ELYSIAN Summer 2023 "White/Blanc" Issue by readelysian

ELYSIAN Women Inspiring Women

DISPLAY UNTIL AUGUST 21, 2023

EVEY FINE ART / PALM BEACH artevey.com

D.C. Series 350, 2014 pastel, oil and charcoal on canvas 55 x 105 in by Marta Estrems

Back Study Gray Oil on Canvas 40h x 30w in By Catherine Woskow

764 MIAMI CIRCLE, SUITE 132 ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30324 (404) 352-8775

www.pryorfineart.com

Torso Frontal Mixed Media on Museum Board, 2020 39h x 20w in By Catherine Woskow

118 La Femme

Effortless confidence and timeless beauty is at the essence of Dana Harel’s ulra romantic La Femme collection.vBY SAMANTHA PAIGE

ELYSIAN

VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 2 • THE WHITE / BLANC ISSUE / ÉTÉ 2023 • L’ÉDITION BLANC

Mrs. White

First lady of television. BY KATE MCMULLEN

Love Under a Blue Sky

Greece 100 128 Marriage & romance in Santorini. BY CORA WALDEN / PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAREN KAPER

The art, history, and romance. BY HELEN ARDEN

Inspiring Women Annabel Monaghan page 130 Deborah Royce page 140 INTERVIEWED BY KAREN FLOYD

home garden

The white garden. BY LAURIE BOGART WILES

food&dining Cheval Blanc. BY CAROLINE RYAN

shopping

154

White as ice. BY SINDIE FITZGERALD-RANKIN

art&culture

168 mind&body The wonder of white: A supreme shade throughout the ages. BY HUNTER HOLLIDAY

178

Milk baths—se baigner de blanc. BY SONIA HENRY

philanthropy Fond Blanc: Rooted & established in love. BY MARCY DUBROFF

on the cover

Rhonda Wilkins Fischer photographed by Michael Paniccia.

architecture&interiors White Done Right. BY CHRISTY NIELSON

c r e at o r - i n - c h i e f

publisher

Karen Floyd

Ryan Stalvey

o p e r at i o n s

d i g i ta l

special events

comptroller

Phillip Wright

Celia Wise Cooksey

Sarah Smith

Anna Christian

philanthropy i m pa c t

business development

special projects

Juls Bindi

Joey Iannetta

Kimberli Scott web

design

& development

Elliot Derhay

media

& production

marketing design

managing editor

Amber Edwards

Jason Spencer

Rob Springer

editorial

c o m m u n i t y a f fa i r s

d i g i ta l

lead photographer

Rita Allison

Ann Bible

Caleb Chilcutt

Michael Paniccia

post-production

d i g i ta l a d v e r t i s i n g

e x e c u t i v e a s s i s ta n t

Elise Rimmer

Ty Yachaina

Christiana Purves

Tracie Bailey

contributing writers

Helen Arden, Marcy Dubroff, Sindie Fitzgerald-Rankin, Sonia Henry, Hunter Holliday, Kate McMullen, Christy Nielson, Samantha Paige, Caroline Ryan, Cora Walden, Laurie Bogart Wiles copy editors

Nancy Brady, Monya Havekost, Diane High, Hadley Inabinet c i r c u l at i o n s p e c i a l i s t

Greg Wolfe

d ata b a s e

& deployment

Mark Trombetta

c o o r d i n at o r

c o n s u lta n t

Paula Fender

Carmel Fauci

w w w . r e a d e ly s i a n . c o m ELYSIAN Magazine is published four times per year by Palladian Publications LLC., 113 W. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29306. For subscription information, call 864-342-6500. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.

elysian is proud to feature our updated ios app, redesigned from the ground up to maximize your experience — download now in the app store to read and view exclusive elysian content, watch livestreams and participate in our special events.

THE OBJECT WE CALL A BOOK IS NOT THE REAL BOOK, BUT ITS POTENTIAL, LIKE A MUSICAL SCORE OR SEED. IT EXISTS FULLY ONLY IN THE ACT OF BEING READ; AND ITS REAL HOME IS INSIDE THE HEAD OF THE READER, WHERE THE SYMPHONY RESOUNDS, THE SEED GERMINATES. A BOOK IS A HEART THAT ONLY BEATS IN THE CHEST OF ANOTHER.”

— REBECCA SOLNIT

With love,

Karen Floyd Publisher

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PHOTOGRAPH BY LAWLOR MEDIA GROUP

riters present the purest form of creation. They take a simple, clean, crisp white sheet of paper and fill it with intricate shapes and sizes, all of which translate into marks . . . that combined in unison . . . tell stories. So too is the making of a magazine. It begins with a word . . . an idea . . . a concept . . . a theme . . . and then begins the complexity of organizing the magazine content in a way that keeps a reader interested throughout approximately two hundred pages. If successful, the creator must simultaneously parlay the visual with the written word, with tremendous agility, almost like a dance to unheard music. Just like “paper never refuses ink,” innovation is dependent on the curious mind and those brave souls who dare to take the road less traveled. Invention is much like hearing a song that no one else can recognize, or even understand. I often think about Virginia Woolf, who commented on the complexity of the creative mind and the isolative nature of listening to the quiet voices within.“Literature is strewn with the wreckage of those who have minded beyond reason the opinion of others,” she wrote. “Blanc,” the French word for white, is coincidentally defined as the absence of color in the strictest sense. The complex use of white as seen in both interior design and art recognizes an open-mindedness of true creation. How does one generate interest with no color, one might ask? Just look to Dana Harel, who crafted wedding gowns like none other . . . or Van Gogh’s illustrious White Roses. In keeping with our theme, Shakespeare himself asked,“What is in a name? That which we call a rose/By any other name would smell so sweet.” In these pages, the life of the enigmatic icon Betty White is brought to light. Strong, authentic, beautiful and brilliant, her life story encourages and inspires others. Fundamental to ELYSIAN is a core belief that every woman has a story to share, even the storytellers. To compliment the blanc theme, talented and multidimensional authors Annabel Monaghan and Deborah Goodrich Royce were clad in white and joined me in the foyer of my home as we filmed The Women Who Inspire Us interviews. Capturing facets of their inspiring life’s journey, each of these enigmatic women galvanize the reader with their authentic, in-depth, and unique experiences. We dedicate the “Blanc” issue to the innovative spirit. Creative women like ELYSIAN’s former Graceful Living Editor, Rhonda Wilkins Fischer, manifest their talents in a sundry of unique ways. We are privileged to share Rhonda’s captivating and elegant wedding with our readers. Not only did Fischer imagine and conceptualize the wedding of a lifetime on the magnificent Greek island of Santorini, but she executed a weekend of memories for friends and family. The forever experience set the highest of bars for other destination white weddings. Finally, one-of-a-kind experiences are often the results of those imaginators who simply dare to be different. Whether milk baths, known to ease skin conditions and lauded for manifesting a universal calm, or culinary delights and the scrumptious gastronomic experience of Cheval Blanc in Basel Switzerland, the originality and unusual risk-taking of the creator sets them apart. As with every issue, ELYSIAN Impact (our charitable focus) recognizes Fond Blanc, a home to 54 orphaned children from Haiti. In 2010 an orphanage in Port au Prince was demolished by earthquake, leaving the children homeless. Pastor Jean Claude coalesced those who aided in fulfilling his vision to develop a community for orphaned and homeless children on land he owned in the mountain area of Fond Blanc. What begins with a white sheet of paper, the gift of creating . . . lands in a heart that only beats in the chest of another. Thank you for taking the journey with us.

danahareldesign.com

White Done Right BY CHRISTY NIELSON

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architecture&interiors

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white An all-white room can be striking yet serene, refined while at the same time inviting, timeless as well as adaptable, as illustrated here and on the previous pages, in this exquisite Parisian apartment designed by Talcik & Demovicova.

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is a versatile and classic choice for interior design, and all-white can make for an extremely stunning space. From the Isles of Greece to the penthouses of London, the coast of California, and a multitude of points in between, white weaves a thread of relevancy, timelessness, and beauty. The neutral/non-color is a solid choice for everything from walls and cabinets to textiles and furniture. Additionally, an all-white scheme works well in all sorts of spaces – crisp kitchens, serene bedrooms, sparkling bathrooms, and tranquil living rooms can all pull off the monochromatic look. “White is definitely universal,” says Los Angeles interior designer and TV personality, Breegan Jane. “It has an adaptability that allows it to be used in a myriad of styles.” She adds that white can be the focal point of a design or used as the backdrop, depending on the mood you are hoping to achieve. “Whether I want to highlight a particular style or spotlight accents, I’m able to begin with a clean canvas and build upon it easily,” she notes. Vanessa DeLeon, the founder of award-winning Vanessa DeLeon Associates in New York and New Jersey, agrees. “I think white is relevant in any space or setting. It can serve any aesthetic quite successfully, and can adhere to almost any arrangement,” she explains. Iconic Canadian designer and artist Ferris Rafauli says he often incorporates the color white in design because it helps to create a sense of spaciousness, brightness, and sophistication. “White gives a feeling of freshness and cleanliness, all while being luxurious,” he states. “White is the perfect color for interior design because it is incredibly versatile, timeless, and can be used to create a range of moods, depending on the shade and how it is used. White is perfect for creating a bright, airy atmosphere, while using darker shades can add a cozy, warm feeling to a room. White also works well with any other color, making it easy to add accent pieces and other design elements.” In many cultures, white conjures up feelings of simplicity, luxury, and cleanliness. The brightness of the shade, when chosen correctly and on the cooler end of the spectrum in particular, can create a sense of spaciousness, especially in smaller rooms that do not have much natural light. The snowy hue also evokes feelings of freshness and is a powerful color in feng shui where white symbolizes purity and precision. In this practice of arranging living spaces to create balance with the natural world, white is connected to the metal element and is thought to inspire clarity and cleansing. Interestingly though, white in its purest form is technically not a color at all. It is the lack of prisms that creates this shade, which is officially categorized as achromatic or having no hue. “The challenging part of white and why it is excruciatingly elusive to most people is because it actually has tonalities of color—there is always going to be an undertone in it,” explains self-described “color nerd” Jennifer Guerin, principal of JG Color Studios in California and an IACC-NA certified color consultant. “White tones will have the most

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A stunning room—refreshing and bright—designed by Vanessa DeLeon, who attests, “I think white is relevant in any space or setting. It can serve any aesthetic quite successfully, and can adhere to almost any arrangement.”

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. . . the simplicity of the colour white. I often incorporate the colour white in design because it helps to create a sense of spaciousness, brightness, and sophistication. White gives a feeling of freshness, cleanliness all while being luxurious.”

Few rooms and entryways make such an indelible impression on the viewer as those designed in stark white.

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— FERRIS RAFAULI

shade options because white mixes with all other pigments to create the shade variants.” White can be one of the most difficult shades to deal with because you can’t always see these secondary undertones a shade of white encompasses until it is placed in your room or painted on your walls. When the light hits it just right and the other tones in the room reflect against it, you could be in for an unpleasant surprise. “Whites are tricky to pick, and if chosen wrong they can really affect how you feel psychologically and psychosomatically in a space,” Guerin reveals. If you have ever struggled to select the justright shade of white from the surprisingly endless range of options on a paint sample fan deck, you understand precisely the difficulty of this seemingly simple shade. However, a good designer will know how to use the hue effectively for the space they are creating. We surveyed some of the best in the business to get their thoughts and tips on designing all-white interior spaces and asked them to share their success stories with the shade. They did not disappoint!

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A mesmerizing treatment of a stairwell by Kelly Hoppen at Villa Beaulieu, Monaco. The subtle shades of beige and grey offsetting stark white creates a delicatness of form not unlike the inner turns of a sea conk.

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“Something is calming, peaceful, and timeless about an all-white home. “It’s clean, it’s fresh and it provides a beautiful slate for you to work off of,” — Christine Vroom. Two remarkable bathrooms—elegant and refreshing—(opposite page-Christine Vroom Designs.

WHITE WALLS & SURFACES

Our experts are nearly unanimous in their favorite use of white in interior design—put it on the walls. “I really love a white wall because it makes everything feel clean and fresh,” says celebrity interior designer Lonni Paul. “I love to add color through art, decorative objects, and pillows.” Christine Vroom of Christine Vroom Interiors agrees. “I think walls are definitely the safest in terms of creating a clean base for your palette,” she says. “I love a beautiful, soft white color for a wall to keep it feeling warm and cozy, yet bright and airy.” White can create a wow factor on other household surfaces, as well, including those in the kitchen and bathrooms. “I have used white stone on countertops, and I’ve even run a slab up to use it as a luxe backsplash,” Jane recounts. “It’s also extremely easy to keep clean, contrary to popular belief.”

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Something is calming, peaceful, and timeless about an all-white home. “It’s clean, it’s fresh and it provides a beautiful slate for you to work off of,” Vroom contends. “I think the best way to design an all-white space is to actually layer several notes of white so that it feels like a really gorgeous, curated, neutral palette.” Jane told us she is a huge fan of neutrals, and white in particular is a color she uses throughout home design. “An all-white interior allows for maximum versatility as nothing clashes or competes with it. You can easily incorporate various hues and patterns.” She adds, “One of the greatest benefits of an all-white interior is the calming effect it brings to a space. When you think of a spa or resort, you can usually envision a space with creamy white walls. That’s because white allows the mind to take a break from overstimulation. It really does offer endless opportunities for design.” For understated glamour, you can’t beat the simplicity of a tone-on-tone decorating scheme in shades of fresh white, according to multi-award-winning UK designer Kelly Hoppen CBE. “Think of an allwhite interior with cool stone, marble, or resin floors, and furnishings in crisp cottons and pale linens, with billowy sheer curtains at the shuttered windows,” she describes. “This style of a room is almost synonymous with hot, sunny climates, but whites work well in colder regions, too.” Lonni Paul says white is a classic choice that you are likely to enjoy living with for a long time because it feels fresh, crisp, and new. “But if you do decide to change it, you can add color because anything goes with white!” she reminds us.

MONOCHROMATIC & MARVELOUS

KRYZHOV / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

“White is definitely universal,” says Los Angeles interior designer and TV personality, Breegan Jane, designer of this spectacular room. “White can be the focal point of a design or used as the backdrop, depending on the mood you are hoping to achieve. “Whether I want to highlight a particular style or spotlight accents, I’m able to begin with a clean canvas and build upon it easily.”

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A key element to making white work is accents, to which Kelly Hoppen sets and arranges with mastery. PHOTOGRAPH ©YVAN GRUBSKI • Opposite: A breath-taking design by award-winning, master designer, and artist Ferris Rafauli. Rafauli conceives, designs, and creates ultra-luxury dwellings and lifestyle creations for an elite clientele worldwide.

WHITE AS A SCENE-SETTER

Using white sets the stage for other decorative elements to stand out and make a statement in your room. “Plain white walls create a gallery-like backdrop that is ideal for showcasing art, photographs, and displays,” explains Hoppen. “Using darker frames and furniture lines can define the ‘grid’ scheme to create a harmonious layout in your home.” Adding an element of surprise will help keep an all-white space interesting. “Maybe it’s an outline of black, a white-on-white pattern, or adding in different dimensions like beams and moldings,” DeLeon remarks. “I think the key to success with your white monochromatic palette is to make it somewhat fun and unexpected.” Jane says she incorporates natural elements like woods, rattans, and greenery for a warm, organic feeling in the white spaces she designs. “White will always make an ideal backdrop for anything you put with it, so pops of bright color work well and add tons of personality and interest,” she explains. Jane adds that her designs are never quite complete without brass, a Breegan Jane signature. “The golden-hued metallic always complements a white interior,” she notes. A case in point is a home in Southern California, which Jane says is one of her favorites. It features white walls accented by stunning brass sconces and elegant fireplace molding. “The curves of white kidney bean sofas provide a delightful harmony against the straight edge of a rectangular marble coffee table,” she describes. “The allure of this space is truly due to the striking equilibrium achieved by the combination of white and black. The white feels extraordinarily remarkable against the deeper hues in the room, giving the entire space a regal quality.”

SELECT YOUR SHADE CAREFULLY

White can run the gamut from traditional to modern aesthetics. The key is selecting the right shade, according to our experts. “One of the biggest myths is that all white looks the same. That couldn’t be further from the truth,” Jane states. “The wrong undertone can leave a space feeling stale or sterile. Finding a white with the perfect balance is crucial.” Hoppen puts it this way, “White is never just white—some whites are cooler than others with a grey, green, or blue undertone while others are warmer, with a slight pink or yellow hue.” Searching for an overall white in a sea of options can feel overwhelming. So how do you go about selecting the appropriate shade of white that will work well in your room? Color expert Guerin shares this advice. “Look around first to see what other hues are in the room,” she recommends. “This will become your baseline to check that the white paint chip will harmonize well with all the other existing elements in the space. She says you need to take into account the flooring, textiles, and accents. Then, paint a sample in the brightest spot in the room, as well as the most shadowed area. “Any undertones or secondary hues will show up and tell you if this is the color that creates the ambiance you’re looking for, doesn’t shed an unwanted tone, and isn’t too bright or too dark,” says Guerin. Because there are so many shades of white ranging across the cool, warm, and neutral spectrum, Guerin advises selecting your white last. “I place all the other colors and existing elements together and choose from there,” she says of her process. “The white you want is the balance that is missing. If you have a warm and cool mix already within the space, then your white needs to read neutral and vice versa.”

ADD LAYERS & TEXTURE

Haptic fabrics like linens, flowing curtains, cloud-like bedding, soft shapes, and other textural elements warm up any white backdrop. “Layering up a rich mix of textures is the key to any successful room scheme, but especially in tone-on-tone or monochrome spaces, which could otherwise seem flat and unwelcoming,” explains Hoppen. It all comes down to texture in keeping a white interior from feeling cold or boring, she argues. “Picture milk-white faux fur or sheepskin rugs in front of a fireplace, cashmere blankets on brushed cotton upholstery, deep velvet borders on natural linen drapes at the windows, and touches of buttery leather and suede on cushion bands and trims.” Paul concurs that adding an array of textures and different weights and values of white elements is critical to success in an all-white space. “I did a spa all in white with different textures on the walls and in the fabrics—and even in the decorative lighting,” she remembers. “It was so ethereal and elegant; you couldn’t help but relax when in the space.” An all-white home can be striking yet serene, refined while at the same time inviting, timeless as well as adaptable. Whether you choose to invite white into the entirety of your home or utilize the hue in key components like textiles, furniture, cabinetry, or countertops, white done right will be a look you will love for years to come. ■

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Natural light seems to be the intangible with regards to white interiors as Kelly Hoppen states,“White is never just white–some whites are cooler than others with a grey, green, or blue undertone while others are warmer, with a slight pink or yellow hue.” ©YVAN GRUBSKI

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