I have a hard time letting go of the design magazines in our library. I take a great deal of pleasure in picking out a dozen or so from time to time, sitting down in a comfortable chair with a cup of hot tea (or chocolate) and thumbing through them. These long Holiday weekends are a perfect time for such leisure activity.

 Yesterday, I came across a story about Villa Rose, a small hotel in southern France, in a copy of Cote Ouest magazine. I was enchanted and set the magazine aside. My woefully inadequate 4 years of high school French have been long lost to Father Time, so I could not read 95% of the article. But the pictures were enough.

I’ve seen beadboard in the Great Camps in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State and New England beach houses, but nothing compares to the elegance conveyed in this photo. And have you ever seen a door jamb like that? The toile fabric on the chairs is a pefect foil for the soft casual charm of the layered linen table cloths. What do you think of the deep egg plant paint and the natural aged honey brown of the wood? To me, it’s perfect!

I’ve looked at this picture for a very long time – several times. Each time I see more and more smaller details.  There’s a ripple of quirkiness that calls out to me. The mirrors above the  long narrow hunt board (What would you call this piece of furniture in French?) and the  coarsely textured runner on its top.  There’s an honesty in how the chandelier is hung. The reflection of light in the wine glasses remind me of a Dutch Master’s painting.

This picture is so very romantic – on many levels.  It is sweet, soft and inviting. I keep asking myself, did someone pick the mirror knowing that it would reflect the curve of the stair hand rail just so? And that an oval mirror was perfect as opposed to a round or square mirror? To use beveled glass instead of flat glass? At some point I noticed the painted wood paneling behind the mirror. It is beautiful. I’ve never seen small corner blocks used in such a manner before!

Even the china is beautiful! How about the French doors and their hardware leading in to the bathroom?

The painted beadboard is absolutely brilliant, right down to the small pieces of decorative on-lay at the corners of the “panels”. I’m guessing that those are two little illuminated portrait scones. I never would have thought of white cushions with turquoise fringe. (Sally said, “But of course!”)  I’m charmed by their invitation to sit and savor a cup of tea after a day of exploring the countryside around town.

I love the colors of the bedroom. Serene, restful and condusive to long naps in the afternoon. (Afternoon naps are most restorative you know…) I finally decided this room ins not square – that maybe the wall to the right of the fireplace is curved or angled where the bed sits. The corona and antique picture add such elegance to an otherwise simple headboard. I just noticed that the headboard is larger that the box spring and mattress. It feels like a picture frame for the soft linen bed spread and cotton sheets on the bed. 

 Wouldn’t it be fun to escape to a little place like this for a long weekend?

Cheers,

When I get stuck and am looking for inspirational examples of 18^th and 19^th Century American interior architecture and decor I always end up turning the pages of Traditional American Rooms, by Brent Hull and Christine Franck.

The book is a celebration of Henry DuPont’s Winterthur. While many wealthy American were busy collecting European art and antiques, he chose to focus on collecting and furnishing his house with gorgeous antiques that were examples of the very best of early American style and craftsmanship. The story of Winterthur and its American Wing is beautifully summarized in the preface of the book.

Here are examples of some of my favorite rooms. I think the pictures speak for themselves, arranged them in order by date, illustrating the evolution of classical American traditional style through the eyes of Mr. DuPont.

 1733, Redbourne Parlor

 1740, Gidley Room

 1740,  Tappahonnock Room

 1760, Queene Anne Dining Room

 1762, Port Royal Room

 1790, Chestertown Room

 1802, Landcaster Room

 1806, Phyfe Room

 1812, Biltmore Drawing Room

My favorite is the 1844 Marlboro Room

I can squint my eyes and visualize this room with different curtains – linen to let the light in, and more relaxed furniture - sofas with  linen slip covers, reupholster the wing chairs I could move in tomorrow! Have to keep the rug, light fixtures - maybe not even electrify them- and paint! (I wish I could see more of the leather camel back settee.)

Love to know which room is your favorite…

Cheers,