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Swan Song
My vacation officially starts Wednesday at 9:30AM. Hallelujah! I’ve heard
“You need a vacation” a little too often lately, so clearly it’s time to get the
hell out of Dodge. Luckily, my partner-in-crime has a good friend with a Swan
51 sailboat currently docked in Guadeloupe that’s just waiting for some guests.
Drift around, sip cocktails, eat good food and explore the island. BRING IT ON!
So in the spirit of checking out physically, mentally and socially – all you’re going
to get from me today is a hello and goodbye … and, of course, a couple of teasers.
Guadeloupe
Swan yachts gather in the Caribbean.
Me in T-minus 24 hours.
See ya!
Tricia xo
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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 statement that reaches
them as much as the subsequent eye candy. I guess I’ll find out when I review the stats for this
post since it’s heavy on prose and light on pics. With that in mind, I should probably cease typing
my amateur novella and bring you the words of those much wiser, wittier and emboldened than I.
– Career / Success –
“By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail.”
– Benjamin Franklin
“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes of your goals.”
– Henry Ford
“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.”
– Jim Rohn
“Nothing bothers me more than people who suck up and scream down.”
– Katie Couric
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.”
– Winston Churchill
– Humor –
“Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes.
– Jim Carrey
“Guilt, the gift that keeps on giving.”
– Erma Bombeck
“Great ideas often start on cocktail napkins. Especially when you consider a large vodka martini a great idea.”
– Advertisement for The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas ; )
– Love –
“If you press me to say why I loved him, I can say no more than because he was he, and I was I.
– Michel de Montaigne
“Love does not dominate; it cultivates.”
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence.”
– H,L. Mencken
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
– Lao Tzu
– Life & Wisdom –
“Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.”
– Samuel Taylor Coleridge
“Be polite to all, but intimate with few.”
– Thomas Jefferson
“Wise men make more opportunities than they find,”
– Francis Bacon
“I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done.”
– Lucille Ball
– Writing That Inspires –
My taste in writing is about as random as my taste in movies, music and art. If there is a
common thread among the writers below, I don’t know what it is. They’re just all so good!
Jane Eyre was the first book I read that made me sob aloud uncontrollably.
I love a good fright and Poe knows how to build suspense and fear like no one else.
Quite possibly the funniest !@%$#% person alive. Just looking at the bookcover above makes me laugh.
I have devoured his first three books – The Tipping Point, Blink and Outliers – so What The Dog Saw is a must read.
And since we're on the subject of writing …
Thank you to the following blogs for their recent accolades and mentions.
Bijou and Boheme c/o Breakfast at Toast,
for the "Stylish Blogger Award".
Thrilled to be recognized by such talents! Tricia xo
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Branded
There is one question I receive more than any other from prospective clients, writers, editors, vendors and
the public-at-large. “What’s Your Style?” Simple enough I suppose. After all, most designers and novice
decorators have a catch phrase … “edited elegance”, “shabby chic”, “retro glam”, etcetera. The funny thing
is that despite having worked as an interior designer for fifteen years and having my own firm for five, I’ve never
been able to provide a nice neat answer to that all-important question. I guess I found it difficult to sum up all
of my professional passions and aspirations into a few choice words. And perhaps subconsciously I realized
that I needed to soak up as much as I could from the talented pool of designers, architects and artisans around
me before attaching myself to a specific slogan. Or maybe I’m just a knucklehead. Whatever the reason, in this
era of branding, I think it’s time to find a trademark for TRICIA HUNTLEY INC. and certainly for HUNTLEY & CO.
I believe I have a contender, so I’m hoping the Luxe & Lucid audience will help me with my decision. Based on
the cues below, let me know if I’m on target. I welcome comments and suggestions from my clever readers.
– Influential Designers -
Sills Huniford (now parted), Jeffrey Bilhuber & Solis Betancourt (top to bottom),
Three stellar firms that deliver genius with every project. Of course, I may be a little partial to SB
since it is headed by my former bosses who happen to be the nicest, most gracious men on earth.
- The Glamour Found in Nature -
I love me a manicured hedge and a nice hunk of rock.
Jacques Garcia temple photo c/o World of Interiors
– Gorgeous, Dramatic Art –
John Singer Sargent, Elliott Puckette, Francisco Goya & Giacometti (top to bottom).
– Sexy, Laid-Back, All-American Fashion –
Tory Burch, Gwyneth Paltrow and one of my favorite looks - skinny jeans, flats and a [faux] fur coat.
– My Collected Thoughts-
This scrapbook is a collection of images I have pulled because they are beautiful
and inspiring, regardless of context. I started this “stream of consciousness” project
to help me with the idea of branding and to jump start the design for my own house.
– My Own Work –
Whether I’m working on a modern apartment or sprawling traditional home, there are always
three elements key to my interiors; they need to be beautiful, original and unpretentious. Not
only do I want them to reflect the spirit and lifestyle of my clients, but I want them to be livable.
So taking all of the above into consideration, I think the best way to describe my style is …
“NATURAL GLAMOUR”
Wacha’ think? Tricia xo
* Refer to blog posts Designer DNA and Wuzzup?
as well as the Huntley & Co. website for more info.
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Much Ado About Nothing
I had my heart set on a particular feature this week, but I can’t find the key image. And although I
have 30 or so folders containing potential posts stocked away in my computer, I’m just not feeling
it for any of them right now. The truth for lifestyle bloggers is that we do feel the need to deliver
something meaningful and beautiful and somewhat original to our audience. And as a practicing
designer with my own firm, I feel a particular obligation to perform. Excellence in design is my
professional pursuit – churning out or championing mediocrity does not hold particular appeal.
So with that in mind, I offer you a list of some of my favorite resources to provide you with the
inspiration that so clearly escapes me this week. Hopefully I’ll be back on my game next week.
… And I’ll have found that !@%$#% picture!
Vivre - catalog
Isabel Lopez-Quesada – designer website
Lonny – e|zine
A Thoughtful Eye – blog
Saipua – website, blog
AD España – magazine
Bijoux and Boheme – blog
How To Spend It – Financial Times magazine
… I think I may feel inspired again ; )
Tricia
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Spring Greens
Is there any other color on your mind this time of year besides green?
Trees are budding, the grass is coming back and we’ve just celebrated St. Patrick’s Day.
It feels like we’ve turned a corner and everyone is in higher spirits, so let’s rejoice in the one
hue that delivers a boost of happiness just when we need it most. Kelly, chartreuse, lime or
sage – whatever the shade – you are sure to find glorious greens all around you this spring.
– nature / exteriors –
“Green” buildings Ann Demeulemeester in Seoul and the Caixa Forum in Madrid.
Spanish copper wall image c/o My Life My Vibe.
Porch by Boxwood Home & Interiors.
Iguana photo c/o Trek Nature.
– interiors –
Interiors by Sills Huniford, Geoffrey Bradfield, Steven Gambrel and Jeffrey Bilhuber.
– art –
Art by David Drebin, Salvador Dali, John Singer Sargent,
Thomas Wilmer Dewing, Modern House Art,
Robert Motherwell and Brad Bannister.
– textiles & finishes –
Samples from the Huntley & Co. library.
– fashion & beauty –
Shoes by Lanvin.
Clutch and cuff available through Vivre.
Gucci and Costume National runway photos.
– tricia ; ) –
Happy spring!
Tricia xo
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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 I’ve been tackling a lot of small projects lately. Upon the completed renovation of the new
Huntley & Co. office space, we were besieged by three floods in 6 weeks. Furniture was damaged,
walls warped and the carpet had to be ripped out and replaced on all three occasions. 2011 has
certainly been a bit stressful thus far. The silver lining? I have the most organized design studio in
the city. Every container and every drawer is labeled. The office supplies are sorted, the tools are
sorted, the light bulbs and cables are sorted. We even created thumbnail “cheat sheets” for the
boxes containing our accessories. Aaahhh. Type A? Definitely. A little neurotic? Probably.
I may have gone a little “Martha” in the past few months, but it’s better than going postal!
The aforementioned – and now organized – kitchen junk drawer.
What woman doesn’t want her beauty supplies in order? My new house came
equipped with a long vanity and lots of drawers in my master bath – a rarity for
many residences in Georgetown. I delighted in sorting and organizing my products
after years of stashing them away in closets and in baskets under the sink.
The Huntley & Co. library is much more pared down these days because we
do so much work on the internet, but there is still a lot to keep organized. Elfa
shelving, storage boxes, magazine caddies and plenty of hooks make it possible.
The “handyman” storage area in my office complete with tool belt, drill, toolboxes, light bulbs and cords.
Love me my toolbox.
We can’t keep everything in our toolbox, nor do we need to. This
2-tier drawer caddy sorts all the miscellany in our designer bag of tricks.
This 8-drawer Bisley cabinet is great for sorting small and/or thin items
that can get lost on a shelf – labels, stamps, file folders, photo sleeves, etc.
The label maker. Whether you love or hate this machine will tell you a lot about
what kind of person you are. Perhaps a good litmus test for potential hires?
For my own office, it’s important that things are organized, but I also need the
space to be bright and cheery with personal touches that have meaning for me.
And perhaps the biggest challenge of all – my desk. I like to have things visible and at
my fingertips, but my desktop can become cluttered quickly. I rely on a vertical file divider,
small dishes and bowls for small items, and the all-important tray to contain the chaos.
While in my sort-file-purge mode, I’ve clipped several articles and made note of other ways I can keep
the “Martha-train” going and fine tune it even more. Check out the resources below for helpful tips.
– MARCH, TIME TO PUT YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER –
article, The Washington Post
– PAPER: FILE THIS STORY UNDER ‘GETTING ORGANIZED’ –
article, The Washington Post
– RACHEL STRISIK, LIFE STYLIST –
daily deal, Living Social
I just purchased a 2-hour professional organizing session for my boyfriend
as a gift. Check out Rachel’s website to see what services she offers.
– A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING: ORGANIZING THE STUFF OF LIFE –
– REAL SIMPLE: THE ORGANIZED HOME –
books
I own these two books and love to flip through them for clever ideas. Both
offer stylized solutions for a simplified, beautified home/office/garage, etc.
Good luck and happy organizing!
Tricia xo
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Color and Light at the Corcoran
I fell in love last weekend … with an exhibition. The Washington Color and Light exhibit currently
on display at the Corcoran Gallery of Art is – in the true sense of the word – awesome. The show
features major works from Washington Color School artists such as Gene Davis and Thomas Downing
as well as from their contemporaries. Not only is it an impressive collection, but there is a sense of
magic to its arrangement. Thoughtful consideration was given to grouping of works and gallery-to-gallery
views creating an environment that is scintillating and inspiring. Even the adjacent spaces and the works
therein complement Color and Light beautifully – making a tour of the second floor in toto dynamic, fluid
and certainly memorable. I’ll be back for a second survey when the Corcoran reopens the show in June.
But not to worry, you can still catch this must-see exhibit now as it runs through March 6.
The entrance to The Corcoran Gallery of Art on 17th Street
across from the south lawn of the White House.
As you walk up the main stair, you are greeted by a Daniel Chester French sculpture.
The sculptor’s most famous work is of a seated Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial.
In the Corcoran’s rotunda is a piece from contemporary artist Spencer Finch’s exhibit,
My Business with the Cloud. As the inaugural show for the Corcoran’s NOW series, Finch’s
work reflects on and responds to Washington and its history via a modern, abstract method.
Sweet Suite Substitute, 1968 (fabricated 1982)
Bruce Nauman
The first gallery and intro to the show includes three giants of modern art:
Willem de Kooning, Richard Diebenkorn and Cy Twombly (top to bottom).
A perfect grouping and sublime sight lines in the second gallery.
I love the work of Robert Mangold, Gene Davis and Ellsworth Kelly.
Mao, 1973
Andy Warhol
Deceit Filter, 1994
Jim Sanborn
Flyer, 1986 by Sean Scully – I placed two lithographs
by this artist in a client's apartment in Georgetown.
Morris Louis’ 2-69 illustrates his “soak and stain” method of painting
in which he would pour quick-dry acrylic down an unprimed canvas.
I shot around 40 photos while viewing the exhibit.
Homage to the Square: “Yes”, 1956
Josef Albers
Pink Alert, 1966 by Jules Olitski as seen up close and from across the colonnade.
A room dedicated to the work of Gene Davis including what may arguably
be Davis’ and the show’s magnum opus – Junkie’s Curtain, 1967.
Interestingly, my two favorite pieces in the exhibition were paintings by Davis, but
not prototypical of his best known work. The two paintings above caught my attention
with their movement and dramatic color. Complex yet subtle, kinetic yet elegant.
Information regarding upcoming exhibits, workshops and lectures
is available at www.corcoran.org/collections/all-events.
Tricia xo
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Beautiful Stranger
Architectural Digest – the original grande dame of shelter magazines – is back and better than ever
with an absolutely stunning debut issue produced by new editor-in-chief, Margaret Russell. The always
polished and discerning Ms. Russell understands that true design aficionados are not interested in Joan
Rivers’ pink bedroom or Neverland Ranch. Remarkable style, storied architecture and designers at the
top of their game are the trademarks of the AD we have known and loved. As a young girl I would wait
anxiously each month for the latest issue to arrive. After studying the elegant and intoxicating images
for days, I would file away each publication in my archives (i.e. my bedroom closet) for future reference.
Those pages inspired my love for interiors and helped shape my future career as a designer.
So it is with great sincerity and fervent optimism that I say,
“Welcome back gorgeous – we’ve missed you!”
A cover to inspire the next generation of designers
featuring a New York living room by Michael S. Smith.
– STATE OF GRACE –
A traditional dining room decorated by Richard Leith Langham.
Mississippi river scenes are portrayed in the custom Gracie paper covering the walls.
– TRUE BELIEVER –
An LA bachelor pad designed for a young entrepreneur
who envisioned the renovated home as a “stylish villain’s lair”.
– RARE & REFINED –
Michael Smith's elegant and sumptuous design themes continue throughout the New York
apartment featured on the cover – as seen here in the library but in darker, richer tones.
An abstract Peter Lanyon painting hangs above an
18th century bibliothèque in the entrance hall.
– GOOD VIBRATIONS –
The living room of Sheryl Crow’s Spanish Colonial home.
And a curved, rustic staircase on the property of the Hollywood estate.
– A PEACEABLE KINGDOM –
Muriel Brandolini’s living room with large scale George Condo painting,
carpet by Fedora Design and “Smarties” cocktail table by Mattia Bonetti.
Corduroy covers the dining room walls and is hand-beaded with
abstract letters … emblematic of the designer’s risk-taking style.
If you haven’t already, pick up a copy of AD’s March issue today. Reading
a blog post doesn’t compare to flipping through the pages of an actual
magazine. I may be a blogger, but my first love will always be the real thing.
Tricia xo
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A Perfect Fit
Luxe & Lucid is hosting its first guest blogger this week. At the helm is Molly Hammond –
assistant designer, project manager, and all around go-to girl at Huntley & Co. With a unique
sense of style and impeccable writing she is sure to deliver a beautiful and memorable post.
See you all next week!
Tricia xo
Rather than going into studio art, I was steered towards interiors with the help of my older sister, also a designer.
It gives me the opportunity for practical application of principles I learned in painting, and honestly is more
suited for my personality since every day is different on this job. From time to time, I miss working with
my hands and can find infinite inspiration by studying other disciplines. All in all, there is no other work
I would rather do. One of my favorite aspects of the design process is materials selection. I want to share
the work of a few jewelers, furniture makers, and architects that have pushed the boundaries of the materials
they are composing with, have really created something magnificent out of something ordinary, and have
risen to the challenge of fabricating their designs: you may notice they are all like intricate puzzles.
– CERAMIC –
These ceramics by Solomia Zoumaras are exquisite. Some of her pieces are interlocking.
– PAPER –
Jewelry by Janna Syvanoja represented by Alternatives Gallery in Florence. The amount of precision required
to work with such a delicate material to create these ethereal forms is amazing to me. These shapes could
translate to larger scales sculptures. I have been obsessed for years and still love
these pieces as much now as when I first saw them.
– CONCRETE –
Who else but Scarpa? Its possible that just looking at these details makes me giddy.
I would love to study the original detail drawings for these.
Top two, snapshots taken in Venice at Olivetti: Bottom two, Brion Vega Cemetery
From top left: A staircase at the Palazzo Della Penna in Perugia.(which also houses a collection
of chalkboards by Joseph Beuys) Casa Dos Cubas by Embaixada Architects.
A sculpture at a private residence by Tsao & McKown
- MIXED METALS –
Two brooches in mixed metals by Stefano Marchetti. Some of his additional work is posted
on a favorite inspiration resource, Klimt 02. I am drawn to works with a combination
of sculptural, free forms realized by meticulous craftsmanship.
- STONE –
Kengo Kuma built this assembly space from Ooya Stone.
– CLOCK HANDS –
The wildcard. I had never though of this as an agent for artistic creativity but now I know differently.
From Left. Clock by Christiaan Postma. Jewelry by Sergey Jivetin, at Jewelers Werk
– WOOD –
Made by Meta. In awe. “38 seamlessly joined, curving facets of superbly matched Cocobolo Veneer”
– MORE PERFECT FITS –
Art & Food: an architect & a designer
Left to my own devices, I would probably spend every available weekend at a museum. So, to have
someone that it enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the same is beyond wonderful – I'm really fortunate.
A few weeks ago my fiance and I had a chance for some exploring in New York after visiting friends.
It’s surprising what you can fit into one afternoon, even upstate. We didn’t leave the city until noon,
but still managed a 1 hour drive up the Hudson on a sunny day, time to bask in the almost-unimaginable-
expansiveness of the Dia Beacon, a quick tour of downtown Beacon’s antique shops, and the most delicious
dinner of my life. It’s a very feasible outing and a memorable experience: keep in mind for the next time
you are in the area! My highest recommendation.
At the Dia Beacon. Top: John Chamberlain. Bottom: Michael Heizer, North, East, South, West.
Richard Serra. The Dia is located directly on the Hudson,
so it gets incredible light like I haven’t seen anywhere else.
Blue Hill at Stone Barns. I am still having dreams about this place. Every detail is accounted for.
(Architecture by Peter Guzy of Asfour Guzy Architects) We intended to dine in for lunch, but
got wrapped up at the Dia so we made it for dinner instead. Getting a table on a Saturday night
without a reservation is impossible, so dinner was served at the bar after enjoying expertly blended
cocktails by the fireplace. These bartenders know more about what they do than I may ever know
about design, and having their company for dinner was half the fun. A five course “Farmers Feast”
was actually more like 8 courses and the whisky tasting alongside the meal was another bonus.
My first time having Rip Van Winkle Bourbon … as much for the name and packaging as the flavor.
I had to hold back from gasping at every presentation. Vegetables served on
spikes (!), potato chips woven with sage leaves, and I even wanted to take
home the gorgeous bread basket. And those are just the appetizers.
Thank you for letting me take over this week, Tricia.
Hopefully you all enjoy – and hopefully I’ll be back again :)
– Molly
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True Romance
I am fortunate – especially this time of year – to have the two words above feature prominently in
my life. But it wasn’t always the case. I know how lackluster single life can be regardless of how
much one relishes his or her freedom. Love and happiness do, no doubt, go hand in hand. But that
doesn’t mean you can’t imbue your reality with some of the magic of romance sans sig-other. It comes
down to simple things like finding beauty and stirring the senses. As a designer, I do this for a living,
so I found alternate avenues to joy when I was on my own. Below are some options for all the
fabulous “independents” out there. Neither a significant amount of funds nor effort are required.
Love when it comes to you, but live well in the meantime.
– SEE –
Whistler’s Peacock Room at the Freer Gallery of Art.
“I am Love” featuring Tilda Swinton and the backdrop of Milan and the Villa Necchi Campiglio.
photo courtesy of Mikado Film/Magnolia Pictures
– HEAR –
Jazz at the Kennedy Center. Toots Thielemans & Kenny Werner play April 2.
photo courtesy of Eddy Westveer
Before she was the first lady of France and after she was a supermodel, Carla Bruni
released an album called Quelqu’un M’a Dit on which she sings and plays guitar.
The music is sweet but throaty – whispery and detached romanticism.
– TASTE –
No prep required, but the perfect indulgent meal.
Charcuterie, truffle cheese, a baguette, fruit and a bar of Swiss chocolate.
– TOUCH –
A massage may be the only acceptable substitute for you-know-what. I’m headed to
the Lorien Spa in Old Town Alexandra with one of my best girlfriends in a few weeks.
Or bundle yourself in one of may favorite textiles – alpaca.
I received the dreamiest wrap from Villa de Alpacas for Christmas.
– SMELL –
Luxe Custom Perfume Creation is the perfect “I’m treating myself” type of indulgence.
Tricia xo
– PS … AND LAUGH! –
Whether or not you are a parent or a dog-lover, I guarantee this video will bring
you an infinite amount of joy when you watch it. Happy Valentine’s Day!
LUXE AND LUCID
THE MUSINGS OF DESIGNER TRICIA HUNTLEY
