BOXWOOD TERRACE

Scandinavian American Design

This room by designers Heiberg Cummings includes so many of my favorite elements such as antique plates hung on the wall, linen covered chairs, white walls, trumeau mirror and gilded candlesticks. Windows without curtains or blinds let in plenty of light and along with the streamlined plate racks, add an unexpected look. Heiberg Cummings designs and sells the plate racks and also uses them in kitchens.

I'm not someone who appreciates loft-like space (not enough order, too much unconstrained space--I need walls!), but this is beautiful. It's the Southampton home of Heiberg and Cummings.

Close-up view of another section of the living room. Such a great mix of colors and textures--concrete floor, linen slipcovers, slightly tattered footstool and antique carpet draped over the ottoman.

Another view of the living room. HC also designed the linen covered chairs in the background which can also be joined together as a love seat/sofa. I love the mix of clean-lined contemporary pieces of furniture with the antiques such as the French chest and daybed. It's a difficult look to get right and HC clearly do it well.

If you're interested in French and Scandinavian interiors that feature a blend of old and new, be sure to visit the Heiberg Cummings Design website here. I spent quite a while on their website and will probably visit again!

Images via New York Spaces Magazine

Flowers for a Rainy Day

It's a rainy Sunday morning here in New England (and my tennis game is postponed!) so while checking email and thinking about my next blog post I snapped a photo of my desk, which is actually part of my dining room. The pink snapdragons were purchased yesterday at Whole Foods. I stood there, shopping cart in hand, warily eyeing the pale pink peonies, full of promise with their buds closed as tightly as fists and thought perhaps with a little patience, the right water temperature and carefully trimmed stems they'll eventually blossom in a few days, won't they? In the end I decided to treat myself to a little instant gratification and bought the eager to please and less willful snapdragons. Although, there are some buds yet to open on these stems too....

A Petite Herb Garden

I was in Borders Bookstore last week looking through the British magazine Period Living when I saw these pretty potted herbs on wood shelves. I think it's just charming and perfect for a small outdoor space. The combination of weathered wood and galvanized pots have a nice look. The shelves and pots come together in a set called "Pots of Gold" and it's available through Lily and Lime Co. in the UK for a very reasonable GBP 29.95. It appears from their website that Lily and Lime ship to the U.S. I may have to buy one for myself!

My Kind of Minimalism

Recently, I learned of the work of interior designer Laura Bohn at the New York Social Diary website. It’s not the society set that interests me; it's the photos and interviews with interior designers I like to read and I especially enjoyed seeing Bohn's work. She is a versatile designer and clearly successful in her mission to create a “comfortable atmosphere with a minimalist approach." Following is a sample of work from Laura Bohn Design Associates featuring New York City apartments and Pennsylvania farmhouses.

I may have found the ideal kitchen with this photo of a New York City apartment. It has a slightly contemporary look without being cold and could be duplicated on a reasonable budget depending on the choice of appliances. The cabinets look like they have a light green tone, but maybe it’s the lighting. The potted plants add softness. I’m not sure what the counter tops are made of (granite, limestone?). The honed finish softens the look and is a great choice.

This appears to be a small sitting area off the kitchen. I’m completely intrigued by how just a few details dramatically alter a space. Can you imagine how stark this space would be without the sheer roman blind, potted greenery and cushions?

The contemporary floor lamp and table offset the linen drapes and upholstery of this sitting area in a bedroom.

A Corgie in the kitchen of a New York City penthouse. How cute is this little pooch?

Dining area off the kitchen. It looks comfy and inviting to me.

This is a Buck’s County, Pennsylvania residence designed by Laura Bohn. The home almost looks like it could be in the French countryside.

Here is the living room of the Buck’s County house, which is a little too contemporary for me. The pair of sofas have a unique pairing of leather upholstery and fringe trim.

Close-up of the mantel. I like this lamp and although it's difficult to see clearly, if anyone knows the manufacturer's name, please let me know!

A close-up of the fringe trim on the leather sofa. I also like the touch of animal print with the use of leopard print fabric on the bolster pillow.

I could do without the taxidermy, but the sisal rug and striped cotton upholstery look great.

The linen slip covered side chair with a feminine ruffled skirt and sisal rug keep the space from being too hard-edged with the industrial drafting table. Sisal carpeting is used throughout this home. Some may think it's odd to take such close notice of floors, although fellow design bloggers will understand!

The bedroom is simple and elegant. It’s interesting how Bohn used an antique mercury glass lamp on one side of the bed and a contemporary lamp on the other side, but it all blends together so well.

Here a wicker chair is paired with a contemporary leather ottoman. It’s an unexpected choice, but they look great together.

Beautiful outdoor seating area. It occurred to me that I’ve seen this setting in House Beautiful magazine and even clipped the photo, but in the magazine the photo is taken from a different angle. Interesting outdoor love seat here—again, it’s an unexpected mix of contemporary and antique furniture.

Lovely terrace and view from the back of the house.

Another magnificent view from the terrace.

This photo is from a Pennsylvania farmhouse and it appears to be a courtyard or sun room: a quiet spot for morning coffee. I hoped you've enjoyed this look at Laura Bohn's work. To see more, visit Laura Bohn Design Associates. I'm certainly not a minimalist, but perhaps it's time to consider a little less instead of more in my interiors.

Over Easy

When I don't have time to go antiquing, one of my favorite things to do is a little virtual antiquing at http://www.1stdibs.com/, which everyone in the interior design blogosphere knows well. I was browsing the 1st dibs shop of Andrew Spindler when I saw this 19th century shadow box with bird's eggs. It is reminiscent of the 19th century bird's eggs prints that are so popular now. Andrew Spindler's shop in Essex, Massachusetts (about 40 minutes north of Boston) features unique antiques with artfully arranged window displays and a calming, uncluttered interior: neutral colors, a large collection of white ironstone, sisal carpeting, giltwood, and linen upholstery. One of these days, I may have the nerve to ask Mr. Spindler if I may take photos of his shop to show you more.

The shadow box with eggs inspired me to search 1stdibs.com for other egg-shaped, egg made, and eggcentric items I could find. The number of results were surprising and this is only a sample of what's available.

This may be my favorite of the group. It's a 19th century French iron heron stand from Linda Horn with an egg shaped topiary. I could picture this on my terrace, were it not for the price tag.

This is a wooden six-armed candelabra from Pat McGann. It's Italian early 20th century and features a large central egg-shaped wooden orb with tassels on each arm. This would be fun for a breakfast room if there were an electrified version.

Dior candelabra and urns of patinated metal and faux-ostrich egg motif. Mid 20th century France and stamped "Christian Dior". Available through Lebreton Interieurs. These are a little elaborate, but interesting conversation pieces nonetheless.

Arne Jacobsen 1960s egg chairs are widely available, but the rich carmel color of this one from 1stdibs Paris stands out from the rest.

Pretty carved alabaster night light also from 1st dibs Paris. French c1930.

Due to their shape and large size, ostrich eggs lend themselves quite well as lamps. This is a bronze ostrich egg lamp with a marble base and gilt bronze detailing, mid 20th century France. It's available through Boston designer Charles Spada's showroom, Antiques on Five, which is one of my favorites. Although the showroom is "to the trade only" and I'm not "in the business", it's always a treat to browse the website.

I gravitate to curious objects under glass cloches when visiting antiques shops. The objects are either too precious or too objectionable (think taxidermy) to touch. But, in this case, it's a delicate "Still Life with Eggs" from Vincent Mulford with blown glass eggs in a pressed glass compote.

Charming French 1900s egg shaped rusted iron chandelier with three arms available at Gris. Breakfast room material, for sure.

This 1950s Italian modernist chandelier is a too contemporary for my taste, but I appreciate the design. Featured at Van der Akker it's not an egg, but an "egg shaped satin finished glass light diffuser, surrounded by a black metal cage-like structure by Stilnovo, circa 1955". A card with the crib notes version of this description will be necessary for the eventual owner of this fixture.

A feminine, egg-shaped white quartz crystal lamp by Belvedere.

There are also a few far-out finds such as this cement egg jardinere from T.C. Donobedian. Some pretty white tulips would certainly help bring this down to earth.

Or, this interesting hand-crafted French 20th century ostrich egg chandelier. At $20,000, this is far-out indeed.

All images http://www.1stdibs.com/

Artist Sarah Lamb

I recently discovered these incredibly beautiful paintings by artist Sarah Lamb. My initial description was "the talented" artist, but I realized it was unnecessary to say this woman is talented. It seems redundant to describe what one can clearly see.