That touch of black

I'm a firm believer in the design principal that every room needs to have a touch of black; it grounds the space. Recently I helped a friend add a touch of black to his own living room in one of my favorite spots - the fireplace surround.

Before the fireplace lacked presence in the room. It also unfortunately had been rebuilt at some point and featured a very new, ugly brick surround in contrast to the original antique brick hearth (floor). Ignore the unpainted trim to the right, I also helped redesign the trim throughout the room and it hasn't been painted yet!

While my cell phone snaps don't do it justice, the new painted brick surround is a great focal point, won't show soot stains if the fire smokes, and now pairs nicely with the untouched antique brick hearth. Small changes can make such a large difference. 

I did the same in my own home. The fireplaces in my old COOP building are no longer functioning for insurance reasons but the fireplace remains a focal point in my living room. Above you can see how I painted the interior and the surround black.

Before (on a walk through with my Realtor before purchasing the apartment) you can see the surround painted white with no contrast to the mantel (and the hideously old wall to wall carpeting). What do you think of adding a touch of black to a space?

Thomas Pheasant: Simply Serene

I was so excited to receive a copy of internationally renowned local designer Thomas Pheasant's book, Simply Serene, that I sat down and read it immediately upon opening! Pheasant is well known for his contemporary classical work that is precisely the style I admire most as well as his beautiful collections of furniture for Baker Furniture.

The book is organized into chapters and even sub chapters in an organized fashion that one expects from Pheasant based on his work. The formality ends there though as the book is intimately written on his musings on design, his background, and what got him to where he is today.

Pheasant finds inspiration everywhere and is not shy about sharing his secrets with the reader. While the book features huge lush color images that invite the viewer to study them in detail, every 3rd image or so is in black and white so one can focus on the form or actual design of the space in question.

Included in the back of the book was a great surprise: under the "perfection" chapter a number of before & after projects shown in succession so that you can see just where his work and vision begins. Pheasant believes that before the decorating begins, the space and architecture must be right. I couldn't agree more!

While symmetry abounds in the book I was particularly drawn to the b&w image above of a asymmetrical hallway with interior window, skylight, paneling, and beautiful detailing. This is what doing it right looks like! Pick up your copy today and devote some time to learning from a master!
Photography provided by Durston Saylor and Thomas Pheasant.

Weekend shopping: Artisan Lamp CO

You may have heard me speak of Artisan Lamp Company before, an antique lighting store in the Cleveland Park neighborhood of DC. They recently got in a large container of fixtures from France where they do much of their sourcing and I wanted to share with you some of my new favorites! This old bouillette lamp is a great classic.

One of my favorite things about Artisan is they change their window display every few days - especially as I live a few blocks up the street and pass daily! They have something for everyone from the most classic to funky mid century pieces.

The owner is particular to art deco style and great examples are to be found throughout the shop like this pair of lamps. Can't see see these on 1930s nightclub tables in a Fred Astaire movie?

This cute little arts & crafts bronze lamp would look great on a bookshelf.

I blogged about this interesting peacock lamp before and it's still available!

This aesthetic movement lamp on the right is a stunner. The lit lamp on the left had daisies handpainted on the shade -ideal for a girl's bedroom.

I've been in love with this marble specimen lamp for awhile now (yes, I visit the shop on a near weekly basis!) and can't believe it hasn't yet sold. Now if I could only find the right spot for it in my apartment....

Speaking of marble, this stately lamp is of a red marble with gilt capital and base.

I was obsessed with this fascinating French bronze lamp above but again -no room at the inn.

This very tall chased silver plated candlestick had been turned into a lamp and the detail is just stunning.

This cute little French cherub is a great addition to any traditional interior.

I love this neoclassical orb chandelier; I couldn't tell if the base is metal or stone. Artisan also carries a wide variety of antique decorative arts such as this bronze sculpture and a variety of paintings and glassware.

Don't forget to support your local businesses, especially unique ones such as Artisan Lamp-a real neighborhood treasure. They also sell online through their website and 1stdibs profile.
No payment or sponsorship was received for this post -just sharing an inspirational resource!

Fifth Avenue Style: Book review

If God is in the details Howard Slatkin, interior designer and author of Fifth Avenue Style, is surely a saint. Reading his book is a glimpse into a wonderful fantasy achieved in only 3 years in his New York Pied-a-terre. At first glance I assumed the renovation took place over 20 years.

Approach-ably written the interior photography by Tria Giovan is also breathtaking beautiful. In each scene the room is set as if for a party to which you were lucky enough to be invited. While this over the top maximalism isn't for everyone granted, even the most ardent minimalist can learn something from Slatkin's approach to detail.

No detail is overlooked, both in the apartment and in his daily life it would seem. My favorite image is a lunch for two at a small table set up overlooking the park, similar to the lunch HabituallyChic was lucky enough to have in this same spot! Don't miss her post on her visit. Also don't miss the video tour of Slatkin's apartment at Quintessence.

Slatkin charmingly walks you through the process of finding the apartment and the entire gut renovation and planning stage. I always appreciate a floorplan and the book includes them at different stages of work.

Notice above the wallpaper wrapping the door and even the interesting but different door knobs on each side. Nothing was left to chance. Really, isn't that how the best interiors succeed?

The most talked about space in the whole apartment, oddly enough, is Slatkin's closet. I suppose one might call it a dressing room given its grandness. Custom designed door pulls,  marquetry paneling, antiques - would you even want to leave after getting dressed?
Don't miss Fifth Avenue Style printed by Vendome Press no matter your stylistic leanings. And be sure to remove the dust jacket to see the beautiful cover (first image).
All images courtesy of Vendome Press and Tria Giovan

Halloween or Fall decorating

To get you into the 'holiday' spirit here are 2 townhouses in Georgetown featuring some festive decor. The house above has a collection of unusual pumpkins decorating their front stoop (notice the gas lantern!). Discreet and charming, these gourds will last as decorations all fall.

This rather spooky house features some cackling Jack o'lanterns to get passersby into the spirit! Have you decorated your house for Halloween or will you be hiding in the basement away from trick-or-treaters like me?!

My latest finds!

This past weekend was terribly busy with lots of events including the 2 fun neighborhood House Tours I wrote about last week. Was nice to see some of you there! However, I still managed to get in an amazing estate sale in my own neighborhood of Cleveland Park. I hope I'm not boring you with my weekly posts of my found treasures for my still relatively 'new' condo but they're really fun for me!

My apartment is quickly becoming a wayward home for stray chairs and tables. I can't turn a good one down! I found this interesting vintage Baker furniture tea-height side table with Queen Anne styled legs but also some art deco influences that I placed in my dining room window. The floorlamp to the right was another find and one that came together nicely. The John Robshaw lampshade was found at an estate sale LAST week and the lamp finial from a 3rd estate sale last month (for a grand total of $35 in its entirety)!  I love how the floorlamp matches the antique tablelamp I got on Thomas Jaynes OneKingLane's sale seen on the table. The floorlamp will live in my bedroom next to last week's chair find!

These intriguing floral pieces stand about 4" tall each and are carved entirely out of antique ivory which was then stained and painted. They aren't something I would ordinarily be drawn to but the craftsmanship is so amazing!

I love collecting small finds like hotel ashtrays (no I don't smoke!) and they can normally be had for under a dollar. They come in handy for lots of other things after a good scrub.

These miniature brass candlesticks were really a fun find -you can see here where I had already polished the stick on the right. They're sized for birthday candles (give or take).  I debated polishing them but thought it would be a good way to clean them up. This summer I had a conversation with my good friend JCB about antique brass and how originally they were MEANT to shine and be rather 'bling'y on a tabletop to reflect the light.

One can always use another picture frame. This 8x10 wood frame with tiny gilt detailing cleaned up nicely after getting off years of smoke and grime!

This last piece took me awhile to figure out what it was but the lady running the estate sale filled me in - it's a strawberry dessert basket. Made of white porcelain for Tiffany & Co - the basket holds strawberries with cream in the small pitcher and sugar in the bowl. What fun finds; you never know what you'll find at an estate sale!

Palisades house tour: an exclusive look

Tomorrow, Saturday October 19, 2013 is the first ever Palisades Village house tour that has been making the rounds of all the DC publications. The Palisades is a quirky neighborhood overlooking the Potomac River that despite the growing of the city has remained quite separate from the city. The neighborhood retains a charming small town atmosphere despite being less than a mile from the heart of Georgetown.

One of the houses on the tour was completed by BarnesVanze architects and is probably the house I'm most excited to see on the tour (seen here in these images). The house was designed to replicate the feeling of the local 19th century houses found on the river that had been added onto over time. I think given these pictures one would never guess this house wasn't 150 years old, do you?

The dramatic dining room was built to look as if it had been an enclosed porch and features diamond paned windows.

The homeowners entertain frequently and this kitchen is any chef's dream so as to remain part of the party. 21st century living in a charming 'old' house.

The best feature of the house though has got to be the bright and airy attic family room which features dramatic views down to the river. Don't miss the tour and this fantastic house!
All photographs by Anice Hoachlander of Hoachlander Davis Photography.

Broadleys by Voysey

While at an estate sale this past weekend I came across an interesting little boxed set of 1/2 sheets of paper showcasing highlights of Western Architectural history. A sort of 1960s version of pinterest (do you follow me on pinterest?). One of these sheets was a vintage photograph and plan of  house Broadleys by the architect Voysey, the sheet seen below. You may remember I blogged about another Voysey house, Upmeads, last year which was actually pretty similar in that it had an efficient, tight floorplan and was loacted out in the country.

As I did with a number of the projects I wasn't familiar with (mainly cathedrals and palaces) I looked Broadleys up online. Not only is the house still extant but it  is open to the public as a short-term rental or bed and breakfast! I came across a website listing a number of similar British Arts & Crafts houses that were also operating as bed and breakfasts HERE. What an incredible opportunity to not only go to house museums while you travel but to stay in one as well! The internet is full of dangerous ways to spend money.

A number of other interesting drawings popped up of Broadleys as well such as this cartouche in the collection of the V&A.

This charming postcard caught my eye as well not only because of the beautiful rendering but it also included the 2nd floor plan. And so one falls down the rabbit hole of the internet.... Whats caught your eye lately? Get 10% sitewide when you shop at Access Hydroponic. Valid until November 2013!

Estate sale mystery find

This past weekend I attended a few interesting estate sales and picked up a lot of 'treasure'! One pair of items though remains somewhat of a mystery to me and thought maybe someone would have some background. This unusual pair of macabre tree trunk vases appear to be quite old , perhaps Victorian period? Google searches turned up nothing other than a few Belleek vases but they did not have the unusual root 'legs'.  Has anyone seen a vase like this before?

 This extremely faint mark was hard to read and photograph - appears to be a serial number?

I also picked up this rather worn mahogany sidechair with tired damask upholstery. The wood has beautiful detailing but needs some conditioning.

Stay tuned for the reupholstered after in the coming weeks!