Study Study Study

Life
April 27, 2010

Hello everyone, I’m so sorry for not posting in the last couple days … things have gotten really crazy here. With less than two weeks to go in the semester, I do little else but school work … so I’m sorry if it seems that I have been lax in my posting. Unfortunately, I think this trend will continue through May 7th–so don’t get upset if you only get a couple of posts between now and then! The photo above is courtesy of the UPenn Archives and Records center, I can’t say that I am looking this pulled together as of now, but I am working as hard as they are!

So, if you are wondering where I will be … it is here … at the Fine Arts Library by Furness & Evans (1890). So look out for some UPenn architecture related posts!

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?