The Gardens of Tony Duquette
Iconic designer Tony Duquette is recognized as one of the most original creative talents
of the 20th century. Discovered in the 1940’s by the legendary Elsie de Wolfe (Lady Mendl),
Duquette’s ourvre included celebrated designs for films, operas and the stage where he
worked with Vincent Minnelli and won a Tony award for costumes in the Broadway
production of “Camelot”. A few of his interior design clients included Doris Duke, J Paul Getty,
Norton Simon and Elizabeth Arden for whom he designed an Irish Castle. His last commission
was the refurbishment of the Palazzo Brandoli in Venice for Dodi Rosenkranz.
Tony and Elizabeth Duquette built “Dawnridge” after their marriage in 1949. Set in a
Los Angeles canyon, the garden was conceived as an East Asian collection of pavillions,
pagodas and unique sculptures . Terraces lit by alabaster-like Chinese lanterns made
in resin by the designer were situated for al fresco dining. On the lower terrace, beyond
the swimming pool through nacre covered obelisks, presided Tony Duquette’s 28′ foot tall
sculpture “Pheonix Rising from Its Flames”.
In the 1950’s Tony and Elizabeth purchased 150 acres in the rugged Malibu mountains
above the Pacific and proceeded to construct an enchanted enclave of 21 houses, pavillions
and pagodas. Dubbed “The Empire” by Tony and Elizabeth, the garden property was
enjoyed by the couple and their many friends for 30 years until it tragically burnt to the
ground in the 1990’s Green Meadows Malibu fire.
Numerous pavillions graced the property. In the photo below, Tony combined antlers given to him
by the Hearst ranch, and a cast resin onion dome salvaged from the Back lot of MGM studios. Branches
painted to resemble coral are reminiscent of the coral lavishly used at the Palazzo Brandolini.
The personal gardens created by Tony Duquette are intended to create an atmosphere
which delights. Plantings are not central here, but are well considered for the climate
and evocation of mood. It is the uniquely magical collection of garden rooms inclusive
with art which makes these some of the most original gardens conceived in our time.
Postscript: I first met Tony Duquette when the gallery I work for had a retrospective
of his work. His iconic jewelry enriched our 18th century busts, which were placed on
his biomorphic consoles. His signature lamps strung throughout the courtyard created
a scintillating environment; an evening to remember. Recently, Hutton Wilkenson, the
heir to Tony Duquette, Inc. allowed an unprecidented exibition of Tony Duquette’s exquisite
maquettes at our studio. Wherever Tony Duquette is around,even in spirit, magic is in the air.
Very interesting post!
Comment by Marie — 27. April 2008 @ 00:04
Oh my, I am absolutely in awe of this creativity! How wonderful. I should think it truly is a magical place. Thank you for sharing!
Comment by Nancy Bond — 27. April 2008 @ 02:26
These are the kind of gardens which I would expect to hate - but, in practice, would visit again and again if I were able.
I’m wondering if you know of the Sub-Tropical Gardens at Abbotsbury, Dorset (England)?
Esther
ESTHER IN THE GARDEN
Comment by Esther Montgomery — 28. April 2008 @ 11:06
The red painted branches that look like coral are really beautiful
Comment by Jayme — 28. April 2008 @ 22:06
Loved your post! Have you seen the new book about him? I ordered it for the library where I work. A very unique designer - what a garden!
Comment by Phillip — 28. April 2008 @ 22:53
Hi Marie!
Very Tony Duquette!
Hi Nancy!
Thank you for your comments!
Esther! I know exactly what you mean. I did not know about the Abbotsbury Subtropical gardens. Thanks! I have always wanted to visit gardens of this type such as Trelissick and Tresco Abbey.In checking this out online I thought Abbotsbury proper of interest as well with its midieval buildings and swannery.Thank you for telling me about that. I think Ming would love the bridge over the gunnera in the stream as it is nice and RED
Jayme, Hi! You know I saw this done in some gardens in Capitola by-the-sea where they painted(glossy) branches this coral red and placed them in the border. I was thinking of doing this to my garden teahouse as a kind of mad enrichment of the interior
Hi Phillip! The book is the best! We gave it to our clients as Christmas gifts this year.I am very pleased you enjoyed the garden and thanks for your comments.
Best regards,
Philip
Comment by admin — 28. April 2008 @ 23:33
Absolutely extraordinary and inspiring! Thank you for expanding our visions!
Comment by Kathry/plantwhateverbringsyoujoy.com — 29. April 2008 @ 01:54
Your remarks about red painted branches - The winter before last, I collected tall, white , dried out stems of wild chicory and stuck them in the ground in my garden. They stayed there several months and looked wonderful - though I also felt a bit awkward. In theory, at least, it was a ‘naff’ idea. But it ‘worked’.
Esther
Comment by Esther Montgomery — 29. April 2008 @ 10:13
Kathryn, Thank you for the comment!
Esther! that sounds great! Now…where do I find wild chicory! hmmm…
and”naff” is that a British colloqiuilism? I love it! not sure what it means ‘zactly, but it sounds like just the ticket.
Comment by admin — 30. April 2008 @ 01:32
Struggling with ‘naff’.
Said this on your ‘plot’ . . .
‘Naff’ - a particular version of bad taste. Difficult to explain without examples - but things which are artificial, inexpensive, plastic or unreasonably bright and shiny. If used judiciously can be humourous. If used without imagination - simply dreadful.
. . . . then moved here
Some of the Tony Duquette designs wobble on the point of ‘naffness’.
Recently, my children stuck a bunch of plastic roses in the box hedge (to make it look as if it had come into flower).
I left them there for a while - because they looked funny.
But if I bought lots of brightly coloured plastic flowers and stuck them in the ground all over the place, thinking this could be an inexpensive way to have a brightly blooming garden - well . . .
And it isn’t just to do with cheapness.
Suppose someone copied a Tiffany egg and sold it in a lot of shops and lots of people bought one and put on their mantlepiece - this would become naff. (Common - ness is part of it.)
But if someone were then to have the cheap version copied but this time with real jewels and at great expense - it would still be ‘naff’.
Um . . . see what I mean?
(And there’s self-awareness (or lack of it) involved too - and snobbery!)
Esther
Comment by Esther Montgomery — 30. April 2008 @ 10:50
These pictures of such whimsy answer the question of “What could possibly be better than “Kitsch”?
That Phoenix sculpture is one of the most riveting pieces of garden art I have ever seen. I had to think of Gaudi almost immediately, poring over your killer photo’s, Philip. Or maybe Dali, lol.
What a shame about that fire. Are there photographs around anywhere relative to the gardens that were lost? Great post, man. Just fascinating stuff.
Comment by Steve Snedeker — 1. May 2008 @ 14:10
Great gardens, some favorite writers, postcards, sustainable tidbits and your wonderful voice and eye: your blog a joyous discovery! As a Chicago-area landscape designer, I am wondering if you have any tips on how to find a tour at Tony Duquette’s garden (internet no help) when I visit LA in November??? Many thanks for all that you do! How do you find the time to be so passionate & thorough?
Comment by Julie — 7. July 2008 @ 15:52