WINTER WONDER

NEW ARRIVALS - GREY RULES

It's that time of year when the orders we placed at the summer shows start arriving at the shop. It's also the time of great antique sales and our new found treasures.
Best of all it's the time of unbelievably beautiful grey skies.
The following photos reflect my grey obsession. You will find lots of this sublime color among our shop offerings. A real standout is the giant French zinc  capital that has been artfully turned into a console  table. Also available is my current favorite design book The Natural Home by Hans Blomquist who as a stylist and art director gravitates toward a grey palette.
If you happen to be in Georgetown this fall please stop by and visit us at 1657 Wisconsin Avenue or you can call us at 202 337 0540.

A B C DESIGN INSPIRATION

My first stop in New York is almost always ABC Carpet and Home . Not only do they have a vast and well edited selection of merchandise but also have a very talented display team. I never fail to be inspired.
Of  particular appeal to me is their mix of old and new elements.  For some reason I always seem to gravitate to their 'Industrial' style furniture and lighting. I love the old painted and chipped metal pieces. Most are utilitarian in origin but manage to take on a sophisticated aura in the right environment.

NY INTERNATIONAL GIFT FAIR II

Following are photos of more exhibits at the NY INTERNATIONAL GIFT FAIR. The first three photos are from Grace & Blake two California designers who apply an edgy modern aesthetic to rather

traditional products. My favorites are the resin antlers available both mounted and unmounted. The other favorite design is a peach colored velvet pouf on a clear resin base. The remaining photos are from Vagabond Vintage whose products have always been a staple in the shop. Their eclectic range of designs has an antique feel to it and often a connection to the natural world. I especially love the beehives.  

NY INTERNATIONAL GIFT FAIR

The New York International Gift Fair (August 18-22) is a strange and wonderful experience. After navigating bizarre and badly designed products there are glimpses of what I consider examples of truly great design. I am always inspired. In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of various products that caught my interest for one reason or another.
The following photos are of the LA based company ARTECNICA which
collaborates with established and emerging international designers to create inspiring decorative objects for the living environment. 

ILLUMINATION

Lighting as a design element has never been more varied. My personal preference leans toward the 'industrial' look. There's nothing like an antique mercury glass or metal fixture that has found it's way from an old factory. But I also find it hard to resist the lure of a beautiful Murano glass chandelier. There is no reason why you can't mix it up.

 Moss & Co., Oliver Dunn and Catharine Roberts

Lighting from ABC CARPET & HOME

ARTFUL ABUNDANCE

While visiting the Dupont Circle Farmers Market this past Sunday my first impression was that I had walked into a Dutch still life painting. I was immediately struck by the sheer abundance of Mid Summer fruits vegetables and flowers not to mention the colors and textures. It was visual perfection. The standouts for me were the indescribable 'Golden Beets' and the giant heirloom tomatoes - each one with its own unique personality. And of course I can't leave out the amazing variety of mushrooms with their one of a kind shapes and surfaces. The following photographs attempt to capture a bit of my experience.

Lovely Lisianthus

Ripe Juicy Plums

'Golden Beets' In Their Perfect Basket

A Mushroom Village

Heirloom Tomato With A Personality

TERRAIN

Not long ago myself and  a friend took a long anticipated trip to Terrain in Glenn Mills Pennsylvania. As most everyone knows Terrain is owned by the same clever people who brought us Anthropologie. Terrain's focus is on the outdoors and gardening along with a healthy dose of homewares beautifully displayed inside. It is a creative interpretation of a garden center. Rather than a single store it is a collection of several structures with each one providing a unique visual viewpoint. A visit to Terrain will not disappoint.

Architectural detail of outdoor display

Garden Cafe facade

Colorful spiky succulent

Amazing zinc top garden table

Beautifully displayed box of succulents

Planter made especially for Terrain

Vertical planting in rows on building facade

LONGWOOD GARDENS

A few weeks ago I was in the Brandywine Valley which is an incredibly beautiful area in Pennsylvania. Just by chance the friend I was with suggested we visit Longwood Gardens. I had no idea how enchanting it would be. I felt like I was in Europe.
Apparently Pierre du Pont who created the gardens was greatly influenced by the French and Italian styles. Although the landscaping and plantings made quite an impression on me it was the architectural details that had the greatest impact as you will note from the photographs. It was du Pont's  aesthetic sense along with his obvious love of the landscape that has left the world a more beautiful place. 

Detail of original Fountain Garden (under renovation)

Topiary Garden

Italian Water Garden

Waterlily Pool

Dolphin  detail on lead cistern

'Field of Light' Installation by Bruce  Munro

Detail of Italian Water Garden with urn

Waterlily Tendrils

Main Water Garden