Browsing in Beacon Hill

Architecture
November 17, 2014

Good Morning Lacquered Lifers! Hope everybody had a good weekend. I was in Boston celebrating the engagement of two of my dearest friends from college, and Saturday I took the opportunity to stroll around Beacon Hill. Located between Boston Common, the Massachusetts State House, and the Charles River, Beacon Hill is one of the most historic (and beautiful) neighborhoods of the city. Now a National Historic Landmark District, the development of Beacon Hill began in the early years of the nineteenth century with Federal-style town homes designed by famous American architect Charles Bulfinch. Despite the chilly weather Beacon Hill’s brick facades looked especially beautiful this weekend against the backdrop of the city’s late fall foliage in colors of yellow and orange. As Boston College alumni, we all truly enjoyed being back and reminiscing about a time when we called this city home. A big thank you and congratulations Libby and Ryan for bringing us all back together in Beantown!

Friday Before & After: Chateau du Grand-Luce

Architecture
November 7, 2014

Good Morning Lacquered Lifers. Chateau du Grand-Luce, interior designer Timothy Corrigan’s chateau, located in France’s lush Loire Valley. Built between 1760 & 1764 by engineer Mathieu de Bayeaux, the Chateau was privately owned through World War II, when it was then turned into a military hospital and later a tuberculosis sanatorium. The Chateau was purchased by Corrigan in 2004, at which point he began a complete restoration of the vast home. Originally the chateau had twenty bedrooms and two bathrooms; not needing as many bedrooms, Corrigan sacrificed a few for bathroom space, and now each bedroom has an en-suite bath.
Chateau du Grand-Luce is a Monument Historique, a French national heritage site, not dissimilar to our own National Register of Historic Places. As a result, the Chateau falls under the jurisdiction of the Les Architectes des Bâtiments de France, and every landscaping decision, every paint color choice, had to be approved. While the bones of this architectural masterpiece are quite regal, Corrigan wanted the overall feeling to be casual. He spends over two months a year here, and it is his place of restoration and relaxation. Timothy, if you ever need someone to relax and restore with you, I’m available! The gardens at Chateau du Grand-Luce were restored by the French Government in the 1990s, and are open to the public on a limited basis … looks like I might have to pay the Chateau a visit. Happy Friday!

Photos via Architectural Digest

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.