Fav designer: Mrs. Phoebe Howard

2 words- amazing designer. I am inspired continually by Mrs Howard’s work. Her aesthetic is very close to mine and I love to see her work. I recently worked with talented photographer, Stephen Young (another post altogether) who has done work for Phoebe as well.  He took these photos at the 2011 March of Dimes Showhouse in Charlotte. Stephen is an amazing photographer. Check out what he is up to here: http://jstephenyoung.blogspot.com/

More of her work here:

Serendipity, Calm Seas, Seascape..

With names like these, how can you not feel the soothing affect of this beautifully serene art collection by Aidan Gray?

As part of their new “America” collection, they are really stunning (and  made in the USA).

 

If you are interested in more info on any of these pieces, let me know.

Check back tomorrow to read the 1st of a series of posts I am going to write on my favorite designers.

je

 

Gustavian Bucket

After a comment for request for more info on the Gustavian bucket I have a photo of on my picks link, I have had many people ask about it. This particular piece was an antique. I went to look at one of my favorite sources for these types of pieces – Love Train Antiques – to find that they have become part of Bobo Intriguing Objects! BoBo has very unique things and I always love to see their showroom when I am in Atlanta or Hight Point. Here are couple of things that I like from the line at the moment:

 

What do you think?

 

Trend 2012: Balanced COLOR!! (How to?)

Shades of white and layered neutrals create amazing spaces when properly done. This trend was hot! last year and will continue into 2012. However, pops of color are entering the scene in a very charismatic way. Think white canvas with splashes of beautiful, vibrant color. In contrast to these neutral backdrops, full-on color is crowding its way into the design trend as well. All images are from Traditional Home.

The white walls and sofa allow the pink to take center stage beautifully.

I love yellow in small doses like this.

 

These purple walls are stunning paired with intense orange.  The designer has balanced out the saturated color with achromatic brown so that the eye can rest-which is very important.

 

Gold and brown, great combination and looks gorgeous with feminine pinks.

 

Again, this works because the balance is right. There is terrific contrast and a bold achromatic rest (black fireplace).

 

Soothing hues but not putting anyone to sleep! This is happy and fun but balanced so well- keeps it very sophisticated.

 

Color of the year here on the drapery. The keys to the success of these spaces are balance of contrast and achromatic color.  In this beautiful room,  the white walls and floors offer terrific contrast to the bright hues. the brown sofa adds achromatic balance.

Now that you are starting to see this color everywhere, how do you feel about it?

 

je

 

Linen Trend Continues Strong in 2012

Market time again..! It’s freezing cold here today in Atlanta so I was very glad I could walk through connected hotels to get to the Building 1 for market this morning. As usual, beauty abounds at every turn.  So, what’s new? I will be giving you trend updates all week.

Linen is here for the long run. It is just stronger and stronger at each market. This year we are going to see it mixed up quite a bit, used as a base to play off of other design elements and also provide a foundation. This works so well and I love to use it

A beautiful line that carries Bed and Bath, Tabletop and Accessories is “Pom Pom at home” . LOVE, LOVE their line.   I always say that “Comfort is a luxury” and that  is evident here.  Everything is crumpled and washed- perfect.  My favorite color combination with this is a natural-oatmeal shade paired with a faded gray-toned eggplant (crazy about gray-purples.)

Lots of frayed edges, very big trend for 2012.

This smocking is gorgeous!

More frayed, love the casual, elegant feeling. Reminiscent of worn, luxurious linens from a  beautiful old Chateau.

More tomorrow!

je

Tabletop musings, dreaming of a white Christmas

With Thanksgiving behind us, everyone seems to be racing get the house ready for Christmas. The wheels started turning for me a few weeks ago when I was asked to be involved with a juried tabletop “competition” of sorts benefiting a local charity. I chose the theme “dreaming of a white Christmas” and decided on a very elegant and classic look for my table. t I started with a tablecloth which I had made using European linen from fabric.com (UR-212, oatmeal, $14.58 per yard)

I had it made with 6″ pleats, 10″ long. Now I needed a centerpiece. Micheals, of course. I found a large, tall rectangular glass vase and some bare natural branches.

Using  white paper flowers from the brand “Recollections”

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I layered the individual pieces and glued them together to make beautiful, realistic flowers.

I grabbed a bag of faux snow on the way out. At home in the remnant box, I found a long strip of linen fabric and used it to make a bow for the vase.

For the china, I set out my Lenox “Hannah Platinum” collection.

Pottery Barn helped me make the table feel like I used collected heirloom silver.

I wanted to do something that I would do at my own house. I love to use a placeholder as an opportuniuty to give a small gift to each guest. That was easy to do with these little silver modern frames (PB).

I printed out names in a beautiful font and put one in each frame which I set up on a little wrapped box (wrapped in sheet music and tied with twine).

For interest and to create height, I threw in a few of my favorite parchment script books from E. Lawrence Ltd.

Candlelight is essential to any tabletop. I found some silver glittered pieces in Micahels and this cute little trio at Pottery Barn:

No table would be compete without fresh flowers and beautiful chairs. Providence Florist off Providence Road in Charlotte, helped me put together a beautiful arrangement, all in white with simple greenery in a a classic silver trophy-style vase.  I hauled my own kitchen chairs up there. These are from Habersham, definitely treasured in our home.

Well, I will admit, I didn’t win this competition. The other tables were extremely themed, notice the “candy” themed table next to mine.

Oh, well, Maybe next year!

Best of Hamptons Showhouse ’10

Linen, white, reclaimed wood, colors like the sand, water and sky, beautiful gardens, sailboats, the beach, clambakes, Springs General Store, Ina Garten and reading.

This is what comes to mind whenever I think of the Hamptons. With such fond sentiments and memories, you can understand why I was very interested in what was happening at the Hamptons Show House last year. Now it’s out for all to see in the current edition of Traditional Home. What are my favorites? Let me show you… (designers are listed under the photos from Traditional Home)

Bakes and Company

I am absolutely in love with Carrera marble. I will be posting a kitchen I just did with it, stay tuned, it’s gorgeous!

Bakes and Company

Beautiful windows

Chip Wade

Outdoor slipcovers are fabulous!  I love the design of this space.

Kelley for Bakes and Company

This looks like a favorite Regina Andrews chandelier. Freestanding is the only way to do a  soaking tub. I also love the finish on the walls, which looks to be a linen wallpaper.

Kelley for Bakes and Company

Gorgeous tile work!

Kevin Isbell

Artwork is beautiful.

Kirby and Karmen for Lillian August

Lillian August is on my list of top 5 designers who inspire me. I love everything, especially the bed and the rug.

Kirby and Karmen for Lillian August

Wonderful space planning. I have sort of grown out of the metallic finishes, but love the silver leaf on this ceiling. Very glamorous.

Nancy Pearson

Unpretentious with style, great color.

Grab a copy of Traditional Home, find your favorites and please do tell!

xxj

Top 10 reasons to live like the French

1. They realize that stopping to smell the roses is an important everyday event. (Gardens at Versailles)

2. Small details make life beautiful.

3. Joie de vivre is contagious!

4. The past is connected to the present.

5. The details matter!

6.

6. Everyday is a great day for a picnic!

7. Love is always in the air!

8. A daily dose of fresh air just feels good!

9. Inspiration is found in the details.

10. Life is beautiful!

Et Voila! Profitez de la vie!

La Ville-Lumière

Unbelievably, Spring is on its way! I can hardly believe how fast January and February flew by. With Spring’s arrival this year comes a particularly sweet arrival for us.. A trip to Paris in April.  J’adore la ville-lumière!

I have often wondered why France in general and Paris are branded on the hearts of so many of us. On my first visit to this country as a teenager,  it felt like home. It is a wonderful place to be.  I think the most tangible thing that I can put words as to why I love it so much, is the façon de vivre, the way of living. The French make the simplest things sacred. Like eating, and riding a bike and drinking a glass of water. Food is appreciated and prepared with love and thought and surprisingly, often with simplicity (don’t mistake simple for fast..!).  Things like walking or riding a bike to get where you are going is the preferred mode of travel. I remember the first time I sat in a cafe with friends on a beautiful afternoon in Bourges. They ordered water. I remember thinking, “we are coming to a cafe and ordering water”. We were there to enjoy discussion and friendship, not needing anything more.  It was a big eye opener. These simple ways of living were forever impressioned on my young mind and have helped to sculpt me in many, many ways. Great life lessons.

Back then, traveling was done by TGV in economy and hotels were out of the question.  Think “hostel”. It was fantastic. These days I am (luckily) not gracing the hostels of Europe. I cherish things like hot showers, privacy, clean sheets and a rental car (although I do still LOVE going places by train). This year we are staying at one of the most beautiful hotels in Paris. Paris is a city, like any metropolitan city, of contrast.  I just find it more so due to the incredible history and age. Many hotels are modern in design, but I can never get enough of classic french style. This hotel, Le Meurice, is the epitome of classicism.

Carrera marble, so beautiful. Lately, it is my stone of choice.

French blue, a favorite color for over 15 years now.

This is Le Meurice, the restaurant. On the menu this month, appetizer of STUFFED CABBAGE WITH DUCK FOIE GRAS AND TRUFFLES. At only 95 € per person, it better be good (then again, this is Paris. I honestly almost passed out the first time I saw the prices in grands restaurants.) This sounds incredible, SAUTÉED BLUE LOBSTER WITH CHAMPAGNE 145 €
“Camus” artichokes and spinach ravioli, Pincers served after with a light soufflé.

The decor is really amazing. It was accomplished under the direction of Phillipe Starck.

My idea of a room with a view.

I will keep you posted on plans for market and all that fun stuff! I would love your suggestions on markets, restaurants and the like!

xxj

Amazing HauteHome interview with Carolyn Quartermaine

Dear HH readers, do I have a treat for you!  Carolyn has been very generous and given me an interview for your reading pleasure.

You all know by now how much I admire her work, so you can imagine, this is very exciting for me .

Carolyn is an amazingly talented and accomplished artist and designer.  Even in the elite design world, few can say they have worked with luxury design powerhouses like Hermès and Louis Vuitton. She has been featured in countless magazines and was Maison et Objets Designer of the year 2008.  Carolyn Quartermaine is the epitome of style and grace.  I love the following images featured in a personal favorite , Côté sud France:

Jaclyn: Where did you grow up?
Carolyn: In England..I was born in Cheltenham in a beautiful Regency house, then we moved to the Forest of Dean, in fact my parents moved almost every year.. then France, the Holland and then back to England when I was 17..just in time to get a place on a Foundation course at the local art school.

Jaclyn: Was it your dream as a child to become an artist and designer?
Carolyn: I loved painting and creating..I’m an only child and we moved to a new place each year so of course the world one created within is the only stable point..I don’t think anyone even knew the word design unless you wanted to become a fashion designer……… artist was the word ..

Jaclyn: What inspired you to begin working with french script in the 80s?
Carolyn: I’d discovered some 17th C texts and fell immediately in love with their graphic quality ..I began to use them a lot in my collages ..back then I was showing my work in art galleries…
Jaclyn: Where do you love to visit?
Carolyn: I’m happy anwhere..I always find something interesting..its all about the mood and the discovery each day.

Jaclyn: What are some things you love that define your style?
Carolyn: This is harder from the inside to decipher ….I’m always drawn to chairs.. to flowers.. to colour ..to the sea ..For me the script ..but very much the splash, the mistake , the marks of paint …. the history of a piece.

Jaclyn: What are your plans for 2011?
Carolyn: To spend more time doing what I truly love ..which is paint.

Jaclyn: Is there a designer that inspires you?
Carolyn:…………….painters…Cy Twombly… Cocteau..Bonnard ..Picasso…

Jaclyn: Can you give us a peek of some things you are working on or have recently finished?
Carolyn: ..will revert back
Jaclyn: Your work at Chateau Beloeil is stunning. What is your favorite project you have ever worked on?Carolyn: Thank you so much ……… favourite project… working with the Japanese  small team at RAM in Tokyo..absolute pure delight… their level of care, diligence, understanding of every detail…..

Jaclyn: Words to live by?
Carolyn: Be kind  and thoughtful……..Cx

I am inspired by this talented artist who is incredibly successful, gracious, thoughtful and kind.