How Do You Take Your Bookshelves?

I'm currently doing some work for a client whose dining room walls are lined with bookshelves. She wants to wallpaper the room, but she doesn't want the wallpaper to be too busy with all of the books in the shelves. In her dining room, the books are the main feature, however, in some rooms the books are simply a piece of the larger scheme. 

In some shelves the books are all vertical, in some shelves they are horizontal, and in others there is a mix. Some shelves hold only books, and some shelves hold books, decorative objets, and even lamps. Some are color coordinated, others are random. With so many ways to style a shelf, there are dozens of ways to decorate around them - how do you like your bookshelves? 

 Photos courtesy of House Beautiful, Elle Decor, Traditional Home

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

Serena and Lily, My New Best Friends

Sometimes certain brands really outshine themselves. Right now, for me, its Serena and Lily. I cannot get enough of them. I already own two of these Ronan Euro Shams, which are on the bed in NYC, but below are some things they currently have which I am most definitely lusting after. 

I don't know how and when a hamper became chic, but this Rope Bin is everything I have been looking for to house dirty clothes! 

This Chakki is so cool. It is antique with a modern edge. You can choose from a host of Serena and Lily fabrics to upholster it in - I love this gray, it would go so well in the master bedroom in Charleston. 

I want these amazing woven lanterns for my porch. I would put them on the floor, hang them from hooks off the side of the house, and set them on tables. These would provide the perfect ambiance for a gathering on the porch this summer. Also, they would be great as centerpieces on an outdoor table. 

I love the hammered look of this Fresco Beverage Bowl - or it could be that I just love the look of these chilled bottles of white wine. Either way - again, great for a summer party. Does it seem like I'm planning on doing a lot of entertaining this summer? 

The Navy Soleil Sling Chair. Outdoor fabric, easy to store, what else could you ask for. So cool, and has that british campaign look that I love. Seems like not only do I want to entertain, but that I want to entertain outside. (Probably because I'm sitting on the porch as we speak). 

Finally, probably my favorite thing, and the thing I am most likely to purchase, is this South Seas Side Cart. It is perfect for a mini bar in the study in Charleston - grasscloth walls, fiddle leaf fig, Quadrille Lysette reverse - I think this cart is meant to be in the mix. Cocktails Anyone? Please go check out Serena and Lily for all these wonderful pieces!  

Photos courtesy of Serena and Lily

Headed to Charleston!

Headed down to Charleston today! Was away from my new husband all weekend and he sent me this picture of my bedside table in Charleston saying he missed me. Being a newlywed is pretty great.
In the picture - sheets are Matouk headboard fabric is John Robshaw, bedside table is west elm, and lamp is stolen from my mother. More from Charleston tomorrow!

Summer in the Grass

Yesterday, I was in the land of the grass cloth. I love this wall covering. Its fantastic. Neutral and simple, but with texture. Every time WWB and I have had the opportunity to put up wallpaper, we have used grasscloth at least once. We absolutely love it - and in all different applications. All these are Phillip Jeffries, but Hinson and Kravet are also great sources. 

There are so many different types of grass cloth, and they even come in colors. 

See how different these rooms are? All with a variation on the same wall covering. This last room, featured in a 2009 issue of Elle Decor, is my absolute favorite, and I used this as the inspiration for our study in Charleston. Grasscloth with a dark grey/green trim - it looks great (in my opinion). Stay tuned for some pictures of Charleston next week! 

Photos courtesy of Phillip Jeffries, Elle Decor & House Beautiful