August 27, 2011

Neo-Classical Interiors

Rick Perry Architect
Something has overtaken me, and quite suddenly. Having always enjoyed elements of Neo-Classical interiors, I am now embracing the entire look. What do you think of this room? The muted tones, lines of the chairs, pillars for the lamps?

 Ready to depart for England next week, I am headed for the first time to this Museum.

                          The renown Sir John Soane, R.A., Architect, Professor. 1753 - 1837

Three homes were demolished to build this single home for his family and as a living studio for his students. Before and after a lecture the students would come and sit among the artifacts of their lessons.



NEO-CLASSICISM:  Is the name given to quite distinct movements in the decorative arts, literature, theatre, music and architecture that draws upon Western classics, usually that of ancient Greece or Rome.
Dominant in northern Europe during the mid-18th to the end of the 19th century.





Sir Sloane designed his home to ultimately become a museum upon his death and those wishes were immediately dispatched.
The majority of the artifacts within, remain in the same spot he chose originally.

A neo-classical home via House & Garden magazine. This image sends my heart through the stratosphere!



 Your thoughts? Can you live with this aesthetic?
I know I can but will start with devoting a wall in my city shop, SG Grand........photo's will be shared, stay tuned!

In the interim I am off to England with a group I will guide via 'Travel by Design' a new business I will share shortly.
After the group departs I am off to Paris to see the show 'Maison et Objet', a trade show for design professionals. If you are attending, let's meet!

Cheers
Debra


August 21, 2011

Choosing a Puppy

 
It's time, time for a new addition to the family and i am thinking hard about breeds, care to weigh in here?

Currently in first place is this cute little guy, a rare ancient breed from Scotland called a 'Dandie Dinmont Terrier'
The bouffant, the small stature, baby seal like eyes and sweet disposition have me sold,
well maybe sold.  Oh I forgot to also mention NON-shedding!
We lost our Pembroke Corgi, "woofie" last winter and was grateful to have a spare, "Cooper" my much beloved Cardigan Corgi as seen in the drawing above. The much adored center of attention in this house
                                                                 really really bad haircut
Cooper may not want a companion, but at five he is young enough to still play with a pup and with high hopes that he will relax his standards and not feel every other dog is a threat to me. Very high hopes......

My love of old British Isles art first brought the Dandies to my attention. They kept appearing and I had to find out what breed I was looking at

                                                      To me..........irresistible!
Then again another Cardigan Corgi would be fun. Unlike the Pembroke the Cardi's have tails and enormous ears, brilliant i might add...........with a clown-like personality.
hmmmm, this is tough. But a litter of Dandies should be here any day. I am however not yet "vetted" by the breeders to determine if I would be a good owner. Currently I hold criminal status until I prove myself..........sigh.............

Or I could be responsible and go to the dog shelter. Friends are guilting me on this matter, I just like knowing what the pup will grow up to be and one never knows, and, I can draw bad luck!
 What do you think dear readers? Or are you going to throw me a curve with another breed I should consider?
Anyway you look at it, dogs are a gift from above and all deserve love and a good home. Oh yes, one more obstacle...........my husband knows nothing of this!

cheers!
Debra

August 1, 2011

GARDEN BENCHES; so many choices..........

Let's explore how to narrow down the choices when presented with so many design styles

Vintage or

new?


hand crafted? 
simple or ornate?
what color?
where to begin?
In my garden design practice, it is always the same; begin with the architecture

live in a moated castle?

One that possesses a Loggia? This will do

The bench below is perfect, in white or black See the repeated design element? I would have two, on the pea gravel one in front of each end opening. At times the back of a bench can double as porch railing 
detroit garden works


Color choice;  aged teak
Design choice:  simple to not detract from the intriguing architecture




Color choice: white; stay with the pure stark aesthetic
Design choice; As wonderfully clean and "honest" as the homes design



Color Choice;  green painted crates, emphasizing the green of the front door
Design choice;  imagining this cottage on the English Norfolk coast, I would love to see a "get-away" behind a potting shed. The whimsical nature of these cottages can be emphasized in the crooked poles 




Color choice; We could go green but i would rather see those as 'stand-alones', keying in on the outdoor lamp, the burnished copper looks great
Design choice;  Lead by the sheer whimsey of this 'Rumplestilskin' roof and other elements makes for a classic pairing




Color choice; Not yet but given 6 months it will also look weather worn gray
Design choice;  Wild, contemporary, artistic, no average bench would do. This design can stand on it's own and has a nearly wind swept appearance already



Color choice;  natural and organic colorways as in the stone AND mortar
Design choice; Mid century simplicity of rectilinear design. Instead of playing up the straight lines with a straight sided bench.........at times throwing a "curve" is just what is needed



Color Choice; Natural teak, left to age will ideally match the shingles
Design choice; Classic......meet Classic........the Luytens bench designed by Sir Edwin Luyten (luch-ins) in the early 20th century. It's graceful curves are a perfect offset to a shingle styled home 


Color choice;  Often I will match an existing element and more often the trim, door or shutters. 
Design choice; This particular Victorian Gothic could host this swinging bench under it's porch perfectly. 

Color choice; White for pop
Design choice; A stately French manor home, masculine in flavor with an opposing feminine styled bench. The home possesses a roofline that is a strong top feature, the bench provides the same. 

Low, long roof = low long bench



Color choice and Design choice; With so much architectural interest the bench should be simple and blend in versus compete. 


Color choice; bring the white into the garden
Design choice; period appropriate, a repeat of the chippendale, and lastly see the panels under the windows, repeated on the bench's center......perfection 

  
Color choice;  neutral, the weathered wood is in keeping with the stone wall tones
Design choice;  the simplicity. The property is clean lined and not fussy

The color choice; stating the obvious. When a strong element is repeated, particularly at a distance, the entire property appears larger and co-hesive
Design choice; period and regionally appropriate 

For email subscribers; these two concrete benches are available for quick delivery with free freight

somerset bench; $2,395
74w x 24d x 40h 
wiltshire bench;  $2,119.
54w x 24d x 42h

NOTE:  these are very well made benches, all concrete with steel bar and steel plates, my favorites


                                      
                                          Join my 'TRAVEL by DESIGN' group to England!

Space is still available for my tour to rural England, Dorset in particular. Sept. 15 through Sept. 22nd.
Antiquing, gardens, shopping, private gardens, private homes. Learn about garden design, history of furniture and interior design
contact me for the details; debra@scentimentalgardens.com 

cheers!

                                                                              Debra
              






























































































































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