Big 'n Brown

Is anybody else ready to see more brown wood again? After a few years of solid-colored, painted furniture staking its claim on design, I know that I for one am eager for the "return" of rich, dark wood.

Now to be fair, brown wood has never been out of style. It just seems that brightly hued furniture has gotten a lot of our attention lately (this is not a criticism, because I'm a fan too). You can, however, strike a balance between painted finishes and brown wood. You don't want too many brown wood pieces in one room- it will look dark, hard, and heavy (this is where the painted furniture comes in handy). Also, you've got to exercise caution with those big, looming dark wood pieces- what Nancy Lancaster called "Big 'n Brown". And yes, I understand why Dorothy Draper chose to slap a coat of paint on furniture when there was too much brown in one room.

But please, don't banish the brown wood! If my plea hasn't convinced you, then you may want to consider these wood pieces (accessories included) that are mixed with brass, nickel and chrome- now this is truly an easy way to live with wood!


Wooden Pavilion Lantern in Oak and Nickel, from Charles Edwards


Rosewood liquor cabinet with brass inlay, by Paolo Buffa, c. 1938, available at Fred Silberman


1950s French desk, brass and wood, from Visiona


Karl Springer Mahogany and Chrome Dining Table from Assemblage.


Shrimp earrings in wood and gold by Seaman Schepps


Rosewood and brass etagere,from George N Antiques

Image at top: Brass and Mahogany Travelling Writing Box, c. 1830, from Mallett

Penchant for Prints- Vol. 1

Here are my top five print picks for this week:


"Bokhara" fabric in red and cream, by John Stefanidis


"Kipling" by Nobilis


"Lambeth Saracen" wallpaper by Hamilton Weston


"Windfall" fabric by Borderline


"Lindenzweig" wallpaper in Toffee, by Studio Printworks

Screen Montage

Screens are one of my favorite pieces of furniture for two simple reasons. First, they provide a dose of elegance and architectural interest to a room. Yes, there are some frightening screens out there, but for the most part, don't you usually see very chic screens? There are screens that are covered in charming fabric or wallpaper, and screens sheathed in glamorous mirror. And the ultimate, to me at least, is a Coromandel screen. Coco Chanel obviously agreed because her lacquered screen was the centerpiece in her iconic Paris apartment.

But aesthetic appeal aside, screens are also quite functional. Mirrored ones reflect light and shimmer in otherwise dark rooms. Some screens can hide that dead space in the corner of a room. Or, they can be used to mask the mundane, such as service doors between dining rooms and kitchens (this is why I call these type of screens "Service Screens", although I know that's not the proper term at all).

Decorative Screens


Designer Marcia Sherrill affixed this Coromandel screen to the wall above her living room daybed. (Photograph by James Weber NY)


Eliza Bolen cleverly used this gorgeous antique screen behind her caned bed- it certainly adds drama to the bedroom.

Mirrored Screens


Albert Hadley added this chevron-etched mirror screen to this Summery showhouse room.


I've always liked this simple mirrored fire screen designed by Kelly Wearstler, and it's certainly one of the easiest screens to make.

Functional Screens


This red dining room designed by Frances Elkins is a favorite of mine. Notice the screen used to hide a door (at least I believe it is hiding a door, but if not then let's just pretend it is). Elkins painted the screen in the same shade of red as the room's walls so that the screen would blend in with its surroundings. Since it's hiding something, why draw attention to it? (Photographer Fred Lyon)


This funny little half screen, in a bathroom designed by David Hicks, was used to hide the toilet. A little unusual I admit.

Half Screens


A half screen, hiding the piano legs, in the legendary living room of Syrie Maugham. You don't see too many of these little screens anymore, although I believe they were used quite frequently in interiors from the first part of the 20th c. Many examples I have seen were used to hide piano legs.

Image at top: A marvelous Vertes screen in the home of writer Amy Fine Collins

Think Prints!

For all of you print lovers out there, I think you'll be pleased with many of the Resort/Spring 2008 lines (clothing that is!). There are prints to please everyone- florals, graphics, ikats. And if you'd prefer to keep your prints on your furniture and walls, well then that's fine too.

Oscar de la Renta, long known for exploring the exotic with his designs, has used ikats on dresses, coats, and shoes. I know we've seen ikats in interior design for some time now, but I still think de la Renta's ikat shoes would be perfect for kicking around the design center. Carolina Herrera, no stranger to prints herself, used sweet florals, humorous chair prints, and cherry prints- a little frippery for Spring and Summer. And let's not forget Tuleh, a line which always, in my opinion, uses some of the best prints. This year Bryan Bradley has used a fabulous grisaille fabric for a coat (check Bergdorf's site to see it) as well as a fun, but not at all cutesy, umbrella print for another coat.

It just goes to show that fashion and interior design really aren't all that far apart. Now if someone would just create a clothing line that embodies the style of Billy Baldwin, I would be a very happy woman.


Violet print dress by Carolina Herrera


"Viola d'amore" by Avigdor through Classic Revivals


Ikat dress by Oscar de la Renta (Resort 2008 Collection)


"Black Luce" ikat print by Madeline Weinrib



Chair print dress by Carolina Herrera


Chair print by Kravet


Umbrella print coat by Tuleh


Umbrella print by Kravet


Poppy print press by D&G Dolce & Gabbana


"Unikko" by Marimekko

Image at top: Embroidered ikat flat by Oscar de la Renta

Pea Green with Envy

Lately, I've really been drawn to weird and unusual shades of green. Yes, it may not sound particularly appetizing, but shades like moss, loden, and pea green can be quite beautiful. Still need convincing? Well, for me, it was the room at top, designed by Mario Buatta, that made me reconsider green (usually not a favorite color of mine). Of course, the fact that Buatta covered the walls in mossy green velvet makes it a rather easy sell. I don't think I'm alone, because others were won over by Nick Olsen's room below (I'm crazy for Nick's room too, but I saw the Buatta one first).



What I've noticed, though, is that the designers who have used these odd shades tend to be quite creative in their use of it. Buatta and Carolina Irving have both chosen mossy and murky shades of green fabric to upholster walls. Miles Redd chose a lacquer finish for the olive colored walls in one of his projects. And designer Richard Adams did not hold back with his use of green- he painted the walls, upholstered the banquettes, and covered the lampshades in the same shade of green.

Bottom line- after years of bright, happy colors, maybe it's time to inject a little moodiness into our homes.

(Nick Olsen used Benjamin Moore's "Oregano" for his apartment. My friend Clinton Smith used "Kyoto Green" from Valspar in his guest room to great effect.)


A room by Miles Redd (photo from Southern Accents)


A sliver of a shot of Carolina Irving's entrance hall.


Living room of London designer Richard Adams

Call of the Wild

The blogosphere has been atwitter over the fabulous leopard print-clad room designed by Mary McDonald (in the Feb. issue of Domino)- and understandably so. This homage to Madeleine Castaing is stylish and fun. And while McDonald used the same leopard print for the walls, curtains, sofa, and armchairs, it's not animal overload. Fortunately, McDonald has not abused the leopard print, something which some people so cruelly do in the name of style (and if you need proof of this, then read my book review of "Dictator Style" for some truly terrible examples of animal prints gone bad). But I digress.

If you want to dip your toe into the sea of animal prints, you could add some leopard or tiger print pillows. Elsie de Wolfe did so at Villa Trianon, and they look quite smart against the caramel colored velvet sofas. Nan Kempner obviously thought so too.


Villa Trianon, Elsie de Wolfe's home



If you're feeling confident and want to mix your prints, you should see the apartment of writer and stylist Julie Fowler. I had to take photos from the TV as this apartment was featured in an old episode of Sheila Bridges show, so forgive the quality. Anyway, Fowler has a very small apartment, and she chose to incorporate various animal prints (something which she has always been drawn to) mixed with shots of bold color. I especially like how she has draped the ottoman with the leopard fabric. (If any of you readers know Julie Fowler, have her email me because I'd love to have photos of her apartment to show you. I think many of you will really like her home.)


Living room of writer Julie Fowler


A vignette from Fowler's home

Or, you could throw restraint out the window (like Mary McDonald), and embrace the animal print. Betty Sherrill of McMillen did, and how chic is this dining room?


(Photo courtesy of New York Social Diary)

Of The Young and the Restless

Yesterday's Home & Garden section of the New York Times introduced me to a new fabric line- Of the Young and the Restless. (OK, so the name is what first caught my eye. After all, "The Young and the Restless" was my soap of choice as a teen- the Sturm und Drang in Genoa City was just too good to ignore.)

Designed by friends Pearce Williams and Courtney Loadholt of Charleston, the hand-printed line is comprised of a range of designs, some of which are subtle ("Woodgrain"), edgy ("Thorny Rose"), or graphic ("Houndstooth"). I've ordered some samples, so I'll report back to you when I receive them. And for the record- the line was conceived during a period in the friends' lives when they were young and restless, hence the name.

"Nesting Shells" in Coral


"Woodgrain" in New Money


"Birdhouse" in Floridian


"Houndstooth" in Black


"Thorny Rose" in Holiday

Image at top: "Thorny Rose" in Honeymoon

Ashley Whittaker Design

I have really been curious about the work of New York designer Ashley Whittaker, who was named one of the Domino 10 in 2007. I could tell from the photo of her apartment that her look was tailored and traditional- but with a twist. She incorporated just enough color and pattern (and fun accessories) to make her home au courant, but she managed to maintain a classic rather than trendy look. I think that this was the hook for me! Fortunately, we can see more of her work in the February issue of House Beautiful.

The house, located in Southampton, is yet again a striking mix of color and pattern. The furniture consists of many timeless pieces, but the boring is banished with Whittaker's use of playful prints. I think my favorite room is the dining room- I love the turquoise fabric on the walls combined with the pink/coral fabric on the chairs. And, as Whittaker is a former protege of Markham Roberts, I think you can see a bit of his influence in her work, but the look is wholly Whittaker.



The cheery sunroom with lattice, wicker, and various fabrics in orange!


The use of blue in this sitting room inspired the use of it throughout the house. I like the various shades of blue- from ice blue to turquoise to navy.


A very feminine and cozy bedroom-I love that Cowtan & Tout print on the vanity skirt and the pillows.


The living room; the ottoman fabric is "Nairobi" from China Seas through Quadrille

Top images: Views of the dining room. The turquoise linen on the walls is from Quadrille; the coral linen fabric on the chairs is by Travers.

(Photography by Eric Piasecki)