Castle Inspiration, Loire Valley’s Chenonceau

Nicknamed “Chateau de femmes” for the succession of the 6 French noblewomen who lived there, Chenonceau is a beautiful example of collaborated design through the centuries. It has been loving restored several times over the past 500 years, making it a magical place to experience. I love the history of the intelligence, beauty and taste of the 6 women that made Chenonceau what it is today. For me, it is a testament that great design is timeless.

I have always been in love with this classic floor design. The walls in here are amazing.

Monogramming, still popular 5 centuries later… Here is the famous monogram of mistress Diane de Poitiers initials interlaced with King Henry II and later changed to represent Henry II’s wife Queen Catherine de Medici’s initials after Henry’s death and Catherine reclamation of Chenonceau. This is the floor but it is represented in several places.

ji

I love the use of open shelving in the kitchen.

Absolutely gorgeous handpainted floor tiles that have worn off except for around the edges of the room.

Timeless. Classic. There are certain design elements that will also be au current..

More Favorite Things

Looking through my photo files from recent projects, I want to share with you some favorite things. There are so many but here’s a glimpse..

 

Currey and Co

Aidan Gray

Cyan Design

Gabby  Home

Century

BBerger Fabrics

Duralee Fabrics

Dash and Albert Rugs

Ralph Lauren Fabrics

Arteriors

Art Classics, Ltd

Caracole 

Best Slipcover Company

E Lawrence Ltd Books

Coloring in the Rain..

I love Versailles. Whenever we go to Paris, we always make sure to stay a couple nights in Versailles. I can’t resist the gardens and parks outside of the chateau. We love to stay in The Trianon Palace and always reserve a park view room. It is incredibly pastoral with animals peacefully grazing in the field below. bjbj

This past trip, the weather did not quite cooperate. We had many rainy days (and went through 4 umbrellas). Rain could not keep us from doing everything we wanted to do, but walking under an umbrella for hours at a time gives you a different perspective. What stood out to me the most were doors, shutters, walls and of course everything in beautiful full bloom.

I love this color of blue. It’s a gorgeous muted turquoise, very close to Farrow and Ball’s Blue Ground.

Although yellow is not my favorite color, I love this creamy, buttered shade. Very much like Benjamin Moore’s Soleil.

Many walls are this sort of peach-yellow-cream shade that I would use Farrow and Ball’s Pink Ground, Farrow’s Cream and Dorset Cream  in a layered effect to achieve this. This blue door is a very popular color, so rich. It is close to Farrow and Ball’s Drawing Room Blue.

In love with color, contrast and simple beauty,  as always.

je

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