Archive for October, 2011

Reader Request Follow Up

Thursday, October 20th, 2011

Back in September last year I shared my favorite images from the September 2010 issue of House Beautiful.  http://www.colleenfoxinteriors.com/2010/08/hot-off-the-press-house-beautiful-september-2010/

Kathy, one of my readers, fell for the marbleized wallpaper in the powder room in that post and contacted me to find out what I knew about it.

 

I happily grabbed my copy off the shelf and flipped to the handy-dandy resource section at the back (which unfortunately some magazines are moving away from and shifting all that information to their websites.)  The resource listed was a dealer that no longer listed the product in their line when I checked online, but I was able to use the manufacturer’s name to find a basic home page for them with only a phone number listed. Very surprising in this digital day and age!  So I passed all those details on to Kathy hoping it would have a happy ending.

I never heard how it worked out for Kathy, but 10 months later I received an email from Cheryl, another reader who saw the exchange in my comments section on the wallcovering and she was interesting in tracking down the product too.   She used the contact information I had provided to reach the manufacturer and she placed an order without any problems.

Colleen,

Twigs @ the 800 number below are the real thing – the Pheasant in Maine wallpaper arrived quickly, in less than a week, and the clerk was most helpful on the phone.  LOVE this wallpaper; I lined the back of my kitchen cabs which have glass fronts.  Used a staple gun, easy peasy.  And I have some leftover for lining a tray and/or kitchen drawers.  Wanted you to know what my experience turned out to be.   Best, Cheryl

 

I love when a little detail in a magazine like that  sparks excitement and leads to a project for a homeowner. I’m so glad I was able to help out and make that project a reality.  Cheryl has been very kind to share her finished project photos as I’m sure I’m not the only one who will enjoy seeing them.

Here you can see the Pheasant wallcovering by Twigs lining the back of her cabinet.

And the cabinets with the glass doors closed, the beautiful wallpaper adding drama and such a great punch of color to that corner of her kitchen.

 

Thanks Cheryl, great job!

Do you have a similar story?

 

 

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Hot Off The Press – House Beautiful October 2011

Tuesday, October 4th, 2011

 

Catching up on my mile high pile of design magazines is always a challenge for me. For instance, I made it through 3 new design magazines in one night while catching up on favorite TV shows, but then it took another evening of late night scanning to get it all in the computer for me to share with you.  It’s worth it though for all the inspiring ideas and products I discover each time.

I’ll start with the most recent issue of House Beautiful because there were so many beautiful homes and fun features that it is really hard to narrow down to a top few.  So here are the hightlights, but I recommend you pick up your own copy soon!

This is an example of one of the fun features in the latest issue. With so many social holidays coming up in the next few months, now is a perfect time to make sure you have options for setting the table. These linens by Sferra are offered in so many sumptuous colors that I’m having a hard time picking my favorite! Of course that Sunset napkin is a top pick since that’s my favorite color these days, but I could just as easily go for the Modern combination or so many of the other options.  Which would you pick?

I don’t always like the designs featured in the Instant Room column, but this one is very well done. The ottoman fabric and design is lovely, and the fabric for the couch adds interest without being overpowering. Overall, it’s a balanced room with a mix of shapes, textures and subtle patterns that I would be happy to live in.

How creative and stunning is this bathroom wall feature?!  What a great way to add a waterproof punch of color and pattern without overpowering a master bathroom. It feels so fresh.

I like when designers utilize mainstream bedding like these sheets from Dwell Studio. It’s all about the high-low mix, and while Dwell Studio’s bedding isn’t exactly cheap, it’s certainly not as crazy expensive as many other lines. This room could easily be recreated using pieces from popular retailers without compromising many details.

The high ceilings in this living room are brought down slightly with the gold ceiling finish and pendant fixture. Even though you see the lavendar and green first, the repetition of gold in the ceiling, curtain rod, pendant and cocktail table ties the vertical space together.  The spun sugar feel of the cocktail table is airy, fresh and divine. A chunky wood cocktail table would have thrown off the balance of the space.

I love these stairs. What a way to honor the material and highlight craftsmanship. The rest of the house is not to be missed. (Consider this a teaser!)

Finally, a sneak peak of the annual House Beautiful Kitchen, designed this year by celebrity chef, Tyler Florence.  The overall kitchen is well done, but I wanted to highlight this unusual choice: upholstering the kitchen table chairs in 5 different fabrics on 2 styles of chairs. I don’t think I could live with this much difference in color and palette. Maybe it works better in person?  I do like the idea of the hostess chairs at the ends being in a different fabric than the side chairs.  Maybe if they had just used 2 green fabrics it wouldn’t be so jarring.  Thoughts?

 

So that’s the highlights of the latest House Beautiful. Be sure to pick up a copy and let me know what your favorite spaces are.

 

Photo credits: House Beautiful, October 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

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