Preview Party Snapshots

The Gala Preview Party for the North Shore Design Show at the Wenham Museum took place last Friday night. It was hosted by New England Cable News personality Jenny Johnson (pictured above). We chatted about our mutual friend, Stacy Kunstel, who designed the eye-catching orange Dunes & Duchess candelabra that really stole the show. It was the last piece I added to my vignette and when I walked in with it, everyone “oohed” and “ahhed” over its dramatic scale and exquisite paint finish. Below is a better view of it ...



Not to be overlooked, the Turkish carpet in my space also received a lot of “I love it” compliments. Mary Donovan, pictured above, immediately dubbed it “zesty” when I met with her at First Oriental Rugs in April to choose my floor covering. See a close up of it in this post.



John and I enjoyed the signature cocktail which was a type of Mexican Sunset with fresh squeezed lime that I thought went rather nice with the Cinco de Mayo roses that decorate my space (which I found at Northeast Nursery which also has a designer vignette in the show). These terra-cotta red roses are deeply fragrant, and when fully opened they unfurl like the ruffles on a flamenco dancer’s dress.

Cinco de Mayo Roses

Mary with her husband (also named John)

Designer Patricia Finn of Finn-Martens Design popped over to visit. Her vignette features a to-die-for luxury spa which she created in what used to be the museum coat closet. You have to come see it to believe it!




Lindsay Diehl, the Executive Director of the Wenham Museum, is super supportive and always appreciative of the participating designers (seen here with Sally Wilson of Wilson Kelsey Design).

I have really enjoyed getting to know Sally who I first met at last year’s show. She and her husband (another John!) were recently seen in New England Finery Magazine (see page 15 of issue 2).

Leon Marten, John Kelsey, Kathy Marshall and friend (sorry --
I should write names down and not try to rely on my memory!)

Above is just a glimpse into the lovely space that this husband-and-wife design team cooked up based on the movie “Julie & Julia.” Read their posts about the process behind their design here and here. I love to see a space being enjoyed like this!

Gracyn Whitman and Kathy Marshall with significant others

Behind these beautiful people is a stunning room which includes a sparkling pantry and a colorful seaside lounge presented in the signature reclaimed barn structure of Marshall Whitman Design. There is a lot of gorgeous in this space including custom laquered aqua Shoji panels by Back Bay Shutter Company and some amazing large scale sepia tone photography.




Wenham Museum Trustee – and the graphic designer behind the NSDS – Willa Worsfold (on the right) chose to wear a piece from one of my favorite local designers to the party. Harper Della Piana of Seams Couture created this gray silk cocktail dress for Willa. It is from the Wrapture collection which was the cover story for issue one of New England Finery. Someday I will have one of these gorgeous dresses hanging in my closet (or you will see me wearing it out on the town!)




I have to say, the men were dressed to impress as well, especially Brian Hogan of the Myopia Hunt Club who was a special guest in The Gentleman’s Quarters designed by Marlene Pippins for Landry & Acari.



I couldn’t resist including a snapshot of this cute wooly little fellow from the Landry & Acari space! My vignette also includes a little lamb in honor of the 18 sheep that used to live on the small farm that is now the Blacker backyard (just 20 minutes from Wenham). If you make it to the Wenham Museum, you are likely to pass a lot of elegantly rural open spaces on your travels. It is such a beautiful town, and is still home to many horses and farm properties.




Wenham resident Elisabeth Carpenter was on hand to answer questions about the made-to-order modern pieces designed by her husband Sebastian of Sebastian Carpenter Design. SCD is also showing at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair this week, so if you are in New York for the show stop by booth 2076 to see more. SCD was also seen in New England Finery Magazine (are you starting to see a trend here ; )

The lovely Honey Collins entertaining in her warm and inviting space.
Custom wall panels are by Zoe Design.

By the end of the night, we were finally able to kick off our shoes and relax. It takes a lot of planning and teamwork to put together a design show, but it is always well worth the effort. Along with supporting the mission of the Wenham Museum which provides educational exhibitions and enrichment programs to over 35,000 visitors a year, being a part of the show is a great way to connect with North Shore creatives. There are over a dozen vignettes at this year’s show to see and enjoy up close that feature the combined talents of many local creative businesses.



Whether you are looking to hire a designer or find a talented artisan for a special project, stop in this week to see for yourself what the North Shore has to offer. The show runs through Saturday, May 22nd and tickets are available at the door. For more information, click here. I hope to see you there!

Inspired by ... Barclay Butera

My autographed copy.
As promised, I wanted to share with you some designer words of wisdom from the Barclay Butera lecture last Tuesday (October 27th) at the Boston Design Center. First, I have to say, Barclay was California-handsome dressed in a gorgeous cinnamon-orange blazer that contrasted beautifully with his signature colors of navy blue and crisp white (which when he stood in front of the image below during his slide show, it was a perfect example of the value of adding that punch of contrasting color.)

Kravet fabrics as shown in Living in Style by Barclay Butera


A photo-op at the Kravet showroom.

Besides being blessed with boyish good looks, Barclay came across as being very gracious and soulful. His presentation on “Decorating in a New Economy” actually addressed concerns that many of us have today ... how to stretch decorating dollars in a respectful way and still achieve satisfying results that make both designer and client happy. While his lecture was geared toward the design professional, the same strategies can be applied by those who decorate their own homes.
Come home with me ... I am loving
“Poppy” from the Hearst Castle Collection
designed by Barclay Butera.

One of my favorite tips was Butera’s recommendation to change a look of a room by simply adding new accent pillows. I don’t know how many times I have had to explain to my husband why I love pillows so much, but Barclay totally gets it! A dramatic fabric on even one new pillow can completely change the look and feel of a space. I always say a great pillow is like affordable art that is available to most, regardless of budget commitments.

“Monkey in Tree” from my collection of
designed accent pillows, now available
at Beth Hylan Design Studio.

One comment in particular that Butera made struck a chord with me ... on those mornings that you may not be feeling great, maybe work is slow or you are just having an off day, sit down and take out some nice stationery and write a note to someone to thank them for something that they have done for you. I thought this approach of practicing gratitude says a lot about who Barclay is and how he tries to live his life. No matter what is going on around us, there is always something to be grateful for.


A Butera-designed room from Living in Style,
actual photo by Andrew Abrecht Photography

After viewing the many photos of Barclay’s work in both his presentation and his book (he stated that he has many more in his personal archives ... always take pictures of your work!) I would have to say his style is warm, textural, and classically bold with grand gestures in both scale and pattern. I was so inspired by his love of combining prints (as he mentioned, he is known for his ability to “layer” patterns) that a couple of days later I left the house carrying my favorite zebra print handbag while wearing a leopard print scarf (I never would have mixed animals before, but Barclay does it so well that I had to try!)

Vintage scarf passed down to me that used to
be worn by my very stylish grandmother
(more on her in a later post).

In case you want to achieve the Barclay Butera look for yourself, here are a few more designer tips ...

Don’t be shy ... dining room by Barclay Butera
taken from his book Living in Stylephotographed by Miguel Flores-Vianna

• Tip #1 ... pick up a copy of his book. I felt like I was holding my breath turning the pages. The rooms are that beautiful.

• Don’t be afraid to mix patterns, styles, periods or places: Shells can reside in a room even with animal prints. As Barclay defines it, it is okay to combine Beach with Mountain or Desert with Town & Country.

• Don’t overdo it with a theme (just because you have animal prints or say antler chandeliers in the room, doesn’t mean you have to have signs like “Deer Crossing” hanging on the wall).
• Textures are the key to hard to resist interiors (leathers, furs, stone, natural wood, etc.)


Large orchid seen in one of the BDC showrooms.

• A large orchid plant is one of Barclay’s all time favorite natural accent pieces (I counted about 36 of them in his book.)
My decorate-like-a-pro tip: pick up one or two orchid plants at your local Home Depot and combine them in one big ceramic pot. Add some moss from your backyard if you are lucky enough to have some and voila – instant style!

• When at all possible, put a great lighting fixture in your space. It will get noticed.

• Tall white pillar candles and glass hurricanes blend with any decorating style.

A favorite of mine as well.


• And most importantly, rooms are meant to be lived in ... enjoy yours!

Here are a couple more fabulous patterns that we saw at the BDC after we were “Butera-inspired” ...


Me running into an old friend ...
Sebastian Carpenter Design lamp
at Blanche P. Field showroom
at the Boston Design Center.

My friend Linda in one of her favorite showrooms.

I am planning on recreating this stylish look for a piece that I will put in the Studio. Look for it soon! And when you get a chance, visit Barclay’s blog to read more posts on how he lives with style.

Designers take to the road.

Furniture by Sebastian Carpenter Design
I love how the round feet contrast with the
straight edges of this chair and ottoman set,
which are dressed in a new-to-the-line geometric
print and trimmed in chocolate brown velvet.

I had the opportunity to get a sneek peak at this warmly modern furniture vignette that was set up over the weekend at the home of architect/furniture designer Sebastian Carpenter. These pieces (including the very cool sculptural green wall) will go on the road to the Fine Furnishings & Fine Craft Show being held in Providence, Rhode Island this weekend from Friday, October 23rd to Sunday, October 25th at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

Admission is only $10 to view over 100 American artists showing and selling handcrafted furniture, accessories, fine art and craft. Get a chance to see a wide variety of pieces – from traditional to contemporary – and talk to the designers themselves, just like I did (I love to hear the stories behind the design process). Here is what I saw this weekend:

Sebastian’s pieces are strongly influenced by his architectural training along with an inherited artistic eye (see my previous post from June ’09).

He strives to create furnishings that honor the use of natural resources. Many of his techniques, like the rich patina achieved by actually burning the wood of the sofa frame as seen above, employ unique methods to create aesthetic pieces in a “green” way.

His lamps, with shades from Blanche P. Field, are elegantly sturdy and would certainly fit in the back of most cars if you are lucky enough to make it to Rhode Island to see the show. These pieces are also available through the Boston Design Center or contact SCD directly to plan in advance for your next fine furnishing purchase.

These always make me smile ...
a pair of Pony Cubes from SCD.

Also at the show (among other exhibits) will be some incredible work presented by students that are currently enrolled in 3 furniture making programs throughout New England (one being at Rhode Island School of Design). I always wonder if my life would have been different if I had gone to RISD when given the chance way back when. Perhaps one of my boys has inherited my artistic talent and will take that route (although to be fair, BC was very good to me!) Either way, I guess my husband and I should start saving ...

“Mom and me” by Ben, age 5


As for me, this weekend I will be in Reading, MA for
the opening of my friend Beth’s new design shop:



Check out her new website and blog (which I designed for her) and be sure to stop by some weekend to see the great stuff that she has put together. She has taken antique paper (that she has been collecting for years) and has combined it in the most amazing ways to create jewelry and home decorating items that are simply inspiring. Beth will also be offering fresh floral arrangements “to-go” along with vintage treasures. Her shop already feels very “Beth” to me. I find that I feel more creative just being around her!


This week, I will be helping with some prep work on the display areas in the shop for the Trunk Shows that will showcase guest designers over the nine weekends that the studio is open. As I have mentioned, design items from my collections will be on display in the store (thanks, Beth!). These pieces have been my own personal field of dreams (if you build it, they will come). In my case, if you are compelled to create art out of fabric and wallpaper, a store will magically appear to sell them!

From my “Best Friends” collection.


Items like these are looking for a good home ...
come check them out for a limited time at:


Beth Hylan Design Studio
159 Ash Street, Reading, MA
Open Saturdays from 10 am – 5 pm
Sundays from 12 noon – 5 pm
Call 781.246.8552 for more info.


PS...
If you stop by the store, please sign my
guest book if I am not around to say hi!

Modern Love: Sebastian Carpenter Designs

A sun room set for inspired conversation.

Dragonfly Club Chairs, Deco FL-A Floor Lamp, Cube Ottomans in Zebra, Bamboo Coffee Table, Dragonfly Sofa in Raffia

Ahh .... serenity! I was recently invited to view the studio line of furnishings by Sebastian Carpenter at his Wenham home and studio “Dragonfly.” The property itself, one of those breathtaking sites securely rooted in history, is quietly ensconced atop a wooded hill overlooking the Wenham Lake. Modern sculptures that combine welded metal and used farm equipment designed by his late father (and renowned modernist sculptor) Harlow Carpenter, line the long curving drive and herald a display of inherited creativity to come.

Modern vignette inside the front entrance,
with antique farm-tool sculpture on top
of Kinko Chest inspired by modernist
Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Moderne T. Deco Console Table
paired with Deco T-A Lamp

This completely renovated and restored property is uniquely modern while surrounded by a setting of mature trees and gardens (the property dates back to 1916). Both the interior and the back “yard” views look like something straight out of a magazine ... oh, yeah, they were featured in a magazine article or two.

Out of the Woodwork by Regina Cole for Boston Home Fall 2007
Local designer creates new look in old house ... by Natalie Miller
for the Hamilton-Wenham Chronicle Fall 2007



While enjoying a cocktail reception/studio tour hosted by the architect-designer and his wife, Elisabeth, I was able to take a few snapshots for my blog (thank you!). The fact that another guest was my favorite high-end interior photographer *EVER* Eric Roth made me a little shy behind my pocket-size Nikon lens, but I couldn’t let the opportunity pass to show off these great pieces.


Cow Skin/Mahogany Cubes

Dragonfly Sofa (image from SC website)

The clean, streamlined look of Carpenter’s pieces are stylishly-symmetrical while being warm and inviting. The club chairs were very comfortable seating, and I loved the built-in ledge behind the luxe sofas ... ideal to perch a reading lamp/book/etc. on. The only drawback? When my husband and I returned home, I was ready to take all of our mostly traditional pieces and put them out on the curb! Although, to be fair, these modern beauties would mix very nicely with vintage pieces and would add a nice contrast to traditional settings. No need to start over, just add a piece here and there to achieve your own touch of “modern love.”



The super-stylish lamps would be a great place to start ...

Or how about this gorgeous chair that combines a modern aluminum
frame with sleek walnut and supple leather ...

EC1 Chair (image from SC website)


Love the shoji screen room dividers ...

Moderne T3 Dining Table/Desk
with EC1 Chair and Deco-T-A Lamp


The pieces look great from every angle and the materials used – ash, bamboo, white oak, aluminum, and natural fabrics – are visually sumptuous with the various elements combined in a thoughtful zen-like fashion. Fabulous lamps, custom tables and designer-y cube-shaped ottomans complete the collection. I wasn’t able to photograph all of the pieces, but look for them soon on scdfurniture.com or at the Boston Design Center.

(Lamps available at Blanche P. Field,
Desk available through EcoModern Design)



For more information on prices and availability
contact Sebastian Carpenter at 617.470.6060
info@sebastiancarpenter.com
sebastiancarpenterdesign.com

And if you love amazing photos of interior design ...

Be sure to check out the website for Eric Roth Photography to see some professionally-posh photos of Dragonfly (look for the “snooker” table beneath large scale white paper lanterns in a room with red leather walls, or the exterior shot of the glass-walled sun room at the end of a walkway covered with a wisteria-trellis canopy). While you are there, take a virtual tour of Roth’s extensive and impressive portfolio ... be prepared to sigh! Then look for his work on Sunday mornings when you sit down with a cup of coffee to skim the pages of Boston Globe Magazine (in which he was recently featured as the subject of an interview) or when you are looking at just about any important shelter magazine (Design New England, New England Home Magazine and Metropolitan Home to name a few). Roth’s photography showcases the best in architecture and interior design. For me, looking at it is like a visual escape/small slice of heaven. Enjoy the view!