Happy 90th Birthday to Queen Elizabeth

What a magical life Queen Elizabeth has lived!  Most of us couldn't even imagine what she's been through - 90 years of a royal life with ups and downs, high dramas and low, a fire at one of her castles, deaths of loved ones, divorces of her children, scandals, matters of state and what have you, but she has come through it all with her quiet, steady demeanor, great health and sense of humor, grace and style.  

I'd like to take a look at some of her iconic day style throughout the years and later her night style.

Her day style, as you will see, was notable for two things - hats and pearls.  I'd loved to see her hat collection and find out how she stores them all and saves them for posterity.

For all she's been through, she looks genuinely happy here and has managed to enjoy the life she was born into.  Not always an easy proposition, I'm sure.

Remember these feathered hats from the 60s?  I had a similar one with feathers on a headband.

A feather in her cap!

Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret

 

And at night the diamonds and jewels come out!

One of the many Normal Hartnell sketches of the Queen's Coronation gown.

Coronation Dress by Norman Hartnell

Norman Hartnell

Norman Hartnell's beaded gown for the Queen's U.S. visit with President Eisenhower

Norman Hartnell's gown for Princess Margaret's wedding.

In honor of the Queen's 90th birthday, a new exhibition of her iconic hats and fashions of the past 90 years will open today at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, followed by shows at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle later in the year.  

I would love to see the detail on some of her gowns and those fabulous hats!.....that would be about as close to couture designs as I will ever see.  Although I saw Princess Grace's fashion exhibition at the Victoria & Albert a few years ago and it was fabulous to see these items up close.....and I saw Nan Kempner's fashions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art some years ago......the only times I have seen couture designs....no, I'm wrong....I also saw Charles James' gowns at the Met two years ago..........incredible art!

Watch Hill - A Blue and White Cottage by the Sea

Hi Everyone,

How's your week going?  I hope all is well with all of you!

It's beginning to look more and more like spring here!  More sunny days and warmer temperatures to enjoy. Perhaps that's why I'm pondering coastal living and warmer climes.

I thought you might enjoy this  Ralph Lauren collection from a few years ago.  It's called "Watch Hill" and even though it's been around for a while, I wanted to share it.  For those of you who haven't seen it before, it's a dreamy collection and for those of you who have seen it before, it bears repeating and enjoying once again.

Just imagine coming home to this little blue and white cottage by the sea.......the very thought of it is enough to make me swoon!

Have a wonderful day! 

Chic Potting Shed

This 600 sq. ft. glass walled potting shed is described as a 'chic shed'.  Since it's owned by Georgia garden designer, Suzanne Hudson, it could be called a 'chic she shed', as this is where Suzanne loves to putter, pot and prune.

On rainy days, she loves to just curl up and peruse her gardening books.  And with comfy wicker chairs, a table for two, mood lighting and pretty vignettes everywhere, it's also a perfect place to entertain her friends for a visit and a glass of wine.

For three years, Suzanne gathered and collected 139 old windows and five sets of french doors.  She also designed the shed herself, personally planning which window would go where.  

Using Benjamin Moore's 'Tarrytown Green' paint pulled it all together and allows it to blend beautifully into the surrounding space.

What a very creative lady and fabulous backyard getaway!

Salvaged door turned into trumeau mirror.

These oil lamps, along with hanging lanterns, turn the shed into a magical space at night.

It must be simply dreamy with the night lights!

House Beautiful

Gary McBournie's Nantucket Cottage

Hi there,

Had a great weekend and hope you all did, too!  The sun came out yesterday after a couple of days of on and off snow.  It was just like spring!  What a surprise!

When I came upon the latest Nantucket cottage by interior designer, Gary McBournie in House Beautiful this weekend, I was surprised by the flood of color.  I've followed his work since the 90s and have loved everything he's ever done.  And while he's always used a lot of color, this color scheme was a bit different and took me a few minutes to really appreciate it.  After all, blue, orange and green are not typical colors one would see together very often.

Then, when he explained how he came up with this color scheme, it all fell into place.  The way he described it was quite funny, but made total sense.  He said, "I was in Copenhagen for about a year-and-a-half before I found this house, and I loved the Danish-modern white-box interiors there, where people's floors and walls are all white, clean, and crisp. Later, I went to Marrakech, which is a whole other situation. You have all this fabulous saturated color coming at you — oranges, blues, and yellows. I think I got the two of them mixed up in my head, and out came this hybrid."

So, he used complementary colors of blue and orange with splashes of green throughout and even though each room and patio has it's own distinct look, the whole cottage flows beautifully.

To see more of Gary's interview, click here.

To see more of the cottage, click here.

Enjoy!

Besides offering privacy, this privet hedge and door certainly adds a sense of intrigue and would cause one to wonder what's behind that door?  Love it!

Winston, Gary and Bill's Welsh terrier, lounging in the garden.

Winston no doubt wondering who the person with the camera is!

All white walls and floors.

Silvio Cattani art work.

Reflective wallpaper in the dining room adds mood by candlelight.

Winston is looking very cozy (and still wondering who the person with the camera is)!  Love the fresh green in the library!

The painted checkerboard floor is a nice jolt of color in the all white kitchen.

The blue door to the mudroom also adds a nice accent.

A large swath of blue Marimekko fabric adds a sea of color to the master bedroom.

Vintage bamboo furniture was painted with marine lacquer to preserve it.

House Beautiful

A Room of Her Own - Christopher Maya

Christopher Maya