Free Standing Cabinetry

Inspiring Traditional American Rooms

November 2nd, 2011 7 Comments

When I get stuck and am looking for inspirational examples of 18th and 19th 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,

 

Update on our 1804 Federal Period Project

August 24th, 2011 8 Comments

It’s been some time since I’ve posted on the progress of our 1804 Federal period home in Manchester. I’m delighted to say that it is sailing along smoothly toward completion! The kitchen cabinets with the absolutely huge and gorgeous slate sink and island are installed, countertops are in place, stone fireplace surrounds are being installed, painting is coming along quite nicely and decorative lighting is going up. Cudo’s to Dawn Carrol and Cumar Marble for their prompt amd professional service! The custom slate sink was made by Sheldon Slate Products, Monson, Maine.  Our client speaks very highly of John Tatko and tells us the grave markers of both President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in Arlington Cemetery are made of black slate from Monson, Maine, and were also engraved there.

There is more to do, but one can feel that the end is in sight – that “the train is pulling in to the station”. We’re all very excited!!!

View from the dining room to the front parlor.

View of the hearth room from the parlor.

View toward the kitchen as you enter the hearth room from the parlor.

Hearth room bookcases, built in window seat (sans cushion) and computer desk.

A partial view of the kitchen. The granite is fantastic!!!!

Cherry cabinet and slate sink detail. All the cabinets still need pulls and knobs installed. I echoed the original molding detail and profiles from the foyer in the kitchen.

The fabulous granite! Very rich and classic!

View from guest bedroom to master bedroom.

Installation of the fireplace surround in the master bedroom.

I’ll follow up in  a few weeks, after the floor is stained and more of the light fixtures are in place.
Cheers,

Inspired Belgian Style Kitchens

July 22nd, 2011 No Comments

The other day, I mentioned how excited I was to have received my order of books from Amazon, including two published by Beta Plus. Thank you for the recommendation Greet!  I’ll talk about the third book another day… Since then, I’ve been pouring over the Beta Plus book Kitchens, from their Home Series studying these kitchens . I’m afraid the book is already a bit tattered… You can buy the book here.

Here are some of the kitchens I loved.

White can be so very powerful when it is used as a color, layering tone on tone as done in this kitchen. The room is so warm and inviting with it’s use of gold and copper accents and very feminine furniture. 

The high continuous “shelf” above the range concealing the exhaust hood, the task lighting by the sink and the champhored corners of the walls make this kitchen almost modern in feel, yet it is not, thanks to the detail on the face of the oak cabinets.

I really like the use of the corner, with it’s open shelves. I do wonder about the placement of the sink. Love the weight and heft of the shelves!

I fell immediately for how the windows come right down to the countertop and the window seat and look at those comfy pillows with their tapestry fabric! Looking the other way, how the hood surround contain and defines the range/oven  and how the little built in shelves work is a delight to my eye – as is the white chandelier hovering over the table. If my eye is sharp enough, the detail in the built-in to the left of the range is ever so slightly simpler than the detail in the cabinets in the adjacent room. I could put Delft tile everywhere. 

 

This kitchen makes me feel very calm and serene. It has very simple clear details, a soothing color palette, the open shelves help it feel airy and the basket over the island is such an unexpected treat. The contrasting hinges and hardware are awesome!

The lighting is fantastic in this kitchen. I love the mix of styles and details. Changing the color of the banquette is genius. The decision to make the built in at the end of the room furniture like, linking it to the table and chairs in style and color just plain works!

I go silly over this kitchen. Simple, pure, essential. The floor tile, old beam header at the exhaust hood echoing the structural beam, and the bleached oak island are magnificent! Then there’s the window to the right of the range. Too bad the duplex in the black Moroccan tile couldn’t have been black, too…

What do you like and why?

Cheers,