{GHP} Randy Boyd of Thurston / Boyd Design, revisited

26 Wednesday Feb 2014

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Designer, House and Home

Tags

Three years ago I first declared my love of a Laguna Beach cottage, owned by designer Randy Boyd. The home had appeared in an issue of Cottage Living Magazine and from the name of the cottage, “Ocean Peek”, to the details of the home, it was love at first sight. You can read my previous post HERE. I had been blogging for about 18 months and this post made my year since Randy Boyd and his sister both commented on my post.

Traditional Living Room by Laguna Beach Interior Designers & Decorators Thurston/Boyd Interior Design, Inc.

Randy Boyd’s dining room (below) is one of my favorite rooms of all time. The chandelier, oil painting and wall sconces are stunning. The wide bead board ceiling and walls provide such a warm and welcoming feeling to the room. Brown and white toile with nail heads seal the deal for me. I never grow tired of looking at images of this home.

Traditional Dining Room by Laguna Beach Interior Designers & Decorators Thurston/Boyd Interior Design, Inc.

Traditional Living Room by Laguna Beach Interior Designers & Decorators Thurston/Boyd Interior Design, Inc.

Traditional Hall by Laguna Beach Interior Designers & Decorators Thurston/Boyd Interior Design, Inc.

Traditional Powder Room by Laguna Beach Interior Designers & Decorators Thurston/Boyd Interior Design, Inc.

As it turns out it wasn’t just the home, it was Randy Boyd’s design work that I so admired. The images above provide a glimpse of his residence, but as you’ll see, Thurston / Boyd design work is noteworthy, no matter what the style or where the home may be located. In fact, Thurston / Boyd Interior Design, provides the services and expertise most of us would expect from a designer but its the focus on the individual clients’ “needs and lifestyles” that earn them the accolades and following that they enjoy.

Here’s some of the magic they perform on other homes…

Garden, Home and Party: Thurston / Boyd, revisited

Garden, Home and Party: Randy Boyd Design, revisited

Happy Wednesday! Enjoy the rest of your week.

{Home} An honest reflection, mirrors; and a giveaway

22 Wednesday Jan 2014

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Collections & Accessories, Decorating, House and Home

≈ 56 Comments

Tags

mirrors

This isn’t my first post about mirrors, I really like the beauty they add to a room, large or small, mirrors and the frames around them are always lovely. In many instances they do double duty with the size enhancing of a room they offer.

{unknown}

But it wasn’t until I read my blog friend, Victoria’s {Restoring our 1890 Victorian} post about her “kingdom” mirror that I saw the impressive benefit a really big mirror adds to a room. This post is for you, Victoria. Just look at these mirrors, aren’t they fabulous?

{Restoring our 1890 Victorian ~ Kingdom Mirror}

A trumeau mirror is the ideal combination of art and reflection…here’s a DIY if you’re crafty and would like to try your hand at making your own. I would love to find an antique but I hear they are cost prohibitive. {Maybe Victoria can find one for me on Craigslist} Since it’s the search that I love I will continue to see if I can stumble upon a steal someplace.

A shelf with a mirror behind doubles your collections, right?

{New England Home}

Is this a great mirror? I love the black paint on the wall, contrasting with a white framed mirror, tub and walls.

{Roses and Rust}

I am especially drawn to mirrors that have lost some of their reflection by aging. There’s something almost magical for me in mirrors that have aged this way.

{via}

This room is so light-filled and simple…the mirror adds light and the feeling of space, don’t you think? The clock is a favorite too.

{via}

Ah, the patina of the mirrors and candle sticks…yes, please.

This vanity mirror is being put to good use…it looks so nice with the mirrored vanity and trash container (under the vanity). In the reflection of the mirror you can see a diverging mirror.

{tumblr}

The mirror below was once a door…I think this is such a great idea.

{via}

This looks like something out of Versailles.

Do you have a favorite mirror? So on to the fun part, a present to one lucky reader…

My birthday is January 27th and I want to host my first giveaway. I’ve thought long and hard about just what I’d like to give to one lucky reader.

I lean toward English country / traditional design, but there’s always been a hint of French country influence in my decorating. Charles Faudree, who lost his battle with cancer this past November, was master of combining the two seamlessly.

A few years ago I was introduced to Carolyn Westbrook, “The French Inspired Home” through a blog site that loves all things French. {This is where I would install a link if I could remember which blog site it was…apologies}. So when I learned, a little late, of Westbrook’s newest book, Through the French Door: Romantic Interiors Inspired by Classic French Style, I thought it would be fun to offer a giveaway to my readers who may not know of her talents and would love to be inspired by her work.

To enter, simply leave a comment. I will randomly select a winner and announce it in my post on Wednesday, January 29th.

Happy Wednesday. I hope your week is going well.

{Home} Rooms that enjoy a neutral palette

04 Wednesday Dec 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Collections & Accessories, Decorating, Designer

≈ 26 Comments

Tags

Henhurst Interiors, neutral rooms, Tone on Tone Antiques

John Saladino ~ Pinterest

Since we’re traveling high speed towards Christmas, where more of everything is the norm, I thought I’d provide some calming images of rooms that are spectacular in their neutral color palette and prove less (color), is more.

I think I’ve mentioned in previous posts that sometimes the beauty that tempts most of us online can cause me us to loose focus on my our personal style preference. I save images that, in my opinion, have the ‘wow-factor’ and I’ll occasionally go through these files to tidy up a bit.

What struck me during this most recent housekeeping session was the preponderance of rooms that have a neutral color palette. Small touches of color seem to stand out when you have the calm of neutral walls and upholstered pieces. I clearly adore these rooms, maybe in part because my own home isn’t dressed that way. I found so many striking examples I decided I ~~needed~~ wanted to do a post on the topic.

There are examples every where you look, simple rooms, often adorned only in natural woods, shades of cream or white paint and perhaps an accessory or two that beautifully completes the room. No fuss, no muss.

South Shore Decorating Blog

South Shore Decorating Blog

I regularly visit 2 blogs that have mastered this style of design. Loi of Tone on Tone shares the most amazing rooms with his readers. Sometimes its his home, sometimes he features rooms he’s designed for clients. The talented styling doesn’t stop with his residence. He owns an antiques store that displays the European furniture found on his buying trips. I love the styling and the furnishings and wish he would sign a book deal so I could enjoy studying the details of each and every space he’s created. Rizzoli, are you listening?

Tone on Tone

The other blog site I find a generous helping of neutral in is Henhurst Interiors. As a designer, Phyllis’ blog regularly features homes that exemplify the Swedish style. She has a talent for streamlining the design aesthetic of a room while still making it so inviting and welcoming. Her own home is one of my favorites.

Henhurst Interiors

One of my close friends, Glenys, has recently moved into a beautiful home she and her husband built. The interior of her spacious home is a wonderful example of the ideal: Neutral colors and plenty of warmth. I always marvel at how she manages to provide such inviting rooms without over saturation of any color. It’s the perfect calm for this busy world.

A home featured over at Joni’s fabulous site Cote de Texas also reminded me of the beauty of neutrality. This home is amazing, if you have time you might want to hit the link and check it out. Ginger Barber did the interior design work of what Joni calls, An American Farmhouse.

Cote de Texas

I’ve always admired the living room of Randy Weeks, of Aidan Gray Home.

I’m not going to ask you to choose, I love both neutrals and some amount of color, but it is something to think about…could you live with less color/more color?

There’s no right or wrong answer, its your style preference, what feels like home to you personally, but it is fun to find myself drawn to both almost equally.

{GHP} Timothy Corrigan book signing

20 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Architectural elements, Designer, House and Home

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

Timothy Corrigan designs

I had the good fortune of attending a book signing party held at my local Pottery Barn last week for the talented Timothy Corrigan. His new book chronicles the restoration of his French Château du Grand-Lucé, located in the Loire Valley, just outside Paris.

Those of you who are kind enough to read my posts will know that I’m not necessarily drawn to château living, I typically prefer smaller spaces, more cottage than castle. I’m drawn to Timothy Corrigan designs in part because his core philosophy in design is basic to comfort and livability where rooms are concerned.

Even the most beautifully decorated room is not a total success unless you, your family and your guests feel that they can really live and use the room. A well-designed room is one that is both comfortable and elegant. – Timothy Corrigan

As I read a bit about him prior to the book signing I wondered if being raised in California might have something to do with his determination to create rooms that are comfortable. His early profession as an advertising executive took him to Paris, and other regions of the world, where he decorated his apartment. After seeing his work a friend asked him to design his apartment and a new career was born.

For a video tour of his apartment visit HERE

In his interview in November of 2010 with Diane Dorrans Seaks of Architectural Digest he addresses his view on comfort and practicality. While most of us strive for those two essentials, it’s easy to miss the mark sometimes. We all get caught making design decisions that are more about form than function. Mr. Corrigan believes you can have both, and proves it in the rooms he puts his stamp on.

The gardens of his château were another draw. The formal design is breathtaking in the photographs shown in the book. Part of his agreement with the French government when buying the historic chateau was that he would open the grounds to visitors 6 days a week. A tour will be high on my list my next visit.

Photo by Eric Piasecki via Tiimothy Corrigan Blog

{via Architectural Digest}

The book shares details of the work involved in the restoration of this historic landmark. For its size it is such a warm, inviting and livable country home. The initial major restoration took approximately 5 years and Timothy says it’s a work in progress—aren’t all homes?!

In a October 5, 2013 Los Angeles Times article by David A. Keeps on the book, Corrigan explained some of his decorating ideas, “If you want people to feel that a room is bright and light, use yellow, not white, as people often think…your eye unconsciously translates yellow as sunlight.”

Corrigan talked about choosing linen for the upholstery and unfussy curtains to keep the room feeling less formal. He also used sea grass carpeting, he explained that it’s softer on the feet and it brought a “more casual California feel” which translates to relaxed comfort. Oh, and the stools are from Pottery Barn—I love this man.

Garden, Home and Party: Timothy Corrigan

The Château is 45,000 square feet sitting on 80 manicured acres. {Maybe that’s why I might be intimidated by a castle}

Timothy Corrigan’s Los Angeles home, as featured in Architectural Digest [April 2012] is more appealing to me. Have a look.

Like his Château, the grounds are lovely in the Los Angeles home…

It was such a pleasure briefly meeting Timothy Corrigan, the take away for me was that this is a designer that is so engaging and fun. His high energy and genuine enthusiasm is contagious. I hope you enjoyed this brief tour of some of his work. His book is really lovely and would make a great gift for a Francophile (Christmas is around the corner). Do you like château living or prefer the comfort of something a little more modest in size? 😀

{GHP} Vintage essentials, typewriters, cameras…etc.

04 Wednesday Sep 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Collections & Accessories

≈ 25 Comments

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vintage essentials

This post is dedicated to our oldest son, Kyle, our daughter-in-law, Jamie and our other daughter-in-law, Sarah…Happy Birthday all! It’s like Christmas in September for our family {September 1, 2, and 4}. ♥

What is it about old things for some of us?

Is it the history and/or story we conjure up in our imaginations? As far back as I can remember I have always liked vintage items. Sometimes the piece is something not made any more and that extra bit of rust feels like well-earned signs of survival to me.

I don’t have one of these (above) anymore, but I hear there is a resurgence of their use and as a result there are shops that service them. The older ones are popular when used as display, the lovely black keys and upright design is classic.

I confess, I love the ease of using a computer to compose letters or documents, but the appeal of an old typewriter stays with me.

We were given some old binoculars when my father-in-law passed away. He always maintained all of his essentials. The black leather binocular case is in excellent shape and the glasses themselves still work well. Yes, there are cool, high powered, compact and slick versions on the market, but there is something so dear to me about reusing something a family member treasured.

The small opera glasses, a gift from a friend of my mother’s, next to my father-in-laws case, are also treasured for their vintage look and the aging brass and black detailing.

Cameras, don’t get me started, digital is way better. That said, the 8mm movie camera used to document my childhood vacations and birthdays still conjures up lovely memories. Our oldest son keeps that camera on display in his office. *At this point, I’d like to point out how fortunate I feel by the fact that both of our sons and both daughters-in-law, have an abiding appreciation for antiques and family treasures.

You have to admit, while way too bulky for today’s streamlined style, some of the old cameras are so fascinating, with their extra dials, cranks and lenses.

So, to wrap up my wanderings down memory lane, I come to music. An essential to me. Does anyone remember this?

I loved my Sony Walkman. Now I use this, in fact this is an all-in-one essential for many of us.

I try to look forward, after all, that is the direction I’m headed, but I confess, sometimes it’s fun to stop and remember some of the past essentials, don’t you agree?

Do you have an essential you wish they still manufactured?

Perfect timing for my topic…Leslie over at Around the Table is offering a giveaway of a special candle made by a company called Glassybaby. (Candles are so classic and even though I wouldn’t give up electricity, there is a special light given off by candles) Drop by Around the Table and enter to win. You’ll love Leslie’s site, it always inspires me and she takes us on some of the best tours of Washington state.

I’m joining RJ over at Art@Home for her Happy Party and Savvy Southern Style for her Wow us Wednesdays with this post. Stop by for a visit.

Image sources: 1. tumblr 2/9,10. tumblr 3-5; 11, 12. tumblr 6. Bethany House/foyer 7. Beach Chic via Design Chic 8. tumblr 13. tumblr 14. tumblr 15. Patrick Ahearn Architect

As most of you know, summer isn’t my favorite season, it’s not even my second favorite. I’ve been fortunate this summer to experience cooler than usual summer weather for the most part and for that I am thankful. Typically, by the end of August I’m over sleeveless blouses and capri pants, and ready for a light weight sweater, jeans and even boots! So to avoid whining through most of September, when a hot, windy Santa Ana is blowing through, I’m taking a vacation. I’ll see you September 25 with my focus on AUTUMN…one of my favorite seasons. Back-to-school, the occasional crisp day, a casserole in the oven and maybe a fire in the fireplace, if I’m lucky.

Karen

{GHP} Happy Bastille Day

10 Wednesday Jul 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Bastille Day, Decorating, House and Home

≈ 17 Comments

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Bastille Day - July 14

{Painting ~ Jacques Louis David, 1812}

I realize I’m taking liberties here, Napoleon may have been inspired by the storming of the Bastille, but he wasn’t exactly involved, but this painting is so fabulous and it certainly says “French” like little else. Besides I’m using this historic French holiday to share totally frivolous images of beautiful French rooms, gardens and anything else that strikes my fancy.

Bastille Day, the French national holiday, commemorates the storming of the Bastille, which took place on 14 July 1789 and marked the beginning of the French Revolution. The Bastille was a prison and a symbol of the absolute and arbitrary power of Louis the 16th’s Ancient Regime. By capturing this symbol, the people signaled that the king’s power was no longer absolute: power should be based on the Nation and be limited by a separation of powers.”
http://french.about.com/od/culture/a/bastille-day.htm

There are so many things about French culture that hold appeal. But for me, none quite like the influence on home decor. Since that is a favorite topic of mine, I’m here to share with you some images I’ve found that, for me, are symbolic of the ultimate French comfort and style.

One of my favorite French-inspired contributions is toile…

{Charles Faudree}

{Jane Moore}

{Home Bunch}

{Country Living}

Aiden Gray, below, incorporates a couple design styles but the room has the relaxed comfort of a French country home.

{Jane Moore}

{Splendid Sass}

{Vintage by Nina Uslow}

{Susanne Kasler}

Sprinkle a little French goodness in your day.

For all of my non-Francophile friends, July 14th is Bastille Day.

I’m home from Austin. I hope to have some pictures for you of the new house our son and family are tackling. It was built in 1971 (Barton Hills) and they will have work ahead of them, but it holds promise and has a killer view of Austin.

{GHP} My Best Find Ever

09 Tuesday Apr 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Collections & Accessories, House and Home

≈ 26 Comments

Tags

collections

When Victoria, over at Restoring our 1890 Victorian, invited me to play lead guitar for her Linky party, I was thrilled. Victoria will be Lead Singer and Danielle of Storypiece will be on drums. 😀 Playing with blog friends is so much fun. Then reality set in, what was my favorite find?! I’ve always loved scouring flea markets, antique stores, and thrift stores for treasures. Since I’m now more mature (read: older) I have amassed a lot of good stuff from these excursions. So what would win the beauty contest as the best thing I’ve ever found?

I thought and debated with myself…I had recently done a post on homes becoming the scrapbook of your life and figured I could use that post to link my finds. Then I decided to work on my creativity, “let’s not become lazy where your blog is concerned, Karen!” and I came up with a recurring theme with my inventory of “treasures”…TRAYS, specifically silver trays, but pretty much any tray that strikes my fancy. Trays have always been a draw for me, as evidenced in my two previous posts on the topic HERE & HERE.

I have been given a couple of trays by family members and a particular favorite tray came from a friend (she found it for me on one of her excursions)…but most of my stash comes from bumping into the odd tray at consignment, antique or thrift stores, the prices have one thing in common, they have been rock bottom for all of the useful benefits they can provide the willing owner (moi).

Both the tray above and below belonged to my mother-in-law. I was honored when she gave them to me a few years before she passed away.

This tray (below) is hammered silver and coincidentally has a B monogram, our last name starts with a B. Our friends know us well…we love this tray!

I bought the larger tray at a flea market last year, but the tray in front is a trophy tray I purchased in 1999 in Oxford, England. Such a find, and a great reminder of the fun we had as a family while visiting England during Christmas.

This Sheffield tray came from a favorite antique store in San Clemente, Stanford Court. It was cheap because it was missing a foot {I love footed trays} but a visit to Normandy Metal Finishers remedied that for me for only about the price I paid for the tray. It remained a bargain…

I’m now using the tray in the reading room. It holds a couple of antique books, one of the little nests I’ve found in our yard, and an orchid.

This silver plate was found at a consignment store for $25. I love the detailing

Recently I stumbled upon this little, and I do mean tiny, tray. I couldn’t resist. Look at the detailing on this cutie…

Another recent find…wait, am I overboard on this collection? No, can’t be, one can never have too many trays, right?

There’s always a holy grail of trays I’m in search of, the impossible find, and this is it…

{source}

If you know where I can pick up one of these beauties for, oh say, $25 let me know!

Join me over at Victoria’s place…it should be fun finding out what surprise “find” Victoria recently acquired and some of the treasures other collectors have discovered.

Wait until you see what Victoria has to share! Visit Restoring our 1890 Victorian.

Wait there’s more…I’ve visiting Art@Home for her “My Happy List” party, and Savvy Southern Style for Wow us Wednesdays, Stop by.

{Home} The scrapbook of your life

13 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Collections & Accessories, Decorating, House and Home

≈ 24 Comments

Tags

accessories

For a home to hold great appeal and interest for me it has to have a personality. In fact, my friend Linda recently read a quote from a designer, “I like to surround myself with things I love because I feel that my home is like a scrapbook of my life”. This sums it up nicely. That is where the personality of a home comes in. When done well, a home reads like a scrapbook of where someone has been, their interests, their history and their pursuits.

{source}

I’ve ~~lectured~~ posted on this topic before {HERE and HERE}, but I think we’re currently in the midst of a design trend that embraces the use of reclaimed, recycled and antique (previously owned) pieces and I couldn’t be happier for it. For me personally, it’s the ideal way to go ‘green’.

{source}

Some of the treasures we love to accessorize with have gotten pricey, even when you can find it on eBay, but if you’re lucky, you have a few items handed down through family. Those are my favorites, although I’m not opposed to adding to the collection by a decade long search of each antique shop or thrift store I encounter on vacations.

Notice the wallpaper (below)…it looks to be antique newsprint, and that mirror, I can only imagine those that stole a glance at themselves as they passed it in a hallway or bedroom!

{source}

My father-in-law left us his binoculars in their original black leather case, the smaller pair were from a friend of my mother’s. All rest on the antique French coat rack in our hallway…at the ready for bird watching {joke}.

I believe furniture made from reclaimed woods can be found for reasonable prices, but I’ve seen some that out pace an antique, pricing wise.

{I think the above image is Restoration Hardware, but the antique prints make the wall sconces, mirrors, hanging light and vanity all look vintage or antique}

{Amy Howard via Cote de Texas}

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{tumblr

A closing post of a much loved blog site, Henhurst Interiors, 2.7.13 featured this quote “People who collect out of love are exempt from the dictates that govern traditional design, for there are no rules for true lovers.” – Rose Tarlow in The Private House ♥ Phyllis, we’ll miss you, I hope you will return to your blog sometime in the not too distant future.

{Garden, Home and Party} They say it’s your birthday

27 Sunday Jan 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Collections & Accessories, Decorating, Gardening, House and Home, Misc, Outdoor living

≈ 33 Comments

Tags

birthdays

Since today is my birthday (me and Mozart) I’m going to share a few of my favorite images. I apologize in advance if you’ve seen these a million times before but they continue to be favorites and I can’t bring myself to delete them. They all bring an immediate smile to my face, hope you will enjoy one or two of them as well.

{1.}

{2.}

{3.}

{4.}

{5.}

~I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend~

{6.}

{7.}

{8.}

{9.}

{10.}

{11.}

The image below is on my wish list…I would like this breakfast nook to be built for my birthday, please.

{12.}

Thank you for taking time out of your busy week to read my posts, and many times, you comment, I love that! I count you all as blog friends and appreciate your interest in my ramblings. Many of you are bloggers yourselves and your sites bring me joy and oftentimes provide inspiration and valuable information/education on topics I know little about, thank you!

1, 2. 10. The Enchanted Home; 3. Things that Inspire; 4. My Notting Hill; 5. Haus Design; 6. House Beautiful; 7. Inspired Design; 8. Traditional Home; 9. Phoebe Howard; 11. Tumblr-That Inspirational Girl; 12. Velvet & Linen; 13. Tumblr-A Gift Wrapped Life.

{Home} Your library book is due

17 Thursday Jan 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Collections & Accessories, Decorating, House and Home, Uncategorized

≈ 16 Comments

Tags

books, library

{Art at Home}

{our home library}

I’ve never been able to put my finger on it but there’s something magical about books for me. I find book stores and libraries to be very relaxing and can loose track of time when I visit. Does this happen to you?

{Content in a Cottage}

{Cote De Texas}

The odd thing is, I have never been a voracious reader. I do love to read and I thoroughly enjoy my design and cook books (no surprise there) but overall I’m not one to read more than a book a month.

{Pure Style}

{Connoisseur}

{Haus Design}

Still, there is something very pleasing about a vintage or antique book. The look can always add something to a vignette in my home. I’ve purchased a few leather bound books that I found at various antique stores and they are my favorites for accents on a table or tray. I love an old cloth bound book as well.

In fact, I recently went to our Friends of the Library (an in-library used book store), and found a book from 1902 named, “Bonnie Prince Charlie” and inside the cover was the name Emma Albrecht…Albrecht was my maiden name. I had to have it!

I’ve always thought I would like a room with ceiling to floor books and room enough for 2 large wing-back chairs and an ottoman with a nice table between. A cozy throw on the back of the chair to fend off a draft and since I’m dreaming, a wonderful fireplace.

{tumblr – WASPing through the Countryside}

{tumblr – Dying of Cute}

{Belgian Pearls}

I have friends whose homes are free of books on display, some of them avid readers and learned people, so I understand it’s a preference (to be surrounded by books, or not).

{Atlanta Homes}