r. wood studio

Striking colors and authentic pottery techniques are the hallmarks of R. Wood Studio. Rebecca Wood and her 12-strong crew make vibrant ceramic pieces, each by hand and without a mold, in an old Athens, Georgia, produce warehouse. My favorite part: It's all made with real, Georgia red clay! Your piece will bear the R. Wood stamp and painter's signature (images: R. Wood Studio).

john derian style

Découpage artist, antiques and furniture purveyor, and designer John Derian truly retained the integrity of his 18th-century Massachusetts home when he preserved and incorporated historic details, including faded wallpaper, rather than tearing the house down to the studs. I particularly love the simple vignette of the linocut drawing, clam shell, and Amish sink (bottom photo: Julia Cumes; all others via marthastewart.com)

Peek inside his shop, John Derian Company, Inc. (two locations in Manhattan), and check out his wares online. Here's a sampling:

gifting: something old + something new

For the design enthusiast: Vintage interior design books from Peter Harrington with personalized bookplates from Felix Doolittle.

For the newlywed: A c. 1940 Hawkeye picnic basket from Mary Ann Jones Antiques with Daisy Hill monogrammed napkins and a shatterproof plate set from French Bull. Visit a flea market to find mix-and-match antique flatware or check out Posh Chicago's vintage hotel silver selection.

For the sea lover: An old sailing lithograph from Samuel Owen Gallery with At West End's whale centerpiece made from recycled materials.

bathroom of the week

A simple and serene bathroom with a neutral palette for the walls, wainscot, and trim. The worn wood floors and brown-glazed tub finish out the Edwardian-style space. Period charm that is timeless—I love it!

blue friday

     

My antidote to the madness of Black Friday? Vibrant shades of blue as bold backdrops and wallcoverings (top to bottom): A Chippendale mirror with a classic, colorful wallpaper in a Country Home foyer; Jeffrey Billhuber design at House Beautiful; a collection of Victorian breadboards contrasts with a deep, blue wall at Homes & Gardens UK.

thanksgiving home tour

Prepare here...

or here...

gather here....

then here...

relax here...

And finally, sneak off to bed.

welcome home

A spare but chic foyer with special touches like a welcoming eagle on an ochre door, a centered table, and plenty of walking sticks (House Beautiful).

Consider these ideas for your own entryway:

Iron and wood chandelier, Layla Grace.

19th-century bronze door knocker & plate, Dixon Lane Antiques via 1stdibs.com





Tortoise tone bamboo bench, Pearl River.



Foo Dog home guardian turquoise statuettes, Pearl River.

cozy corners

The colder it gets outside, the more tempting it is to retreat to a cozy corner for reading, thinking, napping, or fretting! I love the simplicity of this nook, complete with a translucent linen shade.

Unusual corner chairs afford instant coziness in a small space (and easily tuck away): Throw a blanket over one arm, stack old books and magazines next to it...and don't forget the foot rest. 

No. 1: 18th-century English elm chair - Briggs House Antiques via 1stdibs.com; No. 2: Art Nouveau chair - Outside Downtown via 1stdibs.com; No. 3. Heywood Wakefield Victorian wicker chair from Autumn Antiques.     



photo archives

 

One of my favorite ways to enliven a space is with prints from state photo archives. This image is from the Florida Photographic Collection; an 8x10 print is just $15 plus shipping.

Above: "Old Town FFA String Band performing at the 1956 Florida Folk Festival: White Springs, Florida" from Robert R. Leahey, collector. 

design for the dogs



In my experience, pets have a way of reminding us what's truly important; they can slowly and sneakily take over a home such that we start arranging our spaces with them in mind. Why fight it? For me, pets make a space feel like home. Photographer Winnie Au whose work was recently featured, along with Jennifer Becker's, in Bark magazine, captures this sentiment perfectly in her dog portraits (all photos by Winne Au).



Can you make out the fun, vintage-inspired cowboy wallpaper in the background? Find it—along with a few dozen matching cowboy accessories—at Cath Kidston.

 Doesn't this dignified pup look smart amidst vintage fabric and painted brick?

the dolphin studio

The ffrench family, originally from Ireland, has been designing and producing the lovely calendars of The Dolphin Studio for 40 years. Three generations of family members participate; the silk-screened calendars include 12 months of hand-cut stencil designs and vibrant colors. Delightful!

2010 designs:

urban remains

Urban Remains is a treasure trove of salvaged goods and vintage wares—from folk art signs to period lighting to museum-quality building elements. Here are a few of my favorite things from their site (linked while they last!):

From the top, left to right: c. 1930s enameled metal wall clock; late 19th-century elevator floor indicator; c. 1915 masonic temple "day-brite" etched glass electric sign; c. 1891 cast-bronze door knob and escutcheon from Chicago's Wainwright Building; early 20th-century industrial cabinet with stamped metal labels; assortment of early 20th-century clay tiles; c. 1871 pine blanket chest.