Halloween

*Select Image

New Work

It's bananas to say, but the holidays are upon us! Pick-up a copy of Vintage Holiday to read my most recent published work.....  I focus in on the "Old World Romantic" style of designer Jennifer Hayslip, her home is featured on the magazine's cover. I take a closer look at the softer color palette that Belgium based lifestyle blogger Yvonne Eijkenduijn selects for her "Vintage Chic" holiday style. And be inspired by the "Mid Century Kitsch" look of designer Valerie Lloyd.

Sweet Briar College

My alma mater Sweet Briar College, continues to exceed all expectations and squash any doubts of whether or not we could survive the rocky waters instigated on March 3rd, 2015 by the school's previous administration to close the gates of our beloved college.....

In most recent news, Sweet Briar has been named one of the best women's colleges in the country by the educational institution data company Niche. Many thanks goes to Town & Country magazine for featuring Sweet Briar in their article highlighting the list of 20 national schools.


Images included.....

1- the incoming freshman class photographed in the Quad

2- Founders Day, our annual tradition that kicks off the start of the school year. The entire Sweet Briar community walks together to Monument Hill, carrying daisies in memory of our founder's daughter, Daisy

3- underclassmen wear white, seniors wear their black robes

4- athletics on campus

5- Fox Hunt held over Founder's Day Weekend

6- looking down to the Quad, Chapel & Bell Tower

Cecil Beaton at Home

Sir Cecil Beaton (1904-1980) excelled as a fashion & society photographer, playwright, set and costume designer, artist, and interior decorator. Within the pages of this recently released hardcover book, Cecil Beaton at Home: An Interior Life, is an intimate reveal of the extraordinary scope of work and life of undoubtedly the quintessential Renaissance man. Particular attention is paid to Beaton's two treasured residences, Ashcombe House and Reddish House, located within the English countryside and that served as the backdrop for his very colorful and creative existence. Pairing an assortment of personal & published photographs, hand drawings and newspaper clippings, with detailed stories of private & professional relationships, the book inspires a deeper discovery and ultimate testament to Beaton's legendary life.

*I have Rizzoli to thank for extending me a copy to preview.


Images included.....

1- photograph by James McMillan, collection of Stiles Tuttle Colwill

2- photograph by James McMillan, copyright Johnson & Johnson

3- photograph by James McMillan, Collection of Michele Harding

4- © The Cecil Beaton Studio Archive at Sotheby’s

5- © The Cecil Beaton Studio Archive at Sotheby’s

 © Cecil Beaton at Home: An Interior Life by Andrew Ginger, Rizzoli New York, 2016.

On The Market

The Virginia Highland home of interior designer Benjie Jones is on the market. I remember touring this home when it was included in the VA-Highland Holiday Tour of Homes more than a decade ago! Even then, I was completely struck and absolutely inspired by Mr. Jones's deliberate decorative accent of painting the majority of his home BLACK -- exterior and interior. I interpreted the look into our office/library in 2004, painting the entire room black, and I loved it! I also thought it was fantastic and made perfect sense that he added the most comfy looking sofa to his Kitchen -- and why not, it's where everyone gathers to eat & entertain. Goodness gracious I hope the next owner truly appreciates the fixtures & finishes that Mr. Jones's selected and makes the right decision to leave them as is to honor his design legacy.

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles featured the interiors of Mr. Jones' home, decorated in the Christmas spirit, in their December 2011 issue. Images included.....

The Lamps of Tiffany Studios

80 iconic Tiffany lamps selected from the New-York Historical Society's Neustadt Collection, are captured in exquisite detail and featured in the recently released, The Lamps of Tiffany Studios: Nature Illuminated. The photographs reveal how the intricate designs took influence from the garden, the landscape, and decorative elements observed from travels abroad, while also exposing exceptional glass cutting techniques and the artistry of incorporating a range of rich saturated colored glass.

One of the more fascinating discoveries discussed within the pages is how Louis C. Tiffany turned to and entrusted lead female designer Clara Driscoll (1861-1944) and her department of  around 35 women known as the "Tiffany Girls" to create the eye catching styles that are so highly coveted today. This book is being published in collaboration with the opening of the Tiffany Lamp Gallery, a cornerstone of the New-York Historical Society's launch of the Center of Women's History, located on the fourth floor of their Central Park locale.

The Lamps of Tiffany Studios: Nature Illuminated is absolutely a must-add hardcover book to your artisan & design focused library. Images included.....

*I have Skira Rizzoli to thank for extending me a copy to preview.

© The Lamps of Tiffany Studios: Nature Illuminated, Skira Rizzoli, 2016

Ever Evolving Design

The interiors of a Charlottesville, VA vintage charmer owned by artist Abby Kasonik and her husband, antique dealer Roderick Coles, is featured in the OCT/NOV issue of Garden & Gun magazine.

Couple of details to point out.....  

• If you love this home, it is currently on the market  -- listing info here
• You might remember this home from when it was published in Cottage Living magazine over a decade ago......  I've got the issue somewhere, but since our move, locating it is another story.....

I've included the images from the previous photo shoot paired with the couple's current decorative style. Arguably, all designers are quick to point out that PAINT is the easiest (and most cost effective) way to completely change the overall appeal of any room. The previous pics show how Abby and Roderick turned to primary colors to define the rooms within their quaint bungalow. At the time, goodness knows that Chinese Red was all the rage to use as an eye catching pop of color -- we even had a red dining room circa 2001! But cut to 2016, and the pair have turned to softer shades that flow from one room to the next, with the exception of the Kitchen, where the Canary Yellow remains on the walls.

Additionally, note some of the furnishings that Abby and Roderick have swapped out for reinterpreted styles through the nearly 20 years as homeowners -- the dining room table, chairs & side board, the living room coffee table, and master bed. Tip to take to heart: The key to achieving signature style is by letting the room's design be fluid and allowing your design aesthetic, defined by timeless not trendy appeal, to evolve over time. See your pieces in a new way by moving them to a different room, create continuity within mismatched furnishings by selecting fabrics in similar color tones and layer in an assortment of accessories -- mirrors, lamps, smalls -- for a truly unique and one-of-a-kind look.