Virtual showhouse

Make sure to check out Kerry Steele at her blog Design du Monde this week as she's hosting a virtual showhouse.  Today is the master bedroom I designed above; visit and find out my inspiration for the space. Thanks for including me, Kerry!

Spoils of war

Perhaps not literal war but estate sales can at times feel terribly hostile. I've witnessed fist fights over who saw what first! I wanted to follow up on a previous post on estate sales and share with you some of my new treasures. There have been a lot of great sales lately and my nest is quickly becoming 'feathered'!

 My biggest find this past weekend was a cookie jar which I instantly recognized as the Renwick Gallery here in DC. I was particularly interested as it's my favorite museum in the city. You may remember I have a cookie jar of the Villa Rotunda which has been one of my favorite objects for years!  The Renwick had been relegated to the basement in a rear corner of the sale and I scored it for only $10! I always poke around in back corners at these sales where things get missed. I also found a beautiful wool 19th century persian runner in an upstairs back closet which I'm going to use in my kitchen that I got for a steal (currently at the cleaners or else I'd share it as well).

 A set of fine crystal cordial glasses with this beautiful monogram also came home with me from the same sale. After reading THIS article in the NYT, my New Year's Resolution will be to hold monthly dinner parties and I have to be prepared.

This cute little framed photo of "Aunt Joan golfing in the 20s" caught my eye and makes me laugh every time I see it - seen propped up here on my living room mantel.

 I rarely leave a sale without a bag full of books. I really don't know what I'll do with them all!

You may remember my haunted chairs. I still haven't treated the wood (thanks so much for the advice on that!) but I didn't follow the majority vote on fabric and used the wood plaid I had from Ralph Lauren. I like the colors in my apartment and even if the pattern isn't perfect for the chairs, they add the right dose of color to my still neutral space and I just love plaid!

Everyone kindly keeps asking to see my apartment and in dribbles it will start to appear; it has a long way to go still.  Here are 2 of the haunted chairs flanking my bar in the corner of the living room.  As you can see I need more art (or sconces?) to flank the mirror but I have my Grandma's Christmas tree set to go for the holiday season!

VMFA collections

The collections of the VMFA are broad, they have definitely benefited from some generous and high profile patrons. To be honest, I was astonished at the quality of the collections given the moderate size of the city.

These diverse collections included a lot of my favorite genres such as decorative arts and a room of beautiful 18th century paintings like the Guardi above.

I loved this mantel clock designed by Scottish designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1917.

 These enormous andirons were sculpted by Edgar Brandt in 1926 -they speak to the time period.

 I also loved this sculptural chaise longue by noted designer Eileen Gray.

One of the large collections is based on the collection of Sydney and Frances Lewis from 1971 of Art Nouveau objects and furnishings. The Gruber desk and chair above date from 1898.

I loved the fluid lines of these lamps of Loie Fuller from the same time period by Raoul Francois Larche.

 Bulbs are cleverly hidden in the flowing tresses of the statue.

 This magnificent bedroom suite must have been designed for an extremely large bedroom.

 They were designed by Louis Majorelle.

And of course the art deco master, EJ Ruhlmann, was well represented.

I loved this Ruhlmann desk from 1926 and the framed grouping of Barbier prints.

This set of 4 silver gilt salts by Paul Storr date to 1813 but would be right at home on my dining room table!

And as I mentioned in my previous posting, the Roman mosaic of the 4 seasons is one of the highlights in the museum.

 So many little pieces of stone and glass and all done by hand over 1700 years ago!

This magnolia and apple blossom stained glass window was made by Tiffany Glass for the Dimock residence study in Elizabeth, NJ in 1900. Sadly, I think it's not shown to its' best effect as what you see as white is actually clear glass. They need a mural or scene painted behind.

Following the fashion, a large exhibit has been mounted on Dale Chihuly through Feb 10th and this dramatic chandelier was hung in the modern entrance lobby.  I will bring you some stunning pictures from that exhibit in my next post.

Virginia Museum of Fine Art, Richmond

While in Richmond I visited the lovely Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.  The beautiful original building, seen above, was designed in 1936 by Norfolk VA,  architects Peebles and Ferguson in English Renaissance or Georgian style.

Sadly that is no longer the main entrance, but rather a nice but blandly modern addition by London architect Rick Mather from 2010 serves that purpose. I know I know, I'm always baised towards beautiful early 20th century classical buildings, so sue me, it's my blog afterall!

The recent additions include a lot of work to the extensive site which holds a lot of other structures from the former lives of the property.

I admit to loving the landscape and hardscape, especially the water features.

The full length of Mather's addition.

The interior is large, bright, and open and features nicely detailed modern stairs.

It's a huge museum!

If you do a little wandering, you can find the original entryway and stair which is reminiscent of an English country house foyer.

I love this limestone detailing.

And the ironwork and wood railing is beautiful.

This colorful enclosed Roman courtyard in the original building houses an amazing Roman mosaic depicting the 4 seasons. More on that tomorrow when I share some of my favorite pieces from the collection.

As I mentioned the site has had previous incarnations, primarily as the Confederate Soldier's home campus until 1941 when the last resident passed away.

The charming carpenter Gothic style chapel, known as the Confederate Memorial Chapel, was designed by architect Marion J. Dimmock in 1887.

The other large building on the grounds is the Home for Needy Confederate Women (what a name!). 

Designed in 1932 by architect Merrill Lee, the residence was in use until 1989 when the last residents were moved to a nearby nursing facility.

And I know you're thinking it; Yes, Lee based the neoclassical structure on the White House!

Logan Circle House tour

For those of you in DC, don't forget the Logan Circle holiday house tour this upcoming Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012 from 1-5.  The neighborhood has an assortment of restored Victorian houses through modern 'loft' apartments so the variety is always interesting and the Christmas decorations are inspiring. Hope to see you there! Tickets are available HERE.picture via WeLoveDC

Windsor Farms, Richmond

I spent the day in Richmond recently and drove through one of the most storied neighborhoods in the city, Windsor Farms.

Developed in 1926 by Thomas C. Williams, Jr.,  the planned neighborhood was originally meant to be created from authentic English Country houses which were to be dismantled and brought across the ocean.

Parliament put a stop to that (seriously) but 2 houses were successfully recreated from ancient British buildings and reside in Windsor Farms, both operating as house museums; Agecroft Hall, above and Virginia House, 2 above.

The rest of the houses were then designed by a who's who of 1920s (and more recent) architects and landscape designers including William Lawrence Bottomley and Charles Gillette.

 Driving through this bucolic neighborhood is as good as a house tour!

It was fun trying to decipher which houses were old and which were newer, as most are kept so immaculate that one can't age them.

 The neighborhood is an architectural dictionary of styles.

 And time periods!

 The houses range from grand estates to smaller residences.

 Everyone had a perfect yard and the old trees add so much character.

 I loved the brickwork on these tudor revival houses.

 I'm always a sucker for a white brick painted house.

 And a picket fence!

If you ever find yourself in Richmond, check out this neigborhood. Stay tuned for future posts on Agecroft Hall and Virginia House!