Table of contents for March/April 2017 in Veranda

The famed Italian jewelry house Bulgari is renowned for its sense of color—the firm is masterful at transforming bonbon-hued gems into timeless heirlooms so stunning, even diamonds take on supporting roles. Its secret weapon in this opulent form of Candy Crush is creative director Lucia Silvestri, who has developed a knack for finding exquisite stones and is something of a trailblazer, having started with the company at age 18. “It’s like a Cinderella story in some ways,” says Silvestri, a Rome native who went from being a temporary secretary in the gemological department to, at 20, traveling the world sourcing gemstones with the Bulgari brothers themselves. Most commercial gem buyers are men, and there are few female creative directors in haute joaillerie. “Picture me in Sri Lanka, in a tiny…

Darryl Carter’s new collection for Milling Road is a gutsy update to tradition. Octagonal mirror, $1,302, and Walsh chest, $2,793; bakerfurniture.com. Graphic fret- and scrollwork and an elegant natural-oak finish elevate the Wilsford garden bench. $5,880; jamb.co.uk. Chinese porcelain patterns gain bold new life in gorgeous China Print bedding. From $2,160 a set; pratesi.com. Illuminate the kitchen with a splashy, unexpected shade of green. Lundy pendant, $2,216; urban electricco.com. Christian Lacroix channels Madeleine Castaing by way of the tropics. Groussay fabrics, to the trade; designers guild.com. An enchanting heirloom table is composed of silvered boughs and undulating marble. Scrolling Branch console, $11,136; soane.co.uk. Clean-lined glamour envelops Bungalow Classic’s debut collection for Highland House. Luc slipper chair, $2,280, and Courtney upholstered bed, $12,000; highlandhousefurniture.com.…

Masseria Potenti, a 16th-century f a rmh o u s e - turned-hotel in the Puglian countryside, is the type of whitewashed compound where sun and shade form a near-constant yin and yang. So when interiors stylist and set designer Hilary Robertson went in search of a locale that would highlight the enduring appeal of Sunbrella, she lit on the simple beauty of this region of ancient farmland in the heel of Italy’s boot, near the Ionian Sea. “The architecture, the natural surroundings, and the ease with which one can live indoors and out—it’s an ideal backdrop,” Robertson says. Together with Sunbrella design director Greg Voorhis, Robertson deployed richly hued fabrics throughout the family-owned inn. In its open courtyards, exterior staircases, and secluded alcoves, the duo created “rooms” using swaths…

AMERICAN BEAUTY The country’s horticultural heritage is the subject of “Cultivating America’s Gardens,” an exhibition organized by the Smithsonian Libraries and Gardens and opening in April. The engrossing show traces green spaces through a trove of archival materials—from 18th-century engravings to turn-of-the-20th-century catalogs to vivid vintage photography—that are as wide-ranging, vibrant, and diverse as the nation itself. library.si.edu. SIGNATURE STYLE A bespoke monogram by Nancy Sharon Collins is the ultimate luxury, but the stationer is upping the ante with seminars in which she teaches the art. Students design their own initials and get to take home note cards emblazoned with their work—“thank you” never looked so good! $225; nancysharoncollinsstationer.com. REQUIRED READING Understated glamour is the subject of The Art of Elegance ($55) by Marshall Watson. In How They Decorated ($55),…

“I HAVE EXACTLY ONE PAIR OF PANTS,” SAYS HUTTON WILKINSON. THE CALIFORNIA DESIGNER—WHOSE JEWELRY AND INTERIORS EXUDE MAXIMALIST PANACHE—HASN’T FALLEN ON HARD TIMES. Rather, he is taking inventory of the uncharacteristically minimalist wardrobe he stocks at Argyle Farm, his 100-acre mountaintop retreat in Malibu. “A couple of shirts, some tennis clothes, and shoes,” he lists. “And swim trunks. That’s it. Very easy and thoughtless.” Glorious abandon is, indeed, the point of this idyll overlooking the Pacific, a getaway that serves as an antidote to the glittery life he and his wife, Ruth, lead in Beverly Hills. In town, they preside over a three-story palazzo filled with Venetian paintings and leopard-print carpets— a house that’s a frequent setting for themed parties. “You are served drinks, and you dress up,” Wilkinson says.…

1.The Chippendale armchair is a doppelgänger for the vintage versions in Hutton Wilkinson’s Malibu escape (page 156). $1,320; bungalow5.com. 2.Alfonso Marina’s Toulouse mirror channels the impact of the antiques used in a California home by Laurie Steichen (page 166). To the trade; alfonsomarina.com. 3.Cooking Apple Green is an homage to the custom verdigris hue that Steichen applied on library walls (page 167). $99 per gallon; farrow-ball.com. 4.Cox London’s X-Frame stool mirrors John Saladino’s antiques (page 136). To the trade; rosetarlow.com. 5.Curate Kathryn M. Ireland’s worldly look (page 147) with the Spider’s Nest stool. $3,300; tuckerrobbins.com. 6.Wilkinson’s guesthouse (page 154) is swathed in a custom textile; this Lanka Lapis hand-blocked fabric has the same verve. To the trade; johnrobshaw.com.…

the March - April issue marks our annual celebration of the glories of outdoor living. For some of you around the U.S., spring is already chugging along full steam ahead; for those in more northern climes, these pages can be a primer for jump-starting the season (hopefully, it doesn’t come across as a tease). This year, we’ve added a little twist to our lineup with a focus on California. After all, when it comes to homes that blur the line between indoors and out, no place does it better. Our special section and the sun-filled residences in this issue are a testament to living the good life. The rooms presented here weren’t fabricated on a Hollywood back lot—they’re real-life, lived-in spaces that offer timeless inspiration for houses in any zip…

it began, as many things do these days, with a blog. Helene Henderson (Swedish native, former model) was working as a private chef in Los Angeles and moonlighting with cooking lessons for friends when she started posting recipes online as an easy way to distribute information. Her elemental cooking, driven by what she plucked from the beds of her Malibu farm, hit a nerve. The classes grew, morphed into an underground restaurant, and outgrew capacity on her property. Poking around, she negotiated a lease for a café, long abandoned, at the end of the Malibu pier—an unlikely spot. “No one went out there but fishermen,” Henderson says. The blog gave her an instant audience, though, and Malibu Farm was an immediate hit, with diners trekking to the beach enclave for…

when designers at Kravet, the centuryold fabric, wallcovering, and furniture house, begin to map out a new collection, they have a secret tool at their fingertips: a vast, museum-quality private archive that chronicles the history of pattern and textile design. The family-owned company—which counts Lee Jofa, Groundworks, and GP&J Baker as three of its signature brands— acquired the legacy firm Brunschwig & Fils in 2011, and a trove of vintage fabrics and an immense library of textiles were part of the deal. (Brunschwig & Fils kept samples of every pattern they had ever produced, most long discontinued.) That archive has since been folded into a collection that totals more than 25,000 items, from fabrics and wallpapers to clothing, vintage hatboxes, beaded pieces from Africa, and an embroidered Coptic tapestry panel…

at the center of a sun-dappled clearing amid a maze of boxwoods and a riotous arbor of fragrant Cecile Brunner roses, event planner Keith Robinson hosts a resplendent lunch that captures the beauty of the season. The spot is particularly significant as it was the first of several “rooms” he created in the garden after purchasing his historic Georgia plantation. Awash in a symphony of pinks, creams, and greens, it feels especially alive during spring’s prime. Inspired by the surrounding flora, he gravitated toward a pastel palette for the simple but refined table, like a linen tablecloth in a delicate celadon shade, lavender napkins, moss-green glasses, and a hint of sparkle in gold-rimmed plates. In a sumptuous crowning touch, Robinson pulled plushly upholstered Louis XV–style dining chairs from indoors. “They’re…

If John Saladino’s previous Montecito, California, residence—the acclaimed and sprawling Villa di Lemma (dilemma, get it?)—was his blaze of glory, then his current home is an exquisite, essential flame. Nestled in the picturesque hills of Santa Barbara County above the Pacific coast, this is “a big-little house,” the legendary designer says. Well, not quite that little, but at 3,800 square feet, the home is about a third of the size of his previous residence. The 11-foot ceilings give the rooms scale and heft. But there is no denying that such a dramatic downsizing required a serious edit. “I brought only my most treasured things,” Saladino says. “You come to a point in life where you begin to give things away, and I had already started. It wasn’t difficult.” His home…

THE SWEET SCENT of osmanthus blossoms hovers in the abundant gardens that surround the Montecito bungalow of San Francisco interior designer Suzanne Tucker and her husband and business partner of more than 30 years, Timothy Marks. The lush grounds—landscaped with California oak, redwood, magnolia, and olive trees; blooming jasmine and citrus; and a dramatic 30-foot-tall white bird-of-paradise—frame their very private and serene world. “It’s our own secret garden,” Tucker says, “with incredible views of the Santa Ynez Mountains.” In the designer’s expert hands, the sunny cottage, just 1,300 square feet, is a luxurious cocoon, with welcoming armchairs beside a handsome fireplace, lusciously draped four-poster beds, fine antique rugs, and a relaxed color scheme of pale hues. The decor is restrained, emphasizing a peaceful, meditative quality. Tucker’s edit includes the easy…

CAROLE FABRICS For the past 58 years, Carole Fabrics has been an industry leader in supplying decorative fabrics, handcrafted window treatments, elegant trimming and drapery hardware. To learn more, call us at 800.439.8260 or visit carolefabrics.com. MIELE AND THE HEARST DESIGN GROUP HOST A SPECIAL EVENING Miele and the Hearst Design Group hosted a special event at the Miele San Francisco Experience Center, where designer Catherine Kwong demonstrated how balancing utility with design in the kitchen creates the perfect place for elevated, intimate entertaining. JP WEAVER COMPANY Specialists in the design and fabrication of architectural moldings. Known in Los Angeles and worldwide for their original designs drawn from historical references, proudly fabricated in the USA. Delicate fretwork inset into cabinet panel, one of hundreds of unique designs, richly carved with…

GREAT OUTDOORS Page 80 Interior design: Mary McDonald, marymcdonald.com. DESIGNER IN RESIDENCE Page 84 Interior design: Richard Hallberg, Richard Hallberg Interior Design, 310-659-3531, hallberg-wiseleydesigners.com. Daniel Cuevas, Daniel C. Cuevas Interior Design, 310-652-5310, danielcuevasdesigner.com. Dennis & Leen, 310- 652-0855, dennisandleen.com. Formations, 310- 659-3062, formationsusa.com. ITALIAN ODYSSEY Page 92 Pillow and bolster fabrics: Sunbrella, sunbrella.com. Page 93 Parasol: East Coast Umbrella, eastcoastumbrella.com. Parasol canvas: Sunbrella, sunbrella.com. Pages 94–95 Modular seating, shade, and pillow fabrics: Sunbrella, sunbrella.com. Page 96 Pillows: Dransfield & Ross, dransfieldandross.com. Bench cushion and pillow fabrics: Sunbrella, sunbrella.com. Page 97 Umbrellas: Tuuci, tuuci.com. Umbrella canvas: Sunbrella, sunbrella.com. BEAUTY BECKONS Keith Robinson, Gloriosa Design, 404-523-8077, gloriosadesign.com. Page 100 Tablecloth and napkins: Sferra, sferra.com. Glassware: TableArt, tableart online.com. LIFE FIELD NOTES Page 108 Wineglass: Veritas Cabernet/Merlot glass, $35 each, riedelusa.net. Fabric (used as tablecloth): Colefax and Fowler, cowtan.com. Glass…

ZEN PALACE Opera diva Ganna Walska sought enlightenment when she bought 37 acres in Montecito in 1941. Intending it to be a monastery, Walska instead cultivated one of the most remarkable gardens on earth, with sections for succulents, cacti, and a rare collection of cycads—which she sold a million dollars’ worth of jewelry to fund. This year, Lotusland will restore its lauded Japanese garden, revamping its pond and making paths more accessible. Consider it paradise found. lotusland.org. TROPICAL DELIGHT The latest collection of furniture from outdoor purveyor Janus et Cie reimagines classic rattan in new shapes and colors. Evocative shades from greige to vibrant green and ocher come in updated silhouettes that are a far cry from your average bistro chair—and gorgeous, indoors or out. Brioche and Baguette armchairs, from…

1.Marco Bicego’s Marrakech Supreme necklace is composed of multiple strands of twisting gold that can be worn doubled for a layered effect. $32,030; marcobicego.com. 2. The Love Knot bracelet by Jemma Wynne is slinky, supple, and sexy. $5,985; bergdorfgoodman.com. 3. Concentric grooves cover a large-scale shield on Yossi Harari ’s Vinyl cocktail ring. $5,820; bergdorf goodman.com. 4. Sanjay Kasliwal ’s pliable Woven cuff molds beautifully to the wrist. $1,900; sanjaykasliwal.com. 5. Stream earrings from Fernando Jorge feature undulating asymmetrical lines. $5,110; fernandojorge.co.uk. 6. Artfully beaded ridges twirl around Lalaounis’s cocktail ring. $4,230; lalaounis.com. 7. Hammered Horizontal Oval earrings by Elizabeth Locke are classic and chic. $3,900; neimanmarcus.com. 1. The Princess bracelet by Roberto Coin marries a subtle etched finish to a graphic interior. $17,000; robertocoin.com. 2. Pavé diamonds line the…

consider curb appeal, the magnetism that beckons people into your house before they even get out of the car. No polished lacquered door, trimmed topiary, or patinated clapboard facade is complete without a pair of outdoor sconces flanking the entryway. And a terrace without them feels a bit bare (to say nothing of dark). A strategic light source is a lot more than that—think of it as jewelry your house gets to wear, then sit back and let your guests fall in love. 1. BEVOLO Old-world handforged elegance. Italianate, $1,800; bevolo.com. 2. URBAN ARCHAEOLOGY A moderne moment in shipshape brass. Sutton Place, $3,025; urban archaeology.com. 3. FORMATIONS Delicate crenellations and restoration glass. Montecito, to the trade; formationsusa.com. 4. CHARLES EDWARDS Exquisitely chic chinoiserie. Pagoda Bell, to the trade; charlesedwards.com. 5.…

WHEN TERRI AND JOHN HAVENS fall in love, they fall hard, which explains how the Houston couple came to own the Cal-a-Vie Health Spa in Southern California. “John is a runner, and he found a great marathon, the Rock ’n’ Roll one, in San Diego,” Terri says. “The first year, I said, let’s go to a spa afterward as a reward. He went begrudgingly but became hooked. After a few years, we discovered Cal-a-Vie and loved that it was so small and customized. John said, ‘I think the future is health and wellness— this is what we should invest in.’ ” They bought the spa in 2000 and, for the first few years, used the previous owner’s residence—a one-bedroom cottage on the property—as their base. “But then our family grew…

1, 2, and 8. Thai Silk I, Thai Silk VI, and Isan fabrics, to the trade; jimthompsonfabrics.com. 3. Terracotta Star tile, $11; cletile.com. 4. Nearly Peach paint, from $32 a gallon; sherwin-williams.com. 5 and 6. Fresh Peach and Topaz paints, from $40 a gallon; benjaminmoore.com. 7. Cuscino rose gold–and-coral bracelet, $49,550; vhernier.com. 9. Monsoon fabric, to the trade; zimmer-rohde.com. 10. PIN008 border, to the trade; dedar.com. 11. Potomak Studio Peach platter, $310; abchome.com. 12. Lobmeyr Alpha tumblers, $64 each; kneenandco.com. 13 and 15. Landscape vases, from $395 each; elysegraham.com. 14. Craft fabric, to the trade; www.pierrefrey.com. 16. Wilcoxson Brooklyn Peach cup, $32; abchome.com. 17, 19, and 20. Sunset charger, Peach dipping bowl and dinner plate, from $31 each; rwoodstudio.com. 18. Peach dinner plate, $48; helenlevi.com. 21. Pink quartz and onyx…