katyelliott.com » interiors

Ben Pentreath Ltd.

Katy Elliott — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:12:51 +0000

I came across Ben Pentreath’s flat in the book, Perfect English over the weekend. His style is what I aspire too. Layers of pattern, antiques, and art that is approachable but classic. The small chair in the upper right of the photo is upholstered in men’s suiting. I love the gray field with the red stripe—a color a combo I think would be perfect for my den.

Ben runs a great shop in London offering accessories, art, and furniture with a nod to classicism. The store is filled to the brims but finds flow through patterning and symmetry. For those of us unable to make the trip across the pond, Ben has a great online shop filled with all his favorite essentials.

Ben Pentreath Ltd.
17 Rugby St
Bloomsbury
WC1N 3QT
benpentreath.com

Striped Sofa in Green Room

Katy Elliott — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:30:05 +0000

I’ve had this photo on my desktop for a few days. I of course love the green walls. But how great is the blue toned stripe sofa? The colors vibrate off the green walls. Stripes never photograph well but I bet in real life it’s stunning. From the portfolio of Katrine Martensen-Larsen discovered last week.

Layered Linen and Leather

Katy Elliott — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:36:22 +0000

How do you combine both masculine and feminine styles? For many of us our boyfriends, husbands, or roommates don’t want to live in a world of flowers and pink.

When at my sister’s house last week I snapped a few photos to show how she successfully created a home that combines both her and her husband’s style. Her husband has always had a very vocal design opinion. He began collecting vintage posters and antique rugs obsessively in his early 20’s. They bought their home about 6 six years ago just north of New York City. The house has evolved to become a layered mix of masculine and feminine styles that’s classic and family friendly.

In their living room a handsome leather sofa from Restoration Hardware is deep enough for evening cuddling in front of the fire with the kids. Her husband’s antique rugs layered on the floor warms the space and adds patterning and texture. Vintage French posters and a large abstract painting (by me!) pop off neutral walls. Linen accented curtains, chairs, and a tufted bench infuse softer feminine detailing. Further details such as vintage ceramics, an eagle convex mirror, and brass pharmacy lights gives the room a timeless worn-in feel.

Dark Green Walls and White Trim

Katy Elliott — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 19:45:26 +0000

One of my lovely readers sent me this house last week to add to my green room inspiration file. The dark green walls against the crisp white molding is gorgeous. I still don’t know what I am going to paint my room. I think I need to paint some sample colors on the molding and walls and live it for a few weeks. I don’t think I will be satisfied until I’ve tried out both color combos.

Below more images from a lovely home styled by Katrine Martensen-Larsen. I love the checks and stripes in the bedrooms and mudroom. See more gorgeous interior images at kmldesign.dk.

Thanks Bernadette for the tip!

Ace Hotel, The Breslin and Stumptown

Katy Elliott — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:38:54 +0000

Sorry for the lack of posting this week, I’m in New York. I’ve been a busy bee working and visiting with friends and family. This morning my sister brought me over to the new Ace Hotel on 29th street in Manhattan. Design group Roman and Williams transformed the space into a hipster Brit infused oasis. Check out the plaid wing chair in the above photo. The back of the chair was upholstered in navy wool decorated with brass tacking. So freakin’ cute.

Attached to the Ace is The Breslin a British style pub run by Peter Cho and the Spotted Pig (my fav place to grab a burger) crew. I walked through pretty quickly but I was struck by the green molding. In the sunlight the wood appears limey in the shadows it becomes a dark olive gloss. Tufted benches, thonet style chairs, and brass accents give the space a cozy feel. Need a little pick me up? Hit Stumptown coffee just off from the hotel’s lobby. I had a latte and croissant—super yum with a nutty quality. Above and below photos from Roman and William’s website.

Ace Hotel
20 W 29th Street
New York, NY
212.679.2222
acehotel.com

The Breslin
16 W 29th Street
New York, NY
212.679.1939
thebreslin.com

Expert Design Advice: Lizzie Bailey

Katy Elliott — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:51:52 +0000

Appeared in World of Interiors see more photos over here.

I’ve asked some of my favorite design friends to help me brainstorm ideas for my den. Lizzie who I met while working at House & Garden was sweet enough to participate. I miss the days of being able to pop over to desk and trade ideas and inspiration. She always had the best fabric samples! After H&G closed Lizzie attended Parsons to study Interior Design. She’s becoming quite the super star. Check out her bedroom at the Hamptons Designer Showhouse. This month her apartment is featured in the new online publication, Lonny. Way to go Lizzie! Below a brainstorm session with Lizzie filled with great tips, products and links.

Hi Katy! Your den is going to be fabulous. I’m loving the colors, materials, and furniture you’ve already posted in your inspiration post. Here’s what I’m thinking about some of your issues and next steps…

The two windows in question.

Regarding the windows. I almost always love a floor length panel but in this case I do think that hanging drapes is problematic because you can’t install a rod above the header due to the moulding (which sits right on top of the window). Your walls are already getting truncated into 2 planes because you have this (amazing) chair rail/millwork and wood paneling below, assuming these will be painted a color different from the walls. In terms of paint colors, I definitely prefer the idea of all the trim green as opposed to the (more expected) green on the walls and creamy trim. Plus, I think a darker color on the bottom 3rd will anchor the room while keeping it airy which is nice since it’s on an upper floor of the house. I wonder if putting green on the upper portion of the walls and a paler hue on the woodwork below could feel top heavy? Then again I’ve seen this done to great affect – sure your readers could offer many instances to prove me wrong here! So I say go for green on the trim + paneling. Maybe wall color is a paler green? Loving Farrow & Ball Breakfast Room Green for trim and Tunsgate Green for walls.

Photograph from Simon Watson’s portfolio

So back to windows – is privacy an issue? Or is it more about finishing the room? What about doing a kind of cafe curtain hung halfway down the window (on a nice, skinny brass rod) in a pretty sheer? I’m thinking of something with a paisley-esque motif like one of those smaller scale Robert Kime prints (know you love them!):

From left: indian pear white, sweet pea, and montpelier from Robert Kime.

But I’m not sure if any come on a sheer ground and I think would work well here. So perhaps something hung halfway up the window that would only go to the window sill. Or you could hang at the top of the window just under the moulding (or even inside the window frame) a sheer – would love to see some pinch pleats at the top (like the image you sent me tonight.)

Image discovered via Bliss

This was a room I lusted after in the Hamptons Showhouse this summer. You can see on the smaller window off to the left side of the french doors there’s a simple but elegant sheer hung right at the top of the window frame and pulled aside:

Sheer curtains spotted in Ellen Hamilton’s room at Hamptons Designer Showhouse

This could be a nice treatment for your two windows so each could be pulled away from the center beam/pillar that separates them. Still I’d stick with something sheer and not necessarily plain but with a small print and a print with some space between the design – keep it airy and a little organic (not geometric). Bernard Thorpe also has beautiful prints (available through Stark showroom here in NY) that come on a very wide variety of grounds including sheers. Not sure about price (probably expensive!) but if you’re not doing floor length drapes you won’t need as much yardage so maybe worth a splurge if you find one you love!

I would reserve one of these great faded florals you’ve found in your inspiration file (love!!) for one of your comfy armchairs or pillows – wouldn’t it be great to pile up a few of different scales and patterns in a bunch of pillows all together? And some stripes thrown in there somewhere for a bit of geometry? Loving these:

From top: Peter Dunham, Muriel Brandolini, Carolina Irving, and John Robshaw.

On to furniture! You can’t go wrong with the classic roll arm and the armchair from Lee is a great silhouette too (similar one in Ellen Hamilton’s showhouse room – did you see it’s pink?) In addition I’d love to pepper in something with caning on the sides for some added texture. There were some great ones in Adam Sandler’s house in Funny People (terrible movie by the way but his house was very California Michael Smith – anyone know who did the production design?). Anyway can’t find pics but here’s the idea:

From left: 1stdibs.com and Baker

This could be a great place to put your floral upholstery since the wood frame and caning would temper the flowers a bit? Alternatively, a great distressed, beat up leather chair would also be a nice addition to your scheme and add some masculinity Obsessed with this one in Ali Wentworth’s house featured in Elle Décor.

Love the distressed leather chair!

This is kind of nice from Oly. But really I’m thinking of something higher like a wing chair or barrel-back:

From left: 1stdibs and 1stdibs.

This combines both materials: leather + the wood/caning combo I’m going on about. Doesn’t have quite the sink-into-it inviting comfort that you might want in a den though…

Leather Seat Arm Chair, $1,200, English Country Antiques.

So on another note, i’m also craving for you some sort of spindle-y item:

From top left clockwise: 1stdibs, Ikea, Jayson Home & Garden, and Mecox Gardens.

I’m spent, and sure everyone but you and I got bored reading this so will stop. But maybe we can do another installment (lighting + accessories + flooring?!) Oh my!!

And you are going to invite me over for tea/drinks in this den once it’s done right?

Thanks so much Lizzie for the fun inspiration. If you need help decorating a room, house, or apartment you can contact Lizzie at elizabeth.m.bailey@mac.com.

Green with Red Accents

Katy Elliott — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:18:53 +0000

Amanda Peet’s bedroom from domino.

A few months ago my hard drive crashed and I lost all my favorite inspiration photos. I keep having visions of forgotten rooms. I search for hours—cruising blogs, flickr groups and google image—I am usually at a loss and feel totally frustrated.

One of my favorite interiors of all time is Amanda Peet’s bedroom from domino. The greens in the Cole & Son wallpaper are perfect. A dark headboard mixes effortlessly with whitewashed antiques. The red chair in the corner seals the deal.

The lovely Anne from The City Sage sent over these gorgeous interior shots showcasing one of my favorite color combos: green with red and pink accents. It seems every time I across a green room that I really love it always has a little pop of red or pink. Sometimes the pop comes on curtains, chairs, or even just a pillow. Some great interior inspiration from Anne below.

Candy striped curtains and an upholstered red chair from Simple Style.

Country green cabinets with french red striped tea towel curtains from Easy Elegance.

Feminine floral curtains with pink accents. Love the candlestick bedside table from Perfect English.

A green room pulled together with a rusty red antique rug from Perfect English.

Brainstorming Den

Katy Elliott — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:10:09 +0000

I’m still contemplating paint colors for the den. Maybe if I gather together my inspiration for the room the color choice would become more clear. Above a rolled armed sofa from george smith (Too pricey, but something similar), a tufted arm chair from Lee Industries, and fabric from Robert Kime (also super $$) for curtains or upholstery.

I want the room to be soothing with a little library set up in the small room. The den is on our second floor. Three rooms behind the den which we hopefully become guest and kids’ rooms. I want it be light and airy but I need to be realistic on what is kid-friendly and not. More inspiration below. Feel free to share you ideas in the comments section.

We are having the floor refinished but I love to find a worn antique rug with some salmon pink accents.

Pretty green/blue walls paired with a creamy trim from Martha Stewart.

The mantel is off center from the room. I think a convex mirror over the mantel would pull the space together.

I would love a tufted ottoman as a coffee table. The soft lines would be perfect.

I love these handmade botanical presses for over the sofa.

I would really like to incorporate a handsome wood dresser into the space.

Another favorite shot with a striped arm chair and worn antique rug.

What Color Do I Paint The Molding?

Katy Elliott — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:10:37 +0000

We are almost done stripping and sanding the den. I should probably get a handle on what color I want to paint the room. I know I lot of you have commented that I should leave the molding as is. I’m not a huge fan of all wood rooms, it’s way too masculine for my taste. The floors will get stripped eventually so we can all get our shiny wood fix.

We have found areas of green stain on the wood which looks like it could have been the original color. I have come across photos green molding in a number of historic homes. Part of me would like to honor the tradition but at the same time I am leaning towards something more modern. Paint the wood green or paint the walls green and paint the molding cream or a combo of both? Below a few photos I am using for inspiration.

I could paint parts of the molding green like the images below from Michael Smith and Farrow & Ball. Oh gosh, I just don’t know. In this case I wish someone would tell me what to do. At least I know I want the room to be green.

p.s. I added more photos of the room and a video (click over for the video, it made my server crash) so everyone could get a better idea of the space. The video was taken at 11 am when the room gets the most morning light. I imagine the room being airy and cozy with a rolled armed sofa, floral accents and stripes.

French Country House

Katy Elliott — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:12:12 +0000

A blog reader (thanks abby!) sent me this link to a country house in Aveyron, France you can rent. It’s beautiful filled with rustic floors, sparse rooms, and chickens. Some things are perfect not being modernized or messed with. Find many more photos on Kathy Dalwood’s studio blog.