David Devito and Cathleen Sims |
Sarah Ann Michels and Basil Charles |
Andrew Kepler and
Jennifer Bradford Davis |
Camilla Woodwards and Douglas
Hamilton |
Christine Faure and Michel De Vibraye |
Chris Barlow and
Roger Webster |
ACROSS FOREVER HOME
Jennifer Bradford Davis Opens Magnificent Boutique in Mustique
Story and Photos by Roger Webster
USTIQUE is one of
the
Lesser Antilles,
the island chain that forms the eastern border between the
Caribbean Sea
and the
Atlantic Ocean.
On the private island favored by royalty, rock stars and
billionaires, New York-based interior designer Jennifer
Bradford Davis opened Across Forever Home, a unique home
furnishings shop.
Her business partner, Basil Charles,
owns the world famous Basil’s Bar, Mustique’s hot spot. Charles
has met everyone to pass through the island including Kate
Moss, Mick Jagger, Elton John, Tommy
Hilfiger, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston,
David Bowie, Shania Twain, Hugh Grant,
Elizabeth Hurley, David Duchovny, and Carolina
Herrera.
Davis
made her reputation working for Peter Marino as lead
designer on Ocean Breeze, one of Mustique’s most famous villas.
She imbues a sense of history and richness into her designs by
adding imported treasures.
The merchandise in Across
Forever Home sits on the shelves of the chic shop like
masterworks in a gallery. These objects d’art come from
across the globe. No matter where the item originates, it takes
forever to get there. Hence, the unusual shop name. Exceptions
are objects made by local craftsmen.
Davis and Charles
are donating a portion of the shop’s proceeds to the Basil
Charles Educational Foundation. Its mission is to help local
children with scholarships.
In 1958, Colin Tennant,
the Scottish Baron Glenconner, purchased Mustique for less than
$70,000. The island is a part of the nation
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
and a member of the
Commonwealth of Nations.
The British royal yacht Britannia, with newlyweds
Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon aboard, dropped
anchor in 1960. The royal couple accepted a wedding gift from
Lord Tennant: a small peninsula where Princess Margaret
eventually built her holiday retreat, Les Jolies Eaux.
Davis and Charles hosted a smashing launch party for Across
Forever Home.
Davis
put up a tent outside the front door with a view of
Britannia
Bay.
Sangria was served.
Guests included Roger Pritchard,
president of the Mustique Company; French Ambassador to Japan
Philippe Faure and his wife Christine; Pepe
and Daniella Ambrosi from Italy; Eleanor Fryer
from Geneva; Hans Schlamp and family from Bavaria;
Camilla Woodwards from London; Chris and Randy
Barlow from Saskatoon; Peter Penny and family;
Christine Faure;Ty Kovich; Susie Lea;
Michel De Vibraye; Sarah Ann Michels; Douglas Hamilton;
Natalie and Pierre Dassas; Patrizia Deleggwood
and, from New York, architect Andrew Kepler, David
Devito and Cathleen Sims.
A new chapter in
Mustique history starts with Across Forever Home. In the shop's
first week, Eloise Gonsalves, the First Lady of St.
Vincent and the
Grenadines,
dropped by and immediately became a fan.
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