photo from Elle Decor
My obsession with D. Porthault linens began nearly 15 years ago when we had the good fortune to rent the home of the late movie star Gary Cooper and his widow Rocky Cooper Converse. The charming ranch house was perched on the edge of Lake Agawam in Southampton and over the years had been the site of some spectacular parties. Due to poor health, Mrs. Converse would not be summering there and the home had been put up for rent. We took a quick walk through the expansive house with our real estate agent. The furnishings were original 1960's groovy, with Lily Pulitzer floral slipcovers in the living room, shag rugs and silver and orange wallpaper in the guest bath. I was imagining an August psychedelic birthday dinner for my husband with Mai Tai's and a limbo line. We hit the master bath and I took a quick peek in the linen closet which was stocked with several sets of freshly pressed Porthault linen and floral towels. I touched the sheets, bright and beautiful and incredibly soft. I was in love. "When can we move in?" I asked the agent as I gingerly stepped over the avocado green shag rug.The designs of D. Porthault are timeless. Brilliant floral patterns, the iconic heart shape designed for the Duke and Dutchess of Windsor, and my favorite, the four leaf clover print inspired by the signature of Louise deVilmorin, the French writer, are immediately recognizable as classic Porthault. I was recently reminded of my favorite print when I saw a photo of Kate Brodsky's Manhattan bathroom in Elle Decor. A bathtub curtain was fashioned from a Porthault clover print bedsheet which looked utterly sweet and charming. Its wonderful to see the lovely clover print getting some attention.
