We’re finally making some headway on the stacks of new Fall design books on our coffee tables and Wendy Goodman’s May I Come In? is topping our list for swoon worthy inspiration. In it she features the New York City apartment of late costume jeweler Kenneth Jay Lane whose sumptuous space was the scene of endless entertaining. Located in an important Stamford White building, the grand duplex was a maximalist’s dream with layer upon layer of velvets, silks, leopard and tiger prints.  It was in these glamorous rooms that Lane hosted everyone from Diana Vreeland to the Duchess of Windsor. The living room, perhaps one of the most successful entertaining rooms of all time, has walls covered in chocolate brown brushed cotton — the perfect backdrop for the gold framed art and luxurious upholstery textiles.

The star of the living room though is the two large double billiard lamps designed by decorator Robert Denning hung over the banquette. They were a fantastic way to bring an unexpected element of scale while at the same time shedding soft pink light from beneath their pleated silk shades. The banquette, with its seating on all sides, is the perfect piece for entertaining, don’t you think? We can just imagine all of the society swans that must have enjoyed a cocktail (or two!) on it.

In Lane’s bedroom, above left, the walls were lined in a deep forest-green fabric. Apparently Lane was incredibly specific about the way that his bed was made. He had to have two euro pillows sitting up against the pillow, with just one standard pillow lying exactly on top of the turned down part of the top sheet.  In the living room, above right, the layering of leafy green plants and fresh branches adds to the exoticism of the space, as well making it feel party-ready at a moments notice.