We’re nearing the final stretch at the Lorimer Project! Click here to see parts I and II. The challenge was to turn a nondescript white shell of a condo into a place that would reflect my client’s style: colorful, creative, and bohemian. She wanted a chic, unfussy, but collected look. We started by layering rich patterns and textures, then we combined rustic, age-worn, and hand-crafted items with polished, refined pieces. The design plan for the main room. In the main room, we chose a white-washed wood paneled wallpaper which immediately added warmth and interest. Our custom-designed kilim loveseat, with its bold colors and patterns, is balanced by a pair of laid-back leather and velvet armchairs. The Beni Ourain-inspired area rug is layered with a super soft faux sheepskin. Finally we interspersed metallic accents, like a vintage brass arc lamp and copper pendant lights, to give the room a touch of glamour. To integrate the loveseat’s bright color palette into the dining area, we found a funky boucherouite rug with bands of pink, orange, blue, and …
Forget Oprah, deep dish pizza, and the Cubs. Chicago is all about architectural salvage. When buildings are dismantled or renovated, architectural artifacts– like corbels, doors and fireplace mantels– are often removed in tact and sold to salvage shops. These upcycled gems can be incorporated into remodels and new constructions or restorations of historic structures. It’s no surprise that a city like Chicago, with world class architecture, would also have outstanding architectural salvage. So when I took a recent trip to Chicago, I made sure to visit the top rated salvage stores in the city. Architectural Artifacts, 4325 N. Ravenswood, is housed in a remarkable 80,000-square-foot showroom. The inventory is vast and eclectic; they carry everything from theater seats to gargoyles, religious artifacts to neon signs. Architectural Artifacts is an incredible resource for one-of-a-kind items and special statement pieces. My favorite finds included a 19th-century blue and white Delft tile mosaic, which depicts Frans Hals’ Married Couple in a Garden, and a gorgeous French art deco wet bar …
It’s that time of year again– Brimfield Antique Show is in full swing! I spent yesterday trawling the market, searching for one-of-a-kind pieces for my clients; I did end up finding a cute vintage side table and brass vanity stool for one of my clients in Brooklyn. I will post photos as soon as I get the pieces to her space! But in the meantime, I wanted to share a few highlights from the rest of the show. This year’s selection was much more enticing than last year’s. Brimfield runs through May 17th, so be sure to check it out if you’re in New England! A bevy of Gustavian Mora clocks. Left: stone ram head wall hanging. Right: A signed Lee Reynolds mid-century painting of the Brooklyn Bridge and New York skyline. Papier–mâché animals and wall hangings. A vignette of retro mid-century clocks and industrial light fixtures. Moroccan rugs and throw pillows paired with a mid-century pendant light! Love these chairs! They would make a killer dining room set! For …
I just returned home from a long weekend on Nantucket for Thanksgiving. Even though I grew up in Boston, I had somehow never been to Nantucket before this trip! The island is full of traditional Cape Cod-style houses: low, symmetrical cottages with weathered shingles or wood clapboard siding. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Nantucket prospered inordinately as the hub of the whaling industry; but by the mid-19th century, whaling was in decline and a large fire destroyed most of the island’s earliest buildings. Jethro Coffin’s house, known in typical straightforward New England style as the “Oldest House,” is Nantucket’s oldest house still standing in its original spot and one of the few structures to have survived the devastating fire. Built in 1686, this saltbox house features a distinctive horseshoe design on its central chimney. I spent several days poking around the little shops in Nantucket Center. As it turns out, Nantucket has a notable retail history; R.H. Macy, founder of Macy’s department store, was born on …
I have been reading a lot about ancient furniture lately, and it’s fascinating to trace iconic furniture designs to their roots in antiquity. Take for example the klismos chair, an Ancient Greek design circa the mid-fifth century BC. The klismos has a concave upper backrest and tapered legs that curve outwards. The seat was usually woven leather or some other cording, upon which sat a cushion or animal pelt. Our knowledge about klismoi has mostly been gleaned from depictions in carvings and other artwork. Depictions of klismoi in antiquity. Source: House Appeal. The klismos fell out of style during the Hellenistic period, in part due to a design flaw: without the support of stretchers, the outward curving legs eventually splay too far and break. Nevertheless European Neoclassicism returned the klismos to favor. Painter Jacques Louis-David commissioned klismoi as set props for his historical paintings. British-born Neoclassicist Benjamin Henry Latrobe helped insinuate this chair into American culture. Latrobe built a set of klismos chairs– with reinforcing stretchers– for the White …
Brimfield Antique Show, a world-renowned outdoor flea market, has been held triannually since 1950. They offer everything from architectural salvage to collectibles, fine antiques to kitschy classics, mid-century modern to industrial chic. For me, Brimfield is usually an exercise in restraint because I want to buy everything, but I was a bit disappointed by the selection this July. Nevertheless, here is a little peak at Brimfield’s wide variety of wares. A smattering of glove mannequins waiting for high-fives. An action figure injection mold– now I kind of wish I had bought this! An industrial lamp fit for an atomic laboratory. Alphabet soup. A fish and tackle booth. An antique octagonal cabinet. A bright azure Bengal stove. I definitely wouldn’t want to fly in a plane that says “EXPERIMENTAL” on the door… A beautiful set of teak rope seat mid-century dining chairs. The last Brimfield show for the year will be held September 2-7. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and pack some sunblock!
I was strolling through Cambridge Antique Market last Saturday, and this handsome devil caught my eye: When I got closer, I realized that it was a painting on velvet of George Washington, modeled on Gilbert Stuart’s famous portrait. It is roughly 6-ft tall. The painting has gorgeous craquelure, but it is still in excellent condition. The velvet is plush, and the color palette is rich; the subtle play of greys and blacks is still apparent. The dealer said he bought the piece at an auction, and unfortunately he lost all the information about its provenance. All he could tell me was that the painting is Victorian. Here is what George looked like when I first spotted him hidden at the back of the booth: I think this is a stunning statement piece, and I can’t wait to find it the right home. Perhaps in a living room against a white brick wall. Or in a library with lacquered black built-in bookshelves. We will have to wait …
My Victorian settee is ready for its final reveal! The original piece was in a sad state, with lopsided springs and worn upholstery. I wanted to give the settee a fresh identity, so I chose an off-white fabric with embroidered black tufts. I love that this fabric is a bit irregular and freeform because it provides a nice contrast to the settee’s formal frame. Here is a close-up of the upholstery: Springs are much higher quality than foam padding, but they are also more expensive to replace. Luckily, loose and lopsided springs can often be repaired; they are simply retied in tight, orderly coils. One more reason to appreciate the excellent craftsmanship of antiques! This settee’s springs were able to be retied, and now it has an even, comfortable seat once again. The high contrast between the new off-white upholstery and the dark wood stain accentuates the frame’s intricate detail. I especially love the serpentine carving along the top edge of the frame back. I hope you all …
We all know guys like my recent clients: three bachelors who have been out of college for a number of years, but their apartment is still outfitted with broken Ikea furniture and family hand-me-downs. My clients had a very small budget for decor, but they knew it was time for an upgrade. So I gave them a quick and dirty living room overhaul. When I design on a budget, I like to outline general parameters for the room without setting my heart on anything too specific. In this case, I wanted to create a sophisticated, but unfussy space, filled with natural materials and vintage accents. My first purchase was a vintage leather couch on Craigslist for $400. I love the warm medium tone of the leather. We paired the couch with a grey loveseat, which we found at Target for $430. The tailored look of the loveseat is a nice balance to the informality of the leather couch, but the loveseat’s …