Serene Summer Surroundings

I was recently asked by fellow design colleague & blogger Yvonne Blacker to contribute to the summer issue of the digital magazine New England Finery. The on-line publication was co-founded by Yvonne with Linda Smith, owner of New England Fine Living design studio and shop in Middleton, Massachusetts. It is always beautifully executed and highlights everything relating to the world of design… including home interiors, gardens, collectibles, fashion, photography, events, etc... approached with a decidedly New England, especially “North Shore” sensibility.

New England Finery Magazine

Yvonne had seen a feature in the May issue of House Beautiful in which designer Jeffrey Alan Marks, star of Bravo’s “Million Dollar Decorators,” sketched an “Instant Room,” in this case a boathouse, and showed the fabrics and pieces that he would put into it. Yvonne asked if I would take a similar approach for New England Finery. Of course, with Summer on its way at the time, combined with my never ending love of beachcombing along the shore, I arrived at a concept immediately… I would create a leisurely living space with a coastal feel and a serene sea glass palette.

You are invited to visit New England Finery Magazine to take in not only my article, but also all of the other wonderful features created by Yvonne, Linda and many other passionate and talented contributors.

In the meantime, without leaving Design 4 Seasons, I give you...

"Sea Glass Serenity"

The search for sea glass is a tranquil endeavor. While a beachcomber enjoys a relaxing walk along the beach they also feel sense of anticipation about what luminescent treasures will be discovered along their journey. Living with a sea glass inspired interior offers a similar feeling… a combination of tranquility and delight.

Sea glass at the water’s edge can actually be found in almost every hue, depending on the pieces’ origins… a medicine bottle from the 1800’s, a Coca Cola bottle from the 1960’s, and so on. But the hues most often affiliated with sea glass are beautiful, watery blues and greens. The beauty of sea glass lies not only in its color, but also in its softness… the glass shards that were originally shiny and bright become weathered by exposure to salty water and the tumbling of the seas which leave them gently frosted.

Katherine Hawkins image

The blue and green color palette combined with the soft textures, and of course, the allure of the sea, come together to create an irresistible, spa-like interior space.

I have created a relaxing, fantasy living space with a lovely ocean view inspired by the beauty of sea glass. The sectional is upholstered in a comfortable, sandy color fabric that invites you take in the seaside vista, or to curl up under the chunky cable throw and cuddle up to the seahorse and shell pillow to maybe take a nap!

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Pottery Barn Image

Pottery Barn image

Next to the chaise is a unique textured raffia side table featuring a nail head design that reminds me of kelp or seaweed (I later found one that even has storage... all the better!) In the corner is a skirted table covered in a cloth with a spa green top with a wide natural linen border, which complements the natural theme. The cocktail table with its wave design feels right at home near the beach, and since it is made of reclaimed wood, captures the feel of driftwood.

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Ballard Designs image

Cottage and Bungalow image

Another feature in the space that is ‘green’ is the area rug, which is woven of recycled denim and jute, making it comfortable under foot as well as beautiful. No space with a sea glass theme would be complete without glass! The collection of bottles on the skirted table has been tumbled to resemble real specimens rescued from the sea, and the shiny floats on the cocktail would have originally assisted fishermen with their daily catch. Glass glows and shines anywhere there is light, so being by the large window is one step toward making the glass accessories stand out.

West Elm image

Pottery Barn image

Katherine Hawkins image

The lighting fixtures take the look to the next level. The lamp on the raffia side table is ceramic with a glazed wave pattern and seahorse handles. The gorgeous chandelier in the corner has a soft bluish-green shade and abalone shells gently cascading from it… an eye-catcher itself, it also puts a spotlight on the bottle collection. One more element necessary to create a glimmering room is the inclusion of a mirror. The mirror here is framed in a luminescent metallic turquoise that is stunning on its own, but is a perfect complement to the lighting and glass.

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Cottage and Bungalow image

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Whether you create an entire room with a coastal theme, or simply embrace the color palette or elements of sea glass, you’ll feel as tranquil as when you return from a walk at the beach!

Katherine Hawkins image

Summer Time... It's Show Time

Each and every summer for the past few years, my visit to the Decorator Show House in York Harbor, Maine has proven to be one of the interior design related high points of the season.

Show houses are always sources of inspiration for interior designers and clients alike. They allow the designers participating in the project to get as creative as the organizers and spaces allow, and show us their up-to-the-minute ideas. The experience can motivate we designers to try new things (a different hue, a mixing of fabrics and patterns, or a different use for an object perhaps?), and home owners to update their own spaces in small or substantial ways.

The York, Maine show houses are always a bit magical. Just driving through the curvy lanes of York Village to the Harbor, where this year’s house is located, you can easily see how this area became a popular summer colony at the turn of the 20^th century… and it still is today.

This year's was the 21^st Annual Decorator Show House, which is a major fund raiser to benefit the Museums of Old York. The home is called “Twin Cottage” because it is the twin sister to “Mayfair,” the 2007 Show House. The house itself was built in the Shingle Style in 1904 and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and York Harbor Beach. I had not done any research before visiting this year, and the minute I drove up, I thought that the house looked a tad familiar. But once I walked through the front door and into the foyer, I knew that it was related to the neighboring home I had toured a couple of years ago. The layout is similar, but to the participating designers, it was a new canvas... no two design interpretations will be alike, even if the houses might appear to start out that way! (This is a good reminder to those who fear that their home is too 'cookie cutter' to be exceptional!)

Below are a few photos that I snapped of the lovely Shingle Style home… photography was not allowed inside, but once the designers make pictures of their work available, I will pass my favorite spaces on to you.

Approaching "Twin Cottage" from the side

Front view from the garage plaza

Friends & fellow designers Leah, Eileen, Deb & Carol

The Veranda

Ah, here I am...

just wishing I could spend the rest of the day

luxuriating on the veranda!

As Summer Floats By

I think that the most beautiful decorative accessories that you can use in your home are made of glass. And that goes double when it comes to decorating in the summer.

When you have taken down your heavy window treatments (and washed your windows!), when the skies are bright and the sun is shining, what better way to bring some sparkle into your life than with reflective glass objects?

Any time I am placing lighting in front of or near a window, I search out a lamp with a glass base, clear or in a color that coordinates with the space. Rather than block the natural light, the lamp accentuates it and makes it literally shine.

And when accessorizing, I reach for glass candle holders, statues, vases, and jars filled with sea glass (more on that another time!). My personal favorites are an ensemble of clear, green and varied blue glass floats delicately poised on a frosted glass footed bowl soaking up the sunlight near the French doors in my great room.

Their hollow forms allow the sun to pass through from one to the other, melding their hues, and their mottled surfaces echo the suns rays.

This particular collection is special to me beyond its intrinsic visual allure. Here’s the story of their provenance...

The floats belonged to interior designer and lifestyle author Alexandra Stoddard and her husband Peter Megargee Brown. I became a fan of Alexandra many years ago, when I first picked up a copy of one of her earlier books, Living A Beautiful Life. Since then I have read every book she has written. Her beliefs about gracious living are always eloquently put, ring true for me, and I in turn pass them on to my clients. She not only writes about interior design, but about other aspects of celebrating life and interpersonal relationships. Her philosophy is to "Love and Live Happy!" Who doesn’t want to do that?

A few years ago, my husband and I had the opportunity to attend a "Happiness Weekend" hosted by Alexandra and Peter near their village home in Stonington, Connecticut. We, and a small group of devotees, spent the weekend experiencing first hand the gracious living that Alexandra encourages. She and Peter even invited us into their home, which we had only seen in photographs. What a joy and thrill! At the time, they had two homes, their lovely cottage in Stonington, and a ‘primary’ residence on Park Avenue in New York. They shared with us that they were at a point where they wanted to lessen the weight of their acquisitions. As special as the objects were to them, they did not want to be burdened by the volume of things they had accumulated. Each of us was given the opportunity to point out an item that spoke to us, and if we were lucky, it might be something they could part with. I’ll bet you can guess what I had my eye on... those floats! Now, each time I glance at them, I envision them in their original home, where they brought beauty and joy just as they do in mine!

Alexandra, me, David and Peter
If you look carefully, you will see the glass floats
perched on top of the cabinet above Alexandra's shoulder

To learn more about Glass Floats:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glass_float

http://www.glassfloatjunkie.com/

For more on Alexandra Stoddard & Peter Megargee Brown:

http://www.alexandrastoddard.com/



I hope that this leaves you feeling buoyant!

It’s Summer… Sea The Light!

Interior design is a multi-faceted process… it starts with understanding everything about a room… what is its function, who will be using it, when & so on. From there a floor plan is developed, and all of the elements are selected to make the space successfully achieve its goals… flooring, wall & window treatments, furniture & lighting. A lot of thought, time, and often money, are invested in furnishing the room of your dreams.

But, in addition to doing their jobs, these elements have a higher calling of reflecting the personality of the people using the room… for example their level of formality, lifestyle, favorite colors, and decorating style to name a few.

Although the room is probably already beautiful with its key pieces in place, designs often fall short by stopping there. They don’t come alive until accessorized with items that speak to the season.

Summer is such an easy time of year to celebrate… who can’t wait for sunny days, warm temperatures and outdoor entertaining? Lighten up your interiors to echo the easy going nature of the season… start by removing heavy window treatments & rugs, and other décor that casts a too-serious-for-summer feeling to your interiors.

Accessorize with items inspired by sunny places such as the sea…

Vignette with Nautical Chart

Bring the outdoors in with beautiful summery flowers like hydrangeas...

Hydrangea & Sea Urchin Bowl

Or even both sea and garden combined. Wreaths are a wonderful, unexpected surprise on an interior door!

Sea Theme Wreath With Hydrangea

Be inspired by the beauty of summer...

Crystal Bowl with Glass and Pewter Seashells

I have been an enthusiast of seasonal design for a long time, both professionally & personally… but presenting my perspective on a blog is brand new… starting in the summer is perfect for me as it is my favorite time of year!

This first post revolves around brightening your attitude & lightening your interiors with accents from the sea & garden. During the next two weeks I will be on holiday, but in the following weeks, I will venture into different ways of expressing the seasons in & around your home... so meet me back here!