The Decorator: A Novel

by Carleton Varney

Clark Calloway, a young New England born decorator works in New York City for the legendary design firm of Diedre Dawn & Company, alongside the aging and cantankerous blueblood Diedre and widower, Paul Hedges, chief design associate. Clark enters a world of glamour as the firm's clients number the "who's who" in the theater, film, hotel, sports, and business worlds. Clark's talents include, not only design and decorating, but also attracting the amorous attention of the magical movie star 'goddess', Pamela Raven, and those of her niece, the rebellious, anti-establishemnt and orphaned Holly Raven. When Clark becomes involved with Maria Pucci, a young 'on-the-way-up' starlet, and with Allen Friedberg, head honcho at Metropolis Pictures in Hollywood, sparks and drapery fabrics fly, amidst a background set in the early 1970's, when the 'pot and pop' cultures were just beginning. This novel gives the reader an inside picture of the interior design business as it has never before been presented.

338 pages, Hardcover

First published October 28, 1999