Love of the Outdoors

Architecture
May 20, 2013

mckinnon and harris 3 — duVal-Alexander Collection

McKinnon and Harris, outdoor furniture craftsmen based out of Richmond, VA. A Southern brand, which interestingly I found an advertisement for while perusing my latest issue of World of Interiors. I very rarely come across outdoor furniture that I absolutely love, so this was definitely an exception. It is important to note, however, that McKinnon and Harris do not refer to themselves as purveyors of outdoor furniture, but rather estate, garden, and yacht furniture.

Made of high performance aluminum, and manufactured in the historic Scott’s Addition neighborhood of Richmond, McKinnon and Harris furniture is meant to remain outside all year long and to withstand the elements for years to come. Each piece of McKinnon and Harris furniture is guaranteed for life.

Each piece of furniture is crafted by hand, and in a nod to the company’s craftspeople, each piece is signed by its maker. The lines of each piece of furniture are so perfectly executed, and the scale of each piece is truly wonderful.

These photos above were all shot at Virginia House in Richmond, VA. Built by Alexander and Virgina Weddell, and completed just before the crash of 1929, Virginia House was constructed with material from a 16th century English manor house, which the Weddells bought at a demolition sale in the UK. (Look for more information on Virginia House later this week!)

These two photos above and below, were taken at Milford Plantation here in South Carolina. A part of the Classical American Homes Preservation Trust founded by Richard Jenrette, the homes in this collection will be protected forever.

I am not sure whether it is the McKinnon and Harris sectional, the Spanish Moss, or the knowledge that this is on the lawn at Milford Plantation that makes me want to lounge in this space all day, sweet tea or Planters Punch in hand. Southern companies like these, committed to their craftsmanship, are one of the reasons that I am proud to live in the South.

Photos courtesy of McKinnon and Harris, for more information visit www.mckinnonharris.com

Kasbah Courtyard Chic

Architecture
May 17, 2013

So as promised, I did a little more research on Philippe Xerri. Twelve years ago, Xerri, who worked in the fashion industry in Paris, went to Tunisia for a quick visit to source fabrics for a client. He fell in love with Tunisia while he was there, and never left. He became very helpful to Tunisian craftsmen in helping them get their wares to France to be sold, and two years ago started a line of furniture called “Rock the Kasbah,” which features handmade local furniture upholstered in antique kilms. These pictures are of one of two homes that Xerri owns in Tunisia, this one being in Tunis, the capital, near the city’s largest souk.

This home is quite typical of a Tunisian courtyard house, which although common in most Muslim regions, is most prevalent in North African countries, such as Tunisia, Algieria, and Morocco. The central courtyard, called wast ed dar or center of the house, was used for a variety of different things such as the preparation of food, outdoor living space, and laundry. At Xerri’s house, it seems that not much has changed!

The courtyard is surrounded by long and narrow rectangular rooms called byats. These rooms were also considered multipurpose, and each room had its own entrance into the courtyard.

Most of these courtyard houses date to the 19th century, and most are still lived in by some of the poorer families within the cities. However, looking at the restoration that Xerri performed here, it is obvious that these houses are still very adaptable to modern living, and quite chic!

In the photo above, you can see two table lamps from the “Rock the Kasbah” collection. This beautifully restored courtyard house in Tunis can also be rented! See https://www.airbnb.fr/rooms/717507 for details. For more information on Philippe Xerri, please visit pxrtk.com, and for more information on courtyard housing, I suggest Courtyard Housing: Past, Present, and Future available on Amazon.

Photos courtesy of Deco Mag UK & information courtesy of Courtyard Housing: Past Present and Future

Lit Up

Designers
May 16, 2013

Vogue Living Australia May/June 2013, the Paris apartment of designer and shopper Virginie Manavet, who is “in the know” about all the secrets of Paris design. She has in her possession her very own little black book of all the secret shops and warehouses where you can find amazing one of a kind antiques … the places and antiques that it seems only Paris has to offer. So it is no surprise that her Paris apartment is full of “finds” that leave me feeling quite jealous. In decorating her apartment, Manavet says that she was inspired by the South of France, its light and its color.

However, there is one piece of her apartment that has me thinking more St. Martin than the French Riviera … that amazing lamp. Fashioned from what looks like a large tree limb, with a shade made from palm fronds, this lamp has me swooning. So obviously I had to do some investigating.

Lamp found. Designer: Philippe Xerri. The collection: Rock the Kasbah. I cannot tell you what it costs, or even what it is called, because his entire website is bare bones and in French, however, there is some really wonderful stuff. Especially the lamps/lighting section. I will do some further investigation and let you all know what I find out. I think a lamp like this could be so fantastic in a grass cloth room, or one with a lot of Quadrille fabric. Wait, I have a room like that …

Photos courtesy of Vogue Living Australia & pxrtk.com