Books

  • Shark!

    Sharks are certainly newsworthy these days.  Shark Week is in full swing on Discovery, JAWS  just celebrated the 40th anniversary of its release, and on a less inviting note, Carcharhinus have made the Outer Banks their summer vacation destination.  Yikes!  Surprising as it may seem, I am loving every minute of it.  Despite my lifelong fear of sharks, I am obsessed with the movie Jaws.  I admit this seems a bit odd for a land lover, professional aesthete and enthusiast of all things cute and fuzzy.  First, I love a good thriller.  Second, the cast is perfection.  Third, the cinematography (Spielberg, of course) is inventive yet convincing.  And fourth, the…

  • Seven

    January 11 marked the seven year anniversary of  Huntley & Co. Interior Design.  Amazing how time flies!  In honor of my biz’s birthday, I’m sharing seven sets of seven favorites.  I typically champion quality over quantity, but it’s nice to be surrounded by inspiration – from design to television to words of wisdom – in abundance these days.  Here’s to seven years of success, a fantastic 2013 and a life filled with beauty, humor and a healthy dose of fun. 7 YEARS OF HUNTLEY & CO.            7 ARTISTS I am OBSESSED with the work of the artists below.  Need me a millionaire (or maybe billionaire)…

  • Quips and Quotes

      This week I stumbled upon several meaningful quotes while thumbing through newspapers and magazines.  It was like finding water in the desert.  I dedicate so much time to visual consumption that I have neglected one of my first passions … the written word,  I love a well- crafted phrase.  The right combination of words can be truly magical – evoking sentiment, laughter, insight or inspiration.  I may produce a blog about “all things design” – that I admit is 85% photos – but I do consider the words as important as the images.  Hopefully I engage my readers with each opening paragraph by delivering a thoughtful, humorous and/or compelling…

  • Tidy House Tidy Mind

       Some people dread the due diligence of home ownership, but for me, organizing and caring for  one’s home is one of life’s simple joys.  That’s not to say I don’t suffer from a messy garage like everyone else, but given limitless time and resources, I would trick out my garage until it looked like  a feature in Martha Stewart Living magazine.  Honestly, I think being organized is a lifeline to sanity. Sometimes, in fact, when my life gets too chaotic and I feel like I’m losing control, I find one small  project – like organizing the kitchen junk drawer – and suddenly life feels much more manageable.  It seems…

  • Stocking Stuffers a la Georgetown

      I am fortunate enough to live in Georgetown – an urban village in DC with cobblestone streets, historic  architecture, charming restaurants and fabulous shopping – the perfect setting for Christmas.  So as things quiet down, I'm going to grab a latté, enjoy my city, and pick up stocking stuffers from my favorite vendors.  Below are nine items you may want to pick up for yourself.  But buyers beware, some of these items are one of a kind and I may have already beaten you to the punch.  ; )         1.  J. CREW  3222 M Street NW leather driving gloves   2.  JEWELERS’ WERK 3319 Cady’s Alley…

  • Wuzzup?

       I’ve received several requests from readers (colleagues, friends, etc.) for an update on chez Huntley.  I wish I could say things were further along, however, I am happy to report the purchase of a few fabulous items that I’m dying to put in place. All were great deals, but more importantly, they all have a Tricia-esque sensibility and suit the house beautifully.  If I survive the renovations (God willing), I may just have one rock star pad to blog about.  Keep your fingers crossed and stay tuned!                   A general inspiration board for the public spaces.          …

  • Purple Reign

    It's over. I'm not a guy, I'm not a jock and I haven't lived in Minnesota for twenty years. But I do have three brothers and a father who are die-hard Vikings fans.  So despite  the fact that I'm a fashion-loving, bauble-wearing, design-obsessed girlie-girl, I was truly crushed by Sunday's loss.  In honor of my home team and those who love them, Luxe & Lucid is featuring all things purple this week.  Who knew football could be so inspiring?              The power of purple brought to life by artist Mark Rothko.       Emma Watson in Teen Vogue – darling.  And check out her…

  • THE LUXE LIST – Holiday Hostess Gifts

    It’s that time of year when friends and family invite us into their homes to celebrate the season.  And if your mother “taught you right”, you don’t show up empty-handed.  So what to buy that special host or hostess?  Your gift doesn't have to be expensive, but it should be thoughtful, attractive, and well, something the person might actually want.  So to ease your mind and your wallet, Luxe & Lucid has hand-picked ten hip, holiday hostess gifts below.  You’re sure to be a hit, so enjoy yourself and party on!             Coffee table books are a no-brainer.  Both beautiful and meaningful. Rizzoli publishes some…

  • Tip deLuxe

    DIVERSIFY YOUR HUE It's a common pitfall.  You want a blue (or green or yellow or red) room and you think the answer is paint.   But alas, a room is not built on paint alone.  A room with one color is like a song with one note – flat.  It takes layers of colors, textures, fabrics and finishes to really make a room "sing".  The dining room below from Bunny Williams is a beautiful example.  The star of this room is a dramatic cerulean blue, but it's the supporting shades of green, yellow, gold and cream that make it pop.  Moreover, the designer chose checked slipcovers, a large 18th…