BWC: Tone on Tone

During my dig through magazines, (I should probably call it a "dig out") I've come across a lot of rooms I dog-eared for clients or future projects. None of them worked for CDLV, but surprise surprise, they work for Beech Wood Cottage! YAY!

One magazine story in particular, is the House Beautiful September 2011 feature on Betsy Brown titled, "Tone on Tone". Sounds gorgeous, right? Let's take a tour! 

Design by Betsy Brown

Because our living room at BWC is also supposed to act as a dining room, I prefer a round table like this one that can function as a library table most of the year. Upholstered arm chairs covered in a nubby linen are perfect for this arrangement, making easy and comfortable living room chairs if needed. Gilded, antique side chairs are then easily scattered around the perimeter of the room. Something this beautiful becomes art, don't you think?

Perfect example, above. A rogue gilded dining room chair finds its way into the living room arrangement, and the room becomes a glowing example of how beautiful tone on tone color palettes can be. 

A rare view at the opposite side of the room, not pictured above. Matching sofas provide symmetry in their face to face arrangement, while a myriad of beautiful chairs, some antique, some new, provide extra seating, big beauty, and a little drama. 

When you put rooms together in this way, it's easy to move the accessories, whether small as a vase or book - or large as an antique chair covered in Flemish tapestry around the house, having it work seamlessly in any room, like below:

Remember that chair from the first picture? I'm a nut for foyer tables, especially round, draped in gorgeous fabric. Unfortunately, CDLV never gave me the opportunity to employ that and neither will BWC, but that won't stop me from having some beautifully elegant linens on the dining room/library table. 

In fact, seeing these photos, the tone on tone loveliness of them, reminded me of pictures I had saved from another magazine, this time online. 

Design by Richard Hallberg

See the similarity? Mismatched chairs of leather and linen scattered throughout the space, a mixture of neutrals, a bit more honey toned than Betsy Brown's, but still all as lovely. 

Opposite a large lantern in the foyer hangs above a console table filled with collected treasure. The beauty of this room is in the way the small things take center stage, allowing the room to act as a luxurious box for an even more luxurious gift. 

Dining chairs are still easily spread throughout the space when not needed at the table, as evident by this antique French cameo back chair finished in a Gustavian gray with gilded detail. Looks remarkably similar to the Restoration Hardware chairs, don't you think? I think I see a few of those having a future at BWC! 

And while I'm quite happy that BWC doesn't have a fireplace, I had to show you this picture of the Hallberg room, as I think it sums up the intention of the space. It doesn't have a decorated feel to it at all - just a collection of lovely things that sort of just happened, and became lovely.

Another column with a fluted urn, just like in Brown's room up top of the post. I think that's a must have, too! Now, I saved these photos years ago. Partially from blog hopping, partially from an online interview with C Magazine. But this room feels so relevant to me, able to be published as easily today as it was back then. Even that chair in the background has found it's way into my heart! In fact, I found a relatively similar version in my budget at Ballard Design:

via

I love how you can get the look of an English Rolled Arm, without the depth of accommodating the pitched and rolled back. I guarantee, that if these are available when I start shopping for chairs, you'll see at least one, maybe two at BWC.

So here's where I leave you ... a great place, I think. This image, along with all of the others up above, have me feeling right at home. How about you? Are you ready on to go on this Diamond Polishing trip with me? Do you think I'm on the right track? Talk soon!