Parrots & Gracie

Scarlet McCaw

 

Yesterday, my next door neighbors, who are snowbirds and not in town, had someone working at their house. The entire time he was there a Scarlet McCaw rode on this shoulder including as the man went up and down large ladders. Keep in mind these parrots are about three feet in length. It's Florida....

The Most Beautiful Coffee Table Book

CCC

I  have such a thing for interior deign and gardening books - I have hundreds. Many were sent to me as a courtesy as an interior designer and social influencer, but most I have gotten on my own. I think if you walk into someone's home and it is devoid of books, that is not a person I would have much in common with. I am also a voracious reader of fiction and non-fiction books. There is nothing I enjoy more than sitting out on the lanai with the pups reading.

The Art of Gracie

The Art of Gracie: Handpainted Wallpapers, Timeless Rooms

 

The ultimate in chinoiserie decor is a room done in hand-painted silk chinoiserie wallcovering like those by Gracie. This new book that will be released on Tuesday takes you into this gorgeous world. So many of my favorite chinoiserie rooms include Gracie wallcovering. I am so looking forward to this book.

The Wallpapered Ceiling

Phoebe Howard - Kips Bay Palm Beach

Kips Bay Palm Beach opened this past week. Last week I posted on several rooms, including the blue and white master bedroom by Phoebe Howard.

The Chinoiserie Living Room

Ruthie Sommers

 

A very pretty and dramatic living room by Ruthie Sommers with Gracie chinoiserie wallpaper in "Antique Peony," a curved pink velvet sofa, ruffle trimmed curtains (very Miles Redd), striped slipper chairs, and a real statement rug. Not sure about the "coffee table" choice here, but I like the bold mixing of patterns - go bold or go home.

Faux Bois & Chinoiserie

Charlotte Moss

 

I love chinoiserie and I love faux bois (French for false wood) and they look so great together. This blue and white tile tray is likely Delft, but Delft mixes beautifully here and with blue and white Chinese porcelain.

This dining room below by the late Andrew Raquet is my favorite example and a favorite dining room. He was immensely talented and died at forty five. Wallpaper is Gracie. Faux bois on the chairs is Quadrille's Alan Campbell's Meloire Reverse.

My painters are due over shortly. The projects never end!

Andrew Raquet

Andrew Raquet

The Navy Chinoiserie Powder Room

Jenkins Baer Interiors

 

I love every single thing about this powder room. Gracie chinoiserie wallpaper, navy blue walls and woodwork, wainscoting, a sputnik chandelier, that herringbone floor!!!!, a gray dupioni silk roman shade, and that stunning sink are all wonderful. I am sending this to my daughter for her files. Their new Annapolis home is a Georgian Colonial and this powder room is a perfect mix of modern, mid century, and traditional. 

Do you have a favorite navy paint color? I don't know what was used here, but I always return to Benjamin Moore Hale Navy. It is such a classic, timeless color that works everywhere. A navy blue room is a perfect kickoff to the Memorial Day weekend.

I have a truckload of river rock coming tomorrow to refresh two of my large garden beds. My landscape refresh is in full gear and the garden is looking lovely.

Chinoiserie Vignette

Gracie Studio

 

Beautiful balance here with the sideboard, sconces, and mirror. Note the matching chandelier reflected in the mirror. The candlesticks mimic the branches in the chinoiserie Gracie wallpaper as does the sideboard.

The Chinoiserie Entryway

Phillip Thomas - Flower Magazine

This dramatic foyer features Gracie Studios wallpaper, lacquered black ceiling and door, and stunning wood floors. The purple console table is an interesting choice. Purple is pretty much the only color I don't use in my home. I love lavender, but not a dark purple personally. But this pop of purple definitely works here with the green walls. 

 

Progress Report

Draza Stamenich - DC Design House 2009

Yesterday could not have gone better.

1. The plumber arrived right on time and installed the new hot water heater in the garage. He commented that it is the nicest garage he has ever seen. I will have to post pictures but it is really nice. It was just painted by the seller in crisp white with a gray floor, built in white cabinets, and white plantation shutters on the window. It is absolutely pristine. My car will be very happy in there.

2. My painters arrived and we had a great time playing with the Samplize paint color samples. They were unaware of Samplize and very impressed. I will take photos today and reveal the winners.

3. Two trips with the car loaded with breakables. My garage looks like a blue and white Chinese porcelain store. Or the home of a ginger jar hoarder.

4. I realized today I need a lighting fixture for the laundry room. As you might recall, I have enough of the Brunschwig& Fils "Ironing Bored" left over from my previous laundry room to have it wallpapered. Yeah!!!!!!

Above is the inspiration board for my Alexandria, Virginia laundry room which was massive. It was about 225 square feet. Mine here is small, but I will make it really pretty.

Brunschwig & Fils Ironing Bored wallpaper

The photo up top is from the DC Design House back in 2009. Excuse the grainy photo. It was the smallest room in the house and my favorite. I had never before seen a laundry room with such attention to detail - Gracie wallpaper, a Neirmann Weeks chandelier, garden antiques, aviary wire on the cabinets, a travertine counter. This will serve as inspiration for my laundry room.

I especially like the lantern lighting fixture. I'm thinking this would be nice. Navy and pewter. An open cage design.

Leighton Cage Pendant

Well, I am off for the first run of breakables over to the house and to see what the painters are up to. Have a great day everyone. I will post tomorrow on the Dyson vacuum and the lobster rope door mat. And I need some sleep. All this adrenaline has me going 24/7.

The Chinoiserie Dining Room

Mary McGee - Gracie Studio

This is a beautiful and modern alternative to blue and white. Stunning purple Chinoiserie wallcovering by Gracie Studio - Iris Shimmer - with a palette of black and white mid century modern furnishings lends a modern but timeless vibe.

Iris Shimmer - Gracie Studio

The Chinoiserie Bathroom

Suzanne Kasler - Veranda

Such a pretty bathroom - Gracie wallpaper, a Greek key bench, Circa Who sconces, a Louis mirror, and a stunning Waterworks sink and fittings.

The Chinoiserie Dining Room

Mark D. Sikes - Veranda

Green is a very hot color right now, but to me always a wonderful choice. The Chinoiserie wallpaper is by Gracie.

Chinoiserie Vignette

Susan Bednar Long - Luxe 

An antique sideboard, Gracie Chinoiserie wallpaper, and a Matthew Pillsbury photograph work beautifully together.

The Chinoiserie Bar Cart

Michelle Morgan Harrison - New England Home

Gray Chinoiserie wallpaper by Gracie is a beautiful backdrop for this silver bar cart outfitted with crystal and silver.

The Chinoiserie Powder Room

Suzanne Kasler - Veranda

The Gracie wallpaper and Greek key upholstered stool are so beautiful in this blue and silver powder room.

The Chinoiserie Fireplace

Mary McDonald - House Beautiful

A lovely vignette in Mary McDonald's bedroom featuring Gracie wallpaper and Chinese porcelain.

The Chinoiserie Bedroom

Mario Buatta - Architectural Digest

A gorgeous Chinoiserie bedroom with Gracie hand painted Chinoiserie wallpaper, a pagoda lamp, a black and white four poster bed, and D. Porthault linens.

Green Chinoiserie

Leta Austin Foster

Green Gracie panels and sumptuous silk draperies with scalloped pelmets with trim, a jabot, and chou are a stunning combination.

The Chinoiserie Bedroom

Architectural Digest

This bedroom is a lovely example of mixing modern and traditional which is the essence of Chinoiserie Chic. Classic hand painted Chinoiserie wallpaper by Gracie and silk taffeta Brunschwig & Fils curtains are juxtaposed against a minimalist mirror and Frank J. Boros art.