The Crowd
B.W. Cook
Ann Dennis opened her design showroom after hours at the Stonemill
Center, Cosa Mesa for a little mid-week mingling in honor of renowned
antiques dealer Patrick Dunne.
Dunne, a sophisticated Texan -- who hails from New Orleans where he is
the proprietor and design director of Lucullus, a shop devoted to
culinary antiques -- donned his signature hand-tied bow tie with white
starched dress shirt. He pressed the flesh with the local crowd of design
aficionados who had come to share stories regaling handcrafted George III
cabinets found in hidden attics, and Louis IV fauteuils in need of
restoration. Dunne was of course ready and willing to expand the exchange
to include his own exploration into the realm of old English silver
serving pieces and French Creole table accouterments.
The designer cast his magic over the crowd, his broad southern smile
warming the hearts of the most ferocious antiques collector. Invited by
the Decorative Arts Society of Newport Beach, Dunne came to town as one
in a series of five internationally recognized designers to share his
wealth of knowledge specifically concerning the “philosophy of
taste”relating to the table.
His boutique, in New Orleans is the last word in English and Continental
culinary objects from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Featured in such
publications as Architectural Digest, Bon Appetite, House Beautiful, and
Martha Stewart’s Living, Lucullus (named after the Roman general, Lucius
Licinius (c. 100 - c. 56 BC) who preferred feasting to fighting) is a
design destination for the serious collector of culinary objects.
All of the magic of the Lucullus pursuit was absorbed by locals with
serious collecting bents like Marion Palley of Lido Isle and Sandra Ayres
whom, with her husband, is nearing completion on an exquisite
Georgian-inspired residence in the Newport Heights.
Also, in the meet-and-greet cocktail crowd were Lido’s smashing Mary Anna
Jeppe, a Mississippi-to-California transplant who came with her husband,
Arthur.
“There is a different attitude in the South,” said Jeppe with a twinkle
in her eye. “It has something to do with a respect and a love for the
land. And it is something not quite understood in California.
“Have you ever experienced South Carolina?” she questioned. “It is a very
unique and special place.”
Meredith Foreman sauntered into the room along with Carol Porter, Julia
Jennings, Ann Dennis’ husband Bill, Jerry and Bonnie McClellan, Sharon
Henwood and Joan Sammis.
Guests meandered the Dennis showroom, studying the various room vignettes
arranged by the designer/dealer to display the work of such creators as
Colefax and Fowler, Jane Churchill, Hinson and Co., Manuel Canovas, John
Hall, Bruce Graney, Kathryn Ireland (featured in the February 2000 issue
of House Beautiful) and the in-vogue Bristish-colonial-inspired pieces of
Los Angeles-based designer Brenda Antin.
“We are here to experience and learn about culinary design culture to
benefit New Directions for Women,” shared Ann Nutt, local community
activist representing New Directions.
Actually, the entire lecture series of five presentations, which began in
October 1999 and runs through April 2000, features upcoming appearances
by two prominent designers, Suzanne Turner (March 14) and Jonathan Prawn
(April 11) andbenefits the organization founded to change lives and help
families of women struggling with personal demons.
“We’ve had tremendous response so far, with nearly full capacity turnout
for the Dunne presentation,” said hostess Dennis. Some 275 guests
participated in the event.
All of the proceeds will benefit New Directions programs to assist women
with dependency problems, helping them to put their lives back on course.
Maureen Madigan, Carolyn Garett, Louise Ewing, Kae Ewing, Cecilia Nott,
Barry and Carol Steele, Lois and Dave Tingler, Peggy and Michael Strong,
all supported New Directions and Dennis as she entertained guests
learning more about Patrick Dunne, while nibbling on delicacies prepared
by Alan Greeley’s restaurant, The Golden Truffle in Costa Mesa.
Guest of honor Dunne could not have been more gracious. When asked, “Can
you compare the California style to the Southern style?” Dunne replied,
“Would you dare to compare two beautiful, yet very different women?”
Not on your life.* B.W. COOK’S column appears every Thursday and
Saturday.
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