Off to the Races

This Saturday marks the the 137th running of The Kentuck Derby, the longest, continuously conducted sporting event in US history.  The annual "Run for the Roses" at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky conjures images of elegant ladies in decorative hats, silver cups of cool mint juleps, eager jockeys clad in bright, silk uniforms, and the familar sound of bell at the starting gate, signaling the beginning of what many refer to as "the greatest two minutes in sports."  And they're off!  I have a great appreciation for the powerful athleticism of the three-year-old thoroughbreds, running their hearts out for 1 and 1/4 mile...in about 120 seconds.

(CNBC)

At the age of four, I was placed on the back of my grandmother's chesnut thoroughbred named Chipper and I've been a passionate horse lover and equestrian enthsusiast ever since.  My parents' house is full of horse-themed details, from weathered black leather riding boots lining the fireplace hearth, to painted portraits of our past beloved thoroughbreds on the walls of the foyer staircase.  My sister and I still have a few faded blue ribbons proudly hanging in our vacant bedrooms from horse shows of long ago.

Even if I'm headed to a life of coastal living, I would like to incorporate elements of hunt country style in my Norfolk nest.  I have an old tack trunk that would make a great coffee table in a wood paneled den, and I could repurpose a set of silver stirrup cups as bud vases on a side table.  I highly recommend the book "Equestrian Style" by Vicki Moon for inspirations.  Here are some other images that exude equestrian chic.

(Ralph Lauren Home)

(Blind Pash Interiors)

(Blind Pash Interiors)

(Amanda Harlech)

Bagdley Mischka's guest bedroom
(Elle Decor)

My family home provides some of my most influential inspirations for hunt country style.  My mother framed a large Hermes silk scarf with a circular horse motif and hung it on a wall in the sunroom.  I would love to frame a set of three equestrian Hermes scarves and place them above a sitting area in a study or guest room someday. Here are a few I really like.

A final note... no matter where you are this Saturday, whether it be in your Sunday best at Churchill Downs or gathered around a flat screen at a friend's house, you must sip at least one mint julep (preferrably in a silver cup) while you watch the race. Below is a fool proof recipe my husband and I were given when we visited Maker's Mark Bourbon Distillery in Louisville, KY.  This receipe will serve two Derby enthusiasts so double, triple, quadruple as neccessary!

8 fresh sprigs of fresh mint (leaves only, the stems will make it bitter)
5 oz Makers Mark bourbon whiskey
2 tsp powered sugar

4 tsp water

Muddle mint leaves, powdered sugar, and water in a collins glass. Divide into two silver julep cups with shaved or crushed ice and add bourbon. Top with more ice and garnish with a mint sprig. Serve with a straw.



(roseredandlavender.com)



Settle into a Settee

Cristina and Chris Cuomo's house in the Hamptons via Elle Decor

A settee was originally defined as two seats, one set of arms.  It's earliest forms in the 1600's most resembled a double chair with a high back, but looked more like a bench.  These were commonly used for women to sit in formal living rooms; they did not have much cushioning and thus were not very comfortable (imagine sitting on a hard bench in a tightly bound corset for hours!).

Peacock settee in a French style

(Amber Heptinstall)

1780 Dutch antique sette 

(Van Nie Aniquiars)

In the 18th century settees began to take on a much more comfortable form with cushioned seating, splendid upholstery, and intricate woodwork.  There are a variety of European styles from French, Turkish, and Dutch, but no matter what type you prefer, their size makes them perfect for smaller living rooms or an alternative to a second couch in a very open living space.  I like to place them in smaller spaces, framed by a window. They are great pieces to seek out at flea markets because if you like the shape and size, recovering them with a fabric of your choice is a fun way to make it your own.  We have a vintage French settee in a sage green linen our bedroom in front of a big window.  It's the perfect spot to wrap up in a blanket and read on a rainy day.  Here are a few others I am inspired by for our first house.

Bedroom by Celerie Kemble

(interiors.net)

(decorpad)

linen settee
(Country Living)

(decorpad)

(cococozy)

Royally Appointed Retreats

With less than 48 hours until the Royal Wedding, I thought I would join the masses today and turn my attention to all things Brit. As the speculations and predictions continue on what the lovely Kate will wear on Friday, I thought I'd highlight a few of my favorite English designers...at home.

Stella's Secret Garden
Stella McCartney opened her house and gardens to Vogue's Hamish Bowles and the images by renowned photographer Bruce Weber are enchanting. While I don't think Kate will be wearing Stella for the wedding, she could consider the designer for her unmentionables beneath the gown, like I did. (My sister gave me my "something blue" from the lingerie collection at McCartney's London boutique.)

Alice Temperly's English Enclave
Alice Temperly's whimsical Notting Hill flat of rustic wood, dainty lace and brilliant mosaics is true inspiration. Rumors have Alice in the running as the designer for Kate's wedding dress. I'm not putting any bets on Temperly for the ceremony dress, but I would love to see the new princess change into one of the designer's mod-style shorter cocktail dresses for dancing.


Domino Magazine



Domino Magazine

Domino Magazine



Elle Decor



Elle Decor

Philip Treacy's Posh Pink
While the celebrated  milliner is toted as one of England's own, he was born and raised in Ireland. Since Philip Treacy enrolled in fashion design school at the Royal College of Art in London in 1988, his creative genius has been alive in London as displayed on the heads of the world's elite. You can be sure Treacy's hats will be on display at Westminster this Friday. (These photos are from the Vancouver Sun and the photographer is Lewis Patrick.)

Tuft Love

tufted headboard via Katy Elliott

While we have a dark wooden sleigh bed at the moment, once we upgrade to a king-sized bed in our new house, I'd like an alpholstered headboard.  It's exactly what a couple with a nightly ritual of reading in bed needs.  The headboard styles I am drawn to are arched and tufted in a crisp cotton twill or in a luxurious shantung silk.  While there are ceratinly ways to DIY-it (you have to check out the website Centsational Girl, and especially her post on a tufted headboard project), I don't know if I'll ever be handy with a table saw and staple gun.  I am, however, very much at ease selecting a fabric and having a custom headboard made for me.  While there are some patterns I really like (see below), I will most likely source a solid, soothing color in a brushed silk with wider tufting with a romantic frame.  This first one below is my favorite; I can't seem to stray much from my vintage French sensibilties for this anchor bedroom piece.

(shabbyfrufu)

via Get Togetha Blog

by Swedish designer Petra Bindel

paisley pattern in a unique shape via Decor Pad

I love the chaise in the same fabric as the headboard,
(sans snoby dog)
via My Home Ideas

I'm a big fan of chocolate brown (via Decor Pad)

frame a white bed with a bold color,
headboard at the top and comfy seating at the foot
(via Elle Decor)

love crip white contrasted with steel grey walls

Beach Combing: Inspirations from Coastal Carolina

view of the sound from our porch

Last weekend I tossed a few items into an overnight bag and drove five hours south for a much-needed girls' trip at the beach.  We were six friends gathering to celebrate the upcoming wedding of one of my oldest, dearest friends. Her fiance's mother has a towering, airy summer house on a narrow strip of North Carolina coast and lucky for us, they opened their home for our getaway. Situated next to the Wrightsville yacht club, across from the picturesque beach, and facing the deep blue waters of the sound, I immediately felt the stresses of the week melt away as I unpacked my belongings and sipped a pineapple mimosa freshly juiced by the bride-to-be.

Lumina Station store fronts

Between long conversations in rocking chairs on the porch, sampling delicious local food, and drinking our fair share of champagne, we spent Saturday afternoon exploring the shops of Wilmington's Lumina Station.  Most of us found a few pieces in Monkees, known for its bright bold dresses and trendy, affordable accessories. Of course I was more interested in taking home the preppy print bench or the set of blue and yellow upholstererd chairs, than trying on the pink ruffle Milly dress waiting for me in a dressing room.

Two other home stores we found inspiring in Lumina Station were Arlie Moon and Paysage. I wove through Paysage's showroom snapping pictures of furnishings and accessories that caught my eye. The soothing beiges, browns, oranges and whites had a tranporting effect, perfect for a beach house palate. Arlie Moon was a treasure trove of vintage inspired pieces from colorful sea glass bottles to crystal bauble chandeliers.

zebra square at Paysage;
unique idea for additional seating in a living room

coral rug from Paysage

Airlie Moon couch and throw pillows

vintage chandelier from Airlie Moon

Arlie Moon dog beds in fun prints



Swatches from Airlie Moon
(I would love to cover an occasional chair in the brown fabric)



Sea glass bottles from Arlie Moon

Returning home on Sunday I was filled with new coastal inspirations for my Norfolk Nest. My proximity to the river and ocean will be an inspiration for design. Creating a sense of escapism with interiors can be hard to achieve, but something I will strive for in decorating a few of the rooms in my first home.