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



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



Loving the Art of Catriona Millar

I was thinking about Catriona Millar's artwork recently and I decided to do a bit of research on her work.

When she came to mind a couple of weeks ago, as I was ruminating about artists to feature on my blog, I didn't quite make the connection as to why she was foremost in my mind.  But today, as I write about her, I realize it is the one year anniversary of when I discovered her work in a tiny little village by the sea in England, called Mousehole.

Yes, one year ago today, I was on a train trip from London to Reading to attend a one week art course in the English countryside, a small hamlet called Mapledurham.  I had just spent three days in London, where I attended the first exhibition of the late Princess Grace Kelly's couture wardrobe at the Victoria and Albert Museum, among other things.  It was stunning to say the least.

Had a fabulous week of art classes at the Joe Daisy Art Studio (http://www.joedaisy.co.uk/), where I stayed in their bed and breakfast, enjoyed art classes all day long and returned home every evening with my travel partner, Wendy, and two other women who were at the art course, and enjoyed a fabulous gourmet dinner.  On Wednesday of that week, our art teacher took us to Henley on Thames, where we enjoyed a day of plein air painting on the River Thames and lunch at one of the 52 pubs in Henley!! What a perfect week that was.....very highly recommended!

Upon completion of the art course, we then took a five hour train trip to Penzance, Cornwall where we spent another five days sightseeing.  It was there that I discovered the art of Catriona Millar.......in a gift shop in the little village of Mousehole. 

The first two images below are the two images I chose to buy in the form of art cards.  They were irresistible to me....the rosy cheeks, the colors, the hen and the thoughtful expressions on the faces appealed to me.  Matted and framed, they would be spectacular!

Upon researching this artist, I discovered Catriona Millar is ranked among the top five artists in Scotland and her art shows have been known to sell out in hours, her work is in such demand.  Furthermore, I discovered she will be one of the artists teaching a one-week course next May in Plockton, Scotland......another little village by the sea on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands!  (See the picture of Plockton below.)  How I would love to attend this workshop for artists and writers!!  As life goes, sometimes a famine, sometimes a feast, it is taking place the exact same week my husband and I will be on a river cruise through the south of France! 

Perhaps another time!

Hope you enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

Rosie

Miss Berry

Josie's Friend

Lady in Red

Little Bird

Country Homes & Interiors

Plockton, Scotland

A National Trust Conservation Village

Cottages and palm trees!

Images 1 & 5 Blank Card Company, Images 2, 3, 4, 6  & 7 Catriona Millar

Sleeping Quarters

I designed this space for a small cottage a few years ago - I made the window treatment, the bed cover and all the cushions including the slipcovers on the wicker chairs and decorator cushions.

 

Images 1 & 3Traditional Home, Image 2 Eastcoast Living

Image 4 Romantic Homes, Image 5 Country Home,

Image 6 Walls & Windows, Image 7 thatcozylook

Chic Shed

I happened upon this very chic garden shed recently and was so impressed with it, I just had to share it.

It is a one-room, 10 x 15 foot structure which was built in a homeowner's garden.

The interior was designed using salvaged remnants and lots of imagination. 

Using extra tall windows and french doors allowed extra light.  Opposite the french doors, a recycled arch was used as a focal point to add the clock.  The clock hands were found at an antique shop, and the roman numerals from a lawn game were picked up during a trip to England.  The chandelier is a garden cloche hung upside down by chains.

Their garden pots and gardening books are now close at hand for afternoons "of flower gardening and relaxing".

Marvellous ingenuity and creativity!

All images via Country Home

Posh Pink Girl's Room

This room was completed for the Kips Bay Show House by Zoya Bograd, a New York designer of very posh children's rooms.

This room is called 'Dorothy' in reference to the The Wizard of Oz and is a complete fantasy room....if you look closer at the details in the embroidered pillows and the hooked rug, you will see the characters from that story.  I love the idea of the pleathered headboard and settee (easy to clean).  The embroidered bed linens are an exquisite touch and the dog bed is the ultimate detail!

Kips Bay is an annual charity fundraiser where a house is chosen in New York city and each room is designed by a different designer.  Zoya B. has participated in many of these fundraisers and this is her room from last year's show.

To see more of her work and her showroom, go to http://www.roomsbyzoyab.com/.

Don't forget to click on each picture to see greater detail.

Enjoy!

 

All images via Zoya Bograd

Slipcover Sass

What a wonderful way to freshen your furniture and your interiors.......with slipcovers.  You know the old saying, "A change is as good as a rest"!  It's true! 

Nothing perks me up more than a change in our interiors......I stick with the basics, but continually change the look of our rooms with fabulous fabrics.

The change can be seasonal, for a special event or just to give your eyes something new to enjoy......in other words, a rest!  Right now, I am in the process of making new slips for two living room armchairs and six dining chairs...........the effect will give both rooms a fresh outcome!

Look at some of these ideas and let your mind wander about the possibilities.  And remember, slipcovers aren't just for chairs and sofas as you can see below........headboards, footboards, lamp shades, tables and yes, dog beds, can benefit too!

Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

BEFORE photo of red striped chair



AFTER of same red striped chair

Note how Katrin Cargill accentuated the gilded carving at the top of the chair with ruffles.  As for the cushion on the chair, she dressed up a solid color pillow by adding a colorful sleeve tied with velvet ribbon!

 

  

  

Image 1 Lee Jofa, Image 2 Diamond Baratta

Images 3 - 9 Katrin Cargill via Country Home



Suite Dreams are Made of This

Image 1 Barry Dixon, Image 2 BHG Images 3 & 6 Pinterest

Image 4 Coastal Living, Image 5 Cottage Living

Image 7 Homes & Gardens, Image 8 Elle Decor