Let There Be Light!

November 19, 2018 in Favorites

Image via Business of Home / Photo by Georgina Viney Photography

Is this title catchy or cliché? Oh the woes of writing a blog. Should I try clickbait? “You won’t BELIEVE these lampshades!” “Ten lampshades that will make you drool!” “These 5 lampshades will give you goosebumps!” Alright, alright, moving on. I’m here to show you some lampshades, friends. But not just any lampshades.

I love this ikat shade from Pooky. It’s £88 but might be a pain to ship. Still, a sight for sore eyes. — *I love this ikat shade from* *Pooky.* *It’s £88 but might be a pain to ship. Still, a sight for sore eyes.*

I’m still on my British design kick, and with that, my love of patterned gathered shades is burning strong. My precious grandmother ‘Nini’ mailed this clipping to me a few months back and I wanted to reach through the USPS and hug her. She sweetly asks, “Do you know about a ‘Sari Shade’? What makes it so?” I say to her, and to you — what makes it so, is the beautiful Indian sari fabric used to create its gathered beauty.

*Isn’t snail mail from your ‘Nini’ the best? (Whoever your ‘Nini’ may be.)*

Fun fact: A ‘Sari’ is me, the architect’s daughter. (That’s pronounce sare-E, if you don’t know me! Rhymes with Mary!) But a sari is a traditional Indian garment, now recognized as a cultural icon. Oftentimes more inexpensive saris are made using a blockprint pattern, while fancier saris can feature an ikat pattern — which is produced all around the world, from India to Central Asia, Southeast Asia to Japan. Both blockprints and ikats are popular textiles for gathered shades, and it’s not hard to see why.

Ikat beauty, to the trade only via Melodi Horne — *Ikat beauty, to the trade only via* *Melodi Horne*

Block print example, $120 via Chairish — *Block print example, $120 via* *Chairish*

Perhaps my love affair with patterned gathered shades began last September, with this lil multicolor ikat number at an unreal Airbnb in Edinburgh. Here are two of the five thousand photos I took:

My fondness was fueled further two months later, when I fell in love with Mallory Mathison’s Little Boy Bleu room at the 2017 Atlanta Home for the Holidays Showhouse. The custom gathered shades were the perfect detail to tie it all together. (Or was it the grosgrain ribbon bordering the wallpaper? Or the art? Or those fabulous beds? Oh, how this room mesmerized me last year.)

*Photo by yours truly / Interiors by Mallory Mathison*

Better photo via Paloma Contreras / Interiors by Mallory Mathison

Earlier this year, we had a pair of custom gathered shades made from Schumacher’s lilac watercolor pattern for a client’s home. The fire in my heart was stoked again when Soane Britain mailed out the below postcard over the summer. I kept it on my desk for weeks. I’m not even a ‘pink and purple’ kinda gal, but wowza!

Made for Courtney Hill Interiors by Shades from the Midnight Sun — *Made for* *Courtney Hill Interiors* by *Shades from the Midnight Sun*

And then again, in September, Lindsey Herod used the perfect marigold gathered shade in her lacquered library at the Beyond the Storm Showcase Home, which I wrote more about here.

Photo by moi / Interiors by Houston’s Lindsey Herod — *Photo by moi / Interiors by Houston’s* *Lindsey Herod*

Which brings us to today. My never-ending British designer kick — Rita Konig, for example. And below, inspiration a la the great Ben Pentreath of Pentreath and Hall, which I love perusing.

So where can you find yourself a pretty gathered shade? A lot of them are overseas, admittedly. And some are a little pricey. But a little searching and you can find a few reasonable options, like this beautiful green block-printed shade from Etsy. Chairish usually has a few. And One Kings Lane is worth a visit.

Starting at $80 from CruelMountain on Etsy

Okay, these are totally out of budget. But they exist and they’re beautiful so here you go: Vintage Sari Lampshades, KRB NYC, $500 each (ouch!) — *Okay, these are totally out of budget. But they exist and they’re beautiful so here you go: Vintage Sari Lampshades,* *KRB NYC, $500 each* *(ouch!)*

This isn’t a gathered shade, but I’ll allow it, because my parents let me pick it out for our house in Maine and BOY did it turn out just perfect. None of Matilda Goad’s lampshades are gathered, but they’re still British…and they’re still perfect. Cane! Raffia! Scallops! Too cute. Below, some of my favorite Matilda shades. I’m leaving the price in British pounds because it feels better.

Lampshade from Matilda Goad — *Lampshade from* *Matilda Goad*

P.S. What makes gathered shades even better? Gathered shades for charity! One of my favorite lighting and furniture makers Vaughan recently announced the launch of the ‘Made in the Shade’ campaign to benefit Watts of Love.

15 interior designers were selected to create unique lampshades for their favorite Vaughan lamps in their local showrooms. The lamps will be on display throughout November. For every social media post that uses the hashtags #vaughanXwattsoflove and #madeintheshade, Vaughan will donate $1 to Watts of Love, a global solar lighting nonprofit dedicated to bringing the power to raise themselves out of the darkness of poverty. Below, a few gathered shades from the campaign.

Cathy Kincaid at George Cameron Nash / Image: AD

P.P.S. I counted over 67 lampshades in this post. Is that lampshade overkill? I’m sorry! I couldn’t stop! Until next time…

Birds of a Feather

July 26, 2018 in Favorites

You might have seen the powder bathroom below floating around the interweb lately. Designed by Alice Lane and featured on the recent Utah Valley Parade of Homes, its chic single Kelly Wearstler sconce and bold moody marble countertop sure are nice — but it's the insanely charming Gucci Heron wallpaper that steals the show. Normally, I'm not drawn to feathers and soft blushes, but this week, I'm feeling inspired by pretty plumes and this feminine and whimsical look.

From the top: Design by Alice Lane Home / Ikea Pillow $6 / Darling Dress for Girls $84 / Pair of Brass Birds $32 / Aquazzura Pumps $318 (Marked down from $795!) / Gucci Wallpaper $1,000,000 (Not really, but probably) — *From the top: Design by* *Alice Lane Home* / *Ikea Pillow $6* / *Darling Dress for Girls $84* / *Pair of Brass Birds $32* / *Aquazzura Pumps $318 (Marked down from $795!)* / *Gucci Wallpaper $1,000,000 (Not really, but probably)*

I might've splurged on some feathery Aquazzura shoes similar to the ones above. And I might just have to buy my niece the darling songbird dress designed by artist Caitlin McGauley...

Dinner Party: En Plein Air

June 13, 2018 in Favorites

One thing David and I have in common is our love of hosting friends over. Nothing beats sitting around the table with people we love — some good music, a great bottle of wine, delicious food and a classic post-dinner game of Settlers of Catan (or our new favorite, Code Names. 10/10).

I've always had the charcuterie board and fresh flowers on deck, but my entertaining pieces were lacking. When it came time to pull together our wedding registry, I spent a lot of time shopping for serveware I felt could last us for years to come. Today I'm sharing some of my favorites — a perfect collection for a French inspired dinner. We can pretend to be en plein air on the Côte d'Azur even if we're just in a lil ol' Houston apartment, right?

click any image for source

Now...if I could just learn to cook! Oops...

A little al fresco daydreaming for you...

Coffee Table Books for the Design Lover

December 07, 2017 in Favorites

I have an obsession with CTBs. They are everywhere in my relatively small apartment, and I can't seem to stop collecting them. There's so many CTBs on my CT that David frequently announces he's about to lose his mind if I don't clear 4 square inches of space for a glass of water. I'm talking, of course, about coffee table books.

For me, coffee table books are an enormous source of design inspiration, and having them in every nook and cranny of my home brings me a lot of joy. Their often colorful and happy covers are a great way to brighten up any space, and I love that they reflect the personality and interests of whoever sets them out. For instance, if I catch a glimpse of Wes Anderson or Matisse on a friend's coffee table — Anthropologie candle flickering nearby — I immediately know that we will be buddies. And so I present to you, (just in time for holiday shopping), 5 books I have and love and 5 that are on my (growing) wishlist:

MY 5 FAVORITES

1

I adore this book and highly recommend it to anyone with an inkling of interior design curiosity. "With one hundred essays from one hundred interior designers, spanning stylistic genres from classic to modern," the descriptions reads, "this book highlights the knowledge, experience, expertise, insight, and work of established design legends." It goes on to say that "opening Interior Design Master Class is like sitting down to the best dinner party you’ve ever attended," and I can't say I disagree! You can find the book for sale here.

2

This architect hails from San Antonio and is the father to an amazing, beautiful daughter. It's super bizarre — his last name also happens to be Imber. This collection of some of his best work and beautiful watercolor renderings is a must-have for lovers of traditional or southwestern-inspired residential design. Find it here!

3

2c1e45d97afa6d1f637c97116ecd74c5--kiki-de-montparnasse-paris-s.jpg

I've always had an infatuation with the aesthetic of the 20s. On top of that, (while my French has declined rapidly over the years), I've studied French my whole life, studied abroad in Paris and am a bit of a Francophile. My brother gifted me this book and I nearly cried! Simply breathtaking images. You can splurge on this stunning oversized coffee table book here.

4

Anna Spiro is a designer out of Australia, and I'm madly in love with her bold and brave use of color and pattern. Her work is so happy, and her projects draw you in with endless details to discover. "A bright and colorful life" is exactly what she stands for. Take a peak at her beautiful portfolio here, and you can find the above book here.

*I spy a Paule Marrot print....! And look at those fun painted Thonet chairs!*

5

Admittedly, I didn't know who Carlos Mota was when I bought this book. The vibrant chartreuse cover pulled me in before I ever even opened its pages. "Mota is the mastermind behind the amazing photographs seen in all the top design magazines, including Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, and Interior Design, to name a few. His gifted and educated eye for selecting furniture, textiles, accessories, and art has produced some memorable imagery." I really enjoyed learning more about him and pausing to appreciate the art of styling! You can purchase this vivid book here.

WISH LIST

1

I interned with Beth Webb in Atlanta during college and fell in love with her sophisticated, timeless eye for design. She is a master at neutral rooms that are anything but boring — her use of textures and tone on tone patterns, the way she layers. I just want to pour a glass of Zinfandel and hop into the pages of this book. You can purchase this beautiful book here.

2

I've been eyeing this book ever since it was published! Author P. Gaye Tapp highlights the timeless style and elegance of some of America's most chic fashion and social icons of the 20th century. "The book is presented in four sections that describe the aesthetic approaches that the ladies took in decorating their abodes: “The Fashionably Chic”, “The Unconventional Eye”, “In the Grand Manner”, and “Legacy Style." Available for purchase here.

*Babe Paley was an American socialite and fashion icon in the 50s who hired design legend Billy Baldwin to decorate her St. Regis apartment.*

3

I mean, DOGS! Enough said. Dogs sell. They are the ultimate models. Photo of settee without dogs: 2/5 stars. Photo of settee with TWO dogs: 6/5 stars. I just adore this book and I've never even held it in my hands. Get your own copy here.

*Featuring: Martin Lawrence Bullard's precious dog.*

4

This is a prime example of a CTB whose cover alone makes you want to add it to the collection. What a way to snazz up the coffee table! Plus, Pierre Frey's fabric line is one of my favorites, with a huge collection of vibrant and playful patterns. "Since 1935, the Parisian company Pierre Frey has designed and manufactured some of the most coveted textiles and wallpaper in the world." The colorful book "celebrates a family-owned company that has flourished by preserving centuriesold crafts and techniques to both reproduce period textiles and design eclectic, contemporary creations." For purchase here.

*Pierre Frey's "Arty" brushstroke fabrics is one of my favorites. Taking suggestions now on how to use it! Pillows?? Drapery in our guest room?!*

5

I absolutely adore Veranda and Clinton Smith, the Editor in Chief. I had the opportunity to meet him in Houston while he was touring with another one of his fabulous books, Veranda: The Romance of Flowers, and he's just incredibly friendly and talented. Can't wait to get my hands on this one! Find it here.

Okay, 6

Last but certainly not least —this one isn't exactly design related, but it's inspirational nonetheless. Just the cover alone sparks a fire in my soul of beauty and love. You can buy it for me here.

“A stack of coffee table books is a chic, elegant, intellectual look that can add character to most any living room while also revealing volumes about the character of the person who lives there.”

— Patrick Delanty

The Architect’s Daughter

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