The End of Summer: Returning to Life in the City

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As the last weekend of summer approaches, it’s time to pack up the beach chairs, the straw hats and the lobster pots, and return to our busier, bustling lives in the city.  In honor of returning to our primary hearths and homes, we’re taking a look this week at an agelessly elegant pre-WWII apartment in Manhattan. Richer colors, the warmth of heavier upholstery and textiles, and the sheen of polished dark wood are all gently tugging at us now, calling us back to a new season.

When the history, glamour and style of a prewar hotel turned condominum was chosen as a New York City home by a client moving from warm and sunny California, we envisioned a careful renovation to both honor its past and bring new and polished life to its rooms. The three bedroom, three and a half bath apartment is located on the Upper East Side in the former Westbury Hotel.  My team’s task was to create a perfect city retreat in the recently converted space, while retaining the elegant feeling of the 1930s and 1940s.  The usual prewar amenities, such as gracious architecture, high ceilings and fireplaces were not all present in this space, due to its previous life as a hotel.  So it was up to us to add the missing period architecture, as well as the dash and style that represented the owner’s contemporary lifestyle.

ENTRY

A mark of many prewar apartments is a spacious entry.  Its ample size needed to be balanced with appropriate details, so we added prewar flair to this space, including gracious French doors, flanked by sidelights, opening into the dining room.  The walls are covered in smart silk-stripe wallpaper, establishing an aura every bit as sophisticated as Myrna Loy and William Powell sipping cocktails in a 1930’s movie.  The piece on the right is a wonderful example of faux bois done by the Isabel O’Neal Studios, well known in the design world for her wonderful painted finishes. At the far end, this grand entrance gracefully opens into the living room.

LIVING ROOM

We added a fireplace to bring a focal point to this room, and brought the draperies up to the ceiling to make the ceiling feel higher.  The room is anchored by a Steinway’s Great Estates piano, a special Limited Edition made of satinwood. A longtime signature of Dujardin style is adding antique pieces for warmth and beauty, along with reflecting the client’s love of special places.  This room houses several antiques, including an elegant German Biedermeier armoire.  The painting and the nest of Nantucket Lightship baskets is an homage to the client’s love for Nantucket Island.  California comfort is found in the overstuffed sofa, and in its generous proportion and size. Contemporary lamps and sconces make the room truly timeless.  The room’s warm golden tones remind the client of her years spent in sun-splashed California.

DINING ROOM

The formerly closed off dining room was opened up to the living room by taking down a wall, then adding French doors flanked by sidelights.  There is another pair of french doors leading to the entry way, allowing the room to be enclosed for private dinner parties. Upholstered silk walls create a quiet atmosphere for intimate gatherings with friends.  The chandelier of wrought iron and rock crystal is a nod to the more casual California dining the owner also enjoys.  Chairs here are amply sized to provide comfortable seating, as the scintillating dinner conversation often goes straight through to brandy and dessert.

BREAKFAST AREA

This charming tableau is a rarity in New York City:  a true eat-in kitchen.  The country Chippendale desk, while functional, adds a subtle touch of Nantucket style to the room.  The painting above, showing a woman baking, quickly became one of the client’s favorites, as it reminds her of the many hours she spent in her grandmother’s kitchen.  It’s that kind of close attention to details from our clients’ lives that gives our interiors the true warmth and feel of home. I believe in a clean and serene aesthetic, and in honoring the architecture of the past when a home is redesigned for life in the present.  This vintage space, brought to fresh contemporary life, shows just how it can be done.

 

 

 

One in 88

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I recently had the privilege of hearing Suzanne Wright, grandmother of a grandchild with autism and co-founder of Autism Speaks, as she talked about this serious developmental disorder.  What she said both shocked and saddened me, and made me determined to help spread the word about the critical need for more research into the causes and prevention of autism.  Kathy Roberts, executive director of a renowned school for children with autism called Giant Steps and mother of a daughter with autism, was also invaluable in helping to provide a greater understanding of the problems we must face together.

 

 Here are some things I learned:

 

  • Statistics tell us that one in 88 children born today will have Autism.  If we look only at boys, the numbers are more alarming, at one in 54. (Autism is four to five times more common in boys than girls.)
  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors.
  • Autism appears to have its roots in very early brain development. However, the most obvious signs of autism and symptoms of autism tend to emerge between 2 and 3 years of age.
  • Autism statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identify a 78% increase in six years. Careful research shows that this increase is only partly explained by improved diagnosis and awareness.
  • By way of comparison, more children are diagnosed with autism each year than with juvenile diabetes, AIDS or cancer, combined.

 

 

What does it mean to live with autism?

 

Each individual with autism is unique. Kathy Roberts says “when you meet one child with autism, know that you’ve met one child with autism.”  That being said, there are some skills and behaviors that are often exhibited in people with autism.

Many of those on the autism spectrum have exceptional abilities in visual skills, music and academic skills. About 40 percent have average to above average intellectual abilities. Others with autism have significant disability and are unable to live independently. About 25 percent of individuals with ASD are nonverbal but can learn to communicate using other means.

Many persons on the spectrum take deserved pride in their distinctive abilities and “atypical” ways of viewing the world, and have made significant contributions to their fields, perhaps because of their ability to see “differently.”  Great artwork and advances in science have been brought to life through the centuries by people who look, think, and act differently.

One of those “different” people today is Temple Grandin, an American doctor of Animal Science and a professor at Colorado State University.  As a person with autism, she has done much to help the public understand the disorder and is known both for autism and animal welfare advocacy.

 

She has a wry sense of humor about her disability, and says, “What would happen if the autism gene was eliminated from the gene pool?  You would have a bunch of people standing around in a cave, chatting and socializing and not getting anything done.”

There is sweetness and joy and laughter in the lives of families who struggle with autism, but the issues are real.  Among the worries many parents face is who will care for their adult with autism when they are no longer here to do so?  The responsibility will often fall to a sibling, who may or may not be prepared to undertake it.  As Ms. Roberts tells me, “there are no tests to predict what a three year old will look or act like at twenty or thirty years of age.”  But we must continue to work toward better diagnosis and early intervention for best outcomes.

Science currently indicates that the cause of autism is both environmental and genetic, which makes the complex work of teasing out a way to prevent it all the more challenging.  That’s why we need to work together and keep the focus on this very important topic. “Bob and I founded Autism Speaks to provide hope for individuals and families affected by autism,” said Suzanne Wright.  “Together, we can find the answers and make a difference–Autism Speaks and the Nantucket community is listening.”

Please take a moment to learn more at www.autismspeaks.org. or www.giantstepsct.org.

You can also find a world of information at www.templegrandin.com, as well as a fascinating blog published by Psychology Today Online called Asperger’s Diary  written by a woman with Asperger’s syndrome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Color Inspiration: Shades of the Sea

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“The rushing of the sea–tides of the soul; And inspirations, that we deem our own.”

–Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

If you have ever faced the ocean and known bliss in that moment when the horizon blends into the water, and all you see about you are shades of blue and cream, luminous gold and palest rose, then the sea may just be your color inspiration, as it is mine.  I have always been inspired by nature:  my muse is found in the dappled quiet of forest paths, the brilliant sunrise shedding gold on fields of flowers, and the buttermilk sky when clouds are gathering.  But always and forever, I have turned to the sea.

photo: Rob Berkley

I want to share with you some of my favorite scenes and colors, found in the wildly tossing ocean waves, as well as the gently muted tones of the sea glass I find later on the sand.  This is my world of color inspiration.  Come take a look with me!

photo:  Terry Pommett

There are hundreds of shades of blue.  They can change whether a room is lit by sunlight or candlelight.

photo:  Terry Pommett

photo:  Terry Pommett

Green is the essence of serenity, especially when combined with milky white.  It makes a bedroom such a restful space.

 

photo:  Erik Rank

Glass tiles can gracefully recall seaside blues and greys, and the fluidity of water.

photo:  Terry Pommett

The white of sand, the blue of sky, and ocean views from uncovered windows combine to make this room an inviting respite from the world.

 

photo:  Michael Partenio

Sometimes color is the merest whisper, yet is always powerful.  Whites can be soft oatmeal or shimmery mother of pearl, pinks are romantic or playful, greens are apple or sage, blues are nostalgic and faded or bold and lustrous.

 

There are so many breathless moments I’ve spent at the shore, with the wind in my face.  The cold splash of waves awakens me to the vibrancy of life, and suddenly I know a bold cobalt is the perfect counterpoint to purest white.  A room comes together in my mind.

photo:  Terry Pommett

Books are another beloved source of inspiration for me.  One of my favorites is simply called Waves by Steve Hawk.  His photographs bring me back to the beaches I love, even when I’m far away.  You can almost hear sea gulls with every turn of the page.

 

Guest Blogger Michael May: Preserving the Rich History of Nantucket

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Today, most islanders and visitors think of Nantucket and historic preservation simultaneously; they go together—hand in hand—but the reality is that historic fabric continues to be lost on island to insensitive renovation. Nantucket’s very success as a significant historic place threatens the resources we thrive to protect and that helps set us apart from mainland communities.

The Nantucket Preservation Trust’s role as stewards and advocates of the island’s rich architectural heritage is to further preservation education and to encourage the protection of our historic resources. It is our hope that all of us will think of historic properties as art objects—one-of-a-kind treasures that through a mix of luck and love have survived. In order to truly save our island’s historic resources, we all need to value and appreciate not only the exteriors of historic buildings, but the quirks and flaws in the interiors that make them different and give them character.  And we all need to encourage patching, repairing and recycling instead of, gutting, replacing and wasting building materials.

Maria Mitchell’s birthplace; photo by Michael May

You don’t need to be a preservationist to know our historic buildings are important. All you have to do is look around and it becomes quite clear that historic preservation is a vital part of the island community and economy. Nantucket’s concentration of historic architecture has for the past 150 years set the island apart from communities on the mainland—drawing visitors from far and wide. Visionaries like Walter Beinecke Jr. knew that the tourism industry would boom as long as we protected these resources.  Using historic preservation as a tool—tourism became the life blood of the local economy, and although some forget–it remains so even today.

Nantucket Atheneum Public Library; photo by Michael May

Some of us may not realize that the historic charm of the island is also a key reason for having some of the highest real estate values in the nation.  And a key reason for Nantucket retaining its charm is that we have regulations that protect our built environment. These regulations have played a critical role in protecting resources and also ensuring quality work for our island designers, architects, and others with a connection to the building trades.

It is shortsighted to think of our preservation regulations as obstacles.  Anyone who loves Nantucket should recognize that our historic resources are of equal importance to those of our environmental and should be equally protected, just as we protect our harbor, wetlands, and beaches.

 

Over the past decade it has become clear that regulation alone is not the only answer.  Too many of the interior elements of our historic houses are being thoughtlessly destroyed. Those elements give character and integrity to historic architecture and should be maintained. Moreover they remain a critical part of our economic success as a whole as well as retaining the value of an individual house over time.  Removing significant interior features destroys a direct connection to our past and the link to the future.  Unfortunately, Nantucket is slowly losing that tie—house by house. We need to work together—builders, homeowners, local government, downtown businesses, realtors, and preservationists—to make ethical decisions that protect these resources.

 

Preserving a building’s important features inside and out (not just its shell) as well as its landscape and street context, ensure its economic value.  An analogy to how we should treat a historic building is found in how we now look at a fine antique. Not too long ago fine antiques were often stripped of their original patina—purportedly to make them fresh and clean—for short-term profit.  Today, the long-term value of such a piece is drastically diminished from one with its original surface and signs of wear. Original surface on an antique is now prized and can mean extreme variables in price.

This is also the case with an antique house.  Houses that retain their originality inside and out will always be prized and valued. It is important, therefore, to handle an intact, historic house with care and to make decisions based on its long-term value and architectural integrity. This is not to say changes cannot be made. All houses evolve, but there is a right and a wrong way to handle an old house.

NPT House Marker program provides passersby with an opportunity to learn more about a historic building; photo by Michael May

Gutting a historic house on Nantucket is never the answer, and is a poor investment decision, besides being unethical because gutting steals history from future generations. Let the historic qualities of a house shine, use a “light touch,” and highlight the elements that make your house special. Ask questions and find contractors who understand the need to treat your old house in a proper manner.  If you do, it will increase in value and you will help ensure the future of the architectural heritage of this special place for generations to come.

Here are some tips to consider before starting a restoration project.

Restoring a historic building can be a challenge. It is often difficult to know where to begin and who to turn to for assistance and advice.  The Nantucket Preservation Trust is available to meet with you and to help guide you in the process.

 

Consider the big picture. Why undertake a restoration project at this time? For many people, the answer is that new mechanicals or kitchen/baths are desired or the house is a new purchase and updating is necessary. As a steward of an island resource you will need to accomplish your goals while protecting and enhancing your home’s historic elements.

Learn about your home’s history and architecture. Before you begin the work, learn more about your house. Every house has a story to tell—not just who built it and who owned it or lived in it over the years, but how the house evolved gradually over time to meet the needs of succeeding owners. Understanding the architectural evolution of the house and its history is key to proper restoration.  The NPT can help you learn more with a simple walk-through to point out original historic elements and changes, and/or with a detailed house history.

Hire an architect, contractor and other experts who understand your needs and the importance of retaining historic fabric. Communicating your desire to retain the historic feel of your property is essential. A talented and sensitive architect/contractor also can help steer you through a more challenging—and interesting—effort to preserve your home’s character while at the same time make needed repairs and improvements.

Original features, such as the transom and staircase with mortgage button should be maintained; photo by Michael May

Limit the scope of repairs. Keep original details. Don’t over-restore. Your philosophy toward restoring your home should be, like that of a physician, “first, do no harm.”  Although some historic elements may need attention, avoid unnecessary repairs and over-finishing. Replace only the portion of elements that are damaged. Replications of molding profiles and other elements will help retain your building’s historic character. Keep old wood as much as possible. New wood will not wear like the original, which is denser and will continue to perform well as long as any rotten sections are repaired.

Retain the historic plan and features. The historic layout should be retained whenever possible. New kitchen and baths should be added in areas that cause the least amount of damage to original fabric. Defining elements should be retained and can include transoms (that small band of windowpanes above doorways); paneled doors with old hardware; mantels; ceiling medallions; and moldings around doorways and windows, where walls meet ceilings, picture moldings, and chair rails. Other important Nantucket features such as old mirror boards (moldings or woodwork between windows) also should be retained. Keep the winder staircases, which have served houses on Nantucket for centuries and are beautifully constructed. If new stairs are required, consider adding straight-run stairs in new additions or areas outside the historic core.  Be cautious in the removable of wings and other elements; rear ells may be original and are often important to the historic character of the house and surrounding neighborhood.

Keep the plaster walls. In the past, plaster was routinely torn out—even by well-meaning preservationists—to make it easier to install new mechanical systems and wiring.  But grouping those components and snaking them through the walls can be accomplished.  Plaster is far superior to modern drywall since it isn’t ruined if it gets wet. It also provides excellent soundproofing, and can be patch-repaired.

 

Take special care with your wood floors. Many people want to retain the old floors in a historic house, but there is a right way—and a wrong way—to restore them.  Old flooring is often over-sanded, reducing the floor’s life span and at the same time destroying its antique character.  Old floors were hand-planed, and gentle hand-sanding or chemical removable of paint and finishes is the best way to protect them.  Simple cleaning and waxing will retain the old patina, too.

Maintain the quirks. Straighten that crooked window or doorway?  Not necessarily. Treasure the things that show evidence of how your house evolved over the generations. Your house will be more charming and authentic as a result—and yes valuable. It is possible to make structural repairs and still keep those elements that give the house a real Nantucket sense of place.

Restore—don’t replace—historic windows. Windows are key elements of old houses. Old windows were made to be repaired, not replaced. Almost all pre-1940 window frames were built of high-quality, dense wood in easy-to-assemble parts. Maintenance of old windows generally involves keeping them painted and in good working order. Old windows can easily be made energy efficient by adding sensitive storm windows and weather stripping.

 

Photo by Michael May

Take special care in repairing masonry. Portland cement is usually not compatible with historic brick, and its use can lead to structural damage and moisture problems that can spread to other areas.  Of particular concern on Nantucket are chimneys that have been lined or repointed with cement.  The weight of cement can bring down an old chimney and lead to very costly repairs. Repointing mortar with the correct lime mortar–cement ratio is essential and should not increase the expense.  Hire a mason who understands the importance of matching the mortar to the old brick.

Build new wings “with Nantucket in Mind.” Design any new addition so it is fully compatible with the main core and does not overwhelm it. Oversized additions can negatively affect the streetscape. Read Building With Nantucket in Mind, the architectural design guidelines produced by the Nantucket Historic District Commission.

Complete maintenance on a regular basis. Routine maintenance, such as proper paint preparation, will help minimize rot and the need for costly repairs.  Maintenance on Nantucket is especially important because of the sea air and damp winters.  Address suspected water problems or other issues early to minimize damage

 

Guest Blogger Michael May is the executive director of the Nantucket Preservation Trust.

An Unexpected Treasure

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The July 2012 issue of Nantucket Today Magazine offers a look into a Dujardin-designed home that is aptly described as An Unexpected Treasure, at least for the midwestern couple who lovingly renovated it and calls it home.  For me and my design staff, working here was a delight and a pleasure.  Come take a tour with me and see this “upside down” house as they are known on Nantucket, then be sure to pick up the July issue of Nantucket Today for more.

An “upside down” house, in traditional island style, is one in which the living areas and master bedroom are on the second floor, in order to take advantage of stunning water views best seen from a higher vantage point.  This secluded home has a beachy charm overlaid with elegance, where precious antiques and original artwork are blended with personal mementos.  The dining table above is an antique lacemaker’s table, surrounded by a set of painted 19th century chairs.

This Swedish Apothecary chest is one of the unexpected treasures found throughout the home.  Although its owners are challenged to fill every one of the twenty drawers, we knew it would be perfect here.  We re-envisioned the space for this striking piece!

Unusual artwork that doubles as a conversation starter works beautifully in an entry way, when guests are being welcomed.  Their first view of the home should be an enticing one, promising equally interesting and elegant rooms to come.  Created for Dujardin Design by artist Christian Thee to suggest a pirate’s treasure map, the couple’s favorite spots on the island are pinpointed:  the basket museum, the Great Harbor Yacht Club, and the airport where they joyfully make their island arrival.

Shelves in the master bedroom showcase a fabulous Nantucket lighthouse basket collection, one of the many ways the design of the home mirrors the couple and their interests. I feel that it’s important to express your unique personality and passions in your most private space.  A separate sitting area in the bedroom offers a place of rest and repose.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this window into a home filled with meaningful beauty, with beloved art and objects that are bring pleasure because they are personal.  That simple approach helps to make this house a happy home, a place where friends are welcomed and memories are made, where every sunset and ocean breeze is cherished, and life itself is an unexpected treasure.

All photography:  Terry Pommett

 

 

 

 

Find us in New England Home’s Summer Cape and Islands Issue!

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Creating beautiful, gently green interiors is both my work and my passion, but there’s a special pleasure involved when I work in a home of architectural significance.  New England Home Magazine’s Summer Cape and Islands Issue features Dujardin Design interiors in just such a place:  a home designed by architect Hugh Newell Jacobsen in Sconset, on Nantucket Island.

 

Photography:  Michael Partenio

Designed by Mr. Jacobsen in 1990 and untouched since it was built, it is a prime example of the Jacobsen style:  a large center pavilion flanked by “outbuildings” recalling the barns, detached kitchens and smokehouses of rural America.  The house fits perfectly into the Nantucket landscape, with gray exterior and minimal trim.

 

Photography:  Michael Partenio

The interiors we created preserved all the original details of the house, and celebrated Mr. Jacobsen’s vision, while fitting the home to the new owners’ lifestyle, and resulting in more healthful surroundings.

 

Photography:  Michael Partenio

It was our pleasure to carefully select striking furniture and fixtures to mirror the clean lines of the house, while infusing the home with quiet luxury.

 

Photography:  Michael Partenio

Be sure to pick up a copy of the Cape and Islands Issue, and enjoy a visit to a bright, sun-filled, truly American home!

 

 

Sitting Pretty

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Whoever said “ignorance is bliss” surely wasn’t talking about environmentally friendly home design and furnishings.  When you curl up on your sofa with your family around you, or snuggle into a comfortable chair with a good book, chances are you didn’t intend to invite a long list of toxic chemicals to join you.  But invited or not, unless you’re decorating with sustainable upholstered furniture, they’re there.

Along with your friends, you may be sitting down with substances like formaldehyde, polyurethane, brominated flame retardants (PBDE’s), and dioxin.  Other unwanted guests may join you via wood finishes and paints.  All of these toxins infiltrate your home and the air you breathe through “offgassing,” the release of chemicals into the air through evaporation.  Not only a concern with new furniture, offgassing can continue for years, impacting your health with symptoms like eye, nose and throat irritation, fatigue, asthma, and eventually, may even weaken your immune system.

In my work as an interior designer, I am pleased to find that every year, the list of eco-friendly furniture manufacturers grows larger.  As we learn more about the importance of a pristine indoor environment, we don’t need to sacrifice an ounce of beauty or elegance.  My joy and my passion lies in creating interiors that combine sophisticated, stylish living with the very latest in sustainable design. And each year, to my delight, more and more people are opting for healthy, eco-sensitive products in their homes.

The products used to make your upholstered and wood furniture are important.  Today, we have the option of choosing soy-based versus foam cushions, recycled filling for pillows, water based stains and organic upholstery fabric.  In addition, we can choose wood that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), ensuring that the products are derived from forests that are managed to specific environmental standards.

Some of the organic materials that are available are among the world’s most luxurious, including organic cotton, hemp, linen, and wool.  For our best health, the textiles should be colored with low-impact dyes.  Non-organic cotton, by the way, is a heavily toxin-laden fabric.  As a non-food plant, cotton is grown in fields soaked in insecticides, and the manufacturing process creates both air and water pollution from the process of turning picked cotton into yarn and thread.

As important as the right materials, however, is the quality of your new pieces.  They must be comfortable, beautiful, and long-lasting.  Poorly designed furniture, no matter what is used in its construction, is destined to end up in a landfill before long.  The longer your furniture lasts, the smaller the environmental footprint it leaves behind.  Your furniture then should be chosen for its strong frame and springs, carefully manufactured fillings, and premium fabrics.  The good news is, with a little research and guidance, your home can be healthier than ever before, and as exquisitely decorated as you dreamed it would be.

 

A Deeper Shade of Green at the Philadelphia Antique Show

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This year, I was honored to be asked to speak at the prestigious Philadelphia Antique Show, taking place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center from April 28th to May 1.  Although previous commitments meant I had to decline a speaking role, I did submit an article to the Show catalog, describing the link between antiques and ‘green.’  The following is what appears in the catalog. If you’re in the area, I hope you’ll go!

(Photo:  This antique German Biedermeier Chest in walnut burl is circa 1820. On top is a hotel silver tea service. Hotel silver was made for the grand hotels in Europe and the United States, and today conveys a reminder of the sumptuous lifestyles of the past.)

Antiques have long been collected for their beauty and their value as historical treasures, but perhaps it is time we look at antiques in an entirely new way. Not only do they add grace and style to my home and the homes of my clients, they are also the ultimate in green design, a personal passion of mine!

I have always been an ardent collector of antiques, and the addition of carefully selected pieces to sophisticated interiors is a recognizable signature of my design style. Sharing my love for classic pieces comes naturally to me.  I find that my clients quickly embrace the elegance of antique furniture, and often become collectors themselves.  Homes are brought to life when old paintings, pieces of porcelain, or folk art add their charming artistry.

No matter how your personal style is expressed, every home has space for antique pieces. Even the sleek lines of a contemporary home can be complemented by eye-catching antique furniture; a room can artfully blend both old and new. A writing desk in the corner, reclaimed barn wood on the floor, or a wing chair handed down through generations can add flair as well as refinement to a home’s interior.

In addition to their beauty, antiques provide a bonus you may not have considered.  As we learn more about how to assess the health of our living quarters, and steps we can take to keep our homes clean and pristine, we should think about the ways antique furniture can be an integral part of a green lifestyle.

(Photo: This is a fabulous collection of treenware dating from the 19th to the 20th Century.  Note the darning egg, and the antique stereoscope–the earliest form of television!  The book displayed is by British treenware master Burt Marsh.)

No Chemical Vapors Are Brought into your Home 

Your home’s interior should be a place of fresh air and health.  Yet any new piece of furniture, cabinetry, flooring, or finished wood has some chemical overtones.  Many fine finishes release vapors in a process called off-gassing. In a closed environment, such as an energy efficient, airtight home, off-gassing can increase indoor air pollution to levels several times higher than those detected outside.   Antiques are a healthier choice than modern furnishings because they were created with less toxic products years ago,  and any off-gassing has long been complete.

 

(Photo: This living room is a showcase for beautiful antique accessories, including a 19th Century ship’s model behind the sofa, and a pair of lamps made from 18th Century Chinese Export porcelain.  A pair of 19th Century British handcarved candlesticks and a 19th Century ship’s captain’s lap desk are on the cocktail table.)

No New Resources are Used 

Every beautiful piece of wooden furniture originated from a tree. Whenever we purchase new wood furniture, unless we choose products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), we are contributing to the deforestation of our planet.  In contrast, wooden antiques are products of trees culled long ago from old-growth forests.  No new resources were used in their construction, making their restoration and re-use a green endeavor.  It just makes sense to find a place in our homes for older pieces.

(Photo: This study reflects the long seafaring history of the coast, with a 19th Century ship’s telescope, and a 19th Century ship’s barometer hanging to the right of the window.  Framed antique prints are on the wall, and on the mantle is part of a collection of sea captain doorstops.)

No Negative Environmental Impact is Created 

Beyond the health issues in our homes, we should consider the costs to our planet.  Even the very greenest furniture manufacturers distribute impurities into our air, waste systems, and water.  New furniture requires the production of finishes, dyes, and sealants. Shipping them demands the creation of packing materials, and they arrive in retail stores via large vehicles powered by fossil fuel.  The EPA estimates that three million tons of furniture are taken to landfills every year, only to be replaced with brand new pieces that can carry a large environmental cost.

(Photo: An extremely rare 19th century English scrimshaw tortoiseshell is displayed above the fireplace; on the mantle are several antique lighting devices:  a corkscrew pigtail candlestick complete with hook for hanging over a chair, a rush light holder, and antique binoculars.)

 Antiques Are Recycling at Its Best 

Beloved family pieces, eighteenth-century Philadelphia furniture, and the softly faded colors of aged Oriental rugs do not belong in a landfill.  Treasures from another time can be loved and used again.  A federal mirror that has been passed from home to home and hand to hand brings history to life, and honors the work of artisans who lived long ago.

(Photo: This is a mint condition 18th century British Woolie, The Ship of Bengal, unusual for the ship’s identification as part of the design, and for its display of the British flag.)

Antiques Bring Unique Craftsmanship to a Room 

Rather than purchasing a mass-produced item, treat yourself to something created in a small workshop by a craftsman who made good use of few resources. In previous centuries, home furnishings were made by hand before machine assembled items flooded the marketplace.  Artisans from years gone by had knowledge that largely disappeared during the Industrial Revolution.  Old joining techniques were abandoned in favor of more rapid assembly using staples and nails.  Fiber board was created and the beauty of the wood itself was lost.  Take the time to consider the difference between a finely hand-wrought piece and one processed in a factory.

 

(Photo: This English antique dining table and chairs date from the 16th and 17th Centuries, and are displayed with an 18th Century tapestry and Chinese blue and white porcelain.)

Antiques Have Stood the Test of Time 

Classic pieces are sturdy and well-made, which is why they have lasted. The quality of their wood is usually stronger, created from timber with tighter growth rings, making repair a simple task when necessary. Furniture that is unworthy of a craftsman’s repair time adds to our cycle of wasteful consumption. Your rooms can be filled with the kind of solid, enduring pieces that elevate both your life and your home’s design.

(Photo: This closeup of a Chinese puppy displayed on a modern Lucite block is from the Han Dynasty, circa 206-220 BC.)

Antique Collections Are a Very Personal Expression 

I often find that a simple gesture, such as placing an antique tea caddy on a mantel, can inspire my clients to begin collections of their own.  There is tremendous beauty in items preserved throughout the years, particularly if they illuminate another time and way of life.  Learning about the subtle differences among artisans, the period when an item was created, or the materials that were used to make it, gives us a greater appreciation for life.  Whatever you collect, it is unique to you and your home, and cannot be duplicated.

(Photo: A nautical/maritime collection of whaling logs dating from 1840 offers a fascinating glimpse of the past as you trace the daily activities of a whaling ship.  The whale stamps mark successful captures.)

My personal collections include treenware (hand-carved wooden items used in the home long ago), old hotel silver, blue and white porcelain, and things that speak to me of lives lived on the ocean, including whaling artifacts, scrimshaw carvings, and sailor whirligigs.

(Photo: This 19th Century Chinese-influenced etargere is showing a collection of blue and white porcelain, both Chinese Exportware and Staffordshire English pottery.  Hotel silver has been added for sparkle.)

Remember, It Is Not All Furniture 

You can find antique cabinetry, flooring, doors, beams, posts, mantels, and other architectural pieces. Consider a gorgeous eighteenth-century door to add punch and personality to your entry, or if that is not in your budget, how about antique doorknobs and a doorknocker?  An old mantel delivers instant charm; remilled old timbers bring panache to the pantry. Add the incredible details that your home may be missing.

(Photo: The antique ship’s wheel is from an old Australian ship; the 19th Century ship’s porthole made into a table holds a sextant. A wonderful South Pacific map on the wall was drawn by James Cook, the famous explorer who later became Captain Cook.)

Antiques Add Beauty and Joy to Life 

There is a thrill when you spot the perfect nineteenth-century French farm table, Georgian stand, or double pedestal dining table.  You feel an immediate connection to the Italian walnut commode or a beautiful pair of small paintings.  Antique collectors know that old things have a soul, based on their authenticity.  Whether you fall in love with hand-embroidered vintage textiles, white ironstone pitchers, or a four-door linen press, you can feel good about reducing your footprint on the surface of the earth.

 

 (Photo: Elegance is added to entertaining with this 19th Century French balloon-handled fish service.  The introduction of a seashell is a casual complement to the 19th Century blue and white Staffordshire plate and 18th Century drinking goblet.)

 

Creating Beach House Style

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There’s a period of time that comes at the tail end of winter, when it isn’t quite spring, but it seems the daffodils are urging themselves forward with unseemly haste, the snowdrops are dipping their heads before the last of the north winds, and the scudding clouds in an impossibly blue sky can only signal one thing:  the return of warm weather, and time to open the beach house.

I watch the horizon for the later setting sun, and find my thoughts drawn to the elegant Grey Lady far off in the Atlantic Ocean, my home away from home:  Nantucket.  For anyone fortunate enough to own a beach house, the sand you build your castles on is real for you all year long.  It’s not just the warm weather months that restore us; it’s the anticipation of the season we long for.  In my basement there are canvas bags, ready to be filled with things for the summer house.  As the cold weeks drift into warmer, sunnier days, slowly the bags are being filled.  And my eagerness grows.

Inevitably, my mind turns to the harbor, the water, the sea.  The array of constantly changing shades of blues, greys and greens.  The piercingly clear cobalt blue sky, the sparkle of the sun and light on leaves and water, the shimmer on the white trim of weathered shingle houses, the glistening sand where the waves have receded:  all create the vision for me of a perfect “Nantucket Day.”  Home is where the heart is, and everyone who knows me says, “Trudy goes home to Connecticut, but she leaves her soul on Nantucket.”

Because my beach house is on Nantucket, it’s that island’s unique slant of light (rivaling Giverny) that I draw upon for inspiration in my design work. In decorating no two projects are alike.  They’re client-driven, personal and unique.  But there’s a reason for my love of blue and white (Chinese Export Porcelain) with touches of pink (New Dawn roses) and yellow (daffodils dancing down Milestone Road on the island.)  There’s a reason for my love of sand and sea colors:  to forget the shades of water and sky is impossible when your home is nestled somewhere near a beach.

My color palette comes from the infinite blueness of sea and sky, the velvety grays of the fog, the bleached white of seashells, the sandy beige of the beach, the soft greens of the pines and bayberry. Beach house style blends all these hues. The essence of summer near the ocean, I believe, is serenity, and a beach house should embody this.

Clean interiors, free of clutter except perhaps a stack of first edition books on life at sea, art that reflects a sense of place, and special niches for prized collections, whether Lightship baskets or whalebone scrimshaw, are key to achieving the simple life summer demands.  Window treatments should be designed to let as much light and air into the rooms as possible.  Accessories are best when they are memories of special days and nautical nights:  shells from beach walks, models of sailboats, antique sea chests, and paintings of schooners.

Whether you’re ready to open your beach house for the first time, or the fiftieth, here are some tips to help you create the perfect summer home:

  1. Blues are serene because they evoke the sea and the sky, but I wouldn’t use an intense marine blue on a wall.  I’d reserve it for accents such as pillows, china or curtains.
  1. Carry your main colors throughout the house.  Even in a rose room, I would include touches of blue to pull things together and help lead you from room to room.
  1. I love juxtaposing rich color with white:  in a white room, I might use ivory woodwork.
  1. Go with soft, muted shades in bedrooms; saturated colors in living areas.
  1. Add color with flowers.  Sunflowers or pink roses are wonderful in a blue and white room.
  1. Don’t attempt too much in one room; your eye needs a place to rest.
  1. Remember that a healthy home is the ultimate luxury.  See my post on spring cleaning for ideas on cleaning without harmful chemicals.

May summer be a delightful sojourn of rest and repose for you, wherever you find your heart and home!

When It’s a Dog’s Life at Home

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Dog's Life at Home

A recent email from the Coton Club about pet friendly houses got me thinking about good design, and how it should include planning for our pets.  Creating a home should be about making it function well for all members of the family, dogs (and cats) included!  Many of my clients have pets, and my husband and I share our lives with three beautiful bichons, so I’ve given a lot of thought to this topic.

Here are some tips you might find helpful:

 

  1. Quilted pads for upholstered furniture:  Dogs leave pawprints on our hearts, but that doesn’t mean we want those prints on our furniture.  I use custom-made quilted pads to protect my upholstered furniture while snuggling with G.G., Tuffy and Ellie.  They’re made in the same fabric as my upholstery, and they tuck in behind the seat cushions.  They stay in place, and since they’re channel quilted for a smooth, professional look, you can’t tell there’s a pad in place at all.
  2. Outdoor shower facilities:  If you take your pal to the beach, or on hikes in the woods, you’re going to bring home a wet and messy dog.  In inclement weather, even a trip to the backyard can result in dirty paws.  It’s easy to plan for at least a spigot close to your backdoor; if you have the space and the desire, an outdoor doggy shower will work wonders to keep your home clean.  You can include a grooming table (in the laundry room, for example) if this is a job you like to do yourself.
  3. Choose non-toxic cleaning products:  It’s important to clean your home with products that aren’t loaded with dangerous chemicals for your own health, but consider the risks to your pets as well.  They don’t need to actually ingest a poison in order to be made ill; the same fumes and odors that cause asthma in humans can also cause pets to suffer.
  4. Doggy doors give easy access to fenced yards:  If your yard is safely enclosed, then you might consider a doggy door so that your dog can go out and sun himself when he’s in the mood for some fresh air.  If you have very small dogs, however, remember that they can be at risk from hawks and owls, so simply having a fenced yard isn’t a safe option. I have an eight foot fence around my property to keep out the predators, such as coyotes, and tick-carrying deer.  Read more about a safe and healthy garden for pets here.
  5. Dogs need beds, too:  Your friend will thank you for giving her a cushioned resting place for naps and nighttime, especially if she’s older.  Hips and elbows can become stiff from exposure to cold, hard floors, so make sure she has a soft place to lay her head.
  6. Use Natural Flea and Tick Controls:  See my May 2011 post on fighting pests without harming our pets or the environment here.
  7. Provide a view:  As much as you enjoy looking out at the world, so do your pets.  In my home, G.G., Tuffy and Ellie have the luxury of big French doors and lots of glass to let the sunshine in, and they can gaze out to their heart’s content.  If you have dogs or cats, plan on lots of windows, and a way for them to access them.
  8. Give your dog a room of his own:  Not everyone will have space in their home to do this, but if you do, setting aside a room where your dog can have his crate, his food and water bowls, and his toys will give him a secure place when you’re not home.  Crate-trained dogs often find great security in their little homes, so if you don’t have an entire room to devote to it, consider a closet, or even a beautifully designed frame that makes it look more like a piece of furniture than a cage.  Simply covering the crate with a blanket makes it a secure, cave-like space for an anxious pooch.
  9. Set aside a cabinet or shelf for doggy items:  Don’t forget to plan for your pet when designing storage systems.  You’ll want to organize her leashes, collars, and collapsible water bowls for walks; you’ll need a place to store his food and medicines, as well as favorite toys.
  10. Keeping it clean:  When your best friend sheds, it’s worth it to invest in high quality vacuum cleaners with dander filters, indoor air filtration systems, and handheld carpet cleaners for dealing with emergencies.  Loving our pets is easier when taking care of them is a cinch.

For more fun and information, check out this article on pet-friendly architecture, and a fun blog post from New England Home magazine on Fine Furnishings for your pet.