milk and honey

Before and After

2011-03-23T09:51:00.007-04:00

Remember the project that I started last summer???? The adorable Dutch Colonial that was a complete gut renovation?

Well it's complete (with a few small additions like light fixtures still on the way...). The house is so beautiful now, but it was definitely a journey getting there. I am hoping that now the house is done that my clients can enjoy this wonderful space and make it a home... and forget some of the trials they had to go through.

I wanted to share a few before and after... can you believe it?

Master Bath before:

Master Bath after:

Kitchen before:

Kitchen after:

Kitchen 2 before:

Kitchen 2 after:

Stay tuned for more photos... hopefully I can improve my camera skills!

Wide Stripe Bathrooms

2011-03-22T12:39:00.003-04:00

One of the things we didn't renovate when we did our own house was the master bath (now our son's bathroom). It had been redone in 1995 and while it was definitely not our taste, it was clean and fairly inoffensive. Fairly.

Recently we've been fixating on this bath, partially because we saw a great photo in this month's House Beautiful (Bee Cottage - Guest Wing Renovation). We happen to have that very bamboo shelf!

Like this bathroom, we have white square tile all around the room. Obviously it would be cheaper to keep it although I would love to get rid of it. This bathroom shows how cute it can be despite the tile...

This is a bathroom by Krista Ewart, a designer who is not afraid of color. I adore her style.

I've always loved these huge citron stripes (House Beautiful). Who could be cranky with a bathroom like this?

I'm having my trusty contractor Roger come by and let me know how much it will all cost... Cross your fingers!

My Old Life

2011-02-06T21:09:00.004-05:00

No, I'm not referring to my old, non-mom life. I'm talking about my old advertising life. When I was in my 20s in New York City, loved the liquid dinner, Hogs and Heifers, Walter Chin photoshoots and $400 shoes on a $25K salary. And working in advertising was as exhilarating as it looks on Mad Men - a career for the young of all-nighters (or all-weekers) fueled by crazy substances and a big printer.

When the economy turns sour, ad budgets are cut. Just like the details and jewelry and discretionary expenses are cut at home. But wow. I have seen some advertising recently that blows my mind and I just had to post about it... because it deserves a lot of attention.

Shockingly it's for Chrysler. And it's everything you don't expect from this brand - sexy, expensive, evocative.

Seriously, I might just have to buy a Chrysler.

Tonight I watched the latest ad, featuring Eminem. It's darker but equally dramatic. Wow. I miss that life - my old ad life, my New York life and that sexy richness that this drag of an economy has suffocated.

Thank you, Gotham, for bringing it back for a moment.

CB2 - Who Knew?

2011-01-16T17:43:00.004-05:00

I got a CB2 catalogue the other day and was flipping through it before throwing it in the recycling. But I saw these pendants - the Victory Pendant Lamp - and immediately tore out the photo. There are a few pieces at CB2 right now that have the industrial feel that I love... and at $149, who can resist?

I need to replace the blown glass Rustic Pendants that I got from Pottery Barn... because they're 20" wide and handblown, they don't hang straight and it drives me crazy. I love their look, but they just don't function.

So these might be just the thing... and at this price, who can resist?

What a Summer House means to me

2010-08-15T13:18:00.012-04:00

I grew up spending summers on Lake Charlevoix in Michigan. I loved everything about being there - catching tadpoles, reading bedraggled Archie comic books, riding bikes to the Dairy Queen. I and a gaggle of cousins (and siblings of course) were so carefree, and without a television, we entertained each other.

That house inspired my design aesthetic. The feeling of summer - casual, comfortable, safe and breezy. Unfortunately we don't go out to Michigan that much anymore. It's an expensive trip by plane, and a lengthy one by car with a 3 year old who hates traveling. Oh that it were closer...

This is the coveted bedroom in Charlevoix... chenille bedspreads and diamond panes. One of my favorite dealers at Brimfield is a great source for pairs of bedspreads.

And of course beadboard everywhere. The ceiling, the walls... in Charlevoix it's just varnished and everything is warm and cozy. Even in the summer we light the fire in this gorgeous fieldstone fireplace and wait for the cuckoo clock to chirp and let us know it's time to do... anything.

This summer we spent 3 weeks in Little Compton, Rhode Island with my in-laws in two different houses. It has a similar feel to that spot in Michigan - big, shingled houses with comfortable wicker and beadboard. And a huge plus - the breathtaking ocean and its salty, sticky breeze. I wish I could live here all year. We stayed in two different houses this year... the one above on Warren's Point and the one below at Round Pond. While the Warren's Point house was gorgeous from the outside and had a beautiful view of the ocean, this sweet Round Pond cottage was at the end of a private lane and was lovingly decorated with all things summer.

So what did I love about the house here?

The driftwood framed nautical map... the Little Compton trophy and sweet vintage wooden boats.

The gorgeous teal painted floors and tongue and groove paneled walls...

Open shelving for ironstone, old and new...

A collection of heart-shaped rocks...

The antique decoupaged dresser and ubiquitous fans (although the ocean breeze means we didn't need them much)...

If you're interested in renting a house in Little Compton, ask for Lisa at Little Compton Real Estate - she's amazing. And hopefully we'll be back next summer for longer!

New Project

2010-08-13T17:04:00.007-04:00

I've been so busy with my latest project that I haven't been posting. Not that I was posting much even before that... but I love to be busy and there it is. However I would like to share this home with you and the owners, L and B, have graciously agreed to let me document this gut renovation.

I feel very fortunate that my own architect, Jeff Yates, recommended me for this project. He is the rare architect (and I come from a family of them so I know...) who is completely devoid of a strong ego. He is not only a wonderful designer, with a lovely, flowing sense of space, but he's open to ideas. Anyway, he saw my passion for this work on my own house, my experience from Pottery Barn... and voila! A new chapter in my design career.

This house is a total gut renovation. It's a charming, cottage-y Dutch Colonial with a gambrel roof that was built in the 1920s here in Concord, Massachusetts. Unfortunately, previous owners had a few too many wine coolers in the 80s and built this entryway and family room on the back.

Need I say more?

Stay tuned for gorgeous inspiration photos... even though the house isn't huge we're touching almost every room. Five bathrooms, kitchen, entryways, dining room... it's going to be amazing! We're almost done with demo and framing, so we're kicking into high gear.

And stay tuned for an update to my website... a new career is an excuse for a new look!

Friday Finds

2010-07-23T13:54:00.008-04:00

How did this whole week race by? I have so many exciting things to post on my new project... and the days went by in a blur.

However, I am committed to my new Friday Finds. It seems they were popular last week - things got snatched up quickly! So here we go...

I'm loving this pair of chairs. Recovered in navy with white piping? $100

This very sweet antique couch is a delicious shade of bubblegum. Perfect for a bedroom or child's room: $575

This charming pair of wingbacks screams for adorable box pleat skirts. Or cover them in leather and nailheads - very Ralph: $50 (oh yes, that's for TWO).

OK, this couch looks scary. But it's fabulous, and read the description. Antique wicker with the original spring cushion. That means sturdy and comfortable - recover with some Beth Rawlinson fabric and you're done: $125

Love Rachel Ashwell furniture (and I'm not talking about Target pieces)? I do... but they're expensive. This table is available (from Wellesley, natch) and it's perfect for the kitchen, or put in a corner of the library and pile on the books: $800 (originally $1600)

Lastly, this bed is gorgeous. Really gorgeous. It's at an Ebay auction drop, so maybe you can negotiate the price. But it's worth it, especially if you're tired of PBK and Land of Nod for children's beds. $600

Let me know what you pick up!

Friday Finds

2010-07-16T17:27:00.005-04:00

I'm starting a new post for Fridays... I am always trolling Ebay, Etsy and Craig's List for vintage finds. Most require a bit of work, but the bones are amazing. This week I bought two AMAZING antique wooden signs and will post those next week. But I thought I'd start posting things that are wonderful that I don't have a use for currently - snatch them up before they're gone!

These adorable painted spool beds would be perfect for children's rooms, either together or separate: $200

I love this farm table. Perfect refinished as a kitchen table, or paint it and use it as a desk. And for $75, you can afford to put in some elbow grease.

Finally, some lucky soul will snatch up these Michele de Lucchi pendants. Normally they're $520 each at Unica Home. You can buy 3 and suspend them over your kitchen island for $500!

Let me know if you snatch any of these goodies up!

Happy Birthday to me

2010-07-15T10:47:00.002-04:00

Photo: Lisa Rigby, Flickr

I remember reading this around New Year's this year. It's by Henry Ward Beecher:

Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page. Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past.

I love this quote. And on today, my birthday, I would replace January with the 15th of July. Those of you who know me well know that this has been a sad, bumpy year personally. However out of that sadness many wonderful things have happened - new, closer friendships, a stronger marriage, greater compassion and sensitivity towards others, openness to new opportunities and the shedding of any negative in my life. Now that a full year has passed I feel like I can start over.

On that note, I am parlaying my love of design and renovation into a revitalized career path. Today I officially started a new house renovation. Stay tuned... it's a new year, and a new me. I feel very blessed.

Porcelain Farmstand

2010-07-14T09:18:00.006-04:00

I love ironstone - practical, durable and yet beautiful in its simplicity. Originally designed by the British for rural America its starkness is extremely modern and nostalgic at the same time.

Recently I have noticed a trend that is a new twist on that combination. White porcelain farmstand accessories are everywhere, and I for one just love them.

Roost has lovely farmer's market baskets in 3 different sizes - strawberry, raspberry and plum - available at Velocity Art & Design.

There are two artists on my beloved Etsy who are creating porcelain mason jar and milk bottle pieces.

Alyssa Etinger's refined pieces define high/low. I of course love the milk bottle that says Concord Dairy. She also has a new French mason jar - a larger size than her milk bottles and perfect as a vase for summer wildflowers.

Pigeon Toe Ceramics also showcases porcelain mason jars, and they're gorgeous lit as votives (as above).

What do you think of this trend? I'd love some of these for a birthday present... hint hint!

Henn House

2010-05-24T14:33:00.005-04:00

One of my favorite resources in Massachusetts is now an online auction... I'm not sure why I'm sharing this because I want most things listed! It's a great mix of shabby, nautical, beachy, sporty...

I'm really loving these lights - perfect for a kitchen and not the same old, same old.

But in the interest of sharing (which I try to impress upon my 3 year old is a good skill), go and visit their site!

Henn-House
http://www.henn-house.net/

Can Leather be Country?

2010-04-30T19:01:00.010-04:00

While I have always loved comfortable, slightly shabby decor, I am more in love with it because I have a toddler. He crashes and bashes into everything, often with a baseball bat or tinker toys. Sometimes he just everything on a surface onto the floor. Charming. But hey, what's a little more weathering?

We lived in San Francisco when we got our leather couch. We had a beautiful library room that we painted dark red and showed our collection of antique bamboo furniture. I appreciate leather all the more now because our son loves to take a purple marker to things, or dump his sippy cup full of juice. Leather is eminently durable, wipeable - you get the picture.

But our house here is so light... it has very few walls on the first floor and every room works together to be light and bright. The leather couch, at home in our "library" (aka TV room) looks dark. The antique oriental rug looks dreary. So I got to thinking... can leather be part of a country farmhouse?

I have scoured magazines and websites and have come up with a collection of images that say "yes you can!" By combining leather with light counterpoints, the leather adds warmth much like a hardwood floor.

It seems the most popular route is with leather armchairs... a pair nestled close to a light-colored couch and resting on a light colored rug. And some vibrant, country-style throw pillows.

But I have a couch... and so does this homeowner. I like the combination of the leather couch with the industrial coffee table. The white rug and light throw pillows, combined with the fresh green of her topiaries lifts the look up from dark to cozy.

And if the doyenne of Shabby Chic, Rachel Ashwell, can figure it out... well there it is. I am not a huge fan of this couch - it seems overwrought - but I love her idea of upholstering the seat cushions in a different fabric.

So what do you think? Can I use leather and still get the look?

I ♡ Pottery Barn

2010-01-07T14:57:00.009-05:00

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I co-owned a clothing manufacturing business for 7 years, that was started from nothing. It taught me EVERYTHING I know about running a company, financial management, marketing on a shoestring... When I decided to do something different I did not want to work for a big company. The best part of being an entrepreneur is the freedom. No one to say when you have to show up for work. No one telling you how to do things. There are many downsides to running your own business, but these aspects are a HUGE upside.

My husband - an attorney - told me that it would behoove me to work for a big company. Just to show that I could "play in the sandbox" with others. No one would ever question my credentials if I had the approval of a big company. I was randomly offered a freelance project with the President of Pottery Barn Kids. The turnaround was really fast, and the project was intense. But after owning your own business, this was like a vacation. She and I hit it off... and immediately she wanted me to come on board (thanks, Sandra).

About two months later I started working for Pottery Barn Kids in Visual Merchandising. My department did everything visual for our stores - photoshoots, store display, store marketing, gift registry, promotions, store architecture, signage, etc. I had a big, wonderful team who worked really hard for me and the aforementioned Sandra put a lot of trust in me.

My husband was offered an amazing career in Boston; we moved when our son was 6 months old for this opportunity and to be near our family. I freelance, both as a graphic designer and an interior designer, utilizing the skills that were honed from these last two jobs. People are always so interested to hear about working for such a well-branded company as Pottery Barn.

Even though I was only there for a third of the time that I had my business, the brand name of Pottery Barn outweighs all of that experience. I have to thank my husband for that one.

You might think that products from big box retailers are not as special as those found in your Design Center. But this isn't necessarily true. The product designers at PBK were unbelievable - go Allison - and many of the crafters were ex-Martha Stewart employees. Even though what you BUY may be made in China, I can assure you that its inspiration was from an antique, or a furniture artisan's design, or a dedicated crafter. And then sent to China so that you could afford it - or find it.

Today as I work in interior design, I still look to Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Williams Sonoma Home. Because I know intrinsically that those products were created by an incredibly talented (although underpaid) group.

Which brings me to the point of this post. Don't be afraid to tell your interior designer that you like Pottery Barn. Or Restoration Hardware. Or any of the catalogs that are selling you a wonderfully comfortable lifestyle. So it's not custom and doesn't cost $10K. Good for you - you just saved $7K on that couch. And for those of us with small children who inevitably decide that cream cheese and jelly looks much better smeared all over white matelasse... the Pottery Barn version is even better.

Your interior designer can sign up for the trade discount offered by many catalogs, and then purchase products for you (so email if you need something). I myself am partial to the following: Sundance Catalog, Serena and Lily, Restoration Hardware, Dash and Albert, Velocity Art & Design and of course, Pottery Barn.

Don't be afraid to love them too.

Sandra is now the President of Pottery Barn, so the above images are under her direction. I think she's doing an amazing job, don't you?

Rhode Island Antiques Mall - Part Deux

2009-12-08T12:42:00.005-05:00

I recently went back to RI Antiques Mall and it's still fabulous. In fact there are some new vendors with industrial pieces that I just loved. I was just emailed by the owner of the booth shown above and below, which I featured before. Gary Briggs has an amazing selection of camp pieces - signs, camp blankets, twig furniture. If you'd like to see his style in action, be sure to check out this article that features photos of his home.

I loved this store display cabinet. And it was cheap - $1195 - with beautiful hardware and gorgeous wavy glass.

I am always on the lookout for beautiful Jenny Lind/spindle beds.

Well spindle anything actually... I like the marriage of organic, turned shapes with simple furniture. This piece would be a great desk or hall table.

My newest favorite vendor on the 1st floor. No idea who it is, but a fabulous selection of industrial pieces. Stay tuned for photos of what I bought in this booth.

I also loved these pieces - a large wooden propeller, an industrial-chic drafting table (enormous, but could be used as a kitchen island) and this workbench chair. I love these chairs because they can be adjusted up or down and have a back. For children, this is a great sturdy stool...

Stay tuned for my posts on Portland, Maine!

Sundance - Ribbons and Baker's Twine

2009-11-28T13:20:00.007-05:00

I know I haven't posted in a loooooooong time. But I have to tell you about the fabulous ribbons and baker's twine currently available at the Sundance Catalog.

I ordered all 3 sets - the baker's twine (3 spools, 54 yards each - $18), the velvet ribbon (5 spools, 10 yards each - $28) and the vintage grosgrain ribbon (5 spools, 10 yards each - $28). They come on weathered wooden spools and are much more high quality than anything you're going to find in a craft store. I love them displayed too, as shown in the bowl photo above.

I just received a coupon from Sundance, enter code FF2009 at checkout for 20% off (ends Monday, November 30 so don't delay)!

They look great with simple brown Kraft paper, available at Paper Mart.

I am obsessed with the baker's twine... for more color options Whisker Graphics has just introduced Divine Twine. It's a steal at $15 for 240 yards.

Love the yellow and white for baby gifts!

P.S. I am distracted

2009-03-29T13:36:00.006-04:00

Just a quick P.S. post... I am fairly preoccupied these days with my garden and the impending arrival of my chicks. I am not sure when I became chicken-obsessed, but I think it was when I used this Victoria Pearson photo while working on the Sunset magazine redesign...

We have been in coop building mode, which involves rebuilding our original 1920s shed, and then building a new structure off of that. Of course we needed to bobcat the property and remove all the crap. One can of worms opens another.

I am very grateful to Terry Golson, a neighbor and chicken aficionado, who inspired me with her Farmstead Egg Cookbook.

In case you want to know more about my chicken adventures, please check out the Monument Street Coop!

I love House Beautiful

2009-03-29T13:24:00.005-04:00

Now that Domino has been retired (still so sad), I eagerly await my only non-Martha Stewart decorating subscription, House Beautiful. Sometimes there are vestiges of stodginess, but I am frequently surprised by how comfortable the designs are.

I particularly loved a house designed by Tom Scheerer in this month's article, Cozy is a Mix.

I love how the architecture of this rug pulls the whole room together and invites conversation.

The combination of coral and blue is so inspired! I am going to add some blue elements to my guest room's bright orange antique Jenny Lind bed. Woodard Weave rug as mentioned in one of my earlier posts...

Photos by Francesco Lagnese

Obviously the home's bones are beautiful, but the designer has respectfully designed to enhance them. Love the rug, love the beds, love the mismatched pillows. It's decorated, but it looks like a family actually LIVES here. I give House Beautiful a lot of props for showing this kind of livable decor. Go go go!

Antique Therapy

2009-03-22T12:25:00.007-04:00

There is a multi-dealer shop in Concord called North Bridge Antiques. Compared to some of my go-to resources in town (Thoreauly Antiques, Nesting on Main), this shop was rather sad. However one bright spot was there - Antique Therapy. Unfortunately I went into the shop the other day and this dealer was gone!

I was thrilled to find out that Keri has relocated (good for her, because the rest of North Bridge was bringing her down) to Oh My Gosh Antiques at The Cider Mill, in Sterling. She has a great eye and I hope you'll visit her new shop. You can check out her website for updated inventory at
Antiquetherapy.com too!

Good luck Keri! I look forward to seeing you at your new location!

Antique Heaven - What Antiquing Used to Be

2009-03-09T15:57:00.042-04:00

On President's Day weekend (I know, I'm a little slow on the draw), my parents generously agreed to babysit and Tim and I escaped to the antiquing mecca of York, Maine. Rather it started out as a trip to York, and morphed into an adventure up Route 1 that included Ogunquit, Wells and Kennebunkport.

This trip is what antiquing used to be before the days of Ebay. Mind you, I've found plenty of fabulous things on Ebay, but the thrill of the hunt (and the tactile experience of course) is not the same as visiting a new discovery or an old haunt. But I digress.

We drove up to Maine with our trusty GPS and absolutely no plan (unlike us). Our first stop at Bob Withington Antiques (611 Route 1, York) was a mecca. I wanted everything - but the large pieces weren't what I needed unfortunately. Still, the gorgeous mix of traditional antiques with industrial with primitive was exactly what I was looking for.

I loved this zinc top table (I believe around $900)... nowhere to put it now that we have an island. The set of red-topped stools would be adorable outdoors.

I adore tramp art, and loved the juxtaposition of this chest with the industrial factory lights. On the right, the spindle day bed ($475) was in perfect condition and priced right. Love the nautical lanterns too!

I LOVED this Amelia Earhart (or whomever it was), the needlepoint stool and the pair of industrial swivel chairs. And look at this gorgeous slate top table. Reminds me of Ken Fulk's table featured in House Beautiful.

A fabulous discovery at Withington? A MAP that edits out the hundreds of shops along this stretch of Route 1 to the more edited, upscale dealers who truly specialize in the sale of quality antiques. I haven't been able to find this map anywhere online, so I am happy to share it (make sure you click on the images to enlarge!!!!).

The map is a great guide, but be forewarned that there are no addresses (thus the reason I've added them), and the map is not to scale so it's difficult to judge the distances between each destination. I would recommend printing out directions between your selections or using a GPS.

Our next stop was the York Antiques Gallery (746 Route 1, York) which is a multi-dealer store housed in a barn. For a multi-dealer space, this place had consistently high quality items, but prices on the high side. Particularly in comparison with Withington, which had just a lovely selection at extraordinarily fair prices. However it still had wonderful pieces and is definitely worth a visit.

One of my favorite finds was this pair of armchairs with carved dog heads. They were too fabulous, but at $900/each and then the cost of upholstery, a little much considering I had nowhere to put them. But they are so fun and were very comfortable. I also loved this painted Gustavian table. Perfect as a desk or in our bedroom. Again, too deep for any of my spaces but so pretty.

I'm always on the lookout for trade signs or signs with interesting fonts. It's my graphic design background I suppose. I loved this wood 1882 sign (if our house hadn't been built in 1881 or 1878, take your pick). In Rhode Island they call the wooden folding table at right a "clambake table" but I believe this one had the moniker "harvest table." I also loved the antique croquet set. Fun to display on a wall or a sideboard.

A beautiful partner desk with a lovingly cared for leather top. The dealer at right had a wonderful work table and a collection of painted trade signs. I also loved the child's Adirondack chair.

A vintage school map, probably from the 1950s with the "middle Congo" still there. Perfect for a child's room or playroom. And this very sweet folk art for the Bi-Centennial. Living in Concord, it was hard to resist!

Our next stop was R. Jorgensen Antiques (502 Post Rd. U.S. Rte 1, Wells). I'll warn you, this shop is not for those with lean wallets. But what an incredible selection of fine European antiques. You can browse many of their pieces online, but it's a pleasure to wander through both the house and barn and dream of this exquisite furniture that will be the anchors of your design.

Two of my favorite pieces? First, this English Girandole Mirror. I have seen these Regency mirrors before, but in this piece the eagle is holding chains in its beak (which have balls connected to them). It's truly fabulous for someone with a Federal-style home. My other favorite piece was this blue painted cupboard. He had a tremendous selection of beautiful stepbacks, but this one with the original blue paint and decorative lattice was special.

Our last stop? Wells Union Antiques (1755 Post Road, Rte 1, Wells). This is also a multi-dealer collection of 9 shops. Unfortunately most of them were closed in the dead of winter. However the two we visited had a selection that really mirrored my style - antique wicker and garden furniture, slate-top sideboards and edited industrial pieces.

I loved this laboratory/chem lab cabinet fitted with slate top (not to mention the collection of tin boxes displayed on top). It was about 7 inches too long for my sideboard needs, very very sadly.

And a shot of the whole shop (note the diamond painted floors)... go for the wicker! I can't fit any more in my house.

We also visited MacDougall-Gionet Antiques, but it was disappointing after Withington and R. Jorensen and housed deceptively in a drool-worthy antique barn. And we drove all the way up to Antiques on Nine (a summery, coastal drive even in the middle of winter), but it was closed. We were lucky that so many of the dealers were open and I'd suggest a call if you're planning a trip!

Scratch that. Calling ruins the adventure, and you can tell I love one. Happy antiquing!

Cambridge Antique Market - Don't Bother

2009-02-24T18:41:00.000-05:00

Yelp LOVES the Cambridge Antique Market. On the advice of 22 reviewers, I made the journey to check it out (unfortunately through rush hour traffic).

I am not sure what to write. This place is a disaster, and certainly calling it an "antique market" is marginal at best. It is not even a flea market, but rather a repository for anything missing a spare leg that is dirty enough to be called vintage.

OK, that's a little harsh, but don't waste your gas (it's almost embarrassing that I'm actually writing about this place).

For those who happen to be at the Museum of Science and feel an uncontrollable urge to look at antiques, there are two bright spots. Dealer 44 and Dealer 220. These dealers have edited their collections beautifully and fortunately have some experience in merchandising. Everything they have looks expensive and interesting.

Dealer 44, Booth 1:

Dealer 220; Dealer 44, Booth 2:

Not interesting enough to buy. But interesting.

I love antiques - Rhode Island Antiques Mall

2009-02-22T13:19:00.010-05:00

I thought I would start sharing some of my favorite (and not-so-favorite) antique destinations. I have just remembered to bring my camera on these excursions, otherwise I would have been posting about this earlier. Antiquing tops my list of favorite things to do, but with an extremely active toddler who loves to "bang" there haven't been many antique trips recently.

This post I am going to share one of my favorite consignment stores, the Rhode Island Antiques Mall, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island (right over the border from Massachusetts). Some people find consignment stores terrifying, but I love them. They have many different dealers and you just have to paw through the various booths. My motto with these is "you never know."

This place got a bad rap for a while by true antiques aficionados because it had so much mid-century stuff. However I think it has a great selection of dealers and I have always been successful there.

Here is a shot of one of my favorite dealer's booths. He has a varied and ever-changing selection of vintage painted trade signs, and unlike many consignment dealers, really merchandises his pieces in groups. Today he had a sweet set of vintage wooden sailboats, as well as some of my favorite (but awfully pricey) antique metal spades in yellow. He's on the lower level...

I spotted this fabulous coffee table that was $275, a fair price since it's really challenging to find antique coffee tables. FYI, most of them are old farm tables whose legs have been cut down. I believe I persuaded a very cute couple to buy this one, so you'll probably have missed it!

A charming black painted desk for $80, and a vintage school chalkboard for $70 (not to mention the very cool galvanized bucket... perfect for keeping brooms and cleaning supplies, tennis rackets and hockey sticks... whatever!

This Swedish bench is priced RIGHT at $950. Usually I see them hovering around $3000. This one had new supports on the inside to stabilize it, but other than that was in great condition. Bench lifts up for storage. The sweet marble bust at right, for $185, has been speaking to me for the past couple of visits. Interestingly the head is a separate piece of marble, carefully inserted into the base of a slightly different shade. I think she is so cute, with her little side bow. Perfect for a library shelf.

Go and visit and let me know what you find!

Valentine's Day

2009-02-12T18:57:00.005-05:00

I received this very sweet and farm-inspired image in an email blast from Serena and Lily, my favorite children's bedding and furniture collection. I hope you all have a happy Valentine's Day.

Also, if you love their sweet bedding (they even have grown-up items too!) and need some economic incentive, they're having a 25% off sale this weekend. Just enter the code LOVEIT when you check out!

Domino is Dead

2009-01-28T15:09:00.003-05:00

Everyone keeps musing "is this the bottom?"

The other day my husband told me that those financial managers who are usually the most conservative, tell their clients to weather the storm, etc. etc. have told their clients to bail on the market. Supposedly THIS is the sign that we have reached our economy's bottom.

Well that may be, but I'll tell you what has proved it to me. Domino Magazine is shutting its doors. I cannot believe it. Here is the news.

The home design world is now just a snoozefest, with Elle Decor and Traditional Home leading the way (in my opinion). Thank goodness for Donna Hay and Living Etc.

Rian Rae

2009-01-26T16:05:00.007-05:00

I mentioned this lovely resource the other day, but wanted to make an official introduction to the online boutique Rian Rae. The owner, Jeni Crawford, has a sensitive eye for tactile, organic and eclectic pieces - she's like a Bailey's Home and Garden, stateside.

She's one of the few stockists of the glorious line Cote Bastide. Just look at this delicious Meridienne Chaise...

Aren't these accessories lovely? I love that everything Jeni chooses has a patina. Shown are carved wings and the wonderful metal crown. Perfect for your cocktail table.

I appreciate that she really edits collections and just offers you the best. She is a particularly great resource for items by Roost, which is loathe to sell to interior designers it seems (or maybe it's just me when they found out I used to work for Pottery Barn).

This fabulous hanging pendant would look terrific in a modern kitchen or foyer.

And I've had my eye on this stag head for ages... Jeni has it whitewashed by a craftsman. It's gorgeous.

Jeni works with designers so take note!

Biggest Rip-Off on the Web

2009-01-25T12:24:00.015-05:00

I LOVE antiquing. I love it so so so so much. So I was thrilled when I got an email from 1stdibs.com announcing their Saturday Sales, "join us... as we re-imagine the tradition of weekend yard and barn sales."

Now 1stdibs is the BIGGEST rip-off going. Seriously. I think that the dealers are actually delusional. There are some nice pieces, but I honestly think the dealers are egging each other on, putting a price on something to see if some idiot will actually buy it. And I am a well traveled antiques aficionado, toted around since infancy with a mother who poked in them all, all over the country and beyond, so I feel confident in knowing what is a fair price. If something is fabulous, unique, beautiful quality, it deserves a high price. However many of these dealers are actually offering new pieces as antiques, so buyer beware!

My favorite culprit of this is Liza Sherman Antiques. Now Ms. Sherman has a lovely eye and cleverly merchandises her shop. Clearly she is very impressed with "the power of the object trouvé..." and herself, for that matter, if she thinks an object trouvé is found at a Merchandise Mart.

Take her Belgian Bricklayer Table, for instance, supposedly from the 1950s and without a price (read: expensive). ANY designer knows this is courtesy of one of my favorite dealers, Bobo Intriguing Objects.

Or any of the pieces she has selected from Sausalito-based company, Roost. You can buy one of these delightful crocheted lamps from Ms. Sherman for $1200, or you can patronize one of my favorite vendors, Rian Rae (one of the nicest, most accommodating dealers you'll ever meet), for $224.

Many of her pieces are from another craftsman and industrial design maven, Jason Wein of Cleveland Art. The lighting she showcases is cleverly masked as vintage/antique by saying that it is "20th c" and the condition is "good." These are hand-blown, organic, tactile and beautiful light fixtures. There is no "good" to the condition - they're brand new.

I met these guys this summer at Brimfield and they are a) talented and b) super nice. Take a look at their inventory - their pricing is also reasonable for the well-edited selection. Love the rolling cart as a coffee table, and the oak display cabinet for my ironstone.

And don't forget one of these for laundry...

For those east coasters, ask if they'll drive out your piece to Brimfield and you can pick it up there with a truck. Save a LOT on shipping and get a bunch of things...

Now in fairness to Lady Liza, she DOES have some fun things. Their prices are just outrageous. But take her ideas and start scouting on Ebay. Like this graphic display of vintage sand shovels, selling for only $2650...

Head to a REAL flea market - and save yourself about $2500.

Our House

2008-12-12T14:03:00.007-05:00

Well it's been a while... we finally moved in and then were caught in a flurry of boxes and Thanksgiving turkey and hanging picture frames.

But I wanted to share some of our photos... first of the dining table, which is shockingly perfect and amazing. I know the photos won't do it justice, but the design is perfect, the finish is gorgeous and the price was very fair. I love the industrial chairs (Tolix, via the Sundance catalogue).

And I adore the hanging lamps too, although they need some adjustment to get them to hang straight. I bought some blown glass lamps from Pottery Barn and had the chains removed and replaced with vintage nylon cord in a lime green (hard to see).

Here is one shot of my gorgeous kitchen with its vintage French pendants from RT Facts and it's butter-thick (as in 2 inches +) white marble.

The view from my sink (do you like the old swim baskets???)... I need a cushion obviously.

Our foyer with its too-small table (alas everything from our house in San Francisco is too small). But I love the prints from my great grandmother's book, News from Notown.

The dog also loves the new house... do you like the vintage Thonet children's chairs?

Farm Table

2008-10-23T14:14:00.010-04:00

Obviously you already know that I love this dining room.

But I don't love a trestle table. To me it just screams "new" and to that end looks a little cheap (sorry). However it seems to be the standard design for a farm table these days.

Or you can go more contemporary with a chunkier leg, like the Sundance Longmont table (top) or the Crate and Barrel Big Sur table (bottom). They're about the same price.

So what am I doing? Having the table custom-made of course, by one of my favorite dealers from Brimfield. The dealer, Country Squire Antiques, is in Seekonk, MA (although supposedly relocating their workshop to Fall River) and had an amazing selection of 19th century furniture when I first met them. Bob, the owner, showed me many photos of his custom work and I felt confident he could make something for me.

So I pulled out some photos that I had seen of an Italian farmhouse table sold at auction and sent them to Bob... if you look carefully, it looks like the table is one half of a pair (note the notched side on the right). Probably it was an old refectory table.

I also sent him a photo of the finish I was looking for - a weathered, well-loved reclaimed pine.

The table is supposed to be finished by the end of the month... stay tuned!

Bad Day

2008-10-15T21:13:00.002-04:00

I had a rough day today. But I thought about my Dad's dahlia garden and that made me happy. Aren't they beautiful?

How to Manufactum

2008-10-14T14:33:00.015-04:00

Have you heard of the German catalogue Manufactum? I used to receive it at Pottery Barn. It was a J. Peterman meets Ace Hardware newsprint catalogue that belied the treasures they actually sell. You can look at all of their quirky collection online - they have fabulous industrial lighting, garden tools and home goods with a vintage feel.

After relocating I didn't carry my subscription with me, so I rediscovered Manufactum when reading Domino's Renovator Diary. Here Brooke Williams shows off her Bolich outdoor light fixture.

I raced over to the site to see if they might have some farmhouse-worthy lighting. To my delight they carried several items from Ceramiche Fabbro, a ceramics company in Italy. I immediately ordered 3 sconces and 3 flush-mount ceiling fixtures. I was ready to order AND deal with the exchange rate (remember this is Germany). How hard could it be?

For the mudroom and bedrooms...

Problem #1: Manufactum does not take a credit card from the US because of "security" reasons. You are mailed a pro forma invoice (which takes about 1-2 weeks). You then have 2 weeks to wire (yes, you read right WIRE) the funds to their bank, which leads to...

Problem #2: All the wiring instructions are in German. This is not so easy to maneuver because there are different codes for European banks than American banks. Fortunately my Bank of America had an Italian (as in from Italy) banker who could read German and understood European banking.

As an aside, I missed my 2 week window I believe 3 different times. I just couldn't face the whole sitting in a bank for an hour experience. And then I wired about $967 into the abyss. Which reminds me of...

Problem #3: If you don't receive the products, they aren't on a credit card so you can't stop the carge. Or if you don't like the products, you have a small window to return them, and shipping back to Germany is no small feat.

Fortunately, we were dealing with the Germans and it was all very efficient. After 2 weeks I called Manufactum and a lovely English-speaking customer service agent looked up my order and informed me that it had shipped. One week later my 6 lights arrived, packed pristenely and as gorgeous as they are on the website!

For the master bath...

The biggest bonus of all???? I did not have to rewire them for American electrical standards. I took them to a lamp shop, but they were ready to go. I had thought they would all need to be rewired! What a thrill!

So consider this Manufactum 101. If you can wade through the paperwork, their products are unique, affordable and really high quality - and likely no one on your street has 'em.

Wolfman Gold and Good

2008-10-13T22:01:00.019-04:00

Fall makes me think of New York and the years I spent there post-college working in advertising, living in the Village. My last job in NYC was at a fashion agency in Soho - such an inspiring, pulsating place to be.

I still mourn the closing of the best-ever interiors store (in NYC, natch), Wolfman-Gold and Good which was on Mercer Street. The store closed in 1999 when Peri Wolfman, one of the founders (her husband Charles Good started it with her) was lured away by Williams Sonoma to create their tabletop collection. Sigh. I know the lure of WS, that's for sure.

Wolfman-Gold and Good was in a soaring space with glowing wide-plank floors, industrial lighting and piles of delicious, gleaming ironstone. Before Martha and Ralph did ironstone.

I found a few interior photos (they really don't do the store justice, you just don't get the sense of vast space... but who had a digital camera in 1995?), courtesy of one of their store display companies, Archatrive.

I bought my first white sofa there, a slipcovered delight from Mitchell Gold. It was truly an amazing retail space with a carefully selected collection of special, beautiful merchandise. I only wish that I could pop in there for ideas, inspiration and shopping now that I own my own house.

In searching for some photos of the store, I found the amazing photos of Peri Wolfman and Charles Gold's country house, in Bridgehampton, and one of their apartment in New York. You can see why I dream of their store...

Famous for their ironstone... don't miss the copper collection up top!

Here's to New York in the fall... and to those of you who miss Wolfman-Gold and Good as much as I do.

I love the Barefoot Contessa

2008-10-12T21:01:00.034-04:00

Today is all about fall... we went down to Rhode Island and helped my dad gather apples from his trees. The leaves are changing, the air is crisp - I was inspired to make an apple pie. Of course I had to try the Barefoot Contessa's recipe, as I am on the hunt to find a recipe of hers that doesn't work (incidentally I haven't found one yet, and I have all of her cookbooks).

Which leads me to this - I really really love Ina Garten. I want to meet her. She just seems like a warm, genuine, REAL person. She dedicates all her books to her husband. She loves her friends, good food and a welcoming home (that shingle style farmhouse... take me now).

House Beautiful recently asked.... what makes Ina Garten comfortable? She listed:

1. Cashmere blankets and Loro Piana slippers everywhere.
2. Great dance music when I'm cooking.
3. Flower arrangements from the garden.
4. Mariage Frères tea with homemade cookies.
5. Surrounding myself with people who make me happy.

I mean, who says things like #5????
I suppose we all should, more often. This is why she is so fabulous.

Here is the recipe for her Deep Dish Apple Pie, via the Food Network:

Ingredients4 pounds Granny Smith apples, peeled, quartered, and cored
1 lemon, zested
1 orange, zested
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
1/2 cup sugar, plus 1 teaspoon to sprinkle on top
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
Perfect Pie Crust, recipe follows
1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash

Directions
Cut each apple quarter in thirds crosswise and combine in a bowl with the zests, juices, 1/2 cup sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.

Roll out half the pie dough and drape it over a 9- or 10-inch pie pan to extend about 1/2-inch over the rim. Don't stretch the dough; if it's too small, just put it back on the board and re-roll it.

Fill the pie with the apple mixture. Brush the edge of the bottom pie crust with the egg wash so the top crust will adhere. Top with the second crust and trim the edges to about 1-inch over the rim. Tuck the edge of the top crust under the edge of the bottom crust and crimp the 2 together with your fingers or a fork. Brush the entire top crust with the egg wash, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sugar, and cut 4 or 5 slits.

Place the pie on a sheet pan and bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, or until the crust is browned and the juices begin to bubble out. Serve warm. 

Perfect Pie Crust
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) very cold unsalted butter 
3 cups all-purpose flour 
1 teaspoon kosher salt 
1 tablespoon sugar 
1/3 cup very cold vegetable shortening 
6 to 8 tablespoons (about 1/2 cup) ice water  
 Dice the butter and return it to the refrigerator while you prepare the flour mixture. Place the flour, salt, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse a few times to mix. Add the butter and shortening. Pulse 8 to 12 times, until the butter is the size of peas. With the machine running, pour the ice water down the feed tube and pulse the machine until the dough begins to form a ball. Dump out on a floured board and roll into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. 

Cut the dough in half. Roll each piece on a well-floured board into a circle, rolling from the center to the edge, turning and flouring the dough to make sure it doesn't stick to the board. Fold the dough in half, place in a pie pan, and unfold to fit the pan. Repeat with the top crust. 
  
Yield: 2 (10-inch) crusts    

*****************************************************************

As for decorating, she has an exquisite shingle style house in East Hampton. I wish I could find a photo... but alas. This is from her dining room, circa 1993 Martha Stewart (via Apartment Therapy). As you might imagine, I love her wicker chairs.

I love what she has to say about designing your home:

"Personal details are important. How many times have you seen a gorgeous house in a shelter magazine that looks absolutely soulless? Everything's right but it's really not. That's because everything matches perfectly and the designer didn't incorporate the client's personal style--or any of those messy real things that people acquire."

Today I feel like this...

2008-10-10T21:21:00.004-04:00

THREE trips to the paint store today.

Fortunately it happens to be next to the fire station. A great detour for a 20 month old.

This image from Sibella Court's new store opening in Australia...

Paint Inspiration from a Hamptons cottage

2008-10-10T12:58:00.000-04:00

I love some of the color choices in this house that was featured in House Beautiful. It is a very happy house, and combines white with refreshing pops of color. As I pore over fan decks and slap down another $15/quart for a Benjamin Moore tester, I am always drawn to the breezy summer beach cottages in my files.

I particularly love this propped up surfboards. Conveniently I have 3... just lacking a beach. I love the bedroom on the right with its splash of chinoiserie. It feels like camp with the wool blankets...

And here the homeowner got a little crazy!!!!! This bathroom is so fun (Apple Green and Decorator's White, Benjamin Moore). The navy is dramatic, and it would be interesting to see how the rooms transition with such a bold hit of color. I think about how you flow from space to space a lot, and while I love this navy, I can't quite figure out the flow.

I love the combination of cool aqua and the red pop on the quilt (Wall color is Spring Mint and trim is Light Touch, Benjamin Moore). And who doesn't love a Christopher Spitzmiller lamp? Like a big, juicy jelly bean.

The dining room is probably closest tonally to what I will have in our farmhouse. The warm cream is so necessary to warm up the space, particularly when we are digging out of 30 inches of snow.

This house is not a beach house, so I have had to revisit my color schemes. The colors can't be as clear or carefree. That doesn't mean they're darker, but they are a bit more complex. Stay tuned for the choices and the photos!!!!!!!

The history of a fireplace

2008-10-09T21:00:00.013-04:00

I am posting a photo of the outside of the house so you can really get some perspective on the discrepancy of architectural styles (I hate to say it, but SHAME Gary Wolf, I don't care how famous you are).

One of the things that I really hated about this house was the fireplace. It personified everything about the modern renovation in 1995 that I hated and that was not in keeping with the historical architecture of the house - the asymmetry, the huge black slate tiles and particularly the trapezoid top.

I mean, TRAPEZOID? When I think "favorite shape" (ok, I don't think about that often, but whatever), I don't think TRAPEZOID. The sadness of that little window. The greater tragedy of the balsa wood shelves.

Something had to be done... trying to work with the slate tile, our architect designed something that somehow made the tile look even worse. I had the builder take it down immediately.

And then last week I got brave enough to start hacking at that tile. Ah. But I still didn't know what I wanted to do with it, I didn't want to call in our architect again and the builder was saying "you have to make a decision NOW."

So I looked at fireplace images at Domino and Martha Stewart... this one in particular caught my eye. I thought it blended traditional and contemporary well.

I got to work in trusty Illustrator...

and they started building today! Doesn't it look a MILLION times better? I can't wait to show you when it's painted and the crown molding is put up. Oh, and don't forget our windows. Opens up the whole space and actually inspires you to sit down, as opposed to running screaming from the tragic TRAPEZOID.

Fall on Monument Street

2008-10-08T11:53:00.010-04:00

It's fall in Concord... isn't it breathtaking? The left photo is the carefully pruned maple by our garage. The right photo is looking out to the Minute Man Park (for those of you who forgot 11th grade history... it's where the opening battle of the Revolutionary War occurred and it is absolutely gorgeous, peaceful and down-in-your-soul restorative all year round).

Well things are happening... the cabinets by Crown Point are going in. And they're gorgeous. GORGEOUS. I was worried about the paint color but it's perfect.

The tile is almost done (it's a handmade subway tile glazed aqua by Pratt and Larson). Poor Roger... I made him take it all down because it wasn't perfect. And now, strip by strip, he is putting it back up. He is from Florida and the bathroom is cold, so cold tile, wet saw and no heat are taking their toll. But doesn't it look beautiful? I am so glad I went with something cool and dramatic.

The de-leaded front doors... ready to be repainted (and loving that there is a doorknob and a lock again). See that big round brass thing? That's the original doorbell. You turn a key on the outside and it rings. Fabulous.

Stay tuned for my update on the fireplace!

Powder Room wallpaper

2008-10-07T23:09:00.019-04:00

This house used to feel so cold, with grey-tinged white walls (and some grey walls) and no molding. After putting in the gorgeous, sunny wide-plank Carlisle floors, miles of special crown molding and now the creamy kitchen cabinets, things are starting to warm up!

I am leaning towards creamy paints and yellow tones, especially in the north-facing exposures. The powder room on the first floor is VERY small (about 5.5 x 3.5), and is going to be dominated by a cast-iron utility sink (photos on that later). I'd like a yellow-toned wallpaper for this teeny weeny space, preferably with an organic theme. And it's just off the mudroom, so it needs to flow with that - think creamy paint and beadboard.

This paper - Cow Parsley by Cole and Sons - is currently in the lead. The above tear is from Real Simple, but it was also featured in a recent Martha Stewart in blue.

I have searched Etsy and Ebay for vintage rolls (as well as the usual suspects like Secondhand Rose). I found this fun vinyl lattice print on Etsy... but there is only 1 roll (72 sq feet). Not enough!

A little more glam would be this fun print from Osborne and Little, Iris, from their Vintage II collection.

Whose heart wouldn't be aflutter with this adorable paper from Alpha Workshops? Butterfly in Jubilant colorway.

And while it doesn't look great on the web, I do love this paper - Erin by Madison and Grow in the roll-off-the-tonque colorway of Jonquil on Parchment. The subtle bird motif is playful yet modern.

And I would love to know if this Manuel Canovas print - Pali - comes in a warmer tone. Could it be any more gorgeous? This is the bathroom of Amanda Nisbet's home in Manhattan (House Beautiful):

For a farmhouse, what say you???

Sconces... via Atlanta

2008-10-06T12:03:00.006-04:00

I was flipping through Cottage Living (why is there so much PURPLE?) at the hairdresser and saw these really pretty hurricane lanterns featured.

I thought "I have seen these lanterns elsewhere in Martha Stewart." Sure enough, I had bookmarked Lars Bolander in NYC as the source. At $350/each (and they just take candles, no bulbs), I was seduced but not sold.

I assumed I would find the same source in Cottage Living, but no! These are the Alta Vista hurricane sconces from Mrs. Howard in Atlanta. I called them up and voila! $189/each. They even emailed me the photo of the piece and it is the same lantern as from Señor Lars. I am going to have them wired and hang them in the dining room and entryway.

So you choose... Lars for $350 on the left, and Mrs. Howard for $189 on the right.

White... with a big splash of color

2008-10-05T21:53:00.006-04:00

I have kept the article on Josephine Sasso's Nantucket house from Domino. I think her living spaces are lovely, but her bedrooms are really inspired and seem to show her inner whimsy. It looks like she is having fun and I love how the color pops against the stark white.

My mom bought me two 50s cowboy spreads in muted tones of chocolate, rose and maize at Brimfield for my birthday from this incredible woman - Judy Chenille - who deals in very special chenille bedspreads (I collect them). I am painting two Jenny Lind beds bright yellow and will use a third spread (solid rose) for an accent to tie it all together. I love the colors and think despite the cowboys/indian theme that the room could be perfect for a boy or girl. I'll post photos of the fabrics later. But for now... Ms Sasso's home.

I have to admit, she looks super cute in that dress (her own design). And I like the juxtaposition of the long drapes with the scalloped skirt on the couch.

Living the dream

2008-10-05T13:22:00.006-04:00

I have started to "collect" a list of things that will make this house feel like a country farmhouse... this tops my list.

Thanks, Martha Stewart for the beautiful photo.

Napa Cottage

2008-10-05T12:48:00.015-04:00

The designer and home stager Ken Fulk has a beautiful home in Napa that was recently featured in House Beautiful. Why do I care? First, because the home is really lovely - clean and crisp but also warm and cozy. Second because Ken Fulk staged our home in San Francisco when we were selling it. He sweeps in, lead by his pointy Gucci loafers, and gets your house ready to sell. And sell ours did... in 5 days.

It was surprising and fun to see his own home, so that I could see what ideas he brought to his own personal space. He drew on some favorite antique resources that I love in San Francisco, particularly Swallowtail, which is a very peculiar and interesting mish mosh of entomological specimens, upholstered furniture and lucite.

Ralph Lauren chairs and sofa, African bamileke drum tables from Swallowtail. Galvanized chairs around library table, Sundance Catalog (the very ones I picked for our dining room).

Antique-style tub from Sunrise Specialty, faucet from Waterworks. Two vintage Louis Vuitton suitcases propped on wood blocks and topped with a tray serve as a night table in the master bedroom.

French park chairs, Chelsea Antiques. Vintage table. Love the salvage fireman's rack Fulk turned into a mudroom workhorse.

Ralph Lauren Picket Fence White paint throughout (interior and exterior).

Outdoor Lighting Fixtures...

2008-09-29T11:31:00.011-04:00

There are only a few lighting fixtures left for my sweet little farmhouse. Sconces for the hallway and the dining room, and four exterior fixtures to replace the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea fixtures chosen by the previous owners.

Outdoor light fixtures are difficult. Everyone in Concord has the requisite onion lamp which is a wonderful design (and offers a rounded edge to the linear colonial and Victorian architecture), but according to some research was used on fishing schooners. The onion globe, because it was round, shed a lot of light, protected the flame from rain and wind and was difficult to break.

Now in case you haven't looked at a map, Concord is not even CLOSE to the water (much to my dismay). And if I was going to break historical rules and go with the maritime theme, I think I would go with something like this (both of these fixtures courtesy of Nauset Lantern Shop):

Now this fixture is just COOL. But it doesn't really go on a farmhouse, let's be honest. And if you really look for outdoor fixtures, you'll be depressed by a) how ugly they are b) how cheap they look and c) how many ugly and cheap fixtures are actually produced and make someone some money somewhere.

Well I took a big risk (BIG). I chose the Sebring fixture by Sea Gull Lighting:

Now this falls into category B. It looks cheap. At least in this photo... But I like the design. It just so happens that it was featured in Sunset Magazine's Monterey Idea House this month and looks fantastic! Just what I was hoping for. So I ordered 4 in the weathered copper finish from Lighting New York (will keep you posted on service from this vendor).

Here is the clip from Sunset (by the way, if you live out west or love California style, get a subscription to this magazine. I almost worked there as a CD and it is really a special publication with wonderful recipes, garden advice and home decor in a practical, stylish format). Farmhouse-y, outdoor and affordable (about $130/fixture).

Powder Room inspiration

2008-09-14T13:54:00.002-04:00

I am trying to decide what color to paint the powder room... I feel like it could be something fun as it's such a small space. It is going to have a similar feel to this room:

I couldn't fit a vintage sink, but the sink that I purchased is a cast iron sink intended for a laundry room (it's extra deep). Perfect for rinsing muddy boots/feet and washing paintbrushes.

I saw this basket at my mother-in-law's and love the color... could be my latest inspiration! The color of the paint matches Benjamin Moore's Key Largo Green...

Kitchen Lighting

2008-09-12T22:16:00.005-04:00

I had to share my gorgeous pendants with you. I just need to measure for the rods... They'll be quite long because of the new cathedral ceiling in the kitchen which should be interesting for shipping.

I chose the 3rd one in - with the lattice mesh. I thought it brought a nice detail that mirrored the front doors of the house, and was also a bit more unusual than what you usually see. These are antique French lights from a factory - ooh la la.

I agonized about whether I wanted long rods in my kitchen, but I think they'll recede with all of the space around them. And there are only two... we'll see. If I had chosen to forgo the rods I would have had to:
a) choose a fixture that was smaller (these are 14" in diameter) so that the weight of the glass could be born by a cord
OR
b) choose a fixture with an acrylic dome. Uh, no thanks.

To paint white or not to...

2008-09-12T13:24:00.017-04:00

I am finally in the process of choosing colors for the house. What a long haul! I have been looking at my extensive collection of tears, and all of them feature houses with gallons of white paint. But to pull the trigger and edit out colors is something I haven't done before. I always love a pale blue bedroom, and rich khakis and chocolate browns for libraries/offices. So... to white or not to white?

The key issues are...
1) the house on the first floor is extremely open, so the color palette has to be very limited.
2) the light tends to skew a little grey in the house, so I want to balance that with yellow undertones in whatever colors I choose. I fear choosing cool tones will make the rooms feel cold.

I am going to paint all of the trim Simply White (Benjamin Moore) in eggshell or semigloss, and the walls in matte. Simply White is a white without grey/khaki/green undertones (unlike Decorator's White or White Dove, some very popular choices), which I think is important to give that glow. It also happens to be on every surface of my current inspiration.

Of course, take all swatches shown here as a guide... web colors are nowhere near true colors.

Wow, that doesn't look white at all. It just looks dirty.

For the walls I am thinking about Mayonnaise, Grand Teton, Atrium White or just Simply White in the matte finish. I ordered many swatches from Benjamin Moore today - we'll see how I feel when I get them!

The Foyer

2008-09-11T10:30:00.001-04:00

Our foyer is extremely dreary these days. EXTREMELY dreary, as in bordering on tragic. Partially it is because the glorious diamond-pane front doors are still not installed (lead paint contractors - ugh) which will obviously be remedied. The lightbulb has burnt out on the one working light in the house. And the sad, sad grey paint is not helping matters (I love grey, but this color is not attractive).

I have a few foyer inspirations that I wanted to share... I particularly love the Hunter boots (of which I just happen to have a pair in green). If only I had that Range Rover... but I digress.

This particular runner (on creamy white paint which looks fabulous) is from Woodard Weave and is warm and casual yet tailored. Woodard Weave is creating rugs in 19th c traditions - Amish, Shaker, Pennsylvania. Similar to Elizabeth Eakins (don't even get me started on their terrible customer service and marginal quality... ever used an absorbent white t-shirt as a rug? Try paying several thousand dollars for the rug and then having the dog walk over it once and it's ruined... long story) and the lower priced Dash and Albert, but I feel with a bit more depth of color.

I spoke with Woodard Weave today (Blanche Greenstein, one of the owners, was absolutely delicious on the phone), and the rugs are surprisingly affordable (she estimated at $1000 for the stairs) and they have an installer that they depend upon in Massachusetts. Wow.

This staircase is more like the one in our farmhouse... dark banister, limited detailing on the spindles. I am debating whether to varnish the treads and then add the runner or just paint the whole thing white and add the runner. Thoughts?

Camp Style

2008-09-04T13:59:00.007-04:00

Via House Beautiful, I wanted to share the lovely interiors of this lake house in Connecticut. The house is very soothing, and while it has elements of the "beach house" it also is perfect inspiration for a farmhouse as the colors are more sophisticated and muted rather than clear. This all contributes to a wonderful sense of calm...

The pendants (via R.T. Facts in Kent, CT) in the kitchen inspired me to keep searching for a light resource, and that particular vendor had a new fixture that I will share with you and have on order.

The lovely guest bedrooms with the painted furniture, sweet madras bedspreads and mounted tennis rackets...

Eve Ashcraft, a color consultant, chose many of the paint colors and it's just exquisite.

Down Came the Tree

2008-08-17T21:48:00.002-04:00

We had a serious tree problem. Rotting the porch, clogging the gutters, blocking the view, blocking the sun.

We no longer have that problem. Thanks Sav-a-Tree. Guess this one wasn't saved, but it will give the beautiful maple some breathing room.

Guts and Bolts

2008-08-03T21:52:00.003-04:00

One really important thing to do (or so I have been told) is to take photos of the guts of your house before the plaster/sheetrock goes up. Then you know where all of your electrical and plumbing are... should something go awry, voila! You have a record of where everything is before you start hacking into your gorgeous walls.

The photo above isn't of the guts... but it does show how the back of the house is shaping up. No more color panels thank goodness!

And to really keep you you on the edge of your seat, I present THE INSIDE OF OUR KITCHEN WALL.

Here's the house

2008-06-12T21:59:00.007-04:00

Well this is the big BEFORE, with the help of my trusty assistant.

Note the Mondrian-inspired cement-esque panels in attractive shades of rust and grey. Wait until you see the back of the house.

The original door on the left, and the new door added in 1995. Unfortunately there are two doors going to the same space. Cross your fingers as we go before Concord's Historic Commission.

I guess I didn't take a photo of the back this time... but I'll share one of the original realty listing photos. Ack! Apparently the architect is very well-regarded and this panel extravaganza is his M.O. Personally I think it's incredibly self-indulgent. Sorry, Gary.

The kitchen... or galley if you will.

And the infamous staircase. You know who tried to put his head through the rails on his first visit. It's cool... if you live in a loft (and we did that, circa 2003).

There is a certain "rec room" quality to the whole thing... oh my, this is a big project.

This is my dining room

2008-05-11T09:20:00.007-04:00

I saw this photo (taken by Erhard Pfeiffer) of an interior by Nicole Hollis (architect: Howard Backen) and was so inspired. This is exactly what I had envisioned for our dining room, and I am so excited to show it to Tim. I love the combination of textures - wood, metal - and the juxtaposition of weathered country items with contemporary fixtures. I would urge you to review more of Ms. Hollis' work - she's a true talent and I love her combination of old and new.

Now I just need to track down that lighting fixture, which I much prefer in the nickel to the black. I am sure it will be by Kevin Reilly and therefore priced accordingly. Birthday present?

The chairs - Marais AC - were originally designed by Xavier Pauchard in 1934, and were used extensively in French bistros and brasseries. You can find them online at DWR, the Sundance Catalog, Conran and even from our old friend Pottery Barn.

The Ultimate Inspiration

2008-05-05T21:49:00.000-04:00

This house truly inspires me. Featured in Design New England in their November/December 2007 issue, I love the black and white color palette - paint, photography, subway destination rolls - combined with the reclaimed floors for warmth. To some it might be stark but I find it light and bright and welcoming. And extremely subtle for an 8500 sq foot house... I love the chalkboard partition wall, the farm table (made from an antique Chinese door)...

The interiors are by Christine Lane, who used Benjamin Moore's "Simply White" paint for every surface, Calcutta Gold marble and antique white oak floors. The living room and master bedroom feature photos from Roberto Dutesco's "The Wild Horses of Sable Island" series.

The bedspread? Ikea. Shocking, I tell you. Lamps, Icon Group, Boston Design Center. Console, Jonathan Adler.

Dining Room chairs, Antiques on 5, Boston Design Center. Artwork at right by Jonathan Borofsky.

This sunroom is ridiculous. Even more ridiculous is the copy from the magazine "Under the framed artwork in the sunroom stands an antique French tin woodbox piled with rocks hand-picked by interior designer Christine Lane."

I did not know you could get paid to pick rocks. I made a serious mistake in careers.

But we'll forgive all that. I love this magazine. I adore this house - just wish I could see even more of its 8500 sq feet.

Stonington, Connecticut

2008-05-05T20:47:00.002-04:00

My mom and I took a short road trip to Stonington, Connecticut this Sunday. Our official purpose was to evaluate her mother of the bride dress being made by Barraza. Who cares about a silk dress/pant/jacket/top when you can poke about for antiques? This town is RIDICULOUSLY cute - like Martha's Vineyard (although via 95) before it was wrecked by New Yorkers.

She has been telling me about a fabulous antique store she thought I would love for ages. And it was fantastic. It's called Antiques, Ltd and it's at 530 Stonington Road. They have an incredible inventory of antiques, reproductions and upholstered pieces (all in white muslin so you can see their true shape). I could have taken one of everything, but will wait until the house is done. I drooled over a canary yellow Bamboo cabinet, and this white sofa, which is fabulous because it's not too tall.

I did purchase a white porcelain bird from the clearance shelf for $10. I think it will work nicely with my ironstone!

Two other antique stores of note in Stonington. Grand & Water Antiques (at left) at 145 Water Street, in Stonington Borough. They had a delicious Swedish "breakfast set" which was basically a robin egg's blue set of dishes. And a fabulous antique foot warmer for the fireplace that read "Home Sweet Home." Devon House Antiques & Gallery (at right), 72 Water Street, had a lot of wonderful, warm wood pieces. Also a place to return when I'm looking for that perfect farm table.

Devon House showcases a lot of painters, and while most were rather forgettable, one - Sarah Blair - really captured me. She creates teeny tiny little paintings of seascapes that are so touching, moody and intimate. Here is a photo of her studio, and I have just emailed her to ask if I could see more of her work!

Thanks Mom for such a fantastic introduction!

Circa Lighting

2008-05-04T19:21:00.001-04:00

The go-to source for lighting to the trade? Circa Lighting. Their first store was in Savannah in 1998, followed by outposts in Atlanta, Charleston and Houston. Not only do they have their own collections, but designers such as Alexa Hampton, Eric Cohler, Thomas O'Brien, Barbara Barry and Sandy Chapman also design fixtures for them.

I am planning on the Country Industrial Pendant (3 of them) for the kitchen. Milk glass, since we need the light, and either polished or brushed nickel.

Check out some of their fabulous table lamps...

Be sure to visit their website for an amazing collection, usually ready to ship!

Cathedral ceilings

2008-05-03T18:52:00.000-04:00

I have been reviewing with my builders that I would like a cathedral ceiling in both the kitchen and the master bedroom. Currently the kitchen has a gable that can be uncovered and insulated. The master bedroom one will be built. Sheet beadboard will be put up the gable - a bit cottage-y but I think appropriate for a farmhouse too.

This is a great way to create a sense of soothing, soaring space even in rooms that aren't that big!

The crème de la crème of cabinetry

2008-05-03T18:06:00.000-04:00

I have two words. Christopher Peacock. Don't know who that is or what it refers to? That's very sad for you. I'm talking about the most exquisite cabinetry you have ever seen. Like don't even set foot in their showroom if you don't have $200K to spare.

And this exquisite bath...

Well I think this is all absurd. Why is this vanity gorgeous? The hardware - those lucite pulls are delicious. Head to Period Furniture Hardware at 123 Charles Street in Boston and you can spiff up even an Ikea bath cabinet. I can't wait to buy mine.

As for the kitchen, I just got a bid on my cabinetry from Homestead Kitchens in Acton, MA. They sell Quality Custom Cabinets and Signature cabinets - both gorgeous. And for a cool $33K, I can have my cabinets in the style of Christopher Peacock without the absurd price. Signature developed a door to replicate the Christopher Peacock look - it's called the Ridgeview and is available this year for the first time. Oh and lest you think that price absurd (let's be honest, it's all ridiculous) it also includes my hardware courtesy of Top Knobs.

In antique pewter, I bring you M206, the Cumberland knob and M210, the Mayfair cup pull!!

Bring it on Señor Peacock.

The Wonderful World Wide Web

2008-05-01T09:50:00.000-04:00

I think this posting might be a bit controversial, and I am a bit loathe to post it. But since no one is reading this except for my good friends, I might as well share the information.

I have been obsessed with my "lighting concept" for the house recently. I can't decide if I want the pendants in the kitchen, or rather whether I like the transition from the pendants to the handing candle fixture. This is just my design process. I throw myself into the pool and frantically review all of what's available. And usually come back to my first idea. But I digress.

I was thrown for a loop because I saw these beautiful lamps from Pieces in Atlanta. You can now understand why I was questioning my lighting concept. For $985 apiece (the one on the left rather, the one on the right is a cool $495), they're not cheap.

Now I thought to myself, I don't think those lamps should cost $985. I worked for Pottery Barn, and I know mark-ups. But the owner of Pieces - Lee Kleinhelter, pictured on the website with her fashionable golden retriever - has fabulous style. That's undeniable. But $985? Puh-lease.

So I embarked on a 3 hour investigation into these lamps. Peppered with other activities, but it still took a while. And I found the same lamp shown at right at Gore Dean in Washington, DC for $325.

And then after a bit more poking, the same lamp at Red in Fredericksburg, TX for $165.

The company who produces the lamps? Jamie Young. Finding this out took some sleuthing.

The moral of the story is this. If you have a budget (like most of us do), it pays to do some research, particularly if you do not want to engage the services of a designer (back to the budget issue). I suggest starting by googling the name of the product, in this case, I googled "mercury glass pendant." You'll be amazed at what comes up!

And incidentally, I still haven't decided which pendants I am going to use. So I'll chalk up those 3 hours to business development.

Mary Jane Butters

2008-04-29T09:35:00.000-04:00

Do you have a copy of Mary Jane Butters' Ideabook • Cookbook • Lifebook: For the Farmgirl in All of Us? I have held on to my copy of Country Home's July 2005 issue because I find it generally inspiring. Mary Jane Butters runs an organic farm in Idaho and talks about composting and needlepoint the way some people talk about their newest Marc Jacobs handbag. She's like the new Martha Stewart - with dirt.

These photos remind me to take a deep breath, slow down and try not to take myself too seriously. And sometimes I get a bit too wrapped up in things (like how much my contractor is going to cost). So here's a little breath. And buy that book. Who knows, you might love composting too.

We definitely need a swing at the new house. Definitely.

Ruby Beets, Sag Harbor

2008-04-28T14:14:00.000-04:00

As I mentioned, I got the first bid on cabinetry the other day. I am still reeling. Anyway, seeking to trim down (or I'm going to have to staple gun cardboard boxes to the wall) I am separating out the dining room cabinetry which I had originally wanted in favor of a freestanding piece of furniture. I was inspired by this piece from Sharone Einhorn's home, an owner of Ruby Beets in Sag Harbor.

And I just so happened to find on Craig's List, this very interesting piece of furniture. And because it is a reproduction, I might just paint it. What do you think?

Painting this would be a project. Let's get back to some soothing images.

To read House Beautiful's article on Ruby Beets, go here.

A New York Farmhouse

2008-04-27T13:29:00.001-04:00

Since we're renovating a farmhouse, I am steeped in all things farm-y (now that's a sophisticated adjective for you). Palette will be white, black, cream. Texture from waxed, wide-plank pine floors, burlaps, linens, alabaster. I want the house to look like it has been well-loved. I saw this article about a New York farmhouse several years ago, and courtesy of the WORLD WIDE WEB, I have rediscovered it. It seems more meaningful now as this couple has two children and incorporates their living and dreaming into their spaces.

Here are some of the lovely photos that are inspiring me today.

I can't wait to retrieve my alabaster lamps from storage...

White Ironstone

2008-04-27T09:24:00.003-04:00

I adore white ironstone. In multiple colors the look would be cluttered, but in white it looks like sculpture. I have about 5 saved Ebay searches that update me daily on ironstone that's available. For our new house, it fits right in with the farm aesthetic - here is a little info courtesy of Martha.

Ironstone dates to the early 1800; the name and its formula, containing the mineral feldspar, were patented in 1813 by Charles Mason of Staffordshire, England. By the 1830s, enterprising British potters recognized a potential market among rural American families buying china for the first time. They put together services of snowy-white ironstone, predicting that its simplicity and affordability would appeal to the no-frills aesthetic associated with American country life. These pieces, given names such as graniteware, stoneware, pearl china, or feldspar china, are now all categorized as ironstone.

Anyway, I have a new BFF named Scott, who just sold me his entire fabulous collection of ironstone. THE ENTIRE COLLECTION. Thank you Scott, you just made 2008. Here are some photos that he took with his camera phone (impressive in my opinion).

Feed Sacks

2008-04-26T13:56:00.001-04:00

One of my favorite stores in the area is Hudson. The owner/designer has a great mix of vintage, shabby, mid century, Hollywood Regency and new (from companies like Oly Studio).

After seeing some of their pillows, I got inspired to start collecting feed sacks, especially those that have interesting American typography. The feed sack seems particularly apropos to a farmhouse, as you are re-purposing fabric that would have been on hand. After I choose dining room chairs, I am going to upholster the seats with the sacks. They'll be durable (after all they held grain and were stored in damp, drafty barns) and since they're not very expensive (gotta love ebay) I can replace the seats as necessary.

Right now the majority of the ones I purchased have the Bemis logo. Bemis was a gunny sack company that was founded in Missouri. During the Civil War they started making burlap sacks because of the shortage of cotton. Who knew?

Windsor Smith

2008-04-25T09:23:00.000-04:00

Although I find Windsor Smith herself a bit irritating (if you have seen the photo of her with the riding boots, you'll know what I mean), her designs are really gorgeous with a definite sense of humor (and just a touch of pretension). I love the kitchen of her own home and it reconfirms my love of white marble, white paint and pendants:

Her bathroom designs... which to choose?

And these bedrooms are lovely. A big fan of the painted floor, which I won't be using unfortunately.

I love this nursery - anyone know where to get those lovely fabric letters?

This kitchen has been EVERYWHERE on the internet. And I don't even read blogs. The painted floor is so gutsy and fun. I wonder if these folks have a dog. Ha.

412 Monument

2008-04-24T13:45:00.001-04:00

This is a house we seriously considered... over and over and over. But the 1/4 acre just wasn't big enough to throw a ball to the dog! Their interiors are lovely, though (one of the owners is a professional chef so the appliances are incredible). Buy this and be our neighbor!

Plato cabinets by Kitchenworks of Acton

Kitchen to family room.

Crown Point cabinets

2008-04-24T10:29:00.001-04:00

I received one of my first bids for cabinetry yesterday... lordy. Deep breath. Fortunately our architect pointed out that the island is shown at 10 feet, so the measurements must be off. However the cabinetry is beautiful, by a company called Crown Point.

White marble

2008-04-23T22:07:00.000-04:00

Everyone tells me not to do white marble. It stains. It loses its sheen. But how can I deny its deliciousness? If the French can roll pastry on it...

Hallway inspiration?

2008-04-23T21:57:00.000-04:00

In eliminating the central staircase, we are returning to the house's original staircase... as our architect describes, "It is a back stair that was a front stair and feels really sad about its demotion. It is bad feng shui to abandon it."

I saw this photo and thought it might inspire some new feng shui...

Farm table

2008-04-09T13:33:00.000-04:00

In keeping with the original farmhouse spirit of the house and also introduce some warmth and texture, I am going to do a farm table in the dining room. I am thinking about mixing up the chairs - perhaps wicker combined with metal, or wicker mixed with bentwood, or bentwood and slipcovered. It's all a mystery now until I find that table.

I like this one from the Sundance catalog.

August chair from Shabby Chic

Kitchen island chairs

2008-04-09T13:23:00.000-04:00

Island chairs are difficult because they're usually extremely uncomfortable. There are a few in the running, by I think I have decided on the New Market stool from Lloyd Loom after seeing the above photo in House Beautiful.

They come in a full range of paint colors, which is fun. Ideally I would have found some fabulous antique Thonet stools, a la from the Abranowicz house, but that seems unlikely (and extremely pricey).

I also like this one from the Sundance Catalog ($195/each):

And this one from Pottery Barn.

Something's Gotta Give - take 3 (in Las Vegas)

2008-03-09T13:16:00.000-04:00

This house recently appeared in House Beautiful. In Las Vegas, it's yet another interior inspired by Something's Gotta Give. On the front island, the Fairfax faucet and Undertone sink are both from Kohler. The Single Prismatic Standard hanging lights are from Urban Archaeology.

A chandelier from Allan Knight & Associates hangs over the 9-foot-long breakfast table by Bausman & Co. Parlor Square armchairs by Palecek. Mitsubishi TV.

The pillows on the banquette by the breakfast table are covered in Pondi, Patta, and Merpal fabrics by Malabar. The kitchen and breakfast room are painted in Pure White SW 7005 by Sherwin-Williams. The pillows on the banquette by the breakfast table are covered in Pondi, Patta, and Merpal fabrics by Malabar. The kitchen and breakfast room are painted in Pure White SW 7005 by Sherwin-Williams.

As a side note I LOVE that lighting fixture over the table. I spoke with Allan Knight and it is almost $5000... looks like I will be going with this number from Restoration Hardware.

Darien house

2008-02-27T12:41:00.000-05:00

This house is from Andrea's location scout files, in Darien, CT. I think the combination of traditional cabinetry, floating walls and open floor plan is interesting in parts. Interesting to think about as we consider how to return an extremely contemporary interior to its traditional roots.

Dining room

Bathroom

Love the splash of colored tiles

I wish my bathroom were such a palace that I could have a mirror this huge...

And my cathedraled bedroom ceiling...

James Radin is a god

2008-02-21T12:55:00.002-05:00

James Radin is an interior designer who designed Nancy Myers' house. She asked for his help with Something's Gotta Give and voila! The house that everyone talked about. But THIS house takes it to a new level. It's a bit fresher - one step beyond the movie. By the way, I contacted their office and the paint is NOT Dove White - it's Grand Teton White by Benjamin Moore...

Radin chose the black Windsor chairs for contrast -- "like a punctuation mark" -- in the creamy room, painted White Dove by Benjamin Moore. Tiles, sinks, and faucets are by Waterworks. Stone and wall oven, warming drawer, microwave, and hood are Viking. The hand-planed, slightly distressed floors are stained antique walnut.

The family room is a natural extension of the kitchen. Striped fabric on the breakfast chairs is Buoy in bluebird by Delany & Long.

In the family room of this new L.A. house, Benjamin Moore's Dove White sets off the owners' collection of 19th-century American spongeware. An easy chair, one of a pair, is covered in Morelia in Robins Egg from Raoul. Most of the upholstered furniture in the house was designed by James Radin.

Living room chair from Lee Stanton Antiques; Patterson, Flynn & Martin rug.

Warm light and an aura of tranquility define the mood in the master bedroom. Curtains and roman shades are Cowtan & Tout's Sutton in aqua. A little stuffy for me... but still peaceful.

To read the whole article from House Beautiful, go here.

Dream laundry courtesy of Domino

2008-02-21T12:50:00.000-05:00

I wish my laundry room were this clean, organized and fabulous. I don't think I am going to pony up for the LG steam washer/dryer combo, but I will go for LG which I have heard rave reviews about.

Abranowicz House

2008-02-21T10:16:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite houses was featured in Martha Stewart in September 2003, the house of William Abranowicz (photographer often featured in MS Living) and Andrea Raisfeld. I love the stark contrast of black and white combined with the warm cork floors.

Kohler sink; Willard Brewer cabinets (Urbana, Illinois); Backsplash, Waterworks crackled field tile; Light fixtures, Moss, NYC.

View from kitchen to screened porch

Cathedraled ceiling

Kohler sink/vanity

You can see more of their home (and Andrea's work) here.

Something's Gotta Give - take 2

2008-02-21T10:02:00.000-05:00

This homeowner, working with designer Robin Amorello, tried to replicate the Something's Gotta Give kitchen. For some reason it feels so much colder...

You can read about this kitchen redesign here.

Bar sink/pantry

454 Monument

2008-02-20T10:09:00.000-05:00

This is our house!!!!!!! We're so excited about it. It's a 3 BR house in Concord, Massachusetts that was built in 1881. It's on Monument Street, across from the Minuteman park and backing on to conservation land.

Sag Harbor house

2008-02-12T13:05:00.000-05:00

I saw this house - owned by Luke and Allison Babcock - in This Old House. Allison is a designer herself and created an interior to elevate the lovely renovations. She shared some of her supplier notes with me...

The kitchen tile is from Southampton Brick and tile 631-537-6353 - I think it is called the Grazia white crackle tile 3 x 5.

The master bath tiles are from Urban Archaeology V18B Bistro tile 3 x 6 light green 631-537-0124. The vanity was made by the carpenters on-site.

The stair runner is a custom runner from AM collections - I think they only sell to the trade. The floors and most of the paneling in the house came from the Antique Lumber Company in Water Mill NY. 631-726-7026 - speak to Holly or Don.

Living room

Master Bedroom

Screened porch

Something's Gotta Give

2008-01-28T09:48:00.000-05:00

Everyone is still using the Something's Gotta Give set as inspiration, and you can see why. Designed by James Radin, it's elegant but comfortable, sophisticated but beachy. Of course, from the notes below, you can see no expense was spared.

“We tried to capture the relaxed, comfortable feeling of summer at the beach,” says production designer Jon Hutman. For ease of movement, the kitchen’s islands are on casters. Countertops are wood painted to resemble soapstone. Wolf range and hood. Waterworks fixture; Kohler sink.

The light-washed living room of the Hollywood set of Something’s Gotta Give, a romantic comedy that takes place at a Hamptons beach house. Clarence House fabric on ottoman. Mimi London chair fabric. Morten Monberg clock. The Rug Loft dhurrie.