The appeal of design books is not just the beauty that they bring into our homes in tidy little packages, it’s the inspiration that they unleash. With luck, ideas leap from the page like the most delightful pop-up book.
A couple of weekends ago we were shrouded in relentless gloom. I was reminded of my desire to flee our dreary, rainy Spring weather when I was in college and head south to the consistent sunshine of Texas. Now I do what I did then; I take a book to bed.
Or books. But in this case I snuggled up with Nicky Haslam and read his words and his clippings and slid my finger over the thicker end of the post-it note marking pages. Mr. Haslam likes iron railings. I sometimes like iron railings, like the one in the Musee Rodin. But I very much do not like the iron railing in my house.
Mr. Haslam made me see it in a new way. Another friend had suggested painting it black and all I could think was, “Whatever for? It will still be the swirly, girly nonsense that I cannot stand.” But that image, above, with the black and white floor and the pale walls and the much-more-beautiful swirly railing made me think, “Well, maybe….”
You can find Mr. Haslam’s book, and maybe an epiphany therein, here.
Image, top, from Nicky Haslam: A Designer’s Life, by Nicholas Haslam, Rizzoli New York, 2015.
(And, get ahold of yourself. I know the lampshade is wrong, but it was handy. We’re going to talk about it tomorrow.)
i love the railing. but – what is the shell pink room? have you shown that? please?!?!
Joni – Haven't I? Maybe not. But I will. It's the dining room and I'm painting the insides of the built-ins yellow right now. Literally.
Soon. Promise.
I am just reading the book- but I will say that while it is enjoyable, it's not the coup de poudre I was expecting! Your entry, with the tantalizing pink room beyond-would do it for me..
Patricia:-) I hit the submit button before proof reading. Did I write coup de 'poudre'?? I meant of course, coup de Foudre.,Duhh.
Another thing I forgot to ask you-when you do a post on the pink dining room( please?) will you mention the color of the paint? It is soo lovely!
That swirly railing with the geometric art work behind really hits all the numbers. Congrats. Mary
I LOVE your railing, along with the table below and the prints going up the staircase.
I LOVE the railing painted black and don't find it fou fou at all! I also love wooden banisters painted grand piano shiny black – just the rail. It makes the whole thing pop. A painter once recommended this to me. I had my doubts (and this painter, while a great painter, is, well…a bit "rough around the edges". Who knew he had such a great eye!
Yes, we all want to see that pink room!!!
Consider a copper finish–less stark than black, and a little less expected
Patricia, I happen to love the railing, as it plays well with your art, the design of the entry table and the Chinese garden stools. ( where did you find these by the way and I am hoping not the fabulous Christopher Filley Antiques) Pssss he is out of my budget at the moment!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Karena – good news! I ordered the garden stools from One Kings Lane.
I very much like the railing and your hall…Have you ever thought of adding gilded pressed tin flowers and leaves to the uprights (and flipping the lampshade 'til you find the one you want – the colour is wonderful)? Just a thought.