A Veranda house on the market

I have been reading quite a bit about gray slowly but surely become the new neutral of choice in interiors, so when I stumbled upon this picture recently, I thought it beautifully reflected this trend.  The gray of the sofa, the walls and trim work,  the tone on tone curtains with the slightly deeper shade on the leading edge – the room looks timeless, and hardly trendy, and I wondered if this room would have been cloaked in shades of beige and brown had it been designed 10 years ago. Library designed by Peggy Stone, photo credit Peter Vitale, via Veranda.

Given that this first image was featured in Veranda, I looked on the Veranda web site to check it out, but did not find it. It is interesting to me that Veranda does not keep all of their articles on the website – I wonder why?  However, it was not hard to find the images in the blogosphere.  This image (above) was found on Cote de Texas; Joni noted that the house reminded her of the wonderful houses she used to love from Southern Accents and older Veranda issues.  She noted that houses like this just aren’t featured as much in today’s interior design magazines. Photo credit Peter Vitale, via Veranda.

Thanks to Splendid Sass, I found all of the images from the article in one place. Photo credit Peter Vitale, via Veranda.

This image, from Veranda, really captured my attention.  The paneling on the walls and in the doors, the thickness of the walls, the beautiful pattern on the wood floor, the antiqued glass in the rounded entry – what beautiful attention to architectural detail.  This is a house that was beautifully conceived and designed to be true to the French style, not just in the interior design but the architectural design as well.  The circle motif above the door in particular caught my eye, and when I realized that this house was located in Atlanta, I also recalled that I had seen a similar design in a house that is currently on the market in Atlanta. Photo credit Peter Vitale, via Veranda.

Sure enough, this house is one and the same as a house that is listed by Beacham & Company – in the listing detail, the Veranda feature is noted.  The house was designed by Duane Stone, for designer Peggy Stone.  As the Veranda article notes, this house was a labor of love – a house build by a lifelong Francophile, to feature her collection of a lifetime.  Certainly the collection of antiques is impressive, but what I love about the house is that the bones and the setting are also so exquisite – the attention to detail is incredible, and this will stay with the house even when the antiques and objects go with Ms. Stone. 

The exterior of the house was not shown in the Veranda article, but it is as French as the interior, with the beautiful soft color scheme of the house and shutters, and the pea gravel motor court that extends to the front of the house, creating both a visual and a textural introduction to the house.  Image from the real estate listing.

Here is a picture of the living room/library, as taken by Blayne Beacham for the real estate photos.  It’s interesting to see that the room is set up almost identically to the way it was shown in Veranda, with the exception of the screen that is placed in front of the window.  So many times a room is styled in a particular way for a magazine, with accessories and furniture that the designer brings in just for the photo shoot. Not the case here! Image from the real estate listing, photo credit Blayne Beacham.

I always find it gratifying to see real estate photos, because it gives me a better understanding of how the house flows. From this perspective of the foyer, it is clear that the dining room is on one side, the living room (which I had incorrectly identified as a library) on the other side. Image from the real estate listing, photo credit Blayne Beacham.

Based on this picture, the stairs are at the back of the house, seen when entering the foyer. Image from the real estate listing, photo credit Blayne Beacham.

A different view of the stairs. Note the beautiful curve of the stair, and the herringbone pattern on the floors. I love the little painting under the sconce – what a charming place for a small piece of art. Image from the real estate listing, photo credit Blayne Beacham.

I don’t think that the kitchen was shown in the Veranda article (I looked high and low, and could not find my April 2011 issue), but it is beautiful and very much in keeping with the style of the house.   What I find to be interesting is that the house was designed and built in 2002 – 10 years ago – clearly Ms. Stone drew her inspiration from the style of Europe, versus the trends that were going on in Atlanta at the time. Image from the real estate listing, photo credit Blayne Beacham.

Another view of the kitchen that shows the connection with the adjacent rooms (breakfast room and keeping room). Image from the real estate listing.

The breakfast room. Image from the real estate listing, photo credit Blayne Beacham.

This angle shows how the kitchen opens to the keeping room and the breakfast room. I seem to recall seeing the Louis XV cardboard figure in Veranda, but could not find the image.  Image from the real estate listing.

A quick peek at the family room, with its many layers and textures.  The collection of blue and white pieces on the commode is the highlight of the room to me. Image from the real estate listing, photo credit Blayne Beacham.

The master bedroom. Image from the real estate listing, photo credit Blayne Beacham.

Beautiful fireplace in the master bedroom. Image from the real estate listing, photo credit Blayne Beacham.

Master bathroom, which was not shown in the Veranda article. Image from the real estate listing, photo credit Blayne Beacham.

Back yard. Image from the real estate listing, photo credit Blayne Beacham.

Formal garden. Image from the real estate listing, photo credit Blayne Beacham.

I would love to see this house after a new owner purchases it – certainly it will have an entirely different look and feel, given that the current homeowners have such an extensive collection of antiques and collected objects.  Wouldn’t it be interesting to see the house decorated in a more streamlined style?  The beauty of this house is that the bones are so wonderful, and it will suit any number of design styles because so much thought was put into the architecture and flow of the house.   

To see the complete listing, please visit Beacham & Company’s website (or click here).  To visit photographer Blayne Beacham’s blog, please visit http://www.thisphotographerslife.com/.

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Books in a Living Room Vignette

As I was looking through my pictures, searching for a particular one, I came across this image that never fails to please me (the interior design is by Birmingham based firm Caldwell Flake).  There is something so lovely about this vignette – the symmetry is pleasing, but so is the slight variation that can be seen in the arrangement of the tables on either side. The colors and composition of the design, as well as the pattern on the fabric and pillows, really draw me in. In the past I have always preferred solid curtains, but I am finding myself gravitating to pattern more and more these days. I always like solid colors on upholstery, though!

As I am still trying to expand my book collection for the many unfilled shelves in my library, I took a closer look at the books under the side table on the left.  I spy American Decorative Arts; The Art of War; The World’s Best Golf; The Battle of the Bulge; Battle at Sea; Living with Dogs; More is More: Tony Duquette (my best guess); Perfect Neutrals (this is also a guess –the first word is perfect, and the font matches the book cover); Mood Indigo: Decorating with Rich, Dark Colors.  If books are a reflection on the interests of the homeowners (and are hopefully not just props for a photo shoot!), this small collection reflects a couple who are interested in history, decorative arts, home, golf, and dogs.

For more beautiful and inspiring images from Caldwell Flake, please visit their website here: http://www.caldwellflake.com/

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Thomas Pheasant in Paris

My sister recently began working with designer Thomas Pheasant on the interior design of her 1920s Washington DC home, currently being renovated.  She sent me this beautiful blog post to me last week, written by Pheasant for the Baker Furniture blog.

The post is full of beautiful images of Pheasant’s Paris apartment.

The view from Pheasant’s bedroom – truly magical.

Pheasant takes us on a scouting expedition in the Paris Flea Market – all seen through his expert eyes. It is truly one of the most wonderful blog posts I have seen this year, and I encourage you to read it (and perhaps even comment) - http://blog.kohlerinteriors.com/2012/02/10/how-to-spend-one-great-morning-in-paris-a-trip-to-the-paris-flea-market-by-thomas-pheasant/

Enjoy!

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Sectional Sofas

Thank you to my wonderful readers for commenting on this post with both your insights and your geographic location!  The 6th graders were amazed that my blog reaches people all over the world, and were inspired by the support and encouragement of the design blog community. 


There are still so many furniture needs in the new house, but one area that I am particularly anxious to get in order is the kids playroom.  For months, the only thing in the room was a hand-me-down sofa from the 80s (although it has good bones – it is a Baker sofa with down cushions).  Just before Christmas, we finally got a rug for the room, a custom sized sisal.  I am always amazed at way in which a rug makes a room feel so much more finished! However, the addition of the rug also served to emphasize the need for a coffee table and a proper seating arrangement.

Given that my kids are beyond the small plastic furniture stage, the ‘playroom’ is really more of a ‘hang out room’.  For this reason, I am seriously considering a sectional as the main piece of furniture in this room – something that will be comfortable for relaxing, watching TV, reading a book, lounging.  Many of the sectionals on the market right now are extremely deep – my preference is for one that is comfortable but not too deep. I don’t want a party pit!

For some reason, people have mixed feelings when it comes to sectionals.  When doing research for this post, there seemed to be a small sense of embarrassment or shame in the purchase of a sectional, and many blamed their husband for ‘insisting’ on a sectional, like it was a choice of function over aesthetics.  I find this to be interesting, because there are many spaces where a sectional is a natural and attractive choice.

I saw this sectional at Pottery Barn, and thought it was very comfortable.  For me, it is important to be able to actually sit in an upholstery candidate before buying.  So many sectionals are very, very deep – which doesn’t work very well for short people like me (and my kids!).

This is exactly how I imagine my kids using the sectional, and I think this is a great looking sectional – it can practically be used as a bed!  I like that one end is open, without an arm.  The other end can’t be seen; I wonder if it has an arm? Image via Coastal Living.

Sarah Richardson used a cream sectional with dark feet and tailored lines in one of her room designs.  Many of the pictures of sectionals that I found placed them in tight spaces.

Sarah Richardson again – sectionals seems a natural fit for rooms where a seating arrangement in the corner is the best use of space.

On Mrs. Howard Personal Shopper, a recent project by Phoebe Howard was featured with a sectional as the key upholstery item.

Via Houzz.com

A custom sectional in a room designed by Atelier AM graced the pages of Veranda in March 2010.  This room certainly did not have space constraints, so a sectional is an interesting choice, and creates a beautiful and unique look to the room.  There definitely seems to be a preference among designers for the exposed wood feet on the sectional, as opposed to skirted.

A sectional looks fabulous in this room – love the pillows.  Via Decorpad, picture attributed to Brooke Giannetti.

Annie Selke’s house renovation, featured as a series in House Beautiful, incorporated a sectional  specifically because it is perfect for curling up on and watching TV.  The cheerful and haphazard arrangement of pillows are what makes this space so appealing to me.

Sheryl Crow has a tufted sectional, as seen in Architectural Digest. Again, the exposed wood feet gives the sectional more modern and clean lines.

A sectional recently graced the pages of Elle Décor.

The sectional in this room looks incredibly comfortable and inviting, both because of the design and choice of fabric, a  plush velvet.  Sectionals seems to lend an immediate sense of ease to a room.

 

Another silk velvet sectional, seen in an old Elle Décor, image source.

My search for images of sectionals yielded several results in the now defunct Metropolitan Home – perhaps because a sectional speaks to a contemporary and at times retro look.

This sectional, via House Beautiful, really fills this room and provides ample seating, in many ways reminding me of a banquette.

Vincente Wolf used a sectional in this room – it is perfect for the space.  Via House Beautiful.

Eric Cohler used a sectional to make this room family friendly and comfortable. Something about a section speaks to comfort, it seems!  Via House Beautiful.

The caption notes that this sectional is from Room and Board. My husband and I recently made a trip there to look at their sectionals, and found them to be very comfortable.

A Nancy Corzine designed room – this sectional is skirted.

In another Nancy Corzine designed room, this sectional has wood feet and is clearly used in formal living room.  I flipped through Corzine’s book, Glamour at Home, and noted that she uses sectionals frequently in her designs, and has some lovely sectionals in her furniture line.

Sectionals are often placed in a corner, perhaps to open up the room or to accommodate for tricky architecture and/or tight spaces.  Via Trad Home.

A slipcovered sectional is a bright and happy choice for this Rosemary Beach house with interiors by Jenny Johnston, via Cote de Texas.  I really love the look and feel of this room.  My husband is tired of all the white and cream and tan sofas that we have in the house, but they are so versatile – plus, since you can wash the slipcover, it adds a somewhat practical element!

Blogger Scandanavian Chic replaced her old sofa with a sectional when her husband requested a family friendly space.  It looks beautiful, and the collection of cheerful pillows are just the right touch.

Coastal Living.  Although I don’t think I have the space for this configuration, I love the comfortable look and somewhat circular design.  It looks very inviting – and I think it is the pillows contribute to this feel!

So, readers, do you have any input or perspective for me?  I realize that sectionals are unforgiving when it comes to furniture arrangement – they are what they are, they have a large footprint, and don’t have much flexibility. And yet, for a kids den/upstairs playroom, I think a sectional might just be the ideal choice, and would provide an interesting look that would be great for the room.

In particular, I am interesting in hearing about any sectionals styles that I should consider, or any stories (good or bad) about your experience with sectionals.

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