Thursday, September 16, 2010

Our House : A few new pics


If you've been following along for long, you know that my living room goes through a transformation about 10-15 times per year. I put something in, take something out, take everything out, then put it all back in ... ultimately trying to "fix" what wasn't broken. All summer I battled that "fix it now" mentality - struggling with my own creativity and the extreme confines of the space. But, there's something about fall and the rich textures and colors of our collections that really sing in the house and my outlook always brightens just about the time the leaves begin to change.

Our house, built in 1924, isn't all that special architecturally. A sort of bastardized dutch colonial on the outside with a 4-square figure and clipped roof, and an awkward layout in just 1500 square feet inside is finished to feel a little like a traditional craftsman bungalow. French doors to different rooms, and a huge intruding fireplace in the space effectively make my living room dual purpose: LIVING ROOM, and HALLWAY. Still, with all of it's oddities I love this house. It fits like an old pair of leather driving mocs. So, I decorate it ... manically, and habitually.


Remember the foyer got a new "lift" about 5-months ago, when I changed the color from clay to a soft blue/grey that I just love. And now that I have my antique botanicals hung on the wall in the space, it feels perfectly welcoming and completely befitting to the rest of the space.

There's something so ancient about botanicals - even those that aren't "antique" that make them so interesting to look at.

The English secretary is recently dressed with my interpretation of the welcoming winds of fall. The last of my peaking hydrangeas, wicker, glass, and the flicker of candlelight. Do you remember those little copper lanterns (behind the hydrangeas)? I found them in a box in the basement - so I had to break them free of their cardboard domicile ... I think they're right at home!
And the full view. The ottoman was a gift from my friend Melisa. It was when I was in my cowhide rug kick. Now that I have one, I don't know that I've ever used it. This stool though is always tucked somewhere in the house: completely useful and beautiful - it's perfect for a quick seat or a small side table when needed.


Looking from the living room into the foyer.
And the new coffee table/ottoman vignette. Thankfully my friend Allison who some of you know as "Margaret" was kind enough to let me cut a few of her HUGE hydrangea blooms for my Asian pottery.
Remember that post I did on the kilim pillows and saddle bags? Well, I decided to use those saddle bags on the chairs. They're fun and colorful, textural and perfect for fall. Here's what they look like from the back.


And finally, one last look. The zebra is vintage, and probably about 70-80 years old. I love that the colors are more chocolate than black ... it works so well with the chairs and the woodwork.

So there you have it ... the latest changes around the house. More photos to come as I go through more and more rooms changing and editing making the most out of what we've got, and of course, hoping to inspire you along the way.

See you tomorrow for Vignette Fridays! Get your Vignette's ready!

37 comments:

  1. It's looking good. I'll see you on friday.
    tammy

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  2. Artie, you have such a flair for combining things. I'm loving the vignettes both on the ottoman and the secretary in your foyer. A beautiful piece, btw. Gorgeous all the way around, I'm ready and waiting for more! :) Off to revisit them again, and again, and ...

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  3. Hi Artieness! Oh, your home is so lovely! I love all of your pretty vignettes you've set up - especially the blue and white with the cut hydrangeas! You botanicals are so lovely too!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  4. I think my favorites are the first and last photos - far as I can tell they're the same - but they really show off the beauty of your home. Having been there in person, it's absolutely gorgeous and these seem to show it as I remember it best. Love you, Alexis

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  5. Artie, I love all the layering you do and it is a perfect room for Fall/Winter. You have such a discerning eye and your home looks as if it has taken time and a process, never contrived, Now! that is good design,
    KATHYSUE

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  6. Gorgoues. What's left to say?

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  7. Artie- It looks beautiful...wonderful, warm, welcoming...you! Isn't it amazing that during that period they put in those big oversized fireplaces? My daughter's last house was very similar. On each side of the fireplace were wonderful built-in bookcases with wavy glass fronts.

    I like your look-traditional with a twist. You have a great way of putting things together to create a flow. Love it~ It feels like home to me! Hugs- Diana

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  8. You know I love whatever you do inside. And I do really like the botanicals. They are always a great asset and look good almost anywhere!

    You certainly have a flair and your own style! I love what you do!

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  9. Hi Artie,

    When I tell people my favorite color is brown, they tend to give me strange looks. Naturally, I love the rich, earthy tones in your living room. Great textures, and the layering/vignettes are spot on! Always enjoy stopping by your inviting home for a visit.
    Take care ...
    Bill

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  10. WARM
    RICH
    TEXTURED
    MASCULINE
    ARTFUL
    PEACEFUL
    WELCOMING
    HOME
    What else can I say?
    FABULOUS
    INDIVIDUAL
    MAGAZINE WORTHY!!!
    xo, Cara

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  11. Artie...
    It's late, but I just had to 'stop in' when I saw your post...and see what's been going on at CDLV! Awesome fall look for your home. Love it...the colors are rich and inviting...feel like I could grab a seat in a cozy chair and debate white wine vs red, coffee vs tea, which soup and which sandwich is on the menu or which book is next on the 'gotta' read list! In other words...comfy with just the right touches for a colder climate in the Autumn of our year.
    Talk to you soon...**Tami

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  12. Your living room looks so inviting Artie. I love the zebra rug and how you have staged the secretary. I've been picking my hydrangeas too. Now is the time. Yours look great in your Asian pottery.

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  13. So cool and I love the saddlebags with the chair.

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  14. Beautiful home!! what a nice warm colours! love it!
    I love de autumn colours!
    Your grey wall completed the nice decoration!
    Wishing you a nice day
    Yolanda

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  15. Your home is beautiful, love that ottoman.

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  16. Artie, everything looks so warm and inviting. Sometime it is almost a curse to be a designer. When we are creating our own space we look at it with such a critical eye. We are always changing things, moving things, editing. Are we ever satisfied? That is why I say a clients room is not something you can just go in and install at once. Sometimes they don't understand why we can't wave a magic wand and make it appear perfect. A great room has to evolve over time. And that is what your home is doing.

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  17. Everything looks beautiful. You do such a great job with a small home. Mine is really small too and I do so understand how hard it is to work in limited space. You seem to do it fabulously. Hugs, Marty

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  18. It looks mah-ve-lous!
    I love:
    *the layered rugs
    * the vignette on the English
    Secretary
    * 4 chairs instead of a sofa
    * the architectural piece (door?) leaned against the wall
    * LOVE your cross bottle collection!

    Rhonda

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  19. It looks mah-ve-lous!
    I love:
    *the layered rugs
    * the vignette on the English
    Secretary
    * 4 chairs instead of a sofa
    * the architectural piece (door?) leaned against the wall
    * LOVE your cross bottle collection!

    Rhonda

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  20. The Leather and Zebra work so well together. Nice an cozy..

    yvonne

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  21. Love the vignette you put together on the desk in the entry! The botanicals are great as is your new wall color {love that color myself}. After seeing all your pictures, one thing that stands out to me is your front door ~ I love it! The first thing to see when you arrive and the last on your way out.

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  22. Beautiful, rich and soulful, Artie! And redy for fall and flickering fireplaces!

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  23. Beautiful, rich and soulful, Artie! And redy for fall and flickering fireplaces!

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  24. It's all absolutely beautiful, Artie! I love it!

    In spite of the stuff going on with my old blog this week, I managed to get a new one up and running, just in time for Vignette Fridays. I have a post up and ready to link!

    New addy:
    http://backporchmusings.typepad.com

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  25. You have a beautiful home, Artie and you decorate it perfectly. It's very warm...Christine

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  26. You have a beautiful home, Artie and you decorate it perfectly. It's very warm...Christine

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  27. You have a beautiful home, Artie and you decorate it perfectly. It's very warm...Christine

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  28. You have a beautiful home, Artie and you decorate it perfectly. It's very warm...Christine

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  29. It does my heart good to see a beautiful house that has the original woodwork not painted white or offwhite. Simply stunning.

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  30. Looks grate, Artie, and I love the layered rugs. We all know how pictures never do a space justice -- I can only imagine how much lovelier it is in person!

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  31. So nice and easy and pretty too. Your home looks both cozy and fine with a lot of shine. Well Done!
    machelle

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  32. What a warm and inviting space. Your home is beautiful. I just love the zebra rug placed over the Persian one. Stunning!

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  33. love the zebra! it's brown. i love that.

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  34. It all looks nice and rich and inviting, Artie. Love that zebra rug and the saddlebag on the chair. De-lish!
    ~ Sue

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  35. What a wonderful home you have, cozy, warm and very much inviting. I love the Modern office chairs and the zebras. I also love the way you use earthly tones in your living room. I agree with Sue Murphy, that it is hard to be a designer. It took me two years to finally call my home “perfect”, but I still change the way the furniture are aligned depending on my mood or trying out a certain style before incorporating it to my client’s home. It is very hard but at the same time fulfilling to know that you have created something from scratch and the feedbacks from the clients are rewards that not even money can buy.

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  36. Hi Artie,

    I was listening to your interview on the Skrited Round Table and realized we are kind-of neighbors. I live just south of Erie PA, which from Buffolo is a 31/2 hour drive for me (to where I live).

    I wanted to say that I have been following your blog for awhile and recently became inspired by the post you did showing your living room all done for the fall/winter with its warm oranges and greens. Love it. So I have recently re-arranged (yesterday in fact)my family room and am on the look out for some POPS of orange too. Our family room has a lot of wood paneling and I painted the un-paneled walls red after we moved in. With the furniture I have accenting with oranges and greens would work great.

    I'll share pictures once I complete the look. Thanks again for all your inspiration!!

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