Tag Archives: Beach

Lyford Cay

It has been too long and I apologize….however, I do have a juicy vacation spot for you all. My husband and I just went to Lyford Cay for the first time for a dear friend’s wedding. All my expectations were surpassed. After countless hours of ogling the redesign of the club by the uber-talented Tom Scheerer ( http://www.tomscheerer.com/content/projects/commercial.html), I finally was able to see it in the flesh and I was not disappointed. A soft sea-shell pink dominates the many rooms he redid and the effect is fantastic. The main club, rooms, cottages, and dining room are steps from a white sand beach that boasts bevy of kyacks, sailboats, and paddle boards that you can rent.

The overall feel of the club is warm and gracious. Like your chic grandmothers home it is easy to live in yet something to aspire to. Tom was able to blend the old tradition with a new forward thinking look. I assuming keeping members of all ages thrilled. It is very difficult to bring about any change in a club and he has done so with aplomb. You find chinese chippendale mixed with bamboo, rattan, wrought iron, cane, grasscloth, antiqued mirror, and loads of quadrille, and michael devine fabric.

Above: One of my all time favorite rooms

Above: A close up of the walls. They installed grasscloth and painted it a deep chocolate brown. They then painted ivory and white palm trees on top.

The result is fantastic.

Above: A shot of the Library where backgammon is played and you can escape the sun to read.

Above: The Bar done in reds and tans with leopard rug. It is cozy and timeless yet feels totally current.

Above: A close up shot of an etched bell jar lantern- one of my favorite light fixtures to use.

Above: A seating area in the lobby with large panels of antiqued mirror, a Peter Dunham fabric on the kidney shaped sofa, and a custom fig leaf ceramic ashtray.

We stayed in room 39 right on the beach and it was fantastic. I can also recommend the cottages which were terribly chic, calimg, and fresh with their quadrille wallpaper. Another favorite spot was the Yacht Club with a navy and black striped floor that picked the colors right out of the swordfish that hangs above the fireplace. Sitting outside at a table you overlook a bode court watching beautiful boats pull into their slips. Sigh…..take me back.

Above: The clubs signature drink the Rum Dum.

Totally relaxed!

xo,
S

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These are a few of my favorite things- House Beautiful June 2010

I loved the June 2010 House Beautiful. Below are my two favorite homes and a page with great valance examples.

Relaxed beach house designed by James Howard

The shape of the bottom of the roman shade is great. A fabric roman shade is a great way to warm up an otherwise sterile kitchen and the shape at the bottom follows the pattern – showing you put some thought into the details.

I am a huge fan of tortoise shell blinds – a chic way to add privacy to a room while letting in sunlight. The wicker sofa and club chair are in two different stains. A white painted bobble chair and two different side tables added to the mix show how a room can feel pulled together without being matchy-matchy. The pair of glass lamps unifies the space. The green and white stripe on the sofa and club chair are a great summery touch.

The above image is a close up of the wave molding and the upholstered linen walls in the dining room. I adore upholstered walls and done in this neutral linen adds texture and softness to a room without feeling fussy.

To create symmetry in the room they made an arched bookshelf to mirror the arch of the door. Thus creating a space where two side chairs feel comfortable. Again we see the white painted bobble chair and a pretty rope backed Orkney chair. The walls are painted in a pale but strong blue.

I have always loved Oscar de la Renta’s 4 poster bed with the crenallated canopy. The canopy adds a sense of whimsy and security when you are snuggled up for the night. The bench has a fun base shape and the soft blue gray walls create a tranquil yet happy guest bedroom. I love the turquoise gourd lamp from Mrs. Howard- what a great pop of color.

The page above included a variety of valance styles. All beautiful and with distinctively different feels.

Another favorite was the Historic New York House With Color by Jeffrey Bilhuber.

I love Jeffrey Bilhuber’s designs so I was thrilled to see his Locust Valley, New York country home “Hay Fever” that dates back to 1668. I think he definitely succeeded in keeping the “soul” in this house. Nothing feels precious but the colors are magical- just what you want in a summer home.

The black painted pine floor ( look at those floor boards!) lets the sisal carpet and soft blues and yellows float off the floor. You can paint a floor black and still have a light airy feeling room. I love how he threw in a punch of purple on the sofa. The above room was originally an entrance hall but he made it much more welcoming by adding the large round table, a sofa, and chairs.

The library floor is painted a lacquered green ( an idea borrowed from Monticello). The baby blue fabric on the chairs and the red lamp shades makes for an interesting room. The acid green walls in the next room pack a happy summer punch.

Finally the shot of the acid green room (Benjamin Moore’s chic lime) in all of it’s splendor. The large sisal ( from Beauvais) dresses down the more formal valances and fun chinoiserie fabric. Notice all the different shaped chairs ( most of which are slip covered). Red and white ticking stripe, wicker, soft blue, varying lamp heights, mirrored door surrounds ( a nod to Nancy Lancaster) , and texture make this room memorable. The room is exciting yet comfortable mixing humble and high.
xo,
S

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What Feels Like Summer To You?

This streak of gorgeous weathers feels more like August than the middle of May…but I will take it. We are heading up to Rhode Island for the weekend to get in on this summer fun.

Does summer bring out your arsenal of brightly colored clothing? Does it remind you of popsicles, beach balls, sun tan lotion, and wild fun? The below rooms are packed with color, whimsy, and do not take themselves to seriously, just like you!

Do you like your white linen dress to be crisp, not a wrinkle in your slacks, navy and white stripped bow tie to sit just so? These cool clean rooms may be a great jumping off point for you:

Is summer your time to kick back, relax, and let the sand fall where it may? If so, the rooms below are for you with their sparse furniture plans, slip covers, and sisal carpets.

Happy Friday!!

xo,

S

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Spring Into Summer Party

The soaring temperatures in New York City (85 degrees today!) make me want to have a rooftop party. Whether you have an apartment in the city, a beach house on the coast, or a place in the country all you need is a little space and your closest friends gathered under one of these fabulous tents!

Available for rent or for sale these tents are exquisite. Instant atmosphere. They provide a place to hide from the sun or the rain. The tents are also perfect for a dinner party ( think glowing floor and table lanterns and lots of bright fabrics.)

The above table setting featured in Elle Decor October 2009 is a perfect pairing:

Clockwise from top left: Gooseberry pierced bowl by Michael Aram. Glasgow tumbler by Theresienthal. Trocadero glass by Nasonmoretti from Seguso Viro. Golden Morning cup from Neue Galerie Design Shop. Chevrons Gold presentation plate by Hermès. Perl dinner plate by Nymphenburg. Dhara lunch and bread-and-butter plates by Philippe Deshoulières. Troia flatware by Pampaloni from Bergdorf Goodman. Rice bowl by Jaune de Chrome from Takashimaya New York. Background of Cherry Satin Jam fabric by Madeline Weinrib.

Why not have this pergola tent set up permanently in your yard for afternoon reads or lunches. A magical spot for grown-ups and children to gather under for an Alice in Wonderland tea party.

Above photographs were shot by Annie Liebovitz for Vogue December 2003

I love both table settings above for an Alice and Wonderland themed party. Playful and whimsical.

Being a New England girl, I flipped for these beach tents. I would love to have a clambake on the beach with these fun tents as spots to change for a dip in the ocean!

Red, white, and blue table setting featured in Elle Decor October 2009 is a fun twist on Americana for a 4th of July bash:

Red, white, and blue table setting: Clockwise from top right: Sag Harbor Stripe water glass by Kate Spade New York. Wonki Ware’s Organic dinner plate from Bergdorf Goodman. Diamond lunch plate and Dot dessert plate by Ellen Evans for Terrafirma Ceramics. Alain Saint-Joanis’s Mistral flatware from Bergdorf Goodman. Napkin by Madeline Weinrib. Bubble double old-fashioned glass by Kim Seybert. Vine plate from Dandelion. Background of Malabar fabric by Bennison

For more information on these tents visit: http://www.rajtentclub.com/

xo,

S

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