A Passion For Home

Architectural models...

The rails, mouldings, the wood grain, it swirls, it turns, step-by-step.  This is one aspect of a love affair with architecture, where admiring such qualities of a staircase can simply sweep me off my feet, literally and figuratively speaking.

Fine craftmanship and architecture are evident in many-a-staircase and this applies to miniature ones too. I find them fascinating and love to see how they are displayed in homes, adding structurally-appealing works of art just as you would see in a statue or sculpture.

Examples can be seen on Interior Designer, Grant K. Gibson's website portfolio and blog.

 
My eyes are drawn to all architectural elements, including the greek keys.

Strategically placing a pair of architectural models, one on the window sill and one on the table.  It's like a vignette within a vignette.

Below is a fine example of an architectural model lamp. 

The above is Mr. Gibson's personal residence.  You can read more about it in a New York Times article featured late last year.  You can also learn more about this timeless and classic designer on The Skirted Roundtable's recent podcast.  His design style is one I identify with and I admire his ability to mix antiques, trade-only items and items from Target and Ballard Designs.  It's the best of everything!

As I delve into learning more about architectural models and staircases, I discovered more insight from reading a 2008 blog entry by a local DC designer, Raji Radhakrishnan.  I was intrigued by a collection of antique staircases that once belonged to Bill Blass, featured by Ms. Radhakrishnan.  Her perspective was very enlightening.  

There are several resources I've come across that offer architectural models and staircases.  The George Glazer Gallery offers a number of collectibles, including miniature spiral staircases. 

A small selection of staircase models are available on Amazon as well as a number of architectural models.

David Linley, whose craftmanship is breath-taking, to say the least, offers handsome architectural boxes and a replica of The Metropolitan Museum of Art which serves as a jewelry box.  Proceed with caution to Mr. Linley's website as the prices will make you blink.  It is worth a look though.

Browsing eBay, I found a number of collectible architectural models being offered at reasonable prices. 

Investment pieces, they are, where options are offered at 1stdibs.

Ballard Designs also offers 3 types of staircases.  The Arts & Crafts, Grand Staircase and the Lighthouse Steps.

I will now close this post by saving I now have an urge to visit Monticello.  And I hope you enjoyed the journey into decorative architectural miniatures as much as I did. 

Butterflies and a dining room...

One glance at these prints during a visit to The Nest Egg, I knew I liked them...a lot.

For 2 weeks I thought about them over and over again, wondering where I could hang them.

After seeking feedback on our dining room in a recent post, which I thank you ever-so-much, I realized perhaps these prints of butterflies might work.

I returned to The Nest Egg, where Elisabeth so kindly climbed a ladder in her lovely heels and grabbed the artwork high up on a wall in their shop and where got to home with 2 new butterfly prints.

Today, they were hung above our buffet. (Heeding your advice, I definitely need more color here...perhaps a flower arrangement?  And how about decorative plates on each side of the artwork?)

The prints are from a gallery, Soicher-Marin, which after looking at their collections, I have a wish list of stunning artwork to dream about.  

I also discovered Suzanne Kasler's collection of artwork exclusive to Soicher-Marin.  Some of my favorites include:

Seals with Shells (they remind me of Quatrefoil Design's framed intaglios, but with a twist)

Tuilleries A Paris

Ribbon Designs Circa 1850  

I may not have discovered Soicher-Marin and their plethora of artwork if it weren't for The Nest Egg, which is available at their fingertips. 

Our dining room, well, that space is a work-in-progress.  The idea of incorporating red accents as well as darker furniture appeal to me.  If I could, I'd replace our dining room table.  It's just not high on our priority list right now.  You are right though, I should consider staining it a darker color.  The tabletop definitely needs refinishing after 20 years of wear-and-tear.  

And what I am learning about artwork is how much of a personal reflection it is to one's home.

Around the house in macro format...

What can be more exciting than a new camera lens.  So I went around the house taking photos with a new Canon 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS lens.  

My car keys were the first victim.

When I used the adjustments in my Aperture software to sharpen and edge sharpen the photo, there was no difference from the SOTC shot.

My next victim was the vase filled with wine & champagne corks.  

I am now realizing how much I love this lens.  The background blur is just lovely.  

The glass of red wine is next.  

The glass stands out and is the center of attention amongst all the electronic gadgets that you see in just about every household.

Up the stairs I went and entered the guest room where I just hung a new mirror I discovered at The Nest Egg.

Wow, the flash really brightened this photo.  I then decided to put the image stabilization to the test and see how the photo would turn out without flash.

The lack of lighting certainly creates ambiance.  

In my studio, I snapped a photo of a pair of wall shelves.

Then I decided to crop the photo, featuring only the urn filled with pencils.

Not bad.  Sometimes I find my photos get a little pixelated, depending how far I crop them.

I am a true novice when it comes to photography.  The journey, though, is quite exciting and intriguing. My wish is to take photos that pop as well as featuring photos on this site that capture your eyes.  

It's fun to share the story when you have pretty pictures along for the ride.  

Whine & dine...

Our dining room is dreary.  I have tried to work with our existing dining room table we've had for over 20 years (thank you, Bernhardt, for producing quality casegoods that withstand the test of time) and I am not satisfied.  

At the recommendation of a professional decorator, I purchased a mirrored buffet (photo is circa 2008...old chandelier & drapery panels are reflected in the mirror and a mirrored-piece on the top & center of the buffet is missing...it has since been replaced).  The bowl was a temporary accessory at the time I took the photo.

I'm not crazy about the mirror hanging above the buffet and need either a different type of mirror or artwork. What do you think?

We added brown velvet chairs to serve as host chairs and last year, I replaced the drapery panels with ready-made dupioni silk drapes.

My thought is to add roman shades and flank with the window with custom-made panels.  Then the question is, what type of fabric and color(s) should I consider?

This room is a part of a master plan I'm working for over the next 24 months.  

If you have thoughts, feedback and opinions to share, I welcome them with open arms.  

White Toast...

When reading blogs, I must proceed with caution.  All it took was a recommendation from Cote de Texas and I was hooked.  

Joni recommended the Cheese platter from Joanne Hudson by providing a link on her blog.  Of course I clicked onto the website and that is all she wrote.  Immediately, I was sucked into kitchenware wonderment and decided we needed new cereal bowls.

Thanks to White Toast's line of cereal bowls, I now have a stylish bowl to fill Rice Chex with each morning. It's not 'Vanilla Ice Cream' but it's the next best thing.  

I do not know anything about Emma Bridgewater from the U.K., but I now utilize her cereal bowls.  Just about anything in cream & beige speaks to me which is why her White Toast line appealed to me.

I am now saving my pennies for her pasta bowls.  

Washington Spaces - Winter 2010...

The economy is playing havoc on the publishing industry, in particular, magazines.  When Washington Spaces magazine announced late last year they were ceasing publication of their magazine, I was heartbroken.  As much as I love the internet, I prefer holding the magazine in my lap and perusing each page as I take-in all the design wonderment the photos have to offer.

My saving grace is that Washington Spaces magazine lives-on in web format for one more month.  And I happily discovered tonight their Winter 2010 issue online. 

It will make it easier for me to save images in my inspiration file I maintain in iPhoto.

Something that caught my eye in the Winter 2010 issue is the Home to Tradition article with a photo featuring the powder room in the photo gallery.

The scale of the mirror in comparison to the sink and cabinet is truly eye-catching.  I am in the habit of filling out the wall with a mirror according to the width of the cabinet/sink.  Although this may not be a new concept to an interior designer in terms of scaling down the size of the mirror, it is definitely new to me.  

Recently, I read where it was suggested to go tall with the mirror, nearly to ceiling height, for a different look.  I definitely want to give this a try.

The article on Make Space for What Matters has me intrigued by the closet with two different types of ceiling light fixtures.  I'm not sure if I like this or not but it certainly has me thinking outside the box.

Wined & Designed displays a wine cellar that is not pretentious or over-the-top.  Very practical for wine storage.  It is motivating me to go into our basement and clear out the storage closet to convert it into wine storage.

 

Then what would I do with my boxes of coffee mugs, stacks of puzzles or all those Beanie Babies I had to have?  It's a sad state of affairs in our basement storage closet.  So the idea of a wine storage closet is purely a dream at this point.

This is what I love about magazines.  The joy and inspiration I savor with every turn of the page.  I'm going to miss this magazine.

Forever Green Art...

It all began in 2002 when I read an article on preserved topiaries in the Home section of the Washington Post. The article featured a company by the name of Forever Green Art.  The photos with their preserved topiaries placed indoors and outdoors really captured the true essence of what I was seeking in achieving a timeless classic style in our home.

I selected a pair of Blue Point Junipers in urns where they flanked the staircase in our previous home. They survived a move and now sit happily in a guest room, helping to conceal empty space between the bed and console.  

 They remain healthy today as they did when I purchased them 8 years ago.

Only slight aging is noticeable.

They are maintenance-free and require no watering and sunlight.  For me, this is ideal as my responsibilities as a plant-owner are non-existant.  My mother takes pity on our plants whenever she visits. 

The label on the bottom of the urn indicates the juniper was planted in June 1998 and preserved in June 2002.  

As I was seeking updated information on Forever Green Art, I learned that Bellacor carries their line and are offering great deals at the moment.  

I try to tame myself when it comes to topiaries.  If I were to give-in to every topiary I admired, I'd have a museum dedicated to these luscious greens in our home by now.  

Do you need business cards???

CONGRATULATIONS, DENISE!!!

If you do, then you will want to enter this contest for a free set of 500 business cards sponsored by Overnight Prints.  They print business cards, postcards and more.

 

Although the holidays have come and gone, I'm thinking ahead to Christmas 2010 when it comes to gift-giving ideas as Overnight Prints also offers customized bookmarks.  How neat would it be to insert a bookmark that includes your favorite quote on a selected photo into a book as a gift.  Better yet, you could gift an address book that includes a bookmark with your contact details, particularly if you just moved.

A postcard featuring a favorite photo, like your new home, is another way to share that you've just moved. Postcards are also a nice alternative to invitations. Send a postcard of a photo of your favorite wine or bubbly and invite friends and family over for a celebration.  

As much as I love to make my own holiday greeting cards, I'm thinking I may like to send postcards next holiday season.  

The ideas are endless.  

A set of business cards always come in handy.  When I attend social events, I like to have cards handy to give out with my contact information.  It is always a joy to connect with folks, particularly if you share common interests.  

If you'd like to see what Overnight Prints is all about, start here by leaving a comment and I will select and announce one winner of a set of 500 business cards on Tuesday evening, January 13 (Thirteen is my lucky number, I hope it's yours too).  

Let the contest begin and good luck to all!

Missing in Action

I'd like to say that the holidays kept me busy, but it is not the case.

I have been puttering around the house, watching movies, keeping up with my Google reader (which is always a challenge with all of the inspiring blogs available to us) and nesting, plain and simple.

And our nest appreciates the much-needed attention. There are some projects on the horizon which of course gives plenty of opportunity to share and discuss here.

In the meantime, I share here the most adorable handmade Christmas card I received from a dear friend. This was a project in of itself, I'm sure.

I'd like to wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2010!