Paneled walls - inspiration for a client project

I've been working on a design plan for some clients. Their dining room is small - approximately 13'x11'x7'6"h. A small room can be quite intimate, which can make for a lovely dining experience and I'm looking to really play this up. Since we're looking to accommodate seating for eight, there is no room for additional furniture, aside from the table and chairs. They have two things going for them. There is a deep bay window that's too high for a window seat which will work well as a sidebar when necessary and a built-in china cabinet wall right off the dining room in the kitchen.

The room needs some additional architectural interest since there is little room for decorative detail and I am planning applied moldings over the chair rail to create the feel of paneled walls. The moldings will likely be the same color as the wall, but will just add some oomph and structure and provide a place for smaller hung art and sconces. Here's a round-up of some inspiration images I've been scouting.

  

(I've lost the sources for the above two images, if anyone knows, please let me know)

Bunny Williams design for the Edith Wharton House - my pic taken 2009

 

  

  

These images are so pretty they make me want to weep -  via Trouvais

via Decor Pad

via Cote de Texas

 

 via Diane James 

  

Carter and Co. design via Michael J. Lee  

via Desire to Inspire

Bunny Williams dining room via Diane James

Larry Laslo design via Architect Design  

Timothy Corrigan design via Decorati

Timothy Corrigan design via Decorati

 

Mary Drysdale design via Decorati

And here are my design ideas of two walls.

 

 

With thanks to Carol Ann for her suggestion, I changed the design for the moldings on the elevation above and it's so much better I think (see below). Thanks Carol Ann!

 

The chairs are the Restoration Hardware Martine chairs, but they've sadly changed out the original elegantly finished legs for these rough hewn oakey ones, which has rendered these chairs neither here nor there design wise, in my opinion. So, chairs are still be decided upon, but they give an idea about the direction we're headed in. 

Thoughts?

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French Pastry Tables - Just in Time for Lent!

It's Ash Wednesday and the start of the long and restrictive forty day Lenten period. And so, it seemed a little ironic that I'd receive a postcard from O'Brien Ironworks showcasing their French Pastry Serving table. Suddenly, visions of baguettes and croissant, pastries and profiteroles danced in my head.

O'Brien Ironworks - French Pastry Serving Table

Aside from the dancing donuts (oy, Lent is going to be long!), I was still struck by how pretty the traditional French Pastry table is with its classic scrolling legs and cool marble top. Here's a round up:

 

via The Queen's Quarters

French Patisserie table "La Madeleine" from La Fenice

Antique French pastry table via Cote De Texas

Napolean III French Pastry table, circa 1870 via Dickson-Rendell Antiques

 via European Antiques Market

 

via Paris Parfait

 

19th century French Baker's Table from Georgia Creek Antiques via 1st Dibs 

Designer Suzanne Reinstein's kitchen via Cote de Texas

There's nothing like a beautiful piece that is also functional. Cool marble + hot buns = yum!

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Limited Edition R. Kenton Nelson's "Swim Party #2" as seen in Something's Gotta Give

One of the most unique and unattainable aspects of the set decor from the movie Something's Gotta Give has been the art. California painter R. Kenton Nelson's work has become a near staple in several of Nancy Meyer's films and his painting Swim Part #2 has been the subject of much interest.

Mr. Nelson's work has not previously been available in print form up until recently.

At long last, the studio has released  a limited edition print. The print is a 16 x 16 in. image with a 2.5 in. border on 100% cotton paper. The process is a high quality digital print, known as Giclee, with archival ink on archival paper. Each print is hand numbered and signed by Kenton Nelson.

 

This signed limited edition (1 of 65) giclee and iris print is available from Morton Publishing on Ebay for $2,000. As of 2/15/10 there are only 10 left!

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Hot Home Decor - Valentine's Edition

Did you ever think that glass tile could be sexy?  Glass tile artist Ellen Blakeley sees beyond the hard and cold and brings the heat!

 

 

Waist cincher corset via Farthingale's LA 

 

 

Kate Winslet's 2009 Oscar dress (via StyleList)

Chantal Thomass' Pouf Corset

 

Dolce & Gabbana Corset seamed dress

From Marie Antoinette (2006)

Duchesse Brisée via Paris Apartment

 

Nothin' But Egg via The Egg Chair. Photograph by Corey Weiner

Verner Paton Heart Cone Chair at Vitra

 

Will you be mine?

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This 'n that: Interesting mailbox finds

It's Saturday - time to clean out the mailbox and share some fantastic products and links that have come my way over the past couple of weeks!

The current Harper's Bazaar has a big spread and story on Paloma Picasso's amazing Moroccan home. Gorgeousness! The photos below, by Christopher Sturman, are a taste of what's in store in the magazine. Click here for more photo of "daughter of..." and how she finally feels that she no longer has anything to prove.  Doesn't this indoor pool look so inviting?

 

 

The USA Networks has announced its second annual Character's Approved Awards, which celebrate "Cultural Influencers and Trailblazers". Beginning on February 25th, the honorees will be featured in small vignettes and aired over the following six weeks. This years honorees are: the band Green Day, director Kathryn Bigelow, writer Nora Ephron, fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez, urban arts painter Kehinde Wiley, industrial designer Yves Behar, restaurateur Dan Barber, social entrepreneur Jessica Jackley, "Guitar Hero" creators Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy, and sustainable architect Angela Brooks.

Angela Brooks is as a leader and pioneer in the field of sustainable architecture. She has demonstrated an unparalleled ability to marry aesthetics, affordability and sustainability in the built environment.  The image below is her own home, called the Solar Umbrella House,  in Venice, California. Image is courtesy of Open Forum Architecture where you can read an excellent story about the genesis of this 1930's home that Angela transformed into a modern oasis of beautiful and sustainable design.

Bograd Kids, the trade only purveyor of high end kiddie furniture and accessories is holding a President's Day Sample Sale in its New York Showroom. This sale is by appointment, but is open to the public, not just designers.

Baker Furniture is running a sale from February 12 - March 22nd. Classics with a subtle modern twist, Baker Furniture is a true staple of American decorating.

Danish master furniture designers Hans J. Wegner brought elegance, comfort and craftsmanship together in designs that defined mid-20th century Modernism. His influence continues to inform the works of today's furniture designers. This is the 60th anniversary of the iconic Wishbone Chair and Carl Hansen & Sons is re-introducing the chair in twelve new colors, starting with the first set of four in blue, with green to follow in May and additional colors in October.

Catherine Nolin , based in Andover, MA, is a fine art painter who specializes in fantastical acrylics paintings of interiors and furniture.  Her bright and vivid colors and style are reminiscent of a Mexican or South America vibe, which I love. She sells her original works via her studio in Andover and originals, prints and cards on her Etsy shop. Plus, she has a blog!

 

 

Misha Handmade Wallpapers releases its Spring 2010 collection with this beautiful cherry blossom pattern.

Blogger Eric Meeks has launched a new video series called In Store Designer where he visits interesting shops in L.A. and interviews the shop owners about their products and services.

BONSAI: LIVING SCULPTURE - ANCIENT AND MODERN Bonsai West show at Boston designer Dennis Duffy's DScale in SoWa. The First Friday reception is March 5th from 6-8. RSVP info@dscalemodern.com or 617-426-1055. The exhibit runs March 4th - March 6th.

Okay, I think that's it for my mailbox! (I wish, I still have 448 emails!!)


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Skirted Roundtable: Blog Contests & Giveaways

This week on The Skirted Roundtable, Joni, Megan and I discussed blog contests and giveaways. All of us have run various types of contests and entered contests on other blogs. Do they work or can they be too much work? We want to know you're experiences as well, so take a listen!

PLUS, we have a fantastic giveaway courtesy of Jill Mitchell, who runs a vintage and antiques touring business in Provence! Jill's business Le Trip offers buying tours and tours for women only. Now, doesn't that seem like a dream!?!  For those who can't make it to France, Jill sells some of her amazing finds on Ebay and Etsy.

Jill has offered to one of our listeners this amazing mid century vintage French School poster called "Plantes Sans Fleurs".  All you need to do is visit Jill's sites and let us know over at The Skirted Roundtable what items catch your eye! Go here to listen!

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