Carleton Varney Obituary | Carleton Varney was a well-known interior designer, and he spent most of his career working at the Greenbrier resort. The resort has reported that Varney has passed away. He had reached the age of 85.
According to the hotel, Varney passed away on Thursday morning while staying at the resort. The Greenbrier stated in a news release that the native of Massachusetts had a long-standing association with the resort that dated back more than 60 years.
Varney continued Draper’s use of vivid colors, floral patterns, and startling contrasts at The Greenbrier after buying his business in 1964. Draper was known for his use of these design elements. In addition, he was responsible for the interior design of the Governor’s Mansion in Charleston and the Vice Presidential Mansion in Washington, DC during the administration of George H.W. Bush.
Varney is the author of a number of other novels in addition to “Kiss the Hibiscus Good Night,” “The Decorator,” and “In The Pink – Dorothy Draper, America’s Most Fabulous Decorator.” Varney’s book, which is titled “Mr. Color — The Greenbrier & Other Decorating Adventures,” is given the name “Mr. Color” as a result of his transition into the character Mr. Color.
In addition to obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree from Oberlin College in Ohio, the native of Massachusetts attended the University of Madrid in Spain over the course of his education. Varney was conferred a Master of Arts degree from New York University in addition to obtaining an honorary doctorate from the University of Charleston in West Virginia. He is responsible for the establishment of the Carleton Varney School of Art and Design.
The native of Massachusetts attended the University of Madrid in Spain in addition to Oberlin College in Ohio, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree. Varney also attended classes at the University of Madrid in Spain. Varney was conferred a Master of Arts degree from New York University in addition to obtaining an honorary doctorate from the University of Charleston in West Virginia. He is responsible for the establishment of the Carleton Varney School of Art and Design.
In 2008, during the 80th Academy Awards, he was involved in the creation of Architectural Digest’s Green Room, which was done in partnership with the magazine. Together with Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, he has co-chaired the Alzheimer’s Association’s Rita Hayworth Luncheon. The event is named after the actress. An Evening with Joe Namath was the event for which he was recruited in 2016 as a design consultant by the Joe Namath Neurological Research Center located at Jupiter Medical Center.
In the year 1982, Carleton Varney served as the curator for the restoration and decorating of the USS Sequoia. In the year 2011, he carried out research and participated in an interview on the refurbishment of the Dining Room at Monticello. His clientele includes Lady Bird Johnson, Nancy Reagan, Jacqueline Kennedy, Rosalynn Carter, Barbara Bush, and Laura Bush. They have purchased china designs, scarves, and state dinner favors from him, and they have stayed in the First Lady Suites at The Grand Hotel.
During the Carter administration, one of his responsibilities was serving as a color consultant for the Carter Presidential Library in Atlanta as well as for state lunches and banquets held in the White House. In addition to his current position as a member of the National Council on the Arts, he is also a member of the National Council of the White House Historical Association.
Everyone that Carleton came in contact with was profoundly impacted by his presence. He and the Greenbrier shared feelings for one another and were deeply in love. As a way to honor Carleton’s memory and legacy, every one of us needs to make it our mission to lead lives that are just as vibrant and happy as he was.
The majority of his work in Palm Beach and elsewhere around the world was done for individual residences, commercial establishments, hotels, and retail establishments. Not only did he design individual pieces of furniture, wallpaper, carpets, and dishes, but he also created entire collections.
In 2014, Brinsley Matthews, his right-hand man at Dorothy Draper & Co. and a longstanding colleague, assisted him in the execution of a multi-year project to restore and refurbish The Colony in Palm Beach.
Mr. Varney is responsible for the construction of a number of prominent developments in Palm Beach, including The Breakers, the Everglades Club, and The Brazilian Court. His design company has had a long-standing relationship with the Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, as well as The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, in the state of Michigan.
We are unable to adequately express how sincerely we are grieved by your loss, and please know that you and your loved ones have our sympathies at this difficult time. When we found out that such an uplifting person had passed away, we were stunned and saddened by the news. During this time of trial, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. We ask that you please accept our most sincere condolences.
Do not be reluctant to convey your condolences, thoughts, and prayers to the departed person’s family and friends. During this difficult time, it will mean a great deal to them to have your support.
As an artist, Varney has developed a broad variety of product lines and design collections in collaboration with a number of different manufacturers. As an illustration, Kindel Furniture has teamed up with Dr. Livingstone, I Presume has teamed up with Fine Paints of Europe, and Frontgate has teamed up with HSN.
