Treasures from the Farm

Finds
October 29, 2014

The Mellon’s Oak Spring Farm in Upperville, Virginia – 2000 acres, four residences, and over twenty cottages. Former home of philanthropist and gardening doyenne Bunny Mellon, who passed away this spring at 103. This November, in a highly anticipated sale, Sotheby’s will host three auctions of items from the Mellon’s private collection – Masterworks, Jewelry, and Interiors. Despite the fact that I appreciate art, and I love jewelry, I am most interested in the interiors auction. Even though the Mellons were incredibly wealthy, Mrs. Mellon collected things that she loved, and the collection from Oak Spring Farm includes such things as simple ceramic dishes, baskets, and walking sticks. These photos, courtesy of Sothebys, show that life at Oak Spring Farm, while charmed, was relaxed and comfortable. For more information, catalog, dates, and exhibition schedule, click here.

Woolly Winter

Designers
October 28, 2014

Good Morning Lacquered Lifers! As fall is officially upon us, and winter is quickly approaching I wanted to introduce everyone to some wool pillows, throws, and blankets that can keep you warm through those winter months … especially if the winter is anything like last year. This is a new collaboration between West Elm and the Faribault Woolen Mill Co. in Faribault, Minnesota. The Faribault Woolen Mill Co. has been in operation in the town of Faribault since 1865. Through two world wars when they made blankets for the troops, a great depression, and the passage of time, this mill has continued to employ locals and to manufacture high quality wool products including blankets, scarves, pillows, and even i Pad cases. This is America’s last true vertical wool mill. The “new” mill, as the company refers to it on their website, was built in 1890 and is still in use today.
Not surprisingly, this collaboration with West Elm has the Faribault Co. putting out blankets, pillows, and throws with some very modern looking patterns. These are not your traditional plaid wool blankets. Available in a range of colors and patterns there is sure to be something to keep you warm this winter. Above are three of my favorites from the Faribault Woolen Mill Co.’s collection for West Elm – Large Stripe Wool Pillow Cover, the Window Plaid Wool Blanket, & the Shadow Plaid Wool Throw. For more information on the Faribault Woolen Mill Co. visit their website, and you can shop the Faribault Woolen Mill Co. collection for West Elm below.

Shine a Light

Finds
October 23, 2014

Good Morning Lacquered Lifers! People are always asking me about the lanterns on my house, and so this morning I thought I would share a wonderful source for gas or electric lanterns – Bevolo. Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights was established in 1945 in New Orleans, LA, and three generations later is still owned by the Bevolo family, and each lantern is still made by hand in New Orleans. Bevolo’s French Quarter lantern has come to be one of the most recognizable pieces of a visit to New Orleans’ French Quarter. While our lanterns are not in fact Bevolo, they were made by a lamp company in Charleston that is unfortunately no longer in business, I am a huge fan of the Bevolo brand it is now my go to resource for beautiful copper lanterns.

This is Bevolo’s bracket mounted Williamsburg lantern, which is extremely similar to the lantern on the exterior facade of Church Street. The six sided lantern on the piazza at Church Street is mounted with a yoke, which is a great way to hang lanterns if you want to prevent them from moving around in a strong breeze or storm … something we have to be wary of in both Charleston and New Orleans. And this is the Bevolo Six Sided Lantern, which looks very similar to the lanterns on the piazza. So when you’re looking for that perfect handmade copper lantern, look no further than family-owned Bevolo. These southern talents have sold lanterns to customers in all fifty states, and thirty-two countries. So whether you’re looking for a lantern for your home in Charleston or London – Bevolo has got you covered. Happy lantern hunting!

Photos of Church Street by Francesco Lagnese