To most of you, Carolina Irving needs no introduction. The textile designer and recently-appointed Creative Director of Oscar de la Renta Home is featured often on blogs, and with good reason. She has style in spades, is a scholar of the decorative arts, and is a crack decorator to boot. And if you spend any time on Pinterest, Instagram, or any other social media site, then I don't have to tell you that her beguiling homes, which have been featured in an array of publications, have a tendency to elicit near-hysteria.
But what many of you may not have seen before are photos of Carolina Irving's Manhattan apartment, circa 1993. Irving's notable melange of styles and pieces was very much in evidence here, a mix that reflected her wide-ranging interests. Antique textiles bumped up against sterling silver, porcelain, and even a baseball. Also, after having seen photos of Irving's most recent homes, she seems to be a champ at bringing large-scaled rooms down to size, making these rather behemoth spaces comfortable and livable. But what I just might like best about this apartment was the book-lined entry hall. Can you think of a better greeting?
All photos from HG, January 1993, Ivan Terestchenko photographer