Romance and Rhododendrons - by Carleton Varney (Hardcover)
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<p/><br></br><p><b> About the Book </b></p></br></br>"A Rooster Books production for Shannongrove Press"--Copyright page.<p/><br></br><p><b> Book Synopsis </b></p></br></br>- This book is the first title to reveal the interior spaces as well as other buildings on the grounds of the famous Greenbrier Hotel- Never-seen-before sketches and vintage color photographs from Dorothy Draper's archive of the redesign of the hotel, with behind the scenes anecdotes from international designer Carleton Varney, who has made his own mark on the hotel, and new photography by Michel ArnaudIn 1946 (after a stint as a World War II military hospital), quintessential American decorator Dorothy Draper was brought in to restore the Greenbrier hotel. She created a signature look - described at the time as 'Romance and Rhododendrons' - that has influenced and delighted not only designers and decorators but also travelers, weary of the gray and beige color schemes that permeate most hospitality properties even now. Draper transformed the interiors with bold colors, classical influences and modern touches.When Carleton Varney arrived in Mrs. Draper's office in 1961 to work as an assistant in the design department, one of his first tasks was to accompany the design icon by train to one of her most well-known and publicized projects. Since that time, he has been involved with every aspect of the hotel's design, maintaining and continuing the look that Draper designed, as well as modernizing, upgrading and putting his own stamp on it. Working with his experienced and innovative team, Varney has turned the historic hotel into a resort for the 21st century.<p/><br></br><p><b> Review Quotes </b></p></br></br><br>...the book highlights the design and history of the storied resort and contains over 200 photographs of interiors in this fanciful world where the imagination runs wild.--News Break<br><br>Chronicling his most intimate and long-lasting decorating and branding story that began in 1961, Varney begins the book with memories of when he was hired as an assistant in the design department at Dorothy Draper & Co.--Designer's Today<br><br>Discover why the storied West Virginia resort is widely regarded as the decorator's masterpiece. The Greenbrier is perhaps the most famous project of Dorothy Draper, the pioneering decorator credited with mainstreaming the interior design profession in the early 20th century.--Galerie<br><br>For the past 60 years, Dorothy Draper & Company has maintained the interiors of this beloved hotel, a story [Varney] tells here through his personal anecdotes and never-before-seen sketches.--House Beautiful<br><br>In the book, Varney tours through the interior spaces at The Greenbrier-affectionately called "America's Resort"-in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, as well as the cottages and other buildings that surround the historic hotel. Varney peppers the pages with personal anecdotes and decorating wisdom alongside images of the legendary rooms. Stunning photographs of today's interiors attest to The Greenbrier's staying power as one of America's most famous retreats.--Palm Beach Illustrated<br><br>Palm beach-based interior designer Carleton Varney purchased Dorothy Draper & Company--famous for "Draperizing" West Virginia's nearly 250-year-old Greenbrier resort and bringing maximalism to the masses--in 1964. He is still wielding Ms. Draper's Technicolor magic today...--Wall Street Journal<br><br>Since taking over Dorothy Draper and Company, Varney has designed and refurbished countless hotels buildings, homes and even a presidential yacht, the USS Sequoia. However, The Greenbrier occupies a special place in his heart.--Washington Post<br><br>The book is a love letter to The Greenbrier, nestled in White Sulphur Springs, with its opulent but inviting décor. The history, memories and sketches told through photographs and commentary from Varney weave themselves into a great romance story.--Charleston Gazette Mail<br><br>Varney has nearly six decades of Greenbrier design stories and memories to share, it's only fitting that he would write a book about it all. ... Romance and Rhododendrons: My Love Affair with America's Resort is Varney's 37th book, and it required reading for anyone enamored by the highly saturated Draper aesthetic.--AD Pro<br><br>With more than 50 years of hands-on design expertise at the resort, Varney understands the iconic property's historic and design significance better than anyone. He explores it all in the book, the pages of which are filled with photos of the Cameo Ballroom, the cottages, the indoor swimming pool, the Victorian Writing Room and other well-known spaces.--Pittsburgh Post-Gazette<br><p/><br></br><p><b> About the Author </b></p></br></br>Carleton Varney grew up on the Eastern Seaboard in Nahant, Massachusetts, and then headed to the Great Lakes to attend Oberlin College. He followed undergrad with studies at the University of Madrid and throughout Europe. Upon returning to New York in 1962, Varney earned a master's degree in education from New York University and later joined the decorating firm of Dorothy Draper & Company, Inc., where he has been owner and president for over 50 years. He served as design consultant to the White House during the Carter Administration, holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Charleston in West Virginia, and was bestowed a Presidential appointment to the National Endowment of the Arts. Varney has published 35 books on decorating, penned two novels, and written the official biography of Dorothy Draper. He also writes a regular syndicated design column that appears in the Palm Beach Daily News. He is the father of three sons, Nicholas, Seamus, and Sebastian, and has one grandson, Bowie.
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