One of my weekend chores was to go through stacks of old magazines- a fun endeavor, actually, as I oftentimes find articles that had completely slipped my mind. Case in point, this Albert Hadley project that was featured in the March/April 2001 issue of Veranda.
This particular project was very personal to Hadley for a few reasons. First, the client was his sister, Betty Ann, who at the time was embarking on a move from the Hadley homestead in Nashville. Along with Betty Ann came Hadley family heirlooms, including several pieces of Victorian era furniture. While other designers may have seen these family pieces as an albatross, Mr. Hadley thought quite the opposite. To him, these family relics were old friends, and really, who wants to throw out a friend?
Even though I'm still not a fan of Victoriana, in the hands of Mr. Hadley the pieces actually become rather palatable. What strikes me about this home is the fact that it doesn't look too decorated, forced, and stripped of any life, an affliction that seems to affect more and more homes today. What's wrong with hanging on to a few friends from the past, even if it means trotting them out for show in the living room or parlor? Just a little food for thought... in case you didn't have enough of it over the holiday!
The c. 1940 French red-mirrored glass table formerly resided in Hadley's Manhattan apartment. Years ago, he mentioned to his mother that he was thinking of selling the table; Mrs. Hadley told him to please send it to her...and now it resides in Betty Ann's home. The wallpaper is a custom design by Hadley.
Butler's press is 19th c. American. The tureen appears to be Dodie Thayer, and the asparagus stalk tureen is also 20th c.
The Victorian bed, rocking chair, and cupboard-on-chest are all family heirlooms. The framed paper dolls, hung on the jib door, were drawn by Hadley for his sister when they were children.
The decoupage pictures in the guest bedroom are by Susan Crater, granddaughter of Sister Parish and author of the recent "Sister Parish Design". The wallpaper was custom printed from the archives of Albert Hadley Inc.
(All images from March/April 2001 issue of Veranda, Peter Margonelli photographer.)
Hadley Family Heirlooms
loving this!
What a beautiful winter Christmas scene! It is so fresh with the white and pops of red, I just adore this, and....
wouldn't it look even better with one of my new french inspired stockings??! You can get these and more in my shop NOW.image #1 - unknown...sorry!
Life As A Bird...
despite the horrendous weather on Saturday morning, the days cleared enough for me to pack mason in the car and head to the Niche markets which were held in Launceston for three days. The markets showcase up and coming designers and give shop owners a great opportunity to get their hands on locally made products to sell in their stores...I just go for the shopping!
Another amazing talent is Sophie from 'That Vintage'. Her wooden pendant necklaces are my absolute fave and I have just bought some Christmas presents from her this weekend. Sophie's work is in the latest issue of Peppermint Magazine and she is a regular at many markets around town as well as having her designs in nearly every shop I seem to enter these days as well as all over the country and now in NZ too!You can visit Sophie's online store to view her great jewelry HERE
Some of the other great designers at the market were-
Red Bamboo
Hello Kitty...the best cookies EVER!
Rebecca Roth (my kind of chunky rings!)
Dick & Dora
and many more!
Ness xx
Joy To The World!
My favourite Christmas images from last year have been called in to duty today as I am just doing a quick post...my Sister is in the Hospital right now having her baby which isn't due until the 3rd of January!!!On top of this shocking family news, it has been a really hectic day today with loads of jobs, orders to post and general things to do - I'm pooped!
So, I am giving myself an early mark to wait for the call that Jr has arrived =0)
Have a wonderful evening.
Ness xx
image 1- Aust Home beautiful, 2- Mari Erikson
Here is a new cover coming to Giving Thanks for a Beautiful Table
How does Jonathan Preece do it? In addition to being an interior designer and stylist with Bunny Williams Inc. and serving as Creative Director of BeeLine Home, Jonathan also creates stunning holiday tables for a coterie of clients and friends. Obviously, Jonathan's creativity- and energy- knows no bounds. Need proof? Just look at a Thanksgiving table that Jonathan designed for a client. While most holiday tables are as dry as a Butterball turkey (mine included), Jonathan's is a delectable feast.
The setting was a Federal house in Westport, CT that had been decorated by Bunny Williams. The client often hosted Thanksgiving dinners for 30 to 45 guests, all of whom were seated at tables in the main Dining Room and the Hall. When Jonathan was brought in to assist with the Thanksgiving arrangements, he suggested creating an enfilade effect by having a table in the Dining Room and two 72" round tables in both the Hall and the Breakfast Room.
Because the client loves drama, Jonathan came up with a scheme loaded with "Wow". One of the first things you probably noticed in the photo above is the male turkey taxidermy. (I've always thought turkeys were actually beautiful birds, and if this shot doesn't prove it, I don't know what does!) Also woven into the mix were branches of pear, maple, and magnolia intertwined with pyracantha vines. Jonathan also nestled purple variegated decorative cabbage plants into the mix.
Blanc de chine cockerels were perched alongside pumpkin tureens that did double duty as cachepots. Mercury glass votives, compotes, spheres, and toad stools added a little shimmer to the table. Mother Nature was present in the form of seasonal fruits and vegetables like brussel sprouts on the stalk, shitake mushrooms, pomegranates, and grapes.
Jonathan's client asked him to include place cards and gifts for the guests. Keeping with the theme of the table, the male guests received turkey callers, while the females got silver old fashioned hand warmers. And the kids? Mini Coleman lantern key chains. The place cards were actually plaster leaves with painted relief. The china was Wedgwood and the etched wine glasses were Christofle.
Over-scaled branch arrangements flanked the Breakfast Room Entry and added color and height to the main Dining Room. Albino pumpkins and decorative cabbage were clustered around a 19th c. garden urn. Love the drama of the uplight. And if you look carefully, you'll notice little bird houses made of bark and moss that hung on the branches.
So...after seeing these photos, I'm completely rethinking my Thanksgiving table. (Anyone know where to get albino pumpkins here in Atlanta?) If you think this is good, just wait until I show you Jonathan's Christmas table!
Busy Is A Good Thing...Right?
Today is my Sister-in-laws 21st, and although we done the party thing on the weekend, we are having a Birthday dinner at our house for her....and I have busted my finger! I was hit last night with a 3kg medicine ball at Bootcamp which came hurtling at me from across the room. My poor finger is black and blue and I can hardly bend it - but I am tough!
...I am happy though!Indian brassware ... treasures galore ...
I have been flooded with loads of queries about the brassware you often see on my blog ... and so today I decided to take you all with me to my lil' fav. haunt ... and let you peak around the tiny little handicraft store that I find so much fun to go browsing ... on this trip I set my heart on this particular box ... :)
... I have been seeing this beautiful clock for quite some time in a far side of the store ... its origins being from some old Indian palace or Haveli ... you see what I mean ,when I say ...I go peaking into corners ...
... its a small store but Anita ( the owner) ... has an interesting collection ... and I always find myself eyeing something ... love this beautiful bell ... craved on it are different avatars of Goddess Durga ... hmmm ... I was intrigued ...
... brassware from different corners of India can be as different in styles ... as if from two different corners of the world ... this brass box is from tribal areas of Bastar (central India) ...
... and here are two people I love to go and meet ... with their warm smiles ( they are camera shy)... and their absolute down to earth nature ... I go all mush ... when they come up with the next interesting piece ... I can't drive a bargain for nuts and I end up buying more then I intented to ...
... what ever your taste in accesorising your home ... their is bound to be something for you in some corner or some shelf ... and I am definite some abrakophile out their would love this Cheeta in brass ...
... oooH! this deer siting on the floor ... appears to look right at you ... in a lovable sort of way ...
... heres another set of box collection from bastar ... the patina ... of brass is so playable ... shine it up ... pale it down ... darken it with age ... and everyone of them has a different charm ...
... I went all out of focus with this pictre but I had to put it here ... cause some of you wanted to know where I got my Diwali spoon shaped diyas ... well from right here and if you'd be interested in them just contact Anita ( I'll have her details at the bottom of the post) ... she'll ship anywhere in the world ...:)
.... Hmmmm ..........
... these were interesting ... I'm pretty sure plenty out there would love them ... small musical instruments ... well they really are Haldi and Kum-kum holders (used in Hindu prayer rituals) ...
... Umran ... he sure is as passionate about the shop and its treasures as is Anita ... :)
...and according to Umran ... having a lady with a pot, statue ... at home ... is considered lucky ... :) .... 
...ahh! one of my fav's .. the traditional Indian oil lamps ...
... this here looked like another piece with European links ... another auction piece from some old Indian home ... the motifs definitely didn't look of Indian origin ... how interesting ... I love this mish-mash ... its all Indian and some of it is has history beyond India ...
... another piece I loved ... I do think I am getting carried away with the pieces I see ...
... a tribal Indian bullock cart ... and a typical Indian autorikshaw ... any abrakophile ... ooouuuu ... ing ... ;)
... another tribal piece ... I wonder if this is also from bastar or anothr tribal area ... their styles .. definitely distinct ... 
... oh! and this was interesting too ... Umran insists that this is a 200-300 yr old .. Thai piece ... its broken... but I was intrigued to discover, its existence in Navi Mumbai ...
... had it not been for an indulgent pair of sunglasses I picked just the day before ... this elephant was mine ... ;)
... a tortoise box ... from tribal India ...
... Indian wine decanter ... wow... wee... old ... antique ... expensive ... no ... no ... I can't even think about it ...
... this piece at the entrance of the store ... I would love to know more about it ...
... I wonder if you liked some of the pieces ... a lot many of my readers asked me where do you go looking ... well no where particular ... try your local handicraft store ... emporiums ... you'll just get your way going from their ... the Indian brassware is so extensive ... there is so much treaure ... you really must go look ... 