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Tip deLuxe
LOOK TO NATURE
In an era when so much design is bold and over-the-top, it can be challenging
for the average person to step outside his/her comfort zone and make unique decorating
decisions. One way to overcome this obstacle is to look to nature. Chances are if it – color,
pattern, texture – works in the natural environment, it will work in your home. Look
at the examples below and you’ll see – even Mother Nature has a glamorous side.
As seen in last week’s Luxe & Lucid post, my shelling excursion
on Chappaquiddick yielded a wealth of design inspiration.
Cool, distressed planks and endcuts for wood floors in a beach house or country home.
This shell’s pattern would make a colorful, yet delicate faux finish for a table, cabinet or mirror.
I gathered these acorns while on a walk in Battery Kemble Park last fall.
The warm tone and subtle striae would make for a beautiful wood finish.
Think outside the box and the ubiquitous animal print and the animal world
can add a unique and unexpected layer of interest to your interior.
Who knew? Chartreuse is a natural color! I would love to develop a living room
color scheme based on the Silvereye’s feathers – chartreuse, beige and grey … done!
And just such a room exists – the cool, sophisticated 2007 Kips Bay living room by Eve Robinson.
To quote Ms. Robinson, “The living room is about the color of life. It is fresh, confident and colorful.”
James Rixner’s take on the same combination of hues.
Snakeskin was the textile this past year. Inspired by fashion and the fabulous
footwear of Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo, I designed a custom console table for
a client’s downtown bachelorette pad and had it wrapped in a faux snakeskin leather.
This incredible photo taken by Shannon Plummer illustrates the complex texture of an elephant’s skin.
SJW Studios has a wallcovering that when installed on the reverse, mimics just such a texture. Or
you could enlist the talents of a decorative finisher like Colorfaux Designs who created the look below.
Tortoiseshell is both classic and modern – a finish that will never go out of style.
I mean, really … could the shell above be any more beautiful?!
Huntley & Co. is fabricating a mirror similar to this Mitchell Yanosky
version to hang above the vanity in a client’s master bath. So chic!
And finally, the haut monde of animal skins. Shagreen. The pebbled skin of rays and
sharks can be found in its natural form – for a price – in accessories and furniture.
But it’s also being replicated these days in finishes and textiles to great effect.
I will never, ever tire of this naturally glamorous material.
clockwise from top left: Clement Rousseau chair c. 1921, the Toulon Mirror in a Huntley & Co.
powder room, Jacques Adnet antique secretaire and bronze/shagreen/agate vases R&Y Augousti.
… and faux shagreen paper covering walls and hidden doors in an H&C bedroom.
You don’t need to look far. Rustic, subtle or glamorous – nature can inspire any interior.
Tricia xo
* POSTSCRIPT *
Huntley & Co. is featured this week in the Before & After section of lushclick.com – a modern
girl’s online design and lifestyle resource founded by Elizabeth Manresa. Check it out!
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(C)happy
I spent this past weekend on Martha’s Vineyard.
Apart from several trips to Newport for hotel work a decade ago, I haven't spent any
time in New England. I tend to migrate west for family get-togethers and downtime.
And being the contrarian-enthusiast that I am, I was tentative about a preppy endemic.
I.e., an island saturated with bobbed hair, lockjaws and Lily Pulitzer ad nauseam. Oh
ye of little faith (and so much paranoia)! I didn't know what I was missing. Pristine
architecture, majestic beaches and charming shops abound. Add world-class
seafood to the mix and you have the perfect destination for a weekend getaway.
* FRIDAY *
Since our destination – Chappaquiddick – was east of Martha’s Vineyard,
we decided to take a driving tour of the island’s west side upon arrival.
First stop – The views of Gay Head.
To know me is to understand that I am a HUGE Jaws fan. It’s one of my favorite
movies of all time (see the October Luxe & Lucid post “Mad About Macabre”). Several
key scenes were shot in Menemsha (above) as well as on other parts of the island.
Aprés dinner and before hopping on the Chappy ferry, we stopped for a nightcap at Atlantic.
The Mike Benjamin Band was headlining – they’ve played for Mary Steenburgen and
President Bill Clinton – and absolutely rocked the house. We danced until we were soaked
through and closed down the bar. Haven’t done that in a few years and loved every minute of it.
* SATURDAY *
I woke up at 6AM ready to tackle the day’s itinerary and
enjoy the small window of sunshine forecasted for the weekend.
To make the most of it, we started the day with a little exploration and a walk on the beach.
Followed by shopping for groceries at the famous (and newly renovated) Morning
Glory farmer’s market. I brought their blackberry/strawberry jam home to DC. Yum!
But the real highlight of the day (well, for me) was a visit to Island Alpaca.
I fell in love with these animals when Sandra Jordan made a visit to Huntley & Co. this
spring. Sandra’s eponymous company manufactures and imports incredibly beautiful
textiles from Peru. She has a true passion for her fabrics and the Alpaca breed itself.
How could she not? Just look at those faces!
Two babies and several “colorways” from Island Alpaca’s herd.
This little fella’ had a passion for grooming. So cute!
After all that excitement, we continued onto Vineyard Haven to do a little
sightseeing and shopping. Below are a few of our stops.
RILEY'S READS
A charming children’s book store owned by the very knowledgeable Zoë
Pechter. Check out her blog for new releases and recommendations.
BRAMHALL & DUNN
Great linens and tabletop items with [you guessed it] a slightly preppy
theme. I did, in fact, find several sheet sets and coverlets from
Pamela Kline and Le Jacquard Français that were quite lovely.
RAINY DAY
A vast assortment of gifts, paper goods and tableware
that range from sweet to sophisticated to amusing.
MIX
An eclectic mix of modern and vintage accessories. I left with a darling
pair of sunglasses. You can also find classic Golden books, antique
typeface letters and colorful dinnerware. And the staff couldn’t be friendlier.
A. E. KIRKPATRICK
A slightly kooky jewelry store tucked away off of Main Street. I found
a chic, bendable gold-plated snake bracelet/necklace for a song.
I'm using it as a sculpture on my living room coffee table.
A great accessory that will change up my tablescape in a snap.
Our long and active day required a nap and a nice dinner in Edgartown.
We dined at Restaurant Détente, an unassuming spot in Nevin Square.
Casual décor, excellent wine list, award-winning fare.
* SUNDAY *
It’s hard to believe we had already packed all the activities above into 30 hours.
We didn’t slow our pace much on Sunday.
Morning is a great time to view Chappaquiddick’s wildlife in its natural habitat. Besides
the incredible sea creatures (horseshoe crabs are freaks!), the bird-watching on
the island is pretty incredible. We saw all of the species below during our visit.
clockwise from top left: Osprey, Oyster Catcher, Snowy Egret and Cormorant.
Later we headed to East beach across infamous Dike Bridge.
I’ve never been the beachy-type, but I found all sorts of design inspiration
in the sand – a collection of shells and other organic materials that will
make great samples for custom furniture finishes. I know …
Could I be any more entrenched in my profession?!
On our way back to the house we stopped for a stroll through Mytoi Gardens.
A Japanese-style garden and cultural treasure protected by the The Trustees of Reservations.
Still beautiful in the rain, I would like to go back when the gardens are lit by sunshine.
Despite the inclement weather, we went for a sail on Cape Poge.
The increasing winds turned a casual cruise into an exhilarating 2 hours.
Can you say “exhausted”?! Only 3 things left to do …
Eat, cocktail, and relax.
And that’s how you do a fabulous weekend.
LUXE & LUCID RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR VISIT TO MARTHA’S VINEYARD
– The Vineyard’s official site is www.mvol.com and has a lot of useful info.
– Design Sponge’s December post featuring MV is Grace Bonney’s extensive, personal guide.
– I also like the New York Times Travel Guide because it includes reader recommendations.
– The island has an excellent radio station. Tune into mvyradio and you’ll be set for the weekend.
– If you’re an architecture and/or design buff, bring your camera and do a walking tour of Edgartown.
– Pack layers for travel before July. The weather can turn on a dime and become quite chilly when the winds pick up.
– With that said, a first time visit before the crush of July 4 is a great idea. You can enjoy the island sans mob.
– Most important? Make sure you travel with the right partner in crime!
Tricia xo
P.S. Final cool moment of the weekend? Bill Murray on our flight from MVA to LGA.
THE MUSINGS OF DESIGNER TRICIA HUNTLEY
