Details from London

I recently returned from 10 days in London and Paris – first London for my cousin’s wedding (the wedding actually took place in Richmond, a charming borough of London that is right on the Thames), then Paris as a special trip for my middle daughter’s 13th birthday. 

I always love visiting London not only because it is my favorite city, but also because I have been so many times that I feel no real pressure to do all of the tourist activities. Different things catch my eye on each trip, and I particularly enjoy wandering around the neighborhoods in London and taking self guided walking tours.

It has been almost 5 years since my last visit, when I was attending my grandmother’s 90th birthday festivities. I stayed in Belgravia during my last visit, and spent quite a bit of time walking (with a focus on Holland Park, Chelsea, and Kensington). I documented my discoveries in this blog post - http://www.thingsthatinspire.net/2008/07/drive-by-or-walk-by-london.html.  It’s interesting to see what caught my eye 5 years ago– it was before we decided to build a house, and architecture was clearly on my mind (although flowers and planters are also well represented).

My recent trip was busy with family activities, and I was staying in an area of London that was not quite as familiar to me – Marylebone. It is located north of Oxford Street, south of Regents Park, Northeast of Hyde Park.  I wish the weather had been better (it poured many of the days we were there) and I wish I had more time in London – I would have liked to explore the area a bit more!

Looking back at the post from 5 years ago, I noticed that I took a picture of number 15 Wilton Crescent. I had a new iphone at the time, and it is amazing to realize how much better the camera has become on the iphone over the past 5 years.

When composing this post, I realized that I coincidentally took a picture of the same house - it clearly caught my eye again!  The planters are the same, as are the trees (I think they are bay trees – they were by far the most common type of tree in a planter that I saw – does anyone know more about them?).  

A closer view of the planter, flowers, and tree. The purple flower seen in the base of the planter was all over London this year – purple seems to be quite in fashion when it comes to flowers.

Planters seem to catch my eye on this trip. I love the pattern on these planters.

More bay trees, in planters with seasonal flowers planted in the base. I really like this look.

I believe this was outside the Rag and Bone store in Sloane Square. I thought it was a charming look – a black Versailles style planter with a flowering tree and pretty white flowers at the base.

Another set of planters that caught my eye – a great way to incorporate planters into a narrow space.

After my cousin’s wedding, we took the Eurostar over to Paris for a 5 day visit.  The details that caught my eye in Paris will be in the next post (including scenes from my first visit to the famous Paris flea market)!

I know quite a few people heading over the London this summer. Have you ever been?  What catches your eye?  Another thing I noticed, London looks wonderful these days - everything is quite polished and spruced up given that the Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee took place in London last summer.

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Lamps in kitchens

Last week, I had a sneak preview of the new Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, featuring a house renovated by architect Stan Dixon with interior design work by Liz Williams.  Several years ago, I was able to see this house as it was being renovated, and it was gratifying to see how the owners decorated the rooms.

As I examined every picture in the article, the kitchen picture (above, photo credit Emily Followill, used with permission) caught my eye. I remember Stan saying how much he likes lamps in kitchens – lamps make a kitchen look and feel so much more like a decorated room.  I’m not sure if the deep window space was part of the original house, or if Stan created it during the renovation, but it is certainly the perfect place for a pair of lamps. I wonder if the homeowners turn them on at night?

The June Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles is on newsstands now, and there is an Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles iPad app that has all issues available on the iPad for .99, and a year subscription for $7.99.  As of the time of this post, the new issue was not yet on the iPad, but it should be soon.

Another Stan Dixon project was in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles last year, and featured lamps in the kitchen.  I wonder whether this homeowner actually keeps them there on a day to day basis – they seem to be placed in a prime countertop area (especially given that there is no kitchen island).  Interior design by Nancy Warren, architecture by Stan Dixon, photo credit Emily Followill. 

Photographer Emily Followill shoots some of the most beautiful homes in the Southeast, and this one from her web site is no exception.  Note the petite lamps on either side of the range – such a pretty touch.

I cam across this picture, attributed to Charlottesville architect  Bethany Puopolo.  The lamp by the sink, with its dark shade that reflects the dark knobs and light fixture, is a wonderful touch in this kitchen.

A kitchen in a house designed by Peter Block, interiors by Beth Webb.   Note the lamps placed in front of the windows.  This style of kitchen lends itself well to lamps, as it is long with ample counter space and no overhead cabinets along the wall.  The rest of the house can be seen here; via AH&L, photo credit Erica George Dines.

This beautiful kitchen is in a house that is on the market in Atlanta, with architecture by Brad Heppner. Note the glass lamps on the long counter. Again, this is a great kitchen for large lamps because of the long counter with no upper cabinets.

Beautiful kitchen designed by Jackye Lanham features three lamps.  I love so many things about this kitchen – the architecture, the tall arched windows that let in so  much sunlight, the pewter plates, the lamps – but I always wonder why the stove doesn’t fit in the space!

Large statement lamps are a defining feature of this kitchen, with architecture attributed to McAlpine Tankersley.  I have seen this light fixture seems in many kitchens (I believe it is by Dennis & Leen) – it is in one of the pictures above too.

John Saladino’s kitchen featured in his book ‘Villa’ has several delicate candlestick lamps on both sides of the kitchen.  Rumor has it that Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi have purchased the house recently – see article here.  See Saladino’s book on Amazon here.

Joni Webb’s kitchen (from Cote de Texas) features a charming small lamp that fits neatly under the cabinets, and provides a nice warm glow that is an alternative to undercabinet lights. Note how she has concealed the cord behind a plate.

Another frequently seen place for a lamp is on the island.  This beautiful kitchen, with interiors by Michael Siller (via Cote de Texas) has a lamp that is key to the décor of the space.  The rest of the house can be seen here.

Often a pair of lamps are a feature on an island; another kitchen featured in AH&L, found on Pinterest – not sure who designer is.  Note how there is no overhead lighting (although I have heard that magazines often photoshop out those unsightly can lights!).

Ina Garten’s kitchen features lamps on the 18 foot long island. Note the novel approach to overhead lighting above the island.

I read somewhere that Ina Garten prefers the ambient light of lamps in a kitchen, and also appreciates that they make a kitchen feel more like a room, not a laboratory. This lamp was custom made for her kitchen.  Clearly there are no cords (unless they have been photoshopped out), so I assume that they are built into the counter, with the electrical underneath.

After noticing the lamps on Ina Garden’s island, I started noticing other kitchens with this design feature.  I suspect that the idea to have lamps on the counter was conceived as the kitchen was created, and there is a hole drilled into the counter for the plug. This beautiful kitchen is by Circa Interiors.

Another beautiful kitchen by Circa Interiors, featuring built in lamps on the island.

A mountain house featured in The Welcoming House  has unique lamps on the island that are a central design feature in the space.

I really like everything about this kitchen – it looks like an excellent design for a long kitchen space, and I appreciate how the kitchen is situated in relation to the family room beyond – separate yet connected.  Note the side by side double dishwashers in front of the windows, and the sinks on either side.   I suspect that the countertop above the dishwashers is a key work area for the kitchen, which means that the lamps are probably not taking up prime working space. The lamps on the island are a beautiful and distinctive design feature of the room, and appear to be used instead of overhead lighting (cans or light fixture).  Interior design by Circa Interiors.

I mentioned the new book by Circa Interiors – The Welcoming House – I read it cover to cover last weekend and thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful houses contained within, as well as the great entertaining and decorating advice. Click here to view on Amazon.

What do you think of lamps in kitchens?  Do you have a lamp in your kitchen?  I am sold on the idea, if space allows – they are such a charming alternative or addition to can lights or light fixtures if the architecture and space allows for lamps.  However, I realize that the architecture and space are a big caveat – putting substantial lamps along a wall in a kitchen requires no overhead cabinets (small lamps are probably better for ambiance rather than a significant light source) and putting lamps on an island requires a large island with ample surface area- the placement is very important, especially since the lamps often must be somewhat built in to avoid pesky cords.

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Visit my online store, Quatrefoil Design: www.quatrefoildesign.bigcartel.com
To see design, architecture, art, and decorative books that I recommend, please visit the Things That Inspire Amazon store.