Swiss Cottage

Isn't there something so intriguing and so very enchanting about follies? These architectural gems are such unique examples of fantasy, creativity, whimsy, and well, folly. I recently read about one that captured my attention: Swiss Cottage near Cahir, County Tipperary, Ireland. The structure is considered to be an ornamental cottage, and frankly I don't know what the difference is between an ornamental cottage and folly. Perhaps there isn't one.

Built around 1810 by Richard Butler, 1st Earl of Glengall, the cottage was used for entertaining guests, although some websites mention that it was used as a hunting and fishing lodge. (One book claims it was a romantic hideaway for Butler and his mistress. This cottage must have seen many different types of recreational pursuits.) The man responsible for the cottage's design is believed to be John Nash, one of the foremost architects of the Regency period.

What caught my eye was not the thatched roof, though it is charming. Rather, I'm taken with the trellis type ornamentation on the exterior. I can't tell if it's actual trellis, or if the design is painted. The scale of the decoration is quite large; it's very early 19th c. Dorothy Draper. This type of ornamentation would be a great way to perk up a garage, a potting shed, or a child's playhouse. Or, what about painting trellis on an exterior wall that adjoins a terrace or patio? Very chic indeed.


Sybil Connolly set this table outside of Swiss Cottage, a structure near and dear to her heart. She helped to raise funds for the cottage's refurbishment back in the 1980s. You also get a good view of the charming rustic woodwork.


The dining room of the cottage still has its original Dufour wallpaper, "Scenes from the Banks of the Bosphoros". Some believe that this paper is some of Dufour's earliest printed paper. I wish I could find a photograph of the entire dining room. I'm sure the rest of the paper is just as beautiful as this glimpse.

All of this reminds me of a present day take on trellis: a Dallas entryway designed by Michelle Nussbaumer. Trellis from a garden center was painted glossy black and was affixed to the entry's white walls.



(Images 2 and 3 courtesy of Tiffany Gourmet Cookbook. Nussbaumer photo from the Dallas Morning News, Terri Glanger photographer.)

Fireplaces...in June?

It might seem crazy to be thinking about fireplaces and mantels in June, but I am. One of my condo's previous owners installed a faux fireplace, and words can't describe how ugly it is. It's cheaply built and cheap looking, but for various reasons I chose not to remove it. And because I have a long living room, it's actually nice to have a fireplace, even if it is faux, to help break up the expansive wall.

A very creative friend of mine is going to help me tart the thing up, and when all is said and done, I don't think anyone will ever guess that it was once pretty hideous. Unless of course you are reading this post and then you will know the truth!

(I doubt I'll end up looking as soigné as Millicent Rogers, above, while perched in front of my fireplace. Oh well, it's a nice fantasy though.)


A Chinoiserie chimneypiece designed by Henry Holland that was originally created for the Chinese Drawing Room at Carlton House. It is now installed at Buckingham Palace. This, to me, is perfection.


Why didn't my condo come with a fireplace like this? (The dining room at Mulberry House, London, c. 1930, designed by Darcy Braddell and Humphrey Deane)


Edward James' bedroom at Monkton. The fireplace is not the only fabulous thing about this room.


Rose Cumming's snake fireplace is certainly one of the most innovative I have seen. (That said, I don't plan on adorning my mantel with snake prints.)


This black scagliola mantel, designed by Gil Schafer, is one of my favorite mantels ever. And it's so simple too.

(Image at top: John Rawlings for Vogue, 1944. Chinoiserie chimneypiece-The Regency Country House. Mulberry House fireplace: The Decorative Thirties. Monkton fireplace and Rose Cumming room: Baroque Baroque. Schafer fireplace, House & Garden, Rene Stoeltie photographer)

Biased about Floors

There are some people who believe that checkerboard tile floors should be laid on the diagonal. For others, straight up and down is perfectly fine. I suppose it's an aesthetic preference, though I'm sure one style is more classically and architecturally correct than the other.

If my memory serves me correctly, and lately it hasn't been, Dorothy Draper had a very definite opinion on the matter. I believe that she was an advocate of the diagonal method, though her projects show that she flirted with both styles. Nevertheless, after finding numerous images of black and white floors, I think I prefer tiles laid on the bias. Visually, diagonal tiles draw one's eye into the room. And there's something quite elegant about it too. The up and down fashion, like that seen above in this movie still, truly does look like a checkerboard, but to me it looks a little blocky. (The image at top also is a great example of why larger tiles look better than small ones.)

When I was trying to find images for this post, I mostly found floors with the tiles laid diagonally, which leads me to believe that most designers prefer this style. Which do you like?





Hampshire House was one of Draper's earlier projects, so perhaps she had not yet formulated her opinion about diagonal tiles.


Dorothy chose large scaled tiles laid on the diagonal for the floor at Quitandinha.


Mrs. Kersey Coates Reed House, David Adler architect


Remember this home decorated by Celerie Kemble? The tile is actually a painted wooden floor, but the faux tiles were painted on the bias.


Woodson Taulbee's home in Old San Juan, decorated by Billy Baldwin.

(Image at top: Movie still from 1929 movie "The Show of Shows"; from Screen Deco (Architecture and Film, 3.). Image 2 and 3 from In the Pink: Dorothy Draper--America's Most Fabulous Decorator. Photo 4, David Adler, Architect: The Elements of Style. Image 5 courtesy of Celerie Kemble: To Your Taste: Creating Modern Rooms with a Traditional Twist. #6, Billy Baldwin Decorates: A book of practical decorating ideas)

What's in a Name?

I've come to the conclusion that I'm a sucker for furniture and accessories described as "boudoir". What that says about me is anybody's guess, and I say let's not go there. But, if pressed to explain why I perk up when I see "boudoir" used as an adjective, I'd say that I just assume that it's going to be something glamorous, feminine, slight in size (no boudoir piece is ever very large), and evocative of the 20s or 30s. But don't let the moniker fool you- a lot of these pieces would work quite well in a powder room, an entry hall, even in the kitchen. Boudoir- it's not just for bedrooms anymore.


A pair of Rock Crystal Boudoir Lamps created by MJH Design Arts


Doesn't this boudoir chair from the 1940s look like something straight out of a Cedric Gibbons designed movie set? (Available from Venfield.)


More boudoir lamps, this time made of Murano glass. From Eric Appel.


Hickory Chair has this boudoir sofa by Marietta Himes Gomez. A great size for the bedroom of course, but it would also work well in a small living room or study.




I like these boudoir shams from Leontine Linens. I suppose you could put one in an armchair, but I do think that these shams are best left in the bedroom.


How about a boudoir candle?

Image at top: This still from the 1931 movie "Captivation" has nothing to do with this post; it was one heck of a boudoir, though. (Image from Screen Deco (Architecture and Film, 3.))

Entertaining à la Dorothy

It's Monday, but I'm already thinking about my weekend entertaining. Who better to turn to for a lighthearted take on design and entertaining than my gal Dorothy- Draper, that is. Here's what she had to say on the subject of entertaining one guest (but I believe her suggestions would work for two or three guests as well).

*If the meal is to be dinner then do not serve this in the dining room where you and your guest are uncomfortably conscious of being just two people in a room arranged for a larger number. Instead, have a card table set up in the living room or on the porch.


This 48" square card table and cloth from Ballard Design might be slightly large for two, but for three or four it would be perfect.

*The menu should be short, simple, and simply delicious. Every dish should count.


A nice gratin is simple, and it can be elegant too, especially when served in an Ercuis Gratin Dish. I have two of these that I use for entertaining and I absolutely love them. (Try serving Ina Garten's Seafood Gratin in one.)

*Choose flowers that are small and fragrant- lilies of the valley, white daisies with six dark red roses, or sweet smelling freesia.


I actually don't agree with Dorothy because I think you should avoid fragrant flowers on your dining table. However, this Martha Stewart Lily Centerpiece is pretty for another area of your home, and it's on sale too.

*If you want to be really festive there is nothing that looks more enticing than a wine cooler filled with ice and a small bottle of champagne, sauterne, or chablis peeping out of this, waiting to be opened.


How about this...


chilling some of this? And forget about getting a small bottle per Dorothy's advice- unless you have to go to work the next day.

*Try a combination of a turquoise-blue linen cloth with flame-pink camellias, white china and candlesticks of clear glass.


One of these blue Sferra linen tablecloths might be nice (available at F&B Specialty Linen).


And this white Augarten Opus china, available from Owen Lawrence, would look great with table linen of any color. I would love to have that covered vegetable dish- how great is that?

*Perhaps you have picked up some blue Staffordshire or old Canton china plates.... Try these on a mustard-yellow cloth with a big bunch of bluets or purple violets.


I know this table is not set with a mustard yellow cloth, but I do think it's a pretty table nonetheless. (Table set by Mrs. Angier Biddle Duke)

And most importantly:
*The same rule of careful attention to the details, simplicity, and few courses (deliciously prepared and attractively served) applies to the small informal luncheons or dinners you give. Your friends will be quick to appreciate the fact that you have tried to give them a good time. Moreover, they'll have a good time, and so will you.

(Draper tips from Entertaining is Fun!: How to Be A Popular Hostess. Duke photo from The New Tiffany Table Settings)

Parisian Hideaways

I tend not to travel in the summer because 1) it's too hot in many destinations so it's a little hard to see the romance and charm when it's a sweltering 90 degrees and 2) too many tourists on summer holiday.

Instead, I'll be taking a trip to Paris, all in the comfort of my air-conditioned home. I finally had the chance to read my copy of Parisian Hideaways: Exquisite Rooms in Enchanting Hotels by Casey O'Brien Blondes, and it's really something else. Each chapter features charming Parisian boutique hotels that are unbelievably stylish. Some are very traditional and very French while others are slightly eccentric.

Now, how many times have we read articles in which homeowners said that they wanted to duplicate the hotel look in their homes? I never understood that because isn't home supposed to look like home? Why do I want to feel like I'm living in the lobby of a W hotel? The hotels featured in this book are completely different. You will get a lot of decorating ideas from these hotels and this book (at least I did).

In addition to the glorious photos, there is interesting information about each hotel as well as lists of the hotel owners' favorite restaurants, shops, and museums. I think what I liked most about this book is what a surprise it was. A book on hotels is usually not up my alley, but when the hotels are as gorgeous as these, well, that's a different story!


Windsor Home, 3, rue Vital


Le Daniel, 8, rue Frederic Bastiat


Dokhan's, 117, rue Lauriston


Hotel du Petit Moulin, 29/31, rue de Poitou (decorated by Christian Lacroix)


Le Duc de Saint-Simon, 14, rue de Saint-Simon

(All images Beatrice Amagat from Parisian Hideaways: Exquisite Rooms in Enchanting Hotels by Casey O'Brien Blondes, Rizzoli New York, 2009)