Francophile or Patriot?

Traditional Home

Or both? Don't you just love the combination of statue of liberty and eiffel tower statuettes on this mantel? I know I do. And then the addition of what looks like an Abraham Lincoln bust is fantastic. This mantel and its medallions is so traditional, especially coupled with the historic blue color, but the photograph above it and the slate surround give it that hit of modernity. What do you think? Are you a francophile? 

A Model of Good Taste

Ok. Sometimes I find myself behind the design 8 ball, and behind the latest and greatest. This year, I am allowed to blame it on my thesis. Am I the last person to know that the line of fabrics by Iman on Calico Corners it absolutely fabulous? The woman is gorgeous, and so is her taste in patterns and colors. Each fabric has an exotic flair ... not unlike Iman herself. 

This is Java Moon in Luna. Love it. The colors are fantastic, and I love the stripes that act as a background for an ikat-type print. $42.39/yard. 

Alexandria Scroll in Citrine. How fun is this? A little mod, a little traditional. The perfect blend. I'm thinking about it for the seat cushion of a faux bamboo cane back chair seen here. What do you think? $19.99/yard.  

Sultana Lattice in Luna. This looks almost exactly like Kelly Wearstler Imperial Trellis. And its $27.99 a yard. What a find. Can't go wrong with this fabric. I would love to do a footstool in this as an accent piece. 

Zahra Leaf in Radicchio. Again, somehow this fabric blends a mod with an exotic and a little bit of traditional. This fabric could look fantastically bold on a settee. It is a great alternative to zebra! $26.39/yard.

This is my absolute favorite. Alhambra Amour in Luna and in Mineral. I don't know why, but I just absolutely love this fabric. The luna color is fantastic, and the mineral is tres chic! I need to find somewhere to use it. Perhaps a chair? Perhaps upholstered walls? I love it! $23.19/yard! What do you think? 

Photos courtesy of Calico Corners.com

Best Bathroom

Good Morning Lacquered Lifers! Hope everyone had a nice weekend. Here in Philadelphia, I get all my shelter magazines delivered, whereas in NYC I used to buy them b/c they hit the newsstands early. Although I miss the instant gratification of buying my shelter magazines, I love the surprise when they show up at my door. Yesterday, the April issue of House Beautiful showed up ... and I am absolutely in love with the Bath of the Month. What do you think? 

As you already know, I love love love shiplap walls like these. I love the fixtures and the sinks from Urban Archeology. 

What I really like, is that they continued the ship lap on the tub surround. And how great is that shower head? It comes out from the wall and yet is still a rain shower head! 

Even the storage matches! 

And my favorite, little hidden storage spaces. The shelving is secretly hidden behind my beloved ship lap walls. Somehow this fabulous bathroom retains its 1920s roots while feeling extremely streamlined and modern. Let me know your thoughts! 

Photos courtesy of House Beautiful

Steppin' Out

Rainy and chilly here in Philadelphia today, and I find myself thinking summer. Which immediately gets me thinking about outdoor spaces and how to decorate them. I can't help but be completely taken in by Trina Turk's indoor/outdoor fabrics for Schumacher--outdoor space, Palm Springs style! 

Trellis Print - Pool

Santorini Print - Java

Super Paradise Print - Pool

Arches Print - Orange

Soleil LA Print - Aqua

Are you all ready to lounge by the pool? I know I am! Which is your favorite? 

Photos courtesy of schumacher.com

I'm Revived!

Hello everyone. Hope you all had a good weekend! I went off to Charleston on Thursday for a whirlwind trip and got back first thing this morning. Prowling through my back issues of Elle Decor for design ideas while I was there, I came across this article from last summer (July 2010 issue) about Dransfield and Ross' Georgian Revival in New Jersey. I have not included all the pictures below, only the ones that showcase the architecture of this 20th century gem. What I love most about this house is that the design connoisseurs decided to stay true to the house, and did not renovate the kitchen when they bought it. It looks fabulous, laminate countertops and all. 

I absolutely love the high ceilings, dentil moulding, and fluted corinthian pilasters in this room! I also love how they chose white for both the walls and all the detail work, it helps to tone it down. The stark contrast of the black fireplace is fantastic. This view through the living room gives you a sneak peak at the conservatory ... 

I gotta say, I love a house with a conservatory. The dark green paneling is so true to the period, and I love the awning details. 

This is one of my favorites. The study. The simple bolection moulding of the fireplace (sans mantel) is so chic, and soooo Georgian Revival. I also love how the moulding on the wall frames a perfect space for a portrait. 

Master bathroom under the eaves. 

This is the butler's pantry with views into the kitchen. See how the cabinetry goes straight to the floor? That is a true turn of the century butler's pantry. And the painted floor!

Again, I love this kitchen. Brass knobs on the drawers and cabinets are perfect, and most definitely original to the house. And a painted floor in a kitchen is a must!

Moving outside to the loggia, you can just envision time spent lounging here. It reminds me a bit of the outdoor space in Katherine Hepburn's house in The Philadelphia Story ... 

And finally, the piece de resistance, have you ever seen a chicer swimming pool and pool house? 

Photos courtesy of Elle Decor 

New, Old, Who Cares?

Designer Axel Vervoordt and his family were looking to buy a traditional, historic swiss chalet, high in the mountains. However, when they were looking there weren't any existing buildings available. So the family bought some land and decided to build a chalet in the traditional style. The outcome? Amazing.

Even though the building was built today, Vervoordt and family decided they wanted the building to have that historic quality that they had looked for. So, the house was built with salvaged materials. 

The house was built entirely by local craftsmen, and as the article said, "The entire structure has been handmade by local craftsmen, pegged not nailed, waxed not varnished." 

Even though its new, the house has the air of a home that has been in the mountains forever. Look at the width of the floorboards--fantastic. 

Traditional bunkbeds. 

I love the countertop and vanity in the bathroom. 

This shot really gives a sense of the simplicity of the space, and yet the craftsmanship involved in its building. 

This house appeals to me as a student of historic preservation. I know this house isn't old, but in building this house, the Vervoordts are keeping the traditional trades alive and being sustainable by reusing old materials. What's not to like? Kinda makes you want to start singing the sound of music, right? 

Photos courtesy of Vogue Living Nov/Dec 2010

Sicilian Inspiration.

All the colors, textures, shapes, designs ... a girl can get really inspired looking at these photos. Perhaps one day these pictures I took in Sicily will manifest themselves in a room somewhere ... preferably Italy.