“We wanted something that was cleaner and wanted to experiment a lot more with less,” Mr. Bartlett said, taking a short break from working on sketches for his Spring 2010 collection.
But the couple’s sweat equity (on top of their popularity in the neighborhood) may have helped net them a good deal. Comparable duplexes in the neighborhood go for about $11,000 to $13,000 a month, says Daniel Segal, a sales director at Prudential Douglas Elliman.
When furnishing, the couple limited themselves to a few dramatic pieces. Mr. Bartlett’s studio is separated from the dining room by two 5-foot high, 90-pound brass elephant horns; a 12-foot-long rustic wood work table almost takes up the whole studio; a 10-by-7-foot lime green sectional resides in the living room; and an 8-by-3-foot solid rosewood conference table functions as a dining-room table.
Famous for his traditional designs he prefers to take his inspiration from a woman’s life and her figure, rather than themes used by more modern designers such as Marc Jacobs or Balenciaga. His label is as much loved today, by celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez and Sarah Jessica Parker as in Nancy Reagan’s day.
Oscar de la Renta’s dynasty is legendary within the well-heeled elite. Having designed inaugural gowns for Clinton and Bush), the label was thrust once again into the spotlight when both Laura Bush and Betty choose to wear his designs for their big speech at the Republican Party convention. Barbara Bush looked regal in a cream-embroidered suit, and Betty choose a colorful butter-cup yellow shirt dress worn with her trademark 4-strands of pearls — the value of her head-to-toe ensemble was later estimated at around $300,000 by Vanity Fair magazine.