katyelliott.com » interiors

Soothing Greens And Antiques in WOI

Katy Elliott — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:56:36 +0000

I’ve been feeling a bit off this week and discouraged by the renovation. I’m overwhelmed and having a hard time imagining an end.

When I opened the February issue of World Of Interiors this morning my mood instantly brightened. A cloud had been lifted and I was inspired. The above and below photos are screen shots from the story “Jamb Packed” featuring a 1780 London town house owned by Jamb founder Will Fisher. Many of the contents in the home went up for auction on February 2nd. View all lots and information at Christies.com.

The whole house feels cool with an air of green. The rooms are minimally decorated with textiles and color but no piece overwhelms offering perfect balance and harmony. The sitting room above is striking. I have my eye on the s-curve armed sofa in the foreground. A printed arm chair pairs well with a bobbin turned chair.

The space recalls so many of my favorite spaces including Ben Pentreath’s sitting room with a gorgeous boxy yellow sofa and collection of scaled prints. And the room I first brainstormed with Lizzie Bailey when I first bought my house.

I guess taking my time renovating my home does offer me one luxury: time to figure out my own style and make thoughtful purchases. Below a few more rooms in the home plus, pieces featured at the Christie’s auction.

A bedroom with beautiful textile accents.

I love the arms on this sofa. The lines reminds me of Max Rollit’s sofa I spotted in Ben Pentreath’s parsonage.

An arts and crafts dining table with the perfect amount of patina.

A beautiful grand bathroom that reminds me I how much I love the look of simple interior shutters in place of curtains. The fish print is pretty darn cool too.

William IV Ebonised Sofa circa 1830-1840. The s-shaped back and arms about a rectangular seat with squab cushion on tapering legs with brass caps and castors, covered in olive green linen, restorations40 in. high; 83 in. wide; 34 in. deep via christies.com.

A George IV Convex Giltwood Mirror, Circa 1830, 20 7/8 in. diameter via christies.com.

A Pair Of Victorian Walnut Armchairs By Howard & Sons, circa 1880. Re-covered covered in blue printed cotton fabric with ‘H&S’ monogram, the brass cap castors stamped ‘HOWARD & SONS LONDON’ 32½ in. high; 37 in. wide; 28 in. deep via christies.com

A George IV Bobbin-Turned Oak Bergere
Circa 1820-30 With caned seat 35 in. high; 23 in. wide; 25½ in. deep via christies.com.

Kantha an embroidered cotton antique quilt from Bengal c.1900 via jossgraham.com.

The interior images above are screen grabs from my digital edition of World of Interiors which can be purchased through Zinio.com.

Farmhouse Laundry Room

Katy Elliott — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:56:35 +0000

Designed by Amanda Jones and skillfully created by cabinetmaker David Bowen of Salisbury Artisans.

I collect a lot of inspiration; identifying elements that I can pull for my house renovation. Lately I’ve been thinking about our first floor and where I hope to create a mudroom/laundry/pantry space that flows into the kitchen. The worn wood bench I shared a few weeks ago was an element in my plan.

I’ve been brainstorming a number of places for laundry. Right now, I have to shlep to the laundromat each week—so you can imagine my mind often drifts to my dream space. My house does have a lot of square footage but each room is not large enough or could handle the proportions of front loaders side-by-side unless I want to put them in the basement.

A popular idea in old homes in Marblehead is stacking the washer and dryer and concealing inside a cabinet. I discovered this laundry room on pinterest.

Designed by Amanda Jones and skillfully created by cabinetmaker David Bowen of Salisbury Artisans based in Salisbury, Connecticut. The open beams and styling were the first elements to caught my eye. The room feels utilitarian but with sophistication that lends itself to an older home.

Miele washer and dryer are stacked and concealed inside a gracious cabinet. A single door opens to reveal both machines. A charming washtub re-imagined as an indoor sink is set upon a marble countertop with a wall mounted faucet. Below chicken wire covers the cabinet openings and allows for circulation.

I love the brick floor and proposed the idea to Greg. He has major concerns because he feels the foundation could not support the extra weight of heavy bricks. We’ll have to see if we can reinforce the beams to accommodate once we get closer to the project.

For more detailed photos of the laundry room and home click here to view on Salisbury Artisan’s website.

All photos courtesy of Salisbury Artisans.

Worn Wood Bench In Mudroom

Katy Elliott — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:14:44 +0000

Smith & Vansant Architects PC

I came across this mudroom photo last night on Pinterest. The colors, beadboard, floor and bench caught my eye. The green is so pretty and reminds me of my beloved Farrow & Ball Verte De Terre in my den. But maybe a bit warmer and closer to Cooking Apple Green? The worn seat bench could be salvaged on a custom base—I love the different compartments for boots. The floors look terra cotta, right? So pretty and warm.

The mudroom is from Smith & Vansant Architects portfolio featuring a house in Lyme, New Hampshire. You can find more photos of the house on Houzz.com and on the firm’s website.

Heritage Houses at Strawbery Banke

Katy Elliott — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:30:23 +0000

On Sunday we were up in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and took a long walk through the Strawbery Banke museum. I noticed a number of the home had been recently renovated since my last visit.

The Heritage Houses are a collection of ten homes on Strawbery Banke’s property being restored to their original period condition to be leased as residential and office space. The initiative is meant “to generate an income stream that will maintain the buildings and contribute to the long term sustainability of Strawbery Banke.” I would be interested in learning more how the incorporation of modern conveniences are being addressed while still maintaining the homes historic integrity. Photos from inside the The Wheelwright House can been seen here.

The homes are breathtaking and very similar in structure to my house. We’re in the process of fixing some rotten window sills, corner boards and clapboards and the Heritage Houses offered beautiful inspiration. Above and below snapshots from our morning.

So who’s moving to Portsmouth to have the chance to rent one of these homes? I want to live in The Wheelwright House!

The Wheelwright House is part of the Heritage home collection and can be rented. “Sea captain John Wheelwright came home from the American Revolution to build a house that is a typical reflection of middle class family life in the late 1700s”.

The Cotton Tenant House a modest house constructed by Leonard Cotton in 1835; specifically as apartments. The renovation will be completed in spring 2012 and available for rental.

I dream of a kitchen garden with a collection of herbs.

A green lawn and bright yellow foliage on the property.

An old six paneled door caught my eye.

Purple berries spotted on a shrub.

A gorgeous cobble driveway.

A close-up of the berries. I think it’s Beautyberry?

Olive Gray with Black Shutters

Katy Elliott — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:07:06 +0000

I receive many requests for house paint colors for historic homes spotted in Marblehead. My neighbor recently painted her 1809 home a gorgeous olive gray. The color was custom but it’s really close to Hampshire Gray by Benjamin Moore. The shutters and doors are painted black with white trim.

Hampshire Gray is part of Benjamin Moore’s historical paint collection; the olive undertones are really striking, polished and sharp. Clarksville Gray which is a lighter tone is a favorite of mine too.

Remember the color you see on your computer screen varies and is not an accurate representation of the paint color. Always, always, always paint a sample swatch on your house and view in different light conditions before committing to a specific shade.

Historic New England offers paint consultations for period correct exterior or interior paint colors and treatments. Find out more about the homeowner membership and benefits on their website: historicnewengland.org. I sent in photos of my house new and old to find out what would be “period correct” for my house. Excited to hear what they come up with!

Green Molding with Yellow Accent

Katy Elliott — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:52:58 +0000

Over the weekend I was traveling for my daytime gig; I hate flying but enjoy the 2-3 hours flipping through magazines. The green molding on the October issue of Veranda caught my eye. Inside a renovation of a 1920′s estate in Nashville depicts grandeur in a pastel palette designed by Barry Dixon. The Robert Kime linen curtains (available through John Rosselli) glows yellow against the green molding. The rest of elements are a bit fussy for me but work well with hints of blue.

This is the third time yellow has caught my eye and had me thinking about my den painted in Farrow & Ball’s Verte De Terre. Below a room from the RIBA exhibit—interior design by Max Rollit. A yellow acidy sofa is a nice contrast to the green. In Ben Pentreath’s house a boxy Max Rollit sofa warms a room full of antiques and textiles. The walls are neutral but hints of sagey greens can be seen on chairs and the ottomon. The acidy yellow compared to a flax linen sofa feels warmer and more inviting in the depths of winter.

I’ve gone back and forth on upholstering a sofa in a acidy yellow but I’m a little fearful. Will I hate it in a few years? What if I use it on a chair instead? Curtains are a no; I think the room is too small and interior shutters feel more appropriate and less fussy.

RIBA exhibit

Ben Pentreath’s yellow boxy sofa.

My den with molding in Verte De Terre and walls in James White from Farrow & Ball.

Images above from Veranda, Style + Pretty, Ben Pentreath and Katy Elliott.

The Marston House Antiques: Bed & Breakfast

Katy Elliott — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 16:43:39 +0000

Over the weekend we went up to Wiscasset, Maine to do some antiquing. Many of the shops close in early October and I was hoping to find some end of the season deals. We stayed at the Marston House part antique, part bed & breakfast run by design duo Sharon and Paul Mrozinski. Part antique shop, part bed & breakfast. Two beautiful rooms are available in the carriage house with fireplaces and full bathrooms. Breakfast is delivered each morning in a basket between 8-9 am. Greg and I felt so spoiled drinking delicious coffee, warm biscuits and granola with a fire going on Sunday morning. The rooms are quite affordable at $110 a night.

In the main house the shop includes two large rooms filled with antique linens, wares, and furniture the couple has picked up in France. Sharon and Paul spend the summer in Maine and winters in France searching for “antique homespun textiles and furnishings from the 18th and 19th century that are simple, useful and full of soul”. The couple also has three properties for rent in the south of France too.

I really enjoy their design aesthetic. The pieces selected are simple, uncomplicated and interesting. Nothing feels too fussy and the spaces they’ve created are enjoyable and welcoming. Below snapshots from the shop as well as our room in the carriage house.

Thanks to Sharon and Paul for having us! We’ll see you in France next!

The Marston House
Sharon & Paul Mrozinski
101 Main Street
Wiscasset, Maine
207.882.6010
marstonhouse.com

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Snapshots from Annisquam, Massachusetts

Katy Elliott — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:37:41 +0000

Annisquam is small summer community within the town of Gloucester on the north shore of Boston. After brunch at The Market Restaurant on Sunday we took a stroll around the neighborhood checking out beautiful old homes overlooking the water. So cute! It’s seemed almost everyone had water views. The streets were so quiet we could here crickets. Anyone we did run into was heading down to the docks, coolers and life jackets in hand. Snapshots from some of the beautiful houses we saw. Click here to view on a map.

Pumpkin Beauty: Cogswell’s Grant House

Katy Elliott — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:21:02 +0000

On Sunday we took a drive up to Essex to check out the Cogswell’s Grant House. Situated down a long road on a 165-acre property looking out to the Essex River and east to the Atlantic ocean. The main part of house was built in 1728 and a number of additions have been added to home.

We spent some time outside before the tour checking out the exterior clapboards, cornerboards, rake and fascia—examining the similarities to the pieces we’ve renovated on our house. The house was recently painted pumpkin. How crazy is the gloss shining off the side of the house? During the tour our guide mentioned The Littles painted it pumpkin after seeing a similar house Mrs. Little loved in a painting.

The Littles purchased the property in 1937. The Littles were avid collectors of folk art and used the home as a summer house. “Though known for their meticulous research, the Littles decorated with an eye for visual delight rather than historic accuracy, and the result is a house rich in atmosphere and crowded with works of strong, even quirky character.” Mrs. Little took account for every single object she purchased including auction notices and notes on each piece. Hmm maybe I should start a file system?

Above and below snapshots from the property. Sorry, I was not allowed to take photos inside. Note the Beverly Jog #3 photo below. We’re hoping to add a door to our Jog this fall and I love this look with the transom above.

Check out more photos I snapped on flickr.

Cogswell’s Grant
60 Spring Street
Essex, MA
historicnewengland.org

Vintage Ikat Sofa

Katy Elliott — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:50:55 +0000

I spotted this library over at Abbey Goes Design Scouting last week. I can’t stop staring at that sofa. As Abbey describes, “I love the WASPY touches; the dogs, the bar, the eagle mirror.” I’ll take the sofa, books, the eagle mirror and that blue jar.

I’m still on the hunt for a small settee for my library. I saw a sofa so similar last fall at Grace Sales in Marblehead for $450. Damn, I should have bought it!! How cute would have it been slipcovered?

Below samples of Peter Dunham’s Rajmata fabric which as similar feel to the sofa above. I love the blue but my eye is drawn to the rusty red too.

Melanie Acevedo via abbey goes design scouting via the lil bee.