Springtime, in House-Form

I stumbled across this little gem of an article in Country Living. The colors here are so cheerful and fresh, but I think still really sophisticated.

{BTW. Is it just me or does it seem like many shelter mags are trying to be more Domino-esque lately? Given the uproar, I think it is a very smart move...}


This New York family did a wonderful job of mixing high and low in their Long Island weekend home. The home-owner, Elizabeth, gives some great advice in the article:

"Play it safe when it comes to investment pieces such as a sofa or club chairs by choosing classic shapes and solid fabrics. You'll find you can live with them longer. Then add quirky character with smaller pieces and a few patterned accents, like draperies and pillows."

Elizabeth follows her own advice here in the living room. Her sofa is a classic Ralph Lauren Home investment piece, upholstered in linen. She found the pink ikat fabric for the drapes at a Carleton V sample sale. She had enough yardage left over to cover an arm chair and to make some throw pillows. I love the matchiness here. Notice the pink piping on the other accent chair, upholstered mostly in white linen. And see how she layers the pink floral rug with the seagrass floor covering? All these combos together with the black lampshades help to make the room not too sweet.


The owners are great at picking out unique artwork. They usually buy off eBay and the most they've ever paid is $150. This costume rendering (complete with fabric swatches!) was purchased off eBay and hangs in the entry way, on top of some gorgeous Brunschwig & Fils trellis wallpaper.


This large-scale, graphic botanical print in the living room was scored off eBay and looks great above the Parsons table and layered against the modern glass lamp.


Love the aqua wall paper here in the kitchen. Apparently the owners are not afraid of color (or wallpaper)! Elizabeth bought her stainless steel top bar (below) at a Williams Sonoma Outlet. Wha?? Such a place exists?!?


Elizabeth's daughter's room is wallpapered in Ralph Lauren's pink ticking stripe. She bought all the pink floral fabric at the Duralee outlet for $3.50 a yard. She reupholstered the Ballard headboard herself. A woman after my own heart...

My very favorite room in the house is Elizabeth's dining room, which can be viewed from her living room. To tone down the pink of the living room, she chose a great raffia paper from Hinson for the walls. The pale aqua Scalamandre fabric is a perfect complement here. I would absolutely die for that small-scale fainting sofa! And I love that lady portrait, which she purchased at an auction.

The owner mentions in the article that she bought her Chinese Chippendale chairs when they were in pretty bad condition, which she says is great because she doesn't feel bad about painting them and reupholstering the seats as her tastes change. I think the current reincarnation is fabulous - kelly green lacquer and leopard print seats.

all images courtesy of Country Living.