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.