It doesn't get more classic, easy or affordable than this!  Check out Crate and Barrel's new "French Kitchen Island". This piece is a very reasonable solution to either upgrade a "Builder Basic"* island or have a brand new island! I'm a sucker for open storage and anything Carrara Marble. I also adore the towel bars on each side.

Crate & Barrel "French Kitchen Island" $999

And, if you don't have room for an island (or the one you have is great already), consider the table. Would look great in a breakfast room or a Kitchen/Dining combo area (just don't use both of them together- it'll look too "matchy-matchy").

Create & Barrel "French Kitchen Table" $1,299

* "Builder Basic" is what I refer to as the standard finishes a builder may put into a home with no other design input from the client, designer or architect. Typically it follows convention and usually saves the builder money.  In this case, its an island created using the same cabinetry as the cabinets lining the walls in the kitchen, typically very narrow and not in proportion to the space available for an island.

"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 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.

(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.

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.