Friday Crush

Design by Ashely Whittaker, Photo by Beatriz da Costa for House Beautiful

This is just really catching my eye at the moment. It's warm, masculine, striking and back to warm. That star pendant is setting it off that Clarence House paper (Tibet). When I grow up, I definitely want a house with a butler's pantry or bar area like this...a little break from the rest of the house that I can glam up any way I please. And can you see the ultra feminine dining room at the back? Love the juxtaposition.

I'm literally shocked it's November. And for some reason it's 80 degrees today which is completely unacceptable. I love Fall but start to get sad when I realize it's progressing too quickly for me to enjoy. Must slow down and smell the leaves...but we have lots to do on Mac's nursery this weekend. Hoping to have a couple of posts lined up in the coming weeks to let you in on the plan. Have a great weekend...see you next week!

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Two Lessons

Design by Palmer Weiss, photo by Thayer Allyson Gowdy for House Beautiful

Let's learn two things from this design today:

1) Paint your built-ins and moldings. Would this design be half as good if the built-ins were white? Whenever I mention painting moldings people look at me like I'm crazy but we design buffs know this is a shortcut to chic. And if you also have built-ins and the guts to do it all THE REWARD WILL BE GREAT.

2) Paint your walls to match your upholstery. I have not contemplated this one enough. I'm all about architectural details blending with the wall color but I had a mind-bender looking at the genius of this photo with the walls and built-ins matching the sofa upholstery. It makes it all so cozy and rich but achieving this is not hard. You just have to have vision and confidence.

That is all. Proceed.

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Black Bathroom Tile

Although the retro tile had to go in our downstairs guest bathroom, I LOVE the 50s era tile we have going on in our upstairs bathroom. It's retro in a good way.

The space has gotten no love since we moved in but I dream of playing up the pretty gray and black tile to create something special, like these GORGEOUS baths designed by Madeline Stuart.

Photos by Trevor Tondro via House Beautiful

We have black tile that runs in a similar pattern as these baths and I think it looks so sharp. Although our gray tile isn't quite as fetching as these bold colors, I think it still has the potential to create a lovely look.

What do you think of these baths? Are you for marble, sea tones and a "spa-like" ambiance in your bathrooms? Or do you like the funky (but I would argue classic) look of these spaces?

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Friday Crush

Photo by Bjorn Wallander, Design by Annie Brahler via House Beautiful

In the overall plan of my life, I will eventually own a house with white walls. Preferably an old Virginia farm house near the Blue Ridge. And when I do, I might consider this for the stairwell. Mirrors for days...a beautiful way to display a collection (and a great excuse to stockpile antique mirrors).

Y'all, it's cold. Really cold. But I'm not complaining. I love cold weather...maybe not frigid weather...but give me sweater weather over summer sweat any day. Hope you're staying warm and have an enjoyable weekend. See you next week!

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Friday Crush

Design by John Knott and John Fondas, photo by Bjorn Wallander, via housebeautiful.com

You guys, IT FEELS LIKE FALL!!!! This whole week the weather in the DC area has been nothing but crisp and delicious and I've been tempted to break out my boots. Seriously, nothing makes me happier than the transition to autumn and I came across this warm, cinnamon-dusted hallway in this spectacular Maine home featured by House Beautiful and it spoke to my eagerness for fall to arrive. And that is some amazing wallpaper - Vanderpoel Stripe by Quadrille.

Have a fantastic weekend...see you next week!

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The Mix

Design by Benjamin Dhong, image by Lisa Romerein, via House Beautiful

What makes this vignette great? The mix.

Silver + Gold
Rustic + Refined
Soft + Edgy
Modern + Traditional

The contrasts are so pronounced, yet the overall palette is simple so that the mirror and greens can really pop. So much gorgeous detail and thought in a small, beautiful space.

Happy Wednesday!

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Margaret Kirkland

I have to admit that I am woefully behind on my print shelter mags. My preferred reading these days are books on How to Raise a Human, but a link in House Beautiful's Twitter feed alerted me to their new wave of up-and-coming designers that I think appears in their November issue.

And I was immediately drawn to pretty Southern lady-designer Margaret Kirkland:

You know I love a good traditional interior and Margaret whips up rooms that dreams are made of...seriously pretty, elegant and full of classic charm. I find it so refreshing when a young designer has such an elevated style and isn't afraid to create traditional looks that will stand the test of time. And this Atlanta-based designer is no exception.

Some of her work:

All images via margaretkirklandinteriors.com

Gah...so lovely. Check out Margaret's website for more inspiration - and I have to comment that her website is fantastic. Clean, simple and you land right on her portfolio that is very easy to scroll through. Enjoy...

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Curling Iron Light Fixture

Oh, heeeey! I'm back. Sorry about that little blip in blogging.

Let's talk about Lindsey Coral Harper's spread in February's House Beautiful. It's nice and colorful and happy. I loved it and my favorite space was this bedroom:

Photo via housebeautiful.com (though I don't see the photographer's name)

That blue and green color palette that I've been digging so much is back in this space...I enjoy that the blue has a slight periwinkle touch to it. I love the wood tone of the trunk used as a mutual nightstand. And you know I LOVE guest rooms with two twin beds - and those upholstered headboards are killer.

But what caught my eye the most was the light fixture because it is one that I have had earmarked for quite a while. It was a contender for Mason's nursery and for our basement renovation. I've also used it in an e-design board. It's the Curling Iron Wreath Light from Shades of Light:

I think the fixture's curled ribbon-like edges are so unique and whimsical - they soften up the look of the metal. LCH made the right move by going with the darker iron tone - it's a nice contrast and helps to ground the room a bit. Made me happy to see it in use in such a gorgeous space!

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Captain Obvious

Remember when I said that all shades of lavumchid (lavender/plum/orchid) are having a moment?

I just wanted to be real obvious about it and show you the October covers of House Beautiful, Elle Decor and Veranda.

I died at the cover of HB when it hit my mailbox last week - a green and plum Chinoiserie dining room! And I noted the hip use of lavender on the cover, which prompted me to write that post last week. And then Elle D came. And then Veranda. And then I realized that all is right with the world.

I have not always been a lavumchid lover...until I realized it was the perfect color to use against the green in my dining room. That began my love affair two years ago. I tend to adore it as an accent color more than the main event. But damn it's chic.

I haven't dived into these issues yet, but I'm so looking forward to it.

 

Sally Steponkus' Instant Room for House Beautiful: A Shopping Companion

Y'all know Sally Steponkus is my girl. Love her AND her work.  Did you catch her Instant Room in June's House Beautiful? A classic living room in soothing tones of blue and brown...a timeless space with beautiful details (hello coffee table).

So, Sally and I were dining the other night and discussing her beautifully curated room and I convinced her to share her resources with all of us. The House Beautiful article gave us a peek at all of the gorgeous fabrics Sally chose...and now she's giving us the scoop on the rest of the pieces!

Without further ado, from Sally:

"I really wanted to show a fresh room with lots of white trim (like the paneling below the grasscloth on the walls) that was technically a 'formal' room, a Living Room, without a TV but that wasn't fussy or unlivable. I'm basically mourning the loss of the American Living Room. I'm not saying we don't need the big Family Rooms, we do, but we also need 'parlors' and spaces to entertain without giant televisions everywhere."

Coffee Table
Edgartown Coffee Table in Turkish Coffee finish with natural raffia top from Oomph

Side Tables
Miranda Lamp Tables in Espresso by Michael Weiss for Vanguard through And Beige

Tabourets

These were antiques I found on 1st Dibs, but the above link shows something similar. Or a pair of these (new) from Lee would also work.

Lamps
Christopher Spitzmiller Medium Hann Lamps in Shell Pink

Mirror
"String of Pearls" Mirror from my friend, Keith Fritz
 

Lantern
Century Furniture Grand Tour Chandelier (this one is 18"x18" so I fudged the size for the purposes of the drawing!)
 

Rug
Apadana, Inc. - I literally got an email solicitation from this line and just used this, can you believe that?  I've never seen this in person, but I loved it!  Oushak rugs are my favorite.

The upholstery is custom through Sally Steponkus Interiors, but the style is typical English-arm skirted sofa with loose backs, and turned-leg English club chairs with tight backs.  You can find these of varying quality anywhere.

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There you have it. The full low-down on Sally's Instant Room. My favorites are the coffee table, lamps and mirror - what gorgeous pieces!!

Thanks, Sally!

Sally's headshot photo by Angie Seckinger

 

Two Beds, One Headboard

I have always gushed about my love for twin beds in a guest bedroom. And this interpretation by Tom Scheerer gave me one more reason to love the arrangement:

Photo by Francesco Lagnese via House Beautiful

That shared headboard is wicked awesome (don't they say "wicked" in the Northeast? This home is in Maine).  Sometimes I am under the impression that twin beds only really work in a rather spacious room, but this headboard allows them to share a rather teeny wall quite well.

And on another note, I don't think you will ever convince me that an upholstered headboard and matching bedskirt are not chic. To me, the combo will always be fashionable. And I'm a huge, huge fan of tucked in blankets and simple coverlets...I sometimes love a plain, "non-puffy" bed for its simplicity. Like I won't drown in a pile of feathers while I'm sleeping.

Nicely played, Scheerer. 

Friday Crush

Image by Thibault Jeanson via housebeautiful.com

Note how the leafy palms are echoed in the chandelier. Adore this bright, sunny space by our darling Meg Braff. See more of this home here...

Happy weekend...see you Monday!

 

Black Candles

I know Thanksgiving is still far away, but once September hits, I like to start thinking about the holidays. And the October issue of House Beautiful has a beautiful tablescape that is inspiring my thoughts for my Thanksgiving table.

Photo by Luca Trovato, House Beautiful October 2010

Excuse my cruddy picture...it's a stunning photo once you see it in the mag (pg. 84). The table was designed by Janice Feldman, founder of JANUS et Cie and I love it. I stared at it for a while - taking in the various pieces - and the last thing I noticed was the black candles. I've never thought about using black candles, but aren't they stunning? Especially for a fall table?

Once I got over the coolness of the black candles, I started to once again review the elements of the table. I think the variety of objects on the table is what is so eye-catching - the various candlesticks, the different plates, the glasses, and most of all, the small floral arrangements scattered throughout the table.

The pic got me thinking how I have several items that I can combine for a similar feel to my own table. I have bud vases, mint julep cups and tortoise tumblers that would be great to use for similar floral arrangements. If you look closely, you'll see the table has some fantastic brass faux-bois-ish candlesticks, which are very similar to the pair I bought earlier this year from Nate Berkus' line for HSN:

These candlesticks are gorgeous in person and I'm so glad I got them. I would gladly share the link, but sadly I don't think HSN has them any more. Boo. I hope they bring them back because I could another set or two!

The candlesticks will be beautiful to mix with other candlesticks that I have...and it would be super easy to pick up an inexpensive pair of wood candlesticks somewhere like Target and paint them white or even stripe them like the ones in the picture.

Once I mix in my own china, crystal, color palette and details, I think it will make a great autumnal table. And I'll definitely be considering some black candles this year.

Pitter Patter

Goes my little heart.

 Photo by Ngoc Minh Ngo, via House Beautiful, via Nick Olsen's blog

Have you gotten your hands on the new House Beautiful? I think my favorite issues of shelter mags are those that feature small spaces. I do like to see the grand estates for fun, but the small spaces are more often what inspire me and get my creative juices flowing.

This HB issue is fantastic, and the bedroom above is indication of that. It's a small NYC apartment designed by David Kaihoi - the Chinoiserie wallpaper in this room is insanely good. Kaihoi found it at an auction - an 18th century paper that was in rough shape - and he pieced it together to create this fabulous wall treatment in the bedroom (how will he ever be able to leave?!) The rest of the apartment is awash in saturated jewel tones, dripping with style. What a creative aesthetic. Love.

Vintage Blue

I did my second run through my current House Beautiful issue last night - do run through your favorite mags several times? I feel like the first time I read it I'm so excited and flipping the pages so quick that I miss things...so I always go back at a slower pace a second and maybe a third time to absorb the goodness...

Anyway, I was flipping through it again and spent a good bit of time looking at the fun collage HB put together of their blue rooms through the years. Some of the rooms looked like their decade, but there were several that I thought would work perfectly today....probably because we're experiencing a bit of throw-back "Mad Men" style in decor, but also because these rooms have so many timeless elements.

Some of my favorites:

All images via housebeautiful.com

All photography by Philip Friedman/Studio D

February 1950

Design by Mrs. Wright Richardson

This one was my #2 favorite...I had a hard time picking out something that I thought was outdated. Decorating with china is timeless, I LOVE that chair and the lines of the sofa that are peeking through seem perfect. I like the tables and the lamps and the painted fireplace is chic...love it all.

 

December 1955

Ok, I think the Jello mold gives this one away, but only the food is outdated in this image. I ADORE that centerpiece. And obvi the color turquoise is here to stay...it was named as the color of the year by Pantone. I think this picture could hold its own on House of Turquoise (ps. Stephen Drucker mentioned HoT in the issue...way to go Erin!).

November 1965

Design by Otto Zenke

This one was my #1 favorite...those peacock velvet chairs!! And the matching cabinet behind them is wonderful...I also love the lamp and just the overall feeling of the room. 

 

April 1966

Design by Inman Cook

I don't love the particular choice in wallpaper/fabric, but I could see this easily done today - even using this pattern. I love the mirror, sconces, framed prints and the overall concept...and is that a peek of a garden stool at the bottom of the pic? 

November 1976

Design by Peter Shore

I love all the fabrics in this one - the drapes, the pillows, the chairs. I also love the lines of the couch (kind of similar to ours) as well as the brass birds sitting on the neat coffee table. 

January 1977

Design by Mario Buatta

Totally timeless...this room would work for me now. LOVE the fabrics and colors...and that mirror over the fireplace is amazing.

So are these rooms eye-catching because we're having a throw-back to vintage style, or because they are truly timeless rooms that withstand decades and trends?