My Old Flames

Just the right time for some tea and biscuits and a good book in front of a roaring fire. How to do it Shabby Style is another matter, so on the fire theme this week a splendid assembly of my old flames. The ones that are keepers. Grand, chippy, historical, sleek, colorful and surrounds and mantles to be inspired by if you're firing up the old faithful this winter and how to make the most of your room's most spectacular asset. 
The humble English Art Deco tile found still in many semi's across suburbia (if you're lucky!)

Beautiful dressing with Victorian style fringe tying into blowsy wallpaper

The quintessential Art Nouveau surround shape that lends itself to any elegant decor. Reminds me of a Liberty clock.

Chaumont-sur-Loire castle, Loir-et-Cher, France. What I really adore about this picture is the chunk of tree in the grate. That's one hell of a fire on its way. 

Exquisite styling at Apsley House, London

Autumnal fantasy in Belmont House

Lovely dressing of the mantle and surround with mirrors and butterflies in a clear screen.

Soft greys and perfect coziness. Furry blankets essential.

Swedish tile stoves are spectacular.

Just about the ultimate in Shabby, the gorgeous grate and mirror of Richmond Road, East London.

A surprising fireplace in this meticulously restored Edwardian stairway landing in Tooting, London. Just in case you get the chills on your way up or down.

Tudor simplicity at Tudor Rose manor house. The real deal.

Goldfinger

Gild it, spray it, paint it, leaf it...there are many ways to get the gold look. Me, I spray anything I can get my hands on. It's my short cut to glamor, but in particular I like to try it on objects not normally associated with being gold. My recent mania has included everything from garden stone ornaments to hats. However, I'm going to give you some spectacular golds on a grand and wee scale today. 
De Pury chairs

Glitter wall a go-go

from Glamourai.com

Haas Brothers gold hexagonal stool

Marjorie Skouras chair...the red nails!!

Garden Glory hose from Gracious Homes. For the Dame Edna gardener in you.

Kelly Wearstler gold wall with herons

Mattia Bonetti cabinet in gold and glass

Gold feathered pillow by Jayson Home

Gorgeous dress form decor with Klimt details by Jewelfloozy

Anna Cardell interior with gold wall, shelves and accents

Andrée Putman for Guerlain...gold for days. Like being inside a powder compact.

A wee mouse from 1810, Swiss made: gold, pearl and garnet.

Small, Not Far Away

Architects have long been building models of their concepts, and it serves two purposes, even in this age of rendering and Auto-Cad - it gives a proper and real sense of what the building will look like, how the structure holds up and something fathomable for the client to understand. Sometimes these miniature wonders are preserved, rarer in domestic residence instances than in colossal corporate edifices, and it is these I'd like to share today. 
On the opposite end of the social spectrum, doll houses built for play have become such a niche market thanks to the internet, that their execution and design has all but elevated them out of the league of toys and into objects of beauty, not to be touched by mauling little wreckers. They cost a fortune, ranging from five to a hundred thousand, depending on the finish and contents. So, not to be sniffed at - they're taken very seriously! Retro, antique, vintage, oddball, modern are all catered for, so you can have your dream home in your dream home. Take a look at some glorious tiny dwellings with exquisite details. 
Art Deco:

 Dying...completely wonderful and precise

 The Lempicka House

Deco by Nana's Dollhouses

Not real...but SO convincing!

Mid Century Modern...looking very Neutra. Betting the original version of this is in Palm Springs.

Faultless mid-century furniture:

Architect model of the iconic Futuro House by Matti Suuronen 1968

Contemporary...get a load of that perfection! I could have sold you this picture as the real deal. It is, in fact, scaled 1:6

The Nomad House by John Bui - architect model

Le Corbusier architect model

A modern masterpiece doll house for the discerning

So, here's where it goes crossover. Architects designing actual doll houses! 
Zaha Hadid

Linda Stenberg and Claus Hojer Hansen recreating an Arne Jacobsen 1928 villa in Denmark as a doll house complete with his Egg and Ant chairs in miniature:

And if you don't fancy cluttering your house but want duel functionality, this incredible coffee table by Qubis Haus, with tiny classic replicas to match what the grown-ups have. 

 Lots of choices in the iconic chair design field:

Can I have them all please?

The Green Man

This little collection of sofas reminds me just how many shades of green there are to dress a room. 

Whether you love nature inspired colors, glamor, vintage, modern or shabby, there is a green to suit and embody the concept. Without falling back on antique rooms, I've tried to source some new takes on green, even if they employ vintage pieces. From cocokelly.com a room unafraid to mix shades and tones:

 Crisp apple velvet with the perfect art

 Anoushka Hempel, the doyen of style at home in London

 London lounging with lush drapes

 Emerald paintwork with a glossy finish. I really dig the painted ceiling in high shine too.

 Ceramic collection beautifully displayed.

 Jaime Lacasa, Madrid. AD España

  Spectacular Malachite green shots of color in the greatest of dressing rooms

 The work of PIXERS design team. Green and silver - completely wonderful.

 Francis Sultana, London park

Two rooms owned and styled by Sergei Bobovnikov, a St. Petersburg antiques dealer. Eclectic and gorgeous apartment. Note the Lenin rug. Superb.

The brilliance that is Doug and Gene Meyers:

 From mantelsdirect.com, elevated impact in green.

 Vintage Westwood Dragon Lady Cherries shoes.