Empty Room

Diverse Periods Work

 

Gustavian design, a Swedish take on French neoclassicism, has been roaring for years, but my favorite is mixing it with modern elements. [Benjamin Moore Colony Green on chairs].

 

"When you stay relentlessly in one period, the eye absorbs it in a single glance. Going against period produces energy."

 

David Kleinberg

 

 

 

 

The inimitable Thom Britt creates a Palm Beach 'moment'. How many design periods are going on here? Several, yet it never veers into a carnival. This has such a collected feel, with a strong Chinese element with the credenza and vases, a 20th century vibe in the Elkins Loop chairs and art, plus a casual island/homey feel influence in the rug and the mums in a basket. It's a gorgeously layered room, perfect for both casual and more formal affairs. I love how the pièce de résistance, a 19th c. antique chandelier is not to be outdone, as it sits there twinkling, saying look at me! And can we talk about those gorgeous, multicolored-silk panels? The diverse periods used, and the color story, are very well planned out and it works.

 

"England and the Continent were influenced by Chinoiserie from the moment they discovered it. It became huge."

 

Thomas Britt







 

 

 



 

 

Jean-Louise Deniot masterfully mixes periods, using shades of green, to successfully consolidate it into a look.

 

"A décor is like a painting; its all about the masses, the color placement, the volumes, the proportion, the contrast etc. to achieve the right balance. Its about layers; some are predominant and some are just a back drop."

 

Jean-Louise Deniot

 

 

 



 

More Gustavian décor mixing it up with an 18th c. Rococo console, Greek Key trim, animal print carpet, most likely a 20th c. pottery lamp and a Realist painting representing the 19th c. time period.

 

Hotel Verhaegen - Ghent, Belgium via Belgian Pearls

 

 

One more...

 

 

Home in Chicago, IL

Country Living Magazine

 

 

 

 

Layering is a True Art Form

Totally Random

The Faraway Nearby review

Here where Craigslist can be magical.

Erect, jointed and spineless leucodendron.

Here.

Hibiscus Sunset Cooler.

The English are Interesting

Gentlemen Decorators Speak - Part One

Thomas Britt

I'll Have the Pimiento Cheese Please

Miss Mattie's Southern Pimiento Cheese

What could go wrong with cheese, bacon, jalapenos, pecans and strawberry preserves?

I had a sandwich similiar to this at Swampers 

in the remarkable Marriott Hotel and Spa 

at the Shoals when friends were visiting, 

and realized that this is one item 

I've never made at home,

and so made plans to do so asap.

Post will continue with other orange things I like.

Contrast of colors and patterns are so striking!

 Wallace Bryan Designs, Atlanta.

Circles and Stripes.

Orange and Black.

Neutrals for good measure.

Greige with more than a touch of orange! 

What I could store in those Hermes boxes would be mind boggling.

A pair of orange garden stools could go anywhere around the house. 

Go here for instructions on how to raise citrus indoors.

California designer, Tamara Kaye-Honey's work reminds me of

 boy wonder, Miles Redd. This room is just plain sexy. 

Speaking of boy wonder, he does a Pagoda-inspired guest room in orange and pink deliciously.

I love this idea so much; it would give such wonderful 

display storage for pottery and serving pieces, West Hollywood, CA.

These geometric and floral neutral prints, mixed with a coral, camel back sofa is so incredible.

 Also dig the Louis XVI chairs with the Florence Knoll table. Love this eclectic vignette so much.

The sublime beachy look by John Fondas and John Knott is astounding.

So cozy to go from 100 degree temps at the pool, to the rush of

 68 degrees indoors, sea grass beneath your feet, grass cloth on the walls 

and ceiling, bamboo blinds at the window, and the wispy unlined 

curtains fluttering in the breeze. The textures here are knocking me out.

Textile genius John Robshaw gives us burnt orange walls, 

where exotic tribal artifacts are at home.

 Love the mirror behind the chair, 

picking up the slightest reflection of the shade.

For the kids #1. 

Way too beautiful for popcorn and pizza.

For the kids #2. 

Where on earth did they get that bed? 

Must be nice to be rich and custom order stuff.

Amy Weaver punches the hell out of this room with black, animal print and orange!

Tilton Fenwick uses the pallet of orange with a grey-blue, not that easy to do, 

but it works here, bringing a feeling of nostalgia and comfort.

What a cute sitting room with a bed in the middle of it, and of course

 brown and orange are like cookies and milk.

Continentalist Thomas Britt using almost a neon orange, 

and turning the closet door into a supporting star attraction.

Here comes the orange and blue again. I didn't think I could get over the 

black and orange scheme, but Jean-Louis Deniot convinces me otherwise.

The godfather of modern Americana design, Steven Gambrel, brings it home

 with a pale coral sofa against pale blue walls and black exclamation points.

Reinventing the Dressing Table

Bold color scheme and lots of shiny things - pure drama.

The mercury lamp is the pièce de résistance.

Such a sweet face delivering the time.

Kate Spade

Love the quiet simplicity with a hint of glamour.

Collect some old handheld mirrors for that vintage, collected look.

Diana Vreeland's dressing table holds fresh flowers, seashells and special photos.

Stevie Nicks with mirrors on every surface.

Mary McDonald, luxurious at her Hollywood Regency style dressing table.

Aerin Lauder vintage, oh so lovely dressing table. credit: House & Garden 2007.

Bunny William's dressing table - love it all, so incredibly comfortable looking and those drawers!

Rita Konig's dressing table and reflection of wallpaper in mirror is beautiful

Windsor Smith places large scale frames on table, 

leaving room for perfume and makeup. 

The mirror's reflection of the outside is remarkable.

Phoebe Howard creates a tranquil dressing table taking full advantage of natural light.

Sarah Richardson brings back an oldie, but goody by placing

 photographs underneath the glass at this client's dressing table.

Suzanne Rheinstein creates quite a serene moment here 

with a skirted dressing table surrounded by a pair of columns.

Unknown designer pairs a mirrored dresser with a

 rustic mirror, and tucks photos casually around the edges.

Madeline Weinrib uses a spectacular, vintage American piece 

for her dressing table from the 1930's that is out of this world.

Palmer Weiss designed dressing table for Michelle Adams. 

Every woman should have a special place 

where she can reflect, ponder and become beautiful!

Create a special place for yourself today!