The Kampong Show House

While in Miami recently I was excited to visit The Kampong in the Coconut Grove section of Miami. I knew there was a show house being staged there benefitting the Jr. League of Miami.  Far be it from me to miss an opportunity to check out a show house.  I love this area.  It feels so tropical and wild.  See my story about the area here.  On walks around the grove, I had passed by those red attention grabbing Asian gates many times, always intrigued by what must lay beyond.  It was the home and personal garden of famed plant exporter Dr. David Fairchild and his wife Marian (she was the daughter of Alexander Graham Bell).  They purchased the property in 1916 and later it belonged to philanthropist Catherine Sweeney.  If you have not visited The Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden, I urge you to do so.  Kampong means village in Javanese, which makes sense since the property is made up of several "cottages" with a Mission/Spanish Revival  look and includes intricate architectural detailing, carvings, stone work and a stair tower that is influenced by this ornately carved Indonesian aesthetic.

It is listed on the National  Register of Historic Places.  The garden is renowned for its irreplaceable collection of rare varieties of tropical fruits, palms, shrubs and vines.  Many a new species was introduced here.

Charlotte Dunagan Design Group created my favorite space.  It was serene and sophisticated, relaxed yet elegant!

The powder room  looked very New York City with its green venetian plaster walls and Art Deco inspired tile design,created by  Kim Hernandez and Lois Holbrook Russo of The Gallery Interiors

Library/Den by the girls of The Gallery Interiors as well

Many of the designers created multiple spaces, maybe that's why it was so uniform in feel?

There are 3 cottages on the property; The Fairchild Sweeney House, The Sausage Tree Cottage and The Barbour Cottage. All quaint and unique, but with a similar voice.

Maite Granda Interior Design recalls at once a vintage yet updated Floridian look

Peeples Rionda Interiors created a space I could have moved right into.

Emilio Robba Paris

Donna Moss Designs painted a spectacular scene made to look like a Chinese screen on the cabinets above the washer/dryer in the laundry room.

Jorge Castillo Design

Margaux Interiors

Sarah Z Interrors

The girls from The Gallery Interiors once again.  I loved this space. A great respite from the heat under a dramatic Banyan tree.

I was surprised and delighted to see Mabley Handler's work outside of the Hamptons in their signature blue and white color scheme.

Stunning fretwork and original trim everywhere.

What a beautiful way to idle away the day!

This 11 acre property is considered Miami's secret garden.  Imagine that.

The Royal Milliner or Six Degrees of Separation

The English embrace the art of millinery.  I wish Americans would do the same.  It is such a beautiful art form.  One such artist, the milliner to the wedding party  Philip Treacy creates fantastical hats.  Not just for fashion eccentrics but for everyone.  Commoners to Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel embrace Treacy's hats.  He loves designing for the Royal Family because they actually wear his hats.  They keep him in business.

In his hands head pieces become surreal, sculptural pieces of art.  "There are no trends in hat making," Philip declares.  The wearer brings it to life.  Philip takes his cues when designing the head pieces from the outfits and the form.  "It's like little pieces of theatre."

Philip met Isabella Blow, herself a fashion eccentric, when she was style editor at Tatler.  She took Philip under her wing.  He even moved into her basement, and she became his muse.

The two became very close and it was Isabella that introduced Treacy to Lee Alexander McQueen, whom Blow also discovered during his graduation fashion show.  "Issy" became McQueen's mentor, muse, and great friend too!  The two men often collaborated.

Issy committed suicide in 2007 after a cancer diagnosis.   Treacy and McQueen forged on.  Both of their stars were rising.  Philip was asked to design the hats for Camilla's wedding to Charles.  That is how Kate Middleton met Philip, through Camilla.  He has created many hats and head pieces for the Royals over the years.

Daphne Guinness, heiress, socialite, friend, and muse of both Alexander and Philip recently bought the whole Isabella Blow clothing and accessory collection that was to be auctioned off piece by piece.  Sadly, we know that Alexander also committed suicide last year.   Daphne championed for Sarah Burton, McQueen's head designer, to design Kate's bridal gown in an article she penned for The Telegraph.

The beautiful thing about Philip Treacy, seen here working in his atelier in London is, he can make something conservative or REALLY think outside the box.

What did you think of the wedding attire?