Tinsley Moves Up
by habituallychic
03 . 13 . 08
I know other people have posted some of these photos already but I really like Tinsley Mortimer’s new apartment and couldn’t resist. Especially since she’s a fellow New Yorker. I also just realized that I haven’t profiled any interiors this week and was afraid my readers might stage a revolt soon.
First, I have to say how glad I am that Tinsley and her husband moved from Murry Hill (social siberia) to the Upper East Side, where all the other socialites reside. I’m sure she feels very at home there. Tinsley had a little help with the decorating from her mother-in-law, Senga Mortimer, who is an editor at House Beautiful. Makes me wonder why the home was profiled in HB instead of Harper’s Bazaar but anyway, I like the mix of traditional and modern pieces. It’s also easy to see Tinsley’s Southern roots in the apartment in the form of ancestral portraits.
For a socialite who’s claim to fame is her girly style, the apartment is surprisingly grown up too. Wedding pictures and family heirlooms grace an 18th-century marble-top chest above.
Tinsley’s china and and crystal are from William Yeoward.
The dining room not only looks very traditional but also very Southern. I love the wallcoverings.
I was very impressed that Tinsley chose her linens from Schweitzer Linen, the place where insiders know to go for luxurious linens at a great price. Love the Scalamandre covered headboard too.
I love that they used the same pattern from the headboard on the closet. “Tinsley’s treasures (from Lia Sophia cuffs to Amedeo by M+M Scognamiglio cameos) are kept in a Smythson of Bond Street case.” Must be nice.
Photos by Douglas Friedman for March 2008 Harper’s Bazaar
18 Comments
Ms Chic,
So it now must be obvious that I am not too much into work today. I’ll take quiet when I can, and I’ll take Tinsley anytime.
I know she gets a bit of a bad rap on blogs and in the press, but I find her to be adorable. And I really like this apartment, especially the rather vibrant colors in the living room, that are nicely toned down by the more traditional pieces and the lovely browns on the walls. Grown up, but not old. Yay.
Now, here is a question: Do you ever think she wears that giant “T” necklace? 🙂
Actually, for all the blogging about this apartment, I hadn’t seen most of these images, so thanks for sharing. The 2nd one is lovely – great mix of colour – some really warm tones with some vibrant ones. Young, but still traditional. Love it!
CB, I bet she does where the T necklace! Hahaha! I love the great mix of colors too!
Suzy, So glad you enjoyed it. And you are so right about it being young. I forgot to add that. I think the bright blue in every room helps add to the young feel. I especially love it with the brown.
I am not a fan of Tinsley so I was shocked to see how tasteful her apartment is .. must be the mother-in-law’s influence
Too traditional for me.
“Tinsley”….honestly is that a real name? How about a nice Midwestern name like “Mary” or “Colleen” or something like that…but Tinsley?
And I am starting to have a problem with all the “stuff” – I do like fashion/design but it seems way over the top.
When is enough stuff – enough?
I have down sized over the years – going from a huge custom built home to a small farmhouse from 1899 – and guess what – I am HAPPIER with less.
At the end of the day – it is not about possessions.
obsessions
It’s a special kind of showing off that says look at the lovely things I have that you don’t,look at how my stylist turned the bags just slightly to the side so you could see how expensive they are.
Anonymous, I agree! I was afraid it was going to be all pink and princessey so I was pleasantly surprised. I’m also glad it looks inviting to a man since she lives with her husband.
Karina, Not every design appeals to everyone. I understand.
Susan, Tinsley is Southern and Southerners like to name their children using family names which are sometimes last names. I happen to like it. I always thought Heather was so boring.
So Chic Darling, Bazaar seems to have gotten better at their home features. Part of the reason I wonder if this feature was destined for another magazine first.
Oh I have to admit that I really only paid attention to the blue Oscar de la Renta dress in this article…. In my defence I’ll say that I’ve been busy with work and focused on the (my) essentials!
ofcourse,I myself am changing, I creve luxury before but now i prefer fresh and simple things, like Susan, anyway i love you post that kind of thing from mags.
Sorry, my english needs practise…
Way too cluttery. I would go nuts, maybe because my mind is too cluttery already. But each to their own. The colors are beautiful in the first pick.
so i think it looks like tinsely took some fairly cute furniture from her own apartment, and moved it into her grandmother’s townhouse. chairs, carpet, and table in the living room are out of sync with those walls, curtains and art. waaaayyy too matronly for a woman her age.
i hope she doesn’t ever plan on bringing a dude home to her place, ’cause that over the top gurly headboard might cause some serious e.d. for your average straight guy. 😉
Wow- I haven’t seen many of these pictures! Thanks for posting! I actually used to live in the same building as her in Murray Hill and bumped into her once during fashion week in the elevator! Needless to say I stared at her like a total creep- haha. Anyway, beautiful apartment and great post 🙂
I wanted to watch the show on Wednesday, but I ended up being busy, I’m sure it was good, I think it’s kind of strange that her family would allow people into their world (Since they are pretty much american aristocracy) , my husband belongs to a lot of clubs that are very exclusive on the east coast, and I know that most of the families do not like the notoriety, don’t know if I spelt that right.