Woven Rattan Victorian/Edwardian Top Hat

 

This delightful October find at Billy's Bungalow is English Haberdashery at its best. Featuring a wonderful Antique (Edwardian/Victorian Era) Woven Rattan Top Hat. It has the most distinct character just sitting on a table or a stack of books. Great for movie props, shop displays, and theatre costumes. This incredible Rattan Top Hat can be found here.

Hand-Carved Wooden Canadian Goose

We were so happy to discover this wonderful hand-carved Canadian Goose on our way to South Dartmouth, MA. It's an unfinished piece and quite large (18" long); hand-carved with feather details, glass eyes, and a wonderful wood grain. Its age and imperfections only add to its charm.

South Dartmouth is a beautiful coastal enclave that became the first section of southern Massachusetts with European settlers. It's home to Davoll's General Store, the oldest continually operating General Store in Masschusetts, established in 1793. It's owned by brother's Will and Ben Shattuck. Ben is a writer and we are a fan. His latest book of New England stories "The History of Sound" is a must read. 

If you are interested in our Canadaian Goose, she can be found here. SOLD

My client’s 100% Organic Exuberance Herbal Loose Leaf Tea blend will supports digestion + healthy skin + hormonal balance.

Herbalism is a holistic treatment based in Chinese medicine that uses natural plant extracts to promote health and well-being. Honeyopathy’s blended botanicals and bee pollen uplift and balance your Qi energy flow with distinctive tastes and scents. This herbal infusion combines damiana, dandelion root, nettle, honeybush, grapefruit, and bee pollen to invigorate new birth and growth in Spring.

100% Organic

Hand-Blended

Caffeine Free

Airtight Stainless Container

Tasting Notes: Floral, Earthy, Sweet

SUMMER CORN

  

 

We are calling these Corn Dishes "Americana Majolica" as they are made of heavy clay with a thick opaque underglaze. Made in the 1960s, their glazed vibrance is a delight, much like these beautiful moments of summer. Tomatoes and corn are at their best and we include them in some form every evening until summer's end. The sounds and smells of shucking corn and the oohs and aahs over summer tomatoes are what it's all about. Find our Americana Majolica Corn Dishes here. SOLD

What Makes A Table Setting?

Table settings are the most fun way to set the stage for an afternoon or evening with friends. Here are a few I've saved to share with you. Never approached too seriously - with the exception of pressed linens - basically throwing it all together! Mixing not matching and having a great time while doing it. What are the sorts of things that can inspire a table setting?

TEXTILES

SPOTS OF COLOR

 

SEASONS

SIMPLICITY OR EVEN NEW PLACEMATS

MOOD

CASUAL FLAIR

HOLIDAYS 

SUMMER FUN 

CLASSIC COZINESS

MOTIFS - PAPER SAILING CHARTS FOR LOBSTERS (portrait place-cards)

CULTURAL MIX (Swedish, Guatemalan, English, Indonesian)

& ELEGANCE

These items are part of our personal collection and only sometimes available in our shop, Billy's Bungalow. But you will find objects for the table there and even special antique plates. Please visit frequently! 

BILLY'S BUNGALOW

It's been ages since I've posted here as I've been busy focusing on my Etsy shop "Billy's Bungalow" and other endeavors. The shop features Vintage, Antiques, Décor & Art. Here are a few latest finds - objects that tell a story are my favorite things!

The Antique Glass Fishing Float is very rare - it was originally crystal-clear glass and because it contains maganese, it turned this beautiful lavender color from the ultraviolet light from its years at sea! I adore Ikat Woven Cloths from the Cote D'Ivoire - these cloths have truly lived life and are wonderful on tables, as pillow covers, and wall-hangings. The Bamboo Coil Basket is another rare find - its woven star pattern represents the three prominent stars of Orion - regarded as the three gods of fortune, prosperity and longevity! The Peruvian Quinua Harvest Vase is intended to hold the seeds to be planted that year for good luck. It shows Peruvian people and their animals on the way to the field. And, finally a Set of Mexican Redware Nut Dishes because they are fun for cocktail hour! If an item interests you, please feel free to use the code: BLOGFRIEND10 at check-out for a 10% discount).

SOLD Rare Antique Lavender Glass Fishing Float SOLD

Antique Ikat Woven Shoulder Cloth | Ivory Coast

Mid-Century Bamboo Chinese Coil Basket SOLD 

Peruvian Quinua Harvest Vase SOLD 

SET of (6) Mexican Redware Nut Dishes SOLD

Link to the shop HERE.

The Decorator

NOTE: Since this post was written, Tom has a second book out Tom Scheerer More Decorating - and this time, he wrote it himself. Listen to this wonderful chat with Tom on the Ballard Design Podcast.

 I've been lucky to spend many happy days in several of Tom Scheerer's houses since his sister Jane is my best friend from art school days. Tom knows better than anyone how to create a house as Mimi Read so aptly describes in Tom's new book, Tom Scheerer Decorates ~ "He's the decorator for the long haul, the one who can compose a great-looking room that you never want to leave."

Tom learned a lot from forebears Billy Baldwin and David Hicks ~ "he's always maintained that their frank, generous books {including Billy Baldwin Decorates} taught him most of what he knows." Now it's our turn to learn from Tom in this gracious book from Vendome Press. In my opinion, Tom is the best. In fact, I'm sure that everyone who knows Tom well considers what Tom would think when buying fabric, wallpaper, or even napkins for a summer lunch. I know I do! It's the Tom Scheerer aesthetic—and this book beautifully envelopes it all—from the famous coral steps in the Scheerer family's East Hampton house to Tom's "splashiest" project at Lyford Cay Club {a Pinterest favorite}.

A surprise, textured pattern graces the hardcover of Tom Scheerer Decorates and his Lyford Trellis delights as well—with impeccable photography by Francesco Lagnese, generous resources, and pitch-perfect text from Mimi Read. The book consists of three sections: City | Country | Tropics.

You will stop and return to the images again and again to study the Scheerer sensibility—teaming with life—both refined and friendly, all with Tom's unique brand of chic to "underdecorate."

"It's my general philosophy to accept what's given and make it work without going to too much trouble," he says. "It's what makes one house different from the next. Why rip out a bathroom to spend $20,000 on designer tile just to have a bathroom that looks exactly like everyone else's? Why not bleach the sink, put a new scalloped shade on the sconce, and get on with life? That's what we did in our summer houses in the old days—it's why they had charm."

Tom Scheerer Decorates is a treat for all to learn about living well from one of the most gracious hosts of all. I do hope a cookbook is next. Tom is also the best cook. Ever. Do run to get a copy here.

See an earlier interview with Tom here.

Another post mentioning Tom's work here.

Thank you to Vendome Press for the early copy.

Beauport | GREEN

Detail "The Golden Step Room" at Beauport | Sleeper-McCann House

Lately, I've been attracted to the color GREEN. No, not the Pantone color of the year green, but this green. Beauport Green. Set against this pale aqua, even better. Add a touch of opaque white and a dash of black, divine! All in a décor of simple American style... Henry David Sleeper style. Sleeper (1878-1934), collector, decorator, Boston bachelor, and interpreter of American style. "The Golden Step Room" was one of many dining rooms in Sleeper's summer house "Beauport" in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Beauport evolved over a period of twenty seven years. Though a serious curator, Sleeper had a flair for color and arrangement. From Beauport's museum book ~ "Daring color harmonies and the playful interaction of repeating forms are as important to his compositions as allusion and narrative."

See a lot more of "Beauport" on my Pinterest Board here.

Decorator + American Beauty

Sara Gilbane {left} • Bedroom designed by Sara, fabric from Carlton V

I am just delighted to interview interior decorator, Sara Gilbane. I first discovered Sara's work searching for something on Google that led me to her blog—and, I quickly became a fan of her cozy, elegant rooms. After graduating from Brown, Sara studied interior design at RISD and blossomed as Celerie Kemble's assistant. Last year, she was named one of TradHome's Top 20 New Designers and House Beautiful previously named her as one of their Top 20 Next Wave Designers.

Darling kitchen breakfast nook perfectly accessorized in blue + white

The thing that is so good about Sara's work is that she understands how to accessorize. "I am a fanatic about details and I must admit that this is my favorite part of a project." She gets it! Each room looks naturally finished. Sara has great taste in fabrics and her details—from piping to pleats are indeed, impeccable. She also makes wonderful, bold wallpaper choices.

Powder Room wallpaper, Poppies by Lee Jofa

I love this combination of large navy paisley with yellow lattice wallpaper.


Headboard, Ralph Lauren St. Kitts, navy • Wallpaper, Carlton V


Settee, Zimmer + Rohde, Oak Leaf Blue • Blue chaise in Rogers + Goffigon, pillow from Turkey


Inlaid chaise in Robert Kime's Suzanni Yellow, pillow Chelsea Textiles • Ottoman, Stark Burlap

Headboard fabric, Brunschwig + Fils
NYC Living Room, antique oushak carpet, custom lucite table, and Natasha Law painting


American Beauty photographed by Vogue alumna, Claiborne Swanson Frank

In addition to being a super-talented designer, Sara is a quintessential American beauty! She is featured alongside winemaker, Michelle Ouelett and style virtuoso, Jenna Lyons in Assouline's upcoming book, American Beauty.

I am so happy to meet Sara and to ask her some fun questions:

Current obsession: Wallpapers and fabrics by Idarica Gazzoni
Last thing you bought: Erdem floral blouse and tan suede Proenza Schouler bag
Favorite vacation spot: St. Barth's is heaven to me

Inspiring artist: So difficult to choose but I love Hugo Grenville right now - his work is stunning and reminds me of Matisse.
Listening to: I am a music fanatic and am all over the place with what I listen to, it really depends on the day. So on any given day you might find me listening to: Broken Bells, Florence and the Machine, Black Keys, Bon Iver, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Coldplay, Nicki Minaj, Beyonce, or Robyn.

Style icon: I look to a bevy of icons for inspiration: Lauren Hutton, Jackie Onassis, Ali MacGraw, Bianca Jagger as well as Diane Kruger, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett, and Kate Moss.

Can't live without: My husband Jay and my daughter Gin
Most precious belonging: My wedding ring and old family photos of my grandparents and parents


French 75 [recipe here]

Cocktail of the moment: French 75 - a glass of champagne with a splash of gin and lemon juice and a sugar cube to make it fizz. Delicious!!
Favorite shape: A cube
Color of the moment: Purple is always intriguing

Museum pick: The Frick in NYC and The Musée Marmottan in Paris
Most comfortable shoes: A pair of low-rise linen boots by Rag and Bone

Favorite time of day: First thing in the morning when my daughter climbs into bed with me smelling like sleep.
Thing about interior design you already knew at age 18: Layering is the key to warmth in a space, bring on the sisal, area rugs, and accessories!
Best design advice for readers: Go into the process with a strong idea of how you live and how you would like to live.

Thank you, Sara!


You can visit Sara here.
And, on Facebook.
See the 2012 New Trad Designers at TRADhome.
You might like my interview with Tom Scheerer here.

A Holiday Walk | Greenfield Hill

Greenfield Hill, Connecticut is a part of Fairfield that is filled with a wonderful blend of antique houses built in the 1930s. Many of them are designed by architect, Cameron Clark. Clark lived in Greenfield Hill and had offices in Southport and Manhattan. He is well-known for his residential work and for his redesign in 1939, of the Fairfield Town Hall. Clark was married to Agnes Selkirk, a graduate of the Lowthorpe School of Landscape Architecture—a school for women founded in 1901, specializing in landscape architecture and horticulture—located in Groton, Massachusetts. Agnes worked for renowned landscape architect and teacher Ellen Biddle Shipman before opening her own Park Avenue office.

Not all of these houses were designed by Clark, but they are all gems that I wanted to share with you. I took these photographs on an afternoon walk last winter. The architectural details and stonewalls are timeless and elegant and truly Connecticut.

Everything looks particularly beautiful in late afternoon winter light.

Here is the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church that sits on the green. It's the church I got married in almost 14 years ago. In the month of May, there is a lovely Dogwood Festival here. It's been a tradition for 76 years. I hope you enjoyed our afternoon walk around Greenfield Hill. Wishing you glad tidings and all the best in the New Year!