Thursday, February 24, 2011

Quick Reveal

Thank you all for your suggestions on my front door color. After looking at numerous swatches and going back and forth on dark grays and dark blues, I just decided to go with basic black. The issue I kept running into was not clashing with the taupey-greigey (I know those aren't real words) trim that is all over the house. Black goes with everything, right? Well, without further ado, here it is . . .
Ta da! The dogs look thrilled!

Just as a reminder, here's what it looked like before . . .
Better, right?

And, from the inside . . . 
I think I may like the inside view even better than the outside. I've got a few more tricks up my sleeve to make the black carry into the house. For one thing, I'm getting rid of that rinky dink newel post and when I get a new one, I'm painting it and the banister the same black. Also, you may remember I have plans to recover that chair. I will paint the legs black and my fabric choices are black and white. I already bought some fabric, but I found another I might like better. This is my fatal flaw - indecision. I'm like Hamlet.

I'm just glad I pulled the trigger on the door. I'm really liking the clean, crisp look. Hope you like it too. Happy Thursday!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

It's Been a Long Time...

It's been a long time since I've been in love with a space as much as I am with this one. So glad I rediscovered this April 2010 The World of Interiors squashed behind the couch in my basement, of all places. How could I have let you out of my protective care? Yes, magazines sometimes can mean that much... The genious designer behind this home is Bruce Budd, photography by Richard Felber. (--oh, and doesn't the planter above look alot like the one I just posted about here?)

I want everything from all these rooms.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Designer Tag Sale!

My friends at Sally Steponkus Interiors are having a tag sale! All items are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you're interested in any of these or would like additional information, the contact info is at the end of this post. Happy shopping!

Pictured above: RJones “Elizabeth” loveseat in custom-colored Quadrille fabric (from the 2010 DC Design House master bedroom) Loveseat alone (not including custom Quadrille fabric) would be $4970 list. Size: 72”W x 32”D x 31”H. AW: 5.5”. Interior Seat depth: 20”D. Seat height: 18”H.
Price: $2800
Gilded/weathered wood wings. Size: 63” tall x 14.5”W at widest point. Price: $300 for the pairSet of (6) RJones Dining Side Chairs – H42 D27 SH19 AH24 –
Description: Semi-attached seat cushion, boxed, no welt, with buttons. Tight back with buttons. Button pleated outside back. Welt on frame. Tapered legs in solid wood.

Price $5,000 for set of 6 (list price for the chairs alone [without fabric] is $9650)

Fabric on chairs is Colefax & Fowler #3418-04, “Riley Stripe”/Aqua.

(6) Rolls of Harlequin Wallpaper – Pattern #70621 – Price: $396 for 6 rollsNina Campbell wallpaper: Pattern #NCW2244-02 “Kylemore” from the Nina Campbell Fandango collection. (3) Euro Rolls at 20.5”W x 11 yds long each.
Price: $220 for 3 rollsOsborne & Little wallpaper - #W1062-04 – (3) rolls at 20.5”W x 11 yds long (cream background with gold stars that have a red shadowing behind them).
Price: $220 for 3 rolls(1) Lights Up! Deco Deluxe Pendant Light - 21 H x 21" diameter - - 8' black silk wrapped cord; 5" diameter canopy, Price: $160

Weathered Mirror, 28" x 38.5", Originally bought at Luckett's annual flea market, never used. Mirror is wood with a weathered tin facade. Beveled mirror inside frame. Can be turned either way. Very rustic and cool. Price $150
Rug – 94" x 136"- Slight wear on one corner. Price: $600

Williams Sonoma 8'x11' wool and cotton crewel rug, discontinued style no longer available. Never used. Taupey grey beiges, graphic pattern, really nice and neutral. Not heavy duty
by any means, but pretty. Price: $900
Chinese lantern – 7” square x 16” tall to top of lantern (not including adjustable chain to the canopy). Canopy is 5” in diameter. Price: $100

If you have any questions or are interested in purchasing any of the items shown,
contact Heather at Steponkus Interiors at 202. 237. 9872 or
Heather (at) steponkus.com

I Spy

Recognize the living room on the left that's featured in the FLOR carpet catalog? I'm pretty positive it's the room below, designed by Nate Berkus. OK - enough procrastinating and minor trivia for me, time to get back to my paying job...

Interior design by Nate Berkus, image via Chicago Home + Garden (more images there), photography by Bob Coscareli.

Monday, February 21, 2011

X Marks the Spot

First of all, I had a post about my need for X benches pretty much written in my mind and planned on putting it together this morning. Of course, I got distracted because my mother was still visiting and my kids are out of school for President's Day. So, I go about my day doing stuff around the house, hosting a play date, the usual. In between, I sneak a few blog reads when I see this . . .
My blog friend Bri over at Me, You and a Wiener found these X benches here in Nashville! I've been lusting after X benches for a while but actually started searching the internet in earnest for some over the weekend. So, where and when did she find these? On Craigslist. On Saturday. The same time and place I was looking, but she has got mad Craig skills. The benches are now hers. Finders keepers. I'm not bitter, just very jealous. She is aware of this.

I found these on eBay for $400 but someone purchased them for $600 at the "Buy It Now" price. Not that I wanted to pay that amount anyway. But these actually looked decent and I liked the coral velvet upholstery. Sigh.

Let's look at some fabulous examples of the elusive X bench I seek . . . 

Angie Hranwosky does not mess around. Love this little number.
 Elizabeth Bauer via So Haute Style

Meg Braff

Jonathan Adler, of course. And I know that I could buy a brand spanking new Jonathan Adler X benches for a mere $476 each (they're currently on sale!), but I'd rather not pay $1,000 for two.

Of course, there are always the ones at Ballard Designs.
But I would probably want to provide my own fabric which ups the price a bit up into the $250 - 300 (at least) each. Still a bit pricey.

So, where do I want to put these X benches? In my family room/living room/whatever you want to call it. Specifically, in that blank, empty, barren space between the coffee table and fireplace. I feel there's a void. My husband thinks it will be too cluttered. What? Too much furniture? Never. You can't really put anything big there and it is kind of a pass-through to get to the sliding glass doors (which will soon be replaced with French doors, both fingers crossed). And don't mind that random table to the right beside the sidelight window. I was moving furniture.
I know I need drapery, but I was waiting for new doors before I tackled the window treatment around them. Can't put the cart before the horse, right? Also, I realize there are people out there who hate TVs over fireplaces, but there seriously is not much of a choice with this layout. Once again, crazy builder.  Anyway, back to the space. Am I the only person who is bothered by the emptiness? By the lonely void in front of the fireplace?
See that brass coffee table? It's new. Craigslist. Who found it? Bri . . . I'm telling you, she's the queen of Craig. Stay tuned for a future possible collaboration between the two of us.
Forgive the lack of styling. I just got it on Friday.

Another option? Pushing the X benches under my sofa table/console. Of course, my table's a little small. Might need to find a different one. Maybe I should put Bri on the case.

So, what do you think? Could X benches solve my decorating dilemma? Or should I leave well enough alone?

In Lieu of Southern Accents: Marjorie Johnston & Co.

In Lieu of Southern Accents - I think this may become a theme for me in 2011.

When I saw this first image on the main page of Marjorie Johnston & Co it pretty much took my breath away. The Gallery Foyer Marjorie H. Johnston and Wendy Wooden Barze designed for the 2009 Birmingham Decorators' Showhouse is a classic, elegant room full of interest and energy. Love all the repetition of the curves, from the bureau to the high backed bench to the stunning metal frame encircling the small portrait. To see more, go here.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Richard Taylor at Pottery Barn & a Giveaway

It was very exciting the other day to find that select pieces from concrete artist Richard Taylor are now being offered exclusively through Pottery Barn! All the pieces bear his name and Pottery Barn has done a terrific job of crediting his talent in their descriptions:
"After years of experimentation, English artist Richard Taylor perfected the difficult craft of mold making. His artistry allows him to create original pieces that showcase his great skill and eye for detail. Made from his original molds with details that are hand carved by Richard, our planters feature two rounded handles and a decorative double ridge."

The Handled Planters above are available in 4 sizes, ranging from $12 - $99.
Fluted Urn - $14
Leaf Planters - available in 2 sizes, $16 - 29.
and this very cute bird on a metal stick for $6.

Although it says Richard's pieces are available online and in the catalog, at my local Pottery Barn (Arlington-Clarendon) they had a nice selection of the Handled Planters and the Fluted Urn. The finish and texture are great and the aged look sets these pieces apart.

In honor of Richard's work being carried by Pottery Barn, I'm having a giveaway. The winner will have a choice of the Fluted Urn or a small Handled Planter or Leaf Pot. Just leave a comment by Monday night 9 pm Eastern.

*UPDATE* - Jean of the blog Downsizing in San Francisco is the winner. Congrats Jean!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Paint It Black?

My front door is in desperate need of a facelift. It may not be red, nevertheless I'm thinking I might follow the sage advice of the Rolling Stones and just paint it black.
Here's my sad weather-beaten front door. Even my pets are unenthused with it.
And a wider view so you can soak in the full beauty of the pinkish-red brick next to the yellow stone and taupe-ish trim. Damn builder's special a la 1997 - believe me, this would not have been my choice. And yes, I know my planters/urns look sad and empty. I did have greenery in them for Christmas but was waiting for spring to come back around to spruce them up with new plants.

The inside of the door is not much better. It's got major scratches which I swear are from the previous owners' dogs (although our dogs are certainly not guilt-free in this area). I neglected to get a close-up of the scratches, but trust me, they're there.
My plan is to paint the interior of the door the same color as the exterior. Now, I've just got to find the right paint. I know I said black, but I'm actually thinking of a really dark gray that almost looks black. There's a Martha Stewart color at Home Depot called Wrought Iron that might fit the bill.
I realize this doesn't look that dark and almost looks blue in the photo, but in the store it looks almost black. Does anyone have any great dark grays-almost blacks that they could suggest? I'm assuming I'll go with a high gloss finish. Or maybe a semi-gloss? Any thoughts there? The painter is coming on Tuesday, so I need to get to finding a color asap. Any input would be much appreciated. Even if the input is that you think I'm nuts and should go a totally different direction.

And lastly, just had to share another shot of the door featuring my favorite model
wearing the cutest little jacket I found at Old Navy the other day. It totally looks like a Mini Boden jacket at a fraction of the price. Score. I just wish they had one in my size so I could embarrass her by wearing it at the same time. Isn't that what moms are for?

Eye Candy: Federal Style

Alan de la Vigne's restored 1830's Federal style home in Port Hope, Ontario was featured in Canadian House and Home's February 2010 issue. Now you can also watch a 5 minute video tour of his gorgeous home. After you recover from the fact that this daper gentleman is 81 years old and looks hardly over 60, you'll be treated to:
`
- an all white painted open staircase filled with light
- antiques in every room, including a 1712 French armoire and 17c Italian table
- beautiful moldings and
- a southern-style draped porch with exterior curtains made from a very thrifty material

To see the house tour, go to House & Home Online TV HERE.

(First image via the blog 2 Hounds Unleashed, photography by Ashlee Raubach, House & Home, February 2010)