Fishers Island

If the phrase "faultless style" has any meaning, then Audrey Fisher is its handmaiden.

Founder of Shadyside's late-lamented Westminster Designs, she lavishes the same attention to exquisite workmanship, flair and luxe fabrics that distinguished her couture collections to designing her own glorious home and gardens.

There's an old-Hollywood feel to the 1930 gem by architect Brandon Smith (think the Fox Chapel Golf Club and the Edgeworth Club in Sewickley) in one of Squirrel Hill's blue-chip enclaves. The exterior is English, but the interior speaks French. "Once we stepped inside, we fell in love with the sweeping center hall and its 'Gone With the Wind' staircase," she recounts. That was it. Except her herculean year of renovations that began in 1989, from the roof down, makes Scarlett O'Hara's passion for Tara look a bit feeble.

Of course, the Fishers are no strangers to major makeovers. With the help of celebrated designer John Saladino, they recently completed their drop-dead gorgeous abode in Santa Barbara, Calif., that's featured in the June issue of "House Beautiful."

As if you needed an introduction, Tim is senior V.P. of The Hillman Company, and the beautiful couple work behind the scenes on projects that support the arts, health care, educational and human service agencies ... something Audrey learned at the knee of her mother (and community treasure) Elsie Hillman. Not to mention graciously opening their home and gardens for some of the most glamorous benefits to fill these pages.

Audrey's philosophy is that "houses are not museums; they are to be lived in and loved." For openers, she recruited the craftsmen who once worked on Heinz Hall to restore their home's noble, but time-worn plaster moldings and architectural detailing. Creating templates of Smith's original Dijon-mustard-yellow-and-black linoleum squares that march down the first floor hallway, they duplicated his patterns in black-and-white marble. Although the parquet flooring is original, every hinge, hardware, chandelier and mantelpiece was replaced upstairs and down. She did not wish to reinvent the look of the house, just pump up its volume.

"A house should look like the people who live there," says designer Barbara Wright who signed on to help with the fabrics, furniture and crafting throughout. Friends for 20 years, "(Audrey) tells me what she's looking for and I find it." Find it she did, since the seamless interiors look as if they were born that way.

Acquiring additional property for breathing space, the Fishers added a swimming pool, the splash and panache of a spa pool, and an exquisite pool house. And, oh, my dear, the fantasia of their non-stop gardens which all the rooms overlook. When a home directly across the street came on the market, they bought and razed it to make way for the most ravishing private garden in the city. A fairy tale setting of 242 hybrid tea roses languidly dropping their petals on boxwood parterres, a splashing fountain and formal flower beds that are surrounded by stately trees. Horticulturist Wally Kowalski tends the hallowed patches year-round while floral designer Eva Vlastos creates the stunning arrangements in every room.

"We call this the jolly room," Audrey smiled about the spacious living room with its bright salmon-pink walls that banish the blues. Heavy on patina and a deft mix of periods, it has French doors that open onto the picturesque courtyard, a favorite party setting. A still life by French artist Chabal Dussurgey hangs above the fireplace that's flanked by fabulous 19th century gilt mirrors from Guinevere, an antiquities shop in London. Green damask covers a pair of 19th century English chairs while deep-seated and down-stuffed twin sofas are upholstered in Brunschwig & Fils "Tree of Life" fabric. She chose the same pattern for the resplendent drapery treaments embellished with a custom ball fringe made on 19th century looms. Family is key to the Fishers' lives and their photographs are gathered on the Steinway baby grand, on tabletops and everywhere you look.

Rich cherry paneling, which replaced the original pine, warms the library. A serene haven of comfort with its fireplace, wet bar, window seat, cushy sofa and chairs. The wool needlepoint rug is by Elizabeth Eakins. Early ceramics by their children are delicious grace notes to the room's unstudied harmony.

Ceiling-to-floor windows and French doors bring the gardens inside the dining room. A light-filled, spacious room may be a blessed thing. But it's the details here that are divine. Pale pink walls, detailed in white, are echoed in the Louis XVI chairs clad in Alan Campbell pink-and-white-striped fabric. Crowned by a 19th century English crystal chandelier dripping amber and amethyst crystal fruit is a table that opens to infinity. At the far end of the room, there's also an intimate dining space. That's a good thing, since Audrey entertains 100 guests the same way most people have 10. The sisal rug is finished with a quilted silk border. And the spectacular 17th century Jacobean oak sideboard was a treasure unearthed in their travels to Bath, England.

Not without a basketful of pangs, Audrey and Tim are now selling their chez fabulous. As empty nesters with four grown children and a tiny granddaughter, they have opted for something, er, smaller. Audrey's latest project is a monumental penthouse loft in the Strip District with a 90-foot terrace and breathtaking views of our Downtown skyline.

But that's another story.

Sunday's best-dressed young ladies paraded their finery during the inaugural Zion's Finest Cotillion at Oakland's 20th Century Club. Dazzling in satiny gowns, long gloves and pearls, the 10 lovely lasses gracefully represented the Allegheny Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, whose Pittsburgh roots date to the early 19th century. With an emphasis on education, this first-time fete raised $15,000 to benefit college scholarships and AMEZ programs.

Equally elegant, co-chairs Ruthie King and Rita Hickey presided over an evening that included a daughter-father waltz, dinner and well-earned admiring smiles from family, friends and escorts for charming debs such as Britnee Walker , Melissa Tyler , Shinora Grayson , Dominique Berry , Mildred King , Loriel Jenks , Brittany Calhoun , DaVonna Graham , Jamiele Johnson and Tierra Farmer . Joining AC director Dr. Caroll Young for the coming out were Glenn Grayson ; Marjorie Walton ; Bishop Marshall Strickland ; Dr. Dorothy Brunson ; the Rev. Calvin Cash ; Demeatria Gibson ; Greer Reed ; and the Rev. Stanley Dennison; and Kenya Hall .

Amen.

-- John Altdorfer

Orson Welles preferred to sip no wine before its time--or was it his time• Whatever the case, an emerging set of socially aware leaders gladly quaffed primo vinos during Wednesday's Glitter and Grapes Red Cross benefit at the Duquesne Club. Let's raise a glass to honorary chair and NYC emigre Emily Mack Jamison for marshaling 130 mostly new faces who hopefully will grace these pages more frequently.

Of course, a few shimmering baubles--and a $1,000 gift certificate--from Henne Jewelers attracted more than a few ladies to this mid-week to-do, which helped refill the RC emergency coffers. As RC CEO Tim Tassone noted during a VIP reception in the Club's private Le Cave, area residents rely on the relief organization during disasters such as the recent flooding.

And just who did we spot in this mostly younger set• Well to name a few, Christine Astorino Del Sole and Steve ; Susan Ferra and Dan O'Malley ; John Henne and sister Anne Henne Rockwell ; Miss PA Candace Otto ; Michele and Max Beier ; Carol Adams ; Katie Jones; Nicholas Griswold ; Carrie and Rob Barmen ; Michelle Accamando ; Tara and Jamey Dick ; board prez Dave Clark with Kathy ; Robert Jamison ; Ron Leone ; Susie Katz ; and Colleen Byrne with Denny Travis .

Cheers.

-- J.A.

One would hardly accuse Dee Bold and Jettie Mooney of sitting down on the job. But they were daintily perched on benches emblazoned with their names at The Twenty-five Club 's chi-chi cocktail party in Magee-Womens Hospital's lovely new courtyard garden. Since 1939, a constant count of 25 damsels have raised millions to give the most fragile newborns a second chance at life in M-W neonatal intensive care units. And none has been more devoted than these two gracious grande dames. Why, our Jettie has been a M-W volunter for 68 years!

Carved from a former weed-strewn space, the charmingly landscaped garden has a pond, a patio brick etched with each member's name and plenty of pacing room for expectant dads. The M-W kitchen catered the delicious graze that was a far cry from hospital food, Suzanne Hershey added the harpistry and Mother Nature lit Thursday's gray skies with sunshine. You would expect no less from 25 first ladies.

Among their huge fan clubs, we spotted 25 Club prexy Terri Hastings and Don; Patti and Paul Matty; Anne Hanna; Connie Rockwell ; M-W chief of pediatrics Dr. Jon Watchko and interim prexy Deb Linhart ; Jettie's son Paul Bergma n and Judy , daughter Jettie and Dr. Thomas Johnston in from Savannah and granddaughter Jettie III (all born at M-W); Dr. Elliott Kramer and Bill Modrak with his folks Lynn and David; Sue Zitelli; Peggy Snavely; Sue Fitzsimmons; Carol Massaro; Patti Dolan; Frances and Joe Kane; Bobbi and Ralph Aiello with daughter Noelle; Barb Mendlowitz; Pat Lewis; Portia Miller; Joanie and Sam Kamin; Leslie Sargent; Debbie Barbarita; Norma and Dr. Michael Sobel; Rona Dane; Jan and Ernie Meade; Mary Zubrow; Diane and Jack Doherty ; and Jack and Eleanor Schano Feeney .

Benched• Never.

Pacesetting Partners . Imagine the photo ops as former U.S. treasury secretary Paul O'Neill shared the stage with President Bush during Monday's Celebration of Community at the Omni William Penn. In case you didn't catch the newsflash on CNN, the prez in question was the Pittsburgh Urban League's Esther Bush , who along with the ex Alcoa boss, Buchanan-Ingersoll's Tom VanKirk , Robert Moll and Jack Owen , accepted the Executive Service Corps ' Pacesetter Awards for promoting volunteerism throughout the region. With a pool of 180 helping hands, ESC reaches out to 100 local nonprofits. Among those applauding this year's honorees were ESC board chair Ron Hoffman ; Robert Morris prez Dr. Edward Nicholson ; Elsie Hillman ; and Charlie Burke with sons Chip and Steve .

-- J.A.