Changes: Anniversary Presents Now and Then:

 

You know when you buy something and it’s just not “right” from the beginning.  Well………when I bought my sofa and chairs a few years ago, the day they were delivered, I took one look at the slipcovers and had to stop myself from crying.  I could see immediately that my new, fresh, white linen slipcovers had NOT been washed prior to being made!  Needless to say, I was devastated.  And shocked.  And beyond angry.  You see, the person who made them knew better.  I mean, how many slipcovers had she  made before mine?  Hundreds?  Thousands?    And what really added fuel to the fire was that waiting in my garage were 40 yards of freshly washed white linen that I had bought just for the job.   I didn’t use that fabric because  the slipcover person had already gone and ordered the fabric herself, so I kept my washed linen for a future client.  Thinking over my options - I didn’t know whether I should send all the furniture back the next day, or try to wash the slips myself and see how much they shrank.  After much discussion, getting nowhere fast,  I just decided to forget it for a while and deal with it, like Scarlett, on another day.  When the time came to wash the slips for the first time  (because with white linen – that time DOES come!)   I used  cold water, and dried them in a barely warm dryer and put them back on damp, while trying to stretch the fabric.   Of course they shrank,  but they did still fit – barely:   the cushions were so tight that the bottom one wouldn’t lay flat.  I always knew it would have to all be redone down the road so eventually I called Shabby Slips to come to my rescue.  

 

Here you can plainly see on the chair – how short the slips had gotten.  The slip is barely covering the upholstered muslin.   The long bottom cushion on the sofa was so tight it wouldn’t lay flat.   You can see how it is sticking up on the right side of the sofa.   Also – here you can see the original button detailing on the back of the chair.

 

Luck finally came my way when Shabby Slips sent their seamstress to my house to fit my new slips.  I didn’t even have to send my furniture to them!  Heaven!  They cut the fabric on the furniture right  at my house.   And since I already had the washed linen in my garage, I saved a fortune.  A week later they delivered my nice new slips which fit like a glove and had rows of charming ties instead of buttons.  Thank you Shabby Slips – nothing beats dealing with the best!    I tell you all this because I want you to learn from my mistakes.   RULE:  never make slipcovers without washing the denim or linen first!  The only exception to this is if the material is a blend and won’t shrink OR if you plan to dry clean your slipcovers instead of washing them.   My situation was neither, and here I was stuck in a position that I would never allow to happen to a client.  I could have gone to small claims court over it, but in the end, it just wasn’t worth it.   In truth, I knew that slipcovers don’t last forever and I would eventually have to get a new set anyway – I just sped up the process, unfortunately.  Problem solved.

 

 

 

New slipcover detailing on the chair:  the buttons were replaced with charming ties on both sides. Notice how nice and long the slipcover is now.  Before - the slip barely covered the upholstery.

 

There’s been another change in my family room, and a rather contentious one at that:  the coffee table.    Ben and I had bought our coffee table when we moved into our house about 15 years ago.  It was once an Irish dining table that had been cut down to coffee table height and it was a dream come true for us.  We bought it from Colin Gibbins in Montrose who specialized in these tables.  Once the table was cut down, he would add a shelf on the bottom for magazines.   He then stained our honey colored table a rich, dark brown.      They weren’t overly expensive tables,  but at the time, the only way we could afford it was with the yearly check we got from my generous and sweet parents for our anniversary.  Each year, Ben and I would eagerly wait for that check because as newlyweds, it was the only extra cash we had to spend on furnishings!   After many years of happiness with the table, maybe 14 years, I had begun to think I wanted to upscale a bit.  The table is very rustic, very wormy, and I wanted something taller and more refined to go with my new, higher sofa and chairs.   So, one thrilling day I brought home this table from The Fabulous Flea:

 

The Fabulous Flea French Writing Desk, aka coffee table. 

 

I thought it was the prettiest table I had ever seen!  The top has a black leather inset and there’s a little drawer.  Doesn’t it look beautiful in front of that sofa at The Fab Flea?    It looked great in front of my sofa too.  Except there was one problem.   Ben.  He took one look at it and claimed he couldn’t see the TV over it.  Without even trying it out!!   Now all my clients know my lecture about husbands and decorating.    During discussions about furniture and design, I preach:  you are to look your husband in the eye and say, “and where was it that you got your degree in Interior Design?”   Ben usually falls for this tactic, but this day, over this table, he wasn’t falling for it.   In fact, he told me that either the table goes, or he goes.   So, I thought about that for a while.   It was a tough choice.   When I couldn’t decide, we compromised, and he said he would stay if the table went to another room.  This way, he said, he would save me the humiliation of having to tell The Fab Flea “my husband wouldn’t let me have it.”   The table went here:

 

The desk moved in front of my day bed in my living room.

 

The desk worked out perfectly in my living room,  but it still left me with the worm eaten, cut down Irish dining room table in my family room.   Until last Saturday, that is, when Stefan Hurry and I dropped in on Cindy at Neal & Co. and I saw the prettiest French dough table.   Cindy was sweet enough to measure it for me and I went home to see if it was too tall for Mr. TV Man to see over.    Truthfully, it was a little taller than I told him.  He was skeptical enough at the fake measurement to begin with – if he knew how tall it really was, the dough table was never going to make it home with me.   RULE:  sometimes white lies are necessary to get around non-design savvy husbands.    But,  I knew he would be able to see the TV over it, because it was a few inches shorter than the Fab Flea table which never was too tall anyway.   Hyperventilating back to Neal & Co., because I tend to hyperventilate whenever I buy a French antique  (I don’t hyperventilate for much, certainly not clothes nor cars) I brought the dough table home.   The timing was incredible too – replacing one anniversary coffee table for another anniversary coffee table, 15 years apart.    Here it is:

 

I’m in love.

 

It’s actually called a Petrin.  The top slides off and there is a compartment inside the table where you would place the dough to rise after kneading it, or before?   It’s a rich, dark wood – chestnut, actually – and it weighs a ton!    It’s dressier, but not fancy, just a step up to match the scale and mood of the larger sofa and chairs.     Also – notice the new slips, how much better they fit.  Plenty of room to shrink a little too!!   It’s hard to see in this picture, but even the back cushions are taller and the bottom cushion lies flat now that the slip fits properly.   I even made a new little skirt for my Target ottoman.

 

 

 

And from the front.  I’m still in love.

 

From the side, you can see where the apron drops down to cover the hidden dough receptacle. 

 

So, did Mr. TV Man approve?   Well, sort of.   I had to endure a little talk from him about not putting anything tall on the table in front of where he sleeps while pretending to watch TV.    OK.  I can do that.  See how empty the table top is on the left side?   And there was a little whining that he couldn’t put his feet up on the coffee table anymore.   So, I moved a small footstool for him to use for that.   He said it still wasn’t as comfortable as before.   But a few days later, I caught him on the phone happily describing it to his mother.    So, that means he’s OK with it. 

 

I mean, really.    Does he look uncomfortable to you?  And check out his “sock shoes.”   Mr. Sexy.   OMG.  Do you feel sorry for me?    Who actually wears “sock shoes” in the 21st century?????    Next he’ll be ordering a Snuggly on TV, just you watch.

 

 

Yep.    Just wait, he’ll order one for sure.

 

And on a more serious and personal note - To the sweetest man in the world, the most generous, kindest, and most loving person I have ever known, my best friend and my “cell mate:”    Happy Anniversary!!!     Twenty-one years of happiness.   Thanks for putting up with me, I don’t deserve you – we both know that!    I love you!!! 

Houston Shopping: The Bissonnet/Kirby Corridor Antique District

Every few weeks or so, I get an email from someone coming to Houston and wanting to know where to go shopping for antiques and decor.  So, I’ve been thinking for a while about putting together a short series on the best shopping areas to go see the most in one afternoon.    As luck would have it, I recently had a few visitors to test out my itineraries.      Of course, this series won’t cover every shop in Houston – there are too many to name, and how boring would that be anyway?  But, there are several distinct areas where numerous antique and decor stores are clustered, thus making it worth your while to venture out for a few hours.    My visitor is Stefan Hurray, a young architect from Pennsylvania now working in Washington D.C.  Stefan is the voice behind the very interesting and always intellectually stimulating blog - Architect Design - concentrating on, what else, but architecture!    It is so much fun to meet another design blogger in real life after building a friendship through countless emails, and without fail, it feels like you’ve known that person forever.   It must be due to the kindred spirit found between design bloggers and the readers too.   Last Saturday, after a few missteps, Stefan and I met up for lunch at Raven Grill on Bissonnet – a perfect place to start off on a shopping adventure in the Museum District.   Finishing lunch with a drive through at a convenient Starbucks, we are ready to test out the newly named:  Cote de Texas Bissonnet/Kirby Corridor Shopping District.  First Stop:   AREA.

 

AREA:   5600 Kirby

The front lobby:   old and new, trendy and classic – the perfect recipe for a successful interiors store.

 

AREA is a large store, owned by interior design extra0rdinaire, Don Connelly, and run by the man in charge - Daniel.   Daniel’s been with AREA from day one starting at the original location on Shepherd.   AREA is a wonderful mix of antique and modern design, with a heavy dose of trendy.   It’s a great store to pick up accessories and lamps, candles, and vases.  There are always interesting sets of dining chairs and tables,  along with antique consoles and chests.  Be sure to look up at the ceiling  - their selection of lighting fixtures is one of the best in town.  Introduce yourself to Daniel once, and he’ll never forget your name – it’s a gift that’s helped make AREA one of the more successful decor stores in town.   Don travels to Europe and Round Top and the markets to stock the store, so there is always a generous amount of the old mixed in with the newest.

 

There are interesting vignettes around every corner:  lamps and tables, pillows and artwork, and  hard-to-find coffee table books.

 

 

  Whenever I have an installation, I stop by AREA first to pick up accessories like baskets and urns.

 

AREA has a great assortment of trays and boxes for tablescapes.

 

And there’s the cute as can be Stefan, nursing his Starbucks!  I think he really enjoyed AREA.

 

 

 

Smile!    Handsome Daniel, the energy and brains behind the store.   He should write a book on how to greet and treat your customers the proper way!  OK, we are moving on - next stop is Watkins and Culver.

 

 

Watkins Culvers Antiques and Design:  2308 Bissonnet

 

Babs Watkins and her daughter Nelta run Watkins Culver – an antique store that will make you think you actually are on Magazine Street in New Orleans – not Houston.  The store itself is sometime to see – the walls are fauxed painted by the brilliant Jay Iarussi which give the shop an appearance of having been built in another century.  Truly beautiful!  Of course, so are the antiques, handpicked by Watkins from France and Italy – this store has been at the forefront of developing the French look in Houston that is so popular with Veranda and Southern Accents readers. 

 

 

Besides all the antiques bought abroad, Watkins Culvers carries the BViz line of specialty pillows from New Orleans.  Each pillow is handmade by Rebecca Vizard using antique textiles and each is a work of art. 

 

 

Watkins Culver has many mirrors of all sizes, lamps, and chandeliers.   The design is mostly French here, but Swedish pieces have been creeping into the store for the past few years.

 

 

Out back in the alley are the design studios of Babs and Nelta, and the Watkins Culver annex.   Hey Stefan, finish up the coffee already!

 

 

The annex’s merchandise is just a bit more relaxed – be sure to notice the Zuber papered screen.  Watkins Culver have the best antique Parisian lanterns that are so hot right now.  

 

Watkins Culver has been carrying the oh-so-hot wood chandeliers and metal tables for years – they were way ahead of the trend with these items.    Watkins and Culver Antiques and Design is available online with 1st Dibs here.     OK,  time for the next stop - right next door.

 

Shabby Slips:  2304 Bissonnet

 

 

Shabby Slips is owned by Renea Abbott, a much in-demand interior designer with several Veranda covers under her belt.  She recently repainted the walls going from dark to white and the effect, along with all the mirrors and crystal chandeliers is stunning – the store absolutely sparkles!   The ceiling is filled with the crystal chandeliers and the Venetian mirror shown above has to be the prettiest one I have ever seen!  Shopping here is such a treat – a true eye candy experience.

 

Right in the middle of the store is this limed table with these stunning shell chairs!   What a find!    When Shabby Slips first opened, the focus was on slip covers, but that has long since changed.  Today, the focus is on the finest antiques for the younger set.  To be sure, the store is still stocked with wonderful slipcovered furniture and there are beautiful pillows tossed about, but the antiques take center stage now.    The trendy new lamps and accessories mix in with the old.    The chandeliers and mirrors are exceptional, and there is a large selection of them to choose from.

 

 

Most of the furniture is upholstered in white – making these black and white striped chairs pop in the store. 

 

 

Mixed in with all the antiques and upholstery is a nice selection of modern art.  In fact, one of my favorite galleries in town, the Jack Meier Gallery, is just two doors down.   Shabby Slips always has great pillows like these shown above.   And, while we were there, we learned that the little house behind Shabby Slips, that was once an annex, is just now getting the final touches done on a total remodel and will be back open for business soon!   Can’t wait!   OK, time to cross the street.

 

Neal and Co:  4502 Greenbriar

 

 

Right across the street from Watkins and Culver and Shabby Slips, is Neal and Co. – another high end antique store dealing mostly in French product.  Cindy Neal, a veteran of the business, moved several years ago to the corner of what has t0 be the heart of  Houston Antiques, and she’s been a great addition.   Sweet and affable, Cindy is very knowledgeable about what she buys and is happy to share her expertise with you.   The store is large and full of wonderful French and Swedish delights.  Not everything is out of the world expensive, which is I why I love to shop here.  She carries lots of smalls, French candles, dishes, and confit pots – perfect for those of us who are on a budget.   But, there is plenty for those who aren’t!   I love this canapé covered in a gray check – the back is almost prettier than the front.  And look at those green lanterns – I lusted after those – and the metal side tables, on the right – the best! 

 

 

 

There are a lot of nooks and crannies to the store, owing to the fact that it used to be several different businesses, until Cindy bought the entire center, tore down all the walls and made it Neal and Co.    So, be sure you don’t miss anything hiding around a corner.  She carries wonderful botanicals and has a large supply of French wood tables.

 

 

Here’s another wonderful set in Cindy’s office that she explained was one man’s lifetime collection.  Besides being an antiquarian, she is also an interior decorator! 

 

As with all the better antique shops in Houston, there is a good selection of Swedish antiques available.

 

 

 Neal and Co. carry the entire Les Indiennes fabric line AND they have a huge selection of Dash and Albert rugs to pick from.   Neal and Co. is available on 1st Dibs, so be sure to check them out here.

  

OK,  Stefan needs to leave now, but hopefully he’ll be back in Houston soon.   So I’m on my own to finish the CdT Bissonnet-Kirby Corridor Shopping District.   Next stop, down the street:

 

M. Naeve – Antiques and Uncommon Luxuries:  1926 Bissonnet

 

Without a doubt, one of the most charming antique stores in Houston, M. Naeve is a must see when visiting.   Carrying hand picked inventory from France, the antiques are relaxed – not stuffy or dressy in any way.  But, make no mistake, they are beautiful – the entire shop is breathtakingly beautiful.   Every chair, every table, every fixture, every lamp – your heart just aches to take it home.   Visiting M. Naeve is almost like a religious experience – such exquisite beauty!!!

 

 

The owner is the very young and very adorable Margaret Naeve and she is just perfectly matched for such a shop.   I mean, just look at this settee – with its original linen batting and nailheads – could it get any better?   Well yes, look at the fireplace behind it!

 

Everything in the store is painted crusty cream…….

 

or Swedish gray…

 

or green!!   Be sure to visit  M.  Naeve when in Houston, located right next to the Raven Grill.  Website is here.    Next stop, Carl Moore Antiques, a few blocks down.

 

Carl Moore Antiques:  1610 Bissonnet

 

Carl Moore Antiques is located on Bissonnet in a large, old, two story house.  Since the famous Carl Moore has moved on to selling art, Geoffrey Westergaard is at the helm, buying for the store all over Europe.   As a result – Carl Moore has a wonderful, well –rounded array of antiques:  English, French, Swedish, German, and Asian!  There isn’t much they don’t carry, which is a huge part of their appeal.  A powerhouse, a mainstay, the ultimate in class!

 

Carl Moore is the best place in Houston to find Biedermeier pieces. 

 

They carry a large array of chandeliers, lamps, and oriental accessories.  The store is well-stocked and the sales people are helpful and friendly – a definite asset to the shop.

 

 

And they carry my favorite, French, of course.   On top of antiques,  they have reproduction dining tables available, which is great when the real thing is price prohibitive.  Carl Moore Antiques has a very comprehensive web site for online ordering, so be sure to look at it here.   And finally, we are on to our last stop on the CdT Bissonnet-Kirby Corridor Antique District – but you need your car, we’re headed back towards Kirby:

 

Found for the Home:   2422 Bartlett

 

Found, owned by Aaron Rambo and Ruth Davis is “industrial chic” and a whole lot more.  It is located in a former factory, right off Kirby, and is filled with objects from each era.  Besides the usual French antiques, there are French industrial items, vintage upholstery, and objects made of found objects, hence the name.  It’s an eclectic assortment – you never know what you will see here, but it will all be great, to be sure.  Those pillows look familiar!

 

The upholstery is all remade vintage.

 

The complex where Found is located is itself worth a peek.  Carved out of a former factory and an old apartment complex, many of Houston’s finest interior designers are renting space upstairs, while below are several retail  shops.  In this picture, you can really see the unique space and how the owners have taken the old factory and made it their own.

 

 

I’ve got my eye on the pair of Gustavian settees, myself!

 

 

Charming!   Rambo and Davis are both very friendly and helpful which makes shopping here so much fun!   Found for the Home is also on 1st dibs, here.

 

We’re at the end of the Cote de Texas  Bissonnet-Kirby Corridor Antique District – what a mouthful!!!  While you are out, Houston’s museums are located nearby at the end of Bissonnet and are definitely worth visiting.   There’s also a wonderful independent bookstore close by, the Brazos Bookstore at 2421 Bissonnet and next door is Jaya – specializing in Asian furniture.    Below is a map for easy driving.  If you are coming to Houston for shopping and need help – be sure to email me for more information!    

 

A.  Found for the Home

B.  Area

C.  Watkins Culver and Shabby Slips

D.  Neal and Co.

E.  M. Naeve

F.  Carl Moore Antiques

 

+

The Great House in Barbados and the Rothschilds

 

Continuing on our Caribbean theme, another important estate on the island of Barbados is known as The Great House.   Built on 1 1/2 acres at Turtle Beach on the west side of the island, the house is famous for its former owners - Sir Evelyn de Rothschild and his then wife, Victoria.   Though the main house is built of coral stone and resembles a centuries old plantation, it was built in 1988 by Ian Morrison, one of Barbados’ busiest architects.  The main house has an airy, open feel with a master suite on the first floor and three bedrooms on the second floor, each with its own bathroom and verandah.   Four chattel houses were added to property to further the appearance of age: chattel houses were typically found on the sugar plantations in the Caribbean and they housed the workers, or slaves.   At The Great House, each Chattel House has one bedroom – two “Pink Chattel” bedrooms and two “Blue Chattel” bedrooms – making a total of 8 bedrooms on the estate.    At the entrance of the property is a gatehouse with the offices, quarters and laundry room.   And of course, there is a fabulous swimming pool and beautiful gardens that lead down to the beach.  The house, currently for sale at over $27 million, was recently redecorated by Barbados and English interior designer Lynne Pemberton.   Pemberton herself is quite a character – an author of racy novels, she has renovated and owned  several hotels on the island, and has quite a busy career as a designer there.   Pemberton brought a sophisticated island look to the house and used Ralph Lauren linens in the bedrooms.  The former owners, the Rothschilds, are now divorced and  Rothschild’s current wife  Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild made national headlines this political season when she suddenly dropped her democratic ties and endorsed John McCain.  The Clintons, whom she vigorously campaigned for, and with whom she even spent her first honeymoon night with in the Clinton White House,  must not have been too pleased to see her nightly on Fox TV trashing the democrats and O.  The Rothschilds are great friends with the Obama’s new decorator, Michael Smith, who worked with them on their gorgeous New York apartment.   It would be interesting to listen in on all those conversations between Smith and his clients!  While, the newly decorated The Great House is beautiful, the older pictures from the Rothschild era are available to compare and contrast.  Unfortunately, there is no record of who the original designer was, but it does make one wonder if Smith had a hand in it possibly?     The owner today is a hedge fund honcho, Nick Niell, from England – perhaps selling because of the economic downturn?    The house was bought for much less back then – figures  are reported from $3 million and up, but nowhere near the now asking price of $27 million.  Good luck to Mr. Niell.   Without further ado – here is The Great House, now and then!

 

 

THE SITE PLAN OF THE GREAT HOUSE:

Site plan of The Great House – showing the main house, two gazebos, dining room,  and chattel cottages.

 

 

 

NOW:    The front entrance to The Great House with its classical columns and pediment.  The round tower behind is the stairwell.  The building is made of local coral stone – most older buildings were made of this material, but today, it comes at a great expense.  The stone ages quickly and is a perfect surface to give a new home a patina.   Through this front door, the eye goes up towards the main living room, out to the terrace and down in a straight line to the gazebo and deck on the beach.  This classic axis is repeated in the gardens of Ascott House in England, the country house of Sir Evelyn de Rothschild.

 

THEN:  The entrance at night.   Here you can see the checked fabric on the sofas.   Be sure to notice those chairs at the front door!!!!

 

The main building with the three bedrooms on the second floor overlooking the pool.  The walkway connects the main building to the four Chattel Cottages on the right of the pool.   The open air verandah and bar area is shown on the right of the photograph.

 

 

NOW:    The open air sitting room and bar area overlooks the pool  Beautifully furnished in classic island rattan with seagrass matting, the crisp black and white striped pillows pop against the white slips.    What a wonderful space!  I love the old black and white photographs framed in cream mats and the hat stand, with all it’s straw hats ready for the beach.   The verandah is beautiful - the raised wood ceiling with rafters and beams, the wood ceiling fans, the shutters instead of windows – what a great place to meet before dinner for drinks and appetizers.

 

Another view of the outside sitting room, or verandah.

 

THEN:   Two views of the same space before redecorating.  The rattan coffee table remains but is used as a side table now.   All these formal chairs have been replaced with rattan furniture.  The dhurri rug was replaced with seagrass, but the barstools remain.  Amazing – the huge TV in the corner!   This fabric was one design used on the verandah.   Below is another, probably earlier version.

 

 

THEN:   An older view  when the rug had not yet faded – yet the flower arrangement looks more faded here.   I wonder if this is how the Rothschilds had it?  There’s no doubt I like the way this room is furnished today better, but this is not a bad second from the early 90’s.’

 

 

THEN:  Another view showing the banquette and striped chairs in green with pink accents.  The hat stand remains!

NOW:  A close up of the bar.   The house is available for rent and comes with 16 employees!

 

NOW:  This view shows the dining area off the piano room – decorated in French styled bistro chairs with the black and white striped pillows.   The bar area and verandah is to the right, off this porch.

 

 

 

NOW:  The entry stair hall with marble floors and stone treads.  The marble is a surprise here – but I suppose with the Rothschild’s – nothing is too grand, even for a beach house.   Today the stairway is clean and bare, but before – it was different:

 

THEN:   A dated lantern with yellow frosted glass and prints lining the stairs;  I think it looks better today – bare!   I do love the inlayed medallion which matches the one placed in the pediment outside.

 

NOW:  Inside the main house, the piano room, redecorated in white and light blue, with black accents and seagrass.  I adore the bobbin chair and the black and white photographs.  These windows face the pool area and the view towards the beach.

 

Another view of the piano room showing the round table with slipped armchairs.   Blue and white with black accents is perfect for a sophisticated beach decor.

 

Another view of the piano room.   Whoever did the styling for these photos was really awful I think.  Instead of looking casual, a lot of the rooms look plain messy.  The stylist loves to use shoes in his/her pictures too.   Hey – straighten those pillows!   This view looks outside the back side, as opposed to the beach view.

 

Ah – this picture is better styled.   A nice touch to create a summery, beach feel in any house is to use large candles in glass hurricanes – the more the better.  The seagrass is another good summery element, as are the white slips and navy accents, along with blue and white ticking as seen on the table chairs.   Blue and white porcelains add to the beachy ambiance, and wicker and baskets are essential to create the summer atmosphere.

 

THEN:  The piano room during the 90s.   Much more formal and less beachy.   Check out those arm covers on the wood frame chairs!  Wow!!!!  It looks like a napkin!  RULE:  Don’t use arm covers.  If you HAVE to, have the upholsterer make tightly fitted ones that are almost impossible to detect.  Notice how dated the throw pillows are – flat and small.  I prefer larger, down filled pillows – I usually order them in a 22” size with a 24” inset – it makes the pillow really luxurious.     And this reminds me of why I loathe trim – check out the trim on the chair cushions, why????  Why did we ever do this?????  RULE:  Do NOT use contrasting trim or welt on upholstery – it looks like marks-a-lot.  Trim on upholstery should be subtle and beautiful – this is neither.      Leave the trim for the throw pillows OR the skirt.    Differences – THEN:  the walls are painted a yellow color and there are curtains.  NOW – the walls are white and the windows are bare – giving a very beachy, clean feel to the house.  Myself, I would have used beautiful flowing white linen curtains here, but that’s me.  I always like curtains in any room!

 

A poor photo – but another picture of the earlier piano room – looking towards the back side, not the beach.   Check out the trim on the cushions to understand what I mean when I say marks-a-lot!  The fabric is beautiful, but the trim takes away from it!

 

NOW:  The main living area.  When you walk through the front door, pass the stairs, you reach this room.  The view out the window leads to a porch with a long walkway down to the beachside gazebo.  The sightline runs from the front porch down to the beach.  It must be heavenly!   Again – I love these interiors for a sophisticated beach house – white linens and aqua touches with a wonderful set of palm tree prints.  White and khaki pillows and what looks like an old chintz fabric lumbar thrown in.  Seagrass and rattan and white linen – it doesn’t get any better in my book!   Out the window on the porch is a rattan daybed.

 

Another view of the main living area, showing the stair/entry hall through the double doors.   In the corner is an Oly Studio styled armoire.

 

Yikes:   The view of the main living area showing the opposite sofa.  OK  - this is terrible!  The sofa doesn’t fit on the wall!! RULE:  never, ever, ever place furniture on a wall that is too short!!!!!!  Floating a love seat or chair would have been so much better here – or even just a small console.  Through the doorway is the piano room.

 

The daybed on the porch with wonderful striped and paisley pillows ala Barclay Butera.  The designer brought the living room out onto the open terrace with a large rattan coffee table and two comfy chairs.  At the end of the sidewalk is the gazebo that leads to the beach deck – creating a straight axis that runs from the front door to the beach – only thoughtful architecture and landscape design creates this. 

 

THEN:  The main living area with checks and painted wood furniture.  This is so different from today, but I really like it.  The arrangement is totally different with two floating sofas and it IS better with the two chairs on the short wall, left.  There is probably a huge TV in that armoire!   Also, there are white linen curtains here which today’s designer removed.  I love the wood curtain rods with the pineapple finials.  What I don’t love is the floral border around the seagrass.  RULE:   never, ever use a floral border or a dark border around a seagrass rug!  The border becomes the focal point and will date the rug in a few years.  The border says this rug is from the early 90s – without it, it would still be current.   Notice the gazebo at the end of the walkway – all lit up for drinks at sunset – so romantic!

 

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NOW:  At the end of the axis from the front door to the beach is this gazebo, perfect for sunset watching.  Furnished with blue and white pillows and teak furniture.   Lovely.

 

 

 

THEN:  Dated outdoor furniture in the gazebo.  The NOW picture seems so much more attractive!

 

 

Past the gazebo, on the beach is a deck – at night they set up tables for eating beachside.  Those palm trees are incredible!!!   The photographer really captured the moment with the sailboat off in the distance framed by the palm trees.   Since the house is on the western side of the island – the Caribbean side, which is much less windy than the eastern Atlantic side, the sunsets are phenomenal!

 

 

And looking back towards the beachside deck, the gazebo and onto the house.

 

 

Beautiful!

 

 

NOW:  The dining area is separated from the main house, off by itself in a shuttered building with a vaulted wood beamed ceiling.  The kitchen is attached to this building.   Not sure about these chairs – they could have found some more attractive ones, imo.   The chandelier is also not what I would have used in a sophisticated beach decor.

 

NOW:  Another view showing the slipped host chairs.   Not too sure about those mirrors either.  Or the table.   The table and chairs appear cheap – certainly not something you would see in a $27 million house!   I would have used an antique Swedish table, painted, with antique painted or slipped chairs.   There should be one fabulous mirror flanked by sconces – instead of these two, plain, horizontal ones.   Or, there could be a huge, wonderful antique buffet-a-deaux – with open doors, showcasing a large shell collection.     RULE:  horizontal mirrors drag a room down, vertical ones raise the room up, making it appear taller.     This room could be magnificent – not dressy – but with good antiques, it could be beautiful.   Instead – it is boring.   

 

THEN:   The dining room back in the early  90s – much better!  The lighter cream colored chairs are more casual – the whole look is more casual.  Not sure what that light fixture is – but it’s better than the crystal chandelier used today.

 

 

NOW:  Past the dining room, on the beachfront is another gazebo – the dining gazebo.  Here the chandelier is capiz shells – well suited for the beach.  The chairs are rattan. 

 

THEN:  The dining pavilion in green with an odd hanging fixture.  Very dated with very uncomfortable looking chairs.  The shades and lanterns have since been removed to streamline the look.  Today – the dining gazebo is much better.

 

 

The Bedrooms:

 

NOW:  Bedroom #1.  There is one master suite on the first floor in the main building and three bedrooms on the second floor.   This bedroom is located on the second floor – bright and cheery – with Oly Studio styled armoires.   The walls are coral stone and the floors are painted wood planks. 

 

 

Another view of the bedroom.

 

Bedroom #2 – whites and mirrored furniture with a shell mirror taken from the “before” decor.  The mirrored tables appear to be from Oly.

 

THEN:   This bedroom used white furniture and appeared cheaply decorated for a Rothschild.

 

THEN:  another view of bedroom #2 before.   The architecture in the three upstairs bedrooms is wonderful with the coral stone walls, trellis shutters, and French doors leading to the private balcony that is attached to each upstairs guest room.

 

NOW:  Bedroom #3 – nice linens and curtains.  But the star is that dresser – I think it’s beautiful!!!!

 

 

THEN:  Bedroom #3, the daybed is now in a Chattel Cottage and the shell mirror goes to bedroom #2.

 

THEN:   Each upstairs bedroom has its own balcony – decorated with white wicker chairs.  I like these, but I prefer the darker rattan used today on the balconies – more streamlined.

 

This is the downstairs master suite with a beautiful mahogany four poster bed and  West  Elm vanity table and chair. Love that vanity mirror with sconces!

 

 

Styled differently with the shoes! and a sofa.

 

THEN:   The master bedroom with the same bed, styled more English-Anglo and much simpler with heavy wood furniture.   These palm prints ended up in the main living area downstairs.  Today, the curtain rods are painted white for a more summery feel.

 

THEN:  The terrace off the master bedroom leads to the main living area – to the left.  Today, the interior designer uses rattan chairs with white upholstery on the balconies and terraces off the bedrooms.

 

The four Chattel Cottages – newly built to resemble century old employee and slave housing seen on old sugar plantations in the Caribbean.   Each cottage contains a bedroom, two pink and two blue themed rooms.

 

 

The Chattel Cottage bedrooms – with the shoes and bathing suit styling!    This daybed was taken from an upstairs bedroom.

A charming photograph of the shuttered windows and door at a Chattel Cottage.

Oh my!!!!  Who is this?   This is the London Bachelor from last year with Shayne Lamas who eventually got the final rose!  The final three girls flew down to Barbados and they all stayed at The Great House.  Though the location was unannounced, the reality TV bloggers studied each frame and then looked at every villa available for rent to determine where they were staying.   It was quite a detective job.    Here they are eating in the gazebo, well, kissing – the chairs are the same from the gazebo.  On the show, this bachelorette asked London boy if there were palm trees in England!  Yes – she did.    The blond winner is the young daughter of actor Lorenzo Lamas.  

The Rose  Ceremony on a terrace at The Great House.  The trees were colored greener on the show than they are in real life – apparently the island wasn’t lush enough for the producers.

On the reality TV blogs – they took shots off the TV to compare with stills from The Great House’s web site – to prove that’s where The London Bachelor was being filmed.   And yes – you can see the shot above matches the pictures from the pool area of The Great House!    Must be some bored bloggers out there!  (moi included!)

Remember the rule – no trim on cushions!   Perfectly modeled here by Shayne Lamas' mother, Michelle Lamas from the London Bachelor.   Oy!

So, where does Sir Evelyn de Rothschild live now since he pulled out of Barbados?   Well, a lot of places.  Here, the handsome banker is shown with his third wife, the infamous Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild, a multimillionaire in her own right through her telecommunications businesses.   They married after his divorce from Victoria – whom he shared The Great House with.  They are pictured here in their London townhouse- the art studio of the famous artist John Singer Sargent. 

Lady Lynn de Rothschild made headlines last year when she suddenly became a republican.   She was quoted as saying she changed parties because she thought Obama was an “elitist.”   Surely, she can’t be serious!    Who’s the elite one here?   Married to one of the world’s richest man, with a mansion in England, a townhouse in London and an apartment in New York.  I tried to find where their vacation home is now, but no luck – anyone know?

NOW:  The elegant London townhouse of the Rothschilds.   Famous for being the former studio of the artist John Singer Sargent.   Contemporary furnishings and art mix with priceless antiques.   David Mlinaric is the designer.  Mlinaric also helped Sir Evelyn’s cousin, Lord Jacob de Rothschild with his famous Waddeston Manor.   Sir Evelyn says that this house was the only one in London he ever wanted.  When it came on the market, he snapped it up.

 

THEN:   Sargent’s studio – looks like the bottom window was closed off for light purposes.  What a glorious window!   See a fascinating account of blogging sleuthing about this studio and the Rothschild connection by Things That Inspire and Brilliant Asylum.

Another view of the main studio.  Amazing how they have used seagrass here!  This makes me never want to hear another client say seagrass isn’t “good” enough for them!   If it’s good enough for a Rothschild……

THEN:  A side view of the studio – showing the classical pilasters on each side of the door.   When the Rothschilds bought the studio, many of these features had been r

The breakfast room – this room, the kitchen and the office are in a newly built part of the studio.  The sculpture is by Rodin.  Notice how the blue goes from the large to the small painting in to the kitchen.  I wonder if these chairs are part of the set of 14 chairs in the dining room.  They look like they might be.   All this art work and gorgeous furniture and all I can see is their seagrass is cut too short!!!!!  Seagrass should be custom cut 3 to 10 inches from the wall.

 

NOW:  The studio is seen on the right – the new building built by the Rothschilds with the kitchen and office is to the left. 

THEN:   The studio is the building on the left.  Over 100 years later, the building looks remarkably the same.

Ascott House, not the Ascot where the women were funny hats, but the country house where Sir Evelyn de Rothschild lives with his lovely wife, Lynn.  Yes, you know – that non-elitist Lynn!   Part of the house was donated to the National Trust and is open for tours.   The gardens are absolutely gorgeous.  Here, a fountain of Venus overlooks Ascott House.

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The other side of the fountain, looking over the Chiltern Hills.   The estate is so large that a highway was recently built going right through the property.   Sir Evelyn planted a forest of trees to hide it.   The road separates the house from the stud farm.  Aw…..

The garden is one of the prettiest I’ve ever seen.  This is the secret garden.   The topiaries on the estate are amazing.   And there is a one garden where the hedges are trimmed to spell out a saying.  Incredible.  As at The Great House in Barbados, most walkways are set up on an axis that draws your eye to the end of the path.   All these images are from flickr.com.   If you want to see more of the garden, go here.

Just to give you an idea of the size of the estate!

 

And here, Sir Evelyn and Lady Lynn have an apartment in New York City, designed by none other than Michael Smith, the Obama’s new White House designer.  Interesting to imagine what that man knows!   This apartment was published in Elle Decor, Oct. 2003 and is featured in his books.   Here is a glimpse of the living area – so typical of Smith, antiques and a warm, cozy ambiance.   This room looks so livable, anyone would feel comfortable here, not just a Sir or Lady.

The dining room – so Michael Smith.  He repeatedly uses de Gournay wallpaper in dining rooms to great effect.  Notice the beautiful pediment over the paneled wood doors – beautiful! 

And finally!  The kitchen in NYC.   This looks like a kitchen that is used!  That collection of copper pots is making me see green,   This kitchen resembles an English country house space where the owners never venture out to where the staff works!

I hope you’ve enjoyed a glimpse into the life and houses of the Rothschild’s.   Thanks to Style Court for the NYC pictures and Things That Inspire and Brilliant Asylum for the great detective work on the Sargent Studio in Chelsea.