Update on Contest Winners

Just a little update on who won the last two big giveaways.  The first winner Ariel, who writes the blog Loving Every Minute of It, won a custom drawing by Patricia Van Essche of PVE Designs.  Ariel chose her darling bungalow as the subject of the drawing.  I thought you might like to see the final results. As always, Patricia’s work is wonderful, warm, and personal.   First – take a look at Ariel’s house she shares with her husband and three boys in the Texas Hill Country:

 

 

 Ariel and her husband have updated their house, adding shutters, new paint, landscaping, porches, etc!!!!

 

And here is Patricia’s drawing.   I love the angle she chose to capture it.   It looks so inviting with the Adirondack chairs prominently figured, along with the trees and picket fence.     If I was Ariel, I would order the note cards that Patricia sells with this drawing on them.   It would be so cute !!    To read Patricia’s story about the drawing, go HERE.

 

 

The next big giveaway was the fabulous lantern from BROWN.    Here is the exact same lantern hanging in my client’s house that I worked on this year.   I was so excited when Jill Brown offered to give the lantern for a giveaway.  It was the largest contest I have ever had.  The response was phenomenal – so many people entered!!!!     I was only sorry I didn’t have more to hand out.   It’s a truly gorgeous light fixture and Jill was so generous to sponsor the contest.  

 

The BROWN lantern was the largest giveaway I’ve done – both in monetary value and numbers of entrants. 

 

   

 

The blogger Brilliant Asylum from Atlanta was the lucky winner of the BROWN lantern.  As  you can read HERE, she had a choice of either having the four light bulb kit inside the lantern or just the one light bulb kit.  She chose the one light bulb kit with the beautiful Edison bulb, shown below.    Hopefully when she hangs the lantern Brilliant Asylum will send us a picture to see it!  Be sure visit BROWN’s web site HERE to see all their wonderful things.  

 

A huge thank you again to Patricia and Jill for the great giveaways.  

 

 

Photograph of Christina Strutt’s house in Bath, England – taken from her latest book:   At Home With Country HERE.

 

P.S.  The newest Skirted Roundtable is now available with our guest Cabbages and Roses’ Christina Strutt.   From England, Strutt is Martha Stewart and Rachel Ashwell rolled into one – with a dash of her mentor Laura Ashley.   Beautiful fabrics and clothes.   Listen HERE.

 

 

Next week we have a HUGE HUGE HUGE guest coming on the Skirted Roundtable:  Robert McAlpine!  I am so excited I could DIE!!!  Wish me luck y’all.  This one has me nervous.   McAlpine is a major hero to me and I’m sure to you too!!!   YIKES!!!!!!!!

Spanish Farmhouse – Then and Now

 

 

I love Spanish architecture.  It’s all so romantic and mysterious with the courtyards hidden behind wooden doors, the arches, the tiled roofs, the iron light fixtures.    This farmhouse in Spain was recently published in a Spanish magazine and it caught my eye.   It was built in the 18th century and only one family has ever inhabited it.   The owners have spent considerable time in the United States and recently decided to return home and fix up the property.   Who can blame them?    Here, at the entrance, the heavy wood doors are open onto the central courtyard which most rooms look out onto.   The family dog stands guard.   I kept looking at this picture and it reminded me of something.   It started to drive me a little crazy - it took me an entire day to figure it all out…….

 

Inside the central courtyard of the farmhouse.    

 

 

There is a porch that runs parallel to the house.

 

Outdoor dining on the porch.   

 

 

  A brick path under a rose covered pergola.

 

 

 

 

  Into the house from the porch:  through curtains and a wood door, then French styled doors.

 

 

The living room is bright – showing signs of its recent updating.  The modern art work is a surprise. 

 

 

 

The dining room overlooks the porch through the iron gated window.   The green door on the right leads to the porch through the curtained doorway.   Native terracotta floor tiles run throughout the farmhouse.

 

 

The kitchen is all white tiles and terracotta floors.

 

 

The master bedroom overlooks the central courtyard.    Here the floor is seagrass with scattered rugs over it.   The decor is so different than French and English.   Its more masculine than French, more colorful than English.   Even though recently updated, the interiors leave a lot to be desired.   But still, looking at this story reminded me of something which I finally remember what...

 

 

 

 

Is this Texas or Spain?     The 18th century Spanish farmhouse reminded me of a ranch house that was built in south Texas by Michael Imber, a distinguished and highly honored architect living in San Antonio, Texas.     The image of the Spanish farmhouse’s white stucco colonial architecture facade brought this Texas ranch to mind.    Here, the courtyard is located to the front of the facade. 

 

 

 

The ranch is located between San Antonia and Laredo – on the south Texas range.    Named Rancho dos Vidas, Michael Imber has received many awards for this particular property.   He says that he drew inspiration for his design from “Spanish Colonial archetypes of South Texas and Northern Mexico.”   No wonder the 18th century farmhouse in Spain reminded me of this ranch!    To reach the ranch house, you enter through protective walls which keep the harsh environment from encroaching on the property.     The plans are beautifully illustrated here, where you can see the house is U-shaped around the front courtyard.    

 

 

 

 

A view at dusk of the entry into the house through an arched doorway. 

 

 

 

A view of the front overlooking the wild Texas scrub landscape.   The Spanish styled facade can be seen in the middle of the compound.

 

 

 

A view of the lush courtyard.  Notice the interesting shaped shutters and the ledge on which the windows are sited.  

 

 

An arroyo is found at the back of the property.   Here you can just barely see the arched facade.  

 

 

 

 

A close up of the beautiful barrel tiled roof.  No expense was spared to make this ranch house look as authentic as possible. 

 

 

A pergola topped walkway off the swimming pool area.    I love the lantern hanging down from the vines – so romantic!

 

 

Inside the ranch, strictly Texan decor.  The ranch is used as a hunting property – the deer were probably shot here.   This interior looks more fitting for a ranch than the original 18th century Spanish farm!    This ranch was published in several magazines and books.  

 

 

The beautiful kitchen with French chairs and table.   Notice the island is made out of Spanish tiles, and also notice how the stove is placed inside a towering mantel.   Beautiful.    The windows overlook the front courtyard. 

 

 

The master bedroom reminds me of a Ralph Lauren advertisement!     The doors are so beautiful.   Notice the shape of the fireplace, so graceful. 

 

 

 

Another beautiful bedroom with a leather bed and French nightstands.   All of the beamed ceilings throughout are so wonderful.

 

 

 

A closeup of the front entrance with its massive door and arched window.  

 

 

  

The back of the house overlooks the swimming pool and the river.  The main living area is to the right. 

 

It’s interesting that the new ranch in Texas, modeled after Spanish architecture found in Mexico, looks as old and as authentic as the original 18th century Spanish farm which serves as the inspiration.   Which is better, the new or the old?   I think I might like the new myself!!!

To see Michael Imber’s beautiful portfolio, go HERE.

Darling French Apartment for Rent

 

We usually spend a month each summer in South Padre Island.  No, it’s not fancy – at all, it’s totally laid-back and we have lots of fun with good friends from college.  I’ve been going to South Padre for most of my life and haven’t missed many summers there.  I think Ben and I have missed only two or three summers that I can remember, due to weather usually.  But this summer with my daughter getting ready to leave for college, we thought we should stay closer to home.    So, here we are in Galveston Texas, with all the beautiful old Live Oak trees cut down from Hurricane Ike.  It looks like a different island now – so bare!   At least we were able to rent a really beautiful condo in a brand new building that we got for a steal.  I keep waiting for them to tell me they quoted us the wrong price.  Shhh!   The brand new condo is actually nicer than my house with limestone floors, granite kitchens and bathrooms and frameless shower stalls – luxuries I am not used to!    Being just 50 miles from Houston, Ben can commute to and from work with ease and Elisabeth has been bringing friends down.   But, the beaches are really quiet here and it’s just not “home” like South Padre is.    It’s hotter here than there for some reason, even the water is much warmer than SPI which can be cold sometimes!    It’s been really relaxing and peaceful and I’m trying to catch up on all my old emails.    Which leads me to my point.    While I’m in Galveston – trying to pretend it’s South Padre where I pretend it’s the South of France, I get this email from a reader about a rental apartment in Paris.  Oh My God!  Why do people want to torment me?   Just when I’m thinking how thankful I am to vacation on Galveston Island, I have to see THIS apartment in Paris??????  

 

 

The Paris rental apartment is owned and was decorated by an interior designer.  Look how she dressed the santos in a cute burlap skirt.

 

The Paris apartment, located in an historic building in one of the better areas, the Place des Vosges, was totally redone this past year, decorated all in painted woods and creamy upholstery.  It looks like a showroom for Blanc d’Ivoire.  Of course it is owned by an interior decorator and it shows.   So many of the rentals in France are just not nearly this cute.   It’s been totally updated and even has a flat screen.   All I can think of is why am I in Galveston when I could be HERE???????

 

 

The main living room features restored hardwood floors and a beamed ceiling.   There are two sitting areas along with a zinc topped dining table surrounded by painted French chairs.  Too cute!!!  Notice the child’s dining chair on the far right. 

 

 

 

The main living area again with a painted antique daybed that faces the fireplace.    Besides a flat screen TV with satellite, there is wireless internet, a safe, and an ice machine.  The kitchen is through the opening in the center.

 

 

 

Vignette across from the dining room table.  I love the old station clock.  You can really tell an interior designer owns this apartment, it’s styled within an inch of its life!

 

 

 

The kitchen has been totally redone and has a charming window which overlooks an interior courtyard.   There is even a washing machine in this compact kitchen.  The master bedroom is through the door, and the second bedroom is reached through the master bedroom.  All these rooms surround an indoor courtyard. 

 

The painted dresser in the kitchen holds all the plates and mugs.  

 

 

One of the bathrooms which overlooks the courtyard has been designed with the same elements as the kitchen for visual cohesiveness.

 

 

The master bedroom has a pretty antique iron bed.    I love the blue walls and embroidered bedding.  Cute lamps and a beautiful, huge mirror.

 

 

The master bedroom and the second bedroom overlook an interior courtyard.  Notice that the shutters are actually just painted tin.

 

 

 

 

This must be in the second bedroom – the flooring is different.   I love the plants in their burlap sacks.  The books and candlesticks are antique and this entire vignette is so romantic!!!

 

This Paris rental is on the second floor and has 2 bedrooms and bathrooms.  It is $2000/week during high season.  No pets and no smoking and small children not advised due to the antiques and light fabrics!!    To visit the web site, go HERE.      If you go, or if you have stayed here, please let me know how it was!!!!

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Comes To Houston

HHN Homes of Houston has been chosen to be the 171st builder for Extreme Makeover:  Home Edition.   The construction will commence after Ty Pennington surprises the lucky Houston family on July 25th.  One week later, the bus will move away to reveal the new house on July 31st.   The entire project is done by donors and volunteers only.  

As you might realize, this is a way to give back to the community and help one family who is so very deserving.   Amazingly, their new house will be constructed in just one week – and HHN Homes is urgently looking for donors and volunteers to help them with this charitable endeavor. 

 

 

Additionally, if you are able to donate specific design items, please go HERE.   A member of the design team will get back to you if what you are offering is a match.   You will then be listed as a sponsor on the website and on ABC’s program.  

If you find it in your heart to donate or volunteer – please visit the web site for a list of all the specific needs and information.  Go HERE to read what is critically needed now!   If you are unable to donate or volunteer, just come out to cheer.  Maps, times and dates are also on the web site. 

The generous owners of HHN Homes, Lee Harris and Linda Stewart, explain why they have enlisted for this formidable task:  “We are taking on this challenge for one reason. . . we want to facilitate the generous Houstonians to join forces from all walks of life to change the life of one deserving family. Our goal is to construct a new house in one week!”  The house will be built for the family’s specific wants and needs and will be both green and sustainable. 

Please consider donating or volunteering if you are able to!  Again, for more information – go HERE.

Lauren Liess, Synaesthesia, and The Skirted Roundtable

 

 

This week on The Skirted Roundtable, we interviewed interior designer and blogger Lauren Liess.  You are probably familiar with Lauren’s fabulous blog, Pure Style Home, where she shows the design work she’s done for clients and for herself.  Last year the Liess family bought a split level house near Washington DC.   The house was stuck in a time warp – it looked like Rob or Laura Petrie might still be living there.  Within just a few months, Lauren totally transformed her house into a magazine-worthy place.   In fact, Better Homes and Gardens recently photographed it for their upcoming Christmas issue!    On Pure Style Home and on The Skirted Roundtable, Lauren shares all her tips and innovative ideas that went into the renovation of her split level.   It’s impossible to single out any room – they are all fabulous, from the foyer to the living room to the kitchen and even to the nursery.    Pictures of her house are on the Skirted Roundtable blog HERE. 

 

 

The transformation of her foyer – Lauren tells us how she did it while she was 9 months pregnant!

 

Besides decorating, we also talked a bit about a condition that Lauren has – called Synaesthesia.   I had never heard of this before, but a few months ago, Lauren described it in detail on her blog, HERE.   Apparently, it is a neurological condition where the five senses become mixed together.  Someone with this condition SEES letters and numbers in colors.  Some people with Synaesthesia perceive time visually - they see days and months in three dimension.   There are at least sixty different ways that Synaesthesia manifests itself:  some people taste colors, some taste music.    Most with the condition have at least two different manifestations of it, as does Lauren.  One in 23 are thought to have the condition and it tends to runs in families.   Woman have it in much greater numbers than men.   Some famous artists and musicians believed to be synaesthetes are  Ludwig Beethoven, Leonard Bernstein, David Hockney, and Vincent Van Gogh.  Amazingly, Lauren didn’t know she was unusual until she took a class in college and the professor started lecturing about it.  Lauren just believed that everyone saw letters and numbers in colors.  After talking about it on The Skirted Roundtable, both Linda and Megan thought they had a mild form of it.   I am totally immune to it – but I wish I DID have it!!! 

Here is how one person describes his Synaesthesia HERE:

 

 

 

Do you have Synaesthesia?  Take this test to find out:

Looking at the chart below, you should see very easily that some 5’s are black and a few 5’s are red.  This is how a normal person would perceive this chart.  You just SEE the red 5’s – you don't have to examine each 5 to determine if it is black or red – you can see this automatically.

 

 

Now, look at this chart below – do you see all the numbers as black?  If so, you probably do not have this condition.   If you DO have it, you would see the 2’s and 5’s as different colors, just as you did in the chart above!

 

 

To listen to this week’s Skirted Roundtable with Lauren, go HERE.   To visit her blog, Pure Style Home, go HERE.  To read her own account of her experience with Synaesthesia, go HERE.

 

NOTE:   If you are interested in hearing any particular blogger be interviewed on a future Skirted Roundtable – leave us a comment on The Skirted Roundtable’s comment section.  As usual, thank you for your continued support – we greatly appreciate it.    And don’t forget, The Skirted Roundtable is available on I-Tunes!!!

Bremermann: Real Estate VS Professional Photographs

 

New Orleans interior designer Gerrie Bremermann has made a career out of designing French interiors – heavy on the use of antiques.  Her designs are timeless and classic – a Bremermann room doesn’t date.  To be sure, it is her use of antiques that help to make her designs everlasting.  Her rooms are sophisticated, yet they are also warm and cozy, a rare combination that is hard to achieve.  She prefers using natural and relaxed fabrics such as linens and cottons.    She loves painted furniture, crystal chandeliers and sconces, trumeaus, and wonderful full and luscious silk curtains.   She usually works with a palette of creams, ivories, golds, and caramels, because “they are timeless and they work.”   Bremermann certainly has her own recognizable look.   A self taught designer, she leans towards the dainty and feminine French antiques of the 18th century although lately she has been using more Swedish antiques than before.    She is tops in the field and has been in the business long enough that she is hired by second and third generation clients.    Bremermann is a grande dame with impeccable style and taste.    She is known best for lightening up New Orleans’ heavily gilded aesthetic.  Preferring to design more casual interiors, Bremermann set up shop on trendy Magazine Street leaving behind the old guard on Royal Street in the French Quarter.      

But, last year Bremermann stirred things up a bit.   A house she designed in Palm Beach landed on the pages of the late Southern Accents and it was a huge departure from her usual designs.   Yes, Bremermann has been gravitating towards more lighter interiors:  a few recent projects  leaned more to the airy Swedish style than the French.   Still, the Palm Beach house was so light, so white, so fresh and youthful – it seemed to be the work of a 30s-something designer, rather than one with Bremermann’s experience.    The walls of the beach house were stark white, something that her fans weren’t accustomed to seeing.   The living room had a long, Belgian inspired slipped covered sofa – Belgian?  Bremermann?   Pictures of the house were splashed all over the design blogosphere – especially pictures of the beautiful living room with its gold and pink accents.   The other sitting room was also highly praised for its gray and cream color scheme and the Amanda Talley abstract painting over the fireplace.   The dining room was notable for two oversized mirrors standing diagonally in the corners.   The house was photographed by the hugely accomplished Tria Giovan HERE.

The Palm Beach house remains the last published job for Bremermann so followers of her work are left wondering if this new style will be seen again?  More amazing is that at a time when most in her shoes would be thinking of retirement, Bremermann pulled out all the stops to create something so remarkably new and different.   It will be interesting to see where she takes us next!

Today, I’ll show first a quick look at her older work, then we’ll look at her latest, the Palm Beach house.   I’ll compare the real estate photographs of the Palm Beach house with the Southern Accents photographs.  Yes, the Palm Beach house is up for sale.   I love, love, love to see real estate photos of houses that have been published.  I think it’s fascinating to see the difference between the two.    Comparing the two photographers is really a study in how truly talented the professional design photographers are – their pictures are works of art.    By contrast, the real estate photos are amateurish and do nothing to make the house look inviting.  How they ever sell a house based on those photos, I’ll never understand.  

 

An early example of Bremermann’s work.  This room is pure Bremermann – timeless, classic, inviting, warm, sophisticated yet inviting.   Her love of French antiques is shown here with the multiples of chairs.  Bremermann loves using French chairs – because you can easily move them around the room as needed for guests and conversation.   The room’s color palette is typical of Bremermann – golds, ivories, and creams.   Beautiful antique oushak rug covers the hardwoods.   The luscious ballgown silk curtains are a trademark.   I would be willing to lay odds that the owners have kept this room exactly as is all these years later.   

 

Another favorite of mine is this dining room with the oversized antique Italian light fixture – Bremermann purposely used the large chandelier because it brings a playful,  youthful element to the room.  The scalloped slipcovered seats also help alleviate any seriousness in the decor.  Again, gorgeous antiques and gorgeous curtains.   The painted, cane chairs are devine!

 

 

Another personal favorite – this living room in New Orleans is more dressy than most of Bremermann’s interiors.   The curtains are to die for and have been copied over and over again.  Bremermann has a formula for her curtains and she once described it in a magazine article.  I dutifully wrote it down and it helped me formulate my own curtain formula!    The key to the lushness is using three widths of fabric.  

 

    For years, this was one of my favorite dining rooms – I love the painted French chairs with the large and small check, the table base, the chinoiserie screens, the chandelier and sconces.   This is so Gerrie!!! 

 

The Palm Beach House – Real Estate VS Professional Photography:

 

The Palm Beach house – the latest publicized work by Gerrie Bremermann.  A clear departure for her:  here she uses a long, tight cushion, slipcovered Belgian inspired sofa.  It is beyond gorgeous - swoonable.   Two gold leaf contemporary tables flank it, while an antique gold leaf table is used as a coffee table.  The two painted gilt French consoles along the back wall are showstoppers, while the mirrors with their contemporary lines frame the entire vignette.   The crystal chandelier looks gorgeous here.  A simple seagrass covers the floors – it’s a beach house after all!  Notice how Bremermann mixed the gold with the silver.   White silk taffetta curtains hang off simple pewter rods.  The two pink pillows give a pop of color. 

 

Another view – this house was such a stunner for devotees of Bremermann’s work.   The stark white is unusual for her, as is the contemporary furniture she mixed in with all the antiques.   The look is sophisticated in a youthful way.     I imagine a young couple living here with their small children.  It’s fresh, hip, and slightly trendy.  Photos by Tria Giovan.

 

 

Another view – here you see the oversized oil painting by Nicole Charbonnet that takes up the wall.  The painting introduces another pastel color, blue, into the room.  I love the white leather on the Mies Van der Rohe Barcelona chairs and the acrylic table.  Beautiful sconces peek in the hallway where a French chair wears more light blue.  It’s a shame the a/c vent couldn’t be moved!  This is surely the first time I’ve ever seen Bremermann use the Barcelona chair. 

 

 

 

And, across from the Charbonnet painting is the fireplace with a stunning Venetian mirror over it.  Notice the pair of antique painted French chairs are across from the pair of the contemporary Barcelona chairs.  Notice how in all the pictures of the this room, Giovan took tight shots – creating vignettes with her lens.   Now, do you want to see what this room really looks like – away from the lens of the fabulous Tria Giovan who took the pictures for Southern Accents????   Look below:

 

 

 The living room as seen in the real estate brochure:   The room is actually much larger than it looked in S.A.   The vignette with the sofa and mirrors and consoles is not as dramatic here.  Also – what a gorgeous bench!   That’s a surprise.   Across the entry hall on the left, you can see into the grey sitting room.   I must say that the room is furnished exactly as it was photographed, except for the orange vases on the gold Venetian coffee table.   Not sure what that is in the corner there (I’m just ignoring it.)   I am dying to know if the Charbonnet is here – you can’t tell from this picture. 

 

 

The sitting room with its grays and creams by Tria Giovan.  This was another photograph that was shown on many design blogs.  The Amanda Talley painting is stunning here – it really “makes” the room.  I love the crystal sconces used next to the contemporary art work.  Beautiful gilt French bench in ticking.  The glass and acrylic coffee table makes the room more youthful and less stuffy.  Rose Tarlow curtains.  Just beautiful!   Now, how does this room REALLY look?????  See below!

 

 

Surprise surprise surprise!  The Amanda Talley has moved from above the fireplace to a side wall.   Instead, a portrait of the owner’s child perhaps is there.   Well…I prefer the Talley, but no one asked me of course!   This room retains its beauty in this picture.  You can see the mirrored console here.  Notice the pattern in the seagrass rug.  The chandelier is to die for – as they all are in this house.  Gorgeous room!  Notice how in real estate photos – they always show the vast ceiling, but professional photographers tend not to show nearly as much. Photographer Michael Lee told us on the Skirted Roundtable to sit on a chair to avoid getting that huge ceiling in your picture.

 

 

  Tria Giovan’s dining room.  The main attraction is the two French trumeaus in the corners.  The oversized mirrors are gorgeous – as is the chandelier.  The chairs are stunning, painted and caned with slipcovers.  I like the casual French chairs paired with the more dressy and streamlined table.  Notice how nicely framed the table and mirrors are in the photo.    Just beautiful. 

 

 

 

A somewhat larger but cropped picture where you can see more detail of the chandelier and the French bench on the right with its BViz pillow.   How does this room REALLY look?  See below:

 

 

The real estate photograph:    The room looks huge – with all the ceiling showing again.  As for the decor - I think I prefer the quieter rooms – the living room and the sitting room.   This seems a little too colorful for me.  But give me those chairs, the chandelier and the mirrors and I’ll die a happy woman!

 

 

    The bedroom with the beautiful Leontine Linens, of course!   And how does the master bedroom really look?

 

 

Real Estate photo:  Ceiling, ceiling ceiling.  This room really looks huge here.   Matching antique painted consoles with sconces are almost lost.  Pretty Swedish sofa.   I think part of the issue is the sheer size of the rooms in this house.  When you get such huge rooms – you really need to fill them up with furniture, otherwise they look bare.  This room could use a whole sitting arrangement in it.   And real estate photographers want to show you the entire room – they don’t want it to look good, with little closeup of vignettes.

 

  Real Estate photo:  large chandelier, French table and chairs dress up the simple kitchen.  No professional picture to compare it to. 

 

 

Real Estate photo:  the play room.  The photographer did nothing to make this room look appealing!!!

 

  Front of the house – the house was on the market for over 12 million, but was later reduced.  The web site doesn’t say if it ever sold. 

 

  Beautiful.  The back of the house.  

 

Lesson to be learned:  Always hire a professional photographer to take pictures for your portfolio if you are an interior designer.  It makes a huge difference.   If you can’t afford one, then borrow a good camera with a wide angle lens.  Remember to sit down for pictures – if you don’t have a tripod.     I’m sure this house is as beautiful in person as Tria Giovan’s photos show it to be, but it’s just such a shame the real estate photos always make the house look not as pretty as it is.  

I have a series called Cote de Texas Top Ten Designers HERE (that I still haven’t finished!) and Bremermann made the list at #4.  To read that in-depth look at her career, go HERE.