A perfect Games Table

The purpose of my trip to NY this past weekend was to shop for a project. One of my favorite furniture companies is Theodore Alexander, whom I have blogged about many times in the past from my trips to Market (headed back this spring, who will be there? Let me know). In their showroom at ABC Home and Carpet (arguably my favorite spot in NY) I came across this William and Mary styled games table that really took my breath away. The standard Theodore Alexander high quality is there but the charm of the piece is what got to me. The fretwork on the cabinet, the practical drawers, the turned legs and the ogee x stretcher -could this be any cuter? The top has a sliding component with a chess/checkers board on one side and a gorgeously tooled leather top on the other: Underneath is a backgammon set. The 2 drawers are generously sized to hold a variety of other games. Put this one on my wish list, please! What do you think?
No, this is not a paid advertisement but if Theodore Alexander wanted to send one or two of these my way I wouldn't argue!

Architectural wedding cake

While in New York this weekend I came across this early skyscraper similar to ones you find all over the country in major cities. While the building type was still new, architects struggled with how to deal with these taller buildings in a traditional/ classical manner. Here this vaguely classical building resembles an architectural wedding cake with many different layers topped with a gilded cupola. Don't get me wrong -I love buildings like this but when you stop to think about them they are rather amusing. On to real cakes; I passed this bakery, Empire Cake, and was blown away by this wedding cake on display which reminded me of the building above. Daisies are my favorite flower and their informal use here on the yellow background was just too pretty to not capture on my camera phone!New York always holds a few surprises for you.

Repurposing

While in New York this past weekend, I stopped into a grand building at the corner of 8th avenue and 14th street.The building in question is now a CVS pharmacy but started life as a bank. This type of repurposing has become common recently as churches become restaurants and banks apparently become pharmacies. You may remember my recent POST on the Gordon Biersch restaurant here in DC in an old bank as well.While I'm glad to see beautiful old buildings getting a 2nd life rather than meeting with the wrecking ball, I have to question the number of bland branch banks (every street corner in many cities including here in DC) when beautiful old structures sit vacant.This definitely is the most beautiful CVS ever built and even had great new lighting. What examples of repurposed buildings are near you?

Floorplan fun

During a quick trip to New York this weekend, I stopped into one of my favorite stores in the city, Fishs Eddy. They carry a pattern of dishes and products with different designs of floorplans; small studio apartments on small plates and palatial apartments on platters. Mugs have section drawings; the perfect gift for every architect or designer on your list! I first became aquainted with the pattern last year when a client would carry her renovation plans in the matching tote bag and they then proved to be very popular Christmas gifts from me!
See the entire collection HERE.

Framing Art

Not with gilded framing but with architecture! A great piece of art is a wonderful focal point through an opening or in a niche. I was recently reminded of this while going through images I had taken with my phone: the one in question is this image from the Renwick Gallery. Operated by the Smithsonian and located across the street from the White House, it was the first art museum built in the country.

Bar lighting

While in Greenwich, CT last year, I took this picture of a light fixture in the restaurant L'escale at the marina. I love the witty use of an upturned glass for a pendant over the bar. The food and views of the water were superb too!

Estate sale finds

Lately I've been attending estate sales over the weekends. They're hit or miss but usually a lot of fun. A few weeks ago I visited a definite hit, the sale of Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart's DC house (read an article about the sale at the Post HERE). I was able to acquire quite a few really interesting things and as it was the last day of the sale, for practically next to nothing. My favorite find would have to be these 2 pillows covered with a collection of antique cigar silks.These squares of fabric were popular a century ago when selling cigars as a collectible (sort of an adult version of toys in a cereal box) and would have motifs of flora, fauna or in this case, flags from different countries. I love that this collection had obviously only recently been turned into 2 throw pillows by Stewart's widow who has lived on in their house for decades following his passing. The fact that some of these squares are frayed only adds to their appeal.
And here they rest on my couch now, a reminder of a great man and a very fun outing!

An Artful Home

One of my personal pet peeves is when people refer to a 'house' as a 'home' (are you listening to me, house-hunters?). There is a time and a place for both words but often, home is overused. The main difference is that 'home' is a feeling while house is a physical place or object. When talking about design, I always refer to a 'house'. That aside, one of the ways to turn a house into a home is through personalization; In this case, the use of a metal work artist to turn functional bars into pieces of art, giving the house an artful character. This isn't something you see everyday and the homeowner obviously put a lot of thought and expense into this detail. Located in the garden is this lovely old concrete bench covered in lichens -another artful addition. What have you done with your own house to make it your home?

Raji's 2 Tastemaker Tag Sales

You probably have heard me speak of my friend Raji before, the talented DC based designer who did my favorite room at the Hamptons Designer Showhouse. Now we all have the opportunity to have a piece of her fabulous style through her 2 One King's Lane tag sales!

One of my favorite items up for grabs is this Grand Tour Style Candlestick -you'll have to beat me to it! Sales start January 31 at 9pm EST/6pm PST.

See the preview for furniture, lighting, textiles, and art HERE
See the preview for vintage accessories and tabletop HERE

Secret Garden

I've always loved secret gardens. You know the type: surrounded by high walls allowing only glimpses of whats inside by a stray vine over the top, neatly clipped hedges peeping over or stately trees rising above.Even in winter they keep you guessing as to what's inside their private oasis. File this one under dream house features -those beautiful urns don't hurt this wall in Kalorama either.