Luxury by the Yard

What is my idea of luxury? Alright, I admit it, I have many. Yes, I do think that luxury can be found in the simple things in life, like freshly laundered sheets or a having a small posy of fresh flowers by my bed. But in terms of design, I think it would be most luxurious to have a room with miles and miles of fabric everywhere, especially if it's the same print. Think curtains, swags, fabric on the walls, and upholstered chairs and sofa. Even fabric covered screens! I know, it sounds over the top. Ridiculously expensive. Not so practical. But wouldn't it be luxurious and decadent to just throw caution to the wind and create a room that envelops you in your favorite fabric?

The French seem to excel at this look:


Room designed by Christian Badin


A bedroom designed by Robert d'Ario

The British have their own take on it:


Valentino's London home, decorated by Roger Banks-Pye


Nina Campbell's look is sweet

A Very American Version:


Billy Baldwin used shirred fabric on the walls in Speed Lamkin's apartment

At the risk of losing my argument, I thought I would include a few photos of fashion designer Pauline Trigère's home. What, you haven't thought of having some fabric printed up with your name on it? In the words of this icon of fashion, "Fabric is the dictator."




Trigère print fabric

Image at top: Remember this fabulous image of Mario?

Nancy Lancaster - The Doyenne of Timeless Design

Do you ever look at some of today's interiors and think "Will this hold up in twenty years"?

One designer who was a master at creating a timeless, undecorated look was Nancy Lancaster. Her interiors were elegant yet comfortable, a bit timeworn but never shabby. I recently purchased a copy of Architectural Digest Country Homes and found these images of Lancaster's cottage, called the Coach House, on the grounds of Haseley Court (Lancaster once owned the main house at Haseley Court). To think that these photographs were taken twenty-six years ago! While the English Country House look may not appeal to everyone, one has to admit that the rooms don't look dated. They're rather like the Dorian Gray of interior design- the rooms don't seem to age. But what I think is most important about Lancaster's work is the appropriateness of it. The design is a perfect fit for the surroundings. And this was very much on the mind of Lancaster as she decorated her home. In describing the sitting room of her cottage, the inimitable Lancaster quipped "I won't put Chippendale mirrors in this room with no cornice. That would be like having pearls in a pigsty." You can't argue with the master.


The Sitting Room, sans Chippendale mirrors


Another view of the Sitting Room



The Dining Room with trompe l'oeil painted molding


The Master Bedroom


The Guest Room with a sweet floral print

Image of Nancy Lancaster at top by Cecil Beaton

Peter Dunham and Hollywood at Home

I just returned from a trip to California and was fortunate enough to visit some of Los Angeles' finest design shops. Seriously- I write about them so often that I had to see them firsthand. My biggest challenge was that there are just too many fabulous shops to visit in three days time. Still, I managed to see quite a few and thought I would share some photos with you this week.

One store that has generated buzz as of late is Peter Dunham's Hollywood At Home. The jewel box of a store, located behind Nathan Turner's fabulous shop, not only carries Dunham's eponymous line of fabrics but Carolina Irving's textile line as well. Quite truthfully, these two fabric lines are a match made in heaven. Additionally, the shop sells vintage design books, furniture, home fragrance, and accessories. I think what I like most about this shop, though, is that in a way you feel like you've walked into a witty and stylish salon where inspiration abounds. How could you not be charmed by a stairwell in which you can walk on a red carpet replete a velvet rope banister and Dunham's star print wallpaper? Get it? It's your very own red carpet moment!


Dunham's airy, breezy fabric:





Carolina Irving's fabric:






The Red Carpet:

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.