• Home
  • About White Webb
  • Portfolio
    • Private Residences
    • Public Spaces
    • Current Projects
  • Books
    • Italy of My Dreams
    • Books by Others
  • Shop
  • Press
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

White Webb

Doris Duke

Design Log

3 Apr

Twelve years old and $80 million to burn. No, it’s not another episode of MTV’s “My Super Sweet Sixteen,” but rather the true headlines from 1925 concerning Doris Duke, heiress to the American Tobacco Company fortune. Armed with her father’s deathbed advice (“trust no one”) and an unfathomable sum of money (over $1 billion in today’s terms), Little Doris set off to discover the world.

Although she encountered some pitfalls and unscrupulous types along the way, Doris blossomed into a woman of style and grace, a committed philanthropist and a keen student of the decorative arts. Through her frequent globetrotting, she developed an appreciation for foreign cultures and an unerring eye for the best in art, fashion and design. Although she had numerous homes that showcased this passion, the one that stands out among all the rest is her Hawaiian masterpiece, Shangri-la.




 

For her 1935 honeymoon with hubby #1, James Cromwell, Doris visited the Middle East and became entranced with Islamic art. Upon returning to the States, she decided to build a home inspired by the finest architecture witnessed on her travels. On an incredible stretch of Oahu’s coastline, she set about building Shangri-La, her very own earthly paradise, which included grounds modeled after Pakistan’s Shalimar Gardens and a guest house inspired by the Chihul Sutun in Iran. Her love affair with Islamic art lasted her entire lifetime during which she amassed one of the world’s most important collections. Today, you can grab a glimpse into the world of Doris Duke and her artistic passions by visiting Shangri-la – now open to the public as the Center for Islamic Arts and Cultures. As Salamu Alaykum, Doris.

Previous Post: « Beautiful Venice, Beautiful Book
Next Post: Brimfield Antiques Fair: The Collectors »
Deliciously inviting, the Dunmore Pineapple House Deliciously inviting, the Dunmore Pineapple House in Scotland bloomed in 1761 and continues to be a treat to the eye.  Via: @cindygreenenyc  #whitewebbinteriors #entrywaydesign #welcomehome #entrance #modernentrance
#hudsonvalley #dutchesscounty #capitaldistrict #westernnewyork #hudsonvalleydesign  #hudsonvalleydesigner #newyorkinteriors #newyorkdesign #newyorkliving #moderninteriors #designerlife #moderndesign #homedecor #classicdesign #traditionaldecor #luxuryliving #luxuryinteriors #homedecoration #traditionaldesign
A whimsical journey for Meringue, the lamp with pe A whimsical journey for Meringue, the lamp with personality. Courtesy of @bureaubenjamin  #whitewebbinteriors #bedroomdesign #bedroomdecoration #bedroomdecor #modernbedroom #bedroominspiration #masterbedroom #cozybedroom #hudsonvalley #dutchesscounty #capitaldistrict #westernnewyork #hudsonvalleydesign #hudsonvalleydesigner #newyorkinteriors #newyorkdesign #newyorkliving #moderninteriors #designerlife #moderndesign #homedecor #classicdesign #traditionaldecor #luxuryliving #luxuryinteriors #homedecoration #traditionaldesign
Soft curves and soft color contribute to a serene Soft curves and soft color contribute to a serene setting in this house we designed in upstate New York.  Photo by @artgrayphoto  #whitewebbinteriors #livingroomdesign #livingroomdecoration #livingroominspiration #luxurylivingroom #livingroomgoals #hudsonvalley #dutchesscounty #capitaldistrict #westernnewyork #hudsonvalleydesign #hudsonvalleydesigner #newyorkinteriors #newyorkdesign #newyorkliving #moderninteriors #designerlife #moderndesign #homedecor #classicdesign #traditionaldecor #luxuryliving #luxuryinteriors #homedecoration #traditionaldesign
For a project in Woodstock, NY, we added to the li For a project in Woodstock, NY, we added to the living room’s artsy vibe with this unique, vintage coffee table. With its mix of textured metals and its mysterious, incised pattern, it is a true conversation starter.  Photo by @readmckendree.  #whitewebbinteriors #livingroomdesign #livingroomdecoration #livingroominspiration #luxurylivingroom #livingroomgoals #hudsonvalley #dutchesscounty #capitaldistrict #westernnewyork #hudsonvalleydesign #hudsonvalleydesigner #newyorkinteriors #newyorkdesign #newyorkliving #moderninteriors #designerlife #moderndesign #homedecor #classicdesign #traditionaldecor #luxuryliving #luxuryinteriors #homedecoration #traditionaldesign
Superb use of warming monochromes for this Tribeca Superb use of warming monochromes for this Tribeca apartment.  Design: @workshopapd for @archdigest
Photography: @readmckendree  #whitewebbinteriors #livingroomdesign #livingroomdecoration #livingroominspiration #luxurylivingroom #livingroomgoals #hudsonvalley #dutchesscounty #capitaldistrict #westernnewyork #hudsonvalleydesign #hudsonvalleydesigner #newyorkinteriors #newyorkdesign #newyorkliving #moderninteriors #designerlife #moderndesign #homedecor #classicdesign #traditionaldecor #luxuryliving #luxuryinteriors #homedecoration #traditionaldesign
Time has stopped - we are hypnotized by this piece Time has stopped - we are hypnotized by this piece from László Lukácsi, 'Twisted Time'.  'Twisted Time': @lukacsiglass  #whitewebbinteriors #hudsonvalley #dutchesscounty #capitaldistrict #westernnewyork #hudsonvalleydesign #hudsonvalleydesigner #newyorkinteriors #newyorkdesign #newyorkliving #moderninteriors #designerlife #moderndesign #homedecor #classicdesign #traditionaldecor #luxuryliving #luxuryinteriors #homedecoration #traditionaldesign
A quiet listening room with a resounding palette f A quiet listening room with a resounding palette for our clients in the Catskills.  Photo by @readmckendree  #whitewebbinteriors #livingroomdesign #livingroomdecoration #livingroominspiration #luxurylivingroom #livingroomgoals #hudsonvalley #dutchesscounty #capitaldistrict #westernnewyork #hudsonvalleydesign #hudsonvalleydesigner #newyorkinteriors #newyorkdesign #newyorkliving #moderninteriors #designerlife #moderndesign #homedecor #classicdesign #traditionaldecor #luxuryliving #luxuryinteriors #homedecoration #traditionaldesign
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 White Webb · About · Contact