[5] Varney began his career by teaching Spanish, French, and history at New York's New Rochelle Academy,[6] joined Dorothy Draper & Co. in 1960, and bought the firm in 1964.

[9] His work includes two historic hotels—The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia and the Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island, Michigan.

Society Expeditions' World Discoverer ships had public and private spaces decorated and refurbished by Varney.

[12] His celebrity client list includes Joan Crawford,[13] Judy Garland,[14] Ethel Merman,[15] Van Johnson,[16] Fay Wray,[17] and many other Hollywood icons.

Varney's product design includes textiles, wallcoverings, furniture, dinnerware, stained glass windows, and scarves.

Varney continued to write a weekly column for the Palm Beach Daily News also known as "The Shiny Sheet".

[24] Along with Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, he has co-chaired the Rita Hayworth Luncheon to benefit Alzheimer's Association.

[38] Varney and former wife Suzanne had three sons—Nicholas, designer of fine jewelry,[39] Seamus, and Sebastian, president of Carleton V Ltd.[40] He had one grandson named Bowie.