Monday, September 05, 2011

Dust Bath

Here we are enjoying the dog days of summer with the most wonderful weather we have had in many months.....it seems September has become my favorite month for that very reason.

And so it was, on a sunny, warm early Saturday evening past that my husband and I enjoyed a fund raising gala at the exquisite home of local entrepreneur Danny Murphy and his wife, Martie.  The evening was spent enjoying cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, a fund raising auction for the benefit of the local Joyriders Club, and wonderful entertainment by musician extraordinaire, Matt Anderson. 

To top off such an unforgettable evening, thanks to my very generous husband, I came home with a gift that will make me smile every day for the rest of my life.....and all I have to do is look at it.  I have placed it strategically near our breakfast table, so it will be just about the first thing I see each morning. 

'It' is this painting called 'Dust Bath' by our own east coast, world famous artist, Lindee Climo.  (As readers of this blog know, I feature my favorite artists on Fridays, so please watch this Friday for more Lindee Climo art and information).

I think you will see why I fell in love with this painting.....even if I weren't already a collector of vintage children's book illustrations, I would have been completely taken with this image......

I hope you will enjoy it, as well!






Friday, September 02, 2011

Suite Dreams in Serene Green












Images 1, 3, 4 & 6 Better Homes and Gardens
Image 2 Architectural Digest, Image 5 Colonial Homes


Thursday, September 01, 2011

A Southampton Home by Meg Braff

This is a pretty house with interior designs by Meg Braff.

Since the house is located in East Hampton, New York, I immediately thought the color scheme was based on the surrounding scene of sky and ocean (blue), sand (sisal, toile and stripes in master bedroom) and the natural third accent color would have been yellow to represent the sun.  But, I was wrong.

As I perused the images, I saw the third accent color was green.  Aha!  Never assume anything!

As I read the interview with the designer, I realized it was the living room painting over the fireplace from which she drew her colors.  It's one of her favorite 1960's Swedish artists, Gustav Bolin, whose works she collects.  Although the clients were at first hesitant about the painting, Meg convinced them to try it for a month and they were thrilled with the final results.

And therein lies the secret of easy color combinations by designers.  I've heard it over and over again......if you are not sure where to start with a room color scheme, use a favorite piece of art, fabric or colorful carpet.....after all, the artists and designers of all of these items are master colorists.    

We all know that the artist, Matisse, is famous as a master colorist, so I was intrigued to read some time ago, that he used fabrics of the time to gather his color schemes.  Interesting!!

Enjoy!











All images via House Beautiful




Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Seashell Decor














Images 1 - 3 Veranda, Image 4 Unknown
Images 5 - 7 Better Homes and Gardens


Monday, August 29, 2011

Bathing Beauties

















Images 1 -4 Traditional Home
Image 5 Hamptons Cottages & Gardens
Image 6 - 8 House Beautiful


Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Sleeping Beauties














Images 1 - 5 Charlotte Moss, Image 6 Charles Faudree
Images 7 & 8 Mario Buatta


Tuesday, August 23, 2011

A Touch of Pink


Look how these soft rooms come to life with just a touch of pink!















 Images 1, 2, 3 & 4 House Beautiful
Image 5 & 6 Traditional Home
Image 7 House Beautiful



Monday, August 22, 2011

Reading Rooms of the Royally Rich



Design by Thomas Britt

Private library of Horace Walpole at his English castle,
Strawberry Hill

Design by Jacques Grange

Design by Thierry Despont for Toronto, ON client

Private library of filmmaker, George Lucas,
at his ranch
27,000 titles

All photos via Architectural Digest