GLORIA VANDERBILT-TRANSCENDENT DESIGN

 Vanderbilt is photographed in front of a portrait of her mother and next to a life size portrait of her son Anderson Cooper.

I was fascinated by last weeks Home Design issue of New York Magazine.  I usually find one or two interiors that appeal to me but I found myself completely smitten with nearly every interior-from two burly brothers rustic retreat in Greenpoint to a classic Firth Avenue manse-the issue was a real home run.

My favorite feature was of style icon Gloria Vanderbilt's chic NYC apartment.  Decorating is autobiography,” Vanderbilt says, at the beginning of the piece.  She takes this sentiment to heart with an apartment filled with stunning paintings, photographs and family heirlooms. There is nothing sterile or staged-her interiors are intimate and reflect her "evolving taste of her hopes and dreams."  She writes and paints in her studio downstairs, where she also creates her “Dream Boxes”—three-dimensional artworks like her dollhouse, an ongoing project expressing feelings about her tumultuous childhood.

A classically trained artist, Vanderbilt is a master of color. When the mood strikes, a wall of forest green may change into deep magenta-her rooms are fluid and reflect her fascinating life.  I admire her style, fearlessness and ability to constantly evolve.

 All images courtesy of New York Magazine