COME ON IN

I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of Home and Garden Television these days. In fact, if the network just wanted to go ahead and rename itself Real Estate and Garden Television, I wouldn't bat an eye (at least it would be fair advertising). Most of the shows are about buying houses. Or selling houses. Or buying or selling houses for the first time. Or competing with other real estate agents to buy or sell houses. Or buying and selling houses overseas. Or domestically. Or for all I know, on Mars. I suppose in these lean times, this makes financial sense: what could be cheaper than running a few agents (who need the face time anyway) through a house, throwing out a few verbal bombs (criticism is always cheap), and calling it a show? Nothing, except that a) NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO BUY HOUSES RIGHT NOW, and b) this is incredibly BORING. So boring. Watching real estate agents for hours on end is about as exciting as watching paint dry, which frankly, I'd prefer, since this really is supposed to be a channel about designing and decorating.

Going for the Gold (and Blue) on HGTV show Curb Appeal.

Anywho, I inadvertently clicked over to HGTV the other day anyway, and couldn't stop watching Curb Appeal: The Block. Nothing earth-shattering, but it's an entertaining show, and a lot of us spend so much time focusing on our ikat pillows with fringe that we forget to attend to the landscaping. Curb Appeal does great doors and entrances - and the only other thing you need is a great foyer to bridge the gap between public and private space. The foyer or entrance hall is the prologue to your home's story, since it introduces the guest to the mood and style of your house. A great entrance way makes you want to keep walking - to see what's inside.

Meg Braff

Miles Redd

Jonathan Berger

J. Randall Powers

Ned Marshall

Images 1, Curb Appeal via HGTV.com. Image 2, MegBraff.com. All other images, Housebeautiful.com.

Missoni

I love Missoni's rich and varied colors and patterns. 

Isn't this how you visit the beach?

Or hang out at home?

Clothing image: business of fashion. Home images: Missoni.

Flannery O'Connor's Andalusia

I had the wonderful experience of visiting Flannery O'Connor's home, Andalusia, not too long ago. Through a friend, I was able to take a private tour of the house and grounds, and it was a wonderful experience. The house has only very recently begun restoration, thanks to the Andalusia Foundation (which could use a donation or two, if you're feeling generous). Visiting the farm is a rare opportunity to experience a gifted writer's home environment. 

The Farmhouse. Andalusia was a former plantation, situated on 544 acres. It wasn't the O'Connor's plantation however - they didn't acquire it until many years later. Flannery lived and wrote here, with her mother, and they ran the farm as a dairy operation. This is the original plantation house - not very grand, but then most weren't, in spite of Gone With The Wind's depictions.

A view of the porch - doesn't it look inviting?

Flannery loved the farm and animals, most especially her peacocks and peahens. She wrote essays about them, as a matter of fact. She special ordered her first peacocks from Florida after reading an ad in a newspaper. The first little family of peacocks eventually grew into a hundred - and they could be heard all hours of the day or night, crying in their rather unpleasant, rasping voices. 

Flannery's bedroom. Flannery left the South for the prestigious Iowa Writer's Program at the University of Iowa, where she excelled. She later moved to New York, but after contracting Lupus was forced to return home. Flannery's bedroom is the former parlor, on the main level of the house. She moved here when it became too difficult for her to use the stairs. Note the crutches - Flannery's - leaning against the bookcase. While the typewriter is a prop, the desk is where she wrote each day. I thought it was interesting how structured the room was. There are only three colors: blue, white, and the dark wood furniture.

The dining room. This room was directly across from Flannery's bedroom, on the main floor of the house. She and her mother sewed the curtains themselves. I loved the feel of this room. It's just very natural, very Southern. 

Flannery's church, in Milledgeville. She attended Mass here almost every day. Her faith is a prevalent and sometimes unusual theme in her writing. Flannery finally succumbed to Lupus, dying at age 39.

A childhood note - Flannery's sense of humor was apparent at an early age. Flannery augmented the title of this book to read:  "The Adventure of a Brownie ...is not very good."

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

Hermès Style Pavilion

Because it's Saturday, 

because it's a pavilion, 

because everyone needs a little happy orange and white in their day!

P.S. It's on SALE.

Pavilion for sale at zgallerie.com

Outdoor Inspiration: Kelly Wearstler

This outdoor room by Kelly Wearstler, featured in her book Modern Glamor, is one of my favorites.  The color and scale are marvelous - and if it weren't for the tree and shrubbery, this space could easily pass for any indoor (gifted interior designer decorated, of course) living room.  

I like this room so much, I decided to look around for some "inspired" pieces for my own space.

Paris Club Chair, $899. It's not a wing chair, but the lines are elegant and I love the black piping on the white cushions.

Iron and glass table, $198.

A grey ikat pillow adds texture to the mix. $19, West Elm.

Aren't these marvelous?  By Italian designer Paola Navone, maker Reichenback.  The name of the line is "Taste." These shapes are fantastic enough to be artwork - and perfect for hanging.

Thomas Paul melamine plates. To eat off of, or mix in with the Navone pieces.

I LOVE Zebra, and this outdoor rug is marvelous. 

What's your inspiration room?

Chair and table: www.outdoorgardenfurniture.net. Plates: splendidwillow.com. Melamine plates: thomaspaul.com. Zebra rug: apartmenttherapy.com. Pillow: westelm.com.