Archive for the ‘Pets’ Category
Wednesday, February 6th, 2013
Here's a selection of the Madcap Cottage wares that went "live" on One Kings Lane today. Shop our sublime sundries...
Gang:
I hope that everyone is having a fabulous week…
Have you bookmarked our two online boutiques?
One Kings Lane
https://www.onekingslane.com/shop/madcapcottage
AND
1st Dibs
http://madcapcottage.1stdibs.com
We have gleefully giddy new items going up daily and weekly, so look us over…
Bring some Madcap Cottage home, and right this very second.
On another note, I wanted to show you how to take a white wall and oomph it up with wallpaper. Here’s a “before” and “after” of our guest bedroom in Brooklyn. Why not “wow” a dull space with a deliciously patterned paper.
And, no, that was not a suggestion.
Here's our guest bedroom at Chester Court with a wallpapered ceiling but before we decided that the space needed extra "punch" courtesy of wallpaper on the walls.
Here's the very same guest room with the formerly white walls done up in Thibaut's Baron wallpaper from their Residence collection. Click on the image, above, to see the paper on the Thibaut website.
Tags: 1st Dibs, DIY, Jason Oliver Nixon, John Loecke, Madcap Cottage, One Kings Lane, Thibaut, Wallpaper
Posted in 1st Dibs, Antiques, Before and After, Color, Demystifying Design, Design, Design Guru, Design Lessons, DIY, Framing, Hanging artwork, Interior Design, News Flash, One Kings Lane, Paint, Pets, Tastemaker, Uncategorized, Wallpaper, Weekend warrior, Welting | No Comments »
Monday, October 29th, 2012
Here's the former garage at Madcap Cottage in upstate New York when John and I purchased the property. The garage was a mess and was totally shrouded with out-of-control greenery. Our goal was to take this forlorn folly and make it fabulous. Hopefully, you can pluck ideas from our plan of attack to employ in your own home.
Gang:
John and I are hunkered down in Brooklyn as Sandy terrorizes the East Coast… We have wine and I made tacos, and I am cleaning out my closet and am still wearing my pajamas at 1:30pm so it’s not all bad… John is listening to Christmas carols on Pandora for some reason. Curious, n’est-ce pas? Weenie and Jasper are snoozing.
As the day is totally drab and dull, I thought I would offer some color, a Technicolor-hued punch…
Here’s a photo tour of our former garage at Madcap Cottage in upstate New York that John and I transformed from a tumbledown structure into a rainbow-hued screened-in porch.
I hope you enjoy the journey…
Stay dry, and stay safe!
New roofing, screened doors, and a cupola that John and I purchased online take the exterior of the garage and make it gorgeous. The cupola is vinyl-clad, so it will never need painting. I am not a fan of vinyl siding, but here it makes total sense.
John and I had the interior patched and a new cement floor poured. And we carved-out screened windows that look onto our backyard. A pale blue ceiling helps open up the space.
John and I found some beat-up old garden furniture and had it powder coated a bright lemon yellow. The results are perfectly sunny and delicious! Find garden furniture at a yard sale, and have it powder coated to give it new life.
John and I came up with a fun fabric scheme that mixes lots of easy-to-care-for indoor/outdoor fabrics in big, bold hues.
Jasper eyes the work in progress. Almost complete!
And here's the finished product... John and I were lucky enough to have the screened-in porch appear in the magazine DIY. Jasper makes himself right at home in the finished screened-in porch, now renamed The Little House. Floor paint transformed a cement floor into something fabulous. John crafted the window treatments from Ikea using a stamp that he picked up at a flea market with fabric paint.
Note the inexpensive Chinese lanterns that dangle overhead, an inexpensive way to add "punch" and "pizzazz" to any space. The cupola adds further "architecture" to a roofline that was sorely lacking interest.
Tags: Color, DIY, Jason Oliver Nixon, John Loecke, Little House, Madcap Cottage, renovation, Sandy, whimsy
Posted in Before and After, Color, Curb appeal, Demystifying Design, Design, Design Guru, DIY, Fabrics, Flooring, Gardens, Interior Design, Landscaping, Lighting, New York Interior Designer, Paint, Paint the floor, Painted Furniture, Pets, Powder coating, Renovations, Tastemaker, Tips for Design Small Spaces, Weekend warrior | 2 Comments »
Thursday, October 25th, 2012
A vintage Italian ceramic pot bursting over with ripe lemons, the perfect centerpiece for your holiday table.
Gang:
OK, OK, I know that this is being very self promotional, but I need to keep flogging our upcoming–and fabulous–One Kings Lane Tastemaker Tag Sale that takes place on November 13th.
Mark those calendars!
If you need gorgeous, one-of-a-kind holiday gifts, our sale is a total treasure trove of affordable and east-to-wrap delicacies.
Here’s a taste of what will be on offer… And, of course, there will be lots of more substantial items, too, such as sofas, armchairs, and dining room tables.
Have a glittering weekend, rock stars!
A trio of vintage Italian ceramic planters done up in a lemon-yellow rope-styled pattern. Pizzazz-o-rama!
A veritable gaggle of vintage bulldog statues in all sorts of shapes and sizes, the perfect addition to a mantel or shelf.
A simply stunning Italian ceramic centerpiece of deep purple tulips. No muss, no fuss. Terrific!
A pair of vintage--and heavy!-- brass fish-shaped candelabras that would look amazing next to your Thanksgiving turkey. Gobble, gobble.
A vintage Japanese writing box emblazoned with gorgeous fans... A sublime addition to a desk or a hall table.
Tags: Holiday gifts, Jason Oliver Nixon, John Loecke, Madcap Cottage, One Kings Lane, Tastemaker Tag Sale
Posted in Antiques, Color, Demystifying Design, Design, Design Guru, Design Lessons, DIY, Fabrics, Interior Design, New York Interior Designer, One Kings Lane, Pets, Tastemaker | No Comments »
Saturday, October 13th, 2012
Here I am in the beauty pageant, I mean, the Style Spotter program at this season's High Point Market that kicks-off today. John and I leave for High Point, NC and the furniture shows this morning. See you at the Cracker Barrel in Virginia, folks! Crank up the Lana del Rey and crack open a beer.
Gang:
Morning! It has been an especially busy week as John and I returned from Europe and then we went into the photo shoot for our next One Kings Lane Tastemaker Tag Sale that hits the airwaves on November 13th. So mark those calendars!
And apologies that my blog posts have been few and far between this week, it’s been a whirl.
Today, we are road-tripping down to High Point, NC for the twice-annual furniture market. John and I love our visits to High Point as we get to see old friends and scope the latest and greatest trends that will soon be hitting showrooms, magazines, and retail stores near you. And Jasper and Weenie will be traveling with us, too, and they go ape-shit for a good road trip.
I am lucky enough to have been named as a “Style Spotter” for this High Point market, so I will be going around with a handful of other top-tier design bloggers and reporting back on my favorite finds. I am the only boy amongst a gaggle of glamorous women, so bring on the testosterone.
Here’s the official release from the High Point brass on what the Style Spotters do:
“Style Spotters are trendsetters that see ahead of the curve in home fashion trends. Watch for them at Market as they walk the show, capturing images of their favorite looks and on-trend products. The Style Spotters will pin those photos to their Pinterest board and will list the exhibitor’s name and showroom number. They will also present the exhibitor with a sign that highlights the Style Spotter’s name with a QR code and URL for the Pinterest board.”
So get ready, I am no shrinking violet when it comes to my likes and dislikes. I hear you like the bad girls, honey, is that true? Sadly, I do not get to wear a sash or a tiara as I Style Spot, but I am sure I will come up with some equally fetching get-up as I perform my official duties.
See you in High Point, folks!
Tags: furniture, high point, Jason Oliver Nixon, John Loecke, Lana del Rey, Madcap Cottage, Style Spotters
Posted in Before and After, Color, Demystifying Design, Design, Design Guru, Design Lessons, Fabrics, Interior Design, New York Interior Designer, News Flash, Pets, Road Trip | 1 Comment »
Friday, October 5th, 2012
John heads into London's verdant Battersea Park to pay a visit to the thrice-annual Decorative Fair. The Fair is truly a treasure trove of delicious finds!
Gang:
This past week John and I made a pilgrimage to the fabulous Decorative Fair that takes place three times each year in London’s stunning Battersea Park on the south side of the Thames.
And, wow!, we were so inspired, and not only by the fabulous goods but also by the very approachable prices. I am not one for “important” antiques unless you inherited them, so it was great to see that there were so many pieces at the fair that John and I could actually afford.
Here’s a little tour…
A pair of floral-patterned armchairs that felt very "Madcap Cottage," n'est-ce pas? There's nothing like multiple fabrics and delicious details to take furniture from ho-hum to super-ho.
A gorgeous Chinoiserie-styled lantern. Swoon!
John and I adored this oversized concrete basket, one of a pair. These baskets would be perfect for sitting atop pilasters at the back of a yard.
A stunning tole metal palm tree! If John and I could have carried this back to NYC with us on the plane, we would have snapped it up!
A very yummy pair of green chairs with terrific nailhead detailing.
There were lots of dogs at the Decorative Fair. We wished that Weenie and Jasper could have been in attendance, too.
Tags: Battersea Park, Decorative Fair, Jason Oliver Nixon, Jasper, John Loecke, London, Madcap Cottage, Tole, Weenie
Posted in Antiques, China, Color, Curb appeal, Demystifying Design, Design, Design Guru, Design Lessons, Fabrics, Furniture Recovering, Gardens, Interior Design, Landscaping, New York Interior Designer, News Flash, Painted Furniture, Pets, Road Trip | No Comments »
Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012
Here's a totally non-sequitur image of Weenie, just because. Says Weenie, "The dog days are over." Get it, Weenie!
Gang:
I hope you are having a sin-filled week.
John and I are in London and running around like modern-day Sloane Rangers and scoping out design trends and shopping for a client.
And while I am one half of the Madcap Cottage terrible twosome, I am also the Global Lifestyle Editor at Delta Sky magazine with its six million monthly readers. Wow, six million! Um, yep.
With that said, I thought you might enjoy reading a story I penned in the October issue of Delta Sky about my passion for the Cotswolds region of England. The Cotswolds simply rock. Chic, and picture perfect. And the gardens are simply glorious!
If you have never visited this fairy-tale region of England, book a trip. And pronto.
Here’s the piece!
I love nothing more than the Cotswolds region of England except maybe listening to some Lana del Rey. Read my story on the bucolic region in the October issue of Delta Sky magazine. Click on the image, above.
Tags: Barnsley House, Cotswolds, Hidcote, Jason Oliver Nixon, John Loecke, Madcap Cottage, Weenie
Posted in Antiques, Color, Demystifying Design, Design, Design Guru, Design Lessons, Gardens, Hotel design, Interior Design, Landscaping, New York Interior Designer, Pets, Road Trip, Tastemaker, Weekend warrior | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 24th, 2012
The summer issue of Do It Yourself magazine features John's renovation of his brother and sister-in-law's kitchen in Minneapolis. Scroll down to the "Kitchen Wisdom" link at the bottom of the installment to access the pdf of the story, packed with loads of ideas.
Gang:
As you probably know, John is a contributing editor at several of the Meredith Corporation’s various magazines, including Better Homes and Gardens. He also produces articles for the likes of Do It Yourself magazine, a terrific and color-filled publication that gives readers gobs of, natch, do-it-yourself options.
The summer issue of Do It Yourself features a fun and whimsical kitchen that John designed for his brother and sister-in-law in Minneapolis.
Here are some of his tips:
-Be bold with color.
-Top it with tin.
-Clean up your cabinets.
To read the whole story and to get some terrific ideas to bring into your home, click on the pdf, Kitchen Wisdom.
Enjoy!
P.S. We are so excited to follow our good pal and Meredith Corporation editor Lacey Howard’s upcoming trip to London and the Olympics on her blog, Howardgirlshopthepond. Check it out!
Tags: DIY, DIY ideas, Jason Oliver Nixon, John Loecke, Kitchen, Kitchen renovation, Madcap Cottage, Minneapolis, renovation, Weekend warrior
Posted in Color, Demystifying Design, Design, Design book, Design Guru, DIY, Entertaining, Flooring, Framing, Hanging artwork, Interior Design, New York Interior Designer, Paint, Paint the ceiling, Painted Furniture, Pets, Sustainable, Tastemaker, Tips for Design Small Spaces, upholstery, Wallpaper, Weekend warrior | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 18th, 2012
The lovely and talented Nashville style setter Madison Murray Carlos featured our Brooklyn home on her fabulous blog, Cozy Majestic. Wow, what a glamorous treat. Click on the image, above, to see Madison's whole posting. So fun!
Gang:
My “Dining Chair Dilemma” post sparked lots of feedback, and the consensus seems to be that I did the right thing by buying the plastic sleeve covers for the chairs. Ghetto fabulous, n’est-ce pas?
Moving on… Today, the lovely Madison Murray Carlos showcased our Brooklyn row house on her divine blog, Cozy Majestic, and John and I are over the moon. Madison has such lovely things to say about the Madcap Cottage gents.
Let’s see:
“If I could have anyone swoop into our little bungalow on the hill here in Nashville and put their magic touch on everything, it would be them.”
“Some commonly used phrases on their blog, Demystifying Design, include “Egads!,” “How droll!,”"Ooh la la!,” and “Bang bang, babycakes.” Does it get any better than that, y’all?”
I am just crazy for Madison. I think need a stiff cocktail right this very second to toast this fabulous post. Let’s bust out the Popov and pour 12 fingers. But no ice, it takes up too much room that the vodka could be occupying, n’est-ce pas?
Thank you, Madison! Bottoms up…
Tags: Color, Cozy Majestic, Jason Oliver Nixon, John Loecke, Madcap Cottage, Madison Murray Carlos, Nashville, Wallpaper
Posted in Antiques, Color, Demystifying Design, Design, Design Guru, Entertaining, Fabrics, Flooring, Furniture Recovering, Interior Design, New York Interior Designer, News Flash, Paint the floor, Painted Furniture, Pets, Renovations, Tastemaker, upholstery, Wallpaper, Welting | 1 Comment »
Friday, July 6th, 2012
John and Weenie kick back upon a towel on our Siesta Key beach and wait for the July 4th fireworks displays to begin. Happy birthday, America!
Gang:
How was your July 4th? Any good BBQs or fireworks sessions? Do tell.
John and I spent the holiday at my family’s retreat on Siesta Key near Sarasota, Florida. My grandparents purchased land on Siesta Key in 1950 long before the island became a retreat for the who’s who… Back 60 years ago, Siesta Key was basically all scrub palms and pine trees: Today our neighbors include the likes of Tom Cruise’s mom. Our property is still rustic and looks like a fishing camp from back in the day: It’s quite simple and relaxed. It’s kind of funny to see all of the faux Mediterranean palaces that now dot the island and all of the massive gates that surround these McMansions.
After a fun dinner with my parents, John and I relaxed on the beach in front of our property with Weenie and watched the fireworks that took place at various spots upon the key–including on our neighbor’s beach next door. And, wow!, what an amazing display. I had my mug of white wine in hand, and I blissed out.
I love fireworks, and John and I want to create a fabric collection that captures the sublime shower of colors that fill the sky during these festive displays. We are mad for the rich reds, the golden hues, and the emerald tones that erupt and shower down like candy from heaven.
Here's the first firework of the evening hovering high above Siesta Key's Crescent Beach. I love sitting by the sea and watching fireworks.
Wow, these emerald-green fireworks were just so delicious. I adore the mix of gold and green coming together in a shower of dazzling sparks.
I am crazy for these scarlet-hued fireworks. What an amazing rich and deep color, n'est-ce pas? So inspirational...
Tags: Fireworks, Florida, Jason Oliver Nixon, John Loecke, July 4th, Madcap Cottage, Sarasota, Siesta Key
Posted in Color, Curb appeal, Demystifying Design, Design, Design book, Design Lessons, Landscaping, New York Interior Designer, Pets, Tastemaker | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 5th, 2012
Come hear me and John talk design trends at the Hearst Tower on June 13th from 6pm-8pm. Plus, there will be cocktails, you can drink up, darling buttercups! Bites and spirits, um, yes, please! And don't be stingy with those pours, folks!
Gang:
What ARE you up to the evening of June 13th?
Why not come hear the Madcap Cottage boys talk about trends, design in general, why we hate beige, and what we spotted at the recent Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Chicago…
We might tell a few jokes, show a video or two, and do a little dance. Just because.
We’d love to have you! Follow the RSVP information in the invite, above.
Tags: Cocktails, Jason Oliver Nixon, John Loecke, June 13th, KBIS, Madcap Cottage, Silestone, trends
Posted in Color, Demystifying Design, Design, Design Guru, DIY, Flooring, Framing, Hotel design, india, Interior Design, Mirror, Morocco, New York Interior Designer, News Flash, Paint, Painted Furniture, Pets, Portraits, Tastemaker, Television, upholstery, Wallpaper, Weekend warrior, Welting | No Comments »
