Decor Arts Now

NEW AND NOW: For the Horsey Set

In New Products and Trends on January 31, 2012 at 1:00 am

Queen Elizabeth

By Lynn Byrne. The whole equestrian thing has caught my attention. What with reading the fascinating book, Elizabeth the Queen, by Sally Bedell Smith (the Queen is an accomplished rider and breeder), and obsessively watching Downton Abbey, I am ready to learn to ride, preferably on someone’s large country estate. With staff. And black tie dinners. I would be a lovely, witty house guest, promise.

Seems I am not alone in my day dreams.

Fabric company Duralee’s Highland Court division just introduced a new “life style” trimmings line, called Sarasota Spring, designed to evoke the ”country life.” The images they sent along in an email fit my mood perfectly.

So if you want to capture some of that “landed gentry” feel in your own estate, you know just where to turn. Seriously, it is not always easy to find a “masculine” trim, and these fit the bill. They would look great in a library, gentleman’s bedroom or office.

Fox hunting anyone?

Mary from Downton Abbey.

The Queen riding sidesaddle, circa 1963

Photo credits: 1. Elizabeth, the Queen 2.-5. Duralee 6. Downton Abbey 7. Daily Mail 8. via Design Chic 9.Clarks’ ad 10.. unknown

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Inspired Use of Vintage Finds and the Power of Paint.

In Uncategorized on January 30, 2012 at 1:00 am

By Lynn Byrne. I LOVED the town house featured in the New York Times’s home section last Thursday. Trend-wise, it fits right into the whole “undecorated” look, touted by Dwell Studio founder, Christiane Lemieux. Plus, the design firm Nightwood used paint and vintage finds so effectively, that I headed right over to their website to see what else they were up to.

I have to share my favorites.

In the photo above, the bottom mirror is old, but the designers made the top mirror and faked age with paint. The ladder is a perfect way to draw attention to the high ceilings.
When found, the coffee table originally had a laminate top that the designers swapped out for marble. Smart. I also like how each stool underneath the coffee table is upholstered in a different fabric.

Clever how a vintage bar cart was converted into a desk.

That pattern on the wall is not light shining through a window. It’s simply painted to look that way. So cool.

Take a peek at this kitchen. Ya, it’s tiny, but I am drooling over that sink and the juxtaposition of the modern, angular art. Digging the copper pendant and forest green wall color too.

More compelling art, objects and furniture, but that black band on the fireplace is genius.

In additional to decorating, Nightwood also has a shop in Brooklyn where they sell repurposed vintage finds, art and objects and custom pieces. Check out how they revamped this dresser.

Super cute upholstery on these interesting circle chairs.

This desk lamp is an example of one of their custom pieces.

Geometric art currently available at the store.

Be sure to click over both to their website and to the NYTime’s article to see more. Locals can visit their shop in Wiliamsburg, Brooklyn.

Photo credits: First 4 pictures from the NYTimes. Reminder from the Nightwood website.

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Wallpaper Wonders and Other Curiosities at the 2012 Winter Antiques Show

By Lynn Byrne. After this week’s revelations about my house, there can be no doubt that I am obsessed with wallpaper.

So there should be no surprise that my favorite booth at this year’s Winter Antiques Show is the one held by Carolle Thibaut-Pomerantz. It is filled with gorgeous wallpaper–most of which looked like papers that are illustrated in her book Wallpaper. How fun to see them in person.

That is why I go to shows like the Winter Antiques Show. I like to see the best of the best. Goodness knows I can’t afford to buy anything!

For example, the heart of the country girl in me quickened when I saw this pie safe. I have always wanted one and this was perfect, except for one detail. It costs $38,000!

Still, having seen it, I will better recognize the best that I can afford. I will be scouting oversized letters and numbers at the flea markets too–that 2 cents sign is super cute.

Sometimes I feel like I have stumbled on what must have inspired the works of other designers. Don’t these c.1950 stoneware vases by Royal Copenhagen just scream Jonathan Adler?

Plus, there’s always the possibility that you will get the ultimate in design-obsessed thrills. At this show, dealer Liz O’Brien has a slipper chair by Billy Baldwin in the exact upholstery shown on the cover of his collectible book Billy Baldwin Decorates. Yep, seeing that is how people like me get their jollies.