In a Studying State of Mind

Interior Design
April 23, 2010

You have to excuse some of my posting tardiness over the next two weeks, final projects are due and its kinda crazy! In the vein of all the studying I’m doing, I came across this rattan desk at Ballard Designs that I just love. You all know my love of all things bamboo, and this really fits the bill.

The perfect size for a chic little writing desk! Don’t you just love the shelf at the bottom? its great for a small stack of books, or even a little printer … just be sure to hide the cords. Ballard Designs seems to be outdoing themselves lately … I’m really pleased because their price point is not as high as some other catalog stores, and I think they have some great traditional designs.

I really like the worn finish on the desk top. Sometimes reproduction pieces that try and achieve finishes like this can look cheap, but I think this looks really good. Although I have not seen it in person so it remains to be seen. Have a great weekend everyone!

Winging It

Designers
April 22, 2010

Ever since Windsor Smith’s LA home was featured in House Beautiful, I have been really obsessed with the kitchen. Most importantly, I have been obsessed with the idea of a skirted wing chair at the head of a dining table. I have always loved a good wing chair, but the idea of skirting it, and taking it out of the living room and bringing it into the dining room or kitchen has really got me excited.

Something about the latent formality in a wing chair, coupled with the casual and flirty nature of a skirt, looks perfect at the head of a table. Below are some options for skirted wing chairs.

This one is from the Windsor Smith Home Collection, and definitely the costliest one in the bunch. It is the one that is in Smith’s own kitchen, and is what got me excited about this concept. I love the pleated skirt … so feminine. Not sure how I feel about the Monogram, I get it on bags and things like that, but do you really need to identify your own chair?

Restoration Hardware. Not a traditional wing chair per se, but a skirted dining armchair nonetheless. It has the whole belgian linen aesthetic that Restoration Hardware has become so obsessed with as of late, so I worry if this is a “look” that will get dated fast. Also, not so cheap.

Finally, my fave. Ballard Designs, always a good place to stop for traditional-ish upholstered furniture at decent prices. I love the tailored traditionalism of this wing chair, and I think it would look fabulous at the head of a dining table, or maybe a few of them if you had a round table. What do you think?

Formality is the Best Policy

Interior Design
April 15, 2010

House Beautiful

Lately I have been into the idea of formal kitchens. I’m not sure if it was Richard Norris’ dining room/kitchen that was the inspiration (shown above), but I feel as though its a trend that has been floating just under the radar for a while now.

I think that the formality of a kitchen can be dictated by artwork and light fixtures, such as in Joan Rivers kitchen above, or in the cabinet work and architectural details. I just love the idea that you are cooking underneath these two 19th century figures, looking down on you from their lofty portraits.

House Beautiful

Back to the Norris kitchen, which was a dining room, which apparently they thought they would never use. Although I love this kitchen’s aesthetics, I wonder about actually cooking in the space … I quite like having countertops on either side of my stove–that is when I don’t live in a teeny tiny apt!

athid.com

In an Amelia Handegan kitchen (see yesterday’s post), she not only uses a portrait on the wall (one of my pre-requisites for a formal kitchen), but she also uses dark wood cabinetry that mimics a secretary. Additionally, the kitchen sports an amazing formal chandelier … and a boar’s head for good measure. I absolutely cannot get enough of this kitchen.

Southern Accents

Don’t you just love the tufted banquette in this kitchen? Formality is all in the details here … the tufted banquette, the skinny double doors painted black with beautiful hardware, the antlers, the light fixture, the kitchen table … the list goes on. I just love this.

Southern Accents

Finally, I absolutely adore this kitchen. And again, its in the luxe details that makes it one of my fave formal kitchens. Notice the oriental rug on the floor. Paired with my pre-requisite portrait, plus the beautiful gold mirror over the mantel (which in itself adds a little something). Throw some boughs of magnolia over the mantel, and call it a day. What a kitchen!