Dearest Annabel

We all know the saying that life is short but you are never really reminded of it until someone you know passes away suddenly.  The fashion world was devastated by the news this morning that stylist Annabel Tollman died in her sleep Wednesday night of a blood clot.  It's easy to think that because she was a stylist that she was superficial or frivolous but she was truly beautiful both inside and out. 

I first met her at a party just a year and a half ago but she was one of those lovely Brits who you feel like you've known forever the minute you meet them.  I fell completely under her spell as soon as she told me she liked my coat and even more so when she mentioned it again on our next encounter.  She was one of those delightful people who always knew the right thing to say and always made you smile.  

When I found out recently that Domaine Home was going to shoot her apartment, I invited myself over to watch and visit. Of course, I emailed her to make sure it was ok and she just laughed and said how sweet I was to even ask.  I learned more about beauty products and skincare in the 10 minutes I watched her get ready to be photographed than I have in an entire lifetime of reading magazines. But she made me feel like I had taught her new things which was her way.  I couldn't wait to see more of her this summer and I'm absolutely heartbroken that I won't ever see her again.  

I sit here with tears in my eyes hoping that her family knows what joy she brought to so many people and that it will comfort them in their time of grief.

Photos via Terms of Endearment

In Memoriam: Andrée Putman

I was saddened to hear that legendary French interior designer Andrée Putman passed away in Paris Saturday at the age of 87.  She might be best know here in New York for designing the Morgans Hotel for Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager but she also designed many spaces and products in her famous minimalist style. I posted the photos of the apartment she designed in Paris in this post a month after I began my blog in 2007 and they still stand up today.  They are a testament to her talent that will be very missed. 

"Unless you have a feeling for that secret knowledge that modest things can be more beautiful than anything expensive, you will never have style." - Andrée Putman (1925-2013) 

Top photo by Thibault Montamat

Other photos by Francois Hallard

In Memoriam: Nora Ephron

Yesterday ended on a very sad note for many people around the world.  It was announced that the writer Nora Ephron passed away. I think The Los Angeles Times described her perfectly as, "A rare author and screenwriter whose works appealed to highbrow readers and mainstream moviegoers." I grew up watching her films Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally, and my favorite You've Got Mail. And more importantly quoting them verbatim. Sometimes it's nice to watch a moody, broody foreign film that ends ambiguously but more often I prefer to watch one her films that end neatly tied up in a ribbon.  I'm a sucker for a happy ending and her films always leave you feeling that maybe you too will find your happy ending. 

"Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim." 

- Nora Ephron

1941-2012

In Memoriam: Albert Hadley

The sad news came yesterday that interior designer Albert Hadley died at his sister's home in Nashville, Tennessee at the age of 91. The world has lost not only one of the most important decorators in history but a lovely gentleman. Mr. Hadley worked across the street from one of the design firms that I worked for and the highlight of my morning would be seeing him outside smoking a cigarette. Later, I was lucky enough to meet him a few times and even interview him at his office. Memories I will always cherish.

I learned that Mr. Hadley was not well from antiques dealer Gerald Bland when I shot him for my book.  He mentioned that Mr. Hadley's apartment was for sale and actually took me to see it.  Many of the special pieces had already been given away to friends or sold at auction but it was still beautiful to behold.  If I had the money, I would buy it in a heartbeat just in case some of his magic might rub off on me.  But just walking through the rooms was magic enough. You can see the floorplan here.

I hope Mr. Hadley is up there is the Decorating Hall of Fame in the sky laughing with Mrs. Parish, Billy Baldwin, Mark Hampton, and David Hicks, smoking a Camel Light and thinking about how he can add some red to all those white spaces.

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

In Memoriam: Helen Frankenthaler

Helen Frankenthaler

December 12, 1928 – December 27, 2011

I was saddened to learn of the death of abstract expressionist artist Helen Frankenthaler today at the age of 83. She was born into a wealthy Upper East Side family and worked steadily as an artist for more than 50 years.  She was influenced by art critic Clement Greenberg, was married to another abstract painter Robert Motherwell, and studied with Hans Hoffmann but was certainly her own entity.  She will be greatly missed. 

"There are no rules. That is how art is born, how breakthroughs happen. Go against the rules or ignore the rules. That is what invention is about." 

                                                                                                  - Helen Frankenthaler