Out of Africa

So here we are again back at one of my favorite topics, and in a location that I would love to visit. This home, in South Africa, is a perfect example of how historic/old and contemporary/modern can coexist, in a recipe that creates something very magical. The base of the house, and its six over six windows provide a fantastic foundation for the second story's casement windows and swerving balcony. The chairs in the foreground also add a nice touch ... 

Along the backside of the house, you can also see the owner's love of both rustic and modern interiors. The sliding glass doors, while being far from single pane, echo his modern aesthetic and love of light - but the chairs on the interior are more overtly contemporary. 

The dining room could honestly be in a million older homes anywhere, but again the farm table and vintage cabinetry, set against the pink backdrop with lucite chairs continues the overall theme of this African abode. 

The pool's curvy shape repeats that of the deck above, and provides a secret tropical paradise. 

This kitchen says old farmhouse in the country ... 

And one would probably never think that it was in this light-box of a house in South Africa. This house is yet another example of the perfect marriage between opposites. See, opposites do attract ... especially in architecture and interiors! 

Photos courtesy of Marie Claire Maison

Moving

Moving never gets any easier. Growing up, we moved a fair amount, I attended two different colleges as well as studying abroad, and I have lived in three cities since finishing BC five years ago. I should be an old pro - but it really never gets easier. Its not the packing, or the wrapping, or the tossing out - its the emotional part that gets to me. Even though these apartments or houses we occupy are just spaces, they become part of our lives ... they become home. And that is something that you  just can't shake very easily. You feel like you are leaving a member of the family behind when you walk out of your house or apartment for the last time, turn off the lights and lock the door. You never fail to feel like you're forgetting something, even though the space is completely empty. To the outside viewer the space is completely empty, but to you it is filled with the memories of your time there. 

But you know what they say -  when one door closes, another door opens ... 

Photos taken by the author and Taylor Lorenz

Oh What a Beautiful Morning

It is an absolutely stunning morning here in Charleston, and I'm thinking about sneaking off to the beach. Just wanted to post some pictures of outdoor things that make me happy, and make me think of summer, as well as Benjamin Moore's Caribbean Blue Water - great color. 


Images courtesy of Marie Claire Maison, Gil Schaefer and Benjamin Moore

Clouds (and cocktails) in the Sky

I am not particularly art inclined, nor am I aware of all the things going on in the art world in New York, but I do enjoy exhibitions and events when I am made aware of them. I rely on my best friend B to let me know about things that I should check out (she works at MOMA). So upon B's recommendation, last week I went up to the rooftop terrace at the MET to see the Tomas Saraceno "Cloud City" exhibit. Even if you're like me and you're not particularly "artsy," you should definitely go check it out. The rooftop provides a great view of the NYC skyline and the park - plus they're serving cocktails. Sold. A big thank you to B for her recommendation! 

The True East End

After I featured this photo from House Beautiful in last week's post on porches, I decided to share more of this East Hampton cottage with you after a beautiful weekend out east. Although some people may think of "the Hamptons" as a place to see and be seen, and a place for mansions and sports cars, historically that was not always the case. This house, as well as many of the houses in East Hampton, Sag Harbor, and Shelter Island tell a different story - one of sea captains, fishermen and early settlers. As you all know, I am keen on all things historic, and this house, decorated by my favorite Tom Scheerer, is no exception. 

What I love about Scheerer's take on this house is that he really let the house shine through. The decorating, while having quite an impact, is very minimal. Clean walls and floors with accent fabrics and great antique pieces. What is special to me is the house itself - its 18th century floors, beams, windows - all the things that I absolutely love that lead me to historic preservation in the first place. These are the true gems of "the Hamptons" - and we have to make sure not to forget them, and not to underestimate their value. 

Photos courtesy of House Beautiful

Porch Approach

Of course today, the day I'm leaving Charleston, is beautiful. A perfect porch morning. Thought I would take the opportunity to compare two schools of thought on the porch - outdoor room or simply just outdoors. Interestingly - we have three very American examples for the outdoor room, and three extremely European examples for simply outdoors. Let's find out what you like best. 

Southern Living

House Beautiful

House Beautiful

Marie Claire Maison

Marie Claire Maison

Marie Claire Maison

As for me, here's one side of my porch. While the white rocking chairs say "outdoors" like my European friends, the throw pillows in China Seas' Java Java along with the garden stool say "outdoor room". Clearly I can't commit.

Black, White, and Blue

It is a very rainy day here in Charleston, and I think along the entire east coast, so I thought we could all take a trip to St. Barths. This home, featured in Italian Marie Claire, is the home of Copenhagen natives Marienne Brandi and Keld Mikkelsen. Instead of the traditional bright colors of an island abode, or a British colonial vibe a la India Hicks, Brandi and Mikkelsen have opted for a black and white color palate, relying on pops of color from the green vegetation. It's certainly an exercise in restraint for the islands, but most certainly allows the view and the setting to take center stage. 

In addition to the simple black and white color scheme, the couple's decorating style has a very tribal aesthetic - influenced by pieces of African art they have collected in their travels. 

The house is completely open to the outside - doors on almost every wall, and the subtle black and white scheme does not distract from the beautiful scenery. 

The vaulted ceiling in this traditional island cottage is beautiful, and the oversized raffia light fixtures are the perfect scale with the high ceilings. The kitchen is a reflection of the overall design scheme, with what seem like ebony cabinetry and simple lines. 

I couldn't leave you without a shot of the mini bar, but look out the doorway to the right at that magnificent view. 

What an extremely chic and unexpected take on the island lifestyle - less focus on the decorating, more focus on the view. The black, the white, and the turquoise of the ocean. Anyone for a swim? 

Photos courtesy of Marie Claire Italia

Perfect Day

I'm sorry I have been away ... I have a good reason. I was planning a wedding and getting married. I got married at Drayton Hall, which is familiar to those of you who have been reading Lacquered Life for a while. It was a perfect day, a perfect day with a super moon. 

Cocktail Hour & Campaign Furniture

If you have not yet read Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness, I highly recommend it. It is a story about life in Africa, and stories like that are always exciting. This story, unlike West With the Night or Out of Africa, provides a little more comic relief. Reading this book has put me in the mood for British Colonial decor. A style I have always admired, I am hoping to incorporate it into the design scheme of the Charleston house. 

This is in fact extremely appropriate, because Charleston is often thought of as part of the Caribbean - made clear by areas of town such as Rainbow Row above. Instead of arriving directly from Great Britain, most of Charleston's early settlers came by way of the Caribbean; and unlike many of the settlers arriving in New England, these early Charlestonians came to South Carolina already wealthy Caribbean landowners. 

These British ex-patriots arrived in Charleston already well versed in the trials and tribulations of living in a hot and humid climate. Taking a cue from the homes that they had built in the Caribbean, or rather some of the mistakes they had made, Charlestonians built houses that faced south with double and triple height piazzas so that they might take the utmost advantage of the breezes coming off the harbor. It is in keeping with this British Colonial history of Charleston that I look to British Colonial decor of the Caribbean for inspiration. 

One cannot really admire Caribbean decor without looking to India Hicks. Daughter of the late great designer David Hicks, and a flower girl at Princess Diana's wedding, this Brit has made her life in the Caribbean, incorporating all of the things that I would like to see in the second bedroom in Charleston. Campaign furniture, such as the chest in the photo above, is a must - and caned furniture like the bed in that photo is an added bonus. 

Books are everywhere, and the floors are painted white - notice the lack of rugs. The all white scheme helps with the heat, and the palm fronds bring the outside in. I love the contrast of dark antiques with the white walls, floors, and upholstery. 

Ah, yes, and one of my favorite aspects of campaign furniture ... that it is portable! Again the contrast of the dark wood folding chairs against the white table cloth and porch - wonderful. So far I only have antique campaign bed side tables in place ... but I'm getting there.