February 22nd, 2012 by Demystifying Design
Should you find yourself in London, hightail it to the exquisite Artesian bar in The Lagham hotel. The Chinoiserie-inspired flourishes are breathtaking. And the cocktails, sublime.
Gang:
I hope your week is going along swimmingly…
John and I are planning upcoming trips to China and London, so I have a little Brit-wit brilliance on the brain… I am concocting and scheming and making plans and booking reservations.
With that said, I wanted to highlight one of my most favorite spots in Londontown for cocktails, a spot that John and I invariably perch for hours and not only lap up the libations but also the glorious decor: Artesian at The Langham London hotel. Perched at the foot of Regent Street, The Langham is a glorious hostelry that pairs glorious service with amazing interiors.
And the hotel’s Aretesian bar, named for a 360-foot deep artesian well under the hotel, is a cool and decidedly chic spot. The brainchild of uber-designer David Collins, Artesian mixes fabulous Chinoiserie moments with contemporary flourishes. As John and I sit and sip spirited cocktails such as the Girl from Ipanema (lightly aged Cachaca with house sorbet and crushed pistachios) and the Club Netherlands (fresh raspberries with Bols Genever, Martini Rosato, lemon juice, and syrup), we bliss out amidst the elegance.
Take the chandeliers, for example, with their pagoda-like flourishes. And the pagodas that prance above the bar. And how about the rich purple hue of the sofas?! They simply invite a delicious tryst, n’est-ce pas?
As the Madcap Cottage gents always say, you never know where you might find inspiration to bring into your own home, so keep your eyes open: Inspiration might strike while walking down a street or in a far-flung cocktail lounge.
Just always carry a digital camera with you at all times.
Another view of the David Collins-designed Artesian bar. Check out the glittering molding that runs up the walls... Artesian feels more like a super-luxe drawing room than a bar, and that's part of its brilliance.
A smoky and sublime Bloody Mary at Artesian. Wow, the libations at this bar are brilliant! And look at those glorious garnishes...
Tags: Artesian Bar, China, Chinoiserie, London, Madcap Cottage, The Langham London
Posted in Bar Cart, Color, Demystifying Design, Design Guru, Entertaining, Hotel design, New York Interior Designer, Paint, Painted Furniture, upholstery | No Comments »
February 21st, 2012 by Demystifying Design
When I need a little style pick-me-up, I always turn to the fabulous and eternally classic and cool Bryan Ferry. Here, his brilliant "Kiss and Tell" video. Chic, chic, chic! Click on the image, above, to watch the video.
Gang:
As I mentioned, I am out in Minneapolis and had a fabulous day…
I did loads of work upon the pages of Delta Sky magazine and then had dinner solo at the wonderful Bachelor Farmer restaurant… And now I am back at my hotel with a glass of wine and reading The Hunger Games and listening to Bryan Ferry.
Bryan Ferry is my style go-to guru. When I need a little dose of glamour with an edge, I crank up the Bryan Ferry and all is well in the world.
Kiss and tell… Money talks… And love, it burns.
As you might know, the Madcap Cottage boys are totally inspired by music and have been known to design furniture in homage of everyone from Nicki Minaj to Belinda Carlisle and Lykke Li.
Bryan Ferry is one musician who has certainly shaped our passion for glamour and glitter. Ever since I heard the song “Avalon” when I was about 15, I have been smitten.
Watch a few Bryan Ferry videos, and channel his every move. From fashion to design and timeless style, Ferry has it going on.
Viva El Ferry!
The Bryan Ferry/David Gilmour song "Is Your Love Strong Enough?" from the film Legend is epic. Click on the image, above, to watch the clip.
Tags: Bryan Ferry, Is Your Love Strong Enough?, Kiss and Tell, Lykke Li, Madcap Cottage
Posted in Color, Design, Design Guru, Design Lessons, Interior Design, New York Interior Designer, Playlist, Tastemaker, upholstery, Weekend warrior | No Comments »
February 20th, 2012 by Demystifying Design
A beautiful still life of honey and a copy of The Beekeeper's Bible... I purchased a copy of the book for John as a Valentine's Day gift. We do aspire to raise bees one day. I know, I know, this is so trendy right now, but we have been talking about apiaries for years.
Gang:
And how was your President’s Day holiday? I zipped out to Minneapolis on Saturday for the week where I am wearing my hat as the Global Lifestyle Editor at Delta Sky magazine. And since today was a holiday, I set out and explored a few new MSP hotspots, including restaurants such as Tilia and The Bachelor Farmer as well as super-cool lifestyle store Martin Patrick 3.
Meanwhile, John is still in Brooklyn and slogging away at various projects. The Madcap Cottage gentlemen–that’s us, folks–will reconvene this Saturday in Los Angeles where we are attending the Design Bloggers Conference.
But let’s backtrack to our recent visit to the divine Terrain at Styer’s nursery-cum-cafe-cum-lifestyle concept boutique on the outskirts of Philadelphia.
And since images of Terrain perhaps tell so much more than my shrieks of passion and desire for this glorious spot, bring on the photos!
A terrific selection of heirloom seeds... What a beautiful and colorful assortment! John and I often frame vintage seed packets because the artwork and graphics are so stunning...
A frondy tree fern takes center stage amongst brightly colored flowering plants.
John browses the wonderful selection of garden books on display. I was especially taken with a book entitled "The New Terrarium."
The verdant interior of the Cafe at Terrain at Styer's... The Cafe resides within a delicious greenhouse that brims with beautiful plants and cut flowers. I wanted to move in.
Here's my meal at the Cafe at Terrain at Styer's--a glorious beet salad with pine nuts and goat cheese and a wonderful tart. The Cafe's bread is baked in treated terracotta pots. Divine!
The bill for our meal at the Cafe at Terrain at Styer's arrived in a vintage garden book. So clever, n'est-ce pas? God truly is in the details.
Tags: gardens, Jason Oliver Nixon, John Loecke, Madcap Cottage, Road Trip, Terrain at Styer's, The Beekeeper's Bible
Posted in Color, Curb appeal, Demystifying Design, Design, Design Guru, Design Lessons, DIY, Entertaining, Gardens, Landscaping, New York Interior Designer, Uncategorized, Weekend warrior | No Comments »
February 18th, 2012 by Demystifying Design
Here's the family striking a pose for the 1st Dibs "Saturday Shopping" section. Jasper gives a masterful gaze... Weenie was snoozing, so you can barely see her asleep in my lap on my Liberty for Target shirt. Look over our Saturday Shopping selections, we pulled some fun stuff. Thank you, 1st Dibs! Click on the image, above, to go directly to our "Saturday Shopping" picks. Enjoy...
Gang:
John and I hope your weekend is rocking…
We were upstate last night at the actual Madcap Cottage, and tomorrow morning I zip off to Minneapolis for a week and, from there, on to Los Angeles for the Design Bloggers Conference, oops, #dbc2012. Fun, fun, fun!
And what a delicious treat to be featured in the fabulous “Saturday Shopping” section on that super-cool site 1st Dibs that went live today.
Wow, John and I are over the moon…
Check out a few of our 1st Dibs selections, from fashion and accessories to furnishings, and let them inspire you to create your own Madcap, Madcap, Madcap, Madcap world.
John is ape-shit for this terrific vintage patchwork rug... This would be such a stunning focal point in a library or den and adds a revved-up folksy touch. J'adore!
I am crazy for this high-backed chair created by Italian designer Gio Ponti. I would add some crazy-ass fabric and welting upon the pillow, and, voila!, Madcap Cottage
John and I simply adore New York- and LA-based interior designer Todd Alexander Romano, and how about his painted Louis XIII-style chairs with their jaunty green-and-white upholstery. Stunning!
I am mad for this Valentino Couture buttercup-yellow cashmere coat. This would have looked so smart upon Sunny von Bulow before she had her little run-in with that coma, n'est-ce pas?
Tags: 1st Dibs, Jason Oliver Nixon, Jasper, John Loecke, Madcap Cottage, Minneapolis, Saturday Shopping, Weenie
Posted in 1st Dibs, Antiques, Carpets, Color, Demystifying Design, Design, Design Guru, Design Lessons, DIY, Entertaining, Fabrics, Flooring, Interior Design, Lighting, New York Interior Designer, News Flash, Painted Furniture, Pets, upholstery, Weekend warrior | No Comments »
February 14th, 2012 by Demystifying Design
Here's John at the entrance to Terrain at Styer's, situated outside of Philadelphia. From the outside in the heart of winter, Terrain doesn't look like much, but step inside the various hothouses and you enter gardening nirvana!
Gang:
As you know, John and I are passionate about fabulous gardens, and we are especially smitten with the garden shops in England that are filled with bespoke, one-off merchandise. Sadly, most American nurseries carry run-of-the-mill plants and gift items that can be found everywhere under the sun. Give me something unique! If I see another Yankee candle and boring plants…
Happily, during our long-weekend escape to Philadelphia this past weekend, John and I made a pilgrimage to the incredible, glorious, inspiring, and amazing Terrain at Styer’s, the nursery-cum-lifestyle-store-cum-cafe in the Philadelphia suburbs owned by the folks who created Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie.
Wow, wow, wow!
Walking into Terrain at Styer’s–even in the middle of winter–is mind blowing and will need to be covered in two blog installments, that’s just how good this place really is. Built into the former and historic farm of the Styer family, Terrain is packed to the gills with gorgeous plants, inspirational “moments,” gifts, books, seeds, garden tools, and so much more. And then there is the glorious cafe.
But more on all of that later.
Here are some snaps to get your juices flowing. There will be lots more on Terrain at Styer’s in Installment Part Two.
John enters Terrain's Poinsettia House with its delicious displays of verdant plants... Magic! And I love the House's rich, loamy scent.
There are gobs of burbling fountains scattered about Terrain. Here, a lovely fountain spills into an arrangement of ferns... So chic, n'est-ce pas?
A stunning arrangement of Moroccan-styled lights dangle overhead in a corner of Terrain. Why not bunch lights together in your own home to create a dramatic moment...
A glorious vintage cart, the perfect perch for your plants. Terrain at Styer's mixes the vintage and the brand new to stunning effect.
John laps up a gorgeous display of fragrant lavender and glorious vines.
Tags: Anthropologie, Landscaping, Philadelphia, Plants, Terrain at Styer's, Urban Outfitters
Posted in Antiques, Color, Curb appeal, Demystifying Design, Design, Design Guru, DIY, Gardens, Landscaping, Lighting, New York Interior Designer, Road Trip | No Comments »
February 12th, 2012 by Demystifying Design
Here's the very stylish bar in The Dandelion where John and I lunched this past weekend. Look at the mix of rustic wood paired with high-gloss paint on the walls and the church-like lanterns dangling overhead. The bar personified Brit wit comfort mixed with a stylish menu. And note the mismatched chairs and the vintage artwork that sits upon the shelves.
Gang:
Apologies for being a tad remiss with our blog postings last week…
John and I headed off for a long weekend in Philadelphia last Thursday, and it was zip, zip, zip.
But, wow!, John and I both loved Philadelphia.
It has been several years since either of us had paid a visit to the City of Brotherly Love, and, shucks, we felt the love. And we were especially smitten with the amazing restaurant scene, from white-hot eateries courtesy of the likes of Philly restaurateur extraordinaire Stephen Starr to more low-key throwback spots like The Happy Rooster and the sublime, BYOB Farm and Fisherman.
The total highlight to our Philadelphia sojourn was our trip out to Terrain at Styer’s, the nursery-cum-lifestyle store-cum-cafe from the Urban Outfitters-Anthropologie folks. But more on Terrain in our next post.
Back to the Philadelphia dining scene, John and I especially loved our relaxed meal in the bar room at The Dandelion, Stephen Starr’s witty take on an English pub. The food was spot-on and terrific: I lunched upon a fabulous butter lettuce salad with Stilton cheese and spiced walnuts and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, while John tucked into the fish and chips…
But it wasn’t just the food at The Dandelion that left us reeling: John and I adored the restaurant’s jaunty, witty decor. As you know, we often talk about how to bring a fabulous hotel experience and decor back into your own home. But don’t overlook an experience at a restaurant.
How can you bring the magic of a favorite eatery into your world?
Take a look at these images of the witty Dandelion, and I think you might see why we loved this exuberant pub.
Here's the exuberant Dog Room Bar at The Dandelion. Check out those amazing light fixtures, the plaid bar stools, the Victorian-styled carpet, and the dog statues perched high atop the bar. Brilliant! I want a bar like this at Chester Court.
The witty logo at The Dandelion... He's a "dandy" lion, get it! A wonderful logo is such a fun way to create a sense of playful fun... Our Madcap Cottage elephant logo reflects this tongue-in-cheek wit.
Here's the fish and chips at The Dandelion. John loved this dish...
Tags: Farm and Fisherman, Philadelphia, Terrain at Styer's, The Dandelion, The Happy Rooster
Posted in Antiques, Carpets, Color, Demystifying Design, Design, Design Guru, Design Lessons, DIY, Entertaining, Fabrics, Flooring, Framing, Hanging artwork, Interior Design, Lighting, New York Interior Designer, Paint, Road Trip, Tastemaker, upholstery, Weekend warrior | 1 Comment »
February 8th, 2012 by Demystifying Design
Our blog follower Mona, who lives in Waterville, Maine, sent us pictures of her vintage stools "before" and "after" powder coating them. Here's the atmospheric "before" shot.
Gang:
I SO adore when our blog followers actually take us up on an idea and really run with it.
Take Mona, for instance, one of our blog devotees in Waterville, Maine…
Magnificent Mona recently decided to powder coat two old, rusty, tired metal stools that she found in her basement. And her decision to powder coat these stale seats came from our blog: As you know John and I simply LOVE to powder coat anything metal…
So Mona took these vintage stools to her nearby powder coater and selected a jaunty oyster-blue color. And, voila, perfection. If you have old patio furniture floating about that needs a kick of color, powder coat it!
And if John and I inspire you to tackle a project, DO send us photos.
We love seeing your handiwork…
Here are Mona's stools after being powder coated a delicious oyster-blue hue. Natty, n'est-ce pas? Mona plans to tuck these under a coffee table and pull them out for cocktail soirees. Waterville, Maine seems to be a happening town... Go, Mona!
Tags: Before and After, Color, Madcap Cottage, Powder coating
Posted in Antiques, Before and After, Color, Demystifying Design, Design, Design Guru, Design Lessons, DIY, Interior Design, New York Interior Designer, Painted Furniture, Powder coating, Tastemaker | No Comments »
February 7th, 2012 by Demystifying Design
John with our dear pal and dinner party host, Mitchell Gold. What a cute photo, n'est-ce pas?
Gang:
What a kick-ass week! John and I are having a blast and rocking out like there was a disco ball hanging over our head… And we hope you are, too.
Tonight, for instance, John and I were invited to celebrate Tipper Gore’s latest photo collection for our dear friends Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams at a dinner in their Lafayette Street store in lower Manhattan.
Wait, you didn’t know that former Second Lady Tipper Gore was a photographer?!
Oh, yes. And her work is stunning. We are lucky enough to have several of her pieces in our home at Chester Court.
Tipper is oh-so-cool, and we love her and her images and her big Chanel bag and slouchy suede Christian Louboutin boots. And she is so nice, and there’s no pretension whatsoever.
And the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams dinner was divine: We met gobs of new friends, including designer Andrew Baseman and wildly talented Washington, D.C. event designer Philip Dufour. And we saw old pals like John Barman and Kelly Graham.
Naturally, Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams were divine hosts, and MG+BW’s marketing guru Eloise Goldman was the belle of the ball, natch. Delicious!
Here are some scenes from this glorious party…
If you haven’t visited the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams showroom in Manhattan (or at their fifteen other coast-to-coast outposts), pay a call. And pronto!
The woman of the hour, Tipper Gore, in front of her fabulous photographs with co-host Mitchell Gold. John and I are crazy for Tipper: She is so nice for a former Second Lady.
Here's our gorgeous pal Eloise Goldman, the head of marketing and communications for Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Eloise is the coolest cat ever.
John scopes Tipper Gore's fabulous photographs in his jaunty red pants. Bravo, Tipper!
Here's the menu for the festive dinner to celebrate Tipper Gore's photographs for Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. The short ribs were especially amazing!
Tags: Artwork, Bob Williams, Mitchell Gold, Party, Photographs, Tipper Gore
Posted in Color, Demystifying Design, Design, Design Guru, Hanging artwork, Interior Design, New York Interior Designer, News Flash, Party Planning | No Comments »
February 6th, 2012 by Demystifying Design
Here are the "transformed" stairs at a cozy cottage John and I designed in the Hamptons. The use of color and pattern took this previously boring space and made it brilliant. The wallpaper is from Thibaut; the photographs hail from the Conde Nast archives; the stair runner is from Dash & Albert. And note the jaunty valance hanging over the window... Scroll down to see a few "before" shots.
Gang:
I hope you had a fabulous and frisky weekend… Did you watch the Super Bowl? Frankly, I loved Madonna’s performance.
To put on a show of that magnitude, wow!
But onwards and upwards: Let’s talk about staircases.
Stairs and hallways are often overlooked as mere pass-through spaces, and hence they lack a strong design vision. Why not make your stairs a focal point, a place for friends to linger and savor…
But how to add mystique to the mix?
Think wallpaper, artwork, carpet, and interesting and engaging paint treatments.
To inspire you, here’s a stairway that John Loecke and I designed in a tiny Hamptons cottage a few years back. The stairway was a boring white space until we kicked it up with color. And color made the space seem much larger, too.
So re-evaluate your stairway this week… And take it from banal to brilliant!
Here's the stairs "before." Yikes. Dull on a dish. We ripped out the oatmela-hued shag carpet and threw loads of color and pattern and artwork at this forlorn space to create some drama.
Here's the stairway window "before." I am not partial to flouncy window treatments. The crisp, cool valance that we designed added a polished, tailored look to the window.
Here are stairs where they meet the home's front foyer. The fabulous and fun Dash & Albert carpet runner is so inviting and plays off the colorful blooms on the Thibaut wallpaper. John and I installed the carpet runner ourselves with upholstery tacks.
Tags: Color, Foyer, Hamptons, Madcap Cottage, Paint, Stairway, Transform a stairway, Wallpaper
Posted in Before and After, Color, Demystifying Design, Design, Design Guru, Design Lessons, DIY, Fabrics, Flooring, Framing, Hanging artwork, Interior Design, New York Interior Designer, Paint, Renovations, Tastemaker, Tips for Design Small Spaces, upholstery, Weekend warrior | No Comments »
February 3rd, 2012 by Demystifying Design
Here's a corner of our bathroom at Chester Court. The walls are an inviting green, and we used black vintage furniture, artwork, patterns, and an ethnic rug to add warmth to the green walls. The bathroom is super inviting and engaging and keeps the eye intrigued. We found the vintage Dorothy Draper cabinet on eBay. Note that we also painted the ceiling in the room green as there is no crown molding. This helps make the room feel larger.
Gang:
Happy Friday! I hope everyone had a spiffy week…
One of our devoted blog followers–let’s call her Barb–wrote us a very kind missive last night about the use of the color green in her home. If you follow our work, you know that John and I are passionate about green and use it in many of our projects as a neutral.
But, notes Barb, green can be overpowering… And a tad antiseptic.
Good point, Barb!
After all, who wants to live in a world that channels Kermit the Frog? And green can also come across as too minty fresh…
So how to use green, but perhaps tone it down and warm it up…
Here are a few tips from your frisky friends at Madcap Cottage:
Mix green walls with black furnishings. Black will help “ground” the green and add a striking contrast. For example, place a black chest of drawers against a green wall. The eye will register black first and then the green, so green becomes a background hue instead of the prominent tone.
Hang lots of artwork. Tone down your green walls with brightly hued photographs, prints, and paintings. The eye will take in the gorgeous artwork first.
Paint your molding a glossy green hue that is darker than your green wall color. The molding will “finish” the room and engage the eye.
Use patterns on your upholstery and pillows for visual interest and a dynamic energy. Solids are too static.
Layer rugs. Add drama with layered rugs over seagreass. A few ethnic-inspired rugs will add visual interest and color that will tone down the green. P.S. Always use seagrass, never sisal. Sisal is too unforgiving and shows stains. Seagrass is much more user-friendly and less maintenance. We are especially partial to the seagrass creations from the folks at Merida.
So go paint a room a room green this weekend, and send us photos…
And thank you for your query, Barb!
John and I used green and yellow to delicious effect in our bedroom at Chester Court. The bold graphic patterns create a dynamic quality that reads as anything but minty or clinical. And the pops of color on the pillowcases and duvet add further warmth.
Here's a bar that John and I designed that employs green-on-green-on-white wallpaper and a green chair rail. The numerous patterns, prints, and brightly hued plates add warmth to what might have been a too-cold space. And the frondy leaf pattern on the chair brings a taste of the tropics into the space. And how about the green-and-white diamond pattern-painted floor. Fun, n'est-ce pas?
Tags: Color, Green, John Loecke, Neutral, pattern, Yellow
Posted in Antiques, Bathroom Design, Carpets, Color, Demystifying Design, Design, Design Guru, Design Lessons, DIY, Fabrics, Flooring, Framing, Furniture Recovering, Hanging artwork, Interior Design, New York Interior Designer, Paint, Paint the ceiling, Paint the floor, Painted Furniture, Renovations, Tastemaker, Tips for Design Small Spaces, upholstery, Wallpaper, Weekend warrior, Welting | 2 Comments »
