QUICK PIC - Peppermint Bliss's Playroom

One of my favorite blogs is Peppermint Bliss.  The author, Bailey McCarthy, has just moved into a new house and had a new baby so she is very busy.  I love how she mixes traditional with bright colors and it somehow comes out glamorous.  Here are a couple of pics of her playroom.  LOVE the red trim and LOVE the disco ball!  See her blog here: http://www.peppermintbliss.com/



TRIVIA LESSON - The Westchester in D.C.

Recently, I was fortunate to be included in a small dinner party at The Westchester in Washington, DC.  Although I lived in the area for seven years, I had never been there before.  This complex was built in the 1930's and still retains the glamour and old world charm of that era.

This was meant to be the largest apartment complex south of New York City but the depression halted construction after four buildings.

Dorothy Draper (of Greenbrier fame) handled the mid-century redesign of the interiors.  Draper fans will recognize her signature in the oversized carpet pattern.

The Westchester was highlighted in this 2003 book of best addresses in the Washington, DC area.

Entrance to one of the buildings

The property contains Moorish details such as this porte-cochere.

This is the porte-cochere at night.

Driveway

Street entrance & exit

These fabulous lighting fixtures are remnants leftover from the Dorothy Draper redesign.  Aren't you glad they left them up!

Lobby view-note the detailed plaster work

Lobby level sitting area

Picture showing the detailed plaster frieze.  It is at least 16" tall.

Lobby at night

Lobby at Christmas

Entrance to Westchester Restaurant

Steps to elevator landing

Etched Deco elevator doors

Door knockers

Interior of my friend's apartment

TREND WATCH - Painted Furniture

If you are a regular reader, you know that I am tired of all the BROWN (antiques/reproductions) in my house.  Go ahead, look around your house!  I bet you have lots of "brown" furniture too.  I am in a phase where I really want to brighten up my interiors.  I want them to energize me and lift my spirits.  So, today I am writing about brightly painted furniture.  Many of the pictures below are items that were originally BROWN but have been given a new life with paint and gloss.  One key part of this look is the "lacquer".  Be sure that your items have a high gloss shine on them.  I like everything shiny.  I even use high gloss paint on all my walls and ceilings in my house.  It reflects the light better and it's WAY easier to clean, which is important with two dogs and two kids.  Just be careful not to paint any truly valuable pieces.

Before we get to the commercial photos, I want to share one of my projects.  I have painted lots of furniture but this was for a special "Diva" friend of mine.  I started with a solid white vanity, painted the base black and then hand-painted the top in a leopard print in colors/tones to match her home.  The images below feature solid colors, but you can do any design you want.

I can't remember the source of this photo but this is the view the homeowner has from her free-floating desk in a home office.  Who wouldn't get energized by looking at this orange/red console with inspiration boards above it?

This vignette comes from Black & Spiro's Australian store.  The kelly green buffet helps ground all of the bright/light colors in the room

We are seeing lots of this campaign furniture in the design world.  Source: Apartment Therapy.

We are also seeing lots of painted chippendale/chinoiserie chairs for desks and dining tables.  Note how they mixed the bright color with an antique BROWN table.  Source:  Decor Pad

This chest really pops against the green view of the yard.  Source: Domestically Speaking

 

This console certainly would brighten up your morning!  Source: Honey & Fitz

Here are more painted chinoiserie chairs.  Source: Honey & Fitz

Painted chests from Natty Design

Painted desk from Decorpad

Painted legs from Martha Stewart

Emerald green desk.  I forgot to record the source but many of you may recognize this from a showhouse (I think it's in California).

Painted Queen Anne desk from Vanessa De Vargas.  This is a great idea with reproduction desks.

Yellow TV stand from designer Danielle Oakey's living room.

This tiny pink side table really makes the blue & white items POP.  It also picks up the accent in the pillows.  Source:Lady Chatterley's Affair. 

Eddie Ross used hot pink dining chairs for this tableau.

This vignette shows that brightly painted furniture can mix well with formal elements, like the portrait.  Source: Jill Sorenson

  



The six images above are all from fearless color expert, Tobi Fairley. 

This is the desk of Anna Spiro of the Australian store, Black and Spiro, and the blog, Absolutely Beautiful Things.  I recently acquired a yard of that great Manuel Canovas fabric on her lampshade.  I can't wait to do something fab with it.