[ insider’s guide to palm beach ]
HeartH & Home There are all manner of house styles on the island, from baroque and Bauhaus to de-sanctified church structures and tropical garden retreats. We’ve combed Palm Beach to give you a peek at what might be going on behind some of those mile-high hedges—a rare look at the day-to-day lifestyles of the rich and famous.
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Brenda Conner
Tom maThieu
KaTie Green
Staffing: According to Brenda Conner, president of Distinctive Staffing, the standard formula for determining staff size is based upon the ratio of one housekeeper per 4,000 square feet of house. That means the average estate might employ no fewer than eight individuals, starting with a couple to share the overseer duties and coordinate all household activities.
flowerS: Tom maThieu, of Tom Mathieu & Company, provides weekly installations throughout the home—on the piano and coffee table, in the powder room and master suite, you name it. Flowers for a large estate can cost between $2,500 and $6,000 a week by some estimates.
linen CloSet: With bed linens changed daily, the closet should contain no fewer than six complete sets for each bed in the house, particularly important with visitors arriving on a regular basis at the height of the season.
[ ] The estate manager (EM) is the major domo to whom all staff report. While the estate manager’s wife may direct the daily activities of the cleaning, laundry and personal assistant, the chef, groundskeeper and security force report directly to the EM. [ ] Conner will not consider placing anyone without a minimum of five years’ experience and solid references. [ ] Uniforms are likely if the house has “traffic,” a term referring to a regular flow of visitors and guests. [ ] Specialists will be necessary, like the curator of the art collection, the koi pond whisperer, makeup artist, hairstylist, florist, masseuse, car detailer, silver polisher, decorator, photographer or pet trainer. All are subject to security clearance and confidentiality agreements. For more information, call Distinctive Staffing (561/822-9977).
[ ] The most popular are lavish arrangements of multiple orchids, potted together to create a full “bouquet” look. [ ] The most expensive arrangements incorporate European flowers such as French tulips, garden roses, heliconias, calla lilies, Casa Blanca lilies and blossoming branches. For more information, call Tom Mathieu & Company, Inc. (561/655-5880).
[ ] The sheets, in particular, are in either white or ivory, with embroidery and Italian woven or Egyptian cotton in either sateen or percale; 1,000-count is preferred. Special linens become family heirlooms, according to dea manTeLLaSSi, style director and founder of DEA Luxury Italian Linens. “Such craftsmanship requires time; it requires patience,” Mantellassi says. “These are keepsake items that reward you with their rare beauty for years to come.” [ ] These linens are not meant for ordinary washings. The proper house will follow a very careful laundry regime to ensure the lasting quality of the fabrics, using only specially designed soaps. For more information, call Katie Green at DEA (561/366-1203).
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10/21/11 11:34 AM