See You Soon!

I'm off this week for a little R&R- I'm not sure if I'll be indulging in some rest and relaxation or research and retail therapy! I'm leaving you with this post on Christopher Spitzmiller's favorite books. Enjoy your week, and I'll be back next week!

Schumacher- Spring 2008

Schumacher has recently unveiled its new fabric and wallpaper offerings for Spring 2008, and there's something for everyone. Graphic prints? Check. Soft, faded paisley? Yes, its' there too. Saul Steinberg prints? Absolutely! Here is just a smattering of the new additions.

What is also nice is that Schumacher has just introduced its new website that is almost fully functional (keep checking back in the near future for the "official" unveiling with additional capabilities). In the meantime, though, there is enough on the site to keep you up into the wee hours of the morning dreaming of prints, chintzes, and paper. Not a bad way to spend the evening, eh?


"Cachemire Fiorentina" cotton fabric in Spice. Such a beautiful colorway.


"New York, New York" wallcovering in Black on White. Both this print and "Aviary" wallcovering at top were designed by Saul Steinberg in the 1950s. I think his drawings are so charming!


"Ruhlmann Velvet" fabric in Mink/Platinum. I love the faux-bois design of this velvet.


"Shirala Paisley" linen in Delft


"High Voltage" linen & cotton fabric in Berry and Spice.


"Zimba" wallcovering in Glacier

Albert Hadley Tutorial: Vignettes 101

I'm rather pressed for time today, so I was stumped about what today's topic would be. Then I came across this set of vignettes in the home of everybody's idol, Albert Hadley. Fortunately for me, there's not much text that needs to accompany these photos. We all know that creating a vignette or tablescape (why do I still cringe at this word?) takes skill, a flair for creativity, and an eye for proportion and color. I think it's safe to assume that Hadley possesses all of these traits. So, need a little help and guidance in arranging your vignettes? Then sit back and learn from the master!

A Penchant for Purple?

Disclosure: I am not a purple girl. I'm not sure why. There is nothing wrong with purple- it is, after all, a rather pretty color. And it is the hue of royalty. But for some reason it never grabbed me like other colors.

That is, until I saw this image of a glorious brooch designed by Tony Duquette. The amethyst and kunzite look so beautiful against the glint of the brooch's gold setting. And a few days ago I came across this image below of Mary Jane Pool's bedroom with its lavender bedding and curtains. Let me tell you, if purple is good enough for Mary Jane Pool, then it's A-OK with me. So perhaps I'm coming around to purple. Sometimes you just have to have an open mind.


Mary Jane Pool's bedroom (Image from Domino, Mar 08). For those who have read the March Domino, don't you just love her whole apartment?


Plum Sykes in her former apartment, surrounded by lilac (or light "plum") colored walls. Image from Bright Young Things


An easy way to incorporate purple into a room. A soft purple linen undercloth with a purple matelasse tablecloth in the French home of Janet de Botton (image from Vogue Living Houses, Gardens, People; photographer François Halard)


Pretty in purple- the floral print panels are by Muriel Brandolini. (Design by Jose Solis Betancourt and Paul Sherrill; Southern Accents Jan/Feb 08; photographer Pieter Estersohn)


A tablesetting in shades of purple looks smart against a grisaille background (image from Perfect Tables by William Yeoward)

Image at top: Photo of Duquette brooch from Town & Country, Dec 07

Secretaries Day

My furniture wish list tends to be rather fluid. Some pieces come while others go, but the one piece that is a constant is a secretary. I've wanted one for as long as I can remember. While some may think of secretaries as being rather stodgy, I think the opposite. They can be quite elegant, such as those glorious antique japanned types. Or they can be dignified, especially those rendered in mahogany. Secretaries are also quite practical. What a wonderful way in which to display porcelain or other objets. And wouldn't using one of these as a desk make bill paying a tad bit more fun?

I'm still undecided about which type is my favorite. I think I'm leaning towards a Chinoiserie version in either red or black. But after looking at these images below, I just might have to change my mind!




The oft discussed 18th c. Chinoiserie secretary in the home of Ivanka Trump.


I like how Ruthie Sommers mixed a very traditional antique mahogany secretary with a 1940s coffee table, a black sofa with funky nailhead trim design, and a faux zebra rug. (Image from InStyle Home, Spring 07, photographer Ngoc Minh Ngo)


An 18th c. English secretary filled with ivory objects in the home of the late Sister Parish.


A secretary that has been painted with a faux yellow bird's eye finish. In the home of designer John Phifer Marrs (photographer Stephen Karlisch).


Image at top: Venetian mirrored secretaire, c. 1930, from John Salibello

Stefanidis Fabrics- Spring 2008

As I'm sure you've deduced by now, I'm absolutely taken with John Stefanidis' fabrics. The colors are so vivid; the designs so opulent and rich. And with such exotic pattern names, don't you feel like you've been transported back in time to Shanghai, Constantinople, or Venice?

I have so many favorites in the line, and I'm very anxious to use some of them soon for a project (hopefully for me!). Mr. Stefanidis has just added some new prints to the line for Spring 2008, so I thought I'd share them with you. Enjoy!


"Gonfaloniere" in cotton. A Gonfaloniere was a prestigious government post in Italy during the Renaissance. These distinguished citizens wore coats with elaborate embroidery which inspired this fabric design.


"Emma" in cotton; inspired by a 1730's English woven silk.


"Udaiphur" cotton fabric. I think this is one of my favorites.


"Fishbones" in cotton.


"Esrajim Stripe" in cotton sateen.

Image at top: One of my favorite Stefanidis rooms.

A Little Fabric Frippery

I think this Louis XVI daybed, above, is just so darn pretty. I like the choice of fabrics, the restrained use of the ikat print, the charming corona, and the tiny sunburst mirror hanging within the bed curtain. If this were in my home, I think I would have to stop every time I walked by just to look at it and admire its charm.

So, to end the week on a frothy note, here are some other striking examples of fabric finery, captivating curtains, sensational swags, and voguish valances.


A crenellated pelmet and curtains in this bedroom niche was inspired by Frances Elkins (House Beautiful, February 08; photographer Josh Savage Gibson; interior design by Carol Curtis & Sarah Norwood)


It's paisley- everywhere!!! (Design by Jamie Ballard)


A fabric explosion in this room by David Hicks




Is there anyone more skilled in the luxurious use of fabric than Charlotte Moss? (Images of the Townhouse from O at Home, Fall 07, photographer Michael Grimm)

Image at top: 19th c. Louis XVI daybed from Bermingham & Co.

What's in a Name?

Don't you just love the pattern names of fabrics and wallpapers? I would assume that a fair amount of thought goes into choosing the names as they're an important part of defining the style and spirit of a particular print. It seems that exotic locales, grand estates, and women's names top the popularity list. As I'm sure you've noticed, there are certain names that are used by many different lines, but the similarities end here. It's interesting (at least to me!) to see the different interpretations amongst the various lines. Here is just a sampling:


"Shanghai" wallpaper by Scalamandre


"Shanghai" fabric by John Stefanidis



"Yin" silk fabric by Scalamandre


"Yang" linen fabric by Scalamandre


"Yin Yang" fabric by John Stefanidis


"Saigon" wallpaper by Clarence House


"Saigon" wallpaper by Cole and Son


"Tabriz" fabric by Clarence House


"Tabriz" by Thibaut


"Antoinette" fabric by Vervain


"Antoinette" wallpaper by Tyler Hall


"Peacock" wallpaper by Hamilton Weston


"Peacock" fabric by Robert Kime


"Bagatelle" wallpaper by Tyler Hall


"Bagatelle" fabric by Michael Devine