1 Room - Styled 2 Different Ways

I came across designer Antony Todd's room on House & Home editor Suzanne Dimma' s blog here. The styling is spare - two metal benches that allow a view to the armless sofa, a beautiful urn on the corbel and an ikat pillow. I think it creates an arresting image that highlights each element.
Here is a larger view of the same room, via La Dolce Vita's wonderful post on the color Peacock Blue. The two open, metal framed benches have been replaced by two solid cubes and a number of pieces have been added - floor lamp, x bench, two chairs and a lamp on a pedestal. Possibly a more functional room... Here it is on the cover of Australia Vogue Living May/June 2007. Almost the same room except that the x bench is gone and it appears that the chairs are covered in a brighter turquoise fabric. Which do you prefer? For me, it's the first one.


(second image via La Dolce Vita via Domino, my apologies as I do not know the photographer credit in these pictures.)

DC Designer Series: Tricia Huntley

Sumptuous. Luxe. Inviting and comfortable. These are words that come to mind when I think of the work of Tricia Huntley of Huntley and Company. The pairing of this modern white metal lamp with the traditional styling of the bureau, mirror and painted screen is fabulous... I think I should add the word flair to my list of descriptors. (all photography by Kevin Allen, except where noted) Warm neutrals and plush fabrics create a cozy and stylish room.
In this room there's a great balance of clean lined pieces with a touch of classical elements like the urn, bust and greek key border. Back in 2008 I posted about another bust, draped in a Bobbie Medlin turquoise necklace, that Tricia included in a powder room she designed for the 2007 Washington Design Center showhouse.
A calm, relaxed sunroom that lets the backyard vista take center stage. (photo by Tricia Huntley)
This kitchen is absolutely incredible! Love the sleek and sophisticated look and feel.

I think that Tricia has a special talent for designing unique bathrooms. The wall faucet and sleek modern sink and vanity contrast beautifully with the dark, rich walls. The more traditional styling of the sconce is a great counterpoint; keeping everything interesting and special.
The mirror-on-mirror creats an expansive feeling in this bath. Love this elegant bridge faucet and the choice of just one sconce. What else can you say - this glass counter & sink is cool! (photo by Tricia Huntley)
A beautiful powder room. Isnt' that traditonally styled bridge faucet a standout?

For me, both these bedrooms are creating a bit of bedroom envy. The first pic is all about luxury. In the bedroom below, the primarily white painting against the black walls ties in with the white lamps, headboard and bedding, creating a very tailored look that I admire.
Gorgeous styling on this table set with a colorful suzani.


To see more of Tricia's designs, go here. Tricia also has a beautiful blog, aptly named Luxe & Lucid.

Luxe Eye Candy

These beautiful interiors are from Lorenzo Castillo's Madrid home and were recently featured in Nuevo Estilo magazine here. I love the contrast of the dark furnishings against the white walls, the eclectic mix of antiques and contemporary styling, and the incredible marble flooring. The basket of African violets is a great touch - you don't often see these in photo shoots.

I like how the gallery of paintings and mirrors is wrapped around to the adjoining wall.
Here's another view of the lattice work that borders the doorways and runs along the lower part of the wall in this part of the home.

For many more photos of the interiors and the courtyard, click here. (All images from Nuevo Estilo magazine. I was unable to locate the photography credit.)

More GreenHouse: A Delightful Dining Room

This delightful, garden-inspired dining room by Victoria Neale is more than just lovely shades of lime and olive - it's also eco-green by design. Opening to terrace doors, this elegant room is fresh and pretty. Your eye is immediately drawn to the settee by Edward Ferrell ( a member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council) which is comprised of soy based cushions and covered in flax by Henry Calvin. The window panels were constructed of vintage printed linen and the sconces are antique. The stunning chandelier is by David Iatesta.
This chic Chinoiserie mirror is an ebay find, transformed from an original dark brown finish to it's new light, mod look. Love this whole vignette!
Gorgeous pillows on the settee. Love the introduction of the plaid on the bolster.
First, take a look at what's behind the chair. The designer created a trellis effect with trim that was hand-dyed with water based dye. The same trim also appears on the settee. The custom rug by Odegard is made of hemp. Here's an inside scoop on this rug - a few days before the showhouse opened a very dark red lipstick type stain appeared on it. It was completely removed by a cleaner and now there is absolutely no trace of it. Love the bamboo chairs from Hickory Chair with both a velvet cushion and mini-bolster. It seems it's always about those little extra details.
The china is from Victoria Neale's personal collection and I am in love with it. This brings up an another interesting eco-green idea - temporarily swap china with your friends for a holiday dinner or party. I was able to avoid buying extra silverware or using plastic knives & forks (!) for my Eddie Ross party by borrowing from 2 friends to supplement my silverware (thanks Anne & Gretchen!)

Hope you're still loving the CharityWorks GreenHouse. I purposely didn't show every amazing detail from Victoria Neale's dining room so be sure to go and check it out for yourself.

One of the 4 charities that will benefit from the funds raised by the showhouse is Friendship Public Charter School. It is the area’s largest public charter school, serving more than 4,000 students from pre-school (3-years-old) to 12th grade on five campuses. They are proud to report that students attending Friendship’s two elementary campuses have not only exceeded state academic requirements for the past six years, they are raising the achievement bar and continue to outpace or equal students at similar public and public charter schools in the District of Columbia.

Eco-Green is Gorgeous: A Personal Tour of the CharityWorks GreenHouse

The CharityWorks Greenhouse proves that Green is the new Gorgeous, in so many ways. I'm sure the following statement will seem archaic in 10 years, but unless someone told you this was eco-conscious green design you wouldn't know. I would like to thank Annette Hannon of Annette Hannon Interior Design for giving me a personal 2 hour tour and for spending as much time providing insights into all the rooms as much as her own. Annette's beautiful petite suite is only 115 square feet and it envelopes you in a sense of calm refinement. A central feature is the custom built-in bed and bookcases that completely conceal the fact that the window placement is off-center. A pitched ceiling was changed to 10 feet to also deemphasize the small footprint. The mattress, from a Virginia based firm, is organic, eco-smart and vegan friendly. I think this type of mattress would be especially interesting to parents seeking a healthy sleeping environment for their children.
Annette is well know for her attention to details. Notice the micro-pleats along the top of the valance, they mirror those on the bolsters (first pic). The curtains are made from sustainable linen from Pollack Associates that exceed LEED requirements and the pillows were fabricated by Bella Studios.
Another element of green design is the use of furniture that already exists - in this case a Swedish antique chair and desk. The walls are painted with Farrow & Ball paint, which exceeds all European environmental standards, and then finished over with a naturally eco-friendly Milk Paint from PA to create a crackle finish.
At first glance, the walls appear to be wallpapered but they are coverd in an Elizabeth Eakins fabric that is woven in CT and utilizes natural vegetable dyes. A rose pink gimp ribbon trims out the walls - one more detail that makes a lovely impact.
Doesn't this vignette make you want to settle in and write some letters? - check out this vintage stationary!. The bracelet is vintage too, found at the Big DC Flea.
Annette also designed this very pretty bathroom with the found sea shell mirror. The walls are painted in Farrow & Ball Pink Ground and the photos to the left are by photographer, Angie Seckinger.
Annette had the patterned roman shade interlined in pink fabric which creates a lovely effect with the sunlight.
The shower is tiled with recyled glass and the shower curtains with valance are custom embroidered in her own design. The towels are bamboo and vintage linen.

The stone floors were sealed in a water based finish as opposed to a higher VOC product.

I will be featuring more elements of the Charity Works GreenHouse in future posts. Hopefully just enough to convince you not to miss out on this must-see showhouse! Located in McLean, VA, it is open now until October 30th - click here to buy tickets and for additional info.

More good news - the money raised from this Showhouse will benefit the Friendship Public Charter School, Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, and the McLean Project for the Arts. Go here to read more about these worthy charities - (I will be posting more about each charity in subsequents post on the showhouse)

Sills, Huniford & a Terrific Design Book from 2003

I almost titled this post an "...Overlooked Design Book" but then thought maybe it's just me that hasn't discovered Dwellings: Living with Great Style by Stephen Sills and James Huniford until recently. The book was released in 2003 while they were both partners in Sills Huniford Associates. After 25 years together, they went their separate ways in the summer of 2008. I have found myself returning to this book frequently for inspiration and enjoyment.
Side by side marble tubs in a bathroom floored with Moroccan style tiles. Beautiful. I'll let the rest of these photos speak for themselves. (these images via Stephen Sills Associates)






The book is sans dust jacket and has the most wonderful gray linen cover. When you're not reading it, it looks quite lovely left about. For more images of their respective work you can visit Stephen Sills Associates or James Huniford.