Doctors Orders = New Covers!

I have returned after a few days off to recharge my batteries. I thank you all for your concern and well wishes. It was very lovely of you all. Originally it looked like I was having a mini stroke, but it is looking like a really, really bad neurological migraine..as if my tension migraines aren't bad enough! The Doctors orders are to slow down, so...

This is how I done it...by making some new items for the store! Naughty I know.

I have added some lumbar sized covers to the store like this one above. Based on my hand dyed cushion covers I have made some on white with a linen coloured ink. The good thing about these covers is that you don't need a lumbar insert, you can use a large pillow which I have done here to show you how it looks. It fills it nicely.

The light is different here this morning as you can see and there is a sudden nip in the air...Autumn has arrived. It seems over the weekend that our Sycamore tree lost a lot of leaves...anyway...

...back to the new covers.

I also made one in the hand dyed cotton with my little signature bird and flourish in white. I really like this one and am thinking of others to do. I have been sketching like mad!

I always find that when I have time away from the blog with the extra time I seem to have, I get really creative...I miss that. So, after the health scare I am vowing to take some time here and there for me. I hope you all don't mind. My posts may be a little sporadic at the moment while I try and find the balance.

This is something I really need to live for!

Another cover to the store which is an image of an original print. It even has the folds etc from the print and I love that it is not blue, pink and the like.

This is beautiful.

A French advertisement which I am thinking of making some for me, well for our sofa! It does look lovely sitting on our chaise up the hallway.

And then there is this.

For those of you who loved my long French Love Letter pillows. I have found an alternative that wont cost the earth to post. The filled ones were nearly US$20.00 to send!!! I know. So here is a 40cm x 40cm (standard size) cover, unfilled which will be posted as a large letter...much more economical for everyone. It is in white with the same script. It will come in different colours soon. I hope you like it.

All of these covers can be found at my Etsy Store.

Thank you again for all of your thoughts, Ness xx

Hope to See You Next Week

Just a reminder: I'm looking forward to seeing many of you next Wednesday night at Tory Burch, Phipps Plaza. It should be a fun night of cocktails and clothes. See you then!

Reel Style at Home

I've got to be honest- I don't really get the home theater thing. As a child, I knew of nobody who had one in their home, no matter how large the house. Family rooms or TV rooms, yes; home theaters, no. Even if I had the space, I still don't think that I would have one. Personally, I can think of better uses of space...like a gift wrapping room à la Candy Spelling. (Just kidding.)

The space issue aside, when have you seen one that actually has style and panache? Most look like miniature versions of your local AMC theater. I get that comfort is key (which obviously explains the overstuffed recliners that are often seen), but why the dull, boring fabrics? And the color schemes tend to be pretty vanilla too.

I think this is why I'm so taken with this Elsie Sloane Farley designed "moving picture room", located in a New York home circa 1929. This is pretty snazzy, isn't it? The walls were covered in a Chinese wallpaper, and the trim was painted powder blue. Those luminous curtains were made of blue glazed cotton. Note too the fireplace (so cozy), the classic star ceiling fixture, and the long window seat with various shaped pillows. And because this was obviously the home theater of a swell, Farley added a Chinoiserie tilt top table in the back corner.

Now I'm sure that back in 1929, a home theater was quite novel- something which might explain the luxe surroundings. I can just imagine the home's owner entertaining guests for exclusive moving picture nights, and I think it's also safe to assume that the guests dressed for these get-togethers too. I admit that the chairs don't look particularly comfortable, but keep in mind that in the late 1920s, movies didn't run as long as they do today. And, people had a bit more decorum back then. Seriously, how many females of that era do you think sat with their feet propped up on the seat in front of them or worse yet had their legs splayed open?

So if someone twisted my arm and insisted that I have a home theater, I would probably do as Elsie Sloan Farley did. In my one concession to comfort, though, I truly might buy some Barcaloungers and have them upholstered in a Scalamandre Chinoiserie print fabric. I borrow this idea from society doyenne Oatsie Charles and her designer John Peixinho. In my book, anyone who can make a Barcalounger look stylish deserves an Oscar!

You're Gonna Think I'm Crazy...

Do you know what has been catching my eye lately? Aluminum blinds. Seriously. There is something about them that just seems right for right now. I'm not talking about white or black aluminum blinds, nor do I mean vertical ones either. It's both silvery polished and brushed aluminum blinds that have been on my mind.

So why the interest? These are tough- not tender- window treatments. We've seen a lot of sweet and tame design lately; maybe it's time for something edgy, a bit raw, and a little provocative. Now, I do realize that these blinds can conjure up images of that dated Miami Vice look. In fact, as I was typing this, I thought of the movie poster for American Gigolo, above. Some remember both the movie and the poster for a very handsome Richard Gere, while fashion mavens think of the Armani suits. For me, it's the shadow of those blinds reaching out across Gere. Leave it to me to think of the window treatments when referencing a movie about steamy...well, you know.

So if one were to indulge in something like this, in what type of room would one put them? Obviously, contemporary goes without saying. A room representative of the school of Billy Baldwin and Albert Hadley would be another great venue. Even a Miles Redd maximalist interior- couldn't you see these blinds in a room or two of his? And speaking of Miles, I think Nick Olsen could completely rock the aluminum. Whether he wants to is another matter.


Look how the light bounces off of the blinds in the late Stanley Barrows' apartment. The surroundings are pretty traditional, and yet these blinds totally worked.


Again, the blinds serve as yet another reflective surface in this "nighttime" dining room.


In another dining room, this one in the home of the designer Ruben de Saavedra.


And though I'm NOT advocating a return of vertical blinds, I did have to include this photo of the home of one of my favorite eccentric designers, the late Valerian Rybar. I've never seen steel blinds that were so polished and glossy.

(Barrows photo from Manhattan Style; dining room photo from The Collectors (The Worlds of Architectural digest); de Saavedra and Rybar photos from Designers' Own Homes: Architectural Digest)

Taking Some Sick Leave...

Paper Roses by my friend Joelee, tag by M&L

Yep, I am having a few days sick leave. I spent last night in Hospital and I need to take some time for myself. I hope you all understand.

Skona Hem
So, I plan to not touch the computer for a few days, try and get some of my own projects done and just relax with Mic and the boys over the weekend.
I should be back Monday.
Ness xx

Those Lost Horizon Doors

Remember when I posted about Lost Horizon, that 1930's film with those fabulous doors like this one, above? Right after I posted the article, my friend Ron van Empel, lighting designer extraordinaire, emailed me to say that he too saw Lost Horizon around the time that I did and was equally as fascinated with the doors. An amazing coincidence, really, since Ron lives in Leiden, Netherlands and doesn't have Turner Classics.

We started to discuss whether the "Lost Horizon design" would work on the interior of his front door. His entryway was really fabulous as it was, what with the Thibaut Chinoiserie wallpaper and the Farrow & Ball Parma Blue doors. And then there was that fabulous pediment- very Van Nest Polglase- above the door. Really great stuff:


An obviously not so average "before" shot...

The first thing Ron did was to come up with a sketch drawn to scale in order to see how the Lost Horizon design might look on his doors. Now keep this in mind if you embark on a DIY project yourself. Sketches are very important, because you don't want to be in the middle of the project to find out that the whole thing is not going to work. Trust me; I'm speaking from experience.



One thing that was a bit confounding to Ron was how to deal with those central doorknobs. As you can see from the sketch, he made sure that the bottom Xs intersected directly over the knobs. He also included the bottom panel like that in the Lost Horizon door.

At first, I assumed that Ron was going to upholster the door, but he had a much better idea. He decided to keep the doors as is and apply the design directly to the painted surface. And instead of using cording as was used in the movie, he chose to do a nailhead trim. Or something that looked like nailhead trim:



How clever is this? Ron bought wood pearl trim that mimicked the look of nailhead trim, and he simply silver-leafed it. (He used a gray base coat on it first.) Far more economical than the real stuff and much easier to apply. And, if Ron tires of the look, he can simply pop the trim from the door.

So how did it turn out? Take a look for yourself....







I'd say that Ron's experiment was a smashing success! If only he lived a little closer to Atlanta, then perhaps I too could have a Lost Horizon door.

(All images courtesy of Ron van Empel with the exception of the Lost Horizon still.)

Wonderful Whites

I found some beautiful images whilst going through an old usb stick that I thought I might show you. This one above I originally spied at lily-g and have always thought it was stunning. You know I love slipcovers and these are just perfect. We couldn't have them at our dining table because it would close in the space, but I have been thinking of a back slip for them. I am so glad the stylist thought to add the natural colours in amongst the white or it would have been too much...I know, coming from me!!


This is not from my usb, but beautiful none the less. It is from a beautiful blogger called Rie. This is Rie's dining room - I know it is gorgeous...what 'til you see the rest! Rie has a stunning blog, Home & Harmony which has become one of my favourite places to visit. Her home is amazing...and for sale...and Rie is such a sweetheart. If you go and look at her blog, you will love it.

from my usb..unknown sorry.

With only 5 days left of our Australian Summer, this image evokes Autumn in me. The fog, light frosts and all of the stunning colours that come with this time of year...and the fact that this house is beautiful it had to be shown.

via Cote de Texas

This image did have a purpose while I was looking through my files. Our old center island in our Kitchen has seen better days. The drawer runners are really starting to not run anymore and I have been thinking it would be good to just have shelves and two top drawers...or a new one completely. I really like this one, although it would never work in our space...or would it?

I hope you like these lovelies as much as I have.

Ness xx

UPDATE- All of the French letter filled pillows have sold and I am going through the motions of making up more, possibly in different colours too! so bear with me as I have been swamped with email orders and orders through Etsy. Thank you so much for all of your support. xx

OK, after loads of emails I have finally put these linen pillows onto my Etsy Shop!

They are filled, so are just like you see it here with it's beautiful French love letter printed in the middle.
You might remember when I first showed it to you on my bed in the master bedroom makeover post. It was this post that started all of the emails.

..and I recently showed it to you again on our sofa while I was playing around with some ideas for Autumn.

I love them and think they go so well with all of the other covers I have in The Shop.

I would love to hear what you think.

Ness xx

Jim Thompson Silk Is Not Helping My Fabric Addiction

Seeing that I seem to troll the internet for fabric on almost a daily basis, I thought I'd end the week with some photos of Jim Thompson Silk and No. 9 Thompson's new Spring collections. There were so many fabrics that caught my eye...like that Velvet Illusion, below, which would lend an El Morocco vibe to one's room. Tiger Hills might be a great substitution for the Braquenié print that slayed me last week (the one on Jayne Wrightsman's canapé and fauteuils). And for sheer drama I included the fabulous Ayuthya, at top, because it looks pretty spectacular. So on that note, I'm off to walk my condo and find something-anything- that needs a little refreshing with some new fabric.



Velvet Illusion- a velvet spin on Jim Thompson's classic Illusion print.


Taj Mahal


Jaipur


Hopi



Kosa Pan

And from No. 9 Thompson:


Tiger Hills


Arya Vine


Jatni


Santosh

Ina's Paris Apartment.

When I posted about Ina Garten's barn not long ago, a few of you had asked if I had seen her Paris apartment - yes I had...and here it is in all it's glory.

Being that Ina is the entertainer extraordinaire, this shot complete with dining setting was a perfect shot I thought.
I love that this apartment could be any ones place, not just a multi millionaire's.
It is filled with simple, lovely, vintage pieces and Ina enjoys unwinding here. I would too.

Obviously the kitchen is a cooks dream, and even when she is here unwinding there is a lot of cooking and entertaining like only Ina knows how to do.

Now, these are the only images I could find, but if you have some more, I would love to see.

I hope you all have an awesome weekend and I will see you all on Monday.

Ness xx

Can't remember which magazine these are from..I know, naughty!

Ten Years and Counting

You know when you look at a design magazine from ten years ago and you see a home and think "Oh my, so dated" or "That's unfortunate". You might even say to yourself "Thank goodness that trend bit the dust. R.I.P." Well, ten years ago Albert Hadley's apartment was featured in Elle Decor, and nothing- seriously, nothing- looks dated.

We all have those watershed moments in our lives. Well, this article was mine. Seeing Mr. Hadley's apartment was one of the catalysts that led me down the road to where I am today. Sounds melodramatic? Perhaps. But seeing perfection can kind of get you verklempt.









(All photos from Elle Decor, Feb/Mar 2000; Fernando Bengoechea photographer)

Giving You The Slip!

image unknown...sorry

The slipcover is an amazing thing when you have two little boys bouncing all over the place with muddy feet, grubby hands and always covered in grass or sand. It is slipcovers that have made family homes live able, attainable and designable. With a swathe of white denim, or better still white linen, a slipcover can be easily made.

Our own sofa is covered in a slipcover made by me and has been one of the best things the old sewing machine has ever run up, is always being washed and still looks great.

I have yet to cover the other sofa, just haven't had the time, but have put it in my diary to be done and finally I will have the slip covered sofas I have wanted since the boys were born.
The new Nancy Meyers film "It's Complicated", with its gorgeous set, courtesy of the amazing Beth Rubino, has a slip covered living room and I always feel that a family living space should be designed with comfort as well as beauty in mind. The slipcover is perfect for this. No need to cringe when you have a dinner party if your good friend has had a few to many wines and takes her banana pudding with butterscotch sauce over to the sofa to join the men on a debate about cars...just throw it in the soak bucket when they leave, wash and voila! new sofa again.


The famous set of Nancy Meyers "Something's Gotta Give", which was also designed by Beth Rubino, has set many a heart a flutter and a rush was made by those who could wield a sewing machine to cover their unloved sofas and breathe new life into them. I also love the fact that you can make seasonal covers for Winter, Summer and all in between for the small cost of some fabric.
Heiberg Cummings Design

Even the most hideous sofa can be turned into a thing of beauty, by removing big bulky back rests and creating a cosy haven with loads of down filled cushions to take their place. This one here reminds me of one I have seen made over, which had said bulky back cushions which were ripped off, and reused as smaller cushions and made an ugly couch somewhat of a statement piece.
Victoria Hagen
Anything can be covered with a slip and I have done many of my own pieces, like our wing back chair, Chaise, sofa.....
Anyway you look at it, the slipcover is here to stay!
Ness xx