Tuesday, July 26, 2011

TUESDAY: Inspiring Spaces by Dan Carithers

Ok, so how many of you saw this one coming? I couldn't help myself. When Joni of Cote de Texas posted her fabulous living room up-do, and showed the inspiring page from a 20-year old magazine, a home decorated by the inimitable Dan Carithers:

I immediately thought to myself, where have I been?? Now, granted, 20-years ago I was a 9-year old 4th grader more interested in playing the Sega Genesis my mother wouldn't dream of buying for my brother and me than looking at her design magazines. Thankfully rooms as beautiful as these are cataloged for days like today, when I'm more interested in beautiful rooms than just about everything else.

Dan Carithers is an Atlanta native, and his traditional design sensibilities make my heart flutter! Now retired after a 50-year career creating rooms photographed for shelter mags like Veranda, House Beautiful, Traditional Home and Southern Accents. In 2003, Carithers was named one of House Beautiful’s “Giants of Design”—the highest honor bestowed by the magazine; it’s only been given to a handful of honorees during its 100-year history.


But perhaps the most inspiring part of Carithers' story, is the beginning. A young boy from small town Jefferson, Georgia, who got started and gained notoriety as the design director for home furnishings at Rich’s Department Store. From design director to design icon, let's take a look at how he got the well deserved crown:













I wish I had more photos to share with you - but this is all I could dig up in the short time I had to get this blog post together. Suffice to say, if you really studied these, you'd be on the blog all day - and please, don't let me rush you off. I love having you here! Thanks so much for spending a little bit of your day with me, and of course, Mr. Dan Carithers.

15 comments:

  1. Times, classic design beauty! Wonderful examples Artie.

    xoxo
    Karena

    Art by Karena

    Exciting New $150 Giveaway from Dr Perricone! Come and Enter!

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  2. great pictures ! do you have an of a media center where to put a tv ?
    love your blog !

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  3. Great inspiration from Dan Carithers! I love his kitchens. Can't decide which I like best, the white one with that fabulous wooden wingback chair, or the one with the wooden beams and blue checked chairs. Fabulous! ~Delores

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  4. I could wile away the hours in any of those rooms.

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  5. Gorgeous eye candy!!! You always find the best designers to showcase :o)
    ~Des

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  6. I could look at his work over and over and never tire of it. It is just a travesty that he has never done a design book of his work! Talk about a million seller!

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  7. I have kept a foder of his work for years. You didnt show my favorite, an all neutral room with white wicker and a zebra rug. It was featured in a Traditional Home magazine .
    I cannot wait to see your house redo.

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  8. ...there are two perfect designers in this world...in order of their appearance...dan carithers (we do good people in georgia) and bunny williams...(however i will have to say that joan over there at "for the love of a house" is right in there with them)...

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  9. Beautiful rooms. Lots to look at and admire.

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  10. Timeless beauty. Perfection.

    I had a couple of these images already saved in a file. I love the kitchen with the Aesthetic Movement transferware and ironstone pitchers!

    Nancy

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  11. I hearted Mudpies and Marigolds on Etsy. So many cute things there!

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  12. Those are beautiful, classic designs... and to still be incredibly stylish 20 years later?? That's awesome!
    Thanks for sharing :) It's that sort of style I was trying to go for in decorating our master bedroom (you can see the pics on my blog), and a look I never have and never will get tired of.

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  13. To me, IMHO interior design is like Fashion. Add a new element to a classic, and it is easily re-invented.
    Thanks for sharing Artie.
    -Brenda-

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  14. I have had these pictures for years. The second,third and fourth rooms are from his home in a very old Southern Accents. The kitchen with the white pitchers on the range hood is also his. The fabric is new but I remember the furniture. Blue is an addition. It is wonderful to see a home that is really loved. When you make the right choices you do not have to change.

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