Decorating Legend Carleton Varney, "Mr. Color," Has Died at 85
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Iconic interior designer and author Carleton Varney, affectionately known by many as "Mr. Color," died Thursday night at the age of 85, according to a statement posted to his Instagram account.
Raised in Nahant, Massachusetts, Varney first began his career as a teacher at New Rochelle Academy in New Rochelle, New York. Upon meeting Texan designer Leon Hegwood, who was the senior vice president at Dorothy Draper & Co. during that time, Varney quickly decided to forge his own path in the industry and began working under the dame of American design herself, Dorothy Draper, in the 1960s.
It was under the tutelage of Draper that Varney began to develop his own love for unexpected color combinations, vivacious floral fabrics, and bold contrast. He later became the president of Dorothy Draper & Co., which is now one of the oldest continually operating interior design firms in the United States.
During his career, Varney worked with countless high-profile clients such as Joan Crawford, served as the color consultant for the Carter Presidential Library, and even decorated two of the Carters' residences. Varney also led the restoration and decoration of many hotels and resorts throughout the world including The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, Dromoland and Ashford Castles in Ireland, and The Greenbrier in West Virginia.
The nickname, "Mr. Color," perfectly encapsulates Varney's ability to use spirited colors and energetic patterns in a way that made each bright, jubilant interior he designed feel unique and personal. Varney said to VERANDA in 2011, “Color inspires people to live a happier life. I don’t believe there is good taste or bad taste. There is only your taste—it makes you you.”
Along with decorating, Varney had a deep passion for writing, penning many books on both his mentor's work and his own signature style. While Varney leaves a legacy as one of the most prolific designers of our time, many will remember him for his gracious demeanor and his generosity towards every person he encountered.
"Mr. Varney was a true light, his spirit as buoyant as his decorating style," says Steele Marcoux, editor in chief of VERANDA. "I was lucky enough to attend the Dorothy Draper Decorating School at the Greenbrier in 2018 with three close friends. He generously shared wisdom, stories, tricks of the trade, and laughter with all attendees. I’ll never forget how he shared that, when starting a new project for a client, he would ask: 'What is your first memory of a room?' That question reflected a certain tenderness and love that he clearly channeled into every project."
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