Notes on Decorating 11 Dec 2020 10:22 AM (4 years ago)

Talented designers who can design beautiful rooms with a broad aesthetic range often create design books that make a gamut of readers happy, regardless of their own personal style. Such is the case with Markham Robert's second book, Markham Roberts: Notes on Decorating. If you're searching for a book you can look at again and again, I can highly recommend!

My copy was compliments of Vendome Press, who also published his first book,

Decorating the Way I See It.

This book is full of 250 images!! Here are some snaps of some of my favorite rooms.

There are sophisticated rooms with a chic and elegant vibe.

Along with those that are relaxed and laid back. I'm always partial to any room that makes

me feel like I'm on vacation.

So if you need a little escape and want a gorgeous, versatile design book to add your library, check out Markham Roberts: Notes on Decorating

Photowall of Sweden - 25% discount! 9 Jun 2020 5:14 AM (4 years ago)

Until last week, there wasn't one bit of wall covering in my home. That all changed when PHOTOWALL of Sweden gifted me with a wallpaper or wall mural of my choosing. I decided the master bedroom was the place to bring in some pattern and creating interest on the wall behind the bed was the way to go. I've always loved cloud wallpaper and what drew me to Photowall's version, Cradled in Clouds, was that in came in a beautiful beige/taupe tone labeled Pastel.

I love how the cloud pattern plays off the drapes.

Time for new bedding!! But you know the drill, change one thing and you need to change other things :)

The process for ordering is simple - you enter in the dimensions you need and then move the field over the section you want.

Next is choosing either Standard or Premium wallpaper.

I went with the Premium which has a nice matte finish. It's made of a non-woven material and has a further layer added to it to which makes the material scratch-resistant, non-reflective and wipable.

Photowall delivers worldwide and uses DHL for US delivery. Love DHL, by the way, because they contact you via email/text and let you change your delivery date and also pick the option for no signature required.

The wallpaper paste (powder form) comes with the mural and there is a kit you can order if you don't already have the tools you'll need. The panels are numbered and they have a great video you can watch. The key is to get that first panel level and straight.

The quality of the mural is excellent and I couldn't be happier with it! If you were like me and wanted a mural or wallpaper but weren't ready to take the plunge, PHOTOWALL is giving My Notting Hill readers a 25% discount for the next 30 days only. Just enter the coupon code mynottinghill2020.

If you're not interested in wallpaper, almost all of their images can be also made as a Canvas Print, Framed Print or Poster. Here's some of the ones I favorited when I was trying to decide on an option.

My Notting Hill readers receive a 25% discount for the next 30 days. Just enter the coupon code mynottinghill2020.

PHOTOWALL

More Decorating from Tom Scheerer 20 Sep 2019 12:25 PM (5 years ago)

Tom Scheerer: More Decorating is out and if you loved his first book, you'll love this one even more 😍! Ever since I received my copy compliments of Vendome Press, I've been pouring through it every few days. Divided in to three sections, Town, Summer and The Tropics, it features 16 of his latest projects. The book is beautifully designed and full of so many double page layouts that allow you to feel like you're peering right in to the room. Along with the perfection of the photography by Francesco Lagnese, the art-layout/direction is just sooo good.

Along with all the gorgeous designs and incredible houses in places as varied as Antigua, Paris and Zanzibar, Tom's narration and commentary is interesting and insightful. One of the master interior designers of our time.

Here's some iphone snaps of some of my favorite rooms and details.

Also, if you fell in love with the gorgeous hard cover underneath the paper cover of his first book (remember that tactile "rattan weave), it's back again!

Tom Scheerer: More Decorating

Event - Rebloom on the Roof 1 Apr 2019 9:50 AM (6 years ago)

If you're in the DC area, there's an amazing charity event taking place May 16th - a cocktail fundraiser for Room to Rebloom! They do amazing work creating healing environments for survivors of domestic violence. Each year, "Rebloom on the Roof" aims to successfully raise enough money to outfit an entire apartment for a survivor. Check out their amazing projects here. This year's event will take place at La Vie Restaurant's rooftop penthouse overlooking DC's new Wharf District waterfront and will feature light fare, signature cocktails, a silent auction, designer sample sale, Kendra Scott pop-up shop, dessert station and more.

Buy your tickets here.

At Home: Isabel López-Quesada at Home 24 Nov 2018 12:48 PM (6 years ago)

I first blogged about Isabel López-Quesada back in 2012 so I was very excited when Vendome Press offered me a chance to review her first book, At Home: Isabel López-Quesada at Home. The book details her Madrid and French homes and is complete with vivid photography by Miguel Flores-Vianna.

Her signature design aesthetic is inspiring and, along with gorgeous interiors, the reader is treated to lush courtyards and gardens. I'm a fan of her strong emphasis on the texture and patina of the architecture and her spare but strong use of textiles and accessories to accent the spaces.

Here are a few iPhone snaps from the book.

There's also a two page illustration spread of her Madrid home - below is a snippet.

Now I've got my fingers crossed that Isabel will release a second book featuring her
work with clients!

At Home: Isabel López-Quesada at Home

Book courtesy of Vendome Press, review my own.

This Kitchen! 14 Nov 2018 4:51 PM (6 years ago)

It's been so long I almost couldn't remember my blog password but I just had to share this kitchen by DC based Ally Banks Interiors. Maybe you've seen it? I just came across it and my first thought was "this kitchen wins the internet!"

If you're on Instagram, you can check me out HERE.

Island Hopping with Amanda Lindroth 18 Sep 2018 2:09 PM (6 years ago)

The promo I received from The Vendome Press about Island Hopping: Amanda Lindroth Design couldn't be more accurate - it's "the visual equivalent of an island getaway." And, there's a lot of getting-away in this book with 25 featured projects over 287 pages! For each project, Amanda shares the background and inspiration and then treats you to pages of gorgeous photography by Tria Giovan, who happens to have grown up in the Virgin Islands.

I love relaxed, coastal inspired interiors and Amanda takes them to an elevated level. The book is full of close-up details, as well as full-room shots, which I think is the perfect combination. Here's just a few snapshots I took of some of my favorite spaces.

Additionally there are beautiful illustrations by Aldous Bertram that I'm tempted to carefully tear out and frame.

If you love relaxed, coastal interiors with a sophisticated and creative eye for detail, color and scale or you want to vicariously island hop, then Island Hopping: Amanda Lindroth Design is for you!

Our New Old House 17 Mar 2018 12:57 PM (7 years ago)

This is old news but like many bloggers, I fell off with posting as the blogging landscape changed and Instagram became the new "it" place to get a design fix. (I'm finally on Instagram here). A while back I mentioned we bought a vacation place/future retirement hub on the water in the Northern Neck. We were looking for an:

old house (I've always wanted to live in one), on the water with a dock, in a village we could walk to restaurants and a do-able drive from DC on the weekends.

So, here it is - our 1919 American Foursquare. Hope you enjoy the tour of all the before pics. Even though my posts are few and far between, I am planning to post about the transformation of this house because I'm having so much fun with it! (head here for the wall mural in the living room)

Entry as seen looking down from the stairs

Entry - looking from the right corner towards the living room (yellow) and the den (green)

Living Room - to the left is the entry/front door

the kitchen, viewed from the sliding doors. (Not shown, two closets and another door to the deck)

Den - looking towards the kitchen

Door in den that leads to covered section of the deck. You can see the other kitchen door from this door.

Powder Room under the stairs. We've dubbed it the Harry Potter Cupboard.

Now for the 2nd floor

View down the stairs from the second floor

Bedroom #1

Bedroom #2

Pic below of Bedroom #2 shows the view out to the hallway and stairs

Bedroom #3 (above looking in from the door and below looking out in to the hallway)

2nd floor hallway bath

Master bedroom

the master bedroom has a dressing room with 2 closets separated by a window alcove and with a sink vanity and a separate full bathroom w/a shower (not shown)

Now up to the 3rd floor (finished attic) - it has a full bath

Left side of the space

Right side - those green louvered doors are to a full bath

The view from the porch. The home also has an inground pool, small barn and an on-the-water oyster house and dock.

My Wall Mural from Photowall & Reader Discount! 12 Mar 2018 7:10 AM (7 years ago)

I've always admired wall murals but never took the plunge. That all changed when PHOTOWALL of Sweden gifted me with a mural. No excuses now! While I was indecisive about where to hang one in my house, I knew exactly where I wanted it to go in our vacation place. (Still need to post pics of the new place.) The living room is 13'W and 26"L and there's a long expanse of wall between two windows. Now, it was time to figure out what the mural should be! PHOTOWALL has a huge selection but I came across this painting by Charles-Francois Daubigny, The Dunes at Camiers 1871, and fell in love with it. The Minneapolis Institute of Art has a downloadable version but I found one on Wikipedia with an even higher dpi and had it enlarged to 183 cm x 150 cm (about 72" x 59").

The process for using your own image is really simple and there's a convention option to let you keep the original proportions. I chose the Premium Material which has a nice matte finish. It's made of a non-woven material and has a further layer added to it to which makes the material scratch-resistant, wipe clean and non-reflective. They deliver worldwide and use DHL for US delivery. Love DHL, by the way, because they contact you via email/text and let you change your delivery date and also pick the option "not at home" for delivery if you'd like.

The wallpaper paste (powder form) comes with the mural and I ordered the kit which has all the tools you need, including this nifty level with a pull-out measuring tape. The panels are numbered and they have a great video you can watch. The key is to get that first panel level and straight. My husband and I put it up together and no major squabbles while doing it....so I think that says a lot about how do-able it is! (yep, that's a pizza box...pizza helps everything)

Here it is!!

Now with some furniture back in place. Which, by the way, are all cast-aways from our current house, except for the greek key rug which I recently bought at Carpet Palace Bethesda - THE best place in the DC area for remnants. I'll be slipcovering the sofa, hopefully soon.

The quality of the mural is excellent and I couldn't be happier with it! If you were like me and wanted a mural but weren't ready to take the plunge, PHOTOWALL is giving My Notting Hill readers a 20% discount for the next 30 days only. Just enter the coupon code MyNottingHillCampaign2018.

If you're not interested in using your own image, here are a just a few that are available from Photowall's Designer Wallpaper selection.

Valerieanne's New Turndown Service! 10 Jan 2018 1:31 PM (7 years ago)

Valerieanne of DC just posted on Instagram about their new service and I had to break my 2+ month lapse in blogging to share. They're now offering a Turndown Service - what a smart idea! They have drop-dead gorgeous bedding and with an in home consult you'll be sure to pick the perfect pieces. And, if you have't been to their store in Herndon, put it on your list for 2018.

News here on my end - finally had to say goodbye to my trusty flip phone and get a smart phone. Big upside of that, besides google maps (which I love, lol!) is that I can now post on Instagram. Here's my first 4 posts. Back tomorrow to tell you about our NEW OLD house!!!

Hope you'll head over and follow me here!

Inside The Duke Mansion 16 Oct 2017 4:52 PM (7 years ago)

A few weeks ago I posted about the gardens of The Duke Mansion in Charlotte. Now here are some pics of the public rooms. It really was a treat to stay there!

A delicious buffet breakfast was served in this stately dining room which was updated with this stylish carpeting.

Velvet Pumpkins Done Right! 15 Oct 2017 8:54 AM (7 years ago)

Velvet pumpkins have been around for a while and I have to say I was never much of a fan until I saw these displays at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort (great place for a get-away, by the way). Loved the mix of jewel colors and the styling with books and plants.

And, look at this adorable velvet acorns!

The Duke Mansion Gardens! 21 Sep 2017 9:51 AM (7 years ago)

A last minute change in our travel plans from viewing the eclipse in totality in Charleston to Newberry SC (Charleston was forecasted to be cloudy) had us staying in Charlotte NC the night before and we couldn't have been luckier. Somehow there was one room left at The Duke Mansion! #PutItOnYourBucketList !!

Built in 1915 and expanded by James Buchanaan Duke, it's on the National Register of Historic Places. This elegant mansion, with 20 guest rooms, is the site for many weddings and events and now operates as a nonprofit with all the proceeds going to its preservation. The image above is from the back and the one below is from the site - a better version of the one I tried to take.

The gardens are gorgeous!

Hope you enjoyed this tour. The next post will feature the inside common rooms.

A Familiar Sag Harbor House 13 Sep 2017 5:39 PM (7 years ago)

Does this house look familiar? The picture below gives it away - it's the 1810 Saltbox in Sag Harbor that was originally renovated under the direction of Steven Gambrel. The new owner has changed the decor and has offered it for rent at Sotheby's here.

Here's the entry staircase when it appeared on the cover of this Benjamin Moore book, Interior Style: How to Use Color Throughout Your Home back in 2004 (have this book and love it still!)

(photograph above by Tim Street-Porter)

for more images of this gorgeous home, head here.

Perfect Peacock Blue Hide-away 2 Sep 2017 11:40 AM (7 years ago)

This cozy hideaway is by London designer Veere Greeney via his instagram. Perfection.

Caught My Eye 3 Jun 2017 11:07 AM (7 years ago)

I have fallen off the blogging wagon but when something really catches my eye I'll post it right away. This stunning work is by Anna Burke.

I'll be back in a few days posting about a great book you should have for beach reading this summer!

Stunning Showhouse Garden Room 5 Apr 2017 1:34 PM (8 years ago)

WOW - a stunning show house room by Raleigh designer Ann Wagoner for the DCF Builders' Designer Showhouse. Fresh, pretty, and stylish - absolutely love ! These images via her fabulous Instagram account. For more of her gorgeous work, head here.

Bathroom Wallpaper - the best! 4 Mar 2017 9:10 AM (8 years ago)

My favorite wallpaper - Sandberg Raphael - transformed this bathroom by Betsey Nixon Hazard of Shaun Smith Home at the Southern Style Now show house in 2016. Who needs a gut job and pricey stone when you have this gorgeous wallpaper to steal the show!

Intelligence & Beauty 28 Jan 2017 11:54 AM (8 years ago)

Craving intelligence and beauty - found it in these sophisticated rooms by Betsy Brown, via Introspective magazine (photography by Peter Vitale). Hope this finds you well in the new year. xo

Haute Fabric Sale!! Before & After Christmas 18 Dec 2016 3:23 PM (8 years ago)

Haute Fabrics is having a sale. Roxene tells me their new location is brimming with trims, custom pillows and high end fabrics. For loyal customers-in-the-know, starting Monday 12/19 every fabric in the main warehouse will be $18 a yard. Beginning the 26th, all fabrics in the main warehouse will be $20/yd. So head over early for a Christmas present for yourself. Haute Fabrics 14508 Lee Rd. Chantilly, VA 20151.

DC Designer Series: Colman Riddell 13 Dec 2016 4:04 PM (8 years ago)

Colman Riddell has been working her interior design magic for years in DC - which makes me wonder how is it that I've just come across her work. Love the simplicity, the richness and the restrained flair. And, if you're like me and crazy busy this time of year, you might even find gazing at these beautiful interiors lowers your stress level. Enjoy!

Gorgeous Powder Room Details 7 Dec 2016 1:08 PM (8 years ago)

Gorgeous detailing - interesting, cohesive and so chic. Love how the cut in the marble backsplash mirrors the detailing in the stand. Design by the very talented Amy Berry.

Fall Color - Patrick McGrath Design 25 Nov 2016 1:52 PM (8 years ago)

While it's still Thanksgiving weekend I thought I'd post this room with warm, fall colors. Design by Patrick McGrath, who also happens to have a beautiful room in this year's Holiday House NY.

Smart Powder Room 20 Nov 2016 1:56 PM (8 years ago)

Very smart design - the narrow mirror and wall faucet really make this space special. Design by Christen Ales with page via her instagram feed.

Lisa Tharp: Luxury Simplicity 28 Oct 2016 3:37 AM (8 years ago)

The tag line on designer Lisa Tharp's site says Luxury Simplicity - I think that says it all. Her work is incredibly sophisticated, warm and elegant. I've posted quite a few pics but there is soooo much more of her portfolio to see here. Treat yourself :)

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