Random Harvest - Part 1

Random Harvest is one of my favorite home furnishing stores in the Washington, DC area. There are 4 locations: Georgetown DC, Bethesda, Old Town Alexandria and Arlington, VA (although this last store isn't yet listed on their website.)


Luckily the Arlington store is my preferred one and it's only a brisk 20 minute walk from my house. Therefore, I can justify my occasional shopping venture with the corresponding calorie loss (unless that is, I stop off for an incredible New Zealand coffee at Cassatts Cafe)

You can always count on Random Harvest for great accessories.

Love this couch. If my memory serves me correctly, it is $2500 as shown in this fabric.

These pillows have the faintest design printed on the fabric. Look closely at the gold pillow and you can see the beatle motif. I missed it the first time I walked by.

This is not a style I would typically be drawn to but I think it is quite lovely.

This photo is a bit blurry but this dining table has a gorgeous finish to it.

I did end up buying 2 things on this visit - although because I walked to the store I'll have to drive over tomorrow to pick them up. If you like clues, these 2 things appear in this post's photos. Hopefully I'll find the right place for them in my home and will post about them next time.

Things are Looking Up...

As you might guess, I'm not speaking of the economy here. When things are looking down, it's often a good idea to look up. A recent visit to Decorology reminded me of that when I saw this stunning ceiling painted by Michael Dute.

Two images above via House Beautiful, interior designer Erin Martin, decorative painter Michael Dute, photography by Dominique Vorillon

More from Michael Dure - the stunning treatment continues onto the ceiling.



These images are from Maryam of My Marrakesh and were created by the talented artists of Modello Designs. Imagine waking up to these spectacular ceilings. Below is another ceiling by Modello - you can read more about it on their wonderful blog, DesignAmour.

Magazine winner & Creative Space Saving Sink

A quick post to announce that Hello Gorgeous is the winner of the Canadian House and Home magazine! Congrats and thanks to everyone who left a comment or emailed me.

Here's a picture from a recent Hello Gorgeous post entitled My Dream House Tour - be sure to check it out.

Below is a very creative way to fit in a very fashionable sink in a small space. It's the Calypso from Native Trails and is available in a Brushed Nickel or Antique finish. I could imagine it nestled into a beautiful piece of walnut wood. Love it.

Tribute to Cobi Ladner and small giveaway

Canadian House and Home is my all time favorite design magazine. I've been an avid fan since my first issue - May 2001. If I was somehow forced to choose only one magazine a month - this is the one I would select. Fittingly enough, it was the subject of my second post on this blog.

To me Cobi Ladner, the editor, is synonomous with the magazine. Each month I look forward to her Editor's Page. Like Dominque Browning, she has the ability to form a relationship with her readers and is willing to share both her insights about the meaning of design and on its connection to daily life. She is funny, witty and open and always willing to write about her mistakes as well as successes. For example, one year we saw the results of her kitchen rennovation and a few years later she shared the skylight addition that corrected the ceilings that turned out to be too oppressively low. One month I was thrilled to see my Letter to the Editor printed in the magazine and another month I confirmed to my husband that I was a "design magazine nut" when I shouted out, "Hey, Cobi Ladner is wearing the same sweater I have!"

This month Cobi announced that she is leaving Canadian House and Home. Her father passed away this year and she quoted him in her farewell, "You don't follow your dreams, you live them." I will greatly miss her letters and her influence on this magazine. Here is one of my favorite comments from her March 2006 Editor's page, "How does that saying go? Something about how life isn't a journey to the grave filled with intentions of arriving safely and looking perfect, but instead about skidding in broadside, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming, "Wow, what a ride!" Cobi - thanks for the ride and best wishes for your future endeavors. Brava, Brava, Bravissima!

image from House and Home January 2008 Trends issue

Image from House and Home Sep 2008 via Apartment Therapy, photography by Michael Craydon
Image from House and Home July 2008 via Apartment Therapy, photography by Virginia Macdonald

(Images below are a small assortment of pics that I took of a few magazine pages - the quality does not do them justice. I had to set a limit otherwise I could have been doing this for hours! You can subscribe to this terrific magazine here.)

Canadian House and Home Oct. 2008, interior designer Melody Duron, ColeDuron, photography by Michael Graydon.


Canadian House and Home Sep. 2002, interior designer Christopher Wood, photography by Luis Albuquerque

image from House and Home March 2006, designer Andrew Fee, photography by Ted Yarwood

Canadian House and Home Oct. 2008, interior designer Lisa Rogers, photography by Michael Graydon

Canadian House and Home, March 2006, interior designer Michael Angus, photography by Ted Yarwood

Canadian House and Home, October 2008, designer Julie Charbonneau, photography by Stacey Brandford

image from House and Home October 2008, Architect Bill Mockler, photography by Ted Yarwood

Canadian House and Home June 2008, architect Sharon McKenzie, interior designer Lena Patten of Hilltop Interiors, photography by Virginia Macdonald

SMALL GIVEAWAY - this is an unopened copy of the September 2008 issue. My husband brought one home from Canada before this one arrived. It is a small giveaway but I assure you it will provide at least 2 hours of design enjoyment! Leave a comment OR email me at mynottinghill (at) gmail.com before Thursday September 25th. I will draw the name of one winner and mail them this copy of House and Home.

Some Vibrant Red

A vibrant red powder room by designer Meg Braff featuring Jardin Chinois Red wallpaper from Waterhouse Wallhangings.



images via House Beautiful, interior design by Meg Braff

Pretty white

This purple cabinet is a real standout.

image via Bolig Magazine

Another pretty shot of purple on the chair.

image from Living etc. August 2008

Image from Living etc. Sep 2007

Arrivederci to Summer

I have trouble with goodbyes. When they come, I tend to linger...to pine for what was... and so it is with my goodbye to Summer.

I know, Fall brings crispness and energy, sharpened pencils and apple orchards, Halloween and a chance to wear sweaters and corduroys. But if had to choose between cute leather clogs and a pair of flip flops, the latter one please...

Considering that I have trouble with goodbyes, it is fitting that I am just now ordering outdoor fabric for my patio furniture. One must keep hope alive for an Indian summer.

Arrivederci to summer - until we meet again in 2009.

I chose the french blue floral from Lewis & Sharon - LS Fabrics

Goodbye to summer breezes.

Image taken of pg. 66 Aug. 2008 issue Country Homes & Interiors, August 2008, Designers Carol Wortley-Bishop and Louise Rastall, photography by Spike Powell

Time to put away the straw bag and pull out the leather purse.

Bags from Queen Bea Studios - love them!

Thanks Summer '08 - it was great!

This image and first image via Ideal Home

Eye Candy - here and there

Love these images - just thought I'd share them.

Architectural Digest Espana June 2008, decorator Jacques Grange, photography by Eric Jansen


Image via All Things Blue



And can I recommend a visit to Charlie's Design Diary for more eye candy?

This blogger is a self-described New York City girl now living in Helsinki, Finland. This picture from her blog is of Pentilla Gardens. So beautiful.

So take a vicarious visit to Finland courtesy of this blogger!