Pillow Talk

There is almost nothing more to love than the detailing of a beautiful pillow, and yet, it can be one of the most neglected accents in a room.  In some instances, after the larger pieces have been placed in a space, there is a tendency to take a - “Wait and see if it’s really necessary” - approach.  (Translated . . . maybe the room can “get by” without this added investment.)  In other cases, they may be seen as unneeded “fluff” because of being way overdone in the bygone days of over-the-top, unedited design. 

In the simplest of ensembles, this striped pillow, with trim, commands your attention.

A really well-executed pillow is like a work of art.  This dressmaker detailed accent can take a basic sofa or bedding ensemble to a level, several notches above.  Pillows are one of the easiest ways to update and compliment a new color palette.  The ranges of investment often depends on the amount of the detail, the fabric, trims and the insert materials.  There are some ready-to-go designs with a good look for a good price.  Truly custom pillows can be in the range of a small, accent piece of furniture or a nice lamp.  Because a pillow can be held and examined closely, I tend to prefer the best quality one can afford.  Hand-sewn closures and plump filler materials always are the best, in my book.  Natural fibers give the nicest tactile experience.  Visually, if you consider some of your favorite bedroom photos, most of the bed dressings would seem pretty blasé without the extra pillow layer.

Can we talk pillows?  I’d rather show you!

From Barclay Butera’s Hearst Castle Collection*  Hand-painted designs = custom art for a custom pillow.

A hand appliquéd design on a solid linen. Bella Studios*

Open flanged corners with knots!  Bella Studios*

The hand-tucked details remind me of Mary McFadden’s Marii or Fortuny pleated dress.  Some pillows are meant to be couture rather than to be “tossed”.  Bella Studios*

Vintage Mary McFadden Gown

The origami design is a feat of ingenuity for this lumbar pillow!  (An elongated pillow is often referred to as a lumbar pillow as it helps to support the lower back region.)  Feature a thing like that!  Beauty and comfortable function!  Bella Studios*

Hand beaded and hand embroidered pillows, from Ankasa*, were designed after the husband and wife team couldn’t find pillows for their new home.  What pain-staking detail to place each and every thread and bead!

  A lovely room featuring more Ankasa* pillows.

A fab linen pillow studded in Swarovski crystals is sure to add sparkle to your day!  The Infinity Pillow from Shine Home.

The mini flanged-edge with split corners separates the mundane from the must-have!  (And I like those fat fillers, too!)  Barclay Butera* linen pillow.

The flat trim, Greek key border finishes off a solid velvet with a sophisticated touch.  Barclay Butera*

This lovely monogram design from Mary Beth Zeitz is the perfect ending to this post . . .

*These sources are “To-The-Trade” and may be purchased through interior designers and specialty shops.

Cheers to you!  Wanda

Compact Cuisine

“Life imitates art far more than art imitates life”, according to Oscar Wilde, a famous novelist. In the case of the movie, “Julie and Julia”, those lines are somewhat blurred, as Julie Powell, a New Yorker, frustrated with her job, decides to write a blog about Julie Child and embarks on cooking all 524 recipes in Child’s book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Movies, while having some influence over the latest fashions or trends, may also be a reflection of current societal modes and explore our lifestyles, on the big screen. I think this movie may do a little of both. We are reconnecting with friends and family and spending more time doing so, over meals. From comments I have heard, since “Julie and Julia” was released, people are pulling out their favorite cookbooks and recipes, including Julia Child’s, and are expressing their affection for the art of cooking and for those with whom they are sharing the bounty.

I thought it would be interesting, to also layer in another direction we are witnessing in design . . . the direction of scaling down and scaling back in our interiors. A gourmet kitchen does not have to be of the footprint where one might need a pair of skates to navigate across from one counter to the other. I would imagine, in fact, due to NYC real estate being quite precious, Julie Powell’s kitchen was of a more diminutive size. NYC chefs, being some of the best in the world, have often commented about their apartment kitchens and how they best utilize the space they have, without waxing poetic of someday cooking in a gargantuan one. They seem to revel in efficiency.

For those of you who may be thinking you need to knock out a wall to enjoy the experience of the gourmet lifestyle, please enjoy the following photos and notes. Bon Appétit!

Manhattan Chef, Michael Lomonaco, creates his own personal best in this “right-sized” kitchen in his apartment. Nothing overly fancy, just clean lines and a cleared counter to allow for food prep to take place. Everything is stored within an arm’s reach.

Miele offers several dual purpose appliances for functional efficiency. This oven is a microwave and convection oven rolled into one.

Conserving precious counter space is what this LG micro/coffee brewer is all about. You can heat up your morning muffin and keep the coffee mug full with its six-cup capacity pot.

Galley kitchens can be the epitome of efficiency, but that doesn’t mean they need to be lacking in style or charm. Having great lighting, via a combination of natural illumination from the windows, with recessed and under cabinet “z” strips, make for an airy view. Keeping cabinets light, with a contrasting stone sink and counter, as well as great design “bones”, prevents a small kitchen from seeming less than luxurious.

This kitchen fools the eye with its perception of space. There is the smart U-shaped cabinet layout, the continued openness of the windows with glass door fronts and the light mosaic backsplash, which pushes the walls outward, visually. The farm table gives a great island-like work space without closing in the view to the cabinets. Everything you need, in the most modern of appliances, is here to create the best of cuisines.

If you can’t spread out your kitchen space, go deep! So much great storage can be lost behind conventional cabinet doors. Look how much food they were able to place in a pull-out shelving unit!

Make drawer storage count by going deeper, here, too. It’s less strain on the back to reach in for some of your heavier cookware.

This may not be a kitchen built for a huge family, but if you have a vacation cottage or a carriage house/guest house, there is no need to sacrifice function or style with a kitchen tucked under the eaves of a roofline. Refrigeration, microwaving and dishwashers are now manufactured in the form of a drawer . . . easy to tuck into the base cabinets to maximize the spaces above. - And to the right, a restaurant style cooktop/oven combo brings the “Cordon Bleu” right to your home!

With a name like “Viking”, who would have imagined they could create a “mini-me” of their larger cooking ranges? Good things do come in small packages!

No matter the size of your current kitchen, I hope you leave with some ideas for making your culinary experience an even more pleasant one!

In memory of Julia – Cheers to You! - Wanda

Great Escapes – The Bath

People often ask what inspires me as to the topics for my blog posts.  I imagine it’s somewhat similar to how a song is written.  Ideas come in the form of images or thoughts or bits and pieces from a conversation.  This week’s post is very much about all of the above.

I began thinking about places to escape or places to meditate, as well as places to relax.  In the meanwhile, I had been collecting photos of beautifully designed bathrooms – with the emphasis being on rooms.  So many of these baths were dedicated to more than mere function, although, the functional aspects went beyond everyday necessities.  They contain everyday “nice-e-ties”.  (I do embellish Miriam Webster, on occasion.) 

On top of all of these swirling thoughts and images, I listened in on a teleseminar,today, by an illustrious peer, Gail Doby, and she shared there is a large trend towards focusing on remodeling baths to include a more spa-like atmosphere and function.  With all the stress people have in their daily activities, the bathroom has become a place where the door can be closed, a lovely bath can be drawn, or a rain shower can wash away all of one’s cares . . . if even for a short time.  In the winter, a fireplace would be the perfect place to wrap up in a thick robe, while drifting off to the land of nod.  Fireplaces in a bath?  Just scroll down the page.

Viola!  A blog post has been born!

While this open door policy may not be for the bashful person, if you are out in the country, the restful, sunny view would certainly lift your spirits.  This bath feels a bit like it’s out of a “Under The Tuscan Sun”.  Just thinking of the movie transports me to another world.

This bath, while bright and airy, creates a little cocooning space with the curtain panel.  I love that it helps to separate and join the tub and shower, all at the same time.  The French doors add a lovely warmth and are functional in hiding linens.

A decidedly modern/classic bath is reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour with its special make-up vanity.  Being able to rest in the sophisticated acrylic chair would make the task of getting ready for the day, a true experience.  No scurrying around, looking for everything!  There’s lots of storage, here.

The counterbalance of masculine to feminine is shown in the gentleman’s side of the bath.  Some of the same design elements are used within the darker, stained wood cabinet stacks.  The repetition of the counter, flooring and wall color joins the two spaces together.  Separate bath spaces also create “peace” among the users. (Guys, are you really this neat?)

The garden seats and the oriental patterned area rug ground the neutral tile and wall tones.  They bring a Zen-like quality to the core of the room.  Afraid to use a priceless antique carpet?  There are many waterproof fiber rugs with beautiful designs and are made for carefree upkeep. This cottage style bath opens to an upper porch.  The chair offers a place to take a rest, soak up the sun, and catch a sweet breeze!

This bathroom is both open and embracing.  The back wall is covered in tiny, sparkling mosaic tiles and the barrel ceiling was hand-painted with a border to mimic the tile design and to bring the scale down.  The importance of good lighting is shown as the fixtures cast a romantic glow during the hours of dusk. (If this seems familiar, it’s a bathroom in my web portfolio!)

The wonderful thing about most period homes is the many fireplaces they tend to have.  This fireplace is a work of art while offering a practical touch.  Imagine taking a rest in the terry cloth, slip-covered chair, while you wait for some linens to dry.  Blue is a color which offers restorative powers and, in the right tone, is one of the friendliest colors in the spectrum.  Color me happy in this bath!

 

Now who would expect a crystal chandelier in a log house bath?  I think it, along with the claw-footed tub and sheer white panels, keeps the bath from feeling too much like a cowboy should be soaking in the tub with his hat on and boots dangling over the edge.  (It looks like a great way to take away the grime from the riding trail!)  I love the Brown-Eyed Susans in the milk jar.  Some of my favorite designs blend the best of both worlds!

(Most photos are the courtesy of Traditional Home and Country Living Magazines.)