friday farewell

Its been a crazy week over here. Our house has been plagued by serious drama and sickness. I'd love to crawl into this bed for the weekend.

Photograph from The Givenchy Style

I'm a sucker for a traditional French bedroom with a lit polonaise and little chair and table. And I am loving all of the blues in this guest room at Hubert de Givenchy's mediterranean getaway, Clos Fiorentina.The block print fabric used on the walls, bed and shades is lovely — pretty but not too feminine. The balance blues–the inky blue matelasse quilt and indigo chair and the floral linens — make the space feel thoughtfully put together but not overly done. Almost like some favorite pieces just came together effortlessly. 
Can you believe Givenchy designed this room in the 70s?

Have a restful weekend!

d. porthault

I took a very quick business trip down to New York last week—all told i was gone from home for a grand total of 37 hours. While I was there I managed to squeeze in a visit with my lovely friend Peninah, who was gracious enough to entertain me even though she is about to have a baby any moment now. The other highlight of my trip was to D. Porthault. We've all seen their linens in House Beautiful, Elle Decor and countless other shelter magazines. 

The image that first made me crave a hit of Porthault in he bedroom was Rita Konig's own bedroom in Domino. I love the play of the prints in her old bedroom.

Then this Michael S Smith bedroom in House Beautiful sealed the deal. I love the mix of blue patterns: paisley, hearts, stars and a bold border.

Visiting the store was so much fun. I snapped some photos while I was there with my iPhone and thought I would share. Here is a view from the entrance of the store. I loved the antique mirror walls and display tables.

The store was very appropriately decorated for the month of March with the pois de senteur, lilas yellow, and trefles green patterns heavily featured throughout. 

 What I love about Porthault is the mix. Check out the riot of pattern in this sachet display.

 

I love how all of these pillows work together even though they are different patterns and different pinks. 

 

This display wall was particularly inspiring. I just love how the company effortlessly mixes their prints to create a very fresh look.

Here is a close up of one of the pairings. Very Kelly Wearstler, non?

It was also interesting to see the range of merchandise. Porthault has much more than bed and bath linens, you can pick up these adorable robes to coordinate with your interior. And check out those cute frames and lingerie bags on the table.

My focus was on some of the more well known Porthault patterns such as the coeurs and bouquet éclaté which I wanted to pick up for my own home. 

Sadly the pillows I wanted in the bouquet éclaté were not available, but fear not, they are ordered. In the meantime, these two darlings made it safely back to Boston with me and have now taken up residence on one very lucky little girl's bed.

friday farewell

Yes, I know we've all seen Bunny Williams' awesome canopy bed countless times. Yawn! 

apologies, source unknown

But I had never really thought about the rest of the room. Here is what Ms. Williams' has to say about her new york bedroom in her book Point of View, "If your bedroom is large enough you may want it to double as a sitting room. I live in my bedroom in the city, which has bookcases, a television, a dressing table, a chair and ottoman."

Photographed by Pieter Estersohn for Elle Decor,December 2002

Can't you just imagine Ms. Williams' working from her bed? A la Edith Wharton—I've heard that Ms Wharton would write her manuscripts in longhand from her bed and just let the pages fall to the floor. Whether or not it is true, I love it.

I for one LOVE working from my own bedroom. Its a place where I can clear my mind and really focus. I know some people are completely against bringing any kind of work into the bedroom. What about you?

Wishing you a restful yet productive weekend.

this or that: blue gingham canopies

Above, a neoclassical Swedish interior features a simple bed canopied in a blue gingham with a white embroidered bedspread. The room features a traditional tiled chimney, a sidechair upholstered in the same blue check and a gorgeous chandelier.

Below, the lit a la polonaise of  Hervé Pierre, creative director for Carolina Herrera, swathed in 92 yards of blue gingham. Interestingly enough the bed also incorporates embroidered linens.

 Photo by David George in New Swedish Style

Photo by The Selby for New York Magazine

Which one do you prefer?

chintz a la veere

To me, Veere Grenney is the master of understated and eclectic elegance. In his own home he has mixed periods with everything ranging from a 50s knoll table and french pieces to collection of islamic art. He makes subtle references to traditional English decorating with the use of abaca rugs and pops of chintz. Now this is chintz i can live with!

Notice classic Colefax and Fowler Bowood on the impeccable french fateuil in his bedroom. What I love about Bowood is that it works as a neutral while adding visual interest. It contrasts nicely with the black leather and dark Jansen desk. 

  apologies, source unknown

In another view of his bedroom you can see how Grenney actually mixes a number of prints including Robert Kime's Jardinieres on the chair and his own design, Ferne Park  on the canopy. I love the way he mixes prints and creates a very serene and sophisticated space. 

apologies, source unknown

Friday Farewell

In the realm of uber-feminine bedrooms, I am really drawn to this space swathed in a pink floral print. Rob Southern used it everywhere — the walls, the curtains, the headboard, the corona and bedskirt— not to mention the upholstered pieces including a daybed and a pair of bergeres. I could do without the leopard print pillow and the side tables feel a  bit dusty, but I love the overall effect of feeling enveloped in this room. And you can't go wrong with Leontine Linens. 

Photographed by Thibault Jeanson for House Beautiful March 2011

Wishing you all a restful weekend!

friday farewell

Photographed by Deidi Von Schaewen for Beautiful Bedrooms

I thought I would keep the spring momentum going with this bedroom. Yellow isn't typically one of my preferred colors but this one from Provence feels right. I'm digging the contrast of the dark wood table and floor with the sunny yellow walls and fabrics. And the flowing lines of the table's cabriole leg and bed's floral vine print really bring the room together. I'm pretty sure the herringbone floors, tall ceilings and killer chandelier had nothing to do with it...

On a personal note I am hoping to get to Ikea this weekend and pick up some cheap frames for my herbier project. Then on Sunday we'll be on water duty for our friend Sarah, who is training for the Boston marathon. This weekend she'll be running 21.5 miles in preparation for her big run in April. What's another 4.5 miles?

Wherever your weekend takes you enjoy it.

See you Monday!