Barn and Cottage Living

When I did a post on quilts a couple of weeks ago, I couldn't help but notice on my blog's Pinterest page that one of my readers chose the living room shown below by Justine Cushing as one of her favorites, and remarked that she would love to see the rest of this place.

By sheer coincidence, I was tidying up some House Beautiful magazines last night and one was smaller than all the rest..........I picked it up to casually peek at it again and, lo and behold, it was the magazine with this house in it from 2007.

I really love the large size of the living room, large windows throughout, faded wallpaper, chintz fabrics all combined with beautiful antiques and art collected over a lifetime, as well as the coziness of  all the rooms.

So, to my reader Barbara, here is the rest of this very lovely home in the Hamptons.......the main house is called 'the barn' and the smaller rooms shown here are in their nearby cottage.

Enjoy and Happy Valentine's Day!

The barn bedroom

All images via House Beautiful

Another Mario Masterpiece

I sat down last night to relax with my new Architectural Digest magazine, which I bought simply because Mario Buatta's name is on the cover.  I featured him here some time ago and love his style.  You may remember him as the "Prince of Chintz".

This is the first home I have seen decorated by him that has so little chintz.....an occasional chair here and there.  However, his inimitable style is there, as always, and while I realize this home is opulent, regal, beyond the reach of the average person, I still feel it is worth seeing, not only to see how others live, but to eke out some of Mario's style ideas.

I love his sense of symmetry and balance......that in itself is very calming.  His furniture layouts are designed for comfort with easy conversation areas and eye candy at eye level whether you are seated or standing (note the low hanging art on the walls).

The 19' ceiling in the living room (former ballroom) allows for lots of room for wall decor, but Mario has still managed to present a warm and cozy environment.  The living room walls are now covered with Chinese silk fabric, while the master bedroom has a Chinese fabric that was installed by a former resident over 25 years ago.  And it is still classic and soothing.

As a side note, the apartment is owned by an old friend of Mario's by the name of Aileen Mehle, also known as Suzy Knickerbocker, the society columnist of the 1950s, 60s and 70s.  Looking at her photograph completely distracted me as she looks far too young to have been around that long......so I googled her and believe it or not, she was born in 1921!!  Go figure!

Hope you enjoy Mario's finely honed details!  (Don't forget to click on images for larger detail.)

Aileen Mehle (also known as Suzy Knickerbocker, the society columnist)

She is 90 years old (and this is a current picture of her as

evidenced by the draperies in the background!)

Unreal!!!

Living room

Living room

Living room

Dining room

Tented dining room - I like the ambience!

Chinese fabric on walls and a fabric covered ceiling

Porthault linens

All photos via Architectural Digest

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



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