sybaritic spaces

White House Decorator Michael S. Smith

2013-05-15T22:19:00.001-04:00

Michael S. Smith is a master of blending European classicism with American modernism. Smith was tapped to the prestigious post of White House Decorator in 2009 and is well known for his use of high end antiques and art in his stunning, well layered rooms. Surprisingly, as revealed in a recent Vanity Fair article, he also knows how to mix in a bargain. In discussing his forth and most recent book, Building Beauty: The Alchemy of Design, Smith talks about his talent for blending high and low:

I think it’s about having a smart editorial eye and understanding what there is out there. There are great things at flea markets; there are great things at Crate & Barrel; there’s great stuff on eBay. CB2, Room & Board, and Anthropologie have made really good design accessible. One of my jobs is to understand when to use something that’s not expensive. In the case of this house, there are some curtain fabrics that are like $20-a-yard fabric, or remnants that I bought at a fabric store in England, Indian fabric that I made into Roman shades in some of the bathrooms. Part of it is to look at things for their inherent beauty and quality and not necessarily be tripped up by their cost, high or low.

Krista Smith, Interior Decorator Michael S. Smith..., Vanity Fair, May 7, 2013

When you have the eye, you can make it all look good. Glad to know the White House has been in such good hands style wise. Some photos of his work (but not from his most recent book)

Courtesy of Vanity Fair

Inside Micheal Smith's Home, Courtesy of Elle Decor, Photos by Simon Upton

Michael S. Smith, courtesy of Architechural Digest 2012, Photo: Pieter Estersohn

Willow Grace Farm, the Millbrook, New York, home of Debbie and Jim Burrows, decorated by Michael S. Smith, courtesy of Elle Decor

Still Trending: Shagreen

2013-05-13T21:31:00.004-04:00

Shagreen finishes, both real and faux, have been trending for a few seasons now, and was still pretty popular at Highpoint April 2013. Shagreen, or Chagrin or Galuchat as it is also referred to, is a leather made from the skin of rayfish which is covered with round, closely set, calcified papillae resembling small pearls.
The use of shagreen as a leather dates back centuries in the Asian culture. In the 20th century, in the Art Deco period in the 1920's, shagreen was popular on decorative objects and furniture. Shagreen is reputed to be one of the strongest hides in the world. I am a huge fan and thought I share a few pictures pre and post market.

Jonathan Charles Furniture

Bernhardt Interiors

Celerie Kemble for Henredon

Serge de Troyer had a lot of Shagreen on hand -- nifty game/coffee table!

The Wait is Over: Digital Chinoiserie Wallpapers

2013-05-02T09:04:00.002-04:00

Seems like if you are a fan of chinoiserie and new traditional decor, the holy grail is finding an affordable version of hand painted chinoiserie wallpaper. The beautiful, hand painted silk wall coverings by Gracie, de Gournay and Paul Montgemery, et al., starts around $800 or so per panel. But now the wait is over -- looks like digital technology has come pretty close to providing an affordable version of this product.

My boss would be horrified if she knew I even considered using digital chinoiserie wallpaper for a nano second -- she would say if you can't afford to do the entire room, use a few framed panels or wait until you can, because nothing looks like the hand painted real thing. And she is absolutely right -- no photograph on paper looks as luxurious hand painted silk. That said, digital imaging has come a very long way, indeed.

I wish I could say I found this on my own, but it was another blogger who pointed me in this direction. I stumbled on Textileaholic, a great blog that posted on the Et Cie collection of Digital wallpapers at Designer Wallcoverings. After quite a bit of further research, I have found that the digital images used by Designer Wallcoverings closely resemble Paul Montgomery Studio Collections as seen below.

Before I share some images from the Et Cie Collection, I thought I would share images of the hand painted darlings of the design world, Gracie, de Gournay and Paul Montgomery that have inspired many a search.

Here are some fabulous Gracie Studio Images:

A custom Gracie wall covering on Aerin Lauder dressing room -- I am sure you have seen it. Ms. Lauder has impeccable style and taste and this Gracie paper is timeless.

This is the Gracie paper that Tori Burch used in her absolutely perfect NYC apartment (see it here). According to Tori's blog, this classic design was based on an antique wallpaper owned by Pauline de Rothschild. The folks at Gracie advise that each order is different, custom designed specifically for the space at the clients request.

The entryway of Ms. Birch's Manhattan Apartment

de Gournay Images:

Joseph Minton and his associates designed this dining room using de Gournay Wallpaper. Photograph by Emily Minton Redfield, Courtesy of Traditional Home

A fabulous green dining room by Mary McDonald using de Gournay Earlham’ design in standard design colours on Emerald Green dyed silk. Photography by Dominique Vorillon, Courtesy of House Beautiful.

Here is the clear inspiration for the Et Cie line: Paul Montgomery Studio:

Calloway by Paul Montgomery Studio

Paul Montgomery, Wilmington

Hemmerling, Paul Montgomery Studio

and of course there are the landscapes from Paul Montgomery:

________________________________________________________________________________

Digital Chinoiserie Wallpaper

These papers seem to be almost exact copies of the the Paul Montgomery Studio papers. They do lack the depth, detail and patina (which seems to be added to the new wallpapers for effect) of the handpainted silks discussed above, but they are still impactful. Because these papers look so much like the Paul Montgomery collections, I have to wonder if the company itself is making digital copies of their work under a different name. Here are the images from Designer Wallpapers :

Looks Like cross between Paul Montgomery's Calloway and Wilmington, each panel is approximately $200

Looks like Paul Montgomery Hemmerling

Looks like Paul Montgomery Calloway, 5 Panel Set is 180" wide x 98" Tall (that is 15' x 8' !)
-- net price is just under $1000; $2000 retail

Looks like Paul Montgomery Bresil

I ordered a sample to look and see if you could see the pixels, and I could not. Here it is at a pretty high resolution, so you can see for yourself.

So what do you think, would you use a digital copy or save your grocery money for an original?

Tony Duquette

2013-04-29T20:16:00.002-04:00

On of the really enjoyable showrooms at Highpoint this year was Baker -- especially fabulous were the Tony Duquette and Michael S. Smith vignettes and it wasn't just that they were serving cocktails...

Below are the pictures I snapped of some of the selected pieces of the late, great, Tony Duquette (1914-1999). An acclaimed designer and artist, Duquette is considered a style icon whose now pricy works were never available during his lifetime to the public. Discovered in the 1940's by Elsie de Wolfe, he was a multi-talented designer and whose works were chosen by the Louvre to represent the decorative arts of the mid-20th Century. In his neo-Baroque interiors, Duquette used discarded everyday items to imitate the luxurious and expensive: He transformed lemon squeezers into golden finials, cardboard egg cartons into coffered Moorish ceilings, and bunches of spray-painted twigs into coral reef centerpieces.

Duquette was a true genius whose design legacy continues through his company under the direction of Hutton Wilkinson, his longtime business partner and biographer. You can read more about him here. If anyone out there is shopping for a gift (hint hint), you might want to consider either of these Tony Duquette books: More Is More: Tony Duquette, by Hutton Wilkenson or Tony Duquette, by Wendy Goodman (both published by Harry Abrams in 2009 and 2007 respectively. Enjoy!

The Selected Works of Tony Duquette from Baker

More Celerie Kemble

2013-04-28T14:11:00.000-04:00

As a follow up to an earlier post, I had to share these photos of Celerie Kemble's Kips Bay 2011 Showhouse, which, sadly I did not see in person. The room is wonderful with just the right amount of drama and layering and it is worth seeing again. These photos are from that fabulous blog, Habitually Chic -- check out her original post, she has many shots of the room. The showstopper is the Verre Eglomisé "Sky" Ceiling created by Miriam Ellner. Verre eglomise is the ancient technique of coating the reverse of a piece of glass adding metal leaf, adding color and etching patterns into it. Stunning.

Love the pink chaise.

Some more of Celerie Kemble's accessories for Maitland-Smith...well done.

I can never have enough trays.

Wonderful octagonal mirror

Great sconces

lovely game table

Me and Ms. Kemble at the Henredon Showroom at Highpoint, 2013

Highpoint Spring Market 2013: Celerie Kemble's fab new line

2013-04-22T19:29:00.001-04:00

Going to Highpoint Market always leaves me with a bounce in my step . . . and this trip was inspiring in so many ways. I went with my friend and boss, and we had a wonderful, albeit exhausting time shopping for projects as well as for her chic design shop. We both agreed that the runaway hit of Highpoint this season was Celerie Kemble's new line of furniture with Henredon and accessories with Maitland-Smith. I especially loved Celerie's mid-century hollywood regency inspired case pieces and have included some pictures of my favorites below which are sure to be wildly popular...

Celerie Kemble

Celerie Kemble (right) with her friend, and fellow designer, Meg Braff (left) at the base of one of her designs at the Henredon Showroom

Although the Henredon showroom is a distance from Market Square, it was bustling with the buzz of Celerie Kemble's new line

The finishes are really lovely and must be seen in person to be appreciated. Celerie Kemble's Dorothy Draper pagoda inspired etatgere.

Love this slender faux bamboo brass cocktail table

It's all in the details, Celerie Kemble's accessories with Maitland-Smith were fantastic

Celerie Kemble's line included some terrific accent lights...Love this shell desk lamp

Super writing desk -- only in black

Scalloped side table with malachite looking top and tortise lamp (wow to that lamp)

Lovely lacquered side table

Brass bamboo luggage rack -- fabulous!

Fretwork Etagere (3)

Leopard Boxes Celerie Kemble for Maitland Smith

Lacquer and Brass Mirror

Moroccan inspired side tables with a variety of tops

Love! Bamboo Place card holders

About Celerie: Celerie Kemble is a principal of Kemble Interiors, based in Palm Beach, Florida, and New York City. Her latest book, “BLACK and WHITE (and a bit in between)” is published by Clarkson Potter and you can buy it here.

About Henredon: Henredon and Maitland-Smith are subsidaries of the public corporation Furniture Brands International, Inc. also owns Hickory, Drexel and a number of other brands.

Create Fabulous Fretwork Doors

2013-03-31T12:13:00.000-04:00

I am helping on a house where the client loves fretwork -- I have been looking for inspiration on fretwork doors and ideas as to how to create them...So I thought I would share some inspiration and ideas:

Inspiration:

I am really digging doors with Moorish or Indian influences. These fabulous doors are actually the doors to closet designed by Jeffry Weisman and Andrew Fisher (Fisher & Weisman) a pair of designers from LA (via Lou Lou Pear Blogspot).

Love these doors featured in Vogue Living (Australia). Perfect for the posh London flat of wallpaper and textile designer Neisha Crosland (you can see her smashing wallpapers & fabrics here). Via the Zush. I seem to recall this same image in Veranda?

Lovely Cabinets photgraphed by Brie Williams.

When I stumbled upon this image on the web, I had to find the source for those door inserts.

Ideas Sources for Creating Fretwork Door Inserts:

So how to create doors with intricately designed panels -- of course there is a high and low way to go about it. The first is to have custom wood inserts made, the second is to either use wire aluminum mesh or overlays if your cabinet is made (and flat).

1. Fretworks Design. This is an Alabama company that makes custom-designed panels and wall hangings to exact customer sizes in a variety of material including solid wood, MDF, plastics, and acrylics. Visit them here.

Think of the possibilities!

2. O'verlays: A clever company by bloggers Danika & Cheryle. They make custom made panels to fit on existing cabinetry/doors/drawers...

3. Aluminum Screening. This can be inserted and painted rather inexpensively and is available at Lowes and Home Depot. The wire mesh is stapled or nailed into place around the frame (think radiator cover). Decorative Iron, Acurio Lattice and MD Building Products are companies that make pleasing a decorative perforated aluminum sheeting. Check out these images:

The Uber Talented Benjamin Dhong

2013-03-12T22:44:00.000-04:00

Recently I stumbled upon the talented San Francisco based interior designer Benjamin Dhong -- you have seen his spaces even if you don't know his name. Benjamin has terrific style and an even more interesting story. During a 2004 trip to Italy to celebrate a friend’s 40th birthday, he befriended designer Martha Angus. The two bonded over a shared love of art and design and before he knew, it Martha invited him to apprentice at her firm. Three years later, in 2007, Benjamin set out on his own.

He describes his time with Martha Angus as the equivalent to a graduate course in design (his past life was in finance) and I have to say, nothing beats the hands on training you get working for a busy and talented mentor. I doesn't hurt that Benjamin has an amazing eye and a natural ability to seamlessly blend the old and new as well as classic and contemporary. The photos below are from his portfolio.

Benjamin Dhong

Year of the Snake - a Gorgeous Serpentine Mirror

2013-03-11T22:47:00.003-04:00

Nothing beats the impact of a dramatic mirror in a foyer. I love this entwined dolphin mirror (yes, but it looks like snakes) --- love it so much that I am thinking about ditching a painting to hang it. Here it is in an entryway by the uber talented Benjamin Dhong (courtesy of House Beautiful). The wall paper is Fornasetti "Nuvole" paper by Cole and Son table is from Oly. The mirror can be yours for $1,850 -- where else but Mecox Gardens.

Entwined Dolphin Mirror, 1,850, Mecox Gardens

The Pink Pagoda's Prints

2013-03-07T20:44:00.001-05:00

Okay, Don't know how I could have missed this, but Jennifer of the Pink Pagoda has these fantastic prints that match Jim Thompson's fabulous blue and white fabric, Qinglong. Check out Jennifer's blog here, and her fabulous prints here. Below is a photo of the prints just above the fabric on a headboard -- they look fantastic together.

The Pink Pagoda's Prints paired with Jim Thompson's fabric -- they match perfectly because she was commissioned by a designer to match the color to the fabric.

Jim Thompson's Qinglong fabric

Pink Pagoda

Jim Thompson Fabrics OMG.

2013-03-03T08:48:00.004-05:00

I had to share some absolutely gorgeous fabric I spotted from Jim Thompson (The Thai Silk Company). Jim Thompson was a designer and textile colorist credited with almost single handily saving the Thai silk industry in the 1950s-60s. He disappeared without a trace from the Cameron Highlands in 1967 and the mystery of his disappearance endures today. The fabric below is from the company that takes his name...In a word, fantastic.

My favorite, "Enter the Dragon" -- a linen fabric that must be seen in person to appreciate its beauty, simply stunning.

QINGLONG -- for all the blue and white lovers out there.

CHINESE STEPS - great supporting fabric.

MAGILAN, I am always on the hunt for a Fabulous Ikat.

Mary McDonald's Fabrics with Schumacher

2013-02-28T14:47:00.000-05:00

I met with the Schumacher Fabric rep the other day, and maybe I have had my head in the sand, but have just seen Mary McDonald's fabric. The line includes these huge DeGournay inspired fabric panels, would look great on a wall, as drapes or bedding. The repeat is 131.5" and a full 54" wide. Wow. Leave it to Mary to make a statement. I also love the Garden of Persia print. Take a look:

Mary McDonald, Chinois Palais, Aquamarine


	Mary McDonald, Chinois Palais, Tangerine

Mary McDonald, Chinois Palais, Lettuce

Mary McDonald from Schumacher, Garden of Persia, Bleu Marine

Mary McDonald from Schumacher, Park Ave Python

Crazy for Scallops

2013-02-24T15:55:00.002-05:00

Scalloped edges were a really big trend on clothing the past few seasons years and it is trending big on everything from kitchen design to lighting these days...

1. Coleen & Company The Scalloped Lantern; 2 Coleen & Comany, The Toel Tent Lantern; 3. Coleen and Company, The Scalloped Flush Mount; 4. Circa Lighting; 5. Oomph scalloped Raffia Chair; and 6 This table comes in a range of colors from Ambiente by Martin Wood

Oomph Raffia Side Chair looks lovely in person.

I just adore these lanterns from Coleen and Company.

Linen Wrapped Cocktail Tables

2013-02-20T19:22:00.000-05:00

I am always in search of a great coffee table and always find my way back to linen wrapped tables. The one thing I have found with lots of coffee tables, is they are always too tall -- I like a nice low table, the way they made them in the 60's. Well the great thing about linen wrapped tables is that some companies customize them like Art Applications. Also, Matthews and Parker makes cool reproductions of some of my favorite furniture; below are a few tables that I am liking at the moment.

Matthews and Parker, Length: 48" Width: 32" Height: 17"

Ming Linen Wrapped Table by Art Applications

Fabulous Pierced Pendant Lamp

2013-02-17T11:17:00.001-05:00

I am loving this little pendant light from Wunderly (17"hx17"d; Bronze or White, $245)-- it would look lovely in a powder room with Meg Braff's Ferns Wallpaper.

Meg Braff - Ferns

Into the Woods: Faux Bois Craze

2013-02-16T10:49:00.000-05:00

Faux Bois is everywhere these days, it just can't be ignored. Faux bois is the French term for "false wood" and refers to the artistic imitation of wood or wood grains in various media (textiles, metal, plaster etc.) Most faux bois is wood grain patterns, though it also includes things like like logs, roots, branches (including bamboo) and bark. I also found a blog called It's (K)not Wood entirely devoted to faux bois. Fantastic. I am partial to the Made Goods lantern, the last mirror and the floor lamp, what do you think?

Driftwood Lantern BoBo Intriguing Objects

Trina, Made Goods. Two sizes: 20" high x 18" diameter $1665.00 or 33" high x 29" diameter $2700.00

Global Views dining table $2,247.50 42" d

Oly Twig Mirror $2,400

Love.

White Faux Bois Floor Lamp $875

Jump on the bandwagon with these bargain faux bois times:

Ballard Designs $199

White High Faux Bois Table (via decor pad) at High Fashion Home $359

Hollywood Regency Inspired Bamboo Furniture

2013-02-14T20:28:00.000-05:00

Do you all remember Lilly Pulitzer furniture -- well sad to say, I believe it is no longer in production (according to a post on HFI Brands Facebook page). Oh well. Maybe they will sell the division and we will see a revival. I have been looking for fun Hollywood Regency inspired bamboo furniture and I found a few pieces from Lexington that were not half bad. I thought I would share:

Reminds me of an Oomph Table

Definitely channeling 60s patio furniture. Love.

Cute bar cart (have you seen the new Serena & Lilly catalogue? They have a similar one)

Reminds me of that Lily or Bungalow5 Dining table

Cool dining table

Something you would see in a little girls room.

As an antique, this would be fab. If the finishes are off, it could be disastrous.

In Search of the Perfect Settee

2013-02-11T21:49:00.001-05:00

Crazy times here kids. Too much to do, not enough time. As I have mentioned before, I work for a well known decorator who keeps me mucho busy -- lately I have been involved in helping with the designs for her upcoming furniture line, new wallpapers and fab new fabrics -- all very exciting.

Working on all this new furniture has got me thinking a lot about my own unfinished spaces -- my living room in particular which I have put off redoing because I keep thinking we are going to move. I am going to have to bite the bullet and tackle my own space.

First up on the list of wants is a small sofa or a settee. The problem is, it is so difficult to find small scale sofas -- everything is always way too big -- either too high, too deep or too wide for my tastes. I say settee, because that is the scale I am after, yet when I think of a settee, I always think of uncomfortable wood framed number, which is what I have and want to get rid of...I want a small sofa, low back, say 30"-32", low simple arms and something that is no deeper than 33" or wider than 60".

Some catalogue companies have dubbed this kind of settee a "sofette" which I think is an apt description, even if the name is a little cheesy.

Here is what I am liking these days, none of which entirely fit the bill:

This is a the Hickory Chair MacDonald Sofa designed by none other than Alexa Hampton. I love this sofa, and they can make it to measure (meaning any length) it is 35" high and 36" deep. Would be lovely with a bench seat, but I worry if I cut it too short that it might look like an over sized chair and that would not do!

Another Hickory Chair option is the Marler Apartment Sofa, at 34.5"high x 68"wide x 37.5"deep it gets closer size-wise.

Hickory has more great Made to Measure options including this Leigh Made to Measure. I could go armless, but it hast to be fab. It is 35" high, 36.5" deep and can be made any length.

Although I am not a huge fan of tufting, this little number from Wesley Hall looks inviting. The measurements are not bad at 68.5 wide, and 34" high, but 38" deep is a bit deep.

Here is that Odette sofette that is made by a few folks, including Williams Sonoma and Bob Gold & Mitchell Williams. Not so crazy about the legs. While the width and depth are good, the back is too high. 54"wide 36"deep 36"high.

This sofa is from Vanguard. Nicely proportioned

52" wide,

35.5 high,

35" deep

Ooh, now this is as close to a winner as I have seen the A. Rudin 2600, 60" wide, 30" deep and (drumroll please) 32" high! Very nice looking option.

What do you think, any ideas?

NY Gift Fair Trends 2013

2013-01-31T12:45:00.000-05:00

I attended the New York International Gift Fair at Javis Center and the 94th St Piers this past Tuesday, and I thought I would share some quick thoughts.

Some Tips when attending the show (January and August)
If you are going to go, register ahead (you'll need resale certificate & business cards) and you will not have to pay. As a rule, home furnishings and things decorators are most interested in are generally at Pier 94, but there is a lot of art, accessories and textiles at the Javis Center (which tends to be more geared toward the retailer). If you go the last day, there is lots for sale off the floor. The show, which takes place twice a year, is huge and is best seen over two days.

Trending
I did not see a whole lot of new things this year. Asian (chinoiserie) and Middle Eastern influences reigned supreme. There was quite of bit of mid-century influences in furniture as well. Lots of natural elements, tons of rope lamps, ottomans, rattan chairs and unusual baskets. Lacquered tables, trays and boxes are still popular with brass and chrome accents -- brass/gold being the most popular. Speaking of which, I thought I would see lots of bolder brass objects, but I did not. There was quite of bit of horn, as well as lucite accessories and rock crystal lamps. Plaster (flat white finishes) also made an appearance in mirrors and accessories.

Indigo was a popular color, especially in textiles and art. Hermes orange was still big, and surprisingly (or not so surprisingly) there was not as many green things as you would expect with Pantone naming emerald color of the year.

In art, abstract everything was big. Room and fashion illustrations are also popular --- Two's Company devoted an entire wall to room interior illustrations.

Tommy Mitchell fabulous 9' brass sculpture

Rope side table at Matahari

Matahari woven chair (Oomph had a more refined version that was beautiful in person, but my picture did not pan out)

Painted rattan chair

Home Emporium - loving both the chair, table and chest

Home Emporium

Jonathan Adler Side lacquered side table trimmed in brass

Jonathan Adler Lucite Etagere with brass trim. Love.

Two's Company Photo image of Leopard on Canvas

Kim Seybert really hit it out of the park with these fabulous linens and table top accessories.

Kim Seybert Over the top pagoda placemat.

Kim Seybert pagoda napkin and placemat

Fur and brass stool -- there were lot of fur stools and rugs

Abstract and stylized fashion prints all in one shot.

Wicker side chair

Rattan Side Chair

Lovely lamps by Emporium Home

Lucite side table

Jonathan Adler Pagoda Lamp

I have been really into Cisco sofas lately, and they were there.

Worlds Away - great pagoda lamp

Grace & Blake -- Lucite furniture and antlers

Rock Crystal Lamps

Oomph had some new upholstery to show

Oomph large wall sconces (they hand lanterns too)

Pigeon & Poodle (new sister company to Made Goods) had some fabulous bath accessories including this sea urchin inspired collection called Hilo

Worlds Away Pagoda lamps -- can be customized

That is all for now! Enjoy...

Bungalow 5 New Collection

2013-01-21T11:28:00.000-05:00

Did you all see the new things from Bungalow 5? Here are some good ones:

I really like horseshoe chairs and this one comes in both counter and bar height. Bungalow
5 OSLO ARMCHAIR.

Lacquered Cabinet great piece for the dining room. FLANDERS EXTRA LARGE CABINET by Bungalow 5.

I like this White Lacqured Coffee table with brass accents. HIGASHI COFFEE TABLE by Bungalow 5.

Good looking white porcelain stools with bamboo styled detail. BURMA STOOL by Bunglow 5.

ANTON SIDE TABLE by Bunglow 5 comes as a console and Etagere, but I think this side table is lovely.

Classic Federal style mirror 36". My only wish was the mirror was convex.

ATHENA MIRROR by Bunglow 5.

High Gloss Navy Blue side table by Bungalow 5 the PIERRE TRAY TABLE

For the blue in white lover in you, 48"h over the top Pagoda Towers

SAVOY MEDIUM 3-DRAWER has matching side table by Bungalow 5

Tom Scheerer - Lyford Cay Club

2013-01-19T07:51:00.001-05:00

You have probably seen designer Tom Scheerer's work at the Lyford Cay Club, but it is worth another look. These images are from his portfolio at his website. So fabulous.

Tom Scheerer designed the Lyford Cay Club

Tom Scheerer, the Lyford Cay Club

Fabulous fretwork lattice at the Lyford Cay Club designed by Tom Scheerer

Love the awning on the ceiling (pool house?) at the Lyford Cay Club, designed by Tom Scheerer

Tom Scheerer designed the Lyford Cay Club

Lyford Cay Club, designed by Tom Scheerer

Lyford Cay Club. Love the caning on the walls

The Cay Club, designed by Tom Scheerer. This awning is just lovely

Lyford Cay is an exclusive private gated community located on the western tip of New Providence Island, Bahamas. The Lyford Cay Club was built during the latter part of the 1950s by prominent Canadian businessman Edward Plunkett Taylor, who bought the land in 1954. Club members, most of whom hail from Britain, France, Switzerland, Cuba, Ireland, the United States, Canada, and Greece, can use a par-72 golf course, twelve tennis courts, a full-service marina, dining facilities, a post office, a private international school, and a mile-long private beach.

Loving Brunschwig & Fils

2013-01-14T22:15:00.003-05:00

I love love love Brunschwig's new Shishi print.

It might look good with this:

Or this

I Love a Bargain -- High-Low Ceramic Lamps

2013-01-13T08:55:00.004-05:00

Overstock $139 (27" H)

Christopher SpitzmillerLouisa Lamps $2,505 (each) (16.5" H)

Lighting is crucial to a room, nothing sets the mood like good illumination. That is why the upcoming ban on incandescent light bulbs kills me -- incandescent bulbs give off the best, most flattering light while their florescent counterparts make me want to weep. Anyway, a lovely way to light a room is with lamps. My all time favorites lamps are made by Christopher Spitzmiller, nothing beats the quality of their hardware, the beautiful color of their hand colored ceramic bodies or the fantastic shades. That said, not everyone can (or wants) to drop $2,000 on a lamp (inlcuding me!), so here are some bargain alternatives. I can say that the Bungalow 5 and Robert Abbey Lamps are great lamps -- good quality and well priced. I have never seen those Overstock lamps in person, but the prices are enticing...

Bungalow 5 Lamp $480 (31"H)

Bungalow 5 lamps are wonderful quality lamps, the bases, hardware and shades are lovely. The lamps below are from Overstock, and I have never seen them in person.

Overstock $199 pair (30.5" H)

Christopher Spitzmiller Double Gourd Lamp $1940 (each) (16" H)

Robert Abbey $205 (22"h)

Overstock pair $224.99 (26.5" H)

Double wide Sofas

2013-01-11T22:29:00.000-05:00

I have been exploring idea of the Back to Back sofa concept in a fairly large living room. It is a great way to divide a large space and create two seating areas naturally. Windsor Smith is my inspiration...

Windsor Smith's Double sided sofa

Windsor Smith's Double sided slipcovered sofa

Jeffery Bilhuber

Surya's Great New Rugs

2013-01-11T22:27:00.002-05:00

I am sorry to have been MIA this past week, I have been swamped at work. I just wanted to share some pictures I took at market last October at Surya -- it seems they have uploaded some of their new flat weave rugs onto their website. Their rugs are colorful and fun and worth a look. Enjoy!