Wednesday, October 26, 2011

French Country Cottage in Reds and Yellows

As a followup to yesterday's post, I would like to share this charming cottage with you.  The homeowner is an antique shop owner who surrounds herself only with items she really loves and  has done it beautifully.












All images via Decorating


Tuesday, October 25, 2011

French Country Cottage Charm in California

I've loved this 1930s, 1600 sq. ft. Montecito cottage ever since I first laid eyes on it.

Homeowner, Lee Kirch, a Colorado resident, uses this cottage as her second home.

Lee has been an avid antique collector and French country enthusiast for many years.  It's clear she has given a lot of thought to her interior designs and picks up most of her antiques locally at Rue de Lillie in Summerland, which is owned by her good friend, Ruth Ann Risvold.  (Tomorrow, I will show you Ruth Ann's cottage).

This cottage may be small by some standards, but it packs a real whollop in the style department.

For instance, in the living room the walls, sofa and artwork are quite neutral, but Lee has personalized and added warmth with her mix of fabrics.....mostly reds....with a dash of yellow in one of the living room windows.  As Lee says, "Every room needs a touch of yellow" and I agree.  The chairs with the turquoise legs were found at Indigo Seas, Lynn von Kersting's shop.

The dining room has an eclectic choice of fabrics as well......with mix and match fabrics at the windows and on each of the chairs.....another way to keep the eye moving around the room and add interest.

And how can one go wrong with the toiles and quilts in the bedroom and seashells in the bath?  You can't!

Hope you enjoy this home as much as I do!
























All images via Country Living


Monday, October 24, 2011

Chaises for Comfort














Images 1 & 7 House Beautiful
Image 4 Elle Decor, Image 5 Weheartit
Images 2 & 6 Traditional Home



Friday, October 21, 2011

Loving the Art of Jeremiah Goodman

I discovered the art of Jeremiah Goodman some years ago in a Veranda magazine.  This was long before I had a blog, but I had the good sense to tear out the pages and save them for future reference.  I'm not sure what I planned to do with them at the time, other than be mesmerized by the wonder of his work.

As an interior decorator, it's true I am more than a little interested in 'interiors', but it wasn't just the subject of these watercolors that caught my attention, it was the creative expression Jeremiah was able to render on a piece of paper!

And to be so masterful with a paint brush!!  At the time of the article in the magazine, Veranda's Adam Lewis described this artist as 'America's Master Interiors Illustrator'.  Far be it for me to argue with that......because it's true.

Mr. Goodman was born in upstate New York in 1922 and is currently living in Manhattan, and still painting! He even has his own facebook page, which I just discovered today.  I also found out today that he offered a painting workshop at The Parsons School of Design, from which he graduated many years ago, in the not too distant past.

Kudos to Jeremiah Goodman for continuing to enjoy a most remarkable life interpreting the interiors of some of the world's most famous celebrities of his day.  And thank you for such a wonderful legacy of art you have bestowed upon us for future reference and inspiration!

This is a very small sampling of his portfolio and his signature is recognizable simply as 'Jeremiah'.  Also, his limited edition prints are available at http://www.deanrhysmorgan.com/

Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

Elsa Peretti's bedroom in Spain

Elsa Peretti's living room in Spain

Famed celebrity photographer Cecil Beaton's
sun room, England, which inspired a scene
in the film My Fair Lady



Jeremiah's rendition of Veranda cover above


Jeremiah's rendition of Veranda cover above

Actress Greta Garbo's New York living room

Actor John Gielgud's English sitting room

Images 1 - 7 Veranda
Images 8 & 9 Dean Rhys Morgan






Thursday, October 20, 2011

Double Trouble













Images 1 & 2 House Beautiful
Images 3 & 6 Elle Decor
Images 4 & 5 Architectural Digest




Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Beautiful Banquettes

















Images 1, 4 & 6 Traditional Home, Images 2 & 3 BHG
  Images 5 Unknown
Image 7 Elle Decor, Image 8 House Beautiful



Monday, October 17, 2011

Dressing Rooms - Old and New


A Jamie Drake Dressing Room
Traditional Home
Pinterest

Mariah Carey's Dressing Room
by Mario Buatta
Architectural Digest

Jackie Kennedy's White House Dressing Room
Architectural Digest
Sister Parish was the White House designer during the JFK term.
Timeless!

2011 DC Design Showhouse

Pinterest

Nancy Reagan White House Dressing Room

Pinterest