I often think of Dirk and Tony in their newly upholstered
white room. Did they spend many happy hours sprawling on those sofas, ciggies in hand, rhapsodizing about
future decorating projects? Did they gently overlook the
occasional muddy pawprint from their dogs and cocktail spill from their constant stream of houseguests? Did
they have late-night parties illuminated only by wit, votive candles and the light of the moon shining softly onto
all those yards of alabaster fabric?
One can only hope.
A CASE OF ���ALL STYLE
AND NO SUBSTANCE���
In his very funny 1953 memoir Laughter On The Stairs
(the second in his ���Merry Hall��� trilogy), English writer Beverley Nichols receives word that Women���s Own magazine would like to come and do a photo shoot with him
in the 19th century Georgian mansion that he���s currently renovating. Unfortunately, the house is nowhere near
decorated. In fact, it���s basically still empty. But Beverley
needs the publicity.
Here, I���ll let him tell it:
If Women���s Own came down and took photographs, as they threatened to do, it would need
a great deal of trick lighting to avoid the impression that the bailiffs had been in. And a lot of
HYLAND
