully edited and beautifully composed rooms, his work leaves a person in awe. He certainly understands what and how to create a sense of "home". He provokes curiosity with his selection of pieces -- they leave me wondering where they are from...how he found them...if they have a special meaning to him. The mix is gorgeous.
How exciting to meet him! I am certain he would be honored to see this feature that you have so eloquently put together, Crystal :)
How inspirational, I love the white background. Wonderful ceilings, beautiful furniture.
Great post,
xxx
What a wonderful home, so classic and stylish! Have a sweet day!
Nice Blog!! Spacify Offers contemporary Designer Furniturefor your home decoration.
What an amazing home! There are so many unique features yet it all works together. Love it - thanks for sharing!!
His work is gorgeous! I cannot believe you got to meet him. Designers are like celebs to me. They ooze with talent and I would be so nervous meeting him. That kitchen is perfection!
Carter is brilliant. No one can work a neutral palette like he can. The bathroom is amazing and definitely my favorite room. Although the two tubs kind of reminds me of those levitra commercials where the couple is sitting in two separate tubs overlooking a scenic view...and it's like, yeah well no wonder :)
Oh my goodness! He is easily one of my favorites. I think his book was one of the first design books I ever bought! That kitchen is just beyond divine.
What a gorgeous home -you've turned me into a fan! That's so amazing you got to meet him! I love that he's a corporate lawyer turned decorator :)
His work is stunning!
So lovely, Crystal! I didn't know this designer before, I can't wait to go explore more! I love how he really finds gorgeous wood pieces. Every one of those rooms has a stunning piece where the wood just shines! Of course, you know I love an all-white room and subtle palate. How wonderful to meet him! Jealous!
the bathroom and kitchen is like my dream! LOVE IT!
Pagoda Red was so happy to host Darryl last week for the book signing and it was a pleasure meeting you as well Crystal. His work is amazing and so is your blog. Can't wait for the next Elle Decor.
I don't really have a favorite designer I think.. but I can imagine how nice it must have been for you to chat with yours ;)
Where ? where ? where. do I even beging to tell you how amazing this is? The kitchen is fab, the bedroom, bathrooms - What an exceptional talent!
Lucky you - to meet over cocktails.
I love the clean lines but not too rigid. His design is classic, and inspirational.
thanks for sharing with us this very special day! I love the oversized shutters in the bathroom, it feels so European. So happy you had the chance to meet him!
i've already torn every page of it out of elle decor and saved them online. besides the dining room, which i LOVE, my favorite is that last photo you posted... it looks like an entryway, and it's the bathroom for god sakes!!! amazing. simple. lovely.
Stunning pictures, just found your blog, love it!
xoxo
-L
p.s
come check out my jewelry giveaway ~
http://www.luxe-shop.com/
What a fantastic sense of aesthetics you have! I wish you could come to my tiny flat and turn it into one of those gorgeous homes! Great photos too! Keep it up! X
Amazing,
The images decorating the residence are very beautiful, wonderful!
I found particularly interesting the bathroom.
Ps. Thank you for following my humble blog, I'm happy.
Success, kisses
These interiors are so inspirational!! Traditional, but in a very fresh way!!
I noticed Darryl in Elle, but thank you Crystal for really calling my attention to him. I went to his lecture at the Mart last Friday and it was SO inspiring and mesmerizing. What a treat to see another post on your blog about him.
Great seeing you at his Pagoda Red event!
Very elegant but I can't imagine living with so little color. Also, the style is way too formal for me - I think best suited to someone in their late 40s or older without kids at home. But i can totally see the appeal!
Post a Comment