One Stylish Weekend With Carleton Varney at The Greenbrier

Nestled safely within the Allegheny Mountains
in the small community of White Sulphur
Springs, W.Va., lies one of this country’s most
venerable and longstanding luxury resorts. Since
1778, The Greenbrier has hosted distinguished
guests from around the world, setting the standard
for luxury accommodations in the United
States while managing to continually reinvent
itself for each new generation.

Once known by the Southern elite as the “Queen
of the Watering Places,” this sprawling estate in
the lush foothills of the Appalachian Mountainsis one of the premier getaways on the East Coast.
With the very best of comfort and accommodations,
spa treatments, leisure pursuits and worldclass
cuisine, The Greenbrier brings together all
the luxuries of the world’s finest resorts with the
distinctive history and character of the region.
In 1948, The Greenbrier teamed with another
national institution, Dorothy Draper & Company,
one of the country’s oldest and most established
interior design firms, named for its founder, a
doyenne of interior design from the 1920s to the
1960s. With Dorothy Draper, The Greenbrier
once again reinvented itself, reconstructing its
image at the forefront of haute design to meet the
postwar era head-on.

As the Greenbrier evolved, so did Dorothy
Draper & Co. The two institutions have been
working and growing together for over 60 years
to ensure that guests receive the very best.
Along the way, they have enjoyed a relationship
immersed in bold colors, elegant patterns,
and The Greenbrier’s signature green and white
stripes.

During the weekend of Jan. 24-26, guests will
have the opportunity to go behind the scenes of
The Greenbrier’s signature style with one of the
most highly regarded interior designers in the
country, Carleton Varney. Owner and president
of Dorothy Draper & Co., Varney is a protege of
Draper herself.

During this landmark event, the first-ever
Carleton Varney weekend, guests will have
exclusive access to Varney. The weekend schedule
includes seminars and talks, private walking
tours, book signings, afternoon tea and an exclusive
cocktail reception with “Mr. Color” himself.
With Varney on hand, guests will discover why
The Greenbrier’s look is truly one of a kind.
“We are thrilled to launch our new Discovery
Series at The Greenbrier, which will allow guests
to experience a different side of the resort while
learning from, and interacting with, our diverse
group of assembled experts in the fields of art
and antiques, design, food and wine and more,”
said Jeffrey Kmiec, president of The Greenbrier.
“It’s only fitting that we should inaugurate this
exciting new annual series of fascinating personalities
with a weekend with Carleton Varney, the
legendary interior designer and our good friend,
who has been with The Greenbrier for 50 years,
carrying on the extraordinary legacy of Dorothy
Draper.”

The Varney design philosophy stresses “the use
of bright colors and the rejection of all that is
impractical, uncomfortable and drab.” Here is a
listing of weekend highlights, sure to attract the
attention of any and all tastemakers, from those
looking for inspiration to redecorate their living
room to design-industry professionals.

Friday, January 24
6-7 p.m. – “Cocktails with Carleton” in the
State Suite

Carleton Varney invites guests to join him for
cocktails in The Greenbrier’s highly acclaimed
State Suite. The State Suite boasts one of the
most impressive entrance foyers found anywhere
on the estate, showcasing The Greenbrier’s traditional
black and white marble tile. Cocktails
and dry snacks will be served as guests mix and
mingle with Varney.

Saturday, January 25
10:30 a.m. – “The Decoration History of The
Greenbrier” in the Upper Lobby
The elegant interior and exterior décor of the
current hotel is traced from its 1913 beginnings
during this fireside chat hosted by Varney.
Though the hotel is well known for the dramatic
transformation of the 1940s, contributions to
the unique dimensions and ambience have been
witnessed each decade.

4 p.m. – Afternoon Tea with Carleton Varney
in the Main Dining Room
Live piano music and dancers will provide
entertainment as guests savor tea and delicacies.
Varney will be available to sign copies of his
books, CDs and DVD.

6-10 p.m. – “Happy Birthday Carleton
Varney!” Dinner Party

Guests will celebrate in style in the Main Dining
Room with Varney and his family members
and friends. The Greenbrier’s timeless classics
will be served beneath Dorothy Draper’s dazzling
custom-made chandeliers. Live music and
dancing complete the evening under the stately
columns and magnificent arched windows that
bring the ambiance of a dignified Southern mansion
to life.

Sunday, January 26
10:30-11:30 a.m. – Interior Tour with Carleton
Varney

Carleton Varney’s design philosophy continues
the tradition of Dorothy Draper, embracing the
imaginative use of vibrant colors, floral patterns
and bold contrasts. Varney and Brinsley
Matthews lead this Sunday morning tour through
the hotel, discussing all things Dorothy Draper.
For more information about the listed events,
call 877-684-5060.