American Scenes

New Artist Spotlight

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Thoughts from Sally: I discovered a new artist not long ago – at least she is a new artist to ME. Meet Leslie M.W. Graff - who floored me with her images celebrating the artistry of domestic life.

paintings by Leslie Graff,

Sparkly Clean

I love the colors of Sparkly Clean, above. A black and white floor in the kitchen is one of my favorite choices for a kitchen, and red as an accent color makes it POP! Do you see any similarities between your mother and Leslie’s model? (which might be Leslie herself.)

I love her paintings for their peppy and fun depiction of home life – which reminds me of the 1950-60′s. Can’t you just see Lucille Ball? Who wouldn’t want to be reminded of that seemingly innocent and idyllic time? Leslie, however, explains on her website that she is doing something deeper, she strives to “create striking aesthetic images that explore deeper questions related to family life.”

artist leslie graff and oil paintings
A Full Plate
Look at this one of the wonderful homemade cookies! Does anyone get homemade cookies when they come home from school anymore? (Does anyone come directly home from school anymore?)
On her website page “About the Domestic Series” she refers to exploring “resource allocation”, “domestic traditions”, “longevity of domestic artifacts”, and “female identity.”  I love that part about longevity of domestic artifacts. Could that possibly mean the old coca cola bottle I have in the basement which has a sprinkler top and was used for sprinkling your ironing to make it damp? Or the 1940′s roaster that has gotten me through a pinch or two in my kitchen?

Soft and Clean

These large scale paintings can be fun to place in a kitchen, big mud room, or large back hall. Of course, similarly to the very large Roy Lichtenstein paintings in the 1960′s, these graphic paintings could make an appearance in all the major rooms in your house, too. It would give your house a modern aesthetic, if that is what you like.
paintings by leslie graff

Stirring Things Up

Art is best chosen when you have a great emotional connection to it. I love to find new artists. What do you think of Leslie’s work?

Eastern Barn Vernacular

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As I drove through Maine this past weekend, I was struck by the unique character of the old weathered barns I passed. Barns are the reduced essence of the vernacular style of a region. Architect Gil Schafer captures this essence and turns it into something new and completely unexpected.

So simple and unassuming.

While on the other side… WOW!!!

A seemelss blend of French, Belgian and American style… Classic!

I love the wood lintels over the doors! A hint of Spanish influence, too?

Such discreet reading lamps. Quilting on the bed echoes 17th/18th Century Colonial period.

Oh to soak in this tub after a long  day on the water!

All images from Architectural Digest.

Architect: Gil Schafer (His work is amazing!!!)

Interior Designer: John Cottrell (Found other examples of his work, but not his website.)

 

Have a great Friday and Weekend!

Cheers,

Back in the Saddle

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After my long weekend break, I find myself reluctantly jumping back in to my daily work routine. I’ve waded through emails, phone messages, blog, Facebook – even visited our 1804 house jobsite to check on the progress of the stair and wall papering. One foot is clearly still back in northern Maine and it won’t be until tomorrow that I‘m fully engaged with work. The weather was perfect and the fishing exceeded my wildest expectations. In my previous post, I said that if I caught a native Brook Trout that I’d share a picture  with you. I was able to fool several, including this male in full spawning color. Mother Nature sure knows how to use a paint brush, doesn’t she? The range of tints and hues is staggering!

Fall foliage was just starting to come in to its own. I took these two shoots on the West Branch of the Penobscot River.

Mt. Katahdin in the background.

The swamp maples were in their glory!

At breakfast and at the end of the day, we’d watch pontoon planes transport guides and their sports to remote wilderness lakes.

Our rustic cabin…  Life is good!

The weather cooperated on Monday and Sally was able to get the photo shoot of the little summer cottage done. We’re waiting on pins and needles for the proofs! I was especially pleased to hear that she used several custom tote bags from her Olivia Kent business as accessories in the shoot. She put that effort on hold when we shifted gears to focus on residential design. I keep telling her she needs to find a way to resurrect it.

One of Sally’s custom tote bags in my favorite chair.

When I visited the 1804 house jobsite this morning I was thrilled to see that wall paper is hung, light fixtures are all installed, and the stair, with its cherry treads, balustrades and handrail, is beginning to look like a stair. We should have a final cherry finish sample for the stair tonight and staining of stair parts can begin post haste!

Osborne & Little wallpaper detail in the dining room.

A light blue Cowtan & Tout stria in the parlor. The delft tile looks perfect!

And a black Brunschwig & Fils toile paper for the powder room.

The foyer chandelier hangs from the 2nd floor ceiling.

The stair begins to take shape!

I invite you to come see the finished kitchen and 6 other beautiful kitchens in the greater Hamilton/Wenham/Manchester, MA area. The tour is on Saturday, October 15, from 11 – 4. Tickets can be bought online here. Complimentary tickets to the following weekend’s Ellis Boston Antique Show will be available at our kitchen during tour hours.

Cheers,