Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Our Home: New Colors

I was out of the office today, which allowed me the opportunity to take some daylight photos of the house to share with all of you. Photography in our house is usually done at night - since I tend to be busy or out during the waking hours ... so this is a treat, even for me. I've hinted, teased, and joked about changing the colors of CDLV for the past month, and I figure it's high time for you to see the progress that's been made. It's not complete - but close enough, and I hope you all like it as much as we do.


Some of you have been with me from the beginning - the tried and true, and for that I love you! I really do! But also love all of my new readers - and digging back through 500 posts is a bit much to ask. So, some background: the chairs are from Texas, we brought them here with us. I'm aware that they're a bit big for the room - but I love how cozy they are, and our friends never complain. They are the perfect hug while you cup a mug of cocoa or glass of wine, and have seen tears, laughter, and even some pain in their time here at CDLV. The above chair is mine. It's where I sit, sometimes very late at night, with a book, laptop, or notepad deciding how I'm going to keep you all coming back! The plaid blanket is my newest find - a favorite from my friends at La Maison Home in Chadds Ford, Pa., the chocolate fringed throw is cashmere from Gumps, the linen pillow with white cotton piping is Ralph Lauren, and the axis hide bolster pillow is from a dear bloggy friend who wishes to remain anonymous. :)

The first all wood piece leaning behind the chair is a piece of an old Victorian folding garage door. Scott and I found it in Springville, NY on our way to Ellicotville to enjoy the fall leaves about 3-years ago. It's bullseye carving is simple and sweet - and at a mere $5, I'd say it's been MVP in the room! The second piece, is a painted all wood, handmade sign that reads: HURLINGHAM. Scott picked this up in Virginia at a store closing. It was part of a display piece, and he was instantly drawn to the large graphic, and the price! $25~ can you believe it? We've had HURLINGHAM in our living room, then dining room in Texas, and in the foyer and guest bedroom of CDLV. Once the foyer went Monks Cloth (MS), the green didn't seem to work, and I'm glad. It gave me an opportunity to layer here, and bring in my favorite antique accessory - the clay parrot.

Chinese clay figurines are mostly seen in foodogs, and dragons, but every once in a while - if you're lucky, you can find a parrot or koi fish. I found a pair of these on eBay 2-years ago, and they've migrated room to room waiting to find a home. (I think one finally did!)

The baby roses are in a small silver plate sugar bowl and mercury glass vessel I found at Tuesday Morning. The wall lamp is Restoration Hardware, and the hurricane is a $9 vase from Christmas Tree Shop with a small brass candlestick that holds mini-tapers from an antique store in Boston.



We painted the walls Restoration Hardware's GRAPHITE, and I ordered a great seagrass rug with a beautiful chocolate border all the way around.  I don't know if you remember my frustrations about having my taupe cowhide rug, all dressed up with no where to go. It's PERFECT here!

I'm a nut for pheasant feathers. Have been for a long time. There's something so masculine about them, yet they're delicate and very feminine in shape. Earthy, Honest, Pure - they're a great statement piece, I think. This vignette sits atop an aged brass directoire table, a style popular in Hollywood Regency. I found mine on eBay, and kick myself everyday that I didn't buy more than one.

The parrot is one of a pair, and I'm on the look out for more. If you ever see them - and you're not buying for yourself - let me know!

This is an old pubsign that Scott scored at an antique store in Ohio. It's from England, oil on tin, framed in old architectural moulding and crown. It's lived here (happily) since we moved in. Luckily, at 6' tall and 4' wide, it hasn't had much of a choice!

More of the RL linen pillows in our chairs. The textile on the back of the chair are old kilim saddle bags. Scott picked them up while he lived in Turkey, and shipped them back - along with 20+ rugs. I think they add a great bit of color to the chair - and to the room.
 A close up of those bags, and their color and texture.
You might have noticed that I didn't take pictures with views into the dining room or sunroom. That's because I want to show that to you at a later date! So, this interesting vantage point on the fireplace. These paintings were picked up at the art walk in St. Petersburg, Russia. It cost more to ship them back to the states and have them stretched than it did to buy them! Two push up brass candlesticks with my Creative Candle 36" white candlesticks, and a beautiful white orchid in a tarnished brass dish we got at a thrift store.

The ottoman is from Pottery Barn, and although it is monstrous, I do love it. It's great seating ... and there have been a few naps on it too!

Of course, there are things that I am not finished with.
  • There's a beautiful knole sofa in my garage just waiting for a slipcover - which I'll make with a nubby canvas drop cloth. Then accent with tapestry pillows. (Look forward to a step-by-step on the slipcover process soon!)
  • Two pharmacy floor lamps for either side of the fireplace to provide great reading light for those leather chairs are on their way.
  • My fancy electric staplegun (the best $29.99 I've ever spent!) is going be put to good use for a 3.5 foot folding screen in burlap, leather, and nailheads for in front of my fireplace. (Remember - the fireplace is non-functioning!)
One day - soon. Til' then ... let's take a peak at the foyer. Remember I painted it, so it's a big change!

The foyer is small, and it's hard to take pictures of it - no matter how hard you try. A special surprise if you can find me in the photo ... howdy, yall! :) The mirror was a gift from my friend Melisa, the brass etching (of the dragon) was purchased at an antique store in Rhode Island.
The baluster is one of a pair - waiting for french wiring into lamps, the sconces - antique reproductions I painted with gold paint, the brass bowl is filled with clementines, and the white tulips are in a blue and white vase a blog reader sent me when I started my blue and white collection! Thank you Giney!
I'm guessing you are wondering what that beautiful gold piece of art is behind the etching. And I'm wondering if it would be best to have to guess for a prize. Hmmm, why don't we do that? Leave a comment with what you think the piece might be - and I'll send you a little something from the photo.

31 comments:

  1. I'm loving what you've done to the living room -- what a great mantle -- too many people over decorate! And I love the angle of the picture -- I'll have to steal that sometime!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Just lovely, Artie! I love that pub sign ~ the sign itself and the way it is framed out. Your vignettes are wonderful and really add to the warm and welcoming feel.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, Artie, I love the colors and the warmth they create. It all looks so welcoming.

    On a funny note, I had that exact throw at La Maison in my hands but my attention was caught by something else. Darn it, now I wish I had gotten it- it is so cozy looking. You have a very discerning eye!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Of course, I am a new reader, but I am excited you have taken us back a bit and gave us a brief history of the pieces and their origin. It looks so warm and inviting.

    Mr. Goodwill Hunting

    ReplyDelete
  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Such a beautiful, warm and inviting room!! This is a room that just makes you cozy. I love it!

    And I love all the unique antique pieces...especially that huge pug sign. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. LOLOL....pug sign!! Can you tell where my head is (we have a pug).

    Of course I meant PUB sign. :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh - I, too, love that PUB sign, Artie..but besides that you have done a great job with layering and placing everything. Love the mantle..it is perfect.

    Now..what is that? Hmmm...it looks like it has been folded at sometime....and it MAY not be metal as it appears...Is it a piece of some type of paper? Wrapping paper comes to mind? I dunno...I give up...but you better tell us soon! Hugs- Diana

    ReplyDelete
  9. that piece looks like it might have been unfolded from a national geographic? something vintage.. a print on metal?

    Love the texas chairs.. love the paint color, love the vignette, love it love it LOVE it!!!! Your taste and style is impeccable and the compositions you put together tell your story beautifully.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Looks like some kind of crumpled brown paper with a sort of gold leafing on it; love the textural brightness it brings! Love all your new work! You have inspired me!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Gorgeous, Artie. I am loving these changes!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Beautiful Artie!!!
    Love all your changes, and as a relative newbie here love learning about the history of all of your beautiful treasures.

    Please tell your anonymous bloggy friend that I would like an axis hide pillow TOO!! what lovely gifts you have received!!

    joan

    ReplyDelete
  13. everything is looking ooooooolalalovely Artie..
    I too love the pub sign..
    you are soooooooo GOOD at putting items together..
    applause applause
    Sonny

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow! Everything looks absolutely stunning. Love the earthy tones, feathers and rugs. So much texture!

    Can't begin to guess what the gold art piece is....but it's beautiful :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Looks like brown paper swiped with paint and then gold paint...I am sure it was wrapped around a beautiful gift and you wanted to preserve the wrapping, so you covered an old canvas with it (maybe that "haunting, scary guy painting" - no, too small)...I think you should press out the fold lines (not that you were asking for my opinion) Your foyer and living room look lovely, you have such a flair for putting accent pieces together...looking forward to seeing more.......

    and a second guess: it is a gift for one of you from the other but the birthday hasn't arrived yet, so it is wrapped, just waiting to be opened

    ReplyDelete
  16. I personally like the chairs. How can anything comfy be to big. Nah.

    I think behind the etching is a picture of a forest? That is my guess.

    Love the room.

    Shelley
    knockyblack@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. The new colors are looking so good! Could that be a grocery paper bag or the drop cloth from painting. Maybe you slid a paper sack under something to paint and pulled this art piece out!? I don't know and don't care, but you MUST tell us soon-or I'll forget the teaser! That's what happens as you get O.L.D. ♥♫

    If it's BY, I won't remember--before yesterday~ha!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Love the colors...and the foyer IS a different color than the LR...right?

    Everything looks so lived in, relaxed...comfy. Classic. You could smoke a cigar or pipe in your Living room...if you smoked cigars...not that I am suggesting you start THAT habit....

    The gold leaf paper/canvas. Did it cover the oils you brought back from ST. Petersburg...perhaps?
    OR~like someone else said...is it a wrapped surprise painting?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Looks great Artie!

    I'm guessing the gold 'artwork' behind the dragon etching is a piece of brown craft paper you used as a dropcloth to paint the reproduction sconces gold! It also looks like Ebru, which, if Scott lived in Turkey, he would know what that is. It is beautiful, whatever it is!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love your vignettes, especially the one with the parrot. I suspect that the curious artifact hanging above the chest is a piece of brocade with lots of gold in it, loosely wrapped around a board and with fold lines from being stored.

    ReplyDelete
  21. looks great! love all the found pieces and I could so see spending hours in those chairs.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I want to slip cover a sofa and chair and can't find good instructions.

    People just say do it. Do you have an instruction booklet?or do you just do it ?
    anyway I am going to have to stay home before I get real serious just doing it LOL

    Love all your decorating

    Janice

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love how real your home is. That's what makes great design for me -- a home that is obviously loved and has stories to tell. It's warm and welcoming and I can't wait to see the rest of it. I'm thinking its wrapping paper (?)

    ReplyDelete
  24. What a gorgeous place- love what you've done with it.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Your changes look great! Love the pub sign..(just like everyone else), and I think I know where you got that awesome pillow...because I saw it on her blog and begged her for it too!! :)
    Stay warm...because you will probably be getting our cold weather soon....

    ReplyDelete
  26. Just discovered you via goodwill hunting. Loving your attention to detail and the fantastic pieces you've amassed. Good stuff! :) Erica

    http://moth-design.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  27. artie - i've never seen that pub sign - that is osooooooo gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!1 i love that!!!
    everything looks so fresh. love the entry!!! ive never seen your house in the daylight - it looks so bright!!!!!! hope you are enjoying the gray. it really looks so different, looks beautiful! congrats.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Could it be wrapping paper or recently I saw the screens for newspaper printing although those were silver on the back? Maybe.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Could it be wrapping paper or recently I saw the screens for newspaper printing although those were silver on the back? Maybe.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Love the seagrass rug! Where did you find it?

    Christina

    ReplyDelete
  31. Loving it all... BEAUTIFUL AND comfy cozy! Very welcoming and well put together! I love greens so whenever the color is featured it is an instant hit with me!

    ReplyDelete