Seaside living, sophisticated shore decor

Isnt this a living room your would love to sit in with your girlfriends and a couple bottles of wine?!?!
This "Seaside Living room" was featured in the February 2009 Issue of House Beautiful. It was designed by Annie Selke. I LOVE the Everly square cocktail tables with the glass orbs on them. I sold similar orbs in the store this summer and will have to order some more! I really like the mix of the Track arm sofa and the Bertram rounded arm chairs. The curtains are Shalini blue marine from Calico Corners, I think I love them, and would love to get a better look at them...

Hmm. Not what I was expecting from the picture of the curtains above. After seeing the close up (Found at Calico Corners) I will plead the fifth on this one as I LOVE the rest of the design...  

I would try something like this (Martyn Lawrence Fabrics) to get a similar look...

Thoughts?

Adorable pink and Turquoise Nursery...

I havent featured any nursery rooms on my blog yet, but thought this was the perfect Nursery to start with! The Nursery was designed by Meredith, Principal Meredith Heron Design, Toronto for (and with help) from Gretchen, Gretchen Aubuchon Design, Worcester, MA


The full story, and more pictures can be found on HGTV.CA  be sure to check out  interview in Part 1 and the inspiration ideas in Part 2. All images below are from HGTV.CA


The Nursery started with a sketch that Meredith sent Gretchen, and it went from there. I have included some great pictures of the final nursery, and the inspiration/ideas. Be sure to read Meredith and Gretchen's interview, and here is a sneak peek of the adorable nursery for an adorable new baby girl! Welcome to the world Lucy! 

What are my favorite parts of the room? I love the Bungalow 5 etageres, the turquoise chandelier & the hot pink grass cloth walls. 

All images from:
HGTV.CA

Underwater Swimming Paintings I cant get enough of featured by James Radin, and artists Eric Zener and Jamie Wayman

While looking through one of my favorite blogs this week, Cote de Texas I came across this picture of a bedroom designed by one of my favorite designers, James Radin. 

The natural textured wallpaper is great... but what I have not been able to stop thinking about all week is the amazing UNDERWATER PAINTING. ITS SAFE TO SAY I AM OBSESSED WITH IT. 
I have not been able to find a reference for the painting anywhere. Anyone know the artist?


I have spent the week looking into underwater swimming paintings and have found some I love, and some that are so detailed they look like photos. I would love to use one of these amazing paintings in a beach house. Take a look...














All painting above by Artist: Eric Zener



 


3 paintings above by Artist Jamie Wayman

Monday Morning Inspiration

My Monday morning did not get off to its usual start... for a few reasons.  Although I was able to get away on my little weekend getaway to visit some dear old friends I spent 1/2 the trip in bed with the flu, geez it sure is embarrassing and annoying to be a sick house guest! But all was not lost as we did get a full day to explore Pete's "Factory", check out Pittsburgh, catch up, laugh and plan some exciting design projects for the upcoming months! The trip was great despite the 24 hours I hopefully will soon forget. So this Monday, re-assured that the store is sailing along fine without me (WOW did Louise and Kelly have an awesome weekend while I was gone!! You guys are awesome!) I decided to stay home to rest, and make sure my 7 year bug has fully been kicked. Its sort of nice having a sick day to catch up on reading and resting around the house. Thank you Boo and Pat who are working in the shop today! Your the best.

So... while I get to catch up on my rest, I also get a chance to catch up on some favorite blogs and magazines. 

 I  loved the most recent blog post I read this morning on the blog habituallychic, by Heather Clawson... have you read it? if not take a look... (copy is from Habituallychic, except for my blurbs in green.)

Chic and Colorful and Art Filled

The calendar says spring but the temperature says winter. Makes me wish I had a conservatory like Alexis and Trevor Traina in San Francisco. Vogue featured the home in the December 2009 issue and just posted some party pics online today.  It was fun to see the dining room set for a chic lunch to celebrate the new Balenciaga exhibit at the de Young Museum and a visit from Hamish Bowles who curated it. The moss green pillows are a lot of fun, they remind me of chilled pea soup... which was served in little ramekins in the conservatory for the event!

The Trainas renovated the home and added the conservatory by Amdega. The furniture was designed by Ann Getty who collaborated on the interior design with the couple and interior designer Thomas Britt.

The dining room set for lunch.

I love the pop of pink stemware against all the green in the room.

The stemware is beautiful, as is the Flora Danica Fungi service porcelain from the 1790 pattern...

Perfect for Spring!

The chairs were designed by Ann Getty and Andrew Fisher designed the abalone topped tables.  The chandelier was found at Coleen & Company. I love the peacocks...stay tuned for an "inspiration" post in the work son Peacocks!

The entrance hall is perfect for tricycle riding.  The artwork is Studio Wall Drawing: 13th May 2004 by Keith Tyson.

Another Keith Tyson painting, History Painting (Baden-Baden, 1942) hangs in the entrance gallery.

Thomas Britt thought the red velvet by Sabina Fay Braxton would be the perfect backdrop for Trevor Traina's photography collection.  Queen Elizabeth II, 1999 is by Hiroshi Sugimoto.

Alexis and Trevor Traina with their children in the drawing room. For a minute I forgot the images are from DEc 2009, I was thinking whats with the Christmas Glockenspiel ?

Thomas Britt also designed the Lucite banister which adds a modern touch to the old house.  Hanging on the stairs is Walking Cake II by Laurie Simmons.  The artist's daughter Lena Dunham wrote, directed and starred in an independent filmTiny Furniture which is also worth checking out.  Hope this colorful home brightened your day!

Thanks for the Inspirational Post by Habituallychic!

Photos by Andi Hatch and Francois Halard

Interiors From the set of Jane Eyre

If you're like me, then you're waiting with bated breath for the new adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, starring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender. Here's a sneak peek of the gorgeous and ancient house, Haddon Hall, that plays the role of Thornfield in this new film.
I LOVE this wallpaper:

Haddon Hall (http://www.haddonhall.co.uk/index.htm) was first built in the 12th century and was slowly expanded through the early 1600s. Restored faithfully in the 1920s, it serves as an unusually intact example of a true medieval manor house.

The furniture pictured is mostly from the 17th-19th centuries. Like Jane herself, these interiors are products of their long-ago time, and yet surprisingly contemporary and relevant.
Which is your favorite room?

1 & 2 The Banqueting Hall dates from the late 1300s and is hung with antlers dating from the 17th century
3 Chinoiserie and an oriental rug mix beautifully in this room — and notice the amazing frieze band at the cornice
4 Peach damask walls get accented with white pilasters along this stunning hallway
5 Two rugs laid edge-to-edge fill this monumental hall (check out that fireplace!)
6 A four-poster bed against a wall of tapestries in this dreamy bedroom — though what horrors come at night?
7 The Long Gallery, built in the late 16th century to celebrate a marriage, features strapwork on the ceiling and wood paneling on the walls
8 Jane Eyre comes out Friday; go for the classic Gothic tragedy, stay for the lavish interiors!

Content from www.apartmenttherapy.com

Images: Photos by Laurie Sparham, used with permission from Focus Features