Linda's Dream Home: the Three-Season Porch

So, after a bit of a hiatus I'm back to working on my (virtual) dream house. I have spent some time working on the library, trying to figure out how to best lay out the shelving, but I took a break from that to focus on the three season sun porch, which is situated to the left of the front of the house, next to the driveway and the back patio area.

I found this picture on Pinterest (source unknown) and I realized it was exactly the layout and style of the porch that I had already started to design. I love the pale slate floors and rustic stone fireplace.

So, here is the staring point. I experimented with a color palette that is not very me but thought it would be fun to try something new. Only a small part of the porch is visible from the rest of the house, so I don't really have to worry about clashing. Since this fictitious house is located in Newburyport, MA, a center of 18th and 19th century shipping, I though a China Trade theme might be interesting.

Chinese red and pale blue, punctuated with blue and white pottery provides a cheery palette.

I would use sheer indoor/outdoor curtains for privacy and light control. The steel windows would have screens in the summer. Specific windows TBD.

The floors would have radiant heating and the fireplace would heat up the room nicely on cold New England days.

I like the idea of some kind of antique chest that would be fitted with a drinks refrigerator lie this one from sub zero. Continuing with the semi-nautical theme, I'm using the brass portholes that have been made into mirrors over the bar cabinet.

So, the beverages are taken care of. And the layout. But now that I see it all together, it's just not me. I think it's pretty and right for someone else though.

I don't feel the buzz. Do you know what the buzz is?

For me, this is pretty buzz-worthy:

If you'd like my help creating your buzz-worthy space, please be in touch!

 

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Not your Grannie's Wall-Stencils

I have to say that I am just loving Royal Design Studios' collection of wall stencils. Modern, budget friendly and completely customizable - the sky's the limit for color palette and application technique. Particularly notable is their tutorial for creating an Ikat fabric effect on the wall.

Readers of Lauren Liess' Pure Style Home blog will surely recognize the painter's drop cloth panel she hung in one of her son's rooms a couple of years ago. Using the Indian Paisley Wall Stencil, Lauren created a one of a kind fabric.

 

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A few nuggets of wisdom from Charlotte Moss

It'll come as no surprise when I report that Charlotte Moss attracted a large crowd at the Boston Design center yesterday. Everyone seemed very uplifted by her talk, which was centered around the theme of "Ageless Decoration".  She showcased the work of many design luminaries such as David Hicks, Albert Hadley, Axel Vervoordt and more. Okay, I admit, my note taking was sparse! There were women too, but a lot of men were showcased. However, the main takeaway was what these amazing designers had in common: they all lived, Lived, LIVED! Every aspect of their lives was dedicated to beauty and living a beautiful life. They were/are well dressed, well traveled, knew how to entertain and in all things, lived the fine life.

Here is a screen grab of my very few tweets. You can see the real one's here to access the links: https://twitter.com/Surroundings

Charlotte signing her book Charlotte Moss: A Visual Life: Scrapbooks, Collages, and Inspirations in the Century Furniture showroom.

Charlotte is famous for her passion for scrapbooking - her whole book above features some of her amazing collages. She collects images from literally everywhere and has volume after volume filled with her creations - sorted by color, theme, you name it. As she says, her glue stick is her best friend (or something like that).

One of her pieces for Century Furniture is the Tupelo Scrap Booking Table. I'd seen it online and it didn't really call out to me till I saw it in the showroom.

Gorgeous to look at and so functional. I want one!

Truly though, as Charlotte says, it's just decorating. One of the best things to love about Charlotte is her philanthropy. I found this article posted on her blog:

Living a fine life indeed.


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Thos. Moser Furniture Rocks!

The Boston Showroom of Thos. Moser, handcrafted furniture from Maine, will hold its inaugural Rock-a-Thon June 14-16 to benefit Boston Children’s Hospital.  The event kicks off with a reception from 5:30-9 pm Friday, June 14 featuring a silent auction and woodworking demonstration and continues throughout the weekend in their Showroom at 19 Arlington St.

Beginning with Friday's opening reception and continuing throughout the weekend, Warren Shaw, a Thos. Moser craftsman for more than 20 years, will demonstrate the fine art of building one of the company’s signature pieces, the New Gloucester Rocker, which will be donated to the Devon Nicole House at Boston Children’s Hospital following the three-day event.

Warren is one of countless BCH success stories. As a six-year-old boy, Warren had a hole in his heart repaired by surgeons at BCH. In 1968, this was considered a pioneering pediatric surgery. Now, 45 years later, Warren is thrilled to be giving back to the hospital that saved his life.

“We are proud to have partnered with so many generous community organizations and businesses to raise funds for Boston Children’s Hospital,” said Chris Eramo, Boston showroom manager. “And to have master craftsman Warren Shaw here - who is alive today because of life-saving pediatric heart surgery - is icing on the cake.”

Throughout the weekend individuals who donate to BCH will have the opportunity to sign the underside of the New Gloucester Rocker seat, where traditionally the Thos. Moser craftsman applies his/her signature. The completed rocker will be returned temporarily to the Maine workshop for final finishing before being donated to the Devon Nicole House at Boston Children's Hospital.

If you're in the Boston area, this sounds like it will be a fun way to get to know the gorgeousness that is Thos. Moser furniture as well as doing good for our community!


If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please email me. Thanks! Subscribe to ::Surroundings::

Charlotte Moss at the Boston Design Center

Today I'm headed off to the Boston Design Center for a talk by the amazing Charlotte Moss. She's our only repeat guest so far on The Skirted Roundtable and has such a warm personality.

The talk and luncheon are sponsored by Century Furniture which has a collection of Charlotte's furniture designs.

I'll be tweeting from the seminar room starting at 11 if you want to follow along!

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The Skirted Roundtable: Chatting with India Hicks

photo via Papermag

Hicks' Parent's garden, per India's Facebook Page

This week at The Skirted Roundtable, we're chatting with royalty. Daughter of famed interior designer David Hicks and the Lady Pamela Hicks, whose father was Lord Mountbatten, the last viceroy of India and a grandson of Queen Victoria, India Hicks clearly grew up at the nexus of two of imposing worlds - monarchy and design. David Hicks is well known for his exacting style and personality.  Per Mr. Hicks 1998 obituary in the New York Times, ' "He killed every flower in his soul,'' said Min Hogg, editor of the trend-setting British magazine The World of Interiors, referring to the designer's hatred of chintz. ''His was a rigorous, very tailored look. So much of it was about control. There wasn't a wrinkle or crease anywhere.'' '

David Hicks' images via

Google search results David Hicks designer patterns

India Hicks has forged a related, yet distinctly different path than her famous father. Photographer, fashion model (she worked for Ralph Lauren for twenty years) - India is a true lifestyle designer. Her own style is derived from her free and easy life in the Bahamas where she is raising her children with partner David Flint Wood - also an interior designer. (okay, things may not be THAT different - hah!). David Flint Wood's design of Brooke Shields' NY townhouse was recently featured in Architectural Digest - gorgeous.

photo by Colleen Duffy for Garden and Gun

The Guest House at Habiscus Hill, Harbour Island

Savannah on Windemere Island - David Hicks, Britain's foremost interior designer of the 60's and 70's, brought an essence of the Nile Valley to this residence on the Bahamian Island of Eleuthera. via

Along with their easy-breezy island lifestyle (they also own several homes on various islands which are rented out) India has been busy creating several lines of products at many different price points.

The India Hicks Island Living Bedding Collection features a range of lovely, beachy themed bedding that is being sold on her website and also in conjunction with the HSN.

India has also created a fine jewelry collection broken into three different lines: "Love Letters" and "Hicks on Hicks" are based on her father's designs and Island Life, which fits closely with her own personal brand.

So, click on over to The Skirted Roundtable to listen to our interesting conversation!


If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please email me. Thanks! Subscribe to ::Surroundings::

BlogTourNola Sponsor: Poggenpohl Kitchens since 1892

 Poggenpohl Cabinetry at Nordic Kitchens and Baths - photo by Linda Merrill

Our last BlogTourNola evening in New Orleans was spent in the lovely Nordic Kitchens and Baths showroom in Metairie, LA enjoying some tasty treats for dinner and the beautiful kitchen and bath displays, notably the gorgeous cabinetry by Poggenpohl. Founded in 1892 in the heart of Germany, Poggenpohl is the oldest and one of the best-known kitchen brands in the world - present in more than 70 countries around the globe. Since then, they have followed in the footsteps of founder, Friedemir Poggenpohl, with his vision to ‘improve the kitchen’.  For 120 years, Poggenpohl has been reinventing life in the kitchen one idea at a time.  Poggenpohl was the first to introduce many transformative innovations including white lacquer furniture,  the first wooden kitchen, and the first island kitchen. Can you imagine a time when islands weren't done in kitchens?

1892 Poggenpohl kitchen furniture

1892 - how cute is this? Timeless design is right

1930 - The Poggenpohl 'ten-layer polishing technique' 

forms the corner-stone for the brand‘s lacquer expertise.

1950 - the first "unit" kitchen. Love the built-in desk - all that seems missing is a laptop

1962 - rrowr! Presenting a "fitted" kitchen

1968 - solid wood kitchen

1982

1995 - which feels like a call back to their 1892 styles

2004

2013 - This Old House

If you're a This Old House viewer, their most recent project, a cottage in rural Essex, Massachusetts, features a Poggenpohl Kitchen designed by friend and kitchen designer extraordinaire Rosemary Porto who is senior designer in their Newbury Street, Boston, showroom. Integrating state-of-the-art technology, the quiet country cottage was transformed into a universally accessible living space for aging parents.The homeowners desired a contemporary look for their kitchen with aging in place details and chose Poggenpohl cabinets for their high quality, timeless design and reputation for German engineering and ergonomics. The high gloss lacquered finish of the sleek cabinets is balanced against a traditional farmhouse soapstone sink and warm wood center island.

 And, a few more Poggenpohl kitchens to share:

 

Contemporary Kitchen by Fairfield Kitchen and Bath Poggenpohl

 

Contemporary Family Room by Fairfield Kitchen and Bath Poggenpohl

Contemporary Kitchen by Fairfield Kitchen and Bath Poggenpohl

Contemporary Kitchen by Fairfield Kitchen and Bath Poggenpohl

Contemporary Kitchen by Fairfield Kitchen and Bath Poggenpohl

If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please email me. Thanks! Subscribe to ::Surroundings::