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The Hospitable Guest Room: Vogue's Guide Circa 1969
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: style court
According to Vogue's Book of Etiquette and Good Manners, 1969, "A guest room should, above all, look welcoming. It should have that indefinable quality of aliveness, rather than emptiness. It should somehow suggest that it is accustomed to making visitors happy and is not a seldom-used 'spare' room. A hospitable guest room is essentially gay, and completely comfortable."
"A tall order, you may say, but you can have a lot of fun filling it." Like many decorators today, the book says go with the mad wallpaper or print fabric you love but could not abide for more than a month. Your temporary guests will enjoy the change of pace and sense of adventure.
Vogue prefers two twin beds in a guest room with a generously scaled night table between the two. Each bed should have one very soft pillow and one firm.
The lamp should be very easy to reach, and easy to read by without strain. If the floor is not carpeted, provide plush bedside rugs.
Don't forget the filled cigarette box, ashtrays and matches.
A clock with a quiet tick, a pin cushion and sewing kit, a well-lighted mirror for makeup and a full length mirror too.
A good, "brisk" book of fairly new short stories, a carafe of ice water with two glasses, and always fresh flowers.
Also include:
A chest of drawers with at least the top two largest drawers left empty.
Half a closet pole
A closet shelf
A pretty luggage rack -- not Hotel-ish
A couple of chairs, "Guests should not have to sit on the bed to read or file their nails."
A variety of wooden hangers
Shades, shutters or lined curtains that block out light
Biscuits or fruit "can be appreciated."
Facial tissues
And, Vogue says, if you live near the water or have a pool, tuck some whimsical straw hats or Japanese paper parasols in the closet.
I think I have a lot of work a head of me.
Credits:
Bedroom one, Chloe Warner
Bedroom two, Kate Spade
Bedroom three, Kate Spade's guest room courtesy M. A. Belle, via Town & Country
Bedroom four, (images four through six) Peter Dunham
Bedroom five via Domino
Clock is from High Street Market
Carafe and glasses are from Park Avenue Gifts
Beaton's Far East
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: style court
I used to be the girl with many handbags, now I'm the woman with many first edition books. Brace yourselves for a possible flurry of posts related to Cecil Beaton's Far East because I just ordered a copy from Paris Hotel Boutique. Isn't the cover striking? I'm anxious to learn more about the pattern.Most people are familiar with Beaton as the fashion photographer for Vogue, and as the costume and set designer for films such as My Fair Lady. But during World War II he was assigned by the British Ministry of Information to cover the war in the Middle and Far East. Apparently the assignment was a good idea; not only are Beaton's pictures of India, Burma, and China widely respected, his writing about the historic turning point is said to be superb. I'm also looking forward to seeing his sketches.
Todd Selby...
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: MadeByGirlJust like many of you, I've also visited 'The Selby' and admire Todd's work. If I wasn't from New York City, I'd probably think many of the homes featured, were just plain WEIRD. But, since I lived in NYC for so many years, many of the homes featured look very similar to friend's places I used to frequent. So, here are some of my favorite photos by Todd Selby. Enjoy!
The gentle breeze blew through...
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Rang-Decor {Interior Ideas predominantly Indian}...sheer white curtains with a touch of gold.
Two posts in a day, I must be certainly very inspired! 
It was very exciting to receive an email from Chitra Gopalakrishnan, informing me about a new venture. A venture with a social cause of giving a boost to the Kerala handloom industry.
KARA- Weaves of Kerala is an endeavor by a group of very enterprising women who work with weavers fom Kerala and create high quality cotton handloom furnishings for the home.
Woven linen and gold cushion covers
They have a range of curtains, cushion covers and some super soft cotton towels.
Do check out their online store here.
Two posts in a day, I must be certainly very inspired! It was very exciting to receive an email from Chitra Gopalakrishnan, informing me about a new venture. A venture with a social cause of giving a boost to the Kerala handloom industry.KARA- Weaves of Kerala is an endeavor by a group of very enterprising women who work with weavers fom Kerala and create high quality cotton handloom furnishings for the home.
Woven linen and gold cushion coversThey have a range of curtains, cushion covers and some super soft cotton towels.
Do check out their online store here.Simplifying A Room Makeover: A Before & After
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: The Inspired Room
Before
Ilove using SIMPLE SOLUTIONS in decorating. When it comes time to repaint a room, it is quite possible to spend forever trying to decide what paint colors to choose for woodwork and walls, how to fix less than perfect features, and then another eternity painting straight lines between woodwork and walls (not my favorite task). Sometimes I want a QUICK FIX and an easy answer so I can have a new color in a day (or so!).
I’ll admit it, I’m an impatient decorator. And, honestly, I am too busy to fuss over each and every decision and project in life. In order to get on with enjoying life, yet still have a beautiful home, I have to simplify.
In this space, the simple solution to giving this room a lively new look was Sherwin Williams Westminster Gold #200. Everywhere.
The secret to making this one color paint technique work is to vary the sheen…put a glossier paint on the woodwork to contrast with a satin or flat paint on the walls. That contrast will give just enough variation for interest.
The overall look is cozy, fresh, hides imperfections and lets the furniture and accessories take center stage. The background becomes an effective backdrop to a beautiful room.
And it wasn’t complicated! I like that.
PHOTO:Country Living: Keith Scott Morton
Furniture: Ikea PS Ellan Rocker
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: RemodelistaFrom Sarah:
We’ve had our eye on the Ikea PS Ellan Rocker for a while now; we especially love the way it looks as a suite of outdoor dining chairs at Brooklyn designer David Weeks’ upstate New York farmhouse. Made of wood plastic composite, the rocker costs $39.99. Via Cookie Magazine.
What Is Magnetic Induction?
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Landfair Furniture (Blog)Mike came across an article today at Wallstrip Today about how Intel, using some new technology called "magnetic induction" has demonstrated a prototype system that could power gadgets without having to plug them into a wall socket. Imagine that! No more charging stations for cell phones and laptops, maybe even electric cars.
His research into "magnetic induction" led him to another article, this time about a new cooking surface.
Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery
His research into "magnetic induction" led him to another article, this time about a new cooking surface.
Magnetic Induction Cook Tops uses technology that transfers heat to the pan through magnetism. Even when the cook top is on, it is cool to the touch because the energy transfer only affects magnetic objects. This is of great value for homes that have kids with curious hands!GE is selling the GE Profile:
The GE units have a whole lot of smarts added in, especially when it comes to safety. If you remove the pot or pan while cooking, the surface detects its absence and cuts off. If you place something with less mass on the surface such as your ring or a spoon, it won't heat up. Only pots and pans will be allowed to generate the cooking heat. There's even a setting that lets you lock the cooktop's controls.The neat thing is, it can boil water in 15 seconds and heat control is much more precise than with gas or electric burners. Think of the fossil fuels that can be saved! The GE website shows the cooktop has a retail price of $2549.
Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery
Lauren Marsden
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: * Terramia *
Lauren Marsden is a talented Victoria artist who creates some of the most amazing artistic creations I have ever seen. Her indoor/outdoor carpeting gallery space of Home Sweet Home (above) exhibit blew me away. Her latest artistic endeavour is called Territorial Knittings... she is knitting street sign covers for every street she has lived on in Victoria. The pattern is an exact duplicate of the sign itself... very clever, very creative!
Happy Birthday Sidney Crosby
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Design Mind
On a side note, today one of the most talented sports figures turns 21 and as a hockey fan I couldn't pass this milestone up. Sidney Crosby, who plays for my Pittsburgh Penguins, is the next great one, even according to Wayne Gretzky, and if you haven't seen him play you should make a note to check him and his other team mates out when hockey season begins this October. It's amazing to watch. Sid is the new face of hockey in North America and is helping bring this sport back in the US. As the youngest captain in NHL history, record breaking seasons, spreads in GQ and Vanity Fair before starting his rookie year, a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals and major endorsements that include his own Reebok clothing line, this handsome, well spoken young man is a joy to have in Pittsburgh. Happy 21st Sid and best of luck this season!The RSS feed for At Home with Kim Vallee has moved
04/11/2008, 23:12 | Original Site: At Home with Kim ValleeDear reader, I changed the RSS feed for my blog.
For further updates from At Home with Kim Vallee, please use the following feed:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/AtHomeWithKimVallee
Thank you.
Happy July 4!
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Bluelines
Posted by Bluelines
Happy Independence Day. Have a festive, fun holiday wherever you are...
Eat, drink, and sing as loud as you want.
Inspiring Each Other
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: style court
[Image via Megan Arquette]Coleen Rider can play more than one note. That is why, I think, so many of us derive inspiration from her. We love her color sense, her eye for the details, and her appreciation for both achingly pretty old things and harder-edged modern finds.
While the vignettes she composes for her shop are informed by decorating masters of the past, she always brings her own soulful California perspective to the mix. (Recent blog buzz about her new showroom has come from Megan and Jennifer.) Coleen nods to what is fashionable yet never jumps on the trend bandwagon.
Last holiday season when I saw the boutique owner's lush Christmas card, we began a conversation about her creative process with the idea that it might lead to a blog post. And this summer when Megan snapped a picture of Coleen's personal inspiration board, my imagination was sparked again so we chatted a little more.
Now Coleen is launching a creative feature for her site where she shares virtual concept boards designed to inspire visitors. First up: Moss Green and Aubergine starring Peter Dunham's textiles. The mood is woodsy and English, complete with a stately antique dog painting. Dunham's Indian-inspired fabrics add the fresh spice.For me, Coleen's flair comes in with the addition of the the red pagoda vitrine. Others might have stuck only with purples and greens -- she knew red would vibrate here.
Soon I'll be back with words from Coleen about the direction she took for fall. In the meantime, whether you want to browse her furnishings and art, get ideas for a color scheme for your living room, or see Coleen's approach to mixing textures and patterns, be sure to check out the new Looks page. Much effort has been made to identifying all the sources.
BTW: If you are obsessed with dog portraits, click here.
Top Design: Season 2 Coming Soon!
04/19/2008, 05:05 | Original Site: ::Surroundings::
The folks at NBC Uni and Bravo have finally released a little more information on the upcoming season 2 of Top Design. In January, they announced that the show had new producers - Magical Elves - who produce Project Runway and Top Chef. That was a good sign. Season 1 had many, many problems.One of the first changes they've apparently made is that the show will have a host - model and design enthusiast India Hicks. The rest of the S1 cast will return - Todd Oldham as design mentor, Kelly Wearstler and Margaret Russell as judges and Jonathan Adler as the head just. I'm with Tom & Lorenzo - hopefully JA will have dropped his smarmy "See you later, decorator" line when contestants are sent home.
The show is scheduled to air between July and October 2008.
Road Trip: Monterey and Carmel
08/29/2008, 17:02 | Original Site: katiedidWe are heading out today to spend the long weekend in Monterey and Carmel, a couple of the most beautifully scenic areas in California:
We will be seeing the famous Lone Cypress tree:
Visiting the Cannery in Monterey:
Shopping. Did you even doubt it?
Hitting the spectacular Monterey Bay Aquarium (I think there is an interiors color scheme here):
I love seeing the Carmel Mission:
And downtown Carmel is full of shopping: art, antiques, boutiques and restaurants (a little spendy all the way around, but sometimes you find a treasure you can't live without!):
Carmel is famous for it's artist colony, and there is no need to wonder why:
We plan to do some of this:
And visit Julia Pfeiffer State Beach in Big Sur (if there is time!):
So I wish you all a wonderful long Labor Day Weekend! I will be back on Monday....late.
BYE!
All photos from flickr
Welcome Greentea Design
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Landfair Furniture (Blog)We have another new advertiser on the Landfair Furniture (Blog), Greentea Design, your online source for Japanese furniture.
Why Greentea?
Living room furniture
Bathroom furniture - If a stylish bathroom is what you are after, then this is the place to look. The pieces that make up their bathroom furniture collection feature warm, solid woods and rich patinas.
Kitchen cabinets - The emphasis is on the natural beauty of the elm wood and hand-forged iron hardware.
Antique furniture
Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery
Why Greentea?
Exclusive DesignsGreentea has four collections:
Designs like the Mizuya Kitchen are available nowhere else in the world.
Flexibility
Need custom designs? Special considerations? No problem! Greentea strives to exceed your expectations whenever possible.
Think Green
All their furniture is built from reclaimed wood salvaged from Korean farmhouses.
Living room furniture
Bathroom furniture - If a stylish bathroom is what you are after, then this is the place to look. The pieces that make up their bathroom furniture collection feature warm, solid woods and rich patinas.
Kitchen cabinets - The emphasis is on the natural beauty of the elm wood and hand-forged iron hardware.
Antique furniture
Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery
72. Stylings
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: let your creativity .... FLOWif i were a bachelorette, i think i would do a vintage, fem - french country style living space. the elegance and dainty touches bring such joy to me. however, at this stage of my life, i think my husband would have a heart attack if i dressed the house in lace and floral designs!
images by stylist lucyina moodie
images by stylist lucyina moodie
Organic Bedding
05/20/2008, 04:12 | Original Site: Belle Vivir
Beautiful and modern organic bedding by Plover Organic.
Great Color Research Journal
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: HueThe long-awaited second issue of Colour: Design & Creativity has finally arrived, and it looks fantastic!
A sneak peak:
(click to enlarge to read text)
It might be a bit scientific for some of you, but after I get a chance to read it myself, perhaps I can offer some boiled down reviews of articles I thought were interesting. Or, if any of you read the issue, and want to write a little commentary on a bit of what you read and got out of it, I would be delighted to include your thoughts in July as a guest blogger!
A sneak peak:
(click to enlarge to read text)something's lost and something's gained
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: studio wellspring
for everyone who lost something precious on this day 7 years ago. . . . . honoring, loving, remembering. . . . with still hearts of gratitude for what once was.but let us not just move on and learn nothing from such horrific tragedy. this is a great lesson in how to accept impermanence, embrace each other, practice forgiveness, understand our connectedness and seek truth genuinely. nothing can happen to you that doesn't also happen to me. nothing can be done to me that isn't also done to you. in the words of a wise man "we are our brother's keepers. we are our sister's keepers."
i keep you in my heart and mind as warming memories and as reminders for how to live in the moment with more compassion and more understanding each day.
Pinakin Patel
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: Rang-Decor {Interior Ideas predominantly Indian}
This country retreat designed by Pinakin Patel Associates looks so beautiful, serene and relaxing I want to spend a lovely weekend there...actually many weekends there:-)
Pinakin Patel graduated in Chemistry but today heads one of India's leading design firms and owns a unique lifestyle store."The firm is known for their distinctive interpretation of the clients needs, producing contemporary design from a classic base, juxtaposing yoga and bhoga"
Do click on to read more...
(images from pinakin.in)
Midsummer 2008
06/22/2008, 20:41 | Original Site: Karin's Style Blog Dessert. Midsummer was really great - a wonderful little mix of people of all ages and backgrounds collected at my favourite place in the world! We had time to enjoy ourselves and relax and eat and drink. I don't know what time the sun set, but it was after a very ...
spoonflower power
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: studio wellspring
my friend, tom, sent over a link to a wonderful concept company that's still in its beta form ~ spoonflower. thanks to a group of inspired folks in chapel hill, north carolina, spoonflower is an answer to a huge void in the crafter-designer-artist market: giving us all the ability to design and make our very own fabric. yes! for a reasonable price you can have your very own designs printed onto fabric. how wonderful is that?!? all you have to do is create a design, make it into a tif file, and send it off to spoonflower to print onto 44" 100% kona® cotton fabric {a 2nd choice of fabric will be available soon}.from their website: "spoonflower exists to give crafters a powerful tool for expressing their creative visions using fabric. it gives individuals the power to print their own designs on fabric that they can then use to make quilts, clothes, pillows, blankets, framed textile art and many, many other things that might surprise you."
they have a nice little blog and a great flickr group.
they have a nice little blog and a great flickr group.
i snagged some of my favorite projects from their flickr group to share with & inspire you here:
So Sylvie
08/26/2008, 17:10 | Original Site: katiedidI got a very sweet note from Sylvie of the So Sylvie blog the other day announcing that her beautiful shop Blossom Home is sadly going to close. If you were unaware of Sylvie's talent, take a look:
Not only is her shop beautiful, but so is she. She has had a bit of hardship lately, which you can read about here. I hope you will join me in your support and well wishes by visiting her blog.
Sylvie is letting some of her very special pieces go on Craig's List so you might want to check things out here.
This etagere is one of the beauties being sold.
I wish I had gotten a chance to visit her shop in person, but I hope Sylvie will be starting a new chapter where her talents will flourish!
Wishing all good things for Sylvie and her family!
What's In Their Library: James Andrew
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: The Peak of Chic
I'm sure many of you remember James Andrew's fabulous apartment that was featured a few years back in Elle Decor. First, there were the references to iconic designers of twentieth century design (the Billy Baldwin dog painting, Frances Elkins loop chairs, and a footstool of Elsie de Wolfe). And then there was that library!! James has quite an impressive collection of books. So how could I not ask James what his favorite designs books are?
After an early career in finance, James decided to pursue his first love- interior design. Working first for Ralph Lauren Home and later for Parish-Hadley (Albert Hadley has been both mentor and friend to James), he decided to strike out on his own in 2000. And ever since then, James has been decorating from coast to coast and continent to continent. Recently, James was described by Stella magazine as being an "updated David Hicks". I'd say that is quite a compliment, don't you?
(James just informed me that he has started a new blog entitled What is James Wearing - a site where James shares his enthusiasm for all things sartorial as well as his thoughts on design. I think you will find that James has an extensive wardrobe and takes great delight in choosing his outfits!)
1) Parish-Hadley: Sixty Years of American Design
by Christopher Petkanas
2) Albert Hadley: The Story of America's Preeminent Interior Designer
by Adam Lewis
3) Dupré Lafon- décorateur des millionaires
by Thierry Couvrat Desvergnes
4) David Hicks on Home Decoration
by who else? David Hicks.
) Frances Elkins: Interior Design
by Stephen Salny
6) In the Pink: Dorothy Draper- America's Most Fabulous Decorator
by Carlton Varney.
7) Horst Interiors
by Barbara Plumb
8) Nancy Lancaster: English Country House Style
by Martin Wood9) Chateau de Groussay auction catalogue- Sotheby's (if you can find this for volume catalogue, I'd suggest you grab it!)
Wearing Different Hats
00/00/0000, 00:00 | Original Site: style court
I don't know who was the first to experiment with it -- perhaps an antique shop owner tried it in the beginning -- but over the years quite a few designers and tastemakers have added a whimsical touch to statuary by tossing on a hat. The interesting part is looking at the various styles chosen.
Shown at top, Mrya Hoefer's take as seen in San Francisco Style (Chronicle Books, 2004) followed by Mr. Hadley's creative styling as seen in Albert Hadley: The Story of America's Preeminent Interior Designer
(Rizzoli, 2004).
Chicago-based historian Bart Swindall did something personal by opting for a utilitarian hard hat that speaks to a former job. (O at Home, Fall 2008). Be sure to pick up the magazine and see his chic apartment inspired by vintage House & Garden's and iconic rooms of the past. Photography by Roland Bello.
Olympian-worthy wreaths for the holidays at Courtnay Daniels' residence. Design by Suzanne Rheinstein and Associates (Southern Accents, November 2002).
And Sara Ruffin Costello's laid-back elegance -- a dapper addition to this bust. Photo by Paul Costello, as seen in Domino.
Pure Jonathan Adler as seen in My Prescription for Anti-Depressive Living.
Figures to be treated with more reverence, the First Emperor's terracotta army, are headed to Atlanta. Over 100 works from the ongoing archaeological excavation in China will be on view at the High, November 16 through April 19, 2009. The exhibition is a landmark event for the museum since such a complete group of warrior figures has never before been loaned to the U.S. My tickets are already safely tucked away.
First Emperor images courtesy the High Museum of Art.