Tony Duquette

 

This interview took place just above Beverly Hills, at Dawnridge, the historic estate where Tony Duquette, the famous Hollywood socialite and interior decorator, lived on and off from 1949 until his death in 1999. Today it’s run by Hutton Wilkinson, Duquette’s protégé and collaborator since 1972, whose own house — another masterpiece of decoration — sits next door, separated by a luxurious, almost phantasmagorical garden.

I was lucky to spend an afternoon with the enthusiastic and inexhaustible Wilkinson, who unveiled every part of the property, which he had partially redecorated. Our animated discussion benefited from his intimate knowlege of
the grounds and numerous anecdotes that brought Tony Duquette’s amazingly eclectic eccentricity back to life.

interview by ANNE DRESSEN
photography by DANIEL TRESE

Hutton Wilkinson

ANNE DRESSEN —We first met a few months back to discuss Tony’s jewelry
for “Medusa,” a show that I’m…