Friday, December 09, 2011

A Charlotte Moss Christmas!

These images are of Charlotte's private brownstone townhouse in New York.  There's no big tree in view, but it could be there out of view, or perhaps no tree at all, as the family spends Christmas at their winter home in Aspen.

Looks perfect!

Enjoy!

Charlotte's front door decorated
with fresh and fragrant citrus fruit and evergreens

Library

Library

Sitting room - love this blue!

Living room - 3 mantels so far!

Dining room  - another mantel!

Dining room

Dining room

Charlotte's bedroom

View of bedroom from opposite angle -
we're up to 5 mantels now!

All photos via Veranda



Tabletop Trees

So many of my friends today no longer have the desire for large trees, nor do they have the energy it takes to go out and find the tree and bring it home to decorate.  

Here are some beautiful small trees that could be placed on any tabletop without too much ado!

Enjoy! 

A Polish tree

Silver

Tinsel

Red and white

Roses

White tree

Asian

Origami

Advent

All photos via Martha Stewart





Wednesday, December 07, 2011

Another Mario Masterpiece

I sat down last night to relax with my new Architectural Digest magazine, which I bought simply because Mario Buatta's name is on the cover.  I featured him here some time ago and love his style.  You may remember him as the "Prince of Chintz".

This is the first home I have seen decorated by him that has so little chintz.....an occasional chair here and there.  However, his inimitable style is there, as always, and while I realize this home is opulent, regal, beyond the reach of the average person, I still feel it is worth seeing, not only to see how others live, but to eke out some of Mario's style ideas.

I love his sense of symmetry and balance......that in itself is very calming.  His furniture layouts are designed for comfort with easy conversation areas and eye candy at eye level whether you are seated or standing (note the low hanging art on the walls).

The 19' ceiling in the living room (former ballroom) allows for lots of room for wall decor, but Mario has still managed to present a warm and cozy environment.  The living room walls are now covered with Chinese silk fabric, while the master bedroom has a Chinese fabric that was installed by a former resident over 25 years ago.  And it is still classic and soothing.

As a side note, the apartment is owned by an old friend of Mario's by the name of Aileen Mehle, also known as Suzy Knickerbocker, the society columnist of the 1950s, 60s and 70s.  Looking at her photograph completely distracted me as she looks far too young to have been around that long......so I googled her and believe it or not, she was born in 1921!!  Go figure!

Hope you enjoy Mario's finely honed details!  (Don't forget to click on images for larger detail.)

Aileen Mehle (also known as Suzy Knickerbocker, the society columnist)
She is 90 years old (and this is a current picture of her as
evidenced by the draperies in the background!)
Unreal!!!

Living room

Living room

Living room

Dining room

Tented dining room - I like the ambience!

Chinese fabric on walls and a fabric covered ceiling
Porthault linens

All photos via Architectural Digest


Friday, December 02, 2011

There's No Place Like Home......

As mentioned in my previous post, we were off on a little break to Harbour Island in the Bahamas.  I was hoping to see 'The Lone Tree' which had washed ashore years ago during a hurricane, but alas, Hurricane Irene had blown through in August and taken it back!!  So much for a picture under that tree!

It's like the time I went to London and eagerly anticipated visiting the bookstore on Charing Cross Road that was written about in 84 Charing Cross Road........loved that story and movie!!  However, by the time I got there, all I found was a plaque on the side of a pizza restaurant commemorating the well-known shop which had closed years before.

I must say, though, that this visit to Harbour Island was lovely by any standard.  Warm, balmy, picturesque and slow paced......it was a perfect place to relax and enjoy two weeks of sun, sightseeing and great food.  And three miles of pink sand beach was pretty spectacular!

The fact that there were virtually no vehicles on the island appealed to us as well......getting around by golf cart, or by foot, was just what we needed......for the first week, we walked and then we rented a golf cart for the second week. 

Trying out the various inns at lunch and dinner was a real treat, as they all have executive chefs, so the food was outstanding.

But, all in all, I was quite happy just wandering around taking pictures of some of the delightful little shops and the array of pastel colored cottages surrounded by white picket fences.  The town of Dunmore is an artist's dream!

But, at the end of the day......there really is 'no place like home'!



Beautiful beach!





Fascinating trees and inviting paths



Ruby - a children's shop

Shine - jewelry and gift shop







Runaway Hill Inn - beautifully located on ocean bluff.
Loved this mosaic mural in the library!
It was a pleasure to meet Jennifer Messier, Ryan and Luc
This inn is owned by former NHLer, Mark Messier
Best meal!

Incredible dining experience in the night garden!













Charming homes and cottages everywhere I looked!

All photos by Kay Furlong