Red Hot!



Foyer by Alessandra Branca



I think red is such a tricky color to work with on interior rooms. Done right it can be warm & inviting, sexy & glamorous and of course classic. Done poorly, it can look cheap and harsh. The client I've been working with for the past year LOVES red. It's never been at the top of my list of favorite colors, but I thought I'd share some imagines that I've looked to for inspiration during our collaboration. It's hard not to be a little smitten, and what better time to review them since Valentine's Day is just around the corner!

Attic Magazine.
Designer unknown, but I sure would like to know who brilliantly combined red, pink and purple!

Alessandra Branca. Red is her signature color and she always gets it right.



Joe Nye. Gracie wallpaper in red. Swoon.



Unknown source. Fun and vibrant for those who love modern.



Mary McDonald. Never one to shy away from bold color and patterns.



Nuevo Estilo via La Lamp.
 One of my favorite chair styles taken to a whole new level with red velvet only an accent., but still the star of this dining room.



Celerie Kemble. Again just a few hits of red.



Another cozy room by Alessandra Branca showcasing her signature red lamp shades that she incorporates in nearly every one of her rooms!



I proclaimed my love for Tommy last February, but can it hurt to do it twice? I don't think so!



A Lovely room from Cottage Living, if only we could get the kid out of it!!!



How Far Would You Go?

Few things in life are more annoying than rude people and bad customer service. We avoid them both whenever possible.  Recently, we came to the conclusion we needed a third car. With our son home from college and working, juggling schedules with just two vehicles quickly became unmanageable.

So last Friday morning, my husband and I drove three hours south to Williamsburg,Virginia to buy another car. There are about 50 dealerships within a twenty mile radius of our house. You would have to practically give the car away for us to consider stepping foot in one of these places. I don't know about where you live, but in the Washington, DC area buying a car is about as appealing as thoroughly cleaning a rest stop bathroom and takes far longer! Very slimey. So we decided it made perfect sense to just go our favorite dealership. It's owned by two brothers and the salesman we purchased our last car from, nine years ago, is who we called on again for this purchase. When we arrived, he had the cars we wanted to test drive ready to go. After my husband made his choice (our son will now have one of the old cars to drive) we signed the papers and left a few hours later. I hugged our salesman and said "thanks so much, see you soon". Yep, it was that pleasant.

And, since we were already in one of our favorite southern cities, might as well make the most of it and spend 2 days enjoying a little R&R. Even though I've been playing catch-up this week, it was a small price to pay for a little hiatus!

We visited old friends and new....


I had to stop by to see the horses. When I lived in Williamsburg, I would visit them every week.



This girl stole my heart. We just met and she gave me a nuzzle. If my dog was a horse, she'd look just like this!



Sheep are so cute, don't you think?


Did a little shopping....


I really wish I had a place for these bug prints. Guestroom?



This shelf came home with me. It was suppose to go in the laundry room, but it's 3 inches too long!
Any suggestions???



This would be fun in a beach house.



How about an aqua and lime green rug?



 

Or maybe orange and cream geometric?

And, dined in favorite restaurants....

If you are ever in the area, I recommend the BTB. Oh, and you'll need a reservation,
sometimes they are booked weeks in advance!

All photos, except the first image, courtesy of A&A

A&A, Explain That Name?

This probably should have been my very post and I intended to do this long ago, but never quite finished it.  Why did I choose this blog name and what does it mean, if anything? This is probably the question I get asked most from fellow bloggers and readers. So finally an explanation to anyone who has inquired or been curious! The basic premise behind the name is that it combines of my love of architecture and nature.


Scrolling Acanthus Leaf Motif

 
Acanthus: The first time I remember the Acanthus leaf registering on my radar is when I traveled to Europe in my twenties. Italy to be specific. They are such a prevalent motif in design, but especially in Italian and French architecture. Most of us are familiar with the famous William Morris design.  


Classic architectural details via Trouvais 

  


Iconic William Morris wallpaper

 


Live Acanthus Leaf


I would guess for most it's the scrolling motif that comes to mind when we think of the acanthus leaf. A real acanthus leaf is wider and far less detailed.  I have recently read that in Christian art, the acanthus leaf represents Heaven. The attraction for me is it's rich history and the fluid scrolling design. It is a design that can be interpreted as masculine or feminine. Over the years, I realized the acanthus leaf detail has made it's way into so many parts of my own home!



Finial from a newel post and favorite piece of salvage.

  


Fabric from toss pillows.

 


Gracing the foot of a wood candlestick.

 
 

Damask fabric on my dining room chairs.

Detail of an old frame.

Acorn: Also known as the oak nut. I'm nuts about these nuts! Autumn has always been my favorite season. I always knew I wanted to have a autumn wedding and was a November bride. And I love trees, but the Oak tree has to be the favorite. It's is just so majestic. There is something about the smooth thick leathery skin of the  acorn nut sitting in the little cup with it's rough & bumpy texture that fascinates me. I guess it's the 2 opposite textures coming together to make something beautiful. 



December 2010


When my children were little, they were always up for a walk through the woods along the paths near our house for an acorn hunt in the autumn and early winter. As they got older, it often became a contest of who found the best or biggest acorn. I try not to take too many acorns from any location, because they feed a ton of wildlife, not just squirrels! However, they are toxic for horses. I still find myself looking for perfect specimens any chance I get.



Acorn finial from our newel post on the staircase I designed.

 

A hand painted design, inspired by a set of decorative plates, on our game table.
 It was done more than a decade ago and it's still one of my favorite pieces.

An acorn tipped door hinge. Door hardware is a huge obsession of mine!
 I need to do a post showing examples I've used in my home and my work.

This acorn topped hitching post belongs to Reggie & Boy.
Oh, how I wish it were mine!!! Their dog Pompey just adds to it's charm.


On a recent trip to Williamsburg, Virginia I gathered these...this time with a little help from my husband...who noticed one had a smiley face. I don't know what was more amusing, the fact that he noticed or because it did! I can't help but wonder if Thomas Jefferson picked acorns from this same tree...



Acorns from Colonial Williamsburg.

Here's to smiling a lot in the New Year!

  Images not noted are from Google.

Equestrian Inspired Decor

I've noticed lately equestrian inspired elements are making frequent appearances in fashion and decor. A look that has always appealed to me. It naturally conjures up images of picnics on plaid blankets, rolling fields, miles of fences, the smell of leather, the warmth of tweed, a love of horses and my childhood.



Hermes bottle opener



Growing up I shared a room with my  older sister. About the only thing we had in common was an  obsession with horses. We  had tons of plastic and flocked specimens lining the shelves and dresser tops of our room. We would ask for our own horse constantly. My father, under the constant barrage of begging, caved and for 3 blissful years while living in Oklahoma we had our own horse. His name was Prince. He was white and had a gentle demeanor and was the most thrilling thing in our young lives.



Horse studies-Susan Friedman for WSH



We moved and said goodbye to our beloved horse. I continued to ride very sporadically throughout most of my life, but now it's been years.  My daughter learned to ride when she was six, but due to costs and other interests, she no longer does either. But, the love for these beautiful and majestic animals has never diminished.


The stable in my "Dream House" via


Whether you ride or not, I think equestrian decor, artwork and fashion accessories can be an interesting addition to your home and your wardrobe!

Here is a sampling of some of the beautiful items I've come across:

Ralph Lauren door knocker



Wallpaper



Mary Sand bronze

Ralph Lauren wrapped stirrup bracelet



Gunnison chair by Hickory

Lladro

English table 1st dibs

Ralph Lauren stirrup watch

Horse studies-Tim Robinson for WSH

Hermes rare stirrup clock

Williams-Sonoma Home saddle stitch hurricanes

A glimpse of horse study prints by da Vinci in my dining room this past spring.