On My Way to Panarea

Life
March 12, 2014

Lately, I have been bitten by the travel bug. I’m sure that bug bite is not helped by the NY Times travel section, Town & Country’s Travel Issue, and Elle Decoration UK’s Travel Report – which of course I spent the weekend scouring from my porch in Charleston. Not surprisingly I have added a new destination to my “must go” list … Panarea.

Panarea is the smallest and the lowest of Italy’s Aeolian Islands. Located south of the mainland and north of Sicily, Panarea is apparently extremely difficult to get to. There are no cars and no airports, and the island can only be accessed by hydrofoil or helicopter. Sign me up.

The island has no banks and no streetlights, and is covered in olive trees, hibiscus, and bougainvillea (a favorite). People stroll around in caftans and flat sandals, show up at their neighbors houses for long wine filled dinners, and spend their days sunning on the rooftops of their tiny villas. It is one of those islands where there is really only one place to stay … Hotel Raya.

I’m already packing for a trip like this in my mind. Any takers?

All photos via Hotel Raya

Church Street Cheap & Chic

Cheap and Chic
February 20, 2014

This Fall, W and I were grateful to have Southern Living come and take some pictures of the house for the magazine. I just received my copy of the March issue, and I am so excited to see all our hard work in print. As a northerner, having my house in Southern Living is just one more step in my assimilation into the South. A big thank you to Francesco Lagnese who took the pictures (website here), and to Erin Swift (website here) who did the styling.Instead of showing you all the pictures from the magazine (you can go pick up a copy if you’re interested!) I wanted to do a little Cheap & Chic of the Week with the photo of my garden. Since most of the items in the garden are catalog purchases, I thought I would give you my sources so it might help you style your garden to get ready for spring! Click on the photos or the item name to be redirected to each website.Guests often complement the wicker chairs in the garden, and are always surprised when I tell them that they are Ikea. The Byholma chair is $89.99, and while they are not made for outdoor use, with a little sanding and sealing they have held up well in the humid South Carolina Lowcountry.The Cafe Backless bench from Ballard Designs is what I used as the coffee table in the garden. It was the perfect size, and the right look, and it’s currently on sale for $99 down from $199. Definitely a good deal.The backless bench repurposed as a coffee table looks great layered with this Rattan Tray from World Market, only $19.99. I leave the tray out in the elements and so far after about six months and a winter it still looks great. I also don’t worry about it because it is so well priced I can always buy another one!These 20″ square outdoor pillows that I used are also from Ballard Designs. The pattern is Callisto Stripe in Indigo and they are in an easycare fabric. I have left these pillows out uncovered all winter. And yes, this is not Connecticut, we did not get a million inches of snow, however, we have had a ton of rain and ice and the pillows still look great. They are also currently on sale for $24.99, and remember Ballard Designs entire website is 20% off through February 24th. Hope you all enjoyed a little tour of my garden, and some Cheap & Chic of the Week finds. If you are interested in more pictures of my house, go pick up a March issue of Southern Living. (how delicious does that charcuterie/cheese plate look? Thanks goat.sheep.cow. !)

photos via Southern Living

Miller Time Pt. 2

Color
February 6, 2014

Back to the Miller House today, but this time to look at the textile designs of Alexander Girard. Above is Girard’s plan for the fabric throughout the house, a plan which was recently discovered in the Miller House garage. Girard worked with the Miller family throughout their tenure in the house, often changing fabrics and arrangements as the needs of the family changed. As it is with the architecture of the house, despite their age, these fabrics are still extremely modern by today’s standards. I think these fabrics would feel right at home in a Jonathan Adler showroom – don’t you?

The seat covers on Saarinen’s famous tulip chairs are needlepoint. So impressive.

Photos via Dwell Magazine