Loi Thai of Tone on Tone is Blogging!

Did you know that designer Loi Thai of Tone on Tone Antiques, based in Bethesda but recognized nationally as a premier source for 18th and 19th century Swedish antiques, has recently started blogging? I was so excited to come across his blog just a few days ago. Today he posted about his former home - gorgeous! The thing that strikes me most is the feeling of openness and warmth at the same time. You almost expect to feel a fresh summer breeze while walking from room to room. (Traditional Home 2008, photography by Erik Johnson)

Doesn't everyone who loves design know this image? For me, the picture of this swedish secretary is one of the most memorable interiors shots of this decade.
For more images of Loi Thai and Thomas Troeschel's previous home, go here.

Hope you have a great spring weekend!

From across the Pond - Caroline Paterson

Thrilled is how I felt when I came across the portfolio of London designer, Caroline Paterson. Named by House & Garden to their Top 100 decorators list, I find her work inspiring and the attention to detail amazing. The first picture makes me swoon - love the blue/green silk pillow and hand blown glass vase paired with the contemporary styling of the bureau and the traditional artwork.
Abstract art, its colors reinforced in the fabric choices, adds a bolt of energy to this traditional library.

What drew me into this photo is the lamp - amazing how one carefully selected piece can make a space. It very subtlety picks up on the fabric on the ottoman.
The bird sculpture and the abstract painting play off each other - although everything is stationary there's movement in this space.

A great reminder that a closet is all you need for a functional home office space.

For me, these narrow horizontal stripes are unexpected and add so much interest to this space.

To see more of Caroline's work, click here.

DC Designer's Own Home - Tricia Huntley

One of my favorite designers, Tricia Huntley of Huntley and Company, had her home recently featured in The Washington Post and I almost missed it!...because it appeared in the Real Estate section. I had been following along with sneak peaks from her blog Luxe and Lucid but full blown pics are so much better. Tricia's transformation of her midcentury home is full of chic, luxe goodness with classical elements throughout. Hope you enjoy seeing it as much as I did. (First five photographs by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

Now that's a powder room! More images from The Washington Post feature here
Detail pics by Tricia Huntley here. If you're interested in seeing her work up close, be sure to go to the upcoming DC Design House to see Tricia's take on a master bedroom sitting room.

Winner from Willams Sonoma

Brass is in in these versions of a French Chef's Kitchen Island from Williams Sonoma. Love the styling and the depth of 17 - 18" makes these a great option even for a smaller kitchen.

A Charleston Cottage to Envy

Usually when I'm virtual hunting for a great house in Charleston, they're large, stately homes so it was a nice surprise to come across this 1750+ square foot home built in 1870. Casually chic and full of charm, it makes me wonder if an interior designer or blogger lives here.

(For more images of this wonderful home go here.)
The middle cushion in this sofa is wider than the other two. I think it looks great and wonder if it's a vintage piece? Love the mirror and the built-ins.
Notice the cat in this pic? He/she is near the triangle glass end table, something you don't often see. Over to the right, love how the homeowner stacked art from the floor to ceiling for such great effect. A console table behind the white sofa creates interest and pulls the piece in for a more intimate conversation area.

I think that's a table lamp on the counter below those floating shelves.

Fab light fixture.

Another terrific mirror - this one in the master bedroom.

All lit up at night - a great reminder of how well placed landscape lighting can make such a difference.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Erin Go Braugh! Ireland Forever. Hope you have a great St. Patrick's Day! (Cloud free NASA image of the Emerald Isle, October 11, 2010 from here.)

When Irish Eyes are Smiling

There's a tear in your eye,

And I'm wondering why,

For it never should be there at all.

With such pow'r in your smile,

Sure a stone you'd beguile,

So there's never a teardrop should fall.

When your sweet lilting laughter's

Like some fairy song,

And your eyes twinkle bright as can be;

You should laugh all the while

And all other times smile,

And now, smile a smile for me.

When Irish eyes are smiling,

Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.

In the lilt of Irish laughter

You can hear the angels sing.

When Irish hearts are happy,

All the world seems bright and gay.

And when Irish eyes are smiling,

Sure, they steal your heart away.

For your smile is a part

Of the love in your heart,

And it makes even sunshine more bright.

Like the linnet's sweet song,

Crooning all the day long,

Comes your laughter and light.

For the springtime of life

Is the sweetest of all

There is ne'er a real care or regret;

And while springtime is ours

Throughout all of youth's hours,

Let us smile each chance we get.

You're Probably Not a Robot...(*I've been convinced. This blog no longer has verification!)

(*Update - based on all the comments I'm now on the no verification bandwagon. Hope it goes well.)
Is it just me or is it getting harder to prove you're not a robot when leaving a comment on blogger with word verification? Lately I've been failing at least of 1/3 of the time, sad, I know.

I, myself, have this feature on this blog and am starting to wonder if I should skip it but then there will probably be alot of crazy "robot" comments. The thought of enabling blogger approval and having to clear each comment isn't appealing either. Guess I'll just have to get better at deciphering blurry, curvy letters. Your thoughts?

p.s. Happy Pre- St. Patrick's Day!!

AD Eye Candy

Isn't this backyard amazing? Well, the whole issue of AD this month is terrific - my favorite since Margaret Russell took over a few years ago. Home of Isabel Lopez Quesada from AD here, photography by Simon Watson.

Bookshelves in the Bedroom - Yes or No?

Setting aside kids' rooms, what do you think of bookshelves in bedrooms? Too busy and distracting or just the right thing to add character and interest. For me it's a yes.

Image from House Beautiful's book, Decorating with Books, photography by Tria Giovan
Elle Decor via Master Class JPD School of Design (I'm not advocating fur throws but I do love this bedroom otherwise)
David Easton's bedroom via New York Social Diary
via Content in a Cottage
via Elements of Style
Design by Lisa Wagner via Martha Stewart Living here.

DC Designer In Traditional Home

DC designer Whitney Stewart's work will be featured in the upcoming issue of Traditional Home magazine. Here's a sneak peek that was forwarded to me, more images to appear in the published issue. This is one of the best kitchens I've seen this year - absolutely love how the freestanding hutch was incorporated into the visual field of the kitchen and what seems to be glass backed cabinets that let light stream through. Photography by Francesco Langese.
Here are a few of my favorite images from Whitney's web site here.

Looks like a Calder painting to me.
This sink and faucet combination is perfection!
Hope you have a great weekend!

If you're interested in checking out my recent post on Brass is Back for Washingtonian magazine go here.