Doris Duke, at a very early age, was left the incredible wealth of her Gilded Age father, James Buchanan Duke. Yes, James Buchanan Duke, the father of Duke University and American tobacco tycoon. Doris Duke was one of the most intelligent beauties of the 1920’s and her time. She traveled the world, was a journalist, a surfer (when no women surfed) , a jazz lover (when jazz was not mainstream) , a philanthropist (Doris Duke Charitable Foundation) , a horticulturalist (using innovative ecological farming methods), and an avid collector.
Her collections is what I find most fascinating. She had an eye for beautiful things and could spot when its craftsmanship may be lost. Moorish design furniture and Islamic Tile Art became signatures of her collection. She was considered one of the most important influences of her time.
She saved, restored and researched. Her homes reflected this and was patron to many artists to create the these spaces.
Her first love affair was with a house: “The Falcon Lair”
Built by Rudolph Valentino in 1925 , he named it after a movie he was working on at the time, “The Hooded Falcon”.
After his death, Doris Duke purchased it as a Shrine for “Lovelorn Women”. She spent many years off and on there. It was used as a jazz venue and an opportunity to mingle with many of her Hollywood friends. Like many of her homes, she renovated the Falcon Lair throughout the years while visiting it back and forth from her other homes. This was the house she chose towards the end of her life to live in. Although it was in good condition at the time of her death, but was sadly demolished in 2006 despite being set for restoration in 2003.
This Beverly Hills home had all the charms of Tony Duquette designs. Tony Duquette was the interior designer of the stars, and Doris Duke was no exception. Yet, she learned quickly and developed a flair all her own. You can see that influence and details in her home Shangri La….
