A Passion For Home

Federal style and stars...

There are a number of design elements I favor and stars are one of them.  It's a classic design and patriotic in a sense, if you think of our American flag.  Perhaps that is one reason you often see this design element in settings that represent a Federal style. 

Below represents patriotism and very Federal, indeed. 

Image from the Monticello Catalog

Just like this Federal Bulls Eye mirror from 1st Dibs.

 
The light finish is what I love most about this mirror.  And the detail and carved figures are exquisite.

Here's another Bulls Eye mirror from 1st Dibs with stars around the perimeter.

My attempt at incorporating a star-embellished mirror comes from Wisteria.

 
The photo is straight from my iPhone, so please excuse the lack of lighting and focus.  Seeing this mirror in the catalog, I knew it was something I wanted in order to add visual stimulation to our foyer.  That is not to say, though, it will remain in the foyer.  I'm always re-working and re-tooling spaces in our home. 

I also favor stars as a design element on floors and can't think of a better example to share than one designed by Mary Douglas Drysdale (if you click-on Ms. Drysdale's name, it will take you directly to the source of this photo) and the decorative painting by well-known artist, Tom Hickey and his company, Riding Tide Inc.

Notice the stars around the perimeter of another design on the bottom right-side of the photo.  Clean and classic.  It gives me a strong urge to strip our floors and stencil them in an attempt to achieve the same look. Actually, my husband would not be excited about stripping our floors right now but a girl can dream, right?

Speaking of dreaming, I discovered a beautiful and sophisticated mirror in a Flor catalog yesterday. 

 

Has anyone seen this mirror?  I plan to contact Flor and see if they can help provide a source.  It is a stunning mirror.  And I say this even though you cannot see it in it's entirety.  With gray walls, it stands out so nicely.  I can't stop thinking about it.

This mirror from Bee Line Home by Bunny Williams where stars decorate the inside of the frame.

I agree whole-heartedly with Bunny Williams when she says "one can never own too many mirrors". 

As for lighting, I enjoy seeing a unique design, a star being one of them.

 
Circa Lighting - Sofia Flush Mount

Designed by Alexa Hampton, it casts a delicate glow through the frosted glass with two 40 watt bulbs. 

This chandelier, designed by Eric Cohler, captures the design element on a ceiling plate. 

Circa Lighting - Venetian Chandelier

I admire a designer's ability to take something traditional and turn it into a modern classic.   

Even details like fabric star ornaments appeal to me.  Their shape provides another dimension my eyes very much enjoy.

How clever of Ms. Drysdale to include a star-shaped pillow on this bed. 

It's the little things that mean a lot in a home. 

Take a look at the pot holders hanging on the wall Ms. Drysdale designed for this kitchen.

 
Her attention to detail is second-to-none. 

You can read more about this Maine Beach House on Jennifer Sergent's DC by Design blog.  It's art for the eyes.

May you enjoy this visual journey into star-land and continue to stay inspired.

Horses in art form...

My experience with horses are pretty close to non-existent (I rode a horse once or twice in my lifetime) yet I find myself attracted to them in the art-sense.

Over the years, I have seen fine displays of horse sculptures and weathervanes in homes featured in various design books and magazines. 

The first time I took notice of this type of artwork were from homes designed by DC-based Interior Designer, Mary Douglas Drysdale. 

 

I have been a great admirer of Ms. Drysdale's work for many years.  When I read Decorati's recent interview with Ms. Drysdale, it reminded me not only how much I enjoy viewing the photos of her projects, it also reminded me how I love her use of horses in art form in a home.

 
 My eyes are drawn toward the pair of horse sculptures.

 
Not only does the rooster look quaint in this setting but the horse does too.

 
Such a unique horse sculpture in the vignette below.

 

All of the above photos are from Ms. Drysdale's portfolio on Decorati

The cover of Better Homes & Gardens Beautiful Interiors issue showcases a classic vignette by Ms. Drysdale.

I saved this special issue, not only for the inspirational photos in the magazine, but the cover captures the true essence of the neoclassic style I so much admire.

And the cover of Veranda from 1996 features more of Ms. Drysdale's work, including a horse statue on the mantle.

   
This is one of many design features by Ms. Drysdale I favor and will share more in future posts.

Meanwhile, I have discovered more inspiration and resources involving horse artwork.

Lori Graham, also a DC-based Interior Designer, presents great use of a horse sculpture among a chest, orchid plant and framed artwork, all capturing Asian charm in this lovely vignette.  I was unable to capture the photograph to share on this site, so please click this link to Ms. Graham's website to see it for yourself.

What a beautiful antique horse weathervane from 1st Dibs.  Ideal for a collector.

 
This framed artwork titled Neoclassical Cavallo Studies II is a reproduction by Domenico Marchetti, replicating a marble sculpture by Antonio Canova, a well-known Italian sculptor from the late 1700s and early 1800s.

The description on Design Toscano's website of this artwork says it well.  Fraught with incredible detail and form, the horses’ individually rippling muscles captured in historic pose are almost unparalleled.  To me, this affect resonates with architectural features I like in an urn, column or pediment but on a less-defined scale.  The edges and ripples are smooth and subtle.

A hand-carved horse such as the one offered by Restoration Hardware has remained in the back of my mind as a possibility for our home.

 
My home wishlist includes artwork depicting horses and now an urge to visit Middleburg and Upperville.  Sometimes you just never know where your inspiration will lead you.

A Passion for Interiors & Design...

I have been working diligently on the Interiors & Design portion of this site by adding and updating links to resources, websites and blogs that fill the void for me when I crave inspiration.

And I have also changed the domain of the blog to reflect my mood and where my mind is at, at the moment. It is called APassionForHome.com.

The reason I chose to start the title of this blog with "A Passion For..." when it began in 2005 was to encompass all the things I enjoy.  

This is not to say that I have given up on my other passions (papercrafting, photography & scrapbooking), I just have decided to give my primary interest in interiors and design a front seat.  

If Interiors & Design are of interest to you, please take a look at the updated page that will always remain a work-in-progress.   There's also a button at the top of the site as well as on the sidebar under "Our Home Thanks You".

And I thank you for visiting.

I'll leave you with a link to before & after inspiration from Willow Decor's latest home project, if you haven't seen it already.

Let's keep the inspiration circulating.

Billet Collins...

Artists in many forms are to be celebrated for their ability to take a blank canvas and turn it into a great work of art.  Their dedication and talent to bring delight to our eyes is a wonderful thing.

That can be said of Billet Collins, a decorative painting studio outside Washington, D.C.  

Custom wall finishes such as the fretwork you see in the above photo set the tone in a room.  I view this pattern as one that can be used in a classic setting as well as a modern one.   

Silhouettes are timeless and bring an elegant look to this powder room.  How the silhouette color plays off the mirror and wall sconces are oh-so-eye-catching.

Grasscloth walls are quite popular these days and this is a fine example paired with a decoratively painted ceiling.

Custom murals like this one truly amaze me.  It's so serene and beautiful.  All the photos above are a sampling of custom finishes Billet Collins offers.  

And the possibilities do not end with decorative walls.

Taking a chair and turning it into a magical piece of art.  The idea of painted fabrics never crossed my mind as a possibility for a home until I came across Billet Collins blog entry on this topic.

If you struggle in finding the ideal fabric for your home, consider having fabric painted to suit your needs.

Floorcloths are Billet Collins' specialty too.  Urns are one of my favorite design features, so obviously I am drawn to the above floorcloth.  Notice the "x" element too?  A great representation of neoclassicism, at it's best.

While on the subject of floors, Billet Collins truly left me speechless over their wood-painted floors.

The Octagonal Key pattern won Billet Collins a grand prize in a competition hosted by ASID.  It was a challenge trying to convince my husband that this is a painted floor.  The Greek Key pattern around the perimeter is another reason for me to love this floor.  It is lovely architecture for the floor.

Billet Collins painted this foyer, belonging to Skip Sroka, an Interior designer based in Washington, D.C. and published in Traditional Home in November 2004.  They certainly know how to make a foyer look spectacular.  

There is an article Billet Collins own Kellie Hodges contributed to and is featured on Southern Accents website, Steps to Beautifully Painted Floors.  If you want to try this project on your own or to see what's involved, the article defines the process.

Wait, there's more.

A hand wrought iron table hand finished in metal leaf.  This is an option to consider if you have metal furniture and want to change the tone or look.  

The great work of talented artists does not end with decorative art & interior design.  They are generous souls using their skills to offer decorative cards in support of Haiti.  

Not just for Valentine's Day but for any day of the year, these cards, inspired by a traditional Haitian symbol for love, are sold as a set of 6 for $10.  All proceeds go directly to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.

Has your curiosity piqued about Billet Collins?  Along with their website and blog, they also post on their Fan page on Facebook.  Stay tuned for more as their future endeavors include paint recycling and decorative painting school.  

I am now headed to our foyer to dream of ideas to turn our hardwood floors into an architectural art piece.  

Beware, the inspiration is contagious!

Four chairs...

Spending much time at home these last few days has given me plenty of time to ponder and re-think how certain spaces in our home function, or the lack thereof.  

One space is our living room.  We spend a lot more time in our family room than we do in the space that is also designated for sitting and relaxing.  It does not give off the vibe of come sit down and take a load off. And let's have a conversation over coffee and dessert. Or I want to curl up with a good book and a cup of tea here.

Those are examples of what I want our living room to convey.  When we moved into our current home 5 years ago, it was my intention to create this type of space.  I had it set in my mind that 4 chairs surrounding a round coffee table would present the ideal conversation pit.  

Here is a photo that represent what I am looking for.

Designed by Interior designer Henry Brown and featured in the October 2009 issue of Traditional Home magazine, this photo brought immediate delight to my eyes.  The caption reads "The living room's bar area is defined by an antique French frieze fragment repurposed as a mirror frame.  The radial arrangement of four wing chairs creates an instant coziness."  Instant coziness.  I like that.

The height of the table and chairs are dead-on in what I am seeking for a conversation pit.  And the nailhead trim underscores the perimeter with all the classic details I love about a wing chair.

As I searched the 'net for more inspiration, I discovered chairs featured in a space designed by Candice Olson on the Art Dreams Home website that also exhibit the ideal height and appearance of comfort I very much admire.

To me, the chairs give a lean-back-and-relax type of vibe.  Again, it is something I really like in a chair. Not too stiff yet welcoming and exudes comfort.

This environment reminds me of a grown-up version of a tea party.  Four chairs surrounding a table.  And if you were to take it to the same level as Mr. Brown did in the first photo by including a bar in the living room, you could serve a splash of martini instead of a spot of tea.

Here's the headline on the invitation "Martini Party at the Conversation Pit".  Truthfully, I envision many nights curled up in a chair with a cup of tea and a good design book.  

This is what makes home design so much fun.  Dreaming up ways to create the perfect environment in your home.  

Gray matter...

As a massive snowstorm was headed in our direction, I opted to visit Potomac Paint to purchase Benjamin Moore paint samples rather than go to the grocery store for bread and milk.  I viewed being snowed-in as a good opportunity to do things around the house.  If we get desperate for food, there are 2 bags of M&Ms I purchased at CVS.

Focusing on our guest bedroom, which happens to have a guest occupying it this weekend (my mom), is in need of work. The walls have not been painted since we moved-in 5 years ago and there is no cohesiveness to the space. 

Before I do anything else to this room, I want to select a wall color that is neutral and will complement a classical theme.  

I selected 3 paint samples and applied swatches of color on the wall.

They are Stonington Gray (top), Coventry Gray (middle) and Litchfield Gray (bottom). 

Currently, my eyes are landing on the bottom color, Litchfield Gray, which doesn't really look all that gray. It appears as a bit more on the beige side vs. gray.

The drapery panels you see in the photo will be replaced with something else.  

And the theme of the room will be neoclassical.

My inspiration is a room by Suzanne Kasler, which is also featured in her book, Inspired Interiors.

We have been pouring over this book all day for wall color inspiration.  What I have found is that Ms. Kasler is very generous with sharing wall color brands and names on many of the rooms featured in her book.  

If you want to see Ms. Kasler do her magic with color, check out the House Beautiful feature from March 2007.  Some of the photos were included in her book.  I love the pinks & oranges.

And after seeing Ms. Kasler's home featured in Benjamin Moore's Color 07 magazine, I have more wall colors to consider.  

With our guest room is an adjoining bathroom.  My thought is to go light on the walls in the bathroom, perhaps even taking the same wall color in the bedroom and going a few shades lighter.

When it comes to making decisions about colors, I am indecisive.  It's a lack of confidence kinda thing for me.  I realize it will be O.K. as wall color can easily be changed.  I just do not want to ask my guy to do it over again, so I want to get it right the first time.  

Going to the grocery store may have been an easier task than trying to decide on wall color.  Where are those M&Ms.

Intaglios, Part II

Thank you ever-so-graciously, Things that Inspire, for including our home's hallway in your post today featuring the latest from Quatrefoil Design. 

Inspiration is a great thing, which is why I love reading blogs.  And when resources are provided, that is the icing on the cake.  When I see a photo of a fabric or chair I admire, my next reaction is "where can I get it?" 

With Things that Inspire sharing her passions that include offering classic designs as wall art via Quatrefoil Design is a great thing.  The variations of frames, sizes and intaglios are what I found so appealing about their site.

If you are an admirer of intaglios, here are some of my favorite displays for inspiration:

From Virginia-based designer, Barry Dixon, his portfolio from a residence in Bethesda, Maryland includes a quaint display of intaglios.  A vignette I've long admired.  The combination of cream-colored intaglios with a brown background and gold frames give it such a warm feel.

Let me add that his design book, Barry Dixon Interiors is filled with incredible photos showcasing his projects over the years.  I refer to it over and over again, simply for the inspiration and enjoyment I receive taking-in all of Mr. Dixon's great work.

With intaglios, I like to see different types of groupings of artwork displayed, which I find so pleasing to my eyes.  This is a great example by Suzanne Kasler.  It looks as though the intaglios are outlined in a dark color.  This vignette is one of my favorites in her book, Inspired Interiors.

 Another great source of inspiration comes from Home & Design magazine's website.  Three Italian intaglios from Greek Mythology.  Barbara Hawthorn Interiors designed this lovely classic home. 

It's hard to see closely in the photo but it appears that the frames have a design element I am drawn to, and that is the 'x' embossed around the perimeter of the frame.  It is one of my very favorites.

I am very excited to have discovered Quatrefoil Design and very much look forward to building onto my collection of Joni's.  

And so the quest for the ideal nest continues!