S. W. Design

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T11:17:00.001-07:00

The Easter bunny left for me….

Three ‘Winchester Cathedral’

and

One ‘Mary Rose’ David Austin rose bushes.

“Pretty please, Mr. Easter Bunny, won’t you come dig the holes in our rocky, clay earth and plant these beauties for me?”

Hope you’re having a lovely day….

It was love at first sight.

2011-03-22T15:38:00.001-07:00

Treasure hunting is definitely in my blood, and I credit my mother for much of what I know and love about the hunt. That said, one of my never-miss television shows, American Pickers, was responsible for the score of this latest object of my affection…..

Our eyes met across a crowded yard and I was instantly smitten. Hidden behind a shed, tipped on her side and covered in mud, I knew instantly that she had to be mine. Alas, when I inquired, I found that she had been promised to another. With a heavy heart, I returned to the sale and though heartbroken, I still managed to find some interesting items to bring into the shop.

But I just couldn’t shake the image of this lovely lady. As I was getting ready to leave, I asked again-- “Are you sure that the other fellow wants her???? “ (Thinking to myself that “no one could possibly love her like I will”)

The words of Frank and Mike were pounding my head …. “Just because someone says no, it doesn’t mean it’s over.”

So I asked if I could leave my number for the seller to call me if the ~~loathed~~ competition changed his mind. Even better, she gave me her number and said I could call in a week.

After a week (of excruciating obsession) had passed, I called and sadly, got her voicemail. Several days passed, but no call back, then several more. I resigned myself to the loss. Then, late one evening, after about a week …

I GOT THE CALL!!! She was mine!!!!!! My tenacity had paid off.

Not that you’re reading my humble little blog, but “Thank you!” Mike and Frank for your inspiring words.

I am truly “Junk Drunk."

(Oh, and so sorry y’all, don’t look for her in the shop any time soon, this girl is all mine…)

LATELY, I’M LOVING….

2011-03-14T19:36:00.001-07:00

Chalky white.

No sparkle, no shine, just simple, pure, powdery perfection.

On hold.

2010-09-07T06:54:00.001-07:00

It seems to happen every year at this time. The last brief summer outings, children returning to school, new sporting season begins, schedules all confusing and unsettled, and blogging takes a holiday.

Please pardon my absence while S.W. Design regroups and transitions back into autumn’s routine….

You MUST visit here, part II

2010-07-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

You may remember, a few months ago, I posted about the house at Filoli here, with the promise to post about the gardens soon. Well, I’ll admit I’m a bit slow sometimes, but I do keep my promises in the end. This past week, I got to go home to the San Francisco Bay Area and visit with my sister and made it a point to visit Filoli again to see what was blooming in the gardens this summer.

Above is the massive entry way with it’s stunning gothic lantern. Be sure to notice the carved detail in the ceiling overhead. As spectacular as the house is itself, the interiors pale in comparison to the landscape and gardens in my opinion. The plantings and displays change every season. In the nearly thirty years I’ve been visiting the estate, I’ve never once seen the same place twice. It is truly remarkable the amount of talent and hard work that the volunteers and staff put into keeping the home and gardens as magnificent as they always are.

Just outside of the front entrance they have recently erected a temporary dovecote covered in succulents and topped with a thatch roof. Robin Stockwell, owner of Succulent Gardens in Castroville, California, designed and planted the vertical panels covering the walls of the dovecote and loaned them to Filoli.

Filoli staff Lucy and Jonathan Tolmach designed the dovecote which was built by Filoli's woodworker, Paul Feichter. The succulents in the dry wall, the containers and the thatch shingles were grown by Filoli greenhouse staff. The design of the structure was inspired by an original aviary in the greenhouse courtyard, which housed the Bourns’ parrots. Dovecotes made today are ornamental garden features, but historically dovecotes were functional and designed to raise pigeons for squab. The word dovecote refers to the dove's cottage and is pronounced “dove cot” in England. The roof of the dovecote is covered in thatch like shingles made from flats of straw seeded with perennial rye.

The succulents were grouped and selected for contrasting foliage effects. They were planted in plastic panels which are designed for making vertical walls. The panels are watered from above with a drip irrigation system, which drips water from one panel to the next taking about 100 minutes to completely soak all five vertical panels. The succulents are watered every 7 to 10 days.

Hi there!

Filoli’s new dovecote houses three mated pairs of pigeons rescued by volunteers of the MickaBoo Dove and Pigeon Rescue, a division of Mickaboo Companion Bird Rescue in San Jose. These pigeons, found abandoned on the streets of San Francisco and San Jose, are named June Bug and Bandit, Squeak and Sesame, and Angel and Bo.

Exiting the house, you enter the sunken garden. This is the most formal area of the garden and the floral displays are always spectacular. This was the way we found it today….

The peach colored flowers are stock.

Notice the potted containers leading up the steps, this is a design element you’ll see over and over again in the gardens. I love it!

A different season, a different year; the garden is equally beautiful. The fog rolling over the hills beyond makes a beautiful backdrop for the blue and yellow of the plantings.

This time the parterre’s are filled with blue-maybe salvia? See the pots lining the steps? Tulips are a perennial favorite at Filoli.

The clock tower atop the former carriage house, now garden shop is the only reminder of times’ passage as you stroll through this lovely setting.

Springtime in all of it’s glory. The color selections each year are clearly made by a very well educated eye.

Adjacent to the sunken garden is the delightful garden pavilion. Reminiscent of an orangerie, a garden pavilion was a building frequently found on the grounds of fashionable residences on the east coast of America during the 18th and 19th centuries. Similar to a summerhouse or a conservatory, the garden pavilion was a symbol of prestige and wealth.

Filoli's garden pavilion was designed to make a break in the long brick wall enclosing the walled garden and to match the architecture of the main house. It has eight stone figureheads at the top of the French-style windows.

The interior floor of the garden pavilion is composed of large Tavernelle marble, separating bands of black and gold marble and small squares of Belgian black marble. The wainscoting (or splash panel) around the walls is beige Tavernelle marble. The tabletop is brecciate violet Brocatelle marble. The Bourns used the table in their San Francisco home.

The elaborate wall sconces were originally intended for the staircase area in the house.

A pair of lovely white doves greet visitors in the summer months.

Filoli was designed to include many of the elements you would expect on an English country estate. In addition to a formal garden, plenty of space was allocated for a large working kitchen garden with espaliered fruits, berry cages, vegetable garden, cutting garden and greenhouses.

Summer paths lined with lavender.

Utterly impossible to resist running my hand through as we travelled up the path.

A row of corn-- the knot garden beyond.

Knot gardens were commonly designed to display royal coats
of arms, figures of plants or animals, or stitches of embroidery, and the interstices would be
filled with colored sand and earth (open knot, as at Filoli) or with flowers (closed knot).

While knot gardens are traditionally composed of flat hedges, Filoli’s has a different look;
hedges are shorn and sculpted into three-dimensional under- and overlapping woven
strands, making their maintenance more challenging, but also creating a beautiful, intricate,
undulating effect.

The shrub that contributes the exquisite maroon color to Filoli’s knot garden is a cultivar of Japanese barberry, Berberis thunbergii ‘Crimson Pigmy.’ The Japanese Barberry’s dark leaves contrast beautifully with the grey and green foliage of the other plants.

In 1991, Mrs. Duncan Low, a garden volunteer had the idea to create miniature versions of the original knots. Filoli’s maintenance staff built two 36” square boxes and engraved the sides to represent the brick pattern of the garden’s walls. Each box took four hours to plant, with dwarf hedges spaced at one inch on center. The lead
horticulturist of the panel gardens keeps an eye on the water needs of these plants, and volunteers are in charge of their weekly pruning with bonsai shears.

One of many iron gates in the walled gardens. Each one boasting a beautiful view beyond.

Spires of acanthus practically sparkling in the sunlight--recommended by English gardening authorities of the period as an excellent foundation plant and in entry courtyards for bold and architectural effect in scale with large residences and has low maintenance requirements. These were grown by Romans in villa gardens.

A stunning pink tree rhododendron under the cool canopy of the hundreds-of-years-old trees above.

More parterres--filled with simple pink begonias.

A visit last Autumn finds a garden asleep--storing energy for it’s spring spectacle.

An important element to the formal garden is the presence of the evergreen, Irish yews, which permeate the space creating strong, vertical lines. These compliment the formal design and serve to guide the viewer’s eye to important features.

A view of the back of the house~visible here are 8 of the house’s 17 chimneys.

A back door with potted flaming tulips lining the steps.

Another door boasts delicate pink tulips.

The estate has many of these stone planters and statuary pieces--a wonderful way to add architecture to any garden, large or small.

A show-stopping Agave plant adds it’s own brand of architecture. I loved this planting so much, the first time I saw it, I came right home and planted my own Agave pot. Hopefully, someday, it will grow to be as jaw-dropping as the one here.

Succulents in a cement basin~does it get any better than this?

Several of the garden gates are topped by these stone cartouches.

Amazing ironwork--craftsmanship not often seen today.

There is so much more to see and each time I visit I see and learn something new. It is such a wonderful source of inspiration. Filoli offers many educational programs for gardeners and their website is a virtual wealth of information. To learn more about this magnificent estate and all that it has to offer, visit them at www.filoli.org. To see the post I did on the house, click here.

I hope you enjoyed your tour of the gardens at Filoli, I know I did!

Hot, Hot and more Hot.

2010-07-11T16:34:00.001-07:00

Stuck inside. Too hot to work in the garden and more hot to come. Typical for these parts, although I think these temps are actually a little on the cool side for this time of year. I guess I shouldn’t complain: We lived in Palm Springs the first year we were married--the mercury hit 132 degrees one day and hovered around 120 the whole summer…ugh.

So, here are a few images to take the edge off the summer heat….

All images via French Interiors, by Christiane de Nicolay-Mazery

Hope you’re having a cooler week where you are!

Proud mama moment

2010-07-07T16:01:00.001-07:00

image via Vintage weave

Lately, I’ve been feeling inspired by all things industrial. So, I’ve picked up a couple of old metal box/trunks, and as usual, I’m not sure yet where they’re going to go, but I like their “old-beat-up-ness.” The smaller of the two had gobs of old ugly paint on it (yes, I do believe that old chippy paint can be beautiful, but this was just UGLY). So, this morning I got out my bottle of Citrustrip (the best paint stripper, ever) and started peeling back the layers.

Child #2 (age 8), who has an AMAZING eye, came out to see what I was working on and asked if he could help.

After working on it a bit, he said that he wanted to put it in his room. I told him “maybe” but we’d have to clean up the rust on the bottom so it didn’t get all over the carpet. To which he replied:

“Oh mom, I like the rust--it’s patina.”

Music to my ears.

Covert Operations

2010-06-29T11:02:00.001-07:00

They say confession is good for the soul, but myself, I find that playing dumb goes a lot farther….

I’ve mentioned before, my crippling inability to leave a “treasure” behind, a problem which has only been magnified over the years. So, as a result, I’ve had to get creative with ways in which to ~~sneak~~ incorporate these pieces into my home.

I have found that the best course of action is to wait until everyone else has left the house and then stealthily retrieve said items from their safe haven under the jackets and beach towels in the back of my oh-so-roomy car. (Which, may I say, I can pack 4 dining room chairs into, when the rear seats are down--reason #1 why I bought her!)

The next step in the mission is to quickly consolidate these finds into the decor before anyone has returned home. This part can sometimes prove tricky, because I do what I tell others not to do--that is, to purchase items without a plan. I know better, but I’m afraid that knowing better sometimes isn’t enough.

I would like to add, however, that in the end, because I love them so much, I can always find a way to make these treasured finds work.

Take for instance, “Pablo” here (my 8 year old finally named him--don’t ask)…. I lugged him home from the local flea market one day this spring. The entire LONG walk out to where I was parked, I had him hoisted over my shoulder like I was burping a forty-pound newborn (really, it was ridiculous--children pointing and giggling.) At the time, I had no idea where I wanted to put him, I just knew that I had to have him.

After much rearranging and head scratching, he has finally landed a home in my dining room/soon-to-be-library on a console in front of the window between two large wheat-sheath Italian tole lamps (also rescue-pieces.)

Often, actually almost always, new finds must spend some time being triaged in my dining room--aka “Design Purgatory,” before transitioning into their semi-permanent home (because you know, nothing is ever permanent-permanent.)

When the items are large, like say, a 7’ antique COLUMN, the whole operation must be taken to a higher level. (This baby took lots of jackets and beach towels.) Like all the other impulse purchases, it is now serving it’s time in design purgatory. I have a few ideas for where to put it, but haven’t had the “aha, I’ve got it!” moment yet.

I nearly wrecked my car when I first spotted this darling chair. Running late to get child #2 to baseball photos, I was trying to save time by taking a shortcut when… Rrrrrrh! Hit the brakes. There she was, sitting on a driveway full of junk at a neighborhood yard sale. What to do?! Risk missing pictures altogether, or go inquire about the chair? Well, let’s just say, it was like garage sale-ing on crack…

I run across the street, phone to my ear, telling the team mom that I’m “…in the car RIGHT NOW, just around the corner. Hold the pictures, we’re almost there!”

Me, to the nice man at the sale (wondering how much cash I have in my wallet): “How much are you asking on the chair?”

Nice Man: “I’m asking $20, but I’d take less.”

Me: “Would you take $15?” (Seriously, could I be more of a cheapskate?!”)

Really Nice Man: “Sure, can I help you load it?”

SOLD!

(BTW, we made it to pictures by the skin of our teeth--no one the wiser.)

I don’t think I can make the pink velvet work in my home (love it, though). So, I’m thinking I’ll reupholster it in a light oatmeal colored linen. The cushion is down filled--I couldn’t have even bought the feathers for $15, let alone the frame, which is in perfect condition.

I kind of hesitate to post this picture, because it’s such an ugly duckling at this point, and I haven’t done anything yet to make it a swan--so you’ll have to use your imagination. Think Swedish country.

I came upon this cute little roll-top desk some time ago and again, with no plan in mind, I just couldn’t bear to leave it behind. So, into the dining room it went. (I have very large double doors that swing into the dining room which, when opened, create perfect corners in there in which to “store” things temporarily.)

Several months later, I caught my husband searching Craig’s List for “roll-top desks.” When I asked him why in the world he was looking at those, (believe me, it’s totally out of character for him to look at anything remotely design related) he said that he wanted somewhere to set up his fly-tying (fishing) stuff. Currently, the bits and pieces are in a big plastic tub that he drags out periodically to the kitchen table and it’s a big messy production whenever he decides to create some bugs.

“Well” I say, “It just so happens….”

So I show him the desk I bought that’s now been sitting behind the doors for a couple of months.

“That’s exactly what I need.” says Mr. Bass-Pro “When did you get that?”

Me: “Oh gosh, I bought that ages ago….”

Him: “That will work out perfect!”

See, I told you playing dumb goes a long way. I managed to kill two birds with one stone--I got to save a cute little desk and he’ll have somewhere to keep his hobby stuff that won’t be an eyesore and drive me crazy.

These are just a few of the larger pieces that I’ve brought home without any idea in the world where they were going to go. There are many, many more small accessory items that have been dug out of the dark corners of antique stores and estate sales. They are much more quickly and easily absorbed into the decoration than some of the big pieces.

I am so not an “off the rack” kind of girl. Consequently, when I find something I like at a great price, I grab it. Certainly not a process that works if you want the instant gratification of a completed room, but I much prefer a space that looks as though it has been curated over time.

I am comfortable waiting for pieces to find me, big and small. But if you’re not willing to wait, I suggest purchasing the large items, like sofas, beds, etc. from the design center and let the accessories and artwork evolve over time. The result will be a space that is truly reflective of your own taste and that your friends and neighbors will envy (and will never be able to knock-off, because it was created with one-of-a-kind items.)

Please forward my mail….

2010-06-15T15:10:00.001-07:00

While browsing through French real estate listings this weekend, I came upon this lovely “petit” chateau.

Listing price you ask? 580,000 Euro-- that’s approximately $710,000 U.S. !

Call the movers, I’m packing my bags right now!

The front door leads into an impressive entrance hall with gorgeous stone flooring with inlays (cabochons). A wrought iron and stone staircase sweeps up to the first floor.

Had I the opportunity to do my own entry room over again, I would have done a floor something like this.

To the left of this entrance hall, a door leads into a dining room with stone fireplace and exposed stone walls.

An eat-in kitchen with amazing stone walls, modern appliances, a farm sink with a bridge faucet and wonderful gray cabinetry. Unlike so many old residences, this kitchen needs no updating.

A different view of the kitchen. LOVE the zinc finials and the sunlight streaming through the French doors.

Here is where I will sit with my laptop and blog. When I need inspiration, I can simply refer to one of my design books housed nearby in the lovely arched cabinetry.

Although I’ll likely replace the red striped upholstery on the sofa, it is here where I’ll offer you a cup of tea and a croissant when you come to visit.

After a hard day of tending to my garden, I’ll retire to my chamber with my latest design book and a glass of local wine in hand.

I suppose I’ll have to change the wall color in the boys bedroom. And, perhaps some new lamps….

On the grounds, there is a guest/guardian's house consisting of sitting room, 2 bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom.

From the listing:

“This pretty little chateau is set in the centre of a small village in the northern Vienne region of France. The property has undergone a complete restoration with superb attention to detail. Many original features have been retained. There is also a pool and a small caretaker’s cottage. The property comprises:

Reception Rooms: 4 Bedrooms: 7 Bathrooms: 7”

(Why don’t American homes have as many bathrooms as bedrooms?!)

Although there are plenty of listings for very grand French Chateaux, I would be content to steward this little gem for the next forty years or so.

Can anybody recommend a good international moving company?

I just had to….

2010-06-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I live in a house full of boys--even the dog. I jealously look on as my friends decorate their daughters’ bedrooms and throw princess birthday parties for their little angels, while here at “Chateau-de-boy”, we’re collecting bugs and making home-made slime.

So, forgive me for a moment while I indulge in a little girly pink loveliness….

Ahhh, that feels better!

Now, off to Little League….

Design CPR: Bring your rooms to life - Element #1

2010-06-08T04:03:00.000-07:00

Do you have a room that never seems to get used? Unlike our bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens, spaces like the formal living room or dining room, which typically don’t fill an everyday need, often remain largely unoccupied and are left to be admired only in passing. To me, one of the few positive effects of the recent “economic downturn” is the now widely accepted opinion that the showy displays of wealth and wasteful behavior of the past decade are now considered bad taste.

Rooms that are just for show and never used are wasteful.

That said, I also realize that sometimes there are spaces in a home that just don’t seem to invite you in. I have found, through trial and error, that there are a few elements that consistently succeed in bringing a rarely used room (even the most formal) to life. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be posting some of these suggestions. If you have a space in your home that is feeling ignored try adding one or more of these:

ELEMENT # 1

Bare-bulbed Light Fixtures

Nothing lights up a space like, well, lighting…. But not just any old lighting will do. A single fixture in the middle of the ceiling and a lamp on a table in the corner does not a lighting plan make. A proper lighting plan involves several layers of light and addresses all of the room’s functions, from reading to watching television, to sleeping, and yes, even blogging. While one could easily devote an entire blog to lighting design, there are several types of decorative fixtures and bulbs that I think are especially effective in imparting that inviting ambiance to a space.

My top two favorite fixtures are pictured here: Lanterns and candle sconces. When dimly lit, the bare bulbs on these types of fixtures emulate the allure of candlelight.

I love, love, love tabletop lanterns. This pair is outfitted with real candles, but they could easily be converted to electric.

A Blanc d’Ivoire tabletop lantern brightens a corner in my family room.

(Pardon the fingerprints on the glass--remember, I live in the “Maison-de-boys”)

Wall lanterns and a hanging lantern set the mood in this room by Peter Dunham.

Instead of a pair of boring pendants, why not a use a gorgeous pair of Bevolo lanterns over a kitchen island?

This trio of star fixtures are the perfect accent lighting to draw you down a long hall. Notice that they are supplemented by up-lighting from the decorative bases of the ceiling vaults.

Also at the top my list of favorite fixtures are antique and quality reproduction chandeliers. Here again, the bare bulbs suggest candlelight and the crystal beads and drops on this type of fixture reflect the light throughout the space.

A suite of modern reproduction candle fixtures.

Mirrors are a great way to double the effect.

Two beautiful Empire style fixtures grace this large dining room.

Note the thicker candle sleeve on these fixtures.

On a side note; I also make it a point to always change out those awful white plastic candle sleeves that are often included with fixtures of this nature. My favorite sleeve replacement is a hand-dipped beeswax candle cover in a neutral color.

An electrified tabletop “candelabra” is a great solution for gently illuminating a dark corner. Different versions (iron, gilt, tole) of these versatile fixtures can work in virtually any type of room.

I wish I had the actual “before” picture of my lamp, but this gray Swedish looking candle fixture on the right started out life as a brass-shaded, toleware table lamp, very similar to the black one pictured on the left. All of the parts were saved, so if I change my mind someday, it can easily be converted back.

Alternatively, a single stem candlestick fixture makes a perfect nightlight for a hall bathroom or a child’s or guest bedroom.

The bulbs I like best in these exposed-bulb fixtures? 3-watt silicone dipped clear candle bulbs. I have tried dozens of different types of candle bulbs in different wattages and I have found these to be the most attractive. And, at only 3 watts each, I don’t feel a bit guilty leaving them on during the day.

Now, bear in mind that none of these fixtures alone are anywhere near enough wattage to illuminate an entire room--they are just there for effect, (thus the term decorative). Nonetheless, they are equally important to the lighting design of a room as ambient and task lighting.

These too-often-forgotten fixtures are the layer of light that can bring a space to life.

A design legend weighs in on design sensibilities….

2010-06-06T07:21:00.001-07:00

“We like to think our taste is a permanent attribute, rather like having blue eyes or being a certain height. But taste changes all the time, in greater degrees for some people, in lesser degrees for others. The aging process is the first and most notable reason. As we grow older, we become more informed--about what we like as well as about the world around us. We usually become more serious too. Growing prosperity enters in; so does a greater need for comfort. Finally, there is the question of the things we have been accumulating: Do we still like them? Or do we want to trade them in? for most of us, the answer lies somewhere in the middle. The things we keep gain in importance as time goes by. At least they should; otherwise we shouldn’t keep them….”

Mark Hampton

Architectural Digest, December 1995

Where do we get our design sensibilities from?

2010-05-21T19:46:00.001-07:00

I was just wondering….

After pondering this question for a while, I think there are a number of significant factors that have definitely influenced my own design preferences.

My father is a very reasonable and logical man and likes everything looking new. His family furnished their homes with pieces contemporary to the era. My mother, on the other hand, is a decided traditionalist. My childhood home was really a mix of both. My mother was from a large German family and had many older relatives with collections of wonderful antiques that were passed on to her, so our home was an eclectic blend of 18th century meets mid-century modern. Myself, I love furnishings with a history older than the 20th century. I get practically light-headed, imagining where and with whom they may have lived before. It’s a very romantic notion, I know, but I tend to approach life more emotionally than logically.

As a child, I was fortunate to be able to travel frequently with my family throughout Europe. Rather than staying in any of the large brand-name hotels, my parents opted for renting a car and rooming in small pensions or sometimes with friends. I was able to see how families lived in centuries-old buildings with furnishings that had been handed down for generations. I have many vivid memories of things like the Belgian lace cafe curtains on the windows and the cloudlike feather beds that we slept on. It all seemed so strange at the time (you know--milk, fresh from a cow and all) but I treasure these postcards in my mind all these years later.

Shonbrunn Palace

Gardens at Shonbrunn

On those childhood journeys, I thought that if I had to see ONE MORE palace or museum full of old stuff, I was just going to die. A million thank-you’s to my parents for forging ahead and putting up with whiny children, thousands of miles from home! As I’ve gotten older, or maybe as a result of constant multi-tasking, my short-term memory is not what it once was; but visions of the Clock Museum and the Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, or the Louvre and Notre Dame in Paris hover right at the top of my memory.

Foxglove Antiques

When I was in college (the first time) I was lucky enough to land a job that I adored in a small boutique offering French and English furnishings, gifts and accessories (similar to Foxglove in Atlanta) . I was surrounded, forty hours a week, by these lovely offerings. It impressed upon me at a young age, just how much joy can be derived from spending time in a beautiful place that is suited to you and that you love. Isn’t that what great design is all about in the end? The ultimate goal is to create that feeling of joy in your environment, not to simply design a space that is pretty to look at. Had I not had that daily experience of being in an environment that brought me such pleasure, I don’t think that I would have embraced that concept as fully as I do now.

My major in college also played an important role is developing my design preferences—but I wasn’t studying design at the time. My first college degree is in History, and that background has definitely impacted my aesthetic. I think that now I have a better frame of reference when working with and enjoying antiques because of that education. When I went back to school for a design degree, my absolute favorite courses were the two sections on the History of Design. I really could not get enough of those classes—if they’d offered twenty sections, I’d have taken them all! Because I was familiar with so many of the “back-stories” of the people who created or influenced the design movements, I felt like I really “got” what was going on and wasn’t simply learning to identify a Louis XV piece from a Louis XVI.

So now I’m left to wonder “What will my children embrace when they are adults?” Though we don’t get to travel as much as I’d like, I do take every opportunity to teach them what I can about architecture and design, and even gardening, too. When we’re in the city (SF) I point out things like interesting corbels or the anthemion pattern in the architrave on a building. We are regulars at antique fairs and flea markets. Even when we’re in a thrift store, I try to teach them what to look for. At 8 and 10, they know the difference between sterling and silver plate and how to spot crystal in a sea of glass. A couple of years ago, to encourage them to look at pieces with a critical eye, I started paying them a ten percent “finder’s fee” on items that they found for me that I ended up purchasing. (Gee, I hope that doesn’t violate any child labor laws!)

Although I really try to limit TV viewing in our home, American Pickers, Pawn Stars and Antiques Roadshow are always on the TiVo. The boys and I love to cozy up on the living room sofa on weekends and watch the treasure finding unfold. I hope that, in the end, the result of all this is that they at least will grow up to appreciate the quality craftsmanship and artistry that goes into the making of fine furnishings, artwork and accessories.

I understand, however, that this regular and early exposure can backfire, so I make an effort not to force feed it to them and try to only administer it in small doses. Just yesterday I was talking to a friend who’s parents were avid collectors of all things French. She told me that she had had enough of it from childhood and now is not interested in collecting anything and prefers retro and mid century modern pieces for her home. So, I guess you can’t insure that your children will share your design tastes, even after educating and encouraging them in the virtues of whatever your aesthetic. Alas, when raising children, there are never any guarantees….

When I considered writing this post, I thought it would be interesting to explore the idea of what goes into developing a personal aesthetic. What I didn’t realize is that the title could have read: “More than you ever, ever could possibly want to know about ME.”

What I would really like to know is what has led YOU to YOUR design style? Was there a defining moment, or did it develop over time? Did you rebel against your parent’s style sensibilities?

I’d love to hear your comments!

Happy Mother’s day!

2010-05-08T18:24:00.001-07:00

A favorite photo of my mom and I at Bodega Bay a really long time ago : )

Wishing all of you mom’s, and especially my mom, a lovely and relaxing Mother’s Day. ( I’m happy to say, I’ll be out antiquing with my boys.)

Lovelies from Bella Notte

2010-04-30T16:14:00.001-07:00

One of the best things about living in California, aside from the weather, is having access to so many wonderful resources. One of which is the Bella Notte Outlet in Novato. Like most warehouse sales, you have to go in with an open mind and a lot of creative energy, because items are not in complete “sets” or even pairs sometimes.

But the offerings are gorgeous. Textile heaven. While the prices are good by retail standards, they still reflect the quality of the items.

Seriously, I could just crawl up on the shelves and get cozy.

Some photos of their products from the website….

http://www.bellanottelinens.com/

The quality of the textiles is impeccable and the designs are charming. It was very difficult to resist going overboard, but I did pretty well at controlling myself and still managed to bring home a few goodies.

The warehouse is open regularly on Fridays and Saturdays from 10-2 and has deeper discount sales from time to time.

They are located at : 61 Galli Drive ste. E Novato, Ca 94949

For more info, be sure to check out their beautiful website at:

http://www.bellanottelinens.com/

I have the sweetest friends….

2010-04-26T10:58:00.001-07:00

Me and Christina

This weekend, my boys’ school was hosting a benefit garage sale. As I am a self-professed magpie who can’t seem to leave anything behind, I thought it would be a great opportunity to get some of the goodies out of the garage and help the school out a little bit. So, I recruited my very dear friend and partner in ~~crime~~ err…design, Christina, who brought some of her treasures as well.

We brought only decorative items (trust me, I have plenty of straight-up junk that I need to get rid of too). And, to try to drum up a little design biz, we put up easels with portfolio photos and had business cards handy for anybody that asked. The sale went great and we had a blast talking to people.

As we were getting ready to pack up, a friend who had been by earlier in the day came walking up with this ADORABLE little footstool in her hand. She started to ask me a question about if I’d seen someone and I was so distracted by what she was carrying, I could barely focus on what she was saying (this is a bad habit I have—I get totally visually distracted). I told her that “no, I hadn’t seen her, but that footstool is darling.” She replied that “…(she) had had it for a long time and she thought it was right up my alley and that she wanted me to have it.”

Do I have the sweetest friends or what?! Thanks a bunch Gale, I love it!

And thank you to Christina for all your help—it is so much fun to do things together!

Adopt and Adapt

2010-04-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

More sage advise from Dorothy Draper….

Shortcut #12:

“There are two words in the English language that you should try to remember when you are looking for new ideas. Strangely enough they both begin with the very first letter of the alphabet. The words are “adopt” and “adapt”.

So many people get discouraged when they look through the pages of the opulent so-called service magazines or try to glean some ideas from the room set-ups in the stores. “The rooms were all much larger than mine,” or “I could never afford such big pieces of furniture,” are the laments of the majority.

The idea is to “adopt” the concept and “adapt” it to your own room and your own way of living. You may not be able to afford or have room for such a large breakfront, but how about a small secretary or hutch?

You like that swag idea for the window in your living room, but the heavy damask and tassels is much too heavy a treatment for the size of your room. Adopt the idea, but modify it to suit your space, taste and pocketbook.

You admire the bamboo fretwork on the wall behind that bed, but it looks expensive, so why not use a regular wooden garden trellis for practically the same effect?

Did you see that picture of the patio with a riot of petunias in planters? Take that idea and plant some inexpensive petunia seeds or small petunia plants in wooden salad bowls and have three bowls brimming with color on your kitchen ledge. Learn to adopt an idea and adapt it to your own special needs!”

Inspiration is everywhere when you are open to seeing it.

Tureens, they’re not just for dinner anymore.

2010-04-19T04:30:00.000-07:00

photo credit: Grey Crawford

photo credit: laura moss

I don’t think anyone would disagree that soup tureens (or if you prefer, soupières) can be equally attractive serving a delicate soup or as part of a collection in an open display (Thankfully! As they can be difficult to store in your run of the mill kitchen cabinet). But, as I am especially fond of finding ways to make use of those typically less-often-used items, here are a few ideas for making a lovely tureen do double duty….

A floral arrangement is always a perfect fit for an old tureen.

At it’s best when the arrangement and selection of the flowers reflect the style of the tureen. A frog or floral tape will help make the job of arranging easier in wide mouth vessels such as these.

Why not create your own still life with some fruit from the market and a few leafy stems off of a tree or shrub in your yard?

My pewter tureen with flowers from my garden.

A longer-lived alternative to a floral centerpiece, coordinate the fruits you use to the scheme of your table setting—imagine an old pewter tureen heaped with figs or plums and grapes and maybe some baby purple artichokes for an autumn table. Or place orange, green and yellow citrus dotted with tiny white flowers in white ironstone in the summer.

Try piling your tureen high with fresh berries in season. Strawberries are just coming into season here and we have many local farm stands where you can buy the tastiest fruits in large quantities—I predict that I’ll be ~~tasting~~ testing this idea out soon. I recently read that someone used her tureen in the summer to serve watermelon balls marinated in port wine-yum!

I often come across bowls that have lost their lids. If they are a nice shape, I bring them home in spite of their missing parts. I very frequently put live plants in old tureens such as this-usually indoors, but this old pot looks great outside. A small round tureen makes a pretty container for potted herbs in a sunny kitchen window.

During the winter holidays, fill a tureen with poinsettia or amaryllis. Fresh cedar and pine branches with white candles and mercury glass bulbs would be a festive alternative.

Last winter, I attempted to force some paperwhites in an old tureen, but I must have gotten a bad batch of bulbs because they just rotted. This was the look I was going for. (I won’t show you what I got.)

A profusion of hyacinths on an antique console are doubled in abundance by the placement of a mirror behind. A tureen is a perfect container for forcing bulbs.

Why not place one on your kitchen table to hold cloth napkins?

A tureen would make a great ice bucket, wine cooler or cookie jar. You might even use one to store all of those attachments for the mixer & food processor.

Or, for the bakers among us (not me, by the way), try using one as the “covered bowl” recommended for proofing dough.

Easter basket, mom-style.

Instead of flowers, this tureen could be holding wooden spoons and other cooking utensils next to the cooktop.

Use one for storing dog biscuits.

Or puppies! (too cute)

Actually, one of my favorite uses for a lidless tureen is as a dog water bowl for Bennett—so much more attractive than a stainless bowl.

Here are a few more ideas off of the top of my head….

Use a big ironstone tureen for serving salad (green or pasta).
Offer popcorn or chips from a shallow-bowled tureen at your next game-day party.
Or, for 4th of July, make homemade ice cream and serve it from a blue and white transferware tureen.
Keep your tea stash in it.
Use one on the counter for storing potatoes or onions or garlic.
Fill one full of rolled washcloths or soaps and sea sponges to leave on the bathroom vanity.
Nothing beats natural accessories; white ironstone looks great filled with seashells or pinecones.
Fill with water and float candles and flowers in one for a romantic centerpiece.
For holiday parties, instead of a punch bowl, use a tureen for egg nog, punch, spiced cider, mulled wine or whatever your poison.

At last count, I think I have about ten large-ish white ironstone tureens—of those, only a few are pretty good old pieces complete with underplates and ladles that I reserve for display only. I just recently found that old pewter tureen who’s squatty shape reminds me of a Cinderella pumpkin. The remainder are just pieces that I’ve picked up here and there that I love to use and abuse for different purposes such as those I’ve listed above. Hmmm, now I’m thinking that I might need to add some Staffordshire pieces to the collection as well….

Do you have any interesting ways you like to use a tureen? I’d love to hear your ideas!

You Must visit here (part one)….

2010-04-13T05:30:00.000-07:00

If you are ever in Northern California, you must include an afternoon at Filoli in your itinerary. Located in Woodside, just 20 miles south of San Francisco, it was a mere ten minutes from my childhood home, but sadly, is now 180 miles from home. Even still, I try to visit at least once a year.

Open February through October, with special events during the holidays, the house and gardens are equally spectacular.

Upon entering through that amazing portico, you find yourself in the Transverse Hall, bisecting the length of the 36,00o square foot Georgian country house.

Detail of the door moulding and pediment in Transverse Hall. The quality of workmanship in the details of this home are truly awe-inspiring.

The interior knobs and keyhole covers

The stairway with it’s magnificent iron railing is just off the hallway. The second story now houses the offices of the foundation, and is off limits to visitors. (I sure would like to sneak a peek someday.)

Perhaps the most stunning room in the home is the Ballroom. It’s delicate dove’s-egg-blue walls are accent with gilded column capitals and moulding details.

The magnificent crystal chandeliers are copies of those that hung in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles during the signing of the Peace Treaty in 1920.

Six elaborate crystal wall sconces with amethyst colored crystal drops complete the illumination of the ballroom.

The scenes of Muckross, Ireland were chosen because, after a series of strokes, the master of the house, Mr. Bourn was not well enough to travel to this special place. The five murals that encircle the room were painted by Ernest Peixotto in his New York City studio on canvas from sketches made in a visit to Muckross. The completed murals were then rolled up and shipped by train to Filoli in 1925.

The large French Baroque-style fireplace surround is carved brecciated Italian Machiavelli or Sarrancolin marble decorated with ormulu decorations of the head of Hercules and Nemean lions' heads molded to fit the marble.

It is truly breathtaking.

Across the hall from the Ballroom is the library, a copy of the library at Denham Place, England. The plan and arrangement of wall panels, bookcases, and borders carved in a floral pattern were copied from the English house built in 1690.

Though it’s difficult to see in the photo, the floor is laid in an alternating herringbone pattern to create a changing effect of light and dark stripes depending on the position of the viewer.

Last time I visited, I had to ask a docent “what this room was?” She very politely told me that it was the Reception Room. Well, duh, don’t we all have rooms in which to receive our guests!?! What a different world this must have been.

Notice the doorway mouldings. The rooms along this axis are set enfilade style, so that you can see straight through the open doorways from one end of the house to the other.

At the south end of the house is one of my favorite rooms, the Dining Room, here, set for Christmas dinner.

The blue linen damask on the chairs is gorgeous.

The floral displays are an important part of the decor and are changed frequently.

The last stop on this very abbreviated tour of Filoli is the Butler’s Panty. This room made such an impression on me as a young girl—the concept of having an entire room devoted to storing all that beautiful crystal and china, I was hooked. You can read more about that obsession here.

Inside the safe in the Butler’s Pantry.

To quote Rachel Zoe: “I die!”

The floor plan of this spectacular estate.

Clearly, there is much, much more to be seen. If you’re interested in learning more about or visiting the house and gardens, you can access the Filoli website here. Trust me, it is not a place you want to miss.

Next time, part deux, the gardens….

The gospel according to Dorothy Draper

2010-04-09T05:30:00.000-07:00

The other day when I was browsing through the “home improvement” books at my local Goodwill, I spied this book by Dorothy Draper that I was previously unaware of (gasp).

I haven’t finished all 365, but I thought I would share an excerpt from #11--my favorite so far….

“Oftentimes when I get to bed at night these phrases are still floating around my head, “Is it proper?” “Could I use?” “Would it be all right to?” “Are they using?” “I love such and such a color, but could I mix it with so and so?”

Recently an ad for individualized clothes had a heading “Enjoy the luxury of being yourself.” And to all those people who ask me all of the above questions, what could be a better answer? What do you care what they (whoever they are) using? Who knows what is “proper”? Be yourself, think for yourself, be guided by good taste and have what you want….”

You said it sister! I think if she were around today, Ms. Draper would have a fabulous blog.

Enjoy the luxury of being yourself!

Conversational Seating

2010-04-06T05:25:00.000-07:00

design by Bunny Williams

Recently, when I was fortunate enough to hear Bunny Williams speak in San Francisco, she joked that it has been said of her that “no one can squeeze more furniture into a space than (she) can.” While that statement may be true, I challenge you to find a living area designed by Ms. Williams that isn’t perfectly suited to good conversation over a cup of tea for two or for after dinner lounging for a group of ten (or more.)

Bunny Williams’ formula for furnishing a living room : “A no-fail arrangement consists of a 7-foot sofa, a 4-by-2-foot coffee table, one upholstered chair, one bergère or other upholstered chair, a pair of open-arm chairs that can be moved around, one 30-by-20-inch bench, two odd end tables, and two low drink tables .” Translated, that is seating for no less than eight, and could expand to upwards of twelve or more if needed.

The key is not simply to have a lot of furniture, but to have a number of pieces that can be moved easily as well as some that multitask. For instance, the three armchairs in the photo above weigh considerably less than a fully upholstered chair and can be moved without strain. The garden stool can be used for seating, drinks, or even to stack books or magazines. The ottoman in the back is functioning as a coffee table in the photo, but could quickly be converted to seating. The upholstered chair by the fireplace would be a lovely place to curl up and read a book when alone, but one or more of the armchairs could be pulled over to use for a small conversational arrangement when guests arrive.

One lesson I learned the hard way is to make certain that all of the seat heights in a grouping are the same. In my family room, I have one large upholstered chair that is especially squishy (granted, it could stand to be re-built and reupholstered) and, when sitting in it, I feel as though everyone else is looking down at me. When selecting seating, it can’t be assumed that seat height is standard, and if you’re using antique pieces, all bets are off! Be sure to bring your tape measure!

Large rooms are especially suited to having multiple groups of seating arrangements for different sized conversations. This much publicized space designed by Jeffrey Bilhuber has it all. Here and in the photo below, you can see that this room was designed for conversation. There is ample “fixed” seating, supplemented by several occasional chairs and a number of ottomans. The arrangement with the sofa and (gorgeous) klismos chairs is perfect for a larger group of people.

At the far end of the space, under the window, a pair of Bridgewater club chairs offer cozy seating for two and by the fireplace, there is another pair of chairs with somewhat more distance and an ottoman between them…perhaps a grouping for three, or a place for the homeowners to relax by the fire and read. (Those of you that have been in a relationship long enough know what I mean—sometimes it’s nice to just be in the same room with your partner without having to converse.)

I think a somewhat unconventional seating arrangement such as this one, designed by the firm McAlpine, Booth and Ferrier, can be tricky to plan, but the less traditional and less expected layout results is a casual and comfortable grouping—one that is easy to live in.

In this space, Phoebe Howard uses my favorite go-to solution for extra seating: ottomans, footstools and small benches. When I am out thrifting or antiquing, if I come across one of these little gems in good enough condition, I almost never leave it behind (no, really)—they are usually inexpensive and easy to reupholster and if the wood needs cosmetic repairs, that can also often be done at little expense. I have one Swedish style bench in my living room for which I’ve had several top cushions made (currently it’s sporting a zebra pattern). It’s so simple to pop off the top and change out the upholstery seasonally or whenever the mood strikes. These small pieces are the masters of multitasking. Besides being “back-up” seating, they can hold a tray for drinks or a vase of flowers or support a stack of books or even a small lamp. Frequently, newer upholstered ottomans offer storage under the seat—a perfect place for newspapers or magazines or a game or a deck of cards or even for that collection of remote controls that seems to plague the modern living room. Benches can be tucked away under a console table, which, in turn helps to anchor the console arrangement. (See my previous post on the subject here.) A small pair of stools looks fantastic pulled right up to the edge of the coffee table, or if the table is a bit taller, they can slide in underneath. I (quite obviously) can’t say enough about the benefits of having several of these small pieces in a room.

I find that when I have only one guest, we often seem to wind up seated at my 40-inch round kitchen table. My theory about why this happens is that when the group is so small, people are more comfortable with some sort of physical barrier separating them. This is akin to the phenomenon whereby I stand in the kitchen and company stands on the other side of the island. (I dunno, maybe it’s just me….) Designers Babs Watkins & Eleanor Cummings (whom, by the way I’ve become slightly obsessed with upon seeing two of her recent projects simultaneously featured in Veranda and House Beautiful!) have brought the same sized table into the living area. This looks to me a perfect arrangement for two friends to share a little gossip and a cup of coffee.

Have you ever found yourself in the uncomfortable situation of sitting in someone’s living room and having to raise your voice in order to be heard? It drives me crazy, the enormous living/family rooms so popular in the past decade that have but one seating group of grotesquely over-stuffed upholstered pieces that put people twelve feet away from each other separated by a coffee table large enough to seat dinner for eight.

This room, also designed by Jeffrey Bilhuber, makes good use of a potentially awkward space adjacent to the fireplace by squeezing in (comfortably) appropriately proportioned seating for four. Keeping seating groups tight facilitates relaxed conversation.

This arrangement by Eric Cohler is perfect for conversation. This radial type furniture plan works especially well in a square-ish room. Everyone gets their own chair, so there’s no sitting at opposite ends of the sofa (because you know, nobody ever uses the middle cushion unless there is literally nowhere else to sit.) There’s ample comfortable seating as well as some that can move around. I actually wanted to do something similar to this in my own living room, but the boys won and the sofa stayed.

I just love the arrangement of this California living room by Betty Burgess. It has many of the key ingredients for comfortable conversational seating: 1. A not-too-big sofa (avoiding that middle-seat syndrome). 2. An upholstered, yet moveable, armchair. 3. An ottoman doubling as a coffee table. 4. A long bench with a beefy cushion (bonus-it doesn’t block the view of the garden.) 5. Extra seating tucked under the console, just waiting to be called into service. 6. All seating is at roughly the same height. And, 7. The distance between seats is not so great that you’d have to raise your voice.

When designing seating in a living area, I always try to imagine that the chairs are conversing with each other. I’ll ask myself “Can left cushion sofa talk comfortably to blue bergère?” I know it sounds kooky, but it works for me.

So, do you have any favorite tricks for seating arrangements? I’d love to hear your suggestions!

P.S. We’re still trying to name the newest member of our household—if you have any great (or even not-so-great) ideas, leave a comment here.

Happy Sunday!

2010-04-03T18:27:00.001-07:00

Wishing you a lovely and peaceful Easter Sunday

Busted

2010-03-31T11:56:00.001-07:00

For some time, I have been looking for the perfect antique bust for my home. Like any piece of artwork, they are especially personal and consequently, it can be tricky to find the perfect piece that speaks to you. The right selection can absolutely bring a space to life.

Designer Lars Bolander is a collector of antique busts and frequently uses them in his interiors.

In his own home, he uses them in abundance…..

A perfect centerpiece on a center table.

photo credit Pieter Estersohn

Charlotte Moss cozies up with this fellow f0r the cover of one of my favorite design books: A Flair for Living.

photo credit Peter Vitale

Several rooms in the Greystone Estate Showhouse included busts. Here, elevated on a marble pedestal, one gets the impression that this bust is, as they say, an “important” piece.

photo credit Peter Vitale

Where this bust, as part of a table arrangement, is more casually placed and feels significantly less stuffy.

Gerrie Bremmerman is another designer who likes to include a bust her rooms. I love how the carefully carved “replica” of the human form, really can give a sense of life to an unoccupied room.

More Gerrie Bremmerman, this fellow appears to just be hanging out. Seemingly casually placed, he provides a perfect counter-weight to maintain the balance of this mostly symmetrical arrangement.

This room, by Windsor Smith, shows just how much life a bust can bring to a space. Without this wonderful piece of sculpture, this room would feel very different.

Houstonian, Kay O’Toole has lived with this handsome gent for some time. He appears atop a lovely Swedish stove in the March 2007 edition of Veranda….

And, in March of 2010, he resurfaces in a corner of her kitchen. This time with a little friend on his shoulder. I think it’s brilliant when something that is so innately formal is brought back down to earth a bit by the addition of some whimsy.

On the subject of whimsy--

Suzanne Rheinstein embellishes this pair with greenery for a very appealing late winter display.

Check one off the bucket list….

2010-02-06T08:15:00.001-08:00

I was so thrilled to have the opportunity to meet one of my design heroes, Bunny Williams, at the San Francisco Design Center’s Winter Market this week. Ms. Williams presented a keynote address about her “Point of View” to a standing room only audience of admirers and was kind enough to sign copies of her books following the presentation. In person and on stage, she was charming and lovely and I felt as if I might pass out from the excitement of meeting her. What an amazing & inspiring experience…..

(note to self: When being photographed with celebrities, make sure to use LOTS of powder and try to avoid looking like a deer caught in the headlights!)

Scenic Papers

2009-08-07T16:34:00.001-07:00

image Paul Montgomery Studio

I am mad for scenic wall murals. Not the faux Tuscan trompe l’oeil disasters you sometimes see featured on HGTV and DIY network, but the beautiful landscape scenes a la seventeenth and eighteenth century Dutch masters, and especially the grisaille and sepia toned works that portray historical panoramas.

DeGournay Paper

Personally, I prefer the mural to rest atop a chair rail or paneling of some sort as in this bathroom designed by Henrietta Spencer Churchill.

Photo via Mrs. Howard Personal Shopper

I was thrilled to see that the new Mrs. Howard store in Charlotte includes this lovely sepia toned mural. I can’t tell if it’s painted directly on the wall or if it’s a hand painted paper; either way, it’s gorgeous and I can’t wait to see how they fill the space!

Update: 08/08/09 - The Charlotte room is a bedroom, and as expected, it is lovely. Thank you to Laurie from JMH Interiors for confirming that the mural is actually painted on the wall--beautiful!

image via Martha Stewart website

This mural is in the center hall in Martha Stewart’s Turkey Hill home. It was previously a more colorful scene, and was updated in the last renovation. The Empire style crystal chandelier complements it beautifully.

A view from the top of the stairs. I wouldn’t have expected the railing over the mural to work, but somehow, I don’t mind it.

These scenic paintings are a natural fit in a formal dining room, where a touch of drama is always appropriate.

photo credit: Michel Arnaud

Designer Fiona Newell Weeks selected a lovely chinoiserie scenic paper for this very formal and traditional dining room.

photo via the Paris apartment

A less formal dining room--this delicate painting reminds me of a beautiful linen toile. Maybe that’s why I’m so drawn to them.

Here, the painting was done directly over paneling. The element of texture that the panel grooves add to the composition is so unexpected and brings down the “stuffiness” factor in the room.

A bedroom is also a good candidate for a scenic mural. Here, designer to the White House, and fellow Californian, Michael Smith uses a grisaille paper from Zuber in a small bedroom. The absence of color in the painting results in a backdrop that is more texture than pattern and, although it is a strong element in the room, it does not demand the spotlight.

From the Four Seasons Hotel in Milan. Do you suppose the scene depicts the Italian countryside?

“Les Courses de Chevalier” paper by Zuber. Instead of white or off-white below the chair rail, the designer elected to continue the grey tones down the wall. Grass cloth in a similar shade would work equally well as a wall treatment below the moulding.

DeGournay

Scenic with a modern edge.

DeGournay

Here, a grisaille panorama goes tropical.

There are several manufacturers of beautiful hand painted panoramic wall papers that I know of. Zuber, DeGournay and Paul Montgomery Studios all have some beautiful offerings. I’m sure there are others. For wall murals, research decorative painters in your area. If you are a skilled DIY-er I found a company that sells stencil kits that look promising here. I tend to try to do things myself, but I’m not sure that I’m talented enough to pull of a wall mural as beautiful as these. Then again, for the price, it might be worth a shot as the hand painted papers can cost a kings ransom. However they are done, these lovely scenes are a wonderful way to add classic beauty to any home.

What does your front door say about you?

2009-07-12T17:27:00.001-07:00

Is it front and center, openly inviting the world in?

Or does it prefer to remain anonymous, camouflaged by the overall architecture?

Is it tucked safely under cover?

Or buffered by a porch?

Has it gone incognito, hiding behind the landscaping?

Or do visitors have to first pass through a garden or courtyard to reach it?

My own front door is on the side of my house, not visible from the street, tucked away under a covered porch that is surrounded by an enormous climbing rose bush. Hmmm, I wonder what that says about me?!

What does your front door say about you?

They’re heeere…

2009-07-11T14:06:00.001-07:00

On an entirely non-design related note:

I am so excited my favorite local farmer (Tom Tomich in Orangevale) has started picking this year’s crop of Suncrest peaches. Equal in flavor to O’Henry (which ripens in early August around here), no flavorless grocery store version of a peach can even come close these heavenly delights.

Every year, beginning the day after Memorial day, Tom opens his little stand for the summer. I have anxiously awaited opening day for well over a decade now. Each year, my brood devours bushels (no joke) of Tom’s peaches; in fact, my boys have never even tried a grocery store peach.

Early this morning, we made our weekly visit to the stand and bought his last box of Suncrest. I’m going spend tomorrow peeling and freezing them so that we can enjoy them in the winter too—hard work, but totally worth it. My secret weapon when freezing peaches is the addition of a splash of vanilla to the syrup mixture; it takes away that “freezer” taste completely.

For those of you in the Sacramento area, you can find Tom’s peaches in Orangevale (the stand is on Filbert, just off of Greenback). I guarantee, you won’t be able to eat a store bought peach ever again!

Closet Envy

2009-07-04T16:52:00.001-07:00

photo via House Beautiful

When Bunny Williams and her husband built their vacation home in the Dominican Republic, the design included this “china room.” At 13 feet wide by 16 feet long, (nearly as big as my actual kitchen) the cabinets have sliding glass doors and are lit from the inside. Ms. Williams was quoted as saying: “We love to entertain, and setting a table is so much easier when you can see everything! With that island in the middle, I take things out and experiment: Wouldn't this green leaf plate look great with those purple glasses?"

When I came across this article in House Beautiful, I immediately showed it to my husband and informed him that this is the china closet that I ~~want~~ need someday. I have only a few vices; one of which is antique and vintage china, crystal and silver; oh and pewter, too. (There are several others, but that’s a topic for another day.) This “habit” is a source of contention in my house, but, like any addiction, I can’t help myself….

My first knowledge of a china closet or “Butler’s Pantry” was as a teenager in the Bay Area, and this was it. It is located in the Filoli estate in Woodside, CA. Filoli was built for Mr. and Mrs. William Bowers Bourn, prominent San Franciscans whose chief source of wealth was the Empire Mine, a hard-rock gold mine in Grass Valley, California. More recently, the exterior of the house was the setting for the television series, Dynasty.

From the Filoli website:

“From the staff's viewpoint, the Butler's Pantry was the operational heart of the house. This room was used to plate and serve the food, wash and store the china and stemware, and to polish and store the silver. A family member would press a button which would ring a bell and light up the board, indicating the room location, and someone would be sent immediately to that room. The cupboards and safe contain a variety of plates, glasses, pewter and silver. The dumbwaiter in the corner was used to send food and laundry to the second floor. The center table has practical storage for linens in drawers that go all the way through the table. The plate warmer is an original appliance.”

I recall feeling completely awestruck by that enormous safe for the silver. I could just imagine living so graciously and have dreamed of that way of life since. (You know, champagne taste on a beer budget….) At the very least, it sparked in a younger me, an interest in the collection and care of fine china, silver and crystal.

The airtight silver vault in the Copshaholm estate in South Bend, Indiana

The pantry that adjoins this vault features a sink made of German silver; a soft alloy of copper, nickel and zinc, which reduces the risk of breaking the dishes during washing. I imagine a copper or stainless sink might be a suitable alternative today.

Traditionally located adjacent to the kitchen or wine cellar, butler’s pantries first became popular in the 18th century and usually contained counters or tables and sinks and sometimes provided additional food storage. In Europe, butlers often slept in the pantry as their job was to keep the silver under lock and key. The wine log and merchant’s account books were sometimes kept in the butler’s pantry.

photo credit: Peter Woloszynski

Today, butler’s pantries are often located in a short hallway between the kitchen and dining room This allows for easy access to china, linens, glassware and silver and provides a surface to stage meals and set out drinks. An added benefit is that the central location can provide a sound barrier between the chaos in the kitchen and the meals being enjoyed in the dining room.

photo: California MLS listing

Tucked between the kitchen and dining room, this space has a wine bottle rack and hanging storage for stemware. It would make an ideal space for setting up a temporary bar.

Here, in what appears to be a converted mudroom, a dishwasher and prep sink have been included, allowing for easy clean up and storage. Cabinetry reaches all the way to the ceiling, maximizing storage.

In this more contemporary pantry, architect Joeb Moore includes a Viking undercounter refrigerator and ice maker flanking the sink. The Sub-Zero wine cellar on the left holds 132 bottles. Stock medical cabinets store glassware and china.

This is the butler’s pantry in the White House, circa 1920. Love the sliding window cabinet doors, the tall crown moldings and the brackets “supporting” the wall cabinets.

After an update in the 1950’s: The sliders have been replaced by hinged cabinet doors and the counters are stainless steel. The lighting has been updated to banks of fluorescents (yich…) The overall look is definitely in keeping with the era.

And a more modern photo. Still functional, but a much less charming version of it’s earlier self.

This small pantry area includes one of the “must-haves” for my next kitchen—an integrated espresso machine. I happen prefer these large shallow drawers to a typical base cabinet configuration. I find that drawers are as useful as shelving (with the exception being the storage of very tall items), and infinitely more accessible.

photo credit: Frances Janisch

More walk-in china closet than butler’s pantry, this design by Suzanne Kasler is genius. I adore the built-in glass front displays on either side of the doors—showing off a favorite collection. The displays could easily be swapped out seasonally.

Here again, a walk in china closet combines beauty and function.

photo credit: Simon Upton

If space doesn’t allow for a full pantry, why not consider a “butler’s wall”? An elongated storage system spread along one wall, it can provide many of the benefits of a more formal pantry. To lessen the footprint, base cabinets can be ordered 18” or 21” deep rather than the standard 24” and the distance between the wall and base cabinets doesn’t need to be 18”. The wall cabinets could sit directly on top of the base or, as pictured above, designer Jason Bell opted to leave about a foot of space between the two. The great thing (and one of the biggest problems) with cabinetry is that there are so many options.

This charming butler’s wall belongs to designer Suzanne Rheinstein. A library ladder is a wonderful addition—especially if you run the wall cabinets all the way to the ceiling.

Unfortunately, the only place in my home that I could refashion into a butler’s pantry is my laundry area—and in my house of boys, reducing laundry capacity is strictly not an option. So, I’m left holding my dream of having a china room like Bunny William’s. Maybe someday…..

A bit of consoling….

2009-06-19T10:17:00.001-07:00

I have always loved console tables. This Miles Redd vignette reminds me why…. They offer the perfect opportunity for still life, a chance to pause and soak in the moment. Generally, more about form than function, these narrow platforms can be used in almost any room of the house to display a beloved collection or virtually any other thoughtful arrangement of interesting objects. Often, the status of even the most mundane items can be elevated by including them in a place of honor atop a console table.

Well suited for symmetrical arrangements, console displays frequently feature a pair of lamps at each end with a mirror centered above and a “centerpiece” item. This picture from a real estate listing substitutes the lamps with ivy standards and the centerpiece looks to be an antique humidor (I’ve used a humidor as the centerpiece on my own entry table and love the simplicity of it.)

In this entry, designer Ashley Whittaker uses a pair of very simple gold candlestick lamps with an equally understated mirror, letting a trio of blue and white urns make the statement. I think console tables, particularly those with more delicate lines, look best when they have something tucked below to ground or connect them to the floor plane, as the two larger urns do here.

Once again, a blue and white themed entry, no lamps, instead a pair of tall vases with a centerpiece of pinecones (one of my favorite fall/winter “go-to” bowl fillers.)

Charlotte Moss’ Study. I am always looking for a way to deal with the ridiculous number of shelter magazines I receive each month. Although mostly newspapers, this brilliant solution would work equally well with magazines and look cool doing it! (Okay, that was mostly about the rods, not the console, but it’s sort-of related….)

(Image via Cote de Texas)

Speaking of storage, magazines aren’t the only things piling up around here. With so many fabulous design books published in the past few years, the stacks are getting out of control. Here’s a solution that I have “borrowed” from designer Anne Coyle, with the hope that I’ll come off as more of a scholar than a pack rat. Notice how, by leaning the mirror and artwork, rather than hanging it, the console is physically and visually connected to the wall behind. Also noteworthy; the mirror is angled just “so” to reflect the lovely chandelier in the background, effectively making it part of the tablescape. (And, yes, the use of that term does make me cringe a bit since having been adopted by Sandra Lee.) This collection of books, artwork and objects appears to be casually placed, but it takes a trained eye to get this type of asymmetrical arrangement right.

Another asymmetrical design; I think the placement of the artwork behind the bust is well thought out and very clever.

New Orleans designer, Ned Marshall expands the footprint of this arrangement by flanking the console display with a pair of side chairs and framed artwork. This time the table is anchored by an ancient statuary foot—very chic.

This space, designed by Shannon Bowers, illustrates how a console table can be the perfect solution to “that space under the stairway.” The antique ceiling tiles make for a highly textural and interesting wall display. Note how closely they are hung to the table, tying all the pieces together.

In his own home, Vincente Wolf juxtaposes a very classic and ornate marble-topped Louis XVI console with what looks to be a collection from the Museum of Natural History. Now that is a display that would make me do a double take.

Quiet and lovely, this is how a master styles a console table. In this space designed by John Saladino, the gorgeous antique mirror is the star of the show. He uses one of my favorite “under-table” treatments--a petite bench.

I know this cover image from Veranda has been seen a lot, but it’s so pretty, it deserves a second (or third, or fourth) look. This time, the objects play a supporting role to that beautiful Rococo table.

A console table in a dining room is a natural fit. When needed, it can be called into service to provide extra serving space for large gatherings. In “times of peace” they dutifully supply a pedestal upon which to display a special piece of china or collection of crystal or perhaps a set of pretty candlesticks…. Rather than using a pair of lamps on the tabletop, sconces flanking the mirror allow for an easy transition between uses.

In this Malibu home, Lawrence Rizkowsky uses a console as a bar table of sorts. The show stopping root mirror reflects a lovely scene—the chandelier, the stone mantle topped with a pair of demijohns glowing with the light from an iron sconce—this is such a soothing scene to me.

A console table can be an excellent addition to an outdoor space. The composition is the same, the elements selected to suit the environment.

A console table is a blank canvas, just waiting to be brought to life by a savvy homeowner or designer. Easily re-fashioned to suit a season or a whim, a console can often be incorporated into even the smallest of spaces, showcasing a collection or unifying a mishmash of bits and bobbles. Whether doing double duty as a bar or buffet, or simply providing a beautiful moment of still-life, I think console tables are a great addition to almost any room.

Like a moth to a flame….

2009-06-12T07:16:00.001-07:00

I am COMPLETELY smitten with gas lanterns.

There is no artificial light, to my knowledge, that can match their beautiful soft glow.

In the late eighteenth century in England, a man by the name of William Murdoch was the first to use gas as a means to power lighting in his home. Twenty years or so later, the first public street lighting with gas took place in Pall Mall, London. In 1812, Parliament granted a charter to the London and Westminster Gas Light and Coke Company, and the first gas company in the world was formed. The new technology quickly spread to other countries, including the United States. The first private residence in the U.S. to be illuminated by gas light was in Philadelphia.

In the early 20th century, most cities in the United States and Europe had gas lit streets. However, gas street lighting soon gave way to electric lighting. Small incandescent electric lamps began to replace gas lights in homes in the late 19th century, although the transition took decades to complete.

Gas lighting has not entirely disappeared from some cities. In the United States, Cincinnati still uses gaslight in many of its residential neighborhoods, as do parts of the famed French Quarter in New Orleans. A number of areas in Atlanta as well as Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood, have also retained these charming features.

Gas lighting is also seeing a resurgence in the luxury home market for homeowners in search of historical accuracy and ambiance.

From Southern Accents, these lanterns are from Bevolo lighting.

Here, a new home gets some historical credibility from the gorgeous Royal Sonesta lantern also from Bevolo.

The same lantern in a public location….

A post mounted lantern I spotted in Buckhead, in the process of being cleaned by the window cleaning crew.

I’ll bet these lights really sparkle during the holidays!

I think gas lamps would be an incredible addition to an outdoor kitchen/dining area!

And look what I just found in the June ‘09 issue of Veranda! Nashville designer and antiques dealer, Mary Spalding, used these gorgeous fixtures on the patio in her own home.

Maybe your pool house needs some night lights….

(Cover July/Aug 2009 Veranda.)

Another stately home in Buckhead. Gas lights always remain “on” but can barely be seen during daylight.

There are a number of companies manufacturing gas lamps today. Many of these fixtures can be configured for gas or electric. Below are a few that caught my eye….

The English Regency from Bevolo

Similar but less ornate, the Williamsburg, also from Bevolo.

From Carolina Lanterns, the Traditional with a natural copper patina. (Gotta love patina!)

Also from Carolina Lanterns, The Montreal.

This is just a small sampling of the styles offered by these manufacturers. There are many, many more styles available, from Gothic to Tuscan.

The only drawback I’ve found to this type of lighting is the operating cost. From what I’ve read, it can be a bit pricey, depending on your natural gas provider—running between 10 to 20 dollars per fixture, per month. Oh well, who ever said beauty doesn’t come at a price? I think they’re totally worth it!

I live in such an historic area of California, yet I can’t remember ever seeing gas fueled lights here. Anybody know why?!

If anybody wants to be a trendsetter on the west coast, here’s your chance. I’ve been dying to find a project to use these on! (Northern California, are you listening?)

Lighten Up!

2009-06-09T09:08:00.001-07:00

I have a confession to make….

I am not proud of this, but there was a time in the not too distant past that I harbored the misconception that a light neutral palette added up to a room that was b-o-r-i-n-g. I was one of the party leaders in the campaign against white walls.

In all fairness however, this grudge was aimed in large part at the non-descript, uniform wall/ceiling/trim shade of off-white that builders always seem to select as the safe choice for new homes.

Unfortunately, the result of this lack of free will in making color selections, has been a backlash against “white” that has had everyone (well, maybe not everyone, but too many of us) blasting our walls with colors like barn red and buttercup yellow. While I’m not opposed to strong color as a rule, I think that it is not necessarily the best or only solution to the “white box.” What is most often missing in these non-descript rooms is any type of visual interest. The instant gratification “solution” to the boredom is often to add color to the walls--the bolder the better. But sometimes more is not more. Even the warmest, boldest color choices can result in a room that is visually dull. (See photo above)

However, with the right combination of architectural detail, contrast, texture and layering of muted colors, a white or light colored room can come to life. Without these elements, a neutral palette (or any other for that matter) falls flat.

Frequently, a space designed with primarily light and neutral finishes feels subliminally as if it might float away. A light colored room needs weight, real or implied, to ground it. This room by Susan Ferrier has a number of “weighty” elements. In addition to the coffered beam ceiling, the stone column and stone topped table with it’s pottery base provide an ample dose of gravity to balance the light walls and floors.

Sometimes all that a high-key space needs is just a blush of color. In this lovely space, Suzanne Kasler selected a beautiful icy blue fabric for a pair of wing chairs—giving the room exactly enough color to make it come to life.

Often, what is missing in the “white box” (especially in new home construction) is architectural interest. This room designed by Larry Lazlo is rich with architectural detail. The addition or beefing up of crown moldings, baseboards, door and window trim, etc. can have a dramatic impact!

Here, the designer uses a combination of texture and high contrast to create a rustic yet elegant and moody ambiance. I love the way that dark stained ceiling beams instantly create drama and a sense of age in a white room. The rustic weathered shutters, the nubby linen upholstery, the baskets, the smooth glass demijohn, the scraped wood floors, the stone fireplace surround and the patterned rug all create visual interest with texture. (Although, personally, I would have used a faded oushack or seagrass rug.)

A few more examples of neutral palettes that I think are “successful.”

The combination of weathered finishes and natural materials mixed with the warm french gray on the walls and cabinetry make this kitchen feel very warm and inviting.

This space, designed by Bobby McAlpine, is definitely on the cooler side of neutral. Despite the soft velvet and cashmere fabrics, the smoky gray and blue give this room a crisp, almost breezy feel.

In this bedroom by Los Angeles designer Madeline Stuart, neutral beige is punctuated with bursts of deep jewel-toned color. Love it! This is a particularly successful technique here in sunny California, where the bright light can sometimes “wash-out” a neutral palette.

This very “modern” feeling white room sidesteps the dreaded “sterile” label by loading up on architectural detailing. I think the recessed Chippendale styled cabinetry is amazing!

So, to those of you still living in a “white box”, make sure that you have considered all of the elements before you reach for a bucket of bright paint; color may not be all that is missing…..

Would I live with builder beige walls? No way! Could I live with a beautiful white or ivory that I had chosen to work perfectly with an overall neutral palette? Absolutely!

Demijohns all around

2009-06-04T21:28:00.001-07:00

Front and center or hanging out in corners, these beautiful antique bottles seem to be everywhere I look these days.

Designed originally to transport wine, these bottles were used to carry almost any liquid. They were made in a vast variety of sizes. Older demijohns were all hand-blown, and without the benefit of a mold, the size of the bottles varies with each bottle—each one unique.

Demijohns covered with leather were discovered in ancient underground catacombs in the Tuscany region of Italy and throughout Europe, demijohns have been described as "being around as long as we have." As early as the eighteenth century, advertisements in the U.S. described demijohns as "wickered bottles that will hold liquid."

Demijohns of European origin usually have a globular or ovoid shape.

While American examples tend to be more cylindrical in form.

Other shapes, such as this “loaf bread” form, were made as well.

If you’re concerned with age, look for bottles with a deeper blue tint. In general, the greener the bottle, the newer the bottle (but not always). The type of neck and lip of the bottles can be a good indication of age--a sheared lip is older than a rounded lip and suggests an older process was used in sealing the bottle.

Older bottles tend to have fantastic bubbles and striations throughout the glass. The glass is usually fine and thin and therefore much more fragile than newer examples.

Here are some that have caught my eye lately….

These American (?) examples grouped on a console at Foxglove Antiques really sparked my interest. And then, like the phenomenon that happens when you buy a new car-- before you know it, you’re noticing them everywhere (you know the one?), I began noticing demijohns all over the place…..

From Cote de Texas’ post on "The Octagon Home", designer Tami Owen deftly placed them where the sunlight streaming though the windows would highlight these beauties.

Still in their original wicker jackets, designer Jillian Pritchard Cooke uses demijohns to accessorize a kitchen counter.

Another favorite, Phoebe Howard, places them atop a tall chest. (Not sure if that would work here in earthquake country! )

Here, one has been fitted with lamp workings and a simple shade in keeping with the beachy theme of the room.

Smoky gray is an option if the more traditional blue/green doesn’t suit your palette.

Even Ballard Designs has gotten a piece of the market, offering a variety of sizes with covers that include rope, cane, burlap and metal mesh. You can also purchase the lamp adapter kits through them.

I found this wistful image on flickr. Can anyone please send me the GPS location of this field? I’m dying to rescue them!

Sadly, what led to the “end” of the common usage of demijohns in wine production was, what else, taxes!

The Tariff Act of 1824 imposed a hefty tax on demijohns of twenty-five cents each, making it much more economical for winemakers to package in smaller bottles. Leave it to the government to muck it up again!!

Regardless of whether they are old or new, demijohns are beautiful decorative objects with the size, texture, and color to make a statement in any room.

Why Mrs. Howard, I believe you’re trying to seduce me….

2009-05-28T12:38:00.000-07:00

In my opinion, nobody does bedrooms better than Phoebe Howard. When I was in Atlanta earlier this month, I was so excited to have the opportunity to visit her beautiful store at the Galleries at Peachtree Hills—the eponymous Mrs. Howard. My initial thoughts were: “How can I pack this all up and get it back to California?!” (The next thought was how to explain to my husband the Visa bill that would follow.)

The entire shop is gorgeous, but the bedrooms are to die for.

This serpentine stairway connects three floors of delightful vignettes. (My husband called to check in on me while I was standing on the landing to the left—I told him I had found my new home!)

This photo from Phoebe Howard’s website illustrates some of what I love about the bedrooms she designs….

The color palette is kept very tight, with layers of neutral ivory, oatmeal and sage green. Although there is a good deal of pattern in the fabric-the checked upholstered walls, the bed hangings, the accent pillows--it is done so subtly and kept within that tight color palette, that instead of appearing distracting or cluttered, it acts more like texture than color and adds interest while supporting the overall design. Metal accents are either patinaed gold or iron.

Here, Ms. Howard uses mismatched bedside tables, but unifies the design by: (1) keeping them in the same wood tone, (2) keeping the height uniform and (3) by placing matching lamps on top. The table on the left is given a bit of added “visual” weight by the addition of two candlesticks. I always love a sunburst mirror above a headboard and the setee/sofa at the foot of the bed is a design solution to remember when space permits.

Instead of one large piece of artwork a grouped collection of smaller pieces fill the wall space above the bedside table.

These photos of the bedroom done for the Atlanta Showhouse show how details really make the difference. The scallop on that fabulous bed valance, though slightly different, is mimicked in the scalloped edge on the quilted coverlet and euro- shams. And, although it’s a bit difficult to see in the photos, there is a lovely beaded edge detail on both the valance and the bed skirt. Notice that the pale gold of the lampshade is repeated in the piping on the duvet all of which complement the gilded frames and accessories.

And, I don’t even know where to begin with the monogrammed pillows…. The oatmeal colored linen, the micro-flange, the ivory inset banding, the large scrolled initials—perfection!

Though this room is more country in feeling, the design process is the same—mismatched tables of similar height with matching lamps, a swedish bench instead of a setee at the foot of the bed. As always, beautiful detailing in the soft finishes-note how the ruffled skirt puddles. White or ivory sheeting, always. Very subtle pattern on the window treatments adds texture. Rather than a using sunburst mirror here, she uses another grouping of smaller framed pieces.

Following, are a few more photos of her work for you to enjoy….

Slightly more “cluttered” and decidedly English in feeling, this room has double box pleating on the bed skirt and window valance.

I am lusting after a chandelier like this.

L.O.V.E. the shape of the headboard and I spy those delicious monogrammed pillows.

This is how I wish my boys room looked. So sweet.

Stronger colors and more contrast but equally beautiful.

These photos represent a just small sampling of what can be found on her website here, and on her partner in life and design-- James Michael Howard’s site here as well as on the Mrs. Howard Personal Shopper blog where you can also find photos of items for sale in her stores.

If you find yourself in Atlanta or Jacksonville, be sure to include a visit to one of her stores, you won’t be disappointed.

Souvenirs—Victorian Style

2009-05-25T16:20:00.001-07:00

In the 17th to the 19th centuries it was common for young men from the nobility and upper gentry in England and northern Europe to round off their education by traveling to Italy and France.

They usually stayed for at least six months, but many travelers - often accompanied by a secretary and servants - spent anything up to two years away from home. The tour exposed them to what were regarded as the most important developments in science, culture and refined taste in Europe.

Initially, these journeys were the privilege of young men, but in the 19th century more and more women also undertook the Grand Tour.

Of course, no self-respecting tourist would return home without souvenirs. The English tended to dominate the market to such a degree that there was reportedly a saying in Rome that “Were our Amphitheatre portable, the English would carry it off.”

The wealthiest tourists could take home major works of art, such as sculpture, paintings and antiquities; those with more modest means could find lesser works of art and, perhaps, copies, including beautiful and highly portable plaster casts—intaglio: A term that antique dealers and designers have come to associate with these little gems, but which actually refers to the method of carving, rather than the end product-- similar to a cameo, carved in relief. The casts depicted great works that could be seen by a typical grand tourist and were arranged to evoke a typical tour.

Intaglio collection circa 1820

These mementos brought back with the travelers have become known as “Grand Tour souvenirs”, and illustrated the knowledge learned and were symbolic of refined taste. Upon returning home, these travelers exhibited them as objects for study and discussion, and as objects from which to derive status.

Today, these bits of history (and their reproductions) can be found quite easily (1st Dibs and Ebay are good places to start) and can add a bit of classical interest to any room.

Framed Intaglios: Tiberian Design Framed Intaglios

Here, California designer Betty Burgess framed individual intaglio and covered her dining room walls—effectively using them as a layer of texture in a very neutral space.

I found these skillfully arranged groupings at the fabulous Foxglove Antiques on Miami Circle in Atlanta. I love the linen mattes and simple frames.

Framed Intaglios: Tiberian Design Framed Intaglios

Designer Steven Miller used a grouping of intaglio collections in the dining room of the 2007 San Francisco Decorator Showcase House. As in the dining room above, a neutral palette gets a textural boost from these little beauties.

Framed Intaglios: Tiberian Design Framed Intaglios

Once again the designer has chosen to frame a single intaglio in simple gilt frames, effectively making each individual one appear important.

Here is someone’s large collection of original pieces.

I have to say, when it comes to these groupings, I subscribe to the “less is more” theory . I think I would break these collections up into smaller, more symmetrically styled arrangements and mount them on sandy colored linen matte with simple gilt or fruitwood frames.

Whether artfully grouped or mounted individually, I think these souvenir pieces are a great way to add texture in a neutral space and are sure to spark conversation in any room.

Shameless self-promotion

2009-05-24T08:32:00.000-07:00

Do you ever have an inexplicable, nagging feeling that you must do something? This doesn’t happen to me often, or maybe I’m just not very receptive to it, but once in a while my spidey-senses kick in.

Several months ago, I got an email from the NKBA about a student essay competition that was being co-sponsored by K+BB magazine. (I’m working on completing my kitchen and bath certification.)Normally, I quickly peruse the mail and file it away. But this one caught my attention. So, I made a mental note to try to come up with something to enter, and filed the email.

Naturally, I soon forgot my mental note. The following month I got another email from NKBA, reminding of the competition, and another note to self was made. And, again, it slipped my mind.

Then, one fine Saturday morning in late January, a synapse fired and I happened to remember that I wanted to enter this contest. I went to my NKBA file in my mailbox and much to my dismay, the deadline to mail was the next day!!! “You should just forget it, it’s too late now.” I thought. But the spidey senses wouldn’t let up and I figured it was better to try and fail than do nothing. (That’s what I’m always telling the kids, right?)

So, I kicked everyone out of the house for the morning and typed away like a madwoman, sure that this was ridiculous to be attempting so late in the game. Working purely on instinct and adrenaline, I managed to come up with something I thought was reasonably coherent, and rushed off to the post office. Proud of myself for even getting in the game, I figured that was then end of it.

Having shrugged it off as good experience, a month later I received a call on my cell phone (while I was driving in pouring rain) from the Editor in Chief of K+BB magazine informing me that I was one of three finalists and that my essay would be published in their magazine and that I had also won a trip to KBIS 2009 in Atlanta. I was so excited, I nearly wrecked my car! A trip to KBIS! And to have my essay published in K+BB! I was so excited, I thought I might actually burst.

Thank you to the generous editors at K+BB magazine and NKBA for giving me an experience I won’t forget! It goes to show, you should always listen to your spidey senses :)

You can check out the article here.

Une Porte-Cochere for me, s'il vous plait

2009-02-02T15:53:00.001-08:00

The Samuel Morse House via flickr

Ever since we bought our little bungalow with the detached garage, I’ve been enamored of the porte-cochere. Now, we don’t have one, but we should. It’s just one more project on a very long list of jobs I’ve yet to inflict upon my poor husband.

more gorgeousness from flickr

A porte-cochere, literally "coach door", sometimes called a carriage porch, is the architectural term for a porch or portico-like structure at a main or secondary entrance to a building, through which it is possible for a horse and carriage or motor vehicle to pass. Said vehicles may park momentarily under the cover, allowing the occupants to alight protected from the weather.

image via flickr

The porte-cochere was a feature of many late 18th and 19th-century mansions and public buildings. Well-known examples are at Buckingham Palace in London and the White House in Washington D.C. . Porte-cochères should not be confused with carports in which vehicles are parked; at a porte-cochère the vehicle merely passes through, stopping only for a passenger to disembark.

carport from the web

{I don't judge}

As I’ve mentioned, we have a detached garage, which was the feature that hooked my husband when we purchased the house. However, this means that the garage is really not conveniently located for unloading the weekly Costco haul. And truthfully, the reality is that the collections have taken over the garage and there’s no way I’m getting a car in there anyways. So the logical solution would be a port-cochere over the driveway connecting to the front porch and entry door.

Something akin to this:

image via flickr

Or these:

Love the little lantern here.

image via flickr

flickr

Sans minivan for me, please....
{again, I don't judge}

Here's and excerpt from a book of house plans for the "Shadow Lawn". The Swiss Chalet style bungalow featuring a porte-cochere became a popular subtype during the late 'teens and into the 1920s.

flickr

This gorgeous image of the porte-cochere at the Butterworth Center comes via one of my very favorite blogs

via Cote de Texas

Do you think there are big Costco hauls passing through this porte-cochere for all the game day parties happening here?

flickr

This must be the aforementioned secondary entrance.

flickr

Designer Stephen Block designed this porte-cochere for the Greystone Designer Showhouse. The floors are a checkered marble, with a polished concrete table anchoring the space between two palms in 1950's slag pots. Definitely no Yugo's rolling on that drive!

image via Veranda March 2009

This beautiful Beaux-Arts porte-cochere is at the Ruthmere Mansion in New York.

flickr

This medieval style New York mansion belonged to socialite Helen Miller Gould, wife of robber barron Jay Gould and features an impressive Tudor style porte-cochere. Very well suited to impress 19th century society matrons.

flickr

This fabulous Eastlake Victorian is the Wilderstein mansion in Rutherford New York. The porte-cochere blends seamlessly with the architecture.

flickr

Another Victorian, this one clad in tastefully painted shingle siding.

flickr

And, if you happen to be in the market for a lantern for your porte-cochere, here's a lovely Belle Epoque style beauty, circa 1920. Available here .

So, for those of us, for whom the word garage means storage, the port-cochere may be the answer to graciously traversing the route between car and front door.

Regards,

Patio Cover Thing-ys

2009-02-01T16:34:00.000-08:00

The unseasonably warm weather here in the foothills has had me itching to start spring planting. Unfortunately, the chores that go with winter gardening still needed to be done. Beyond the normal rose pruning, dead heading and raking, we had to clean up the overgrowth (total understatement) of jasmine that had consumed the back fence. This was backbreaking and exhausting, but it's done and it's as if we have a new yard entirely. So now my design juices are all revved up and I'm planning the spring makeover for our back yard and patio.

Summers here regularly have about a month's worth of day's over 100 degrees. Right now it's beautiful, but by July, the concrete patio is unbearable. So I'm trying to come up with a budget friendly yet stylish cover for the patio. We already have a number of small pergolas throughout the yard and I really don't want another one. We tried the shade sails a couple of years ago, but lacking the mathematical skills required to figure out the proper triangulation needed to mount those things, we gave up. So I think I've come up with the perfect solution--a patio cover thingy!

Okay, I know there must be a better name for them, and if I don't find out what it is, I'm going to make up my own. But after a couple of hours google-imaging every term I could think up, I gave up. I did find a few examples, though.

I really like the simplicity of the one pictured above. And I want to do some sort of retractable fabric panel cover. This one is a good start. We probably will mount ours to the detached garage that borders the patio area--similar to the picture below.

This photo is from a great book I found at Goodwill by Judith and Martin Miller called International Country {find it here }. It is also simple, understated and could easily be fitted with fabric panels.

Here is a knockdown build it yourself version from Home Depot.

And another with what looks to be automatic shades....

So, if anyone knows what these retractable shade panels are called, please let me know. Like most things, I don't anticipate getting it finished anytime real soon, but hopefully before the thermometer hits 100!