I Had It All Figured Out

Charles Spada Interiors, via designtrade.net, Eric Roth Photography

So, I had a plan for redecorating my bedroom (see previous posts if interested) and then I find this image and realize I may have to start over.  Why is it so hard to make decisions about decorating my own house?

 On one hand, I am drawn to antique furniture, time worn charm, and gilt finishes.  On the other hand, I admire rooms which combine antiques with contemporary furnishings and the designers who skillfully blend pieces from different eras to create perfect harmony.  The contrast of antiques next to contemporary pieces, like the chair and chest above, always surprises me and captures my attention, inviting me to look, study, and wonder. 

There's a complexity to rooms like these unlike those completely furnished with pieces from the same era.  I think the bottom line is that I like my life to be simple and predictable, but I favor rooms that are decorated to highlight contrast and complexity.

That's not too much to ask, is it?

Overboard for a Headboard

If you saw my last post, you know that I'm considering revamping my bedroom and in particular, my headboard.  Lately, I'm intrigued by anything gilded (see most recent post) and was also inspired by this pretty bedroom of antiques dealer Kay O'Toole.

Veranda Magazine, March 2010, Interior Design by Kay O'Toole, photo by Tria Giovan

The room is awash in creamy tones and a delicately patterned white Fortuny fabric adorns not only the headboard, but also the coverlet and the drapes.   If you know me from reading my blog, you will know that there will be no Fortuny in my bedroom (not even a pillow for now, I'm afraid).

But I like a challenge when it comes to decorating and I'm mulling over a few ideas for the room.  I would like to try gold-leafing (with an antique finish) an architectural element (above) to hang over the headboard.  It is quite large though; almost as wide as a queen-sized headboard.  And, I'm concerned about a possible tackiness factor.  There is the potential for a 1970s Las Vegas hotel room look here that would, to put it mildly, ruin the whole thing and embarrass me to no end.

My headboard currently sports a peach linen damask fabric.  I will definitely reupholster it, but I'm not sure if a solid white or linen colored fabric would be best or if this large scale damask print fabric in "Oyster" might work.  I received the fabric sample in the mail this week and it is actually lighter than shown here and a little more ivory in color too.

Or, I could use this fabric in the same pattern which is sightly darker in "Stone".  My concern is that this fabric may compete with the architectural element, which is already very ornate. So, I could keep shopping around for different fabrics without buying any, which I'm very good at these days.

It seems best to keep the bedside lighting simple if I use the gold-leafed piece described above, so these swing arm lamps from Circa Lighting might be a good choice.  The bedside tables will be simple one-drawer nightstands which I already have, but will paint to complement the rest of the room.  Since these lamps cast light downward, I'm not sure if they'll reflect enough light off the headboard to get the effect I want.  The idea though is to keep the bedside lighting simple since there will be enough going on with the piece above the upholstered headboard.

So, we'll see what happens with these choices.  At least this gives me something to think about during my commute and is more interesting than checking email on the Blackberry. 

The Crowning Touch

My bedroom could use an overhaul and I'm drawn to using some kind of carved, gilded headboard.  I have a plain, upholstered headboard with a peach damask linen fabric and the peach is passé these days.  Actually, the peach fabric was probably passé when I bought it, but that was before I discovered design blogs.

Nate Berkus designed this room.  Unfortunately, I do  not know what publication this is from or the photographer's name.  Mr. Berkus' website is being renovated, so I could not find any information there.  Please let me know if you have details about this photo and I'll update the post. 

Of course, I cannot afford an antique, carved, gilded headboard like the one above or this:

1stdibs

The price for this is not shown on 1stdibs, so it's likely an "if you have to ask you can't afford it" item.

Here's another headboard identical to the one above.  They are both Italian, apparently from the 1930s.  I wonder if there was an Italian version of Crate & Barrel back then where everyone could go to buy the same thing.  The bottom half is a pretty blue-green-gray color.

1stdibs

  This headboard is more substantial than the others.  It's also Italian (I know you're not surprised).  This is beautiful, but even if I wanted to buy it, it's too over-the-top for my room.  Surprisingly, the price is not over-the-top for an antique.

1stdibs

My taste is more simple--think jeans with flats---so I'm not sure these headboards are really "me", with the exception of the Nate Berkus room, which I would be happy to have as my own.  But the room could use a "wow" or two.  I've been thinking about the concept and could make my own headboard with some supplies I've found, but I'm concerned that it will look too faux, too Disney-Italian. So, I'll continue to ponder and maybe one of these days I'll take the plunge and make my own. If I do, photos will follow for sure.

Early Riser

Country Living

If you are sometimes slow to start your day (like me), would you be more enthusiastic if this was your bathroom? 

It would be a well deserved reward for waking up early five mornings a week.

To see more of this charming house, visit Country Living (link under photo).  Home of Douglas Stocks, president of the Canadian Antique Dealers Association (at time of publication). Susan Burns interior design. Photography by Robin Stubbert. 

Fade to Pink

My own photos 
Ocean Drive in Kennebunkport, Maine

As summer gradually gives way to fall and the sun sets earlier every day, the clouds reflect soft shades of pink much like this hydrangea.  Another admirer said that the blooms are white all summer and turn pink as the August nights become cooler. Maybe it's Mother Nature's reminder to savor these last few weeks of summer.

Withington and Company Antiques

Last Friday, while I was off from work, I drove up to York, Maine for the Museums of Old York Show House at Twin Cottage and to meet with Frank Hodge of F.D. Hodge Interiors and see the gorgeous living room he designed for the house (more about that in my next post). The show house is open for a few more days until August 14th (go to www.oldyork.org for details) and features many beautiful rooms. The house is a must see if you are in the York, Maine/New Hampshire Seacoast area.

After I finished the house tour (and after going back to look at Frank's room a second time!) I could not wait to stop in a few antique stores along Route 1 in York. One of my favorites was Withington and Company Antiques. The store is very large and has antiques from four different dealers in addition to those of Bob and Debbie Withington. The store is not arranged with separate areas for each dealer, but is instead a mix of all the dealers' items pieces arranged mostly in settings, which is great because it gives you a sense of the scale of the pieces and how they might fit into your own home. There are antiques from the mid to eighteenth century and Withington ships to clients all across the country. There is so much I wanted to take home with me, but did not. Although, I did buy a really nice white ironstone fluted compote filled with silver and gold mercury glass Christmas ornaments, which will be great for holiday decorating.

Please excuse my camera flash in the mirror! Patsy who works at Withington was so kind and let me wander around the store and take some photos to share with you. Patsy is so friendly we had fun chatting about the store, antique shops and other places to visit in York. Thank you, Patsy!

I have a soft spot for gilt mirrors and candlesticks these days!

This settee has be recovered in a pretty green toile fabric. The lamps look to be made from wood architectural elements.

There are plenty of urns and the most unique lamps I've seen anywhere, all with great shades.
.

Unfortunately, my photo does not do this setting justice. The floral fabric is amazing in person. The lamps are alabaster or marble with linen shades. I have a pair of lamps like this at home, but these shades really enhance the lamps more so than the average shade.

This neoclassical mirror with candle holders caught my eye.

Here's a close up. It's one of a pair of mirrors flanking a doorway.

I love this creamy white alabaster column lamp with pleated linen or burlap shade, which looks custom made. This is also one of a pair.

Black iron urns with shells. I've recently gone through a shell display phase so will definitely keep this idea mind. I like the contrast between the pale shells and black painted iron.

These antique dealers all have great taste and an eye for beautiful things.

Withington does not have a website, but their email address is withingtonandcompany@yahoo.com and the phone number is (207)-363-1155. The store is open year round Monday through Saturday from 10:00 to 5:00 and Sundays from 11:00 to 4:00. They're located on Route 1 North in York, Maine and the other dealers at Withington are Michael Winslow Antiques, Schwarz-Smiith Antiques, and Kate Alex and Co. Acquisitions.