Join us as Ocean House owner and award-winning author Deborah Goodrich Royce moderates a conversation with her Lifestyle Design Panel featuring Genevieve Wheeler Brown, Amanda Reynal, Christopher Spitzmiller, & Ashley Whittaker. About the Panel: Genevieve Wheeler Brown - Founding Genevieve Wheeler Decorative Art Advisory in 2003, Genevieve comes to the advisory business with more than 12 years of experience in the auction world, strong generalist knowledge and a wide range of contacts in American, European and Asian decorative and fine arts. Genevieve began her career with Christie’s in 1992 with the European Decorative Arts Department after working as an intern at The Phillips Collection, Washington D.C. in 1990. She was then asked to run Overseas Consignments at Christie’s Park Avenue, a department that handled inquiries for European based auctions including Indian and Southeast Asian art, Islamic Art, Miniatures, Textiles and Cameras. In 1995 Genevieve became the New York contact for sales of Fabergé and Russian Silver at Christie’s Park Avenue and most recently was as a specialist in Fine Musical Instruments at Christie’s Rockefeller Center from 1998 to 2003. While at Christie’s, she was involved with important sales such as ‘The Pine Cone Egg’ by Carl Fabergé and ‘The Taft’ Stradivari which fetched the auction record for an instrument sold in the United States. She has also been an appraiser on the PBS production ‘The Antiques Roadshow’. A supporter of several fine and decorative art related institutions, Genevieve has served on the Board of the National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York, served as a member of the Young Fellows Steering Committee of the Frick Collection from 1995 to 2005 and co-Chaired the Winter Antiques Show Young Collector’s Night, New York in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Genevieve currently advises several organizations including Dumbarton House, a Federal period house museum in Georgetown, as a board member as well as for The Winter Show as a vice-chair of Opening Night and as co-founder of The Winter Show Luncheon. Amanda Reynal - With 30 years in interior design, Amanda Reynal is known for creating joyful spaces that pair a confident use of color with eye catching detail. In 2001, she founded Amanda Reynal Interiors, known for her well-traveled aesthetic and astute knowledge of antiques, art and the global design market. Her work adheres to historical aesthetic, using traditional forms with a fresh and updated sensibility. Her style is influenced by her upbringing in the Northeast and time in Palm Beach. Christopher Spitzmiller - CHRISTOPHER’S ICONIC CERAMIC LAMP DESIGNS draw inspiration from classical forms and traditional gemlike glazes. He began his career in 1996 in Washington, D.C. then moved to New York City in the fall of 1999 where he continues to create his one of-a-kind lamps with a crew of skilled artisans. The lamps are of timeless appeal and luxurious quality. Beautiful classic lamps are drenched in bold, vibrant, rich glazes. As of late Christopher has expanded his designs to tableware and other ceramic accessories. In 2015 he began a partnership with Visual Comfort and Circa Lighting allowing his designs to reach a broader audience. Christopher’s work is often featured in celebrated publications such as Architectural Digest, Town & Country, Elle Décor, Veranda, The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. He has had the honor of making lamps for four different White House Administrations, the Blair House and many other distinguished American homes. When not in the Studio, Christopher can be found at his farm in Millbrook, NY gardening, beekeeping, making jam, cooking for friends, or tending to his flock of heritage breed chickens. All captured in his book ‘A Year at Clove Brook Farm,’ published by Rizzoli. He also enjoys the pleasure of giving back to the community by serving on the boards of the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House and The Garden Conservancy. Ashley Whittaker - Described as the “neo-traditionalist,” Ashley Whittaker reveals her fresh and modern perspective on traditional design and architecture in all of her work. The New York City decorator offers distinctly classic taste and chic sophistication to residential decoration and interior design. Characterized by tailored rooms that incorporate charming detail and engaging play on color and pattern, Whittaker’s signature style is immediately evident. A Florida native, Ashley received her bachelor degree from St. Lawrence University. She has worked as a special events director at both Ralph Lauren in New York and the finance firm Forstmann Little & Co. Ashley credits her training in the design industry to legendary decorator Markham Roberts where she worked before starting out on her own. For details on Deborah Goodrich Royce and the Ocean House Author Series, visit deborahgoodrichroyce.com
