Window Art

It is interesting to see how some designers' imaginations are piqued by window treatments. Some designers may add a little visual interest with a striking pelmet or valance, while others may swathe a room with swags, jabots, and flourishes alike. Elaborate window treatments are obviously not for everyone, but interesting ones certainly make a room a lot more fun. If copious amounts of fabric are not your thing, then perhaps one of these designs might spark some interest.




Trompe l'Oeil Valance in room designed by Albert Hadley. The valance has faux painted swags and jabots; artist is Chuck Fischer (photo courtesy of House Beautiful)


Chinoiserie style valances with a trim of red bells; design by Keith Irvine


Upholstered shutters by Los Angeles designer Molly Luetkemeyer


Lambrequin in the London home of Jane and Whitfield Hines (photo courtesy of Southern Accents)

Photo at top from Southern Accents

Top Ten Fabric

There are certain classic prints that appear often in various designers' work, and "Le Lac", a glazed chintz by Brunschwig & Fils, is certainly one of them. This chinoiserie design was created back in the 18th c. as a brocaded silk by Philippe de la Salle. La Salle also designed the brocades for the Versailles bedroom of Marie Antoinette (this according to the book "Keith Irvine: A Life in Decoration"). "Le Lac" was given new life as a print in the 20th century.

Keith Irvine of Irvine & Fleming has used this print often and includes it in what he calls the "Irvine & Fleming Top Ten". Other designers, such as Todd Romano, have used this print as well. Because there is an array of colors in this print, "Le Lac" is a very flexible fabric. It looks great in green rooms (such as that of Irvine), red rooms (like that of Todd Romano), and really any other color. And because of the large repeat, there are a multitude of different scenes from which to choose.



A wing chair upholstered in "Le Lac"; design by Keith Irivne (photo courtesy of "Keith Irvine: A Life in Decoration")


Chair upholstered in "Le Lac" in home of Todd Romano


Room designed by Meg Braff, with chair upholstered in what I believe is "Le Lac" (although if anyone knows otherwise, please let me know)

Photo at top: A room with "Le Lac" upholstered chair; design by Keith Irvine

Art En Masse

One look that has gained popularity over the past few years is hanging artwork "salon style"- that is, grouping framed art, usually disparate pieces, together in such a way as to create a cohesive look. This method of hanging art is actually quite rooted in tradition, with its origins going back to the Paris Salons of the 18th and 19th centuries. In order to create maximum impact, you will want to keep some harmony amongst the pieces you are hanging. Perhaps you want to use frames that are the same color or finish. Or, you may want to hang works that have a common theme as designer Mallory Mathison did below (her framed pieces focus on figural studies of females). The goal, however, is to avoid a hodgepodge of clashing frames and art.



A gallery in the home of Kate Spade, designed by Steven Sclaroff (photo courtesy of Town & Country)


Guest room in home of Kate Spade, again with the salon-style grouping of art (note how the art stands out against the vivid blue walls). (Photo courtesy of Town & Country)


Bedroom designed by Mallory Mathison. This gallery is quite cohesive and looks great against the dark, glossy walls (wall color is Farrow and Ball Mahogany).


A stairwell gallery, so to speak, by designer Eric Cohler.


Miles Redd's collection, hung salon style, in his living room (photo courtesy of New York Social Diary)

Photo at top: Kenneth Jay Lane in his sumptuous Manhattan domicile (photo courtesy of Elle Decor)

Vintage Mary McDonald

I finally got my hands on an old November 2001 issue of House & Garden which features the former home of Mary McDonald. Even at this early point in her career, McDonald already had a keen sense of color, although her signature blue and white color combination is evident only in small doses. The gorgeous bedroom was inspired by Dior's Paris salon (which, by the way, has inspired quite a few designers). The white trim, molding, and fabrics provide the perfect counterpoint to the serenely sophisticated gray walls. Other color schemes throughout the house include cream, beige, and white in the living room and aqua and brown in the sitting room. All of these color schemes provide the perfect backdrop for McDonald's antiques, which include inherited pieces of furniture and accessories.





Master bedroom with Benjamin Moore Gull Wing Gray on walls. White pique bed curtains are Country Life's "Birdseye" with lining of Gaston y Daniela's "Ottoman Segura" in silver.


Living Room with mirrored table by Syrie Maugham. Drapery fabric is a Rose Cumming striped print.


The Garden Pavilion which is quintessential Mary McDonald.


Sitting Room with Louis XVI bergere upholstered in Nancy Corzine's "Newport" in Coffee.


Additional views of the living room and the sitting room.


On the left is the guest room; walls and ceiling covered in Manuel Canovas' "Merindol" in Sable. Another view of McDonald's bedroom on the right.

(All photos from the November 2001 issue of House & Garden)

Going Dotty

Looking through the June issue of Elle Decor, I was struck by the red and white polka dot print chair in the home of Debbie Bancroft. One of the first things that came to my mind was the cover of the most recent edition of Dorothy Draper's classic "Entertaining is Fun!". Polka dots, at least to me, are associated with whimsy, fun, and playfulness. We certainly see our share of stripes and geometric prints, but how often do you see polka dots used for a large scale application such as an upholstered armchair? Is this graphic and slightly retro print primed for a comeback?

"Entertaining is Fun!: How To Be A Popular Hostess" by Dorothy Draper


Larabee Road Tidbit Plates by Kate Spade


"Hyannisport" Bedding at Schweitzer Linen



Polka Dot Folded Notes from Carrot and Stick Press


"Polka Dot" Print in Chocolate and Natural, at Lewis & Sheron

Image at top: Bedroom of Debbie Bancroft; designed by Richard Mishaan; chair fabric is "Polka Dot" by Scalamandre.

The Fanciful World Of Meg Braff

While reading the June issue of House Beautiful the other night (which, by the way, is a fantastic issue from cover to cover), I was delighted to read about the Newport home of designer Meg Braff. It's so refreshing to see a house full of color and pattern. The look of the house is traditional and preppy (perfect for a town like Newport) and a bit reminiscent of the late, great Sister Parish. I adore the Scalamandre "Shanghai" wallpaper in the dining room (see above), especially when juxtaposed against the vivid Farrow & Ball "Blazer" painted trim and mantel. Patterned walls are also found in the library with Farrow & Ball's "Ringwold" in blue , and again in the snappy office with its Bob Collins' bamboo print "Chinese Lattice" wallpaper. Much of the traditional furniture has been given new life with brightly colored finishes and fabrics. I think what I like most about the house, though, is that there are so many layers to each room that it takes time absorb everything. What an inspiration!

Living Room with Chinoiserie accents


Library with Farrow & Ball "Ringwold" wallpaper


In the Powder Room, "Jardin Chinois Red" wallpaper by Waterhouse Wallhangings


Master bedroom- bedskirt in "Bijoux Stripe" by China Seas; animal print on slipper chairs by Brunschwig & Fils.



Dressing Room/ Office with Bob Collins' "Chinese Lattice" wallpaper.

(All photos taken from the June 2007 issue of House Beautiful)

Cream of the 1st dibs Crop

I end up spending an inordinate amount of time looking through the weekly updated listings on 1st dibs, and this week was no exception, especially with the addition of so many new vendors. Here are a few of this week's picks:


Painted Italian Secretary, circa early 19thc., available at Galerie de France


Aluminum and red leather armchairs, designed by Dorothy Draper for the Fairmont Hotel, available at Sultana


Jean Picart le Doux tapestry "Lumiere d'Ete", circa 1940, at Little Paris Antiques


Sue et Mare Teaservice, 1927, at Modernism Gallery


English Brass Bar Cart, 1960s, at Buck House


Louis XV Style Fauteuils at Threshold by Kendall Wilkinson

Image at Top: Plaster Urn by Jean Michel Frank, on base by Christian Berard, 1930s, at Benjamin Storck Ltd.

Party Inspiration

Photos of lavish parties and beautiful weddings are a great way to find design inspiration, not just in terms of flowers and table settings, but for color schemes, furnishings, and accessories as well. Perhaps the colors of a particularly striking floral arrangement might inspire you to repaint a room, or maybe a planner's use of chair covers or table skirts might encourage you to rethink that remnant fabric you have in storage. Whatever the case may be, these images of fantasy and festivity can certainly be applied to the quotidian, and they just might make it more fun, too.




This table, created by event planner David Monn, caught my eye because of the ribbon-adorned lampshades, a trick that could easily be replicated at home.


Another Monn event, this time more masculine in feel. I like the gray suede and nailhead- trimmed console and ottomans.


A wedding designed by Charleston planner Tara Guerard of Soiree. I love the pink, white, and black color scheme which could work well in an entryway (for a very feminine look) or on a patio.


An exotic tented tablesetting by Antony Todd. The mismatched chair covers create added visual interest to an already vibrant table, an idea that would work well for summer outdoor entertaining. If you're really daring, you could even add some plumage, just as Todd did.


Preppy pink and green by party impresario Preston Bailey. How great would this floral arrangement be for a summertime dinner party?

Image at top by Preston Bailey- no, you may not want to recreate those topiaries on your dining table, but they're fun to look at.