George Stacy and the Creation of American Chic
For all aficionados of all things related to interior design, let us be the first to alert you to Maureen Footer’s fabulous new book, George Stacey and the Creation of American Chic (Rizzoli, New York). Of course, we all let the names of Dorothy Draper, Elise de Wolfe, Sister Parish, Billy Baldwin, and trip off our tongues with ease but we didn’t realize we were missing a key player in the evolution of American interior design: George Stacey. Footer started investigating his life and uncovering his contributions. As designer Mario Buatta mentions in the foreword, Stacey “had pizzazz.” Prior to him, the wealthy employed designers from across the pond and had rooms overwrought with ornate detail. Stacey created a design that was distinctly American. His client list included, among others, such luminaries as Diana Vreeland, Babe Paley, the Astors, the Harrimans, Ava Gardner, and actress-turned-royal Grace Kelley. But Stacey’s style was classic and as you turn the pages of the book, each room is rife with ideas you can tap for your own home. Beautifully produced and packed with wonderful vintage photos, this book is a must have for anyone who believes in chic and timeless design.
