Phoebe Howard and the Washington Post

My sister lives in Washington, DC, and is an avid reader of the Washington Post Home and Garden section. She called me yesterday to tell me about a great article in the Post on Phoebe Howard, one of my favorite designers. Much to my delight, Phoebe named Things That Inspire as one of her favorite design blogs! A sincere thank you to Phoebe and all of her staff at Mrs. Howard; they truly elevate design to a whole new level.

Please check back on Sunday, July 19 - my 2 year 'blogiversary'. I will be doing my first ever giveaway - one of my lucky readers will win a wonderful and exclusive item designed and created by Phoebe Howard, not available in stores anywhere.

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Inspirational Atlanta Designers

Every year I like to attend the home furnishing market at AmericasMart in Atlanta. It is fun and fascinating to see the new designs by the furniture and decor lines, see what trends are emerging, and generally soak in the atmosphere of a place devoted to furniture, decor, and design. I almost missed the Mart as I was in Colorado, but I got back just in the nick of time and was able to go on the last day. This year, the Home Furnishing market seemed to have a special focus on design as an integral component of the Mart, and to my delight there were rooms designed by six of the top designers in the country, all based in Atlanta: Suzanne Kasler, Bob Brown, Carole Weaks, Stan Topol, William Peace, and Matthew Quinn. The home design showcase was called 'b.inspired', and each designer had 10 'Things That Inspire Me' listed next to their rooms. I spent over an hour admiring every detail of the rooms. Here are the rooms from Weaks, Brown, and Kasler - I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Carole Weaks has long been on my radar, as she was mixing contemporary art with more traditional furniture and antiques many years before I started to gravitate towards this look. She designed a bedroom for her room at the Mart, and it was lovely. The bed is one of my favorite designs, made by Lewis Mittman, and the benches at the base of the bed are by Amy Howard. The chandelier is by Niermann Weeks.

I particularly liked the black cabinet, which is available through Smith Grubbs (to the trade only).

The next room was by Bob Brown. I always love seeing his work; it is comfortable, elegant, versatile, and clean lined. I appreciated that one of the things he listed in his '10 Things That Inspire' are the design blogs! Although this room is not really my personal style (it is a bit too masculine), it is beautifully and masterfully put together and a pleasure to look at. It takes a great eye to create a gallery wall like this, and I love how Brown used hanging lights instead of table lamps. I also like the contrast welting on the sofa and pillows.

The other side of the room has another wonderful gallery wall. It is amazing what the designers were able to do with their rooms; there were unique challenges given that the rooms did not have natural light or windows.

As much as I liked all of the rooms, my favorite was, of course, by Suzanne Kasler. Her style really speaks to me, and this room was a great reflection of her style. The room featured many pieces from Kasler's collection for Hickory Chair and Visual Comfort, as well as a few antiques. I love the dining table; if I could redo my own dining room, this table would be on my short list. Without its leaves, it is a small oval; with its leaves, it is quite long and seats 12. The chairs are antique, from Kasler's own collection. Her popular 'Alexandra' chair can be seen in the back - the quatrefoil shape is a classic form that she listed as one of the things that inspire her. I really like how she arranged the wood in the fireplace - quite sculptural.

Here is the room from the other side. The Swedish writing desk is antique. The slipcovered chair is from Kasler's Hickory Chair collection. I found the wall display to be quite beautiful, despite the fact that I am not an antler fan (although I do find European mounted antlers to be slightly more interesting). The room information said that Kasler used items from her personal collection to round out the room....

...and look what I spy. The bench that sat in the entry of her old home was used in the room at the Mart! The fabric is so distinctive with its custom embroidery. This antique bench was the inspiration for the 'Woodward bench' in Kasler's collection for Hickory Chair.

I wish I could have taken pictures of the other rooms, but the batteries in my camera died. The other rooms were also quite striking! I hope this is the start of a new tradition at the Mart. I found it to be very well done and quite an unexpected surprise.

One House, Two Owners

I enjoy perusing the real estate listings, and have been watching the listings for so long that I often see a home that was listed many years ago, and is now relisted. When looking at the 'new on the market' listings a few weeks ago, I noticed that a home I had featured on my blog two years ago was for sale again. I called the post 'Light Filled and Lovely'; I love the light coming in from two sides, the elegant furniture, the touches of periwinkle throughout the room, in the throw, the vase on the mantle, the stripe on the benches, and the contrast edge of the curtains (hard to see in this picture). I later learned that this was Suzanne Kasler's former home , which is featured under the 'Asheworth Court' section of her website.

I thought it was interesting to see the changes with the new owner. On the left: the real estate listing from two years ago, when Kasler was selling the home. On the right, the current real estate listing. When Kasler sold the home, Georgia was in the middle of a terrible drought. Now, the drought is over, and we have had the wettest spring in decades. The trees and landscaping have grown considerably, as you can see. Kasler kept plant containers to a minimum, with just a few Versailles planters along the walkway. The new owner has a few more, including two near the front door. Also, the right photograph was taken when the sun was casting long shadows on the front of the house. The picture on the left looks much clearer and cleaner because there are no shadows.

On the left, the entry as it was when Kasler lived in the home. On the right, the entry as it is with the new owner. The new owner stayed fairly true to the furniture and decor scheme that Kasler used, with a vertical piece of contemporary art, a settee, and a side chair.

On the left, the picture from the real estate listing when Kasler was selling the house. On the right, the living room from the new owner. The new owner's style is more casual, more eclectic. You don't see surf boards in a home too often in Atlanta! I love that driftwood sculpture on the right.

This is hardly a fair comparison, as I did not save the old real estate picture of Kasler's dining room; this image is of Kasler's former dining room, professionally styled and photographed. Several of the pieces in Kasler's dining room were the inspiration for her line of furniture for Hickory Chair (the settee and the buffet). On the right, the same dining room as the new owner has decorated it. It looks like the new owner kept the wall color, but Kasler took the pink silk curtains that made the room pop. The new owner has a round table, which works well in the space, and I love the new chandelier. Or maybe it is the chandelier that used to be in the breakfast room when Kasler owned the house. Overall, the space is not quite as formal, but still very pretty. If I were the owner, I would have used a rug that filled the room a bit more.

To the left, the kitchen as it was when Kasler lived in the home. See a hint of the chandelier? Yes, I think this was moved to dining room by the new owners. I wish I had saved the picture of the casual dining area of the kitchen, the big turned wood chandelier was really dramatic in the space! To the right, the kitchen as it is in the real estate listing with the current owner. It looks like a lot of things were kept the same - the subway tile backsplash, the marble countertops, the color on the walls. I love the bit of trim that is slightly below the moldings. The new owner added something on the vent - maybe antlers? It is amazing to see how different the colors appear in the professional picture - the walls look quite periwinkle on my monitor.

On the left, Suzanne Kasler poses in her former bedroom, in an article from Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles. On the right, the image from the real estate listing. The new owner also has a sunburst mirror above the bed, one of my favorite looks. The new owner also has a fourposter bed. Instead of a bench at the base of the bed, the new owner has a cute little dog bed!

It is fascinating to see how a home can take on a different character with different owners (and of course, a different decor style). Yet, the bones of the house remain the same. Some people have the ability to see beyond the decor of a home to the architectural bones; I must admit, I am quite influenced by the decor when I see a home, and sometimes I like a home for the decor rather than what is really important, the flow and the structure of the house. It is helpful to me to see how one house, with two different owners, can take on a different look and feel. For more information and pictures, please see the real estate listing.

Come see what is going on this week on the Hooked on Houses Friday blog party! Also, please make sure to check back on Monday for my 2 year blogiversary give away - a one of a kind item that cannot be found in stores!

Designer Frank Babb Randolph

Thank you to the Washington Post for including this post in your Blog Watch, July 9, 2009! 

Last week, while visiting family in Washington, DC, I made a trip to the wonderful antique store Marston Luce. I had just read the new issue of Southern Accents on the airplane ride to DC, but did not make the connection between the store and the article on Luce's beautiful home in France until the seeing the magazine in the store; when I commented on what a good issue it was, the store manager made the connection for me. Hill Country House did a wonderful write up of the article and the 'humble elegance' of Marston Luce.

I snapped a quick iphone picture of the window display at Marston Luce; the Swedish settee truly beckoned me into the store.

While I was in the store, my sister pointed out that famed Washington DC based designer Frank Babb Randolph was in the store with a client. In my world, famous designers are like celebrities. I was more excited to catch a glimpse of Randolph than I would have been to see Brad Pitt (well, maybe that is an exaggeration). Although I did not rush over and take a picture and ask for an autograph, I did surreptitiously listen in on Randolph's comments on the various antiques in the store, and his conversation with the shopkeeper.

It was quite interesting to see what caught his eye that day. This chest was of particular interest!

Randolph does not have a web site, but many of us are familiar with his work from reading magazines and blogs. These pictures of a beautiful white kitchen are perhaps some of the most popular images of his work to circulate on the blogs; I have posted them quite a few times on my own blog, as the beauty of the kitchen and the conservatory style breakfast room inspire me every time I see them. I also love the little sidelight windows on the wall next to the sink. Image via Southern Accents, photography by Tria Giovan.

This beautiful living room is from Randolph's own home, which was profiled in Washington Spaces magazine. I always think it is fascinating to get a glimpse into the personal space of a designer - it is often the best reflection of their own true style. I love the mix of antiques with new items, the beautiful French doors that fill the space with light, and of course, the contemporary art by Elizabeth Dax above the fireplace. Image via Washington Spaces, photography by Kenneth M. Wyner.

A view of the other side of the living room. I love the lines of this sofa (the Gabrielle sofa by Niermann Weeks)! The tall mirror and the exquisite sconces are my favorite elements in the room; clearly Randolph is exceptionally talented at scale and proportion, because the sconces in relation to the mirror seem perfect to my eyes. The soft, pale colors of the room really speak to me.

I am a huge fan of light floors, and clearly Randolph is too. The rich, dark color of the mahogany dining table (custom designed by Randolph) is the perfect element in this light room. Notice the feet of the table, which are nickel plated lion's heads. The symmetry in this room is so pleasing to the eye. Image via Washington Spaces, photography by Kenneth M. Wyner.

The exterior of Randolph's Georgetown home. Image via Washington Spaces, photography by Kenneth M. Wyner.

When I saw this picture on the cover of Washington Spaces last year, it inspired a post on light floors that remains one of my all time favorite posts. I recently came across a quote from Randolph about light floors; he believes that they make the furntiture really dance. This home was a 1960s Georgetown showhouse that was transformed by Randolph. I love the combination of the bleached oak floors and the luxurious melon and lime striped silk curtains. Also note Randolph's use of a contrasting fabric on the back of the chairs. Image via Washington Spaces, photography by Morgan Howarth.

The dining room of the showhouse is simple and elegant. The coral curtains and skirted table add an infusion of color. I must admit, I have a great fondness for coral silk!

Another space that Randolph decorated, this time a Georgetown townhouse from the 1800s. More and more, my taste is transitioning to chairs with straight elegant lines like these.

Randolph also worked on the Vice President's residence for former VP Cheney and his wife Lynne. "We transformed the house using a simple, monochromatic palette," Randolph said, and used antiques, art, classic upholstery, and billowing silk curtains. Image via Washington Post.

Another picture of a room from the VP Mansion, with a large dramatic piece of contemporary art by Helen Frankenthaler taking center stage. Lynne Cheney said that one of the best perks of decorating the VP Mansion was being able to borrow extraordinary pieces of art. Image via Washington Post.

When researching this post, I realized that there is a certain look to Randolph's rooms, one that I like very much. He often uses full richly colored silk curtains; a monochromatic palette punctuated with bursts of color in the art, curtains, and pillows; a mix of best quality reproductions and beautiful antiques; often there are light floors or light, neutral rugs that unify the space and provide a wonderful backdrop for the items in the room. In his own home, Randolph has a fondness for painted European furniture and beautiful chairs - go back and and look, and you will see such a variety in the number and styles of chairs. He clearly has a love and appreciation for beautifully made chairs!

My Entryway Update

I recently discovered Metamorphosis Monday on 'Between Naps on the Porch', which is inspiring me to reveal a few of the updates that have gone on in my own home. I have shown bits and pieces of my entryway over the past year - the Scott's Antique Market chair that I updated, and a small glimpse into my front hall in a post I did on flowering quince. Here is a little bit of background on my entry and its progress over the past few years.

My front door is on the left side of my house, and because of this my entry actually has two good sized walls in it. I also have 'light on two sides' - the sidelights of the front door, and the fan light above it, as well as windows at the base of the stairs and the top. I truly enjoy having nice wall space in the entry, as it has enabled me to decorate the entry with both art and furniture.

For many years, my entryway had a French provincial style chest of drawers, an average looking mirror, and some Anna Weatherly plates hanging on the wall; unfortunately, I can't find a picture of this arrangement, as it was in my pre-digital days. A few years ago, I was ready for a change. When I bought the Niermann Weeks beaton mirror (pictured above), I decided to re-do my entry around this new piece. Of course, as is typical when I am doing a project for myself, it took a long, long time. I am a bit embarrassed to admit that my entry looked like this for over a year!

OK, now a bit of progress has been made! I have some samples of sisal rugs, and I got a chest of drawers for the front hall - the Murano chest by Hickory Chair, with a limestone top. Here is a cautionary tale - I went to my Hickory Chair representative and told him that I wanted to order a chest 'just like the one in the picture' of the catalog. I meant same color (parchment), with a stone top. I did not realize that Hickory Chair painted finishes come in three levels of distress - weathered, vintage, and rustic (rustic being the thickest and crustiest application). If I was aware of this, I would have ordered the weathered finish as I prefer a smoother look. When the chest arrived, I was quite dismayed as it was in the rustic finish (which is lovely, just not my style). The dealer offered to take it back, but I would have had to pay a huge restocking fee - so I kept it. The error was absolutely mine, as the picture in the catalog was of the rustic finish; however, since it was not a close-up, I did not see the details of the finish. I absolutely love Hickory Chair products, and overall am very pleased with the chest. Next time I order Hickory Chair, though, I will be certain to specify the weathered finish! Live and learn.

Here is the picture from my 'flowering quince post'. Some more progress has been made! I ended up ordering an area rug for the front hall, a sisal called 'Siskiyou' made by Fibreworks, color #777. I also had sconces installed - they were custom made by Julie Neill, a wonderful lighting designer out of New Orleans. For those of you new to my blog, I devoted quite a bit of blog space to my love for the sconces on the show 'Gossip Girl'. I searched high and low for sconces that had a similar style, to no avail. So, I contacted Julie, and we worked on the design - I had a specific look and feel I was going for, both with the sconces and the shades. Julie, a master at scale and proportion, provided wonderful guidance for the size and overall design of the sconces. And here they are! I smile every time I see them, even though I think the electrician hung them a little high (I had requested 60" above the floor, and he suggested 64"). Why did I agree to this? Another live and learn.

Here is a picture of the entryway on this gray, rainy day in Atlanta (not a lot of natural light for the pictures, unfortunately). The crystal Simon Pearce lamp has returned to its original place in the family room, and now the Baker pleated murano lamp in peridot has taken its place (from the Barbara Barry collection). I purchased it at Mrs. Howard; Phoebe Howard suggested it after I showed her a picture of my entry, and I really love it - it looks like a little glowing jewel in the evening. A small crystal bowl filled with hand painted paper mache eggs (purchased in London 12 years ago) sits atop a small stack of books. I have added a Target seagrass basket for my kids shoes - it makes life a lot easier in the morning, since they are all in one place. Since flowering quince is only in season for a short time in the spring, I usually put seasonal flowers on the left side of the chest. My long suffering orchid has has the place of honor right now since we are traveling so much this summer - it often goes for weeks at a time with no water, although it looks a little worse for the wear. And there is Ben the dog - my walking and house hunting buddy. When he is not out exploring Atlanta neighborhoods with me, he spends most of his time sprawled out on this rug.

Here is the other side of the entryway. One small detail, I changed out the old brass doorknob a few months ago, and got a lever style handle in a oil rubbed bronze finish.

Here is a view of the entire area from the stairs, to get a perspective on the layout.

Here is a view up the stairs (Ben is used to me taking pictures of houses, so he is unperturbed). I used to have a cream colored carpet runner, which was not practical and looked absolutely awful after a few years! I looked and looked for a good carpet to use as a runner; I wanted a different look than sisal.

Once I saw this carpet, Sotheby made by Masland (in nickel), I knew I had had found the perfect runner! Green is my favorite color, and I think green makes an excellent neutral for stairs. This carpet is a wool/polyester blend, and it has held up beautifully. We had it installed 18 months ago, and still looks new. I would like to use this pattern again in my next home! Notice how the shapes in the rug echo the shapes in the Murano chest.

I hope you enjoyed the slow but sure metamorphosis of my entry! I am very open to constructive improvement suggestions, particularly when it comes to the tablescape (I have no talent whatsoever when it comes to tablescapes).

Inspiration on YouTube

I came across this on Perez Hilton, and can't get it out of my head! I love the combination of beautiful music and the happy, hopeful faces of the talented young singers. Enjoy!

Chinese: Choral Tribute to Lily Allen

The 4th of July House

In Atlanta, land of the 'house proud', many people decorate their homes for the holidays; some home owners even decorate for the 4th of July. I drove by this home yesterday, and I immediately had to stop to admire its beauty. I took the picture at the break of dawn, so the light wasn't too good, but the simplicity and heartfelt style of the decor is what appealed to me. As in many other aspects of decor, sometimes it is better just to go big and go simple to make the most dramatic statement!

This is a quintessentially Southern home! Normally Greek revival style is not my favorite, but this house has undergone a meticulous renovation over the past few years and the results are simply magnificent. The upper porch was added during the renovation, giving the home more of a Louisiana/French Creole feel. I much prefer when columns are visually broken up this way.

I apologize for the skewed nature of this picture, but it gives an idea of the home in its setting. During the renovation, two wings were added to the front to make a courtyard.

Here is a picture of the home from the tax records - this was probably taken over a decade ago, but it shows that a big transformation has taken place. My favorite change: the series of French doors added to the front of the home, including three on the upper porch.

I also love the addition of a front parking courtyard; it reminds me of the front courtyard of Blenheim Palace in the town of Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England. From Atlanta to Oxfordshire - you never know where a post is going to take you!

I hope you enjoyed the 'Fourth of July' house as much as I did! I seem to recall that the owners of this home also decorate for Christmas, so I will need to return in December for an update.