Eye Candy: Rustic & Refined

To me, both these interiors capture a perfect balance of a rustic and refined. They're from Dream Homes: 100 Inspirational Interiors by Andreas von Einsiedel and Johanna Thornycroft. I refer to it as the "book that keeps on giving." Even if you've looked through it a hundred times, if you pick it up a few months later, you'll see something new. (Above interior design by Sally Jeeves.)
Interior design by Collett-Zarzycki Ltd.

I "Custom Cut" My Own Seagrass...

Here's my new living room seagrass covering the fireplace hearth. How did this happen? Backstory: An email arrived from Sisal Rugs Direct offering a limited 2-day 15% offer. I opened this email late at night after drinking a glass of wine (well, really a bourbon & ginger ale, but wine sounds somewhat more refined) a few hours before the offer was to expire. I had been wanting a custom cut seagrass but in that impulsive moment I decided I could custom cut it myself once it came. So I ordered it 13' wide and about 21" ft long for $941, including shipping.
Before: Here's the living room just as we started moving furniture out. You can see my previous purchase, an 8' x 8' seagrass, which was too small and only served to chop up the space. No excuse, I wasn't drinking when I bought that one.
Because I was nervous about cutting it exactly right, we pulled up the wood trim around the hearth to give a little extra room in case I needed to recut. A more organized person would make a template...
Removed a section of the trim as the ORIGINAL ideas was to then reattach the trim around the cut section. Cutting the seagrass was actually not difficult. The plan was then to put glue on the raw edges to "seal" it and then attach the trim by glue over the cut section. This way it would fit around the hearth. (Forgot to take a picture of it all cut!)
However, an easier option emerged when my husband suggested just putting it underneath the trim. Realizing we could try that and if we didn't like it, go back to the original plan.
It's a bit of a hybrid between a custom cut bound seagrass and an installed version (under the hearth) but so far I really like it.

Multi-Colored Books

Instead of going just with white, David Barden of David Barden Interior Design added in color covers to add interest to the shelves in the Gentleman's Study of last year's Richmond Symphony Designer House. I like this mix. Hope you're having a good week - a bit too hectic here on my end.

Finger Lakes Make it on The Office Finale

If you've read my blog over the years you know I grew up in the Finger Lakes region of Central New York (Auburn, Owasco Lake)

It was great fun last night when Jim Carey, aka interviewee for Michael's old job, said he had to rejoin his family vacationing in the Finger Lakes. Hey, the Finger Lakes got mentioned on The Office!! But, my husband and I both started laughing when he went on to say people get lost hiking there because people actually do get lost hiking - - but that's in the Adirondacks, about 3 hours away.

Above wintertime shot is from NASA. Here's a pic in the summer. If you've never been, go. It's one of the most beautiful parts of the country.
Hope you have a great weekend. Back Monday with pics of projects I've been working on at my house. You know I mentioned that on purpose so I'll finish them up!

Dreamy Sitting Room

Betsy Berner and Tara Sutphin of Berner Sutphin Designs are participating in this year's Stately Homes by the Sea Designer Show House and I'm happy to share these images they forwarded to me. They created a dreamy sitting room with soft colors and luxe details. The gold outlining on the secretary makes such a difference and I love the simple styling they chose. Just noticed the casters on the horn legs of the ottoman! (all photography by John Bessler)
Rectangular bolster and an incredible accent chair replete with lion head - fabulous!

The show house is open through June 12th.

Can I Bleach This?

Is it possible to bleach this red print slipcover white? It's Laura Ashley fabric I bought 12 years ago for $3 a yard (*forgot to mention earlier that it's 100% cotton). The chair was found on the sidewalk near our Cambridge apt. back in 1987. I'm in the process of finishing up my family room and although the chair works well in this spot (fairly small scale) I'm not digging the fabric.
Another option would be to dye it charcoal gray but I'm not sure if I could get the color right... Curious to hear what you think or if you have any tips on bleaching.

Blogger - Missing Post?

Interesting. I thought when I was finally able to log back into Blogger I'd be able to put Thursday's post on Tailored Eye Candy back up. I guess not.

Instead - here's some flowers from my garden. My mother recently gave me this small mirror, which I've always admired. It was a wedding present my parents received back in 1961 from an eccentric gentleman who took it off the wall of his own home. Not sure how old it is but the patina is beautiful.

Hope you have a great weekend.

Tailored Eye Candy

Love the tailored and sophisticated feel of these rooms, along with the use of strong accent color. (all images via Neuvo Estilo here)
The fabric on this bench is one of my favorite elements in this space.
Art with illusion - an amazing choice for this narrow wall between two rooms.

For me, it's felt like a long week. TGIF soon! Have a great weekend, Michele

Glam Clam

Spotted these resin clam shells with gold last year at Ruth and Ollie in Richmond. Love the natural ones but am also liking this glammed-up version too. Could see it on a vanity table full of jewelry. What do you think?

A Washingtonian Inspired Room

As part of the Washington Design Center's Jewel Tones of Design showhouse, Charlotte Lekakos created an optimistic and cheerful sitting room with strong references to the unique elements associated with Washington, DC. The room is wrapped in a large scale check wallpaper by Schumacher and a mix of neoclassical and American accents, with a healthy dose of vibrant red and vintage-inspired fabrics, create a collected-over-time feel to the room. (Sorry for the dark photos here)
The inspiration for the design was this special edition Great Seal pin by local jewelry designer Ann Hand.
This gray Henredon Campaign chair lends a relaxed air, which for some reason makes me think of FDR.

Love the unexpected choice for a green lamp.
Great takeway idea - paint a collection of objects in a uniform color.
To see more of the room and watch a video of Charlotte sharing her design inspiration and ideas, go here.

Entry Change (again) & a Barn Sale Sat.

This is the 4th version of my entry since starting my blog 3 years ago (previous post here). The last year it's been in flux so I never showed a photo of that version. Recently I checked out Sharon Haydon's site Fabulous Finds and came across this stone topped console table for $275. Loved the size, the drawer and the curved style which breaks up all the right angles in this small space. The hypertufa ball below the console is a smaller version of the one in my fireplace.
These two ring iron ring sculptures were purchased back in '09 during a visit to McLain Weisand with Meg of Pigtown Design.
This black glazed pot was rescued on garbage day from the side of the road.
Keeping with the idea of adding in curves, last weekend I bought this small (11") convex mirror from Grant Gibson's One King's Lane Sale and am hoping it will work hung above the current mirror. I might need to add some gold glaze to the current mirror to tie it in.
Finally, some wrapping paper in the drawer and a goal to only put sunglasses in this drawer so it doesn't become another place for junk!

THIS SATURDAY MAY 7th - Sharon has terrific, very reasonably priced vintage furniture and accessories. This Saturday she's having her Annual Spring Barn Sale from 8:00 - 4:00 pm, 1870 Hunter Mill Road, Vienna, VA. Go here to check out pics of her great finds.

High Contrast Interior Lattice

One of my favorite rooms from the 2010 Richmond Symphony Designer Showhouse was the sunroom designed by Kathy Morgan and Kevin Malone of Williams & Sherrills. They made the bold choice to take the existing white-on-white lattice and transform it into a show stopping surround for the whole room. Chinoiserie fabrics and accessories add to the energy and vibrant feel of the space. Hats off too to the painters who did such a perfect job!
Chinoiserie inspired fabrics and accessories add to the energy and vibrant feel of the space.(image above via the blog Krandac & Kole here)

On another note, Wanda Crossley of Matthews House and Garden has started her own blog! You'll remember Wanda as the amazing designer who transformed an old Upperville, VA church into an incredible design shop. Hope you'll have a chance to stop by her blog and say hello.

David Herchik's Capsule Collection for EF + LM

DC designer David Herchik of JDS Designs has designed the debut Capsule Collection for Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman and the resulting pieces are strong lined, elegant and beautifully made. The Tribeca Chaise not only catches your eye but is wonderfully proportioned and extreme comfortable too.

The Marian Table was inspired by a baluster in the Georgetown home of one of David's clients.
I'm particularly fond of the combination of upholstery with wood and think these pieces strike a perfect balance in that regard.

Love the detail of the upholstered arms on the West Ender chair. Thank you to the staff at the DC Design Center's EF + LM showroom for inviting me to preview this beautiful new line.