Poodles — Interior Design Hound

Elizabeth Taylor: The Dame Loved Dogs as well as Diamonds

Elizabeth Taylor: “Celebrated film star, fashion icon and humanitarian,” says the Christie’s catalog for the upcoming auction of The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor.

The actress was also a life-long Dog lover.

Elizabeth Taylor & Puppy Dog, 1944

Dame Elizabeth’s first Dog (or should I say Elizabeth Taylor-Hilton-Wilding-Todd-Fisher-Burton-Burton-Warner-Fortensky’s first Dog?) was a Golden Retriever named Monty.

Elizabeth Taylor skyrocketed to fame as a child, starring in MGM movies with Dogs & horses as co-stars: Lassie Come Home (1943), National Velvet (1945) and Courage of Lassie (1946).

Later in life Elizabeth Taylor would say, “Some of my best leading men have been Dogs and horses.”

In the 1945 MGM publicity still for National Velvet seen below; 12 year-old Elizabeth Taylor has an adorable Fox Terrier at her side. (Photographer: Clarence Bull.)

Elizabeth Taylor & Fox Terrier, 1945

Dogs were more than mere co-stars of Elizabeth’s, they were her childhood companions.

As a child, Elizabeth Taylor had a kennel of four-legged best friends:

Spot, a Springer Spaniel
Monty, a Golden Retriever
Twinkle & Amy, Cocker Spaniels

Elizabeth Taylor’s Dogs, sit for a treat. Spot, Twinkle & Monty

Elizabeth Taylor named her Golden Cocker Spaniel “Amy”, after her role in the movie adaption of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women in 1949.

Elizabeth Taylor’s Dogs get a Bath

I’ve also found several photographs of a young Elizabeth with Dachshunds, but I’m unsure if they were her pets. (Anyone know?)

I do know later in life, after the filming of Cleopatra, Elizabeth Taylor presented Richard Burton with an entire litter of Doxies!

Dachshunds & Elizabeth Taylor

Of course, by the 1950’s the Poodle was the Top Dog. Elizabeth Taylor shared her life with several of the fashionable Hounds.

Poodle Loving Elizabeth Taylor

At the age of 18, Elizabeth married hotel heir Nicky Hilton.

Elizabeth Taylor & Nicky Hilton returned from their honeymoon aboard the Queen Elizabeth on August 21, 1950 with a souvenir from Paris:

Banco, a Miniature Poodle.

Elizabeth Taylor’s Honeymoon Poodle

While Nicky Hilton would only be in Elizabeth Taylor’s life for another five months or so, Banco the Poodle stayed much longer…

about four marriages longer!

Elizabeth Taylor’s Poodle Dress

As a Fashion Hound, Elizabeth was always stylishly groomed…note the Poodle print dress.

Her passion for Poodles was followed by her passion for jewelry which was well documented in her dazzling book Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry in 2002.

The Dame loved Dogs & dazzling diamonds.

Movie Star Elizabeth Taylor & Toy Poodle

Have you finished your Christmas shopping?

Christie’s will kick off The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor auction on December 3^rd online.

Stay tuned for more…

Later, I’ve got to let the Dog out,

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Posted on November 30, 2011 by Cynthia | 1 Comment | Please read our Comment Policy

DOG Lamps Designed by the Hippest of Hounds: Abigal Ahern

Meet one of London’s Top Dogs of Interior Design:

Abigal Ahern

Abigail Ahern & Welsh Terrier Maud

Image: Todd Selby

…and the Interior Designer’s side-kick, a Welsh Terrier named Maud.

When Mercedes Benz TV comes-a-calling, you know you’re at the top of the Dog pile. Check out Todd Selby Meets Abigail Ahern, a new Benz “Style Video” here.

Abigail’s killer platforms should give you a clue to her style. Her interiors have an edgy, rock-in-roll vibe with a strong vintage accent.

Welsh Terrier + Abigail. Image: Abigail Ahern

Alice in Wonderland must have been the Ahern’s favorite read as a child. When you see her designs, you feel as if you’ve fallen down the rabbit hole.

Abigail Ahern is the Mad Hatter of proportion…she turns scale completely on its head.

Greyhound Lamp. Image: Graham & Green

Remember the decorator’s rules for selecting a lamp shade?

The shade you select for your lamp should have a diameter that’s about 2” plus or minus the height of your lamp base and should have be about 1/2” to 1” taller than the length of the lamp’s harp measurement.

How to Select a Lamp Shade. Images: ALS

Fugetaboutit.

Abigail Ahern plays by her own whimsical set of rules:

Poodlicious. Image: Abigail Ahern

“I think good taste is all very wonderful, but without a bit of whimsy, it becomes too uptight. That is what I really hate about interiors…when they’re all designed just so. It makes me cringe. I want that bit of whimsy and quirk to lighten the mood.”

Interior Designer Abigail Ahern

Here’s her design philosophy in a nutshell:

Capone the Bulldog. Image: Abigail Ahern

Lighten up, have some fun…Don’t take decorating so seriously.

Just take a look at Abigail Ahern… the shady lady is having the time of her life!

Designer & Dog. Image: Todd Selby

Elle Decoration magazine named her shop, Atelier Abigail Ahern, “one of the coolest places to shop in the UK.”

With all of the fabulous places to shop in London alone, I’d say that’s quite an endorsement.

Shopping Hounds. Image Elle Decoration

Abigail says her funky collection of lamps is all about the juxtaposition of the “teeny-tiny frou-frou shades made in Paris from the finest taffeta with our rather butch-looking collection of animals.”

Bulldog Lamp. Image: Abigail Ahern

Abigail goes on to say. “They instantly make me smile.” Indeed. At $995 a pop, the Bulldog should make her smile.

Here’s the latest Puppy to join the Interior Designer’s pack of lamps:

Bull Terrier, Mungo. Image: Abigail Ahern

There’s more to the glam, rock-n-roll designer’s Dog Collection than mod lamps.

Artist Russ Lewis created a series of Adopt Me miniature artworks for Abigail’s home décor collection.

Actually, the Dog prints are titled Adopt Moi and the collection includes a Poodle, Bulldog, and Dogs named Nosey Parker & Tough Boy.

Adopt A Dog. Image: Abigail Ahern

You can check out Abigail Ahern’s Dog lamps at one of the coolest places to shop in New York City:

Maison 24.

You’ll find the store at Park Avenue & 58^th.

Bulldogs at Maison 24. Image: Habitually Chic

Don’t worry if you can’t make it to New York. Maison 24 has a cool website, too.

Just knock on the black & white Dorothy Draper inspired front door and tell ‘em the Interior Design Hound sent you.

If you’re a Hip Hound, you’ll love it!

Later, I’ve got to let the Dog out,

Don’t forget to enter the Designer Dog (or cat) Bowl GIVEAWAY by ModaPet!

Check out how to enter here.

You’ll find more information about the Dog-loving Interior Designer Abigail Ahern and her collection of furniture, wallpaper, home accessories, artworks & Dog lamps here.