Remember This One?

Let's rehash an oldie but goodie- the New York apartment of Jeff Pfeifle, former president of J. Crew, and his partner Adam Mahr. I was reminded of the fabulous apartment, featured in the December 2006 issue of House & Garden, when I saw Pfeifle's photo on New York Social Diary the other day. Now, you might think that I was taken with the home because of the children of the house (see above), children who bear a striking resemblance to Alfie. Well, perhaps it swayed me a bit, but really, the home is downright chic. Starting with...



...the tented entryway. Did someone say tented? I think perhaps that's what hooked me.



Or perhaps it was the good old-fashioned dining room that is anything but old-fashioned.

The guest bedroom? Yep, like that one too.



And the telephone room? Why, it pushed me over the edge. Time to dial 9-1-1.

(All images from House & Garden, December 2006; Hugh Stewart photographer)

Warm Memories...

The days are starting to get warmer here and I am so happy about that. This weekend was wonderful for us. We opened the French doors for the first time this Winter and let the sea breeze fill the house, as well as the warm sunshine which was magic.

We also had a party...

...for our little boy who is 4 today.

I still remember like it was yesterday bringing this little man home for the first time and I love this picture of Mason and I when he was about 1 year old.

Happy Birthday Birthday Mason, my little Buster.

xx

Mad for Marion

Thanks to the non-drowsy decongestant I've been taking all weekend, I've been a little too revved-up to sleep. A little annoying, but on the bright side, I've redecorated my apartment...at least, in my mind. I've decided that I need a small rug in my dressing room. I already have a nice wool, Wilton weave carpet in there right now (I'm a big fan of wall-to-wall carpet in bedrooms, closets, and dressing areas), but I think a throw rug would add some zip to the space. After all, a minimalist wardrobe, though chic on the body, is too subtle to do much in the way of decoration.

So what would be perfect in my dressing area is a Marion Dorn rug. I mean, if you're going to daydream, you might as well shoot for the stars. It would certainly be in keeping with the loose 1930s look that I'm going for. And if they were good enough for Syrie Maugham and Frances Elkins- both fans of Dorn's work- they are more than good enough for me.

(Speaking of Maugham, don't forget that Pauline Metcalfe's much anticipated book, Syrie Maugham, is being released in a few weeks. Look for a review here soon.)



This Dorn rug, c. 1930, was sold at Christie's for around $4300. The pale tones would be perfect for my room's color scheme of pinks, grays, and creams. The zig-zag design is reminiscent of the Dorn rug in Mrs. Celia Tobin Clark's bedroom (c. 1929-31; seen at the top of this post), a room decorated by Syrie Maugham.



Frances Elkins chose this beige and off-white Dorn rug for the bedroom of Ruth Winslow. The rug was a nice modern counterpoint to the traditional French floral chintz.




How chic was the Lounge at Claridge's Hotel, c. 1930? Decorated by Oswald Milne, the space was a combination of Art Deco and Modernist decor. The black and cream geometric patterned rug was, yes, by Dorn.



Another stylish room decorated by Maugham, this time the London drawing room of Mr. Robin Wilson. I wonder if that was a Dorn designed rug?



This Dorn work is/was available at a rug dealer in Paris.



Not quite the right colors for my dressing area, but this Dorn rug- auctioned off by Sotheby's- is certainly enchanting.

(Clark image from David Adler, Architect: The Elements of Style, Martha Thorne editor; Elkins image from Frances Elkins: Interior Design by Stephen Salny. Claridge's photo from Martin Battersby's The Decorative Thirties; Wilson drawing room photo from The Great Lady Decorators: The Women Who Defined Interior Design, 1870-1955 by Adam Lewis.)

Bunkin' Down...

Hi Everyone!

You may know already that we have to little boys who are fast growing up. One is 6 and the other is just about to turn 4. In their wisdom they have decided a little while ago that they wanted to share a room together...how sweet.

They both had plenty of room in their own bedrooms, but wanted to be together and they chose Declan's room with the french door, afternoon sunlight and right next to our room.

I was happy with their choice.

This room is very big, so there is loads of room for all of the 'stuff' that they have, but it got me thinking of built in bunks like these above. Love them. So many amazing things can be done with them...let's look.

Now, these aren't the traditional bunks we all think of but it is a great use of space isn't it?

I could imagine them in a family holiday home where you could have a few siblings and their families all in the cottage together....and the storage under would be great.
The idea of the boys room being all white with punches of blue and red, although done to the death really appeals to me...and to them!

That colour combo can be done so many ways!

This room is divine and I often think of a friend of mine who has 4 boys and 1 girl and a 3 bedroom home. This built in bunk system would work so well in her situation and there would still be plenty of room to play and do homework etc.
Having 2 little girls would have me looking for something like this. I would never come out if I had of had bunks like these as a child. My Sister and I did have bunks and we used to put up sheets and bring Mum's potted plants inside and turn them into 'units'. We would dress them just like a home with pillow sofas, curtains - the lot! I remember that so fondly...and the fact my elder Sister always had the 'unit' with the natural sunlight!!
This is my favourite!
Everything in this room is amazing and although the bunks aren't built in, they still look so great against that stripe wall. Talking Mic around to something like this would be another story though.
Both of our boys really liked this room when I showed them =0)

Ok, when I found this a million smiles rushed through me. I could have something like this in my office-now-come-guestroom. I think the drum shade and comfy sofa sold the whole scheme to me...either way it is wonderful, and I am sure Mum and Dad would be happy being in here when they come and stay.

Now as much as I love white and neutrals, I do believe that children should have colour in their lives and this room is a perfect example. A white base and tonal coloured 'cabins'.
What a great solution for everyone.
I don't have any plans just yet to have some built in bunks installed, but the boys room does need a face lift. It is still the same colour from when I prepared it for Declan's arrival...about 6 and a half years ago!!
Which one do you love??
Ness xx
all images sourced through Google search.

update - I am feeling much better now and I do thank you all for your very sweet emails and messages regarding my illness...thank you all so much xx

Cooling Effects

After every walk that we take during the hot summer, Alfie marches inside my apartment and immediately collapses on my entryway's tile floor. I don't blame him; it's such a quick and easy way to cool off. This summer has been so hot and muggy that there have been times when I have considered lying down on the tile floor as well, although a modicum of decency has prevented me from doing so. But, there really is something appealing right now about things that are cool to the touch. To me, that usually translates to ceramic or porcelain and white, of course.



Like this 1930s French Patisserie Table from Soane Antiques. It's the perfect size for Alfie! Seriously though, I am charmed by this table.




In terms of garden stools, this drapery and tassel version is completely unexpected. (from Palm Beach Antique & Design Center.)




Who knew that firewood could be so cool? It is when it's made of bisque porcelain. (Still Life Logs from Klein Reid)




How cool are these ceramic wall brackets? (from Dixon Lane Antiques)




Just wanted to see if you were paying attention (Ceramic turkey from Kirk Albert Vintage Furnishings)




A little blue is perfectly acceptable, especially when it's on a table as terrific as this. (from Carlos de la Puente Antiques)

And finally, if I had a floor made of this Barbara Barry tile for Ann Sacks, I suspect Alfie and I would be fighting for space on the floor.

Winter Sun and Lavender...

The winter sun has been shining all day today (as you can see here on my bench), which is just as well. Mic and I have just finished Spring cleaning the entire house! Even the dogs got a bath.

Now it is done, I think I am coming down with something and our 6 year old has Tonsillitis.

So, it is lots of Lavender and Eucalyptus oils and fruit here right now.

I am off to rest...night!

Ness xx

Oh, and the Miners Cottage is coming along - shouldn't be too long =0)

Inside "Inside Design"

I'm feverishly working on an article right now, so I'm going to rely upon Michael Greer to carry this post. You remember Michael...his 1962 book was on my top ten book list last week. For some, the mention of Greer's name prompted a walk down memory lane, while for others, his work was entirely new.

His book, Inside Design, is chock full of practical design advice that still holds true today. And the photos of his work that accompany the text? Well, truth be told, a little of it is dated. Most people just don't live like that anymore. But to me, that's beside the point. He had a well-honed sense of color, a predilection for decorative flourishes, and a way with curtains and valances. Sounds okay to me.

Decorative painting and trompe l'oeil were seen often in a Michael Greer interior.



According to a very knowledgeable reader of mine, this is the living room of Charlton Heston. Yes, the man who starred in "Planet of the Apes" had curtains made from one of our favorite Pierre Frey prints.



Here's the dated look that I was talking about. Still, there's an interesting use of color here. And see what I mean about those valances?



How I wish this were my terrace.



A masculine, restrained, and symmetrical composition.



Love that royal blue screen.



Greer used this photo to demonstrate his use of vinyl tile flooring. I'm starting to rethink vinyl...

(Top photo by Jennifer Boles. Remaining images from Inside Design by Michael Greer.)

No Rest At The Cottage...

Tricia Foley

There will be no rest for me this weekend!

After I take one of our boys to a Birthday Party I will be cleaning....

Pine Cone Hill

...sewing...

...and displaying...
HERE
At The Miners Cottage!
The deadline is drawing closer and I have loads to do still. I thought I would show you this before shot so you can remember what I started with. Pictures have been framed, lampshades are on, curtains are up (most of them), that stripe carpet is GONE, cleaning has finished, and bits and pieces have arrived. I am happy with how it is going, but there still is a long way to go.
Wish me luck and stay tuned.
Ness xx