Visiting the legendary gardens of Italy, Kathy understood that their reliance on architectural elements would be completely inappropriate if divorced from their stone villas, though some things could be borrowed. So she was very much at home within the walls of the Persian garden, as woven into ancient carpets, long before she traveled to Iran herself in fall 2015. She admits to feeling most affected by the memoirs of Babur, founder of the Mogul empire, and the writings of Vita Sackville-West-representing a span of five centuries. Not lacking in a garden pedigree-her mother, Anne Cox Chambers, created, with Peter Coats, Rosemary Verey, and Ryan Gainey, the celebrated 40-acre grounds of her Provençal home, Le Petit Fontanille-Kathy nurtured her interest in horticulture by visiting storied estates and reading voraciously on the subject. In the decades since, the sloping terrain’s cutting garden and few flower beds have evolved into a magnificent confection of spaces, paths, vistas, bowers, and follies that invoke the garden cultures of England, Italy, Persia, and India. But Kathy didn’t ask-she went ahead and did just that.Īfter renting Woody House for eight years, Kathy bought it in the late eighties not long before her marriage to Billy, and fixed it up just in time for the arrival of Hurricane Bob. If Kathy had asked anyone whether it might be possible to create an intricately elaborate garden on the leeward side of a sand dune between the roaring Atlantic and Georgica Pond, she would have been told no. To the sounds of waves crashing on the beach, this one unfolds like the petals of a flower in surprising and delightful ways, a pleasure still fresh to its owners, Katharine and William Rayner.
#Chessy rayner how to#
Like we said, Julia knows how to throw a dinner party! It truly was a night to remember.The Hoops Walk, with poppies, hollyhocks, Nepeta, and roses, among many other plants.Īt the end of a winding lane bordered by a tangle of honeysuckle and wild roses lies a magical garden far removed from a traditional East Hampton manicured showpiece. One of our favorite southern artists, Inslee Fariss, designed a beautiful watercolor of the robe for each person's place setting and Ashley Begley of Ashley D Studio hand painted placecards with each guests name The tablescape included etched hurricanes from Enchanted Home, flowers arranged by Erin Meaney of Topiare in vases also from Aerin's confetti line and of course a limited edition robe for each guest! Julia chose a Tumbleweed printed tablecloth from her collection and set the table with an elevated yet playful Dragon print china by Mottahadeh, glassware by Aerin (this is no longer available but you can find similar glassware here), and vintage bamboo flatware by Sabre. Chessy was one of the first decorators to embrace the concept "high / low" in her approach to interiors - a legacy that continues with Julia's approach to tablescapes and India Amory.ĭrinks were served in chic white confetti glasses (this is no longer available but you can find similar glassware here) and the bar was fully stocked with some of our favorite summer drinks including delicious Southsides, a Southampton staple.įriends from Southampton and colleagues from New York mingled on the porch for a leisurely cocktail hour before dinner.
#Chessy rayner mac#
The Amory's have owned this summer house in Southampton for several generations, it was built and designed by Julia's husband's aunt, Chessy Rayner of MAC II. We were so grateful to be hosted at Julia's family home for a fun-filled yet relaxed evening celebrating the launch of our collaboration. To celebrate the launch of our first collaboration, Julia Amory of India Amory threw a fabulous yet unfussy dinner party at her family home in Southampton. Southampton is a stunning location with exquisite homes and gardens, untouched beaches and a charming town, all just miles from New York City.