FROND OF PALMS

I have home decor so much on the brain, I can't look at clothes without thinking of upholstery, or wallpaper... last week, a Kate Spade skirt reminded me of Mary McDonald's fabulous striped walls. And now, I can't look at this darling summer dress (also by Spade) without pining for the Fountain Coffee Room at the Beverly Hills Hotel:

A few more views of that famous Martinique Wallpaper by Stockwell...

Images/Kate Spade/Beverly Hills Hotel/Final 2 pics, Material Girls Blog/

Deck the Walls

I really love framing things - one of my favorite looks is a jumble of prints, notes, pictures, paintings, and Misc., all framed together.

And while thinking about framing some pictures this week, it occurred to me, why not do Christmas frames? If you have a wall of pictures like this (or even a small collection), how simple it would be to take down a few pictures and replace them with Christmas-themed pieces. The effect would be congruent, subtly festive, and as easy as store-bought pie (not that we ever get that at my house). At the end of the season, replace the old pictures, and store the Christmas ones away until next year. Here are some fun ways I thought of to pull this off:

I love the idea of framing Christmas cards because it's so multi-functional. Do something with all those cards in the mail (even better, the ones you've been squirreling away because they were pretty) and make them into decor. Or, if your mail isn't stylish enough, buy a beautiful card yourself. Absolutely first on the list would be this charming design by Anne Harwell

(available on Etsy).

There are so many pretty wrapping paper patterns out these days, I always have an urge to frame them. But they tend to be shiny (all kinds) and rather thin (cheap kinds). Either way, they're difficult to use in frames. The solution is scrapbooking paper (just as long as your frame is under 12x12). You can do a collage of framed paper patterns - and the look is so festive!

Two GORGEOUS paper collections, above, by Anna Griffin, available here.

A "sampling" of the scrapbook/wallpaper look. You could also do abstract patterns with no relation to Christmas, but in red and green - just for a chic holiday touch.

A smaller vingette with framed paper. This would make a lovely addition to a side table or bureau with Christmas paper in it - and a sprig of holly beside. Courtesy, StyleCourt.

Festive frames - take your favorite pictures and jazz them up a bit for the holidays in colorful frames. They'll look fresh, new, and completely Christmas. Beautiful grosgrains ribbon trim frames with monogramming from Pottery Barn.

Finally, if you want to be more DIY than snipping your Christmas patterned paper into the right frame size, here is a really fun tutorial from PointClickHome on silver-leafing your own frame.

I hope these ideas help you bring some Christmas cheer into your home this season!

Images (with no attribution above): Room1, http://www.flickr.com/photos/tammymanet. Room 2, http://www.gaitainteriors.com/blog/?cat=3. Room 3, apartmenttherapy.com.

Italian Prada Hearts English Morris

Years ago, while struggling through some moldy tome at the Union library at Oxford, I happened to glance heavenward. It was more of an eye-roll than a divine supplication for studying aide, but it ended as a delightful distraction. The timbered ceiling was ringed with paintings by the pre-Raphelites, and covered in a leafy vine pattern, courtesy of one William Morris. I'd never seen Morris' work in person before, and I wanted to find out more about him.

A terrible, tiny picture of the Morris ceiling at the Oxford Union.

Morris was a Renaissance man of sorts; an artist, poet, architect, and furniture and textile designer, he left a large body of work. But he is most remembered for his marvelous bontanical-inspired fabric and wallpaper patterns, like the one below. Morris was highly enamored with tales of England's mythic past (Morte d'Arthur and others), but equally interested in making hand-made, quality objects affordable and available. Most importantly to this blog, Morris wanted to elevate decorating to the level of the fine arts.

...and his influence is still apparent today. The moment I spotted Prada's carefree prints fluttering down the runway, I saw Morris inspiration! But Prada didn't copycat - in fact, this is a fun new blend of English library meets Palm Beach party.

Here, a few Prada heels plus scarves, Spring 2010 collection.

The scarf as handbag - even better, they still come with mini scarves!

This bag is Morris in the middle and modern at the ends.

A larger example of Morris-style pattern, beautifully draped.

Prada's collection is an inspiring mix of traditional fabrics and modern styling. I doubt Morris would have paired neon pink and red, but I also think he'd approve. The over all effect is vaguely African - and very lovely.

For more information about Morris work, and to see more samples of his botanical patterns, visit here. To purchase designs similar to those of Morris, click here.

Images: www.oxford-union.org/conferencing, designhistorylab.com/?m=200902, style.com.

Framing the Walls

I love wallpaper these days, just not necessarily stuck on walls. Framed patterns can give life and color to a room, but without being overwhelming in a small space, or expensive in a large one. And, if your landlord isn't into "love and leave it" with how you treat your walls, framed wallpaper is your best bet to getting a personalized look with panache. Great website Design Your Wall has hundreds of marvelous papers - and most are purchasable by the single roll. Grab a few inexpensive frames from Hobby Lobby or your local consignment store, and wah-la, you're in business! Below are some example rooms, and paper choices for your aspirations (all papers from Design Your Wall).

Graphic punch in a plain space. An easy way to coordinate your look. And if you already have a collection of colors for a room, just find a paper that matches!

Vintage zebra print

Silver bamboo screen print

Alice leopard print

A new twist on "framed paper" - a stunning accent wall with frames that enhance instead of cover.

British fox hunting vintage print

Botanicals can look stunning - a little abstract, a little natural.

Banana and palm leaf tropical print

Framing a chinoiserie pattern can be lovely - many of the papers available feature large scenes that make perfect pictures.

Pea hens and roses chinoiserie

Blue and white chinoiserie

Even Bunny Williams gets into the act with a few choice metallic prints. By varying the patterns and framing in glass, the look becomes textured and luxurious.

Bronze metallic florals

All wallpaper from designyourwall.com. Room images: apartment therapy, myfantasyhouse.blogspot.com/2008/03/framed-wallpaper-that-is-art.html, stylecourt.blogspot.com, www.gaitainteriors.com/blog/?tag=framed-wallpaper.

The White House Diplomatic Reception Room

A recent post on The Peak of Chic about gorgeous scenic wallpaper reminded me of a collection of photographs I have of the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House. This is one of my all time favorite rooms - I would steal every stick of it if I could! I've been lucky enough to spend time there and study the design, and there's just not a thing I would change.

The "look" - yellow silk damask and the famous Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington. The room is a perfect Oval (as you'll see below) and opens directly onto the South Lawn. At formal State Arrival Ceremonies, a limoisine bearing the visiting head of state comes up the circular South drive, where he or she is greeted by the President and First Lady. After the ceremony, they proceed directly into this room, hence the name. The fireplace you see is where FDR had those "fireside chats." 

Detail of more yellow damask and the intricate wallpaper, which is divided into 32 panels (this one displays the Natural Bridge, of Virginia). The door to the left opens into the lower cross hall, the main thoroughfare through the State Floor. The door to the right opens into the China Room, named for the beautiful displays of historic Presidential china. The photos don't do this space justice - the colors are so rich and vibrant in real life.

A scene from Boston Harbor. We owe these beautiful walls to Jackie Kennedy (as well as most of the other historic pieces in the State Rooms today). The print is by Jean Zuber, of Cie in Rixheim, Alsace, and is called "Views of North America." It dates to 1834, and scenes include Niagara Falls, West Point, Boston Harbor, and the Natural Bridge. The rare paper was discovered rolled up in a farmhouse attic in New England and Jackie immediately snatched it up for this room, installing it in 1961.

The room is decorated in the Federal Period, and most of the beautiful pieces are by New York or New England cabinetmakers. 

A wide view of half the room, facing the South Lawn Vestibule. There are three floors of oval rooms in the White House residence. The Yellow Oval on the top, family, floor; the Blue Room on the main State Floor, where most receiving lines occur; and the Diplomatic Reception Room. Over a century after the White House was built, the West Wing was added, and efforts were made to keep it uniform with the older residence it adjoined. One result was the decision to continue the idea of an oval shaped room into the West Wing. That's the reason we have today's Oval Office.

The vestibule opening onto the South Lawn (as above), seen from the Diplomatic Reception Room. Notice that the intricate wallpaper continues even into this space. The canopy you can just make out through those doors is the famous entrance you'll frequently see pictures of Presidents walking to and from.

A stunning mahagony desk by John Shaw, made in 1797, highlights this side of the room. The rug incorporates emblems from all 50 States. In this view, you can easily see the State symbols woven into the rug border. 

A panel depicting Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls was one of the most interest-exciting natural wonders on both sides of the Atlantic in earlier days. Today it's seen more as a cheesy tourist destination than a stunning natural wonder, but in the 1800s it was considered one of the seminal representations of the New World's landscape, rather how we view the Grand Canyon today.

A close-up shot of the falls. Note the picturesque little steamboat at the bottom.

Last look: A rather bare Diplomatic Reception Room prior to Jackie Kennedy's restoration (courtesy of whitehousemuseum.org).

All images, my own. Please email me for permission to use them. Thanks!

Redesign: The Green and White Chinoiserie Desk

I have a quaint little fold-top desk that has been with me since childhood. A writer must have a desk, however small, and this one has followed me like a devoted little dog through a series of apartments and houses, frequently squeezed into awkward corners, dragged up stairs, or stuffed in the back of my SUV. My faithful desk needs a face lift, and I've decided to do it in green and white chinoiserie. 

It may look average now - but wait till we're through!

THE PROJECT

1. Replace the handles and knob with brushed brass bamboo hardware.

2. Decoupage the interior of the desktop in a green and white trellis paper.

3. Paint the foot and crown of the desk in a green matching the paper.

4. Fill it with beautiful things!

THE PIECES

A few favorite items I'd like to use in my re-design (clockwise):  

1. Thomas Paul crysanthymum pillow. 

2. Iomoi personalized paperweight. 

3. Brushed brass faux bamboo hardware. 

4. and 6. Iomoi pencils. 

5. Jasper Conran for Wedgwood china (for paper clips and odds and ends). 

6. Lucite green and white chinoiserie tray, by Iomoi. 

A Jonathan Adler chippendale style faux bamboo chair, accented with a Thomas Paul pillow. While I'm concentrating on renovating the desk right now, a new coordinating chair is in the future. I may get a green version instead of white - Adler makes both!

A bamboo trellis pattern wallpaper I'm planning to order for the interior decoupage. I'd love to do Wearstler's Imperial Trellis (see below), but it's a bit pricy for an amateur project. I need an affordable paper available in less than a single roll, in a green and white trellis pattern. Do you have a great suggestion? Send it on!!!

THE RESULTS...  stay tuned! 

In the meantime, here's a little of my inspiration. ANY mention of chinoiserie can't overlook the stunning blog Chinoiserie Chic, the authority for this subject in the blogosphere. Check out Beth's recent post on the Blanc de Chine Office, as well as a detailed how-to on chinoiserie decoupage, with stunning results like this:
Maybe I should do filing cabinets next?

And while we're at it, here's an example of Kelly Wearstler's Imperial Trellis used in decoupage and the green Jonathan Adler chair. I'd already thought up this scheme when I stumbled on the picture, and it was nice to see how well it could come off. Here's hoping for a happy ending!

Movie Credits:  All "pieces" as listed above.  File Cabinet Photo, originally Domino via StyleCourt, via Chinoiserie Chic. Trellis Decoupage Cabinet Photo, an unknown, online find. If this is your picture, please email me so that I may give credit where credit is due!