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Pumpkin season brings plenty of colorful inspiration
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Pumpkin season brings plenty of colorful inspiration

By Carleton Varney

It’s finally here — the season for pumpkin pie. Forget key lime, which I love during the warmer months, but I’m ready for that warm-orange hue on my dessert plate. These fall days signal the start of pumpkin gathering...
Lindbergh’s 'Gift from the Sea' is indeed a treasure
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Lindbergh’s 'Gift from the Sea' is indeed a treasure

By Carleton Varney

This year marks the 66th anniversary of the publication of Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s classic, "Gift from the Sea." I have just reread it and was so impressed by its sentiments that I have decided to...
Country roads lead to historic town in West Virginia
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Country roads lead to historic town in West Virginia

By Carleton Varney

Fifty years ago, the very popular and talented John Denver released what would become his signature song, “Take Me Home, Country Roads," which, in 2014, became West Virginia’s official state song. The late singer-songwriter wrote of the...
With the season in view, designer Carleton Varney offers a few gift ideas
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With the season in view, designer Carleton Varney offers a few gift ideas

By Carleton Varney

Hard to believe that Wednesday marked the start of autumn. The new social season is nearly upon those of us who are lucky enough to spend time in Palm Beach.  In most years, that milestone would mean gearing up for dinner parties...
Appreciating Chagall’s brilliant tribute to Paris
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Appreciating Chagall’s brilliant tribute to Paris

By Carleton Varney

Pablo Picasso was once quoted as saying: “When Henri Matisse dies, Chagall will be the only painter left who understands what color really is.”  One of the 20th century’s greats, Marc Chagall has long been among my favorite artists. Anyone who is a...
Is That Gray Sofa Really Your Best Choice?
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Is That Gray Sofa Really Your Best Choice?

By Carleton Varney

If you are seeking are a new sofa, my suggestion is to work with a decorator — and not just because it’s my profession. Upholstery is a key element in establishing the tone and ambience of a room and a decorator...
Decorate with the things you love
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Decorate with the things you love

By Carleton Varney

In our modern world, we reach out for so many things, don’t we? We reach out for companionship, for comfort, for knowledge and for inspiration.  In the design realm, we constantly reach out to the wider world to review ongoing decorating trends and try to predict what might be stylish tomorrow. Will our floors be bare: no rugs or Turkish carpets, no...
Gardens offer ‘magic from the earth’

Gardens offer ‘magic from the earth’

By Carleton Varney

I was a lucky boy, growing up in the Northeast. My parents were both gardeners, and I enjoyed helping them plant cosmos in pinks, whites and deep cerise. And thanks to that training, I know a weed seedling from a snapdragon seedling....
Irish filmmaker’s converted bus is the wheel deal
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Irish filmmaker’s converted bus is the wheel deal

By Carleton Varney

Over the years, my staff and I have executed many interesting decorating projects, from designing hotels and houses to even a teepee, a supermarket and a bowling alley.  And that’s not to mention our design for the interiors of a fleet of taxi cabs, which received kudos...