PRESS & AWARDS: AARON B DUKE

CRESCENTA VALLEY WEEKLY: The Many Stories of Showcase House . . . http://www.crescentavalleyweekly.com/leisure/05/07/2017/many-stories-showcase-house/ . . . Each room has a story to tell, some more pronounced than others. One such story takes place in the library of the house, designed by Aaron B Duke. This library would not look out of place in Allan Quatermain’s or Teddy Roosevelt’s respective residences. Pale brown built-in bookshelves line the walls, a black ivory-handled magnifying glass lies next to a pair of cigars in a crystal ash tray, a plush canvas sofa with animal print throw pillows are on a fine imported rug, bamboo plants in front of windows cast long shadows from the corner of the room and a cowboy hat and boots rest near the wicker chairs, all surrounded by large vases. The story the room tells is one of a man with good taste, who is well-traveled and honored for his accomplishments. In fact, there is a picture resting on the fireplace of such a man. “My partner was in a relationship with someone for 17 years, and he started this little company with a guy named Ralph Lipschitz, you may know him as Ralph Lauren,” Duke explained. “Jerry [Robertson] was the tastemaker for Ralph and he designed the first flagship store in New York. He then was the president of Ralph [Lauren] over in Europe until he passed away in 2009. When I came to Showcase House I had no idea what I was going to do, and then I sat in here and thought, ‘This is the Jerry Robertson library.’ So this is my homage to him.” . . . PHOTO CREDIT: Carly Shelton