Accents of color

The spring/summer 2014 issue of New Old House magazine features a new house by architect Rafe Churchill  that is traditional in its detailing, spartan even, but modern in its outlook. Most striking to me was the use of color throughout the house.

Today the norm is white or cream painted trim in every room right? Any color in this generally seems strange or odd. Not quite that long ago colored trim was commonplace and it's a device interior design is missing today. Even in my 1930s apartment I discovered all of my trim had originally been a bright turquoise while doing some work!

 I especially loved this screened porch -my favorite 'room' in the house.

 The cheerful apple green paneling in the family room is cozy, charming, and eye catching.

 The dining room features mustard yellow trim with white walls that tie into the kitchen.

Upstairs paint is taken to another level with glossy white painted floors in this bedroom. Interestingly while the trim is also painted a soft green, the door is left the natural wood.

Even this unusual 'country mancave' as I refer to it features dark painted trim, albeit with exposed stud walls. I'm not sure I'm brave enough to risk this much color in such a way in my own home but would you, could you?  Maybe we should all take a clue from the not so distant past and skip the white trim for awhile.
All images by John Gruen

An ingenious solution

While reading through the April 2013 issue of House & Garden I came across an intriguing little project that I just had to share! When designer Roger Hall had proposed an addition to his 17th century listed house and had it rejected by the planning authorities, he decided to build a garden folly which would give him and his family the extra space they needed as well as provide a focal point to his garden.

He calls the space his 'Posh Shed' and it certainly is closer to posh than shed. What shed do you know of contains a kitchen, bath and working fireplace? The pavilion houses guest quarters as well as a studio for his work in an 18'x18' square; talk about small living at 324 SF (the size of the smallest studios found in NYC).

The pavilion matches the style of the main house which you can just glimpse in the image below including the same beautiful stonework and slate roofing. Behind the fireplace above are a compact mini kitchen and full bathroom for guests. I think I would spend all of my time out here and never go into the main house!

Above you can see how from the garden the pavilion looks like one small albeit tall room but when seen from another perspective 2 floors are clearly visible. I vote this is a clever solution to a problem that makes the end result better as a whole than the original proposed addition - what do you think?

Photography via the article by photographer Sarah Hogan

Modern Gothic: Astley Castle

Ever wondered what it would be like to stay overnight in a castle? The Landmark Trust in Britain allows you just that pleasure. One of many properties they offer was recently the center of much debate and an ingenius renovation: Astley Castle.

Featured in the January 2013 issue of House and Garden magazine, the castle was a ruined shell since 1978 when the hotel it housed burned to the ground. However it held a storied past dating to the 12th century despite its rather forlorn existence throughout the 20th century.

Finally in 2005 a competition was held on how best to utilize the ruined castle.  Architects Witherford Watson Mann were chosen who preserved the damaged shell and ingeniusly inserted a modern house - utilizing the ruins to their best advantage.

Those of you who read this blog and/or know me realize I am not a modernist (duh!). However, I love the respectful nature of the new work within the charmingly derelict shell. The texture of the carefully chosen new brick within the original stone walls is beautiful.

The best feature was actually created from the most damaged part of the castle: the al fresco dining room which retains the original fireplace. Imagine dining under the stars fireside, at once inside and outside of the castle!

The emphasis here is of course on the architecture and not the interiors but I love the whimsy of the Gothic dining chairs seen above and the beautiful green curtains.  Would you stay here over a vacation?

 All photos by Jefferson Smith for House and Garden magazine.

A clever custom door

Lately, I've been sadly disappointed with most US shelter magazines (haven't you? with the exception of Architectural Digest I suppose). I've resorted to enlarging my subscription pile and now get House & Garden (British); Can I tell you how fantastic each issue of this magazine has been? Well worth the extra import cost.

In the January 2013 issue, the townhouse of designer Michela Imperiali Klemos is featured in a short article thats long on style. I adored the custom door she created between her dining room and kitchen; covered in antique mirrored tiles with hidden Euro hinges and no hardware so it virtually disappears. She even used the tiles vertically to hide the seam where the door opens - brilliant! What do you think of this detail?
Photos by Tom Parker

Fall 2012 TRAD HOME

Don't miss the latest addition of Traditional Home's TRAD HOME online which features an article I wrote in conjunction with my friend Raji Radhakrishnan, designer extraordinaire!

In the article we feature some of our favorite shops and haunts in DC, beautifully photographed by the talented Colleen Duffley. Many thanks to editor Ann Maine who says of my Hirshhorn description in her Editor's Letter "With a flair for words as well as design, Stefan descibes this hidden gem as a round building nestled in a classical square city".  It was a fun if exhausting day and I'm happy to share it with all of you! Article begins on page 114.

Highpoint Fall 2012: Hooker Furniture

Once back from Highpoint the question everyone has is "Whats new this season?". I find this hard to answer for 2 reasons. 1: nothing is ever really 'new' and 2: there is SO much to see and it's all over the map!

That said, one finds certain general trends and my sponsor, Hooker Furniture, was right on point. 

One of the biggest trends was nailhead trim on everything: upholstery, casegoods, and even on walls as seen at Hickory Chair by Alexa Hampton (follow the link to a post by Habitually Chic on that space). The new Alicante collection at Hooker incorporates nailhead trim with a Spanish flair, as seen in the pictures above. 

Most uphostered pieces featured the trim also as evidenced by the stylish Beckley swivel chair. Loved the lines of this chair and the fabric too.

And the attention-grabbing Red Croc Console from the Melange collection was also studded! It really reminded me of the 'costumes' on the cartoon characters from Mary Poppins -remember that?

As has been said all over, the color of the year is blue and it was seen everywhere at Highpoint both in fabrics,

And even in painted wood furniture.

I loved this chaise lounge with blue fabric and nailhead trim.

And this blue leather couch had classic lines but a fun color.

This updated mid-century influenced wingchair had a fun bright blue fabric as well.

Blue cased goods were also to be had such as this turquoise chest.

 
Smaller scaled furniture was another trend as the market shifts towards moderate scale again (thankfully).  I loved the B-Y settee.

And these small Lyric sidechairs in a graphic patterned fabric were great.

Smaller scaled furniture was also shown in the new Chic Coterie collection based on Pinterest.

Designers at Hooker studied "what women really want" based on their Pinterest profiles and likes. Do you follow me on Pinterest?

I loved seeing this mood board put together by their team for the Chic Coterie collection.

The look is vintage, charming, eclectic and casual.

Metallics were also big and fashion forward. The silver/gold finish on this estate nightstand was really fun.

I loved the clover shaped accent table from the Melange line.

This metallic finish is just one of many available for the bombe chest.

I loved the chinoiserie detailing on the Rhapsody bombe chest.

And what better metallic is there than mirror. This Sanctuary bed was such a huge hit last market an entire mirrored collection was based on it.

How about this mirrored nightstand?

Or the Sanctuary fretwork chest.

I loved the detailing on these pieces.

The estate bed is also convertible in that the posts are removeable.

Desk chairs have had a makeover too.  The lines on this chair would not be out of place in an open home office or even a kitchen breakfast table.

Of course, I was shopping for myself too.  I'm in the market for a sofa for my new place. I loved the Eaton sofa -either as a sectional

or just a sofa.  It sits so comfortably.

But I really loved the similar Davlin sofa, particularly with this mixed leather and velvet upholstery.  What do you think, should I get this?

And did you see the Rhapsody Urn Console as one of the 'picks' in the November 2012 House Beautiful magazine?  I noticed it at Market too! Congratulations are in order for Hooker furniture!