GEORGE takes NYC

While I like watching HGTV's Design Star with my husband (and he did contribute to my Sunday night analysis by saying that Emily needed to "step up her game"), I am curious what YOU are thinking so far.
Any favorites? Are you bored?

This week the contestants worked together to create a NYC roof terrace...

{Boys' terrace design, episode 3 Design Star}

{Girls' + Dan terrace design, episode 3 Design Star}

I still like Emily, but agree with the hubby. I also have decided that I'm not a huge fan of Nina. I'm pretty sure her ego would drive me nuts! I do, however, realize that taking part in a design competition complete with cameras in the face would be hard - and may bring out some ugliness. I don't think I could do it. So if someone wants to offer me my own TV show, no competition required, I'll gladly take it! Otherwise, no thanks. 

Anyhow, on to something that is realistically happening in my life...

GEORGE has started a new project! And it's 2,000 miles away in NYC!

We are so excited to be working on this AMAZING 2,500 square foot Upper Westside condo! It's going to be a crazy few weeks because all drawings and specifications are due at the end of the month, but we'll try to keep you updated on its progress! Better get drawing...

Oh, and yes, those are gorgeous herringbone floors and 10' ceilings. Sigh.

Drayton Hall, Georgian Palladian Design Inpiration

I just got back from a very rejuvenating family vacation week in South Carolina (the 2nd of 3 trips I will be making to the area in 2010!) When we weren't kicking back on the beach or trolling for crabs, we found time to make a few little sightseeing trips. One of these was to Drayton Hall, a plantation home located just north of Charleson on the Ashley River. The home is a fine example of Georgian-Palladian architecture as you can see the nearly perfect symmetry achieved below. (I tried to stand right in the middle so as not to throw it off!)

There are a handful of plantations open to visitors, and some with a lot more to see than Drayton Hall, but none of the others are perhaps as architecturally significant; and so we chose this one to visit. Built between 1738 and 1742, the house is one of the only plantation houses still intact after Civil War, hurricanes, an earthquake and fires have reaked havoc over the past 2oo years. The other thing that makes this structure really special is that the interiors are basically untouched since the days that the house served as a permanent residence to the Drayton family...

I literally gasped when I walked through the front door to find these achingly beautiful pine floors, the patina on them could never be re-created, I don't care how good of a floor guy you have! The blue-ish gray paint color was unearthly, and was original to the 2nd owner in the mid-1800's if I understood my guide correctly.

Every wall, fireplace (I think there was one in nearly every room!) window, door and ceiling was decorated with breathtaking molding and panel detail. The carvings were distinctly Georgian in nature and Mr. Drayton definitely envisioned himself an English gentleman. This hand-carved plaster ceiling remained intact in the Withdrawing Room. (And there is Mr. Maynard listening intently at the bottom left!)

The 2 sides of the house are mirror images of each other architecturally. Perfect symmetry was so important that when necessary, there were even false doors fashioned to achieve the intent. (The door panel no longer remains but once covered the brick facade seen here.)

A view of a Drawing Room window seat...

Here I am (4 months pregnant I might add!) enjoying a view of the Ashley River before going home...

If you are in the area, I highly recommend paying Drayton Hall a visit. The tour is short and sweet but will leave you feeling plenty inspired. Here is a link to the official website: Drayton Hall

Sweltering!

Summer officially arrived this week, and boy have I noticed! I've been spending lots of time in Palm Springs lately, but that is going to have to end. I don't do well with these types of temperatures...

Elle Decor posted a collection of photos of celebrity pools, and while I normally LOVE my regular person, out-of-the-spotlight life complete with cute family and teeny apartment, these luxurious pools make me a tad jealous of those celebs during heat waves. 

Feast your eyes below. And if you're like me, you'll just have to settle with imagining how nice the water would feel...

{Ben Stiller & Christine Taylor's Hollywood Hills home}

{View from Cindy Crawford's Malibu home}

And my two favorites...

{Elie Saab's view in Beirut...you can hardly even see the infinity pool & those mtn views are to die for!}

{Cynthia Rowley's Manhattan yard...I could take this for my city escape! AMAZING!}

If this is only the beginning, how do you plan to make it through the summer?

One of my friends recently told me he was braving the heat by sitting in front of a fan while his wife was spraying him with water. I may resort to that soon! I wonder how long it would take my 14 month old to master the squirt gun?!

Summer Slumbers: Bedroom Facelift

Tah-dah! The mirrors have settled into their new home...

Once the new mirrors were painted and hung, I decided that I wanted to change up the room a little. I guess I'm feeling fresh and summery and was looking for a brighter space! I really love the color of the mirrors, it is so cheerful. To compliment the green mirrors, I bought some ikat pillow covers in a coral and ivory pattern from eBay, and I absolutely LOVE them! 

A perfect bit of unexpected color...

I originally only bought a pair so I could decide on more if I liked the quality (they were coming all the way from Uzbekistan and I had no idea what they'd be like in person). Such a great purchase (seriously, you can't beat $30 for the pair!), and thus there are more in the works for my living room. ;) Lastly, I swapped out our duvet cover for our old ivory one. Such easy changes (and cheap!), but the room feels new and fresh!

~The Before~

{sorry about the white balance in this photo, should have fixed it!}

~The After~

So, back to the mirrors! We were worried they were going to be overpowering, as they looked HUGE when we hung the first one. But, once they were both in place, I was pretty smitten. What do you think?

PS. This room is a great example of how you don't need to spend a lot of $ to freshen up a space.

     Mirrors - $20/pair at estate sale
     Paint - $10
     Pillow covers - $30/pair
     Duvet cover - $0 from linen closet

     Heavy-duty 75-lb picture hooks - $6/pair....did I mention how heavy those things are and that I live in earthquake country!

Long-Awaited Mirror Reveal...

Some of you may remember the mirrors I scored at a local estate sale...

Well, I have finally got around to painting them and hanging them in my bedroom. After a very light sanding I did an extremely fast prime job. Funny but I kind of liked the haphazard look of the blue-grey primer, messily brushed on the mirrors...

I had originally thought of painting these mirrors with a matte blue-grey paint (perhaps why I was drawn to the prime job!), but I ended up going with a yellow-green to keep things in the room more cohesive. I chose Savannah Green by Benjamin Moore and also went with a gloss finish - total change of plans! :) 

Because I loved the worn, aged look of the mirrors in their primed stage, I decided to apply the yellow-green paint with a dry brush "technique". I didn't fuss about getting the paint to cover perfectly, and liked how the blue-grey primer showed through in some spots. (Note: the color is more accurate in the above photo, these ones below show the color MUCH subtler than it really is)

I LOVE the layered paint effect. It adds so much more dimension, texture and interest to the mirrors! Lastly, when the mirrors were dry, I look fine sandpaper and lightly distressed some of the raised edges to reveal the dark wood beneath. Et voila - mirror perfection!

In-room photos are coming this week, so be sure to check back!

Hope you all have a great day tomorrow with your fathers and/or husbands!

Hidden Jewels

My sister-in-law told me about some AMAZING abandoned Russian houses that were featured on a blog she reads called Ensuite. I looked them up and sure enough, they make me speechless! I read everything there was to read on these, and it is quite unanimous that everyone who sees these wants to get their hands dirty and restore them. Check out this meticulous detail...

{Click them to go bigger, these are worth seeing up close!}

There is not much info as to their current owners etc. They are apparently located approximately 550km outside of Moscow, were built in the late 19th century, and are in fairly good condition due to the fact that they are pretty much in the middle of nowhere.

Can you imagine what these would have looked like in their heyday? The Art Historian in me can't help but look at these masterpieces and wonder what life was like living here. Picture these interiors when they were new. I can't get over all the trims and mouldings, and those colors must have been stunning!

{All photos via English Russia}

I would love to walk around these mansions and soak in all the beauty! And I would take all that snow right now, because it is nearing 100 degrees in this part of the country. Ick!

Do you watch?

HGTV's Design Star started up tonight, and man, I was on the EDGE of my seat! Not because it is great television, but because Emily was on the verge of being given the ol' boot. 

While watching I surfed the show's website to learn more about the contestants, and to view their design portfolios. And this brings me to my rather quick love for Emily - she has by far (in my humble opinion) the most interesting and inspirational portfolio of the bunch! She can't get the boot!

{Emily Henderson designs, via HGTV}

This week's challenge definitely did not showcase her talents, but if I had to call my favorite contestant based on portfolios, Emily is my gal. 

{Kooky and cute - a winning combo?!}

What do you think?

Lonny Reminder...

The newest issue of Lonny magazine is out, and it is goooo-od! Grab your beverage of choice and click through some fabulous pages...

I really enjoyed this issue - I was inspired by the large article on the 16 YEAR OLD designer whiz-kid, all the upholstered headboard photos, and this page...

Have you heard of this Decorator Tag Sale website? How cool?! I checked it out, and there are so many fun items for sale. I'm definitely adding this to my list of shopping resources! I need a new coffee table and wouldn't mind giving that Hermes tray table a new home. :)

Oh Canada Cozy

I found this photo while browing the Elle Decor website, and you know what? It made me a bit homesick. After having both my parents, AND my husband's parents visit us this month I shouldn't be surprised that I miss the "homeland." But this photo, and the Hudson's Bay point blanket, has made me miss Canada som'thing-fierce.

{Weekend retreat on Long Island, designed by Calvert Wright}

I grew up seeing these blankets while shopping our national department store The Bay, and I also remember Roots Home showcasing them in their rustic-chic displays...

Originally these wool blankets were traded by the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) in western British North America and the United States during the 18th century and 19th centuries. The blankets were typically traded to First Nations and Native Americans in exchange for beaver pelts. In the point system, a blanket of higher point value would supposedly be larger and warmer. A common misconception is that each point indicated a quantity of beaver pelts or Hudson's Bay Company money. Blankets varied in color and design.

Today you can buy antique point blankets on eBay or Etsy, or go for a new version sold at The Bay in Canada or through Woolrich in the US. New or old, these blankets are oh-so-cozy, and just ooze Canadiana - perfect for a lake house, cabin or cottage. I know my mum has her heart set on the traditional multi-striped pattern for her winter bedding at our cottage.

This monochromatic grey-striped point blanket is a soothing version. A great option for a more contemporary, city setting...

{Designer Mark Cunningham's New York bedroom}

Also love it here in this boy's bedroom. A fitting compliment to the hockey poster (haha)...

{via Flickr}

Flea Market Finds

This sunday we took my husband's parents, who were in town from Toronto, to Pasadena. They had never visited this adorable little town complete with its beautiful tree-lined streets, gorgeous old houses, and fun FLEA MARKETS!

Unfortunately, they aren't in town next weekend for the huge Rose Bowl Flea Market, so we tried out the Pasadena City College Flea Market. Although it was smaller and lacked the charm of being held around the famous Rose Bowl, this flea market was still lots of fun and had great treasures to be found!

Us ladies were in our element...

There was so much stuff to look at! I have been into stone lamps lately and the one on the right was beautiful, but too big for my place. Oh, and I had just got a new alabaster lamp two days before (hehe)...

{Cute eggplant painting}

{Vintage faux bamboo dining chairs}

{Amazing strands of beads...so many ideas for these!}

The only thing I bought (scratch that, I also bought vintage alphabets blocks to spell R-A-E-L) were two Dorothy Thorpe glass and silver trays. I wasn't familiar with Dorothy Thorpe but these pieces caught my eye with their textured glass bottoms and sparkly silver and gold patterns. The vendor explained who they were designed by, and I realized they had more of a history than I had originally thought. 

Dorothy Thorpe was a Los Angeles- based glassware designer in the 30s. She is well-known for painting silver on glassware - trays, bowls, glasses, etc. I really liked that these pieces had an LA design history and snapped up the large oval platter, and one of the square trays (not visible in this picture). I'm kicking myself for not buying the small bowl too! After some googling and browsing on eBay I discovered that my pieces were part of the Atomic Silver Explosion collection. I love that I learned so much from this flea market stroll!

{Dorothy Thorpe glassware, all silver except the far right which is gold}

I was worried about how these would blend in my living room and dining room, but they mix surprisingly well - once I decide where these are going I'll take a picture to share. And what a fun way to take some LA design history with me when I eventually move back to Canada!

What's your favorite flea market find?