Calling Design Bloggers Whose "Day Job" is Different!

The other day I was visiting a wonderful blog for the first time, Boxwood Terrace, and was really impressed by her post, Virtual Renovation: A Small French Country Kitchen. (see the image above) Then I noticed in the About Me section the following, "Although my days are spent in the corporate world, I would like to create and share beautiful things with others." I could really identify with that.

It started me thinking, "How many bloggers out there are working in an entirely different field but expressing their passion for interior design by blogging?" So, this post is a shout out for bloggers who love interior design but whose work is in an entirely different field to let us know more about you and what motivates you.

Leave a comment with a link - tell us about your "day job", your passion for design and any plans/dreams you have for the future when it comes to design, even it it's just to keep blogging! After a week or so, I'll do a summary post capturing all the blogs and their links. Looking forward to hearing from you!


And since tomorrow is Halloween...

if you haven't already seen Eddie Ross's HGTV Halloween Block Party it's airing one more time, tonight Oct. 30th, 6 pm/5 c. Happy Halloween!

DC Designer Series: Tricia Huntley

Sumptuous. Luxe. Inviting and comfortable. These are words that come to mind when I think of the work of Tricia Huntley of Huntley and Company. The pairing of this modern white metal lamp with the traditional styling of the bureau, mirror and painted screen is fabulous... I think I should add the word flair to my list of descriptors. (all photography by Kevin Allen, except where noted) Warm neutrals and plush fabrics create a cozy and stylish room.
In this room there's a great balance of clean lined pieces with a touch of classical elements like the urn, bust and greek key border. Back in 2008 I posted about another bust, draped in a Bobbie Medlin turquoise necklace, that Tricia included in a powder room she designed for the 2007 Washington Design Center showhouse.
A calm, relaxed sunroom that lets the backyard vista take center stage. (photo by Tricia Huntley)
This kitchen is absolutely incredible! Love the sleek and sophisticated look and feel.

I think that Tricia has a special talent for designing unique bathrooms. The wall faucet and sleek modern sink and vanity contrast beautifully with the dark, rich walls. The more traditional styling of the sconce is a great counterpoint; keeping everything interesting and special.
The mirror-on-mirror creats an expansive feeling in this bath. Love this elegant bridge faucet and the choice of just one sconce. What else can you say - this glass counter & sink is cool! (photo by Tricia Huntley)
A beautiful powder room. Isnt' that traditonally styled bridge faucet a standout?

For me, both these bedrooms are creating a bit of bedroom envy. The first pic is all about luxury. In the bedroom below, the primarily white painting against the black walls ties in with the white lamps, headboard and bedding, creating a very tailored look that I admire.
Gorgeous styling on this table set with a colorful suzani.


To see more of Tricia's designs, go here. Tricia also has a beautiful blog, aptly named Luxe & Lucid.

Luxe Eye Candy

These beautiful interiors are from Lorenzo Castillo's Madrid home and were recently featured in Nuevo Estilo magazine here. I love the contrast of the dark furnishings against the white walls, the eclectic mix of antiques and contemporary styling, and the incredible marble flooring. The basket of African violets is a great touch - you don't often see these in photo shoots.

I like how the gallery of paintings and mirrors is wrapped around to the adjoining wall.
Here's another view of the lattice work that borders the doorways and runs along the lower part of the wall in this part of the home.

For many more photos of the interiors and the courtyard, click here. (All images from Nuevo Estilo magazine. I was unable to locate the photography credit.)

Free, Downloadable Vintage Images

There is a wonderful resource on the web that I came across via Style at Home's November 2009 issue - Vintage Printable. There's a great variety of printable, downloadable, antique illustrations. The curator of this site notes that the images are "collected from digital image libraries all over the web. Most are hi-res, and all royalty free (either pre-1922 or works on behalf of the US Government." The variety is impressive; while many have a vintage feel, a number are contemporary in their aesthetic, like this colorful fish.



I love this British Sea Weeds seal! I need to find a place for this in my house.



This last one could be printed on high quality paper and used as background matting for another print. For enlargements and printing on a variety of surfaces, check out Wizard Prints, the company that Lauren of Pure Style at Home used.

Overdue Thank You's - I'd like to thank Sally Steponkus of Sally Steponkus Interiors for mentioning my blog and Homer's Odd Isn't He in a recent Washington Post article on transforming secondhand items. Sally's room in the 2009 DC Design House was recently featured in Traditonal Home - a well deserved recognition!!

Thank you also to the Lisa of the wonderful blog, The Lisa Porter Collection, for giving me an Honest Scrap award. If you haven't visited Lisa's blog, you are missing out. She is also an incredibly talented artist who works in watercolors. Her paintings are beautiful and are both realistic and dreamy at the same time. Love her work.

A Reader's Renovated 175 yr old Church!

I've often admired people who have the foresight to repurpose a building from it's original use and turn it into something new and wonderful. I was very excited to receive an email from a reader who has renovated a 175 year old church in Upperville, VA - transforming it into a beautiful home furnishings & garden shop and interior design studio.

The proprietor, Wanda Crossley, previously owned English Manor Gardens & Interiors in Leesburg VA, which I posted about here. Her new venture is Matthews House and Garden - Isn't the setting spectacular? Love the formal gardens in what was a former churchyard.


The scale of this building with the charming white post fence is so pleasing to the eye.
The interiors are light filled and provide a perfect backdrop for these wonderful interior vignettes. Love the statuary urn on the pine pedestal and the rough hewn table set with china. Such a unique door - the oval inset at the top is a real stand out.
I can see from scanning this picture that I must put Matthews House and Garden on my must-visit list. Located at 9160 John Mosby Hwy in Upperville, VA (540.592.7147) the hours are Tue- Sat 10 to 5, closed on Sunday, and Monday by chance (love that!)
Notice the painting to the left - love the moody image. To me it's reminiscent of the English countryside.
Gorgeous selection of colorful pillows on this daybed.
Here are a few more interior pics. For some reason I had trouble enlarging these. I think the first picture proves that Sunburst mirrors will always be in - especially when placed in such a perfect position as this one.
The following pictures give you an idea of all the hard work and good judgment that went into redesigning this former church. Allelujah for the liberation from this dropped ceiling!

Wanda - thanks so much for reading this blog and for taking the time to send in these pictures. I hope to visit in person someday!!

Barry Dixon & a bit more

I know, I have been a bit fixated on the CharityWorks GreenHouse but wanted to show you just a little more eye candy from this great showhouse. Barry Dixon designed the kitchen and living room with its soaring ceilings. A mesh, metal screen separates the two spaces without blocking visual flow. Many of the furnishings in this beautiful room are from Barry's own furniture line, Tomlinson/Erwin-Lambeth. French doors open to a terrace and saltwater lap pool. Built-in shelving that flanks both entrances to the room are covered in striped wallpaper.
Gary Lovejoy created a very restful and sophisticated library with fabrics that appeared soft and warm. (I followed the rules and didn't touch them!) Adore the vintage mantelpiece with its mantel left unadorned.

Michael Roberson designed a beautiful master bedroom in soft grays and blues. One of my favorite touches was the two double stripes painted on the walls near the ceiling. I thought it was a very creative and cost effective way to add a level of architectural interest to the room.
The CharityWorks GreenHouse is open through October 30th. If you live in the DC area, hopefully you'll have a chance to visit.