Creating a warm and inviting interior design in a country home is a delightful way to infuse comfort and charm into your living space.
An oil mill estate is reborn
A number of years ago, I served as a historic preservation consultant during the renovation of a glorious Manhattan townhouse at 15 East 96th Street. The original owner was wealthy-in-her-own-right Lucy Drexel Dalgren who was waiting out prickly divorce proceedings in Paris in 1912 when she was introduced to Boston-born architect Ogden Codman, Jr. Codman was also an interior designer and most of the furnishings he used, both new and antique, were supplied by French sources. This required him to travel often to France, where he had spent part of his childhood, especially around this time as his own magnificent townhouse at 7 E 96th was nearing completion. Dalgren and Codman became friends, and when her divorce was finally settled, she commissioned him to design a new home for herself and her eight children which was completed in 1916. Codman scholars Pauline Metcalf and the late Henry Hope Reed have maintained that Codman was inspired by a house on rue Sainte-Catherine in Bordeaux (with lot widths similar to the 38 ft here), but clearly he was influenced by a number of models and provided his own interpretations as well. In Ogden Codman and the Decoration of Houses edited by Ms Metcalf, Codman was said to also have been influenced by Depau Row, circa 1830 houses that once stood at 160 Bleeker Street (replaced by the Mills House Hotel now converted into apartments). Like the carriage doors of Depau Row, the Dalgren house has a pair of impressive doors (with a smaller concealed pedestrian door) that swing in to allow an automobile to enter a shelter outside the side Vestibule entrance before proceeding through a courtyard to a Garage at the back of the 100 ft deep site. Inside the Garage, the original turntable still remains as does the original elevator that allows cars to be stored in the Cellar. On the First (Ground) Floor, there is a grand Stair Hall with plaster walls tinted and scored to resemble limestone. An Elevator and Powder Room are thoughtfully concealed adjacent. A square Reception or Living Room faces the street, and my clients were having the ceiling elaborately painted, complete with clouds and parrots, a sharp contrast to the somber oak boiserie, when I was brought onto the project. At some point the original Kitchen was relocated to the Second Floor, and now the space below the octagonal Dining Room is another reception room of conforming plan. The whole front Second Floor is taken by a Drawing Room with oak boiserie and a ceiling 16 ft high. The panelling is now painted with a beautiful multi-toned yellow glazed finish, but that is not a decision I would have easily made. In the renovation by the current owner, the pipes for an organ were removed and, in that space, a new Powder Room was created. Unconventionally for a New York City townhouse, but common in 18th century France, a separate second staircase ascends to the private floors above. (Also, there is a separate service stair for access to all floors, including the mezzanine levels). Instead of an oval like in Codman's own townhouse, the shape of the Dining Room is octagonal with the primary architectural feature being pairs of French doors with demilune fanlights glazed with either clear glass or mirror. But the most spectacular feature is a pair of elaborate marble wall fountains, just as were found in the time of Louis XVI, to rinse wine glasses between the courses. My principle contribution was the restoration of the Library, a jewel box of a room that presumably served as a private sitting room for the homeowner, on the same floor as the Master Bedroom. As it is comparativley small and requiring skillful furniture placement for optimal effect, the room has not really been appreciated by decorators over the years. Periodically, suggestions have been made to remove the bookcases and panelling to enlarge the room by incorporating an adjacent hall. But the room is safe, for now at least. This photo shows the room as furnished by the late Mark Hampton for the subsequent owner after my restoration. These five photos are from Mark Hampton, An American Decorator by Duane Hampton. There have been a succession of famous (and relatively infamous) owners over the years, including Pierre Cartier of the jewelry family, whose heirs sold the house to the Convent of Saint Francis de Sales. There were two other owners before the current owner completely updated the building systems, sensitively improved the bathrooms and kitchen, and added a charming penthouse Garden Room opening onto the new south facing rooftop terrace with a pergola and outdoor fireplace. This work, in addition to refreshed decoration but not furnishing, was designed by David Anthony Easton and Andre Tchelistcheff Architects a to high standards executed by the white-glove company Xhema Construction. The readers might be surprised to learn that the current owner, reportedly, has never occupied the house and that it has unofficially been available for purchase for several years according to real estate sources. Ogden Codman moved to France permanently after World War I with his scheme for the whole block to be lined by similar houses of his design never realized. Conventional apartment buildings filled the other lots except for the three Codman townhouses that were built and still survive: this one, his own, and the house for Susan de Peyster at No. 12. The book MARK HAMPTON, AN AMERICAN DECORATOR is available for purchase at a discount of 37% from the published price and the option of free shipping through The Devoted Classicist Library here.
Our Green Leaves Macrame Wall Decor is a unique and stylish addition to any home. This beautiful macrame wall hanging features a stunning green leaf design, making it the perfect choice for plant lovers and nature enthusiasts. With its eclectic blend of Scandinavian, mid-century modern, and boho styles, it's sure to fit in seamlessly with your aesthetic room decor. This Green Leaves Macrame Wall Hanging is handcrafted/ hand woven with Natural Friendly Cotton Cord. DIMENSIONS: - For 5 - 9 Leaf options, the dimension is approximately: 14"W x 18"H - For 10 - 12 Leaf options, the dimension is approximately: 16"W x 20"H - For 13 - 15 Leaf options, the dimension is approximately: 18"W x 23"H - For 16 - 20 Leaf options, the dimension is approximately: 20"W x 25"H - For 21 - 26 Leaf options, the dimensions is approximately: 24"W x 26"H - For 27 - 30 Leaf options, the dimensions is approximately: 31"W x 28"H The detail of each piece would be unique thanks to individually handmade. COLOR SELECTION: - The Default Color for all Styles - Natural + Olive Green + Sage Green - Please note your preferred colors at the Personalization Area, if not the Default color will be applied. NOTE: - Length of driftwood would be around 16 inches to 20 inches depending on the number of leaves. - The color may vary a little bit due to screen settings. - The size may vary a bit due to the nature of individually handmade products. - The natural driftwood varies in shape and color. - The wooden beads vary in shape and color upon available. - The detail of actual products may vary a little bit due to the characteristics of handcrafted products. Should you need any further information or assistance, custom the desired products, do not hesitate to let us know, we are more than happy to support you! Kindly visit our shop for more and more lovely boho accessories: http://BeanDaikon.etsy.com/ Thank you and happy shopping <3
Exposed ceiling trusses adds a stylish visual aesthetic to any living space in your home, making it feel warm and cozy—and very in trend.
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English country style is popular in many places in the world, not just England, because of its warmth, coziness, and character. This style started in the rural parts of England and feature an abundance of antique, vintage, and/or thrifted traditional floral prints, natural materials, and classic furniture pieces that seem to be collected throughout the years. Here are some interior designer tips & tricks for how to decorate in an English country style in your home. Furniture PiecesThere are several classic furniture pieces commonly found in English country style homes. These furniture pieces are typically antiques. A common English country sofa is a brown leather chesterfield sofa. Other options include a roll-arm sofa or a slipcovered sofa with a skirt in a white, khaki, or cream color. Wingback chairs are very popular in living rooms. Bookcases, or perhaps an entire library, is very common in the English country style. The bookcases are filled with mostly vintage or antique books. Smaller English country homes often have a vintage or antique farmhouse table in the kitchen. Many larger homes will have a billiard or card table. Bedrooms often have a four poster bed. Choose a Warm and Inviting Color PaletteEnglish country style homes are decorated in soft and natural colors that have a comforting and natural feel. Muted pastel colors like pale pink, soft blue, and sage green are perfect to use in an English country style, since they mirror the colors of the blooming flowers and lush greenery of the English countryside. Don't forget the white or cream colored accents so the room does not look too dark. Earthy tones like terracotta, rust, and mustard yellow are also great options, as they create a cozy and inviting ambiance. A neutral brown stained wood color is also prevalent in furniture as well as architecture. Embrace Natural MaterialsUse natural materials when decorating your English country style for the most authentic look. Look for pieces made from wood, leather, wicker, rattan, and other organic materials that add a sense of warmth and texture to your home. Stained wood furniture pieces are a great choice for an English country style, however older wood pieces in poor repair can be repaired and painted to give them new life. Wood or stone floors are most common in traditional English country homes. Brick flooring is also a good option. Stone interior walls or fireplaces are another natural feature of many English country cottages. ArtThe most popular art for an English country home is a framed oil painting #ad. These paintings usually have an ornate antique gold or stained wood frame. The subject matter of these paintings are typically family portraits, landscapes, or animals, such as dogs and/or horses. Don't worry too much about your artwork matching, since art that looks collected throughout the years is very common. Add Floral PrintsOne of the most popular repeating elements in an English country style home is the use of floral prints and floral patterns. Consider decorating your home with floral patterns on your upholstery, curtains, bedding, and/or wallpaper. Popular flower types used in the English country style are the rose, peony, lily, lavender, poppy, and iris. You can mix and match different floral patterns in your room for a unique eclectic look that is one-of-a-kind. If you don't want to cover your room with flowers everywhere, try decorating with just a few floral patterns through accessories like throw pillows, blankets, or rugs. A needlepoint pillow #ad or seat cushion with a floral pattern is very common in English country decorating. Layer TexturesFor a cozy English country room, make sure to layer your textiles instead of just using the same fabrics throughout your room.Decorate with different textiles (like wool, linen, leather, velvet, and cotton) to create a room that feels collected and eclectic. Mixing and matching different textiles adds depth and interest to your space. For example, a wool plaid/tartan blanket draped over a linen sofa creates a cozy and inviting spot to sit for a while and read your favorite book. A linen pillow on a leather sofa creates a nice textural contrast so the leather sofa does not look so formal or uninviting. Choose Cozy LightingLighting is an important element in any design aesthetic, but it is especially in an English country style. English country style homes tend to be a little dark and moody, perhaps because England is known for its dark and dreary weather. Make sure to use multiple sources of lighting instead of just your overhead light bulb in the center of your ceiling. Many designers prefer to not use ceiling light at all except for when bright light is required, such as when cleaning. Table lamps, floor lamps, uplighting on something with an interesting texture (a stone wall or a potted plant), chandeliers, and wall sconces are great lighting options. Make sure that all of your light bulbs are the same color of light, listed as a number followed by the letter K. For a warm aesthetic, you will want light bulbs around 2700K. Mix and Match PatternsMixing and matching patterns is one of the characteristics of English country style since many of the items have been passed down from generation to generation. Don't be afraid to combine floral prints with stripes or plaid patterns with checks. When mixing patterns, don't select patterns with the same scale, else the patterns might feel too cluttered. Instead, select a large scale pattern, such as a floral, with a medium scale pattern, such as a plaid/tartan, with a small scale pattern, such as a small stripe print. The key is to keep the colors cohesive so the patterns don't clash. Experiment putting different items together to see how they look. You never know which items might unexpectedly look good together! Incorporate Vintage and Antique PiecesDecorating your home with vintage and antique pieces is the best way to get the English country look. These pieces add character to your home since they are unique and often a much higher quality than items made today. Look for vintage artwork, old-fashioned lighting fixtures, and classic furniture pieces to create a lived-in and comfortable environment. Understand the difference between distressing and damage. Distressing is when furniture or decor is altered over time from standard wear and tear. Damage is when furniture or decor is altered all at once, such as your dog chewing on the leg of your table while stressed out due to scary loud weather. Distressing is good since it showcases the heritage of the piece. Damage is bad and should be repaired. WoodworkWoodwork is very popular in English country homes. Exposed ceiling beams that might look a little rustic are very common. Some larger homes have stained wood paneling on the entire wall instead of plain drywall walls. Smaller homes will often have painted paneling, such as beadboard or wainscotting. This paneling sometimes covers the entire wall but other times is only on the bottom third of the wall. The woodwork is often painted white or a light color to make the home look lighter & brighter or a darker color to make the home feel a bit cozier. Add AccessoriesDon't forget to add many accessories to your English country-style home since many homes of this style tend to be nearly cluttered with an abundance of stuff that has been passed down to them for generations. Look for items like floral-printed cushions, woven baskets, and vintage knick-knacks to add personality and character to your space. Walking sticks, equestrian items, Staffordshire dog statues #ad taxidermy, antique books, pottery, classic hunting items, floral china, and a grandfather clock are common English country home accessories. Embrace ImperfectionOne of the defining characteristics of English country style is its imperfection since many of the high quality pieces of furniture and decor have been used by the family for many decades. Embrace the lived-in and almost shabby look of antique and vintage pieces. Look for furniture with patina and character and don't be afraid to mix and match different styles & eras. English country homes are typically not perfectly curated and well designed. More commonly, the items in the home have been collected over decades and tend to look a bit cluttered and a tiny bit messy. Imperfection adds personality and charm to your space and gives your home a sense of history. Live Plants and FlowersEnglish country style celebrates the outdoors, especially during the cold winters. Adding potted plants #ad can make a sterile room feel more alive and happy. You can also add fresh flowers for a colorful touch either weekly or on special occasions when you have guests. Consider planting your own cut flower garden so you can bring seasonal flowers inside your home. Roses are a very popular flower choice for a cutting garden.
This historic eighteenth-century house enters a new chapter as a family home with careful restoration and renovation, sympathetic interiors by Hugh Henry and gardens that open out to the surrounding woods, streams and coast beyond.
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A simply wonterful Italian lake house luminous and cosy, made of timber, concrete and steel. ...
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On the first Monday of September, our thoughts turn toward work and to the experiences that have led to our current roles. This Labor Day, Victoria readers share memories of their first job, what it taught them, and the impact it had on their career path. In the late 1970s, when my mother managed a
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Our durable brushed brass tapware is ideal for indoor and outdoor environments. Buy brushed brass tapware online with delivery or shop in-store.
Inside Bowood House, An 18th Century English Country House with Capability Brown Landscape Wiltshire, England It’s been called ‘One of the best stately homes in Wiltshire’, Bowood House is an enormous Georgian country house with interiors by Robert Adam and a substantial garden designed by Lancelot “Capability” Brown. Adjacent to the village of Derry Hill, […]
