Nautical Chic

You didn't really think I could stop at just one nautical post did you?! I grew up in a home with paintings of ships and boats, scrimshaw, and Nantucket Lightship baskets (which is kind of funny since Pennsylvania is a landlocked state) and the love of everything nautical has stayed with me. I have my own collection of seascapes but I have nothing on these interiors which feature paintings and other fun accessories, especially the Ralph Lauren room above! Ahoy mateys!

Coastal Living

House Beautiful

House Beautiful

House Beautiful

Johnson Hartig

Stuart Membrey

Thom Filicia

Summer Rerun

I'm busy working today and trying to get through a thousand annoying emails so I'm posting an oldie but a goodie from 2008. This fabulous house in the Hamptons used to belong to Steven Gambrel before friends of LA designer Ruthie Sommers bought it and asked her to decorate the place. I love the colors and casual feeling which is perfect for a house near the beach. It was published in House Beautiful so you can read more about the details online. Enjoy!

Photos by Don Freeman

Beach House Blues

If you haven't picked up the June 2010 issue of House Beautiful, you're missing out. I am especially loving this beach house filled with shades of blue designed by Jim Howard. Bon Weekend!

Photos by Francesco Lagnese

Chic Rustique:Part Deux

You may not be able to stay at Jacques Grange's Portuguese retreat but you can buy the furniture he owns! I got a lovely email today from John Himmel who produces the wonderful handwoven rope furniture that is not only popular with Jacques Grange but also interior designer Michael Smith. The Rope Collection was inspired by the French designers Adrien Andoux and Frida Minet who's rope furniture was woven from the fronds of palm trees in the South of France. John Himmel grows their palms in the Madoura Islands in Indonesia where is it hand braided into a flat rope and woven onto their hardwood frames. They are available through John Rosselli in New York and Florida; Holly Hunt in Chicago; David Sutherland in LA, Houston and Dallas; and Webster in Boston. Makes me want to get to work on buying and decorating a Caribbean retreat!

Art Moderne Style Three Seat Sofa

Art Moderne Style Sectional Pieces

A John Himmel chair in private home.

Art Moderne Style Loune Chair

Art Moderne Style Lounge Chair Ottoman

A John Himmel in a Michael Smith interior.

Art Moderne Style Bed

Art Modern Style Bed with Footboard

Chic Rustique

Speaking of Jacques Grange, maybe instead of stalking him in Paris, I will stalk him next August at his house in Portugal. Actually, it's not a house but four traditional thatched roof cabanas that line the dunes on a remote stretch of the coast. Grange says the "landscape, furnishings, carpets, and cushions exert an exotic, African pull." Some of these photos were taken in 2004 for a W magazine spread and attest to it's timeless design. He calls the straw house "chic rustique." I call is perfection.

Photos by Thomas Loof and Martin Morrell

Weekend Chic

While I was looking through designer Meg Braff's portfolio, I came across the most perfect East Hampton home. I love the patterns and shades of blue she used throughout all the spaces. The mudroom is my favorite room and pretty much sums up the feeling of this chic weekend home. I can also imagine how much fun the family who owns it will probably have over the long holiday weekend. I hope all of you l have a wonderful Independence Day no matter where you spend it!