The Townhouse: Working on the Living Room

Above are the flowers my kitties (yes, kitties, not kiddies) got me for Mother's Day! They were a wonderfully pleasant surprise on Saturday morning. Those thoughtful cats,Cluny and Cuervo, included a box of chocolates with the flowers. Needless to say, the flowers are still here, but the chocolates are gone!

 Now I've been working on the living room. Our grand piano is in Arkansas so anything I do now will be temporary since we will probably have to put it in the living room eventually. In our family, while we do buy furniture, we are also very conscious of keeping pieces that have been in our families. The living room is proof of that. Most of the living room furniture that is in the townhouse came from my mother's-in-law house. The sofa was in her formal living room as was the rug, the coffee table that you see here, and the two chairs that are upholstered in the same lampas fabric.  The French chair to the left is one we bought some time ago; the ottoman that goes with it is under the table so that it will be out of the way. The pretty table that sits in the bay window was also in my in-law's house behind the white sofa that you see here.  It opens and one of the four legs swings back to make it into a square table.  Although I hadn't used it that way before, I decided that it would look better in the bay if it were open. Sitting on it are figures of saints, a wooden angel, and another tin retablo, this one of St. Michael, who is the patron saint of lawyers.
I love the coral colour of the walls, and chose it especially to go with my collection of icons and religious paintings.  The largest painting on the wall is of St. Barbara; I found it in Brazil and my husband bought it for me for my birthday.  To the left is a tin retablo (framed for protection) of the Madonna and child, one of the first retablos I ever bought, from Mesilla, New Mexico.  The other icons were gifts (the one with open wings from my son and daughter-in-law when they were living in Portugal) or I bought them while travelling in Greece,  Mexico, and India as well as other countries (I have figures upstairs of the Holy Family that are African - gifts from my son and daughter-in-law).  The coral colour is a perfect foil for the paintings and icons since some of them are rather dark.
I also collect landscapes; here are three on a small wall separating the living room and formal dining area. We also have a collection of cut glass.

The small entryway is basically part of the living room (ah, downsizing), but there is still a place for a chest and a large mirror so that I can check my face before going out or before someone comes in.  There is also a small powder room to the left (you can barely see the white door frame).  On the chest is a small metal sculpture and a large gold leafed figure of the Madonna that is quite beautiful.  I've meant to replace the light fixture here with a different type of lantern or a small chandelier. However, not being bothered by bright brass, I rather like the way the bright gold of the lantern enhances the gold leaf of the nice mirror (this mirror from my in-law's French guest-room; the chest is ours). The mirror to the right is rather high, necessary because it has to be above the electricals and because I want it to reflect the crystal chandelier.

  I decorate slowly over time, so I will have to live with this arrangement to see if it works.  We still have cut glass, paintings, and sculpture that is currently in our house, so everything will eventually change a bit.  While I have tons of framed photos of family, I tend not to put those in the formal rooms.

 If you have any ideas, please be sure to share!

English Decorating II

Whether contemporary or traditional, English style has certain common traits.  Above, the contemporary looking dining set is in a traditional style flat (c. 1820).  Look at that wonderful ceiling! Curtains are in a floral pattern and you can see the books to the lower left.  In the English style, books find a place all over the home, not just in a designated library.

Below, a living room full of books with the painting attached, English style, to the bookcase.

Above,the English are known for their beautiful draperies.  These curtains are layered and embellished with fringe and fringed tiebacks.  The ruffles at the top are both feminine and formal although the room, with its books stacked on a bench, flowers and patterned wallpaper, is very cosy and welcoming.
Above, a standout coral colour  is echoed in the Persian rugs and pillows.  Multiple pictures are on the wall, shelves are full of books, and a cosy throw lies over the arm of the sofa. Crystal light fixtures add a grand touch.

Below, look at the molding! This room gets a special dollop of style from symmetrical arrangements: the mirrours, the chairs on either side of the fireplace, the mantle elements, even the arrangement on the coffee table.  Look at the far left for the touch of crystal.

Dining rooms are a must in the English home.  They may serve a dual purpose, but there is almost always a separate room with a table that will seat at least 6 for dinner.   Whatever the colour scheme, there are often books around somewhere, crystal lighting in some form, and chairs with cushions that are comfortable for sitting around the table long after dinner is over.

Below, a beautiful Murano candelabra is the centerpiece for the round table. Note the comfortable looking cushions.

Above,  no matter what style, some things remain the same: books, comfortable seating, overhead chandelier.

Below, the most comfortable bedrooms in the world may be in the English style.  You will almost always see a chaise or a bench at the end of the bed.  If a bench, it is often stacked with reading material. A chaise almost always has a comfy throw for a quick nap.

More bedrooms:look at that gorgeous headboard!  Good lighting, wallpaper, and layered linens make this room apetitizing.

Above,the canopy bed is elaborately dressed with cottons, silk, and matelasse. The curtains have two layers as well as fabric shade.  Blue and white is a colour the English use often.

Below, another English favorite bedroom colour is yellow (probably because of all those grey English days).  This time the bed has a half tester which matches the curtains.  A padded headboard has a matching dust ruffle. Both bed curtains and window curtains have a heavy fringe.

Another yellow bedroom an added rope cord used to emphasize the lines of the room.  Plenty of pictures, pillows, family photos, and layered bed linens add to the warmth of the room.

The English Look in Decorating: Part I

While not all of these rooms are exactly what I would want in my own house, there is something I love about every one of them. These have been scanned from a great publication I found in Swaziland, Africa while vacationing there this Christmas. The magazine is called 25 Beautiful Homes, and yes, each issue boasts at least 25 beautiful homes, mostly in England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, and South Africa. For the most part, the decor is English whether traditional, modern, contemporary.  All of these rooms have certain commonalities.  Above is a London drawing room which illustrates that  they have art - often oil paintings whether traditional or contemporary. Statues and elements from other cultures (reminiscent of the days of the Empire) are found scattered throughout the homes.  Few homes lack architectural detail of any kind and ceilings are often decorated with moldings as well. (Note the double molding in the room above and the dining room below).
The dining room above(the image was on the fold of the magazine) boasts oil paintings, Asian pieces, and another English quality, a love of all colours.  Here the dining room is a medium dusky pink colour. Another English quirk, adding something trendy or unusual to the mix.  Here, the unusual fabric-wrapped chandelier fills the bill.
You will always find books in an English home, and they look as though they are for reading, not just part of the decor.  The paneled walls are a beautiful yellow colour with architectural interest and also stencils.  Blue and white porcelain hints at the days of the Empire.  Another English must, fresh flowers.  Interesting patterned carpets are almost always present.
  Below, this kitchen is pretty, but it also looks as though it is used.  Here we find colour, blue and white items, and whimisical touches such as the cutouts of the cats. Notice the flowers and plants as well as pictures on the walls.
Even a bedroom which is more contemporary still has colour, good lighting for reading, and great bedcovers.  The bed is traditional (I love this bed!).
The bedroom below has wonderful architectural details, pretty and comfortable bedding, and patterned curtains.  The walls are a yellow colour; baskets are used here for storage as well as in other rooms of the English house.
    But what I love about all of these rooms is that they look very lived in.  Yes, they have been styled for a photo shoot, but it is easy to envision a dog curling up at the end of the bed, a kitty finding refuge in a soft chair, someone reading a good novel with a cup of tea beside her.
More on English houses next post.