Thinking about 'Fixer Uppers"

Let it never be said that we shied away from a project. As far as we're concerned the more of a ruin the more potential for a fabulous reveal. And so we came across a couple of sofas by John Saladino and that got us started thinking about ruins in Merida. We visited last February and fell in love with the colonial architecture, which immediately brought back memories of my grandmother's house in Santiago. Big rooms with high ceilings and of course those glorious courtyards where you can spend hours reading or painting. So here's our Saturday daydream......a smallish house with some stylish interiors. Who knows, the universe has a way of making things happen.

Saladino sofas. I like that they're updated versions on Knole sofas, but I think I'd make them longer.

Interesting Turkish lantern

Nice Center table. I like the ironwork and that it's so stylized.

Tall chairs, maybe not for sitting hours and hours, but a good perch.

This could make a nice dining room, tho maybe the chairs need to be a bit more modern.

Interesting 'smalls make a room.

Always and only, antique mirror. The silver is tarnished and dappled and subtly reflective rather than that glow in the dark newness of modern glass.

These are Anglo-Indian but they're super comfy and great in a patio

A few over the top tables always work when the rest of the spaces are kept simple and quiet.

How can you go wrong with space like this???

I think we need a minute to sit and reflect.

Two of Saladino's famous interiors.

Decoration for a room.

Greetings All,

Let's put a room together. The look? Let's do something classic, but with a bit of a Mediterranean twist. I've seen a few new projects coming down the road that might have a modern take on this style.

As inspiration, let's look at this lovely room. Clean lined but with

 a nod to the past.

Rather than a mirror, let's use a large tapestry. It can live above this long refectory table. Just add a few candlesticks and maybe a bowl and you're done.

As a chandelier we'll use this 17thc Dutch example. Easy to electrify OR let's use candles and let the room be lit with soft ambient uplights. I'm really again lampshades lately.

Armchairs should be comfy but tailored and the room will feel much more modern if we keep everything solid, tho patterns would work as long as the scale is right. 

A stylish sofa is always a good idea. Why not do something a bit different in this room.

Just a super simple zinc coffee table. It will just go away.

I have a soft spot for mixing modern artwork in traditional rooms. Here's a wonderful large piece by Ric Best Art.

Small tables for drinks next to the side chairs, must haves.

Maybe some orbs under the long table or if large enough as a sculpture in the room.

Just a small bronze to add another dimension.

Straw matts rather than carpets for a crisper look.

If you have a fireplace, why not a grand French limestone version.

So all we need are a few other bits and pieces to fill in and the room's done.

How? Knowing where to shop, what to buy and making a phone call.

That's all I have for today.

L

What I'm looking at Today: Neoclassical Items

Greetings All,

Just looking at a few neoclassical items, most are early 19th c and all would work beautifully in a modern room.

Hope you enjoyed them.

That's all I have for today.

Have a wonderful weekend.

L

What am I Looking at Today: Old Master Paintings vs Mall 'ART'

Greetings All,

I get to visit a lot of people's homes and at times they have wonderful collections and a great eye. Other times the house is entirely empty, a clean open canvas that can be filled with beautiful objects. Yet other times, the prospective clients have a few costly items that they've spent a great deal of time acquiring, usually at the mall, usually a Thomas Kinked original. "Painter of Light". 

[hint: NEVER GONNA BE A GREAT PAINTING, save your money]

Now, I have no problem being a snob. It's what I'm paid for. People hire me to help them not only put together a house but to help them invest their money wisely. My heart sinks whenever anyone shows me a collection of objects, bought at top dollar that are entirely worthless. Not only monetarily, but visually, especially when they could buy some wonderful items for a fraction of what they've spent. Of course it's all very subjective, there's not much one can do if someone really doesn't like a certain style, but consider that one can still find lovely Old Master paintings for a fraction of what you'd pay for an assembly line 'masterpiece' or even a vintage poster.

Below are a few examples. Maybe a Madonna is not your cup of tea. A landscape is too quiet.  A poster of an old painting is so much more cool because you fear that paintings will look 'old', they ARE OLD and they'll make you're room look modern, remember it's a point of view', layered and very cultured. Be sure to scroll down to the bottom to see a few examples in rooms.

Below is a large 18th c Italian landscape painting.

Placed in it's room.

An 18th c English portrait of a lady in a Spanish frame.

Placed in it's room. Remember that not everything needs to be hung on the walls.

So when you have that urge to buy that painting with pretty little trees, or with that spray painted shadow, remember that you could instead buy something really lovely and  for lack of better word 'real' for the same, if not less. 

How? Knowing where to shop, what to buy and making a phone call.

That's all I have for today. Have a great weekend!

L