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Garnet & Goats
Hmmm, January. This can be a challenging month. The holiday sparkle has worn off, a little too much winter lies ahead and we’re all a whiter shade of pale. I agree it’s tough to feel motivated when it’s cold and dreary outside and happiness is Haagen-Dazs and a Snuggie on Friday night. However, I’m a January baby and a Capricorn which means I believe from problems come opportunities and there is still reason to celebrate a month as gloomy as this. January can actually offer inspiration. Not in an obvious way, but beneath the surface and outside the box. As with so many things worthwhile, in January you have to dig a little deeper and work a little harder to get to the good stuff.
GARNET
January’s birthstone is like no other. The deep crimson is at once sophisticated and sultry. It has undeniable glamour, yet totally lacks pretention.
Garnet jewelry is always dramatic.
Modern earrings by Caprichosa, antique Victorian brooch, Islamic ring,
This look from Gucci is all about the lips. I have been saving this photo since fall with the intentions of replicating it for a glamorous night.
My current garnet pedicure.
A stunning garnet velvet I used alongside pastel fabrics in a Virginia living room.
And speaking of fabric …
The gorgeous drape of Zac Posen on Naomi Watts at the Golden Globes. She is always red carpet perfection.
JANUS
January is the month of Janus, the Roman god of gates and doorways. As a designer and architecture buff, I photograph a lot of gates and doorways … actually more than I realized once I began combing through my files.
– all photos from my life and travels except central image –
row 1: Munich, Los Angeles, Hempel Hotel
row 2: Georgetown, Melbourne residence (via est Magazine), Italy
row 3: Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Dubuque church, Dumbarton Oaks
THE GOAT
Although January 19 ended Capricorn’s (i.e. the goat’s) reign, it’s never too late to have fun with die ziege.
We found these darling little guys in Montreux.
If there’s one thing most of us like to do in January, it’s eat. And Lord knows, I love me my cheese … thank you goats! Clearly a girl who takes photos of cheese and cheese shops (as seen here) has a thing for chevre.
Goatskin (often referred to as vellum or parchment) is a preferred material of designers and furniture makers both contemporary and past. I gravitate to it myself and have selected several furniture pieces for projects over the years. Like wood or marble, its beauty is innate and born from nature; it can’t be faked.
Furnishings for DC, Switzerland and London Huntley & Co. projects respectively.
WHITES, GREYS & PALES
The colors of winter may seem a bit solemn, but they translate beautifully.
White, grey and pale works in a stark, ethereal European bedroom or in a bar/restaurant on Mallorca.
Moonstone and black onyx rings by Mathilde Danglade.
The concept of black and white in art stretches beyond the medium of photography.
A painting by Picasso, a photo study of a golf swing and a neon installation by Glenn Ligon.
Perhaps the only thing that could entice me to spend an afternoon in subzero temperatures – beautiful, beguiling and utterly happy sled dogs.
Happy January. Hopefully your new year is off to a good start!
Tricia xo
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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) boyfriend.7 ARCHITECTURAL WONDERS
A spectacular collection of architecture is featured in February’s issue of AD.
Four of the structures are included below along with three photos from my own travels.
Perot Museum_Dallas – Harpa Concert Hall_Reykjavik
The Shard_London – Gardens by the Bay_Singapore
New York Public Library_NYC – Rolex Learning Center_Lausanne, Switzerland – steps of Siena
7 BOOKS
Life, Keith Richards
A surprisingly poignant memoir from the ultimate rock star.
Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn
The best plot twist since The Sixth Sense.
Middlesex, Jeffrey Eugenides
A story spanning 3 generations of Greek-Americans and featuring a young, hermaphroditic protagonist named Calliope.
An epic, unorthodox Pulitzer Prize winner.
Religion for Atheists, Alain de Botton
For the open-minded, curious individual who seeks to understand all sides of an argument.
The Black Spider, Jeremias GotthelfA 19th century novella about a small German town infested with spiders after one of the villagers makes a pact with the devil.
A good old-fashioned religious allegory written to inspire fear.
The World of Muriel Brandolini
I had to include one design book.Brandolini’s work is completely original and worth a study.
Blood, Bones & Butter, Gabrielle Hamilton
This was just recommended to me. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into it, so to speak.
7 SHOWS
I’m not one of those people who claims she never watches TV.
With provocative storylines, million dollar sets and brilliant characters, you’re missing out if you’re not tuning in.
Downton Abbey
Delicious and addictive whether you’re an aesthete or not.
Top Chef
The tenth season is as mouth-watering as ever and has been featuring some serious girl power.
Mad Men
Like any dashing, egocentric, womanizing man worth his salt, Don Draper still has us hooked.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Characters so wrong, you can’t help but champion their insanity.
Justified
For those of us who felt robbed when Deadwood ended.
Walking Dead
A smart, well-crafted show about zombies. Who would have thunk it?
Following
A serial killer show starring Kevin Bacon and James Purefoy. I’m sold. Premieres January 21.
7 PEARLS OF WISDOM
“You were born an original. Don’t die a copy.”
“Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say and not giving a damn.”
– Gore Vidal
“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.”
– Estee Lauder
“The best love is the one that makes you a better person without changing you into someone other than yourself.”
“It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings.”
– Ann Landers
“I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.”
– Bill Cosby
“Don’t try to explain yourself to stupid people. You’re not the Jackass Whisperer.”
7 YEARS OF NINA
My other baby is seven too!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Tricia xo
THE MUSINGS OF DESIGNER TRICIA HUNTLEY