MAY / J U N E 2 0 1 4 15 We have never had a fight,” joked the iconic Margrit Mondavi of her 53-year friendship with interior designer Thomas Bartlett. Last month, on a hazy overcast morning I sat with the duo at Margrit’s new home in east Napa. Three years ago she downsized from her 12,000-square-foot Wappo Hill home, which she had shared with her late husband, Robert Mondavi, to about 3,000 square feet of a modern two bedroom villa in the hills, with breathtaking views of the Valley. Bartlett was tasked with helping Margrit decide what she would bring to the newly renovated home and where to display it. The house itself was completely redesigned by famed architect Howard Backen. Both friends are avid art collectors and artists themselves – in fact, that is how they met in 1961. Bartlett was a senior in high school, working at an art store on Lincoln Avenue in Napa that now houses Papa Joe’s Pizza. “Margrit would come in to buy art supplies,” said Bartlett. “She would often invite me to her house to paint with her friends. I attended my first opera with Margrit in San Francisco and had my first experience sitting in box seats.” “He became a music lover,” said Margrit fondly. “I saw talent in Thomas and I wanted to mentor him.” The clock struck 10:00 a.m. and Margrit announced that any time after 10 in the morning is a good time for wine, so we decided to forego the tea and shared a glass of Mondavi Chardonnay. Bartlett and Margrit traded stories over the years, and it quickly became apparent that they shared a mutual admiration for each other. “Our lives have taken different turns throughout the years, but our friendship has always remained strong,” said Bartlett. “I opened my first shop in 1968 in Yountville. Whenever Margrit did something good, she would come in and buy herself something.” “Thomas was also the best dancer,” smiled Margrit. “I enjoyed seeing him dance with Annie Fisher. Now he has put on a few pounds,” she added teasingly. “We had many dinner parties at Wappo Hill,” said Bartlett. “The hard part was deciding what to keep and what to give away from that home.” Sitting in Margrit’s living room, Bartlett described the neutral color scheme chosen to showcase Margrit’s extensive art and collectibles as well as special treasures she has found while traveling around the world. They used much of the furniture from the Wappo Hill home, including the living room sofas that Margrit had made up eighteen years ago in heavy cream-colored cotton. "She had virtually everything, and I spent a number of days pushing and pulling until everything felt right," said Bartlett. “The house is about the art and her travel treasures, yet it is still comfortable and inviting.” The heart of the home is the kitchen, where Margrit likes to paint so she can hear her soups cooking. She stands at the marble counter with her brushes, her watercolors and a large pad of watercolor paper. Her dog Luce, a Bichon Frisé, keeps her company. She would like to convert a small studio in the basement into her art studio. Margrit is a big fan of frogs, rabbits and llamas, and depending on the weather or time of year, they are prominently displayed on her long banquet table off the kitchen. Many of the animal statues were found while visiting Bartlett’s Mexican oceanside compound, where the two would paint together from breakfast to mid-afternoon. Three 17th century convent doors from the Wappo Hill home were also repurposed into the design of Margrit’s new abode, including the front entrance. At the entryway is a small plaque with the Latin truism “Omnia Vincit Amor” (“Love cures everything”), created by Calistoga artist Carlo Marchiori. In the garden to the right are ninety sculpted mushrooms that Margrit gave to Robert for his ninetieth birthday. At age eighty-eight, Margrit might have downsized her home, but she hasn’t downsized her life. She continues to be a worldwide traveler, often goes into the office at the winery and meets or talks to Bartlett several times a week. “Margrit has a grasp of the world, style and talents, including artistic talents, and that is a lot rolled up into that little person,” said Bartlett. “
NVLife_MayJune_2014
To see the actual publication please follow the link above