Pretty is Back

This beautiful Dallas home decorated by Cathy Kincaid is a real delight to pore over.

The trelliswork is a wonderful addition to the interiors as it gives a feeling of bringing the outdoors in.  Also, the color chosen for the wall behind the trelliswork gives the room a very calming feeling. Apparently, this house was originally a Tudor with very dark interiors and dark woodwork throughout.  The transformation is spectacular.

This family has kids and dogs, so although the interiors may appear to be a little formal, in actuality all the rooms are well lived in.........a total English country ambience.

Enjoy! 

 

The solarium where the family entertains.

Hand painted floor and high gloss ceiling.

Egrets on palm wall bracket.

Notice the high gloss ceiling.

A small dining table in bay window of dining room.

Beautiful!

Extension of solarium.

Family room.

Two storey glass wall behind floating staircase floods the area with light.

Such a cozy master bedroom.

Sister Parish influenced attic guestroom.

Antique desk now vanity table.

Gorgeous Garret Getaways

I've had an affinity for attics since I was a little girl.......what other room in a house could be so out of the way, so invisible and yet, hold such treasures?  I spent many a day in the attics of a friend and cousins dressing up in their mother's old dresses and high heels and wrapping myself in an old mink stole with the head on one end and the tail tossed casually over my shoulder!  What a glamorous life I could lead in those attics!

Then, as a teenager, my parents bought a farmhouse and it, too, had an attic......and, once again, I was drawn to it as a complete and private getaway.  It was completely unfinished, mind you, with nothing more than a window, an old victrola and a brass bed with stairs leading down to the kitchen.  But, what a retreat to read a book in, or just to be alone and dream about it's possibilities. 

Yes, even then at 14, I was dreaming of interior decorating and even though I had completely redecorated my own bedroom in our new (old) house with blue and white striped wallpaper, floor length blue drapes that I had sewn myself, blue bedspread, painted wood floor and antique furniture with a white faux fur area rug on the floor with pictures symmetrically arranged on the walls and lamps in all the appropriate places.......I still escaped to the attic.  When I think back to that time, I had a Laura Ashley like bedroom, but it was only 1964 and I hadn't really heard about British interior designer Laura Ashley in small town Nova Scotia......we didn't really find out about her until the late 70s or early 80s.  (In fact, in 1964 Laura Ashley was still experimenting on her kitchen table with silkscreened dish towels!)  This was completely my idea of how I wanted my room to look......all that was missing was the chintz.....I hadn't discovered that yet!

So, when I came upon the rooms below, they brought back memories of good times, coziness, comfort and possibilities!  A place to dream.........!

Love the dog art theme going on in the last four rooms

All photos courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Diamond Baratta Design

Diamond Baratta Design is one of a kind!  Two friends, William Diamond and Anthony Baratta, head this design firm in New York City.

Their rooms stand alone in the world of design, as they are able to envision and incorporate ideas that would stop most people in their tracks.  No detail is too small, and if they are unable to find what they need for an interior, they have it custom made.

After many years in the business, they now have a field of experts at their behest - quilters, rugmakers, artists, cabinetmakers, embroiderers and large manufacturers of textiles, such as Lee Jofa, and carpet maker, Stark Carpets, to produce their personal designs. 

And therein lies their not so secret 'secret'!  What they produce is one-of-a-kind!

Today, I am posting one of their nautically designed interiors.......and you will see what I mean.

Enjoy!

Cape Cod Summer Home

Tugboat S.S. Lollipop

Entry with built in benches

Hand hewn lighthouse newel post

Hand painted floors

Rug by Diamond

Ticking fabric on walls

Custom made gingham carpet

Tole vases converted to lamps

DB designed fabric on sofa

Antique quilted cushions and ottoman

Homeowner's collection sailor's valentines in LR

Custom designed quilt pattern on walls, chairs

DR Wedgewood shell plates

Family room has custom designed Lee Jofa fabric on furniture

with antique quilted and hooked pillows

Vintage windmill refurbished

DB coffee tables and Orkney chairs

DB rag rug

Sun porch

DB latticework and porthole table

Master bedroom

DB bed and nightstand

Antique quilted pillows and linen on walls

DB rug

Boy's room

DB bed and pier tables

Hand painted floors

Beach house family room in red to match tugboat

DB fabric and antique quilt ottoman

Hand painted ceiling border and floor

Antique portholes and sconces

All photos via Veranda

Wouldn't you say they have a penchant for detail?  What do you think?

Comments welcome!!