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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
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One Kings Lane Sale
To do list for Tuesday, November 6:
1. Vote
2. Shop my Tastemaker Tag Sale on ONE KINGS LANE!
– starts tomorrow 8AM west coast/11AM east coast –
Tricia xo
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Holiday House_The Reveal
After an arduous final push, I am happy to say, ze’ room is ready! Tricia and her team worked tirelessly to pull it all together. Now I can escape to my sumptuous and relaxed lounge with its soaring windows and glorious light whenever I am in New York. As you can see below, the space is already set for a party – a holiday luncheon that I intend to turn into an all-night bash. In fact, you’re all invited (through November 18). Let’s celebrate!
Ahhhh, “home glamorous home”.
Chic yet comfortable seating? Oui.
Dining table nestled between dramatic art and a chandelier dripping with porcelain fairies? Oui.
A bar tucked in the corner and stocked to the hilt? But of course!
Details.
Including an incredible sculpture, “Mascara” by artist Edwina Sandys.
Tricia being interviewed by the effervescent Tori Mellott …
and ready to party (!) with Huntley & Co. assistant-extraordinaire, Sarah Beth.
Auf wiedersehen, my lovelies. It’s been fun!
M.
Special thanks to Designer Attache, Roche Bobois, Lladro, Audio Doctor, Bespoke Global and Derek Skorupski.
* photo at top by Marco Ricca *
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Holiday House
I’m participating in a showhouse (yes, another one!) later this month, in New York. This particular event, the “Holiday House” benefits the Breast Cancer Foundation founded by Evelyn Lauder and is held at the Academy Mansion – an incredible upper east side property that left me speechless upon my first visit. Auspicious location? Check. Worthy charity? Check. Client? Hmm, not so much. As with all showhouses, that particular detail is missing. And with no real client, that means I have to invent one so that I have a jumping off point for my design and a concept to fall back on when I’m flooded with options. Keeping in mind the grandeur of the spaces and the impetus for the event, it seemed a strong-willed, yet feminine muse fit the persona of my would-be client. And who fits that description better than the legend herself, Marie Antoinette; the original “hostess with the mostest” with the backdrop to match. Our room will become a lounge space complete with sofas, dining area and bar, so our modern-day M.A. can wine and dine her patrons and groupies in style. We begin the installation next week, so here’s a sneak peek at some of the inspiration behind the upcoming transformation.
October 25 – November 18
2 East 63rd Street, NYC
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Don’t Call it a Comeback
Like LL Cool J, I didn’t go anywhere. I’ve just been busy. I’ve mentioned before that publishing L+L takes a lot of time and that I’m just not the type to half a– it. So I’ve been on a hiatus from le blog and dedicating my time to all-things Huntley & Co. (as it should be). But that doesn’t mean I’ve been chained to my desk these past few months. Here’s a look back at some of my adventures since December.
December_Art Basel & Design Miami
Ridiculous art and mind boggling design amidst throngs of fabulous people from everywhere.
December_Park City
Skiing, shopping and New Year’s Eve at Wahso tucked into our own private booth.
January_London
A penthouse project on the Thames, the Dean Street Townhouse hotel and a late night of theater and live music with a client.
February_DC Design House
I’m designing the Master Bedroom Sitting Room at the 2012 DC Design House in Spring Valley. The space is a gem and the design is going to be so chic. Come visit – it opens to the public April 14!
More fun things to follow. Look for another update sooner than later.
Tricia xo
P.S. Thanks for your emails. It’s nice to know L+L has been missed!
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Chez Huntley – update 11/13
I am happy to write that the public spaces of chez Huntley are more or less complete. Hallelujah! And while I would love to give my readers a comprehensive 360 degree tour … it aint’ gonna happen. Apparently divulging too much about a project on one’s blog limits its exposure elsewhere, so I’ve learned. When did design get so complicated?! So alas another sneak peek will have to suffice. Hopefully the pix are enough of a fix – enjoy!
— Chez Huntley Interior Details —
My home reflects my own personal vibe. I love drama and a bit of sparkle, but I need natural elements to ground the glitz. For me, a humble sense of glamour is what makes a home (and life) truly elegant.
Tricia xo
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Chez Huntley – update 11/07
There has been a lot of activity at chez Huntley since my last update. I gave myself a Thanksgiving deadline for the public spaces, so once the calendar read October I had to get my a– in gear. I actually like the pressure of a deadline. It gives you clarity and forces you to be decisive. And as I’ve mentioned before, that doesn’t come naturally when one is both the client and the designer. There is still quite a bit of work to be done, but the next few weeks will be full of exciting developments. For now, enjoy a sneak peek (emphasis on peek) at some of the details installed thus far.
Tricia xoxo
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Goth & Gorgeous
I probably won’t be hired anytime soon by clients with a dark, wicked sense of style and a penchant for all things goth. After all, I live in Washington DC. Oh, but wouldn’t it be fun. I said to a colleague recently that the more homogenized design becomes, the crazier I want to be – with my interiors, with fashion and in art. And what better time to embrace the avant-garde and darker side of style than on Halloween. It may be just a fantasy, but I would love to find some risk-taking, live-out-loud clients, throw the rule book out the window and create an irreverent, unconventional and totally goth rockstar pad.
– THE CLIENTS –
I hear they are breaking up, but Jack White and Karen Elson will always be one of my favorite couples. So unique, so dramatic.
– THE SALON –
A space filled with daring, sculptural pieces.
– THE DINING ROOM –
Brutalism, Bacon, Blackman-Cruz. Throw in some vintage and Wearstler and you have one drop-dead gorgeous dining room.
– THE BOUDOIR –
The overall concept may lean toward hardcore, but the bedroom should still be a lair of love. Edgy with an underlying sexy femininity.
Tricia ( ^ ^ )
For more dark and delicious inspiration, check out past Luxe & Lucid Halloween posts Mad About Macabre and Diabolique. Have a scary and scintillating Halloween!
* items above c/o 1st Dibs, Blackman Cruz, Flair, Fort Street Studio, Ironies, Jean de Merry, Ralph Pucci, The Rug Company and Usona
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DCNY
I had a busy week. Meetings, travel, design events, etc. A jam-packed schedule isn’t necessarily enjoyable mid-stream, but I always love the results. I meet new people, see interesting things, get inspired, and in general, shake things up a bit. Between DC and New York, I stumbled upon some fabulous finds this past week. Whether it was design or fashion, food or art, it seemed that new and exciting things were available and in abundance. Of course there is never enough time to take it all in. It’s a good thing I am able to document it all with my trusty iphone and enjoy the fruits of my labor long after my work and the week is done.
– SOURCING RUGS & TEXTILES –
I love beautiful textiles and rugs. Especially when they are assembled together in a stunning collection. Subtle, graphic, textural or glamorous – it doesn’t really matter to me. Gorgeous is gorgeous regardless of content or genre.
– WINDOW SHOPPING –
Fall is always a delicious time for fashion. Even if you can’t purchase everything you see behind the glass, you can certainly draw inspiration from the displays and create new, eclectic ensembles within your existing wardrobe. I personally am all over this season’s bold colors, layers, baggie pants and fur jackets.
– SCOUTING FOR VINTAGE FURNISHINGS –
You can troll all day on the internet, but there is nothing like seeing the real thing. I can’t get enough of unique yet elegant, statement-making furniture. Unfortunately, I need another chair like I need a hole in the head. It was hard to resist these stellar vintage finds.
– DROPPING BY AN ARTIST’S STUDIO –
I’m a big fan of Julie Wolfe’s work. So to see her paintings and jewelry in-residence was quite a treat. Plus Julie is such a cool chic – interesting, laidback and irreverent. The evening was hosted by George Hemphill and marked by contemporary artwork, incredible jewelry, wine and a “deconstructed food installation”. Loved it.
– BELLYING UP TO THE BAR –
It wasn’t my last stop this weekend, but it was definitely one of the more photogenic. Ted’s Bulletin is a throwback to yesteryear with the style and ambiance to match. If dining, I would stick to the burgers and shakes. If you’re there for a cocktail, order a Jessie Clark. Besides the delicious concoction of chamomile-infused scotch, orange marmalade and chocolate bitters, the drink is served with a perfectly round ice cube produced in seconds by The Macallan ice ball machine. An entertaining and purposeful gadget whether you’re a scotch aficionado or not.
Tricia xo
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Chez Huntley – update 07/22
“I’m fortunate that I can document all the progress on Luxe & Lucid for posterity.”
Did I write that just last week? Oh well. One step forward, one step back. We had a major hiccup this week at chez Huntley. Remember all those beautiful neutrals I taped to my walls? Remember that I selected Benjamin Moore’s Vanilla Milkshake as one of my colors? That turned out to be a bit of a problem. Upon the completion of 1 – and in many areas 2 – coats of this color, I noticed that it seemed a little off. The rooms appeared to be a lot more white than ecru. I thought perhaps it was all the light that pours into my house. Or maybe my new downlights were brightening the space more than before. Alas, when I taped the paint chip back up on the wall, it just wasn’t right. To make a long story short, Benjamin Moore’s formula for Vanilla Milkshake #OC-59 is simply wrong. The real color doesn’t match the paint decks. Moreover, Monarch Paint and BM corporate don’t really care. Umm, excuse me? As someone who has spec’d countless Benjamin Moore colors in her career, this is more than a little alarming. As a designer you can’t always be on site (or in-state or in the country) to review a test sample. I can understand a slight difference in value or undertone, but this so-called vanilla is just plain white. That means my entire first floor has to be painted again and that Tricia has to roll up her shirtsleeves and do some of the work herself. Because I may have been comp’d freshly mixed (and corrected) gallons of paint for my troubles, but my painter and his crew don’t exactly work for free. So add to my loaded schedule and to my resume …
Tricia Huntley: Professional Interior Designer, Blogger & House Painter
Thanks Ben!
Vanilla should be, well, vanilla. Right?!
The sample that says it all.
Vanilla Milkshake as sample (on left) and in reality (on right).
The paint store’s work product.
A little GRRRR to go with your morning coffee today.
Hoping for a little more “progress” in next week’s progress report.
Tricia : [
THE MUSINGS OF DESIGNER TRICIA HUNTLEY
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