Tag Archives: Mrs. B at Home

Oh, Happy Day!

February 21, 2008UncategorizedMrs. B at Home, ProductMrs. Blandings

This does not look like it could possibly be the beginning of a very good day, but in fact, it was. To begin, we had some lovely “new” friends to dinner Saturday, and despite the coq au vin being a bit purple (at first, by the time we served it, it seemed much better, and tasted devine) we had a wonderful time, so I already had a spring in my step.

Also, I had had a little retail therapy. There are upsides and downside to making friends with antique dealers. The upside is, they are usually happy to see you, fun to talk to, and, if you are lucky, they often have something really yummy you might need. Mr. Blandings might question the definition of “need,” but I think you know what I mean. The downside is, sometimes you drop in just to say “hi” and things happen. Perhaps you want to put something on the wish list for the next buying trip, and it turns out you are on a buying trip yourself. This happened to me at Suzanne Cooper’s on Saturday. I’d been eyeing these vintage jars for a while and she finally “gave” them to me. Sort of. But they are quite big, very heavy, and will be fabulous filled with holly or sunflowers, and absolutely glorious when the peonies bloom. Which may be never as it is a ridiculous 17 degrees here.

My subscription for domino finally arrived. I not sure my pregnancies lasted longer, or ended with at much relief, as this process. I danced a jig at the mailbox.

And, the rug came. I have a wonderful receiving company that I use, and one of the nice things about them is they don’t balk when you say, “Um, I do have a couple of things that need to be moved.” and the things are a 200 pound desk and a 500 pound chest that you didn’t get around to emptying. Well, you saw the living room, it’s not like I didn’t do anything. And I Swiffered. And picked up no fewer than fifty Legos.

I have to say, I love it. I wanted to do wall-to-wall, but Mr. Blandings furrowed his brow, which means he’s highly concerned and I conceded. I still think I was right, because that is how I am, but I’m very happy with the results.

If you are wondering if he noticed, he did. He said it wasn’t the new-carpet smell that gave it away, but the first thing the boys said when they came home from school was, “What stinks?”

And darling Rosie. What a day. First she had to follow me back and forth through all the emptying out. Then meeting her new friends, the delivery guys, was very exciting. Then the following back and forth to put everything back. Days like that can really wear a girl out.

Green and White and Fresh All Over

February 7, 2008UncategorizedMrs. B at HomeMrs. Blandings

Courtney has posted a few really great, fresh florals in the past week or so. The latest, top, is featured on a vintage chair at Downtown, in L.A., of which I have heard but never visited. Downtown, I mean. Well, L.A., too, come to think of it, but that is neither here nor there.

And my other fave is a Peter Dunham print that comes in three colorways. All shades of green and white. I’ve quit saying I don’t like a color. I used to say I didn’t like green, but really what I don’t care for, for me, is, say, hunter green. Apple green? Yum. The kitchen of the dream house was painted such a fabulous color of apple green when we bought it that we have kept it. It photographs poorly and always looks too mint or too manic, but this is it.

My, I am meandering today. We had a (not-so-much, only-two-inches) snow day yesterday and I’m having a little trouble focusing. Anyway, when Courtney posted her Peter Dunham prints, I told her that I have an antique print that could have inspired the fabric.

It didn’t. But it could have. It did inspire me. I did not know quite what I wanted for this spot, but had committed myself to keeping the room green, black and white. Not that anyone knew that, or would notice, but I did.

So, the wall space that I see everyday, several times, as I head out the door to school, to the store, to work, stayed blank. Waiting. Then, one day, breezing through Pear Tree (a fabulous spot in Crestwood) I saw this. At first I feared it was too big, but was delighted to find it just right. This is my long-winded way of thanking Courtney for the post, as it made me see the print again. On my way out the door to school and to the store and to work. Sometimes we need to be reminded that the best things have been right there in front of us all along.

It’s Curtains For You

January 24, 2008UncategorizedMrs. B at HomeMrs. Blandings

This was the original concept for my dining room. Nina Campbell tortoise paper, yellow silk curtains held back, round table (Dessin Fournir) and an oushak. Jazzy art.

Phillip Sides, Southern Accents, November/December, 2001.

Yes, I did notice my bay isn’t quite this size. And, no, I won’t be using, what, four widths of fabric, but still. This was the idea. Seven years ago. An idea whose time has come.

Maybe it was Gambrel’s sumptuous Clarence House taffeta curtains in Elle Decor this past November that has spurred me on. It’s a little hard to tell from these pictures, but there is a brown border running down the leading edge.

I, too, was thinking gold leaf iron rods (his may be brass, but I don’t think so) mounted to the ceiling. I will need the center support over the bay.

It’s not your eyes, or your screen, the ceiling is blue. Not smudgy turquoise, although I wanted to use the description, more of a robin’s egg.

My first thought, seven years ago, was silk. I like this Cowtan & Tout, but every time I see it in my head I’m concerned of my reaction if someone were to say, “Did you get those at Restoration Hardware?”

I don’t have a problem with Restoration Hardware curtains, in fact, I think they are well made and a handy short cut. But if you are going to have custom, well, it should look it.

Bachelor #2 is a decadent wool. It has an amazing hand; the drape is divine. There is a natural sheen to the right side that gives it a dimension I adore. I think because of the color, it won’t be too heavy in the warmer months.

This is the leading candidate, I must admit. The nagging question is the finishing. Should they hang straight? Pull back? I think the ball fringe is out, no? A tape? Gorgeous and long and straight like your baby sitter’s hair in the 70’s? I don’t know.

I am going to do a cushion for the window seat. It can be removed if we need to serve from there until the matching demilunes are discovered. Chocolate mohair, pretty sure on that. I had originally thought the beaded trim, but it’s all taking a more restrained tone now and I don’t want to make window seat feel like a hussy.

A little shine is in order, though. How about a satin contrasting welt?

This is not the mystical powder room project; I’m ready to order.

So, I need your advice. Did you keep that all straight?

1) silk v. wool
2) curtain trim
3) pulled back v. straight
4) beaded trim v. satin welt
5) a different idea altogether
6) Gambrel is fantastic, yes or yes

It’s a lively crew and I can’t imagine we will all agree, so no hard feelings if your “vote” doesn’t win. I’d like to order ASAP. Help a poor girl out, will ‘ya?

A Christmas Gift: From Me, To Me

December 13, 2007UncategorizedAntique Dealers, Mrs. B at HomeMrs. Blandings

When we were talking about enfilades last week, I let slip that I’d found a little something at Christopher Filley’s that might be just the thing in front of my dining room window.

I sneaked back in that week and bought it, but coyly asked Christopher if he would “store” it for me until after the holidays; I wasn’t sure Mr. Blandings would appreciate the importance of having it just now.

He agreed, of course. He said he hadn’t had an armillary sphere in quite a while and wasn’t this one a gem? Yes. Except I didn’t know exactly what an armillary spere was, so I came home and hit two sites, Google and 1st dibs.

A wealth of information on the net, naturally. The first known armillary sphere was developed by the Greeks in 255 B.C. There is evidence of the devise in China in the first century. The body is generally a sphere which originally represented the sun, and then later, the earth. The concentric rings represent the equator, the meridians and the parallels. In its simplest form, it is a sundial. There are, however, wildly complicated models that have many rings representing the movement of the stars and planets.

Then to 1st dibs. The deed was done. It’s always unpleasant to find you might have spent more than you needed to. But don’t forget, I live in the Midwest, so that is rarely the case. The armillary sphere above is magnificent. Bold and sculptural. Bronze, English, 19th century, he commands $4500.
Ah, but look. Apples to apples, even though it’s Jonathans to Red Delicious. This sphere is the same model as mine, American mid-century, with a little more rust, but he still has his feet firmly on the ground. $525.

This is interesting. Same model, but with copper accenting added later. $850.

I think the patina is wonderful. Still, I need to figure out what to do about my little structural problem. Some sort of base will clearly need to be made. And a pedestal will have to be purchased. But since my guy was well under three hundred, I think I’m coming out ahead. Oh, and Mr. Blandings? I told him the same day. I can never keep a secret from him. Nobody likes to be cut off at the knees.

The Stocking Are Hung

December 6, 2007UncategorizedMrs. B at Home, needlepointMrs. Blandings

I am having a bit of a “do” here Saturday, so things are a little hectic. But the stockings are indeed hung.

The tree is up.

The frames are in place.

A little more scurrying for flowers and tablecloths and ribbon and such. You know what’s annoying? All the stuff I’m getting that says, “It’s not too late!” I mean, it’s only December…6th. Heavens. Sunday. I will start my shopping Sunday. I hope.