A couple of weeks ago I asked for help finding a mirror I had seen in a recent Veranda article.  Subsequently, I had also seen a similar mirror in two different photos of Suzanne Kasler spaces.  My initial request was here.

Veranda Version

Photographed by Miguel Flores-Vianna for Veranda

Suzanne Kasler Version

Suzanne Kasler via Matters of Style

In response to my plea for help, I learned that Suzanne Kasler may be coming out with a version of this mirror in one of her upcoming lines.  No word on which one or when, though.  And, I still have not heard back from my inquiry via Veranda.  But, while doing a little googling last week, what should I find?

via Lumiere, Inc.

At first I was disappointed, my search had led me to a “sold” listing on 1st Dibs.  But, an email to the dealer revealed that this is a new piece of which he can easily get more.  The price tag for a “new” item that is made in Asia has given me pause.  But, alas my search is over….for now at least!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.  My husband was able to make it home from a business trip in NYC last night.  Thank goodness for Amtrak!  We are having out of town family in for dinner tonight and homemade pasta is in order.  So, if my husband will ever get off his conference calls this AM we will certainly be enjoying ours!

It has been a long and busy week here at Maddie G Designs.  I am so thankful it is the weekend and that we’ve likely escaped the snow here in DC (although the howling winds outside are slightly disturbing).

If the world were perfect I’d be curled up on one of these chairs watching golfers play past, with a good book and a glass of lemonade (or wine if the hour was acceptable).

Ah, how I long for spring!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

David Oliver, an Australian native, is the man behind Paint & Paper Library in London.  In 2007, the New York Times dubbed him the “Rock Star of Color.”  He is the author of “Paint & Paper” which claims it simplifies the process of choosing color through an explanation of his theories on color and light.

Image via Amazon.com

As of now, his colors are available in the US via Stark Paint, under the label “Colours by David Oliver.”  Erica over at the Stark showroom in Washington DC was kind enough to send me a few photos from their preliminary display in the showroom.

In creating this line, Oliver developed an easy way to coordinate colors.  He starts with 24 architectural “neutrals” and then follows each of these with four additional subtle variants.  These variants can be utilized as circumstances (light, scale, material, desired coverage, etc.) dictate. 

As of now, the trade only Stark showrooms have the paints on display.  The paint is offered in  gallon, quart and 4-oz sample pot sizes.  It is water based, non toxic, and safe to use.  No VOC’s have been used in the base or colorants.

The finish options are:

Primer

Velvet Emulsion- dries to a flat velvet finish

Porcelain Shell- dries to a low sheen finish

Lacquer Gloss- an interior and exterior quality water based enamel that dries to a high finish

Eventually, there will be a website up with more information on these products here.  But, at the time of this post it is not yet live.  I’ll keep you posted.

Adding the paint line to their well known carpet, fabric and furnishing collections, Stark aims to become the one-stop-shop for interior decorating needs.  To read more about this line, visit the Stark blog.  For any questions on the line, feel free to contact me.

Recently I was reading the blog of a high school classmate.  She runs a successful paper goods shop in Houston, LLH Designs,  and does amazing work.  Anyway, she recently went to the Urban Market antiques show and noticed that many of the women were wearing cute rain boots, apparently this is a new trend at least in Houston?

Yesterday, while wearing my MK zebra print flats to check the mail, I may have looked cute but I probably looked more stupid as I slipped on the pile of snow still impeding the entrance to our mailbox.  So, with up to three inches of white stuff predicted for today and tomorrow, I thought I would consider getting some more appropriate footwear for errands and romping in the yard with my daughter.   It will be months before our ground is dry, for sure!

I haven’t seen much of this phenomenon around the DC area.  Hmmm, I wonder if I will get some looks if I am wearing them.  In any case, here is a roundup of some of my favorites.

From Left to Right: Chloe via Zappos, Garnet Hill, Burberry via Nieman Marcus, Celine via Bluefly, Hunter via Nieman Marcus, Liberty of London for Target via Real Simple Blog.

And, last but not least, Nieman Marcus has thought of it all…..socks to go under your rain boots. 

Welly Socks via Nieman Marcus

So, what do you think?  Has this trend hit your city yet?  I am still trying to figure out how I would drive in them.  But, I suppose if this is my biggest problem at the moment, I am one lucky girl!  Have a great day and I promise to be back tomorrow with something a little more design related!

A few weeks ago, I posted here about the foyer and living room of a Highland Park, Dallas home designed by Mary Anne Smiley.  The homeowners were youngish newlyweds and wanted to live in this established Dallas neighborhood, but needed help bringing a younger vibe into what was reportedly a dark and excessively traditional spec home.

The dining room was one of my favorite rooms in the house.  The mix of materials and textures really does, in my opinion, create a unique blend of old and new. 

First off, the silk Fortuny chandelier, can you imagine something more dramatic for this space?

Photo by Diane Carroll for Traditional Home (April, 2008).

There is nothing traditional about the acrylic console or table base.  However, the Dessin Fornier Plante Side Chairs in a warm wood finish add a bit of tradition to the room, as do the custom rug by Patterson, Flynn and Martin and the china cabinet filled with antique Asian ceramics.  The large white ginger jar flanking the china cabinet offers a modern take on a more traditional piece.

For the dining table, Smiley actually modified a Niermann Weeks piece, the Mirabeau Center Table, removing the base and replacing it with an acrylic version.  I love how she re-purposed the base by cutting it in half and inverting it to create two console pedestals.  After all, with the caliber of furnishings used in this room—no need to waste!

Photo by Diane Carroll for Traditional Home (April, 2008).

So, what did I walk away with from this room?  I’ll be honest, most of it is out of my budget.  I am doing a whole house and really have to plan my splurges carefully.  Initially, I really wanted these dining chairs, but 2 of them ended up costing more than the 8 I ultimately ordered. 

But, when I first saw this dining room I absolutely fell in love with the window treatments.  I loved the subtle tones and the texture created by the printed sheer fabric, with horizontal orientation.  So, when my dining room is complete and revealed, you will see these again.  The fabric is from Pollack (swatch below).

Pollack Fabric, “Hang Ten- Shell”

To be honest, they were not overly expensive.  I have a triple window in my dining room and did simple pinch pleated panels on either end.  Because there was no lining involved, the labor to have them made was just over $100 (retail) through my workroom.  The fabric was not a bargain, but overall the project did not break the bank.  I only needed 8 yards as I opted to do stationary panels to keep cost down.  (I have Conrad shades for a degree of privacy, as my dining room is front facing.) 

A post on my love of Conrad shades is for another day.  But, I am interested to hear what you think of this room.  Do you like it?  Is it too much of a mix for you?  I’ll be honest, my husband was not a fan.  And, until he saw our draperies hung, I think he was worried.

Unfortunately, I can take no credit for this find.  If you read Pigtown Design, you have heard of Meg’s great fabric source, Debois Textiles.  Debois operates a large warehouse/storefront in Baltimore that specializes in textile remnants, piece goods and second hand clothing.  The store is set up into three sections, fabric, vintage clothing (they have an etsy shop for the vintage goods) and thrift items.

My mom, sister and I headed up to Baltimore on Friday to see what all of the buzz was about.  Wow, what a find.  No fabric is much more than $10 per yard.  Most is less.  Upholstery fabric is $6.50 per yard and drapery fabrics, around $4.59 per yard.  A few items that hit the upper limit of $10 per yard are located on larger rolls, where they have a ton of toile and designer prints.  They also have a large selection of Ralph Lauren fabrics.

From talking to one of the  owners, it seems like there is something new in this place nearly every day.  Meg ‘s blog really put the word out there and she, the owner, said people are now emailing her from all over the country asking for particular fabrics.  She did mention that she doesn’t have the time to search for fabric and ship off a yard here and there.  To see this place, you would understand why!  Here is a view into the back warehouse.  According to the staff, they had even more fabric down in containers in the basement!

So, what do they have?  They have a TON of Duralee and Thibaut.  They also have a large selection of Ralph Lauren.  But, upon digging, I found Lee Jofa (including Kelly Wearstler Groundworks Collection), Kravet(including Barbara Barry and Barclay Butera), Schumacher and Quadrille China Seas.  My mom bought enough of a Cowtan and Tout print to do drapes on a double window and then some…..for less than $65!

I will admit I was a bit overwhelmed, as I went up there without really “needing” anything.  I walked away with a couple of yards of a bright green discontinued Duralee print (made me feel like spring could be on the way).  I also bought a couple of yards of a Trina Turk for Schumacher indoor outdoor fabric.  Here is a hastily pulled together shot of them together (sorry, no time to iron yet!).

Meg at Pigtown Design conducts an insider tour of Baltimore and is doing one in March.  If I can make it, I think I will try.  If for nothing else than to thank her in person for sharing this great find!  Thanks again, Meg!