Chintz can be such a controversial subject. What? You didn't know that? Oh yes, the fur can and oftentimes does fly when discussion turns towards chintz. And why? It's nothing more than glazed cotton. How can you disparage good old cotton? And I for one love glazing (especially on doughnuts). I think chintz has unfortunately gotten a bum rap, much like linoleum and shoulder pads.
We had a mini chintz revival recently, although the chintz that seemed to garner the most publicity was of the floral variety. Florals are all well and good, but the chintz that strikes my fancy are solids. I love the sheen of solid chintz fabrics, but this is where the quality factor comes into play. Cheap chintz looks, well, cheap. It's all about the luster, and well-made solid chintz fabrics have got that in spades. It's a humble, toned down kind of glamour.
I found this early 1980s ad above for Zumsteg fabrics. Look at the yummy colors, the shiny finish, and the subtle, tonal print. Can't you see fabric like this used for some glam curtains in one's bedroom? Or what about seat cushions? If I owned a Frances Elkins' Loop chair, I'd use a chintz like this.
Of course, who doesn't associate floral chintz with Mario Buatta. But another prince of chintz- albeit solid chintz- was David Hicks. He used glazed cotton fabric for pillows, bedspreads, curtains, and all kinds of upholstery. And you know, it looked really great. My only advice would be to use solid chintz sparingly. Otherwise, your rooms might end up looking slippery!
(PS- Does anyone know anything about Ashley Hicks' forthcoming book David Hicks: A Life of Design
David Hicks designed all of the rooms above. His use of gutsy, colorful glazed cotton made chintz hip and sexy.
(Images of David Hicks' work from David Hicks: Designer
The Fabric That Dare Not Speak Its Name
Vintage...
A Weighty Subject
I understand the feeling. (Pair of Blackamoor tables, Italian, c. 1920, available at Liz O'Brien)
I can relate. (Italian console tables, c. 1900, from Heather & Company)
I'm certainly not feeling this calm. (Italian table, late 18th/early 19th c, from N.P. Trent Antiques)
I'd feel much better if I were in Albert Hadley's apartment.
If I didn't have to pay so much, I might feel like kicking up my heels. (Banquette room of the home of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, 24 Boulevard Suchet; designed by Maison Jansen)
Whiteport, New England Style
This little hint of a dining room screams 'casual chic', and New England. Pale floors, loads of white and natural wood and washable cotton everywhere. Don't you just want to move in? Me to!
This is the porch of Jennifer's home. Not only is she super stylish, she is a bargain hunter...like me. This setting she bought off Ebay for a small price, re covered in white and voila! Stylish outdoor setting.
Her bathroom is just gorgeous and has been in my head recently while I ponder our bathroom reno. White with black accents and white washed wood...how can you go wrong?
This cushion would look lovely on a plump white sofa over looking the ocean. It is available from Whiteport. I want some. My Sister will too!!
You know I want this all white ginger jar from Whiteport! 
Not only is the store beautiful, Jennifer's blog is lovely too. She has a liking for a Designer I admire, Vincent Wolf.
Whiteport's range of lotions and potions look good enough to eat, especially sitting on these waffle towels....in white!
I can just imagine all of these in a New England style home, and with a fire place that is simply beautiful, you could stay all year round.
The only thing that is missing from the photo above is a vintage look wicker basket full of kindling, like these from Shabby Homestyles...
...and a bowl full of these gorgeous little white pebbles from Mondo Cherry. They remind me of the ones from Somethings Gotta Give...but cuter.
I don't think it would be a New England home without a flag and a lighthouse. I love the fact that the light house is white and not that over done red stripe kind.
..and would all these things make sense if there wasn't somewhere to kick off your sandy shoes and plonk down for an evening by candle light, the sound of waves and the ocean breeze sending you to sleep while someone else done the cooking...absolutely not!Ness xx
other photos via New England Lifestyle...ta!
This weekend I will be...
pic - skona hem...visiting our favourite coffee shop for lattes and a chat...
pic - Anna Spiro...hunting down more blue and white ginger jars, and....
pic - Baileys...oh no, that's right, I was dreaming about that lovely weekend! In reality I will be washing, sewing, painting, and spending time removing building rubbish and garden waste from the yard to the skip that is in our driveway!!!
If you do happen to be doing any of the wonderful things above...
think of me...please!
Have a great weekend,
Ness xx
For All You Bobby Short Fans in the House
I was doing a little research in the March 1970 issue of House Beautiful and found a fun article on entertaining chez Bobby Short. (Very apropos as yesterday's post was about entertaining.) That man had style for days and made everything look effortless. So for lunch for friends, Short served Texas Chili, Corn Meal Muffins, Salsify with Mayonnaise Mousseline, and Boysenberry Sherbet with Crème de Cassis. How easy is that? Chili, or any stew for that matter, is a perfect entertaining dish. All you have to do is make it ahead of time and let it simmer on the stove. In fact, this entire menu could be prepared ahead of time.
My favorite part of the article is Short's quote likening cooking to making music:
When you make a stew, you finish it to taste with a few grinds of the peppermill, maybe a dash more salt, thyme, too, and you know-you just know- when the flavor is right. Making music is much the same thing. You start with a little bass, add a soupçon of treble, throw in a bit of the drum, 'growl out' the lyrics, and suddenly it's okay. You're in there swinging.
I love the shot of Short tasting the chili with his ladle. Unfortunately, the images are all in black and white so you can't really get a good idea as to just how chic his apartment was. I'm including a few images of his apartment as it appeared in the Christie's auction catalogue.
Apologie in white...
Pic - BH&G
Pic - Skona HemModern with a hint of vintage glamour. I like it.
Pic - Skona HemWhat a lovely kids room. I always dreamed of a built in bed like this as a child. My own little space to escape to and a cocoon like feeling to keep me safe from the boogie man.
Pic - Atlanta HomesA very sophisticated space with a very restrained palette, which is what you want to unwind in...clear your mind after a rough week.
Pic -Atlant BartlettGorgeous personified! The amazing Atlanta is a modern master when it comes to whipping a white interior into life.
Pic - BaileysSomething else to add on to 'The List'!
I posted about this beautiful little seaside shack when I first started to blog. It is just lovely, all white, French inspired and uber luxe...for a shack!
I would love to take this little white palace and plonk it into our back yard, where I would while away my time (!) and create and just be with all this lovely-ness.Laid-Back Entertaining
A lot of people I know are cutting back on entertaining due to financial reasons. Obviously, we are all watching our pennies right now, but I don't think we should curtail entertaining at home. If anything, now is the time that we should focus on what's really important: spending time with family and friends.
As I've gotten older, I've learned to relax and not be so uptight about having people into my home. I do think (or at least hope) that my home is warm and inviting, but I can say that it is not by any means perfect. As I'm writing this, my powder room has partially removed wallpaper. It ain't pretty, but it has not stopped me from having people in. I consider the wallpaper a temporary situation, and people who know me know that I will one day soon have a remodeled powder room.
The other thing that I'm more laid back about is food. Food does not have to be fancy- only tasty. I love putting on a spread for people, but there are times when it's fun just to relax and enjoy some conviviality with one's friends. And this leads me to the point of this post. When did the cocktail hour get so elaborate? Sure it's fun to assemble a platter of antipasto. And what's better than sharing caviar with your guests? But for those on a budget or who are trying to be less uptight, there is nothing wrong with serving the basics. Such as ... Ritz crackers or Triscuits.
Just look at the gorgeous Horst photo above, taken in 1963 at the Long Island home of Consuelo Balsan. What are those crackers in the Chinese dish on the beautiful tray table which rested on the gorgeous Aubusson rug? Ritz crackers! Truly, have you ever met anyone who didn't like Ritz crackers?
And what about Triscuits? In Susanna Salk's paean of everything WASP, A Privileged Life: Celebrating Wasp Style
Now, I'm not saying that you should forgo elegant entertaining altogether. I actually regret that formal entertaining is not as fashionable as it once was. But, when you're having good friends and family over for a few casual drinks, give yourself a break and pull out the box of Ritz.
According to an old New York magazine article, Albert Hadley served a bowl of unsalted Triscuits to the journalist interviewing him. Yet another reason to love Mr. Hadley.
I don't think Triscuits and Ritz were around in 1941 when Dorothy Draper wrote Entertaining is Fun!: How to Be A Popular Hostess
Sister Parish was one character who I wish I had been able to meet. One of her favorite drinks was vodka with ice and a dash of Clamato. She also on occasion served appetizers of ham wrapped around a pickle with some cream cheese, cut on the diagonal, as well as peanut butter and bacon sandwiches. And based on what has been written, people loved her get-togethers...even the food!
French Door before & afters...
BEFOREin all of its pinky glory, pre paint, our house really needed something on this side of the house, and as our windows were rotting with age we thought 'wouldn't French doors be great'. This photo was during the painting stage.
DURINGHere we are when the wonderful 'Chris the Builder' (or as the kids called him Bob The Builder!). He laid our new veranda base, which I thought was wonderful as I pondered on what was coming...
TODAYHere we are!!! New French doors. Still not finished painting yet, but I couldn't wait to do a TA DA! Our veranda still has to be erected (coming soon) and gardens etc done to finish, but what a difference. We love it. Chris worked some magic, let me tell you! There were lots of snags along the way, which he dealt with beautifully and we are so pleased with the result.
DURING - inside.
TODAYI had them open today while I was cleaning and dressing the room again. It was bliss! We, well I have waited SO long to get French doors along this side of the house...well worth it.
We did have a moment where we thought about painting them the charcoal colour, but it didn't look right, so back to white.
This is the door in Declan's room. Chris had to make up little glass boxes for the top of the doors (one of the snags) and the little pieces for the corners of the architrave (another snag). they look so good though. These doors will be getting stained like the rest of the woodwork in here.Now all I have to do is make up curtains for them all. Any suggestions. I was thinking a putty colour for the living room, natural for Mics slot car room (I didn't show you those, they look the same as Declan's room) and maybe a denim for Declan's door. decisions!!