Tag Archives: Product

Mood-y

I had been begging for a Mac. I was so sure I was the hip young guy in sneakers and not P.C. Who wants to be P.C.? In any sense of the word? But then, right before Christmas, I told Mr. Blandings, “Please don’t get me a Mac for Christmas. I’m too busy. I can’t learn a new system right now. ”

So, I’m struggling a bit with my new Mac. (Which was why there was no post on Friday. Busy day, waited too long, Mac and I had a big fat fight. I showed excellent control and maturity and did not throw the mouse.) I hate to be ungrateful, and Mr. Blandings is hating it, too, but I’m not sure this old dog can learn a new trick. Even if it means being un-cool. So, I have two systems running concurrently. I’m trying to move over, and I mostly have, but have kept the crutch of the old system just in case. Mr. Blandings thinks it looks like I have taken up day trading.

I’m not tidy anyway, and with the added computer, my desk is a mess. But yesterday I ran across this ad that I had torn out. A sucker for black and white always, I had to check out these varying sizes of circular tile. Fab.

So, to www.casamood.com I go. And looky here. Damask tile in these smoky, edgy colors.

And then, one click away. A Chinoiserie toile tile. It’s in the “thin” section, so one would assume it’s thin, although I did not go into the PDF file because, well, I think things like that are a drag.

In black and red. Stop it. You could tile a whole powder room floor to ceiling.

Now that would be cool.

rssrss      FacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmail

Girlie Girl

When I was expecting my third baby, I convinced myself I was having a girl. Two weeks before the sonogram (I’m such a Christmas-present-peeker, of course I find out) I planned her entire room. I had to work with some existing pieces, but it was yellow and green and white floral perfection. Post-sonogram, I slid the bag into a closet and moved on.

Every now and again I have the opportunity to help decorate a little girl’s room, and, I have to say, I take these projects with relish. When I started the latest, I went digging through my files for the image, top. It’s a Cowtan & Tout ad from 1994. I was convinced it would be discontinued. Like the third sonogram, my instincts were wrong.

Papillon Jardin is alive and well, and hopefully will soon be living in the room of a charming little girl.

No 80’s excess here (although, if you’re going over the top, kids rooms can be a fun place to do it. “Taste” and “restraint” are rarely in their vocabularies.) Two big pillows on the bed, that’s all.


We are using existing furniture from the guest room – this wonderful bamboo from Williams-Sonoma Home. Having had a little faux-bamboo in my own childhood haven, I’m thrilled for her to have such classic pieces.


White bedding, maybe a little pink trim. She hasn’t stomped her foot, but a room with no pink would definitely be a deal breaker.

I love this striped blanket from Pine Cone Hill and the gals at Stuff are getting me a sample.

Also on the way, this jazzy little paper from Schumacher (featured in Chassie Post’s loft in Domino) for the bath. Just a little wall space, existing white cabinets and black countertops.


Pink walls. Pale pink. No Barbie pink. I had to draw the line somewhere. Clients. They can be so temperamental. Especially when they are five.

rssrss      FacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmail

Everything Old is New Again

Are you rolling your eyes? You’ve seen this a million times? Poured over it in bed, watched it bounce around the blogs, and I’m just now getting to it. I love domino, but I have issues. Or, actually, I don’t. I subscribed, and everything looks fine, but then it doesn’t show. Then they e:mail me to see how I like the subscription.


I thought I had it straightened out, but the lid to the box remains tightly closed, mocking me and my craning neck as I pull into the drive. I broke down today and bought the new, now old, issue. Mary McDonald’s Beverly Hills home is a symphony of spots. Daring! Delightful! She was inspired by Madeleine Castaing, but a few others have taken this cat out for a stroll.

Geoffrey Beene, at the beach, House and Garden, December, 1989.
I’ve posted this before, but Beene used a Brunschwig & Fils fabric for the windows then painted the wall to match. Leopard and zebra in the rug. You don’t want to leave anybody out.

Finally, something new. Old. Anyway, Henri Samuel’s Paris bedroom, Architectural Digest, March, 1984. He designed the leopard print fabric used for the curtains and walls. Don’t miss the yellow curtains behind the leopard.

McDonald breaks up her room with doses of black and another strong print, and Samuels had done that as well. The floral chairs, above, seem spot-on just now (and McDonald broke out the fringe for her sofa, too.) Let’s hope it’s not another trend that is oh-so-over by next year. It’s funny how we seem to be ticking off these classics at a mighty quick clip.


The upstairs office of C.Z. Guest, House and Garden, October, 1988. The leopard carpet was chosen for its appeal, and its ability to camouflage the paw prints. The sweetness of the floral and the clubbiness of the hunting prints seem to cut the drama of the spots.
Speaking of cutting the drama. Please forgive my dish of domino. She’s barely a toddler. And I’m the one having the tantrum.

rssrss      FacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmail

Don’t Look Down

I got my haircut on Friday. As each Blandings boy piled into the car he said some variation of, “Oh, you got your hair cut.” Which is, for boys, pretty impressive. After Mr. Blandings had been home for a couple of hours, with no hair-related comment, I put my hand of my hip and tilted my head to the left. “What?” “I got my hair cut.” You might think this bid for attention a bit desperate, but I don’t have a lot of moments in my life. I’m not going to get the big promotion. I’m not going to be on the cover of a magazine. Oprah is not calling me. Sometimes getting my hair cut is the best thing that happens to me all week next to not getting thrown up on.

Randall Ridless for Martha Kramer and Neal Fox, Elle Decor.

His response? “Oh, I didn’t know if you got your haircut or if it was static-y.” At least it made me laugh.

Jan Showers via the Peak of Chic.

Sometimes his level of attention to detail works to my advantage. I can sneak something in, a vase, a pair of candlesticks, earrings, and it can take a while for him to notice. Then, when he asks, “Is that new?” I can honestly reply, “Sweetie, I’ve had this forever.”

Todd Alexander Romano via the Peak of Chic. With Le Lac. Fab.

So, I’m taking bets. How long do you think it will take for him to notice the antelope carpet I’ve ordered for the office? Office chair took two days. I’m not kidding. This is not blog-fodder, this is my life.

rssrss      FacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmail

Everyone Loves a Mystery

One of my readers e:mailed a couple of weeks ago to see if I recognized the Brunschwig & Fils wallpaper, above. I didn’t, but I was so charmed by her e:mail, that I set off on a bit of a quest. I didn’t really think it would be that tricky. She already knew that the paper had been used in this project and Britt’s beach house. This layout was in Architectural Digest in February of 2007. She had contacted AD (why, oh why do they refuse to do any resourcing?) but, as of today, they have not responded.

The article, and the information on the website, do identify the paper as B&F, so I e:mailed the image to our showroom here. Designers Only is owned by a well-respected designer in town and her staff is always gracious and lovely. Sure, happy to help, get right back to you. (I’m including other images from the story so you don’t get bored reading my text.)

Nothing. No one recognized it. But, as kind people often do, they took it to the next step and e:mailed the image to the B&F showroom in Chicago. Nada.

Curiouser and curiouser. So, I picked up the phone and called Tom Britt. Well, why not? We’re not exactly tight, but, you know, he’s from Kansas City, I live in Kansas City…

I talked to a woman in his office. Nice. Professional. Could I e:mail the image? Fax? Well, yes, I could fax it. As of today I have not heard back. I get it. They’re busy. Getting published in AD and things like that while my calendar today reads, “Stop Rosie’s meds.” You know, because of the allergy test next week. (If you are new to the site, she is my itchy boxer pup. Mr. Blandings has taken to calling her a lemon, but she’s beloved.)

So, now I turn to you, gentle readers. Can we help Barbara? She’s been so patient. And optimistic. (She contacted AD!) I’m constantly in awe of the knowledge bouncing around out there. Look again. Silver and white, somewhat Moorish, clearly not boorish. We can all get a little fixated and we need to help Barbara, and her master bedroom, move on. Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?

rssrss      FacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmailFacebooktwitterpinterestlinkedinmail