Decor From The King Of Bling – Tony Duquette

I’m not sure when I first knew of Tony Duquette (1914 – 1999), but it was long before I had interior design interests.  Like many, I had seen his jewelry designs long before his interiors.  His use of jellybean like semi-precious gems in all their glorious color in magnificent jewelry pieces were and are are like no other.  Photo via 1stdibs

His firm, TONY DUQUETTE, INC. still creates high style jewelry which can be seen at better shops like Berdorfs.  For those not looking to spend upwards of five figures, Coach began a limited reproduction of some of his pieces at touchable price levels. Then, you can also find beautiful spinel rings for sale at ringleaders.com.au.

He created jewelry to be seen and admired and also did the same with interiors.  Tony and his business partner of 30 years, Hutton Wilkinson produced many notable interiors for the glamorous elite and now Baker Furniture is offering a limited collection of some of his well regarded pieces so you can have a touch of the Duquette magic in your home. The “Biomorphic” mirror and console, currently available through Baker was first designed for the Ducommon Bel Air home in the 1960’s. Though a bit larger, Baker’s version of the Pagoda, also from the Ducommon residence is a poignant conversation piece for today’s home. The Snowflake Screen shown in the dramatic 1950’s Beverly Hills interior of Cobina Wright, is just as modern today. These sculptural Organic Baroque chairs first graced the lobby of the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu.  I’m thinking garden room or as a design feature in a hall or living area.

High styled rooms were his trademark, not that any looked alike.  If there was a theme running through his residential or commercial interiors it would be “wow”.  He took creativity and use of decorative objects to a new level not long after Dorothy Draper was telling the housewives of a America, Decorating Is Fun.  The Duquette interiors were fun, whimsical, glamorous and every inch full of dazzling eye candy.  If your interior is in need of something a bit special one of the pieces from Baker Furniture’s selected works of Tony Duquette might be just what you are looking for.

Photo notes: These same interior shots are available all over the web and in a number of books with and without credit, however these are from Tony Duquette, Inc.  The furniture and decorative objects are via Baker Furniture.