I am in L-O-V-E with hardware and fittings (door hinges and window hardware, even!). The latest thing I'm stuck on is retro-designed light switches. I have been researching Mid-Century Modern design for a project I am working on, and I discovered this quirky passion for hardware laying dormant. I like the push button varities, and I love the cool toggle designs from Forbes and Lomax. Using specially selected hardware puts that extra layer of design interest and integrity into a well-done interior.

Push button switches from Rejuvenation

Antique Bronze Push Button from Forbes & Lomax

Dimmer from Forbes & Lomax

Invisible toggle switch w/ acrylic backplate by Forbes & Lomax. LOVE it!

Also check out House of Antique Hardware if you are a hardware maven like I am. Make sure you look at the period home collections...heaven! Historic House Parts is also a fun site to peruse.

Pintura's textiles are handmade from weave to print (yes, they are hand stenciled!). Its comforting to know that true craftsmanship isn't dead. They draw inspiration from all over the world and turn out classic patterns. Their textiles are truly gorgeous and very well made (I'm waiting for a showroom here in LA!). Here are some of their gorgeous new patterns:

"Summer"

"Milano"

"Oasis"

"Parterre"

"Gatehouse" is a great specialty retail shop offering indoor and outdoor furnishings and home goods. Owner Kim Sankey travels to market and places orders well in advance in order to have floor samples and immediate stock of the latest and greatest in outdoor furnishings. One of her favorite lines is Gloster for their innovation and styling (she highly recommends their swivel rockers!). The product she stocks ranges from beachy-chic to pretty and polished. If you haven't already, stop by this coastal stand-by if you are a local or in Newport Beach on holiday. You won't be dissapointed! (See bottom of post for location information)

*Sidenote: After you shop, head down the street to have a casual lunch at Haute Cakes Caffe (their cold pesto pasta salad is amazing!), and over to Susie Cakes for a Red Velvet or Strawberry cupcake (a client told me about them, and now I'm addicted!). After 17th turns into Westcliff, its on the right hand side if driving from Gatehouse!*

View upon entry.

(FYI: There is a whole other half of the shop to the left, beyond the photo frame!)

Gatehouse is merchandised in seating arrangements. I love this classic Louis Vuitton trunk and the nail head detailing on the club chairs.

Cute vignette of weather vanes, odds and ends...and candles! My favorite!

Gatehouse

270 E. 17th Street #15

Costa Mesa, CA 92627

Ph#: (949) 515-2335

Photos by Janelle Steinberg, courtesy of Kim Sankey @ Gatehouse.

I received the May 2009 Pottery Barn catalog yesterday. The best accents (as with all retail companies- I usually only shop accents & decor, not furniture), were these great pillows and baskets with natural fibers. So summery and so classic. Not to mention durable. A great way to add some summer to your space- indoor or out.

Paper Crochet Pillow Cover

Beachcomber Baskets in various sizes

Jute Braid Pillow Covers in two sizes

I am loving this chevron-pattern "Zigzag" rug from West Elm. And the price is right, too. Less than $700 for a 9x12! 80 wool/20 cotton. Its a steal, if you ask me! Would be great in a transitional interior, or even a more classic interior with handsome geometry.

I'm really into brass, brushed brass and gold for metal tones and finishes in my interiors (for the record- I do like bonze and some cooler finishes, too- but the warm metals are my favorite). This frame is just darling. I picture it next to a classic crystal vase filled with baby pink roses. Or on a minimally decorated nightstand, glowing under the light from a swing-arm wall sconce with a smocked linen lamp shade in a creamy oatmeal color. Check out Elias Artmetal " frames. This one is 18K gold plated (also comes in pewter) and is stamped with "Good Forever". Such a little treat.

I love everything French Heritage makes (well, just about everything). I received the French Heritage market booklet with a preview of their new pieces for High Point market. I can't find them on their site yet, so I scanned the booklet in order to show you- circled with a sharpie and all! Great styling on this coffee table and etagere*, very masculine and chic. I'm pretty sure these pieces are part of the new Beaulieu collection by Michel Koehl. You saw it here first!

*Despite my aunt and Mr. Wonderful poking fun at me and all the fancy technical names of furnishings and decorative objects, the word "Etagere" is not pronounced "Ed On A Chair". Just had to throw that in there for them.

Also, in case you are wondering what makes an "etagere" an etagere- its a set of open shelving, sometimes having a door on the very bottom for storage (most cases, its open top to bottom).

I am loving the new Trina Turk for Schumacher fabrics! So bright and fun- perfect for spring and summer. I would especially love to see Trina's fabrics on outdoor furniture. Here are my favorites from Trina's new line for Schumacher. You can find Trina's full line here.

Peacock Print in Pool

Sonriza Print in Java

Santorini Print in Persimmon

Trellis Print in Pool

Trellis Print in Watermelon

Super Paradise Print in Pool

Sunglass Print in Charcoal

I adore the "4154 Chest" (see below) from Polidor, a furniture manufacturer out of Greenwich, CT. I had to clip it to my Polyvore in order to save the photo, so the colors are a bit off (the foam green is actually brown). To see this chest with better color rendering, click here.

Either way, this piece reminds me of Burberry Nova Check plaid. A great example of how fashion inspires interiors, even if this wasn't the original intent (which, I would like to think it is- what a great take on Nova Check!). I love making these connections. Reminds me of my time spent in the fashion industry.

To see other Polidor pieces, visit their homepage here.

Top Photo: Burberry "Nova Check" plaid pattern

Bottom Photo: Polidor "4154 Chest" in Chocolate Brown

(photo from Roullier White)

Remember the post on the symbolism of the red front door? This post goes hand in hand. The door knocker- its gorgeous jewelry for your door. Second to your architecture and landscaping, your front door leaves a lasting impression and also subtly nods towards your style. Door knockers have been in use since Medieval times (possibly even before that!)- to say this is a classic that has evolved is an understatement. While there are tons of whimsical designs out on the market I feel its best to leave the whimsy to a second home or vacation home according to the vernacular. If you have a beach house on the Vineyard- go for the crab, lobster or scallop shell knocker. If you have a chalet in Aspen, go for the pine cone. Select something solid in statement for your primary residence- both to echo the architecture and to give your door some classic style. For an amazing and detailed article on door knockers, visit this page on "Old and Sold Antiques Digest".

Now, lets look at some delightful door knockers! I am a fan of classic brass- both for the longevity and the aesthetics. If you go with a cool metal finish, make sure its plated on brass. It will have great hand and it will also wear well. I will start with my favorite one- a fox door knocker. Just charming!

I would love to see this fox knocker on a high gloss orange front door. *Love*.

Fox Door Knocker by The Brass Gallery

This simple and classic style would be great for both traditional and transitional styles.

Classic Ring Door Knocker. From Jefferson Brass Co.

I would love to see this on a colorful front door (any color will do). This classic French motif would really pop on a brilliant color.

Fleur de Lys Door Knocker from Doorknockers.com

The quintessential classic door knocker. Perfect for engraving a monogram or a family surname.

This one is a reproduction from House of Antique Hardware

This glorious eagle knocker is perfect for Georgian and Federalist style homes. I see this on a navy or crimson red door for the ultimate statement in traditionalism. From PE Guerin

This is a nice take on the very common lion door knocker. I hesitated in including the lion- since I feel its so conventional and sort of overused (especially in situations when one shouldn't use a lion- for some reason, I think some people feel if they stick a lion "something" outside it means "classy"...think oversized concrete roaring lion garden decor in front of a dinky tract house). But- I found this one that's done a bit differenly than other lion door knockers. Its quite tasteful and the lines are elegant. As an FYI- lion door knockers were very popular in Victorian times. This one is from Designer's Brass.

This hexagon door knocker would be amazing in brass (Guerin does offer brass as a finish option for this style). This would be a great knocker for traditional architecture with a transitional interior style. Simple, geometric and classic. From PE Guerin.

Lastly- this lovely and elegant acanthus leaf door knocker. This would suit French and American Georgian architecture quite well.

Also by PE Guerin.

So I am reading my morning emails...and this comes across the wire. "Diamond Head" interchangeable nail heads. Honestly- I have never seen anything like it (well, rhinestones- but not in a nail head for upholstery). Its so novel! Wouldn't these look great in certain Hollywood Regency styled rooms? Or, maybe for your little one's first Big Girl bed? These can be integrated tastefully, for sure. Usually I'm not a huge fan of sparkly things (I will admit I usually like pearls more than diamonds), but these are kinda fun!

Diamond Head Interchangeable Upholstery Tack

I love the following fixtures and chandeliers from Currey & Co. They have so many really great products, but these ones really struck my fancy. I love their updated flare- very elegant, yet fresh and unfussy. I also love that they look like cutouts- such an updated take on a classic form. These are great chandeliers for transitional interiors- anywhere you want to hang a chandelier is usually appropriate (can you tell I adore chandeliers?). Visit Currey & Co. for more eye candy.

Candor

Ardor

Everlasting

Domani Chandelier

Tocca Chandelier

Retail Pick:

Crocodile Rug from Horchow

Some people have a weakness for leopard print, zebra or shagreen...mine is crocodile. I pretty much like crocodile anything- key fobs (I have a yellow one from my sister, actually), desk accessories, tiles- do you remember my love for the Walker Zanger Crocodile Matouche tiles? (I am still waiting on the client that wants to use them!). And now, this lovely rug. Crocodile runs the fine line of gorgeous and garish- so its best to tread softly and use wisely. This rug works because its understated in a soft palette. A guest would not notice the rug first, its a detail that supports everything else. This would be a great choice for a living room or bedroom. Get it here.

Rather than highlighting something fabulous this week, I will highlight a fabulous antique/vintage dealer: Mecox Gardens. Mecox is known among designers and New Yorkers (originally, anyway. They have expanded to Chicago, Los Angeles, Texas and Florida) for their simply fantastic selection of things you can't live without (they cleverly call their offerings "re-editions"). If you decide to browse their site or visit in real life- you will come away loving a bunch of their pieces. Check them out if you haven't already. If you go shopping without your designer, and you buy something from Mecox- you pretty much can't go wrong!

Photos complimentary of Mecox Gardens

I am on the mailing list for many, many (many!) product lines. This one came across my wire today and I drooled a bit, thought about where I could put it in our place, decided I didn't have room for it- and that I would just post it here. I'm pretty sure I have an affinity towards British Colonial styling from growing up on "Pippy Longstocking", "The Swiss Family Robinson" and Disneyland's "Jungle Cruise" as a child. I also love the dark wood in British Colonial style- just like American Georgian and Federalist, which I (surprise!) admire as well. Enjoy this gorgeous settee! I would get a long down stuffed, self-welted cushion made from cut velvet for this chair. In white or possibly my signature mossy green from my living room. I would then place it in the foyer or somewhere in my bedroom. No pillows. Wouldn't want to hide that gorgeous canning or fluting!

"Settee BR003SE", Chocolate stained Mahogany wood.

$4,200 retail. By British Regency.

More people should go crazy with their mirrors. Honestly, its the one thing you can hang on your wall, other than great art, that people will "wow" over when its unique and different.

There are so many great places to look for something different (and, if you shop around, you can get pieces for amazing deals, too). Great places to shop for "unique" things are antiques and vintage dealers, a little shop that's going out of business or advertising an inventory sale, local mom and pop consignments, estate sales (I've also heard garage sales can yield some great finds- but I would seriously consider the neighborhood before you devote a Saturday morning to a garage sale endeavor!), on-line auction houses and antiques dealers, and, chances are, if you know an interior designer or decorator- they might have a few things sitting around and they can surely point you in the direction of a few local boutiques. (As an semi-related "share"...designers change their stuff out a lot. We buy things even when we have no place for them. We are always seeing things we *looove*. I would say we are doomed from the start of any shopping trip. If you are BFF's or "in" with a designer, and you love something of theirs...its worth it to express a liking. That way, they know who to give it to when they are done with it or want to switch it out).

Tips for buying an already loved mirror: measure your wall space before you shop and remember it can be refinished! I don't recommend this for important and astronomically priced antiques (usually means they are important or rare or both), but do remember you can have it lacquered, leafed in a different precious metal or refinished with a metallic or solid color.

"Italian Brass Mirror" from Monument, $4,800

"Neoclassical Vintage Mirror" from Monument, $3,600

I love this one!

"Monumental Hollywood Regency Glass Framed Mirror" from Vermillion, $3,900

"Carved and Guilded Mirror" from Todd Alexander Romano LLC., $7,800

"Gilt Iron Mirror" from Galerie de France, $4,100

Fauteuil Pacha by James Duncan Collections

Cane /kan/, n.: stems of bamboo, rattan, or wicker used as a material for making furniture or baskets.

Fauteuil /fo-te'y...for us Americans, it sorta' sounds like "fo-toy"/, n.: an upholstered chair with open arms and a wooden frame.

I love this chair because it proves my theory on caning. It looks better painted, rather than stained. Its more graphic and fresh when its painted a solid color. Love it. Also, contrary to popular mistake, this type of chair is not a Bergere. A "Bergere" is an enclosed upholstered arm chair.

Perhaps people call it a Bergere because its easier to pronounce than "Fauteuil", but technically, an open arm chair such as this is a Fauteuil. Or, perhaps people think these are Bergeres due to sites like this. No matter- now you know! Impress your antiques dealer and your interior designer next time you discuss chairs.

For those of you who are desperately bad at French, like myself (due to four total years of Spanish in both high school and college- I just mix up all the rules and pronounce French words like a train wreck), just take a stab at it. Its better to call it what it is, rather than call it what its not.

"Hot Surface Houndstooth Set" by Jaime Salm @ Mio

Cork /kork/ n.: A sustainable natural material harvested from the outer layer of the Cork Oak tree.

I have to admit that I pretty much relegate cork to the bulletin boards in my studio. I appreciate it, but I don't employ cork all that often. But here is a cork I am loving. Houndstooth pattern cork pieces that interlock! Novel! Its meant for a table surface, such as a trivet for hot things. I would like to consult my favorite GC to see how I can do this for flooring...there has to be a way to use these little pieces as flooring. Or....I can houndstooth cork a large portion of a wall in my studio, frame it out and have a cool new inspiration board. Although, I may not want to cover up the pattern!

DWR (Design Within Reach) is having a sale. March 5-18th get 15% off of EVERYTHING, plus FREE SHIPPING! If you aren't on their mailing list, you can sign up here.

Think there is nothing at DWR for your classic house and lifestyle? Think again. Here are my top ten picks from DWR. Perhaps they are classic because they would fit in both modern and traditional spaces? Its another example of "classic knows best".

My Top Ten from DWR

1. A Classic Kitchen Scale.

Even if you don't normally weigh anything, a beautiful scale would look great on the counter or in the butlers pantry. Scales are more handy than you think, so chances are- if you have one, you will start to use it.

2. Glass Apothecary Jars

These jars are all about utility, which means you can actually use them (good luck with all the pretty, fancy shaped apothecary jars out there! I've broken one and it wasn't very hard!). Think about jars for storage in the kitchen cupboard and bathroom. If you want to get really neurotic (like me), these would make gorgeous containers for nuts, bolts and odds & ends on the workbench. Who says the garage can't be pretty?

3. Adirondack Chair

This is a streamlined take on the truly classic Adirondack chair. If you want to be unconventional, it comes in a choice of colors. I would have custom seat cushions and a kidney pillow, both with contrasting welting, made for each chair. Think navy blue, hunter green or black fabric with white welting with this white finish. Fresh and classic.

4. Shaker Settee

A very classic and iconic style that is suitable for colonial styles (think cape cod and dutch colonial revival, and even more casual American Federalists styles). Great for an informal entry, a bench in the mudroom, or a settee for the morning room table.

5. An hourglass

Or, in this case, a 45 minute glass. This would be great for a study space for the kids or your office.

6. A Murano Glass Chandelier

Comes in other colors. Fantastic foyer or dining room light fixture.

7. A shave set

I love this one. My husband uses an electric razor, but I would still get this- even though it would be for display purposes only. Its gorgeous. And classic. And a true luxury. Perhaps a great accent for the guest suite bath?

8. A Teak Tree Swing

Honestly, this one makes me a bit sentimental. I picture a big lawn with a mature oak tree and this swing hanging down. I am totally romanticizing this swing, I know- but its pretty cool (and classic).

9. A teak Croquet Set

I have great family memories playing croquet on my father's perfectly manicured Bermuda grass lawns. Get a croquet set and create family memories for years (decades with a teck set- its made to last!).

10. Glass Tumblers

Perfect for everyday use. Juice. Water. Soda. Very multipurpose, very classic.