I've been thinking about something a lot lately (and yes, that may come as a shock to some of you...). The look that I gravitate to is the undecorated look. I'm not crazy about rooms that are too perfect and too pristine. That's not to say that I'm a fan of rooms that seem a jumble. But I prefer rooms that look as though they evolved over time. They just seem a lot richer and well, much more interesting.
I've also noticed that some of my favorite homes are those of designers. I believe that some of their best work can be found in their own domiciles. Of course, designers use their homes as laboratories, and sometimes it's easier to take risks in one's own home. But here's what I'm wondering: do designers really have a master plan when it comes to their own homes? You know the old adage "the shoemaker's children are often shoeless". Well, I know that many decorators are so busy that sometimes it's hard for them to tackle the design of their own homes, and this might force them to take a more organic approach.
So where am I going with all of this? I wonder if design schemes might sometimes get in the way of great decorating? Obviously if you're a designer, you can't just wing it with a client. You have to have a plan so that the customer knows what he or she will be getting. And, there are certain things that absolutely have to be planned for. I'm not saying that plans and schemes should be abandoned. Hardly. But, do you think that the best design happens when the process evolves over a longer period of time and when it lacks a firm game plan, something that might at times prove to be a constraint?
Who isn't inspired by Albert Hadley's apartment? Do we ever tire of seeing it? No, we don't. (This version is c. 1990)
We're in the midst of another Rose Cumming revival- and I think that's a good thing. Was there ever a more unique- and eccentric- home than that of Cumming?
I think Miles Redd's home is the most blogged about home in the last few years- and with good reason.
Frances Elkins decorated some very grand homes, but I find her homes, especially her Monterey, CA home, to be some of her best work.
In "Keith Irvine: A Life in Decoration", some of the prettiest photos are those of the ballroom wing of Irvine's country home.
Image at top: Do you think William Pahlmann took his sweet time decorating his home?
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
To Plan or Not To Plan
Monday, March 16, 2009
The Talented Mr. Adams
About a year ago, I first read about designer Richard Adams' chic London flat in the New York Times. I remember thinking how cosmopolitan and urbane it was! I believe his home resonated with me because it was quite similar to my supremely stylish Manhattan apartment- you know, the one in my head. (Some people long for a house by the sea or a chateau in France. Not me. I've dreamed of an apartment at The Carlyle since I was ten. I didn't realize it at the time that my dream would require so much hard work and so much cash!)
Though the flat, located in Chelsea, is really quite small, it's loaded with style. What makes this space so alluring to me is the fact that the apartment is richly colored and richly appointed. Though I was not such a fan of green, Richard's living room made me a convert. How can you not find pea-green colored silk beautiful when it's used on walls, sofas, and lamp shades? And how gorgeous is that red bedroom? I think red is a difficult color for bedrooms, but it works here- so decadent!
The other thing that makes this home so striking is the abundance of gleaming surfaces. Mirror is used in the living room and bedroom (but tastefully!). There is a Venini crystal chandelier, a wonderful crystal sunburst clock, and highly polished floors. Let's face it- this is that type of nighttime apartment in which you long to be a guest. The place where you want to wear your best and where you know the conversation will be lively and hopefully just a bit naughty.
(Richard is truly a fascinating person. An American by birth, Richard's background is in the New York fashion and advertising industries. While in New York, he soaked in the glamour that surrounded him- and when you've met and worked with the likes of Diana Vreeland, Billy Baldwin, Andy Warhol, and Truman Capote, it's understandable.
Not one to let the grass grow beneath his feet, Richard moved to London a few years ago to establish an interior design practice. He now divides his time between London, Budapest, and Qatar! I think it's encouraging to know that there are still cosmopolitan aesthetes who jet around the world experiencing all kinds of fabulous things. Visit his website for the entire story.)
The divine red bedroom. How fabulous is that crystal sunburst clock!
These glass bookshelves are so clever and perfect for a small space. Don't you love the books that are facing out: "Shocking!", "Snobs", and "Unsuitable Company".
A view of the gorgeous green silk living room with the red bedroom beyond.
The hall with its shimmery bronze papered walls.
The bathroom that was inspired by those at The Carlyle (perhaps it's the shared love of the Carlyle that explains why Richard and I are on the same wavelength.)
Image at top: The living room that captivated me. Need I say anymore?
(All images except that of the bath from English Eccentric Interiors
Friday, March 13, 2009
Bedded Bliss
The discussion will be led by editors at the magazine, and style and design authorities who will be participating include designer Suzanne Kasler, style maven Marcia Sherrill, and Southeastern Designer of the Year Suze Surdyk Jones. Talk about an all-star line up!
The event takes place at Atlanta's Americas Mart tomorrow, Saturday, March 14 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 pm (Building 1, Floor 1, Room 101A). For more information, please visit Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles' website.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Gadabout and Gallivant Papers
Although most of us spend a great deal of time emailing, blogging, and surfing the internet, we still seem to be a pretty traditional group of people. And I know that most of us own proper stationery and follow social etiquette (there are times when an email just won't do!).
One young woman who believes in the power of a handwritten note is Hanna Nation. Nation is a senior at Wofford College in South Carolina, and she recently decided to pursue her passion and create a line of stationery. (How impressive is that? When I was her age, I was worried about completing my honors thesis and planning a graduation party. A career seemed a blip way out on the horizon!) Hanna has actually created two lines: Gadabout is geared towards those of us who like design, fashion, and decorative motifs, while Gallivant stationery is more for the outdoorsy person. Obviously, I'm more of a Gadabout customer!
Hanna prints her hand drawn designs on thick 5 X 7 card stock in either white or ivory, and each set of 25 personalized cards and envelopes sells for $35. Custom design is also an option. Some of Hanna's designs can be printed with your name, while others can be personalized with your monogram (and who doesn't love a monogram!). I'm including some of my favorite selections here, but please check out Hanna's website for other options as well as information on how to order. You see, just because we may spend more time on the internet than we should, it doesn't mean we should forget our manners!
Thissur Pooram, initials placed inside print
Life Starts All Over Again When It Gets Crisp in the Fall, full name printed alongside
Fina, initials in the third lamp
Chuxi, full name printed alongside
Mahendi, intials inside the print
Initials placed inside print
Image at top: A Horse of a Different Color, initials inside the print
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Book Find: Designed for Living
Last night I was searching my bookshelves for a particular book when I came across this gem- Designed for Living
It's really a jewel of a book. There are no photos in this slim volume, only charming and colorful drawings. I love the breathy excitement that Guild conveyed when it came to the "modern" look. After all, it was the 1930s, and the average American was just beginning to experiment with modern design. And have you ever noticed that many of the old books include sections on Colonial American furniture and design? You certainly don't see that in books published today. That's a look that has fallen to the wayside.
Anyway, I think the book is so fun and wanted to share some of the illustrations with you. Sometimes it's the most obscure little books that can give you so much pleasure!
"The warm tones of this Sun Porch reflect the outdoor loveliness."
"Blending of period styles makes rooms of distinctive living quality."
"Modern architecture creates new character in decoration."
"A hallway in a Colonial manner with all the quiet perfection of the period warmed and made home-like by its lovely color scheme."
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner
I just received some photos from the recent NYBG's Orchid Dinner, and I wanted to share with you some beautiful images of tables designed by Malcolm James Kutner and David Kleinberg.
I love how Malcolm chose to work with green Cymbidium orchids, green tea roses, and liriope leaves. Yes it's simple, but so striking too. The other thing that I admire about the table are the layers. You've got elements of varying heights, discreet details (the beautifully engraved placecards), and reflective surfaces. It's the type of table that you can't absorb immediately- you have to sit there and let it soak in. This is certainly a hallmark of Malcolm's work; he prefers the subtle. And isn't that appropriate right now?
The tablecloth is Claremont's woven silk Drap de Soie in a gorgeous green with hints of bronze. The runner is a bronze document damask called Palma Damask. And see the silver candlesticks and julep cups? These are part of Malcolm's personal collection...and he chose not to polish the silver! Malcolm has no problem with his silver showing tarnish, so remember that the next time you have a dinner party and you're fretting over your silver. Maybe you should just let it go and enjoy it!
The two images below are from David Kleinberg's table. It seems that David was going for more high-impact drama, and I think he achieved it! I hope that these tables might provide a little inspiration for your next party.
A Home That Feels Right for Right Now
I'm still working my way through Manhattan Style
What makes this home so appealing to me is the sense of elegant comfort and coziness. Yes, it is filled with distinguished antiques, but they are arranged and displayed in such a way that is hardly pretentious. This was obviously the home of a man who treasured his collections, namely his library of 5000+ books, but they weren't displayed for show. Isn't that refreshing after years of conspicuous displays of art and antiques? And the apartment was somewhat small too, but there was still a place for everything- a small dining area, a seating area, and copious bookshelves. Barrows may not have had an endless amount of space with which to work, but he still managed to create a pretty fabulous home.
I think that what I'm trying to get at is that Barrows' home is such a wonderful example of how you can live, and live grandly, on a smaller scale surrounded by things that you love. You shouldn't let your style and creativity be hampered by a lack of space or a lack of trendy objects and accessories. And stick to what you love and what you'd love to live with years from now. Would you be surprised to know that this apartment was photographed around 1990? Almost twenty years later and it still looks like a home I'd gladly live in. Just a little food for thought.
A liberal use of red can be a little tricky, but it just really works in this apartment.
The dining area within the living room. Wouldn't dinner at a cozy table like this be far more fun and lively than at a restaurant?
The Boulle cabinet that was used as honest to goodness bookshelves. Look how the books were piled willy-nilly. I'm a stickler for symmetry, but I think this looks just great.
Fine antiques were mixed with more contemporary pieces like the red upholstered slipper chairs.
Image at top: A bedroom filled with more books. This might have been a tad cluttered for my tastes, but I appreciate it nonetheless.
Monday, March 02, 2009
The Good Old Days
When I think of the olden days, I think of that episode of Designing Women in which someone said "Remember the good old days. They were old. They were good. They were days."
Seriously, certain activities seemed far more stylish back then than today. Like shopping. Going to the movies. Even going out for a cocktail or a meal. None of this tattered jeans and flip-flop business- people actually dressed up and made an effort when they went out. What happened?
I found some old images of movie theaters, restaurants, and department stores, and after seeing how glamorous these venues were, I can understand why people dressed up. You and I would if we had the chance to visit a movie theater designed by Samuel Marx. It's a far cry from our local AMC theaters with the stadium seating and surround sound. And wouldn't you want to primp, powder, puff and buff yourself before going to a shoe department decorated by architect Paul Williams?
(And I do want you to know that I try to do my part to keep up the good grooming habits of the old days. I once lived in a high-rise building where fire alarms were a common occurrence. And every time that alarm went off I always applied my lipstick and spritzed on some perfume before I made my way out of the building. Why risk my life to look good in a possible fire? I have no earthly idea, but I blame it on my mother who told me to always wear lipstick when I left the house. That's a throwback to the good old days, but it's one that I wholeheartedly adhere to-even at risk to life and limb!)
Samuel Marx designed the soigne Pump Room in the Ambassador Hotel, Chicago in 1938. The walls were cobalt blue, the banquettes white leather, and the light fixtures crystal. And if you dined at the Pump Room, you could expect this:
You'd wear a hat too if your waiter served you flaming game bird skewers with such flair!
Marx also designed the Lamar Theater in Oak Park, IL. I'd be tempted to give up my Netflix subscription and start going to the theater again if my AMC looked like this.
If the cosmetic counters at the department stores looked like Helena Rubenstein's Fifth Avenue salon c. 1948, then I would be willing to get this treatment:
Or even this one:
If only the Waffle House looked like this! (The Vienna Coffee House at the Mark Hopkins Hotel, San Francisco; designed by Dorothy Draper)
I might actually forget about the recession and buy some new shoes if shoe departments were like this one at Saks in Beverly Hills, c. 1938 (designed by Paul Williams).
Image at top: Remember when people used to dress for the theater? The last time I attended the theater, people brought in Cokes and Goobers!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Jay Crawford and his Timeless Interiors
I don't know much about Jay Crawford other than the fact that he was a fashion illustrator and a founder of Quadrille fabric. But what I do know is that I love his style. I first saw some 1979 images of his Manhattan townhouse (the top two photos) a few months ago and was struck by how chic the rooms still seem as viewed by these 21st century eyes. And then last night I found photos of what I believe is the same townhouse circa 1990 (check them out below). To me, both versions have that certain Billy Baldwin/Albert Hadley-esque flair. Can anyone fill in the blanks and give me more information on Crawford?
(Top two images from Architectural Digest New York Interiors
