Luxe & Lucid

Garnet & Goats

Hmmm, January.  This can be a challenging month.  The holiday sparkle has worn off, a little too much winter lies ahead and we’re all a whiter shade of pale.  I agree it’s tough to feel motivated when it’s cold and dreary outside and happiness is Haagen-Dazs and a Snuggie on Friday night.  However, I’m a January baby and a Capricorn which means I believe from problems come opportunities and there is still reason to celebrate a month as gloomy as this.  January can actually offer inspiration.  Not in an obvious way, but beneath the surface and outside the box.  As with so many things worthwhile, in January you have to dig a little deeper and work a little harder to get to the good stuff.

  

 

 

GARNET

January’s birthstone is like no other. The deep crimson is at once sophisticated and sultry. It has undeniable glamour, yet totally lacks pretention.

   

 Garnet jewelry is always dramatic.

Modern earrings by Caprichosa, antique Victorian brooch, Islamic ring,

  

  

 This look from Gucci is all about the lips. I have been saving this photo since fall with the intentions of replicating it for a glamorous night.

 

 My current garnet pedicure.

 

 

A stunning garnet velvet I used alongside pastel fabrics in a Virginia living room.

 And speaking of fabric …

 

  

 The gorgeous drape of Zac Posen on Naomi Watts at the Golden Globes. She is always red carpet perfection.

 

 

 

JANUS

 January is the month of Janus, the Roman god of gates and doorways.  As a designer and architecture buff, I photograph a lot of gates and doorways … actually more than I realized once I began combing through my files.

 

      

      

     

 - all photos from my life and travels except central image -

row 1:  Munich, Los Angeles, Hempel Hotel

row 2:  Georgetown, Melbourne residence (via est Magazine), Italy

row 3:  Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Dubuque church, Dumbarton Oaks

 

 

 

 

THE GOAT

 Although January 19 ended Capricorn’s (i.e. the goat’s) reign, it’s never too late to have fun with die ziege.

 

 We found these darling little guys in Montreux.

 - photo by M. Hammond -

    

 

     

       If there’s one thing most of us like to do in January, it’s eat.  And Lord knows, I love me my cheese … thank you goats!  Clearly a girl who takes photos of cheese and cheese shops (as seen here) has a thing for chevre.

 

 

     

Goatskin (often referred to as vellum or parchment) is a preferred material of designers and furniture makers both contemporary and past.  I gravitate to it myself and have selected several furniture pieces for projects over the years.  Like wood or marble, its beauty is innate and born from nature; it can’t be faked.

 Furnishings for DC, Switzerland and London Huntley & Co. projects respectively.

 

 

 

WHITES, GREYS & PALES

The colors of winter may seem a bit solemn, but they translate beautifully.

 

  

White, grey and pale works in a stark, ethereal European bedroom or in a bar/restaurant on Mallorca.

 

Moonstone and black onyx rings by Mathilde Danglade.

 

  

The concept of black and white in art stretches beyond the medium of photography.

A painting by Picasso, a photo study of a golf swing and a neon installation by Glenn Ligon.

 

 

 Perhaps the only thing that could entice me to spend an afternoon in subzero temperatures - beautiful, beguiling and utterly happy sled dogs.

 

 

Happy January.  Hopefully your new year is off to a good start!

Tricia xo

 

 

 

Seven

January 11 marked the seven year anniversary of  Huntley & Co. Interior Design.  Amazing how time flies!  In honor of my biz’s birthday, I’m sharing seven sets of seven favorites.  I typically champion quality over quantity, but it’s nice to be surrounded by inspiration – from design to television to words of wisdom – in abundance these days.  Here’s to seven years of success, a fantastic 2013 and a life filled with beauty, humor and a healthy dose of fun.

 

 

7 YEARS OF HUNTLEY & CO.

cM

 

   

 

 

   

 

7 ARTISTS

I am OBSESSED with the work of the artists below.  Need me a millionaire (or maybe billionaire) boyfriend.

 

  

   

     

 

 

 

7 ARCHITECTURAL WONDERS

 

A spectacular collection of architecture is featured in February’s issue of AD. 

Four of the structures are included below along with three photos from my own travels.

 

      

 

Perot Museum_Dallas  –  Harpa Concert Hall_Reykjavik

 

  

 

The Shard_London  –  Gardens by the Bay_Singapore

  

     

 

New York Public Library_NYC  –  Rolex Learning Center_Lausanne, Switzerland  –  steps of Siena

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7 BOOKS

 

Life, Keith Richards

A surprisingly poignant memoir from the ultimate rock star.

  

 

Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn

The best plot twist since The Sixth Sense.

 

  

Middlesex, Jeffrey Eugenides

A story spanning 3 generations of Greek-Americans and featuring a young, hermaphroditic protagonist named Calliope. 

 An epic, unorthodox Pulitzer Prize winner.

 

  

Religion for Atheists, Alain de Botton

For the open-minded, curious individual who seeks to understand all sides of an argument.

 

  

The Black Spider, Jeremias Gotthelf

A 19th century novella about a small German town infested with spiders after one of the villagers makes a pact with the devil.

 A good old-fashioned religious allegory written to inspire fear.

 

  

The World of Muriel Brandolini

I had to include one design book. Brandolini's work is completely original and worth a study.

 

  

Blood, Bones & Butter, Gabrielle Hamilton

This was just recommended to me. I can't wait to sink my teeth into it, so to speak.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7 SHOWS

 

I’m not one of those people who claims she never watches TV.

With provocative storylines, million dollar sets and brilliant characters, you’re missing out if you’re not tuning in.

 

 

 

Downton Abbey

Delicious and addictive whether you’re an aesthete or not.

 

 

  

 

Top Chef

The tenth season is as mouth-watering as ever and has been featuring some serious girl power.

 

 

 

Mad Men

Like any dashing, egocentric, womanizing man worth his salt, Don Draper still has us hooked.

 

 

 

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Characters so wrong, you can't help but champion their insanity.

 

 

 

Justified

For those of us who felt robbed when Deadwood ended.

 

 

 

Walking Dead

A smart, well-crafted show about zombies. Who would have thunk it?

 

 

 

Following

A serial killer show starring Kevin Bacon and James Purefoy. I'm sold. Premieres January 21.

 

 

 

 

 

 

7 PEARLS OF WISDOM

 

“You were born an original. Don’t die a copy.”

 

 

 

“Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say and not giving a damn.”

- Gore Vidal

 

 

“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.”

- Estee Lauder

 

 

 

“The best love is the one that makes you a better person without changing you into someone other than yourself."

 

 

 

"It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings.”

- Ann Landers

 

  

“I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.”

- Bill Cosby

 

 

“Don’t try to explain yourself to stupid people. You’re not the Jackass Whisperer.”

 

 

 

 

7 YEARS OF NINA

My other baby is seven too!

  

  

  

       

  

   

 

 

  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Tricia xo

[Re]defining Beauty

I made a long overdue trip to the nail salon this weekend for a mani/pedi. And while scanning the assortment of possible nail colors from which to choose, I stumbled upon a stunning shade of peacock blue. It's one of my favorite colors in general - rich, complex, almost regal - so the thought of it on my fingertips was titillating. Sure enough, I love it. Not only do I think the shade of blue is absolutely stunning, but in a strange way, I think it complements my skin tone. It's funny then that some of the conservative loved ones in my life don't share my enthusiasm. Don't they see what I see? What's not to like? Some people think pretty is synonymous with conventional. But I think some of the prettiest things are those that are actually unconventional. I'm not talking about anything bizarre or distasteful. I mean looking beyond labels and stereotypes and thinking about what makes something beautiful ... the confidence with which a man carries himself, the complex ideas behind an abstract painting, the texture of an unusual plant. Of course, what's stunning will always catch our eye, but sometimes beauty and substance wear an unexpected guise.

 

 

 

 

 

My peacock blue manicure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A study for “Woman Pulling Up Her Stocking” and “Salon in the Rue Des Moulins”.

Henri De Toulouse-Lautrec found inspiration in bars and brothels. Unseemly venues perhaps, but the artist found warmth and vivid color in these unlikely spectacles.

Felicity Brown’s 2010 collection was inspired by Toulouse-Lautrec’s work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tilda Swinton is a chameleon on and off-screen. She can look ethereal, severe or aristocratic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some people don’t like modern art or furniture. It’s hard to understand with gorgeous, sculptural shapes likes these.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who needs gold or diamonds? Dahlia Kloss’ necklace is a showstopper without precious metals or stones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although two of the world’s deadliest snakes, the Rosy Boa and Malayan Coral Snake are also two of the most beautiful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Hawkes, Mick Jagger & Adrian Brody.

The talent and swagger of these men makes their unconventional looks incredibly sexy.

Chez Huntley - update 08/05

  

A great deal of progress has been made here in the past couple of weeks.  The millwork

installation – new casing, baseboards and bookshelves – is complete.  The painting has

been corrected and looks lovely.  Lighting fixtures have been installed in the foyer/living

room along with simple, modern light switches and receptacles throughout the main floor.

I’ve even styled my bookshelves and purchased a new painting for the dining room and a

pair of cast greyhounds for the front entry.  And as excited as I am to move on to the next

layer of furnishings and accessories, nothing is quite as important to good design as getting

“the envelope” right.  I use this term A LOT in my work.  Cleaning up the architecture of a

space and adding (or removing as the case may be) details is the key to a grounded and

balanced interior.  And there is something really beautiful about a well-executed space

that feels good even without any decor.  But of course, I’m an interior designer, so decor

is essential too.  Once I add the furniture, softgoods and artwork, the space will really sing.

 

 

 

 

- Projects -

 

 

 

 

I purchased this pair of deer sconces about 4 years ago and finally had the opportunity to

use them.  I … ahem, I mean we (I got a lot of help from Molly, H&C employee extraordinaire)

painted them white, so they have a more contemporary vibe appropriate for the house.

 

 

 

A major accomplishment for me: my very first lighting installation!

I was so proud.  I called my boyfriend, my parents and sent emails to friends everywhere.

 

 

 

- Millwork -

The new bookcases in my living room.  Cheap yet chic!

I kept the lines simple and wrapped the baseboard around the front for a clean, modern look.  You’ll see

that I was anxious to style the shelves with my books and accessories - I didn’t even wait to put away my tools. 

Above the shelves are the freshly painted deer sconces with extra long candle sleeves and taupe silk shades.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- New Purchases -

 

 

This abstract oil painting circa 1960 has incredible color that almost glows.

 

I found the painting above and this pair of greyhounds at Comer & Co. in Georgetown. 

A fantastic new shop with exquisite things and wonderful service.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And speaking of dogs … I’m happy to say that Nina is feeling much better this week.

The little stinker kept pulling off her cone, so she was forced to rock this t-shirt instead.

My poor pup was quite the fashion victim last week.

 

 

Tricia xo

 

 

 

Puppy Love

 

Some of you will understand this and some of you won’t.  But I am totally

and completely in love with my dog.  Nina, my Norwegian Elkhound, is the

love of my life.  This truth can be attributed to two things: (1) my never-ending

 affection and sensitivity for animals and (2) the fact that I don’t have children.

Nina is my kid … my canine kid.  I spend more time with her than any other

living creature on the planet, her personality is as complex as any human’s and

when she’s hurt, my heart breaks.  And since she had a medical procedure at

the vet today that left her drugged, in pain and wearing one of those shameful

cones, I thought it time that I dedicate a blog to her.  All other posts can wait. 

 

I love you Nina!

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Nina Feeling Poorly -

 

My poor, doped-up baby wearing the bonnet of shame. 

 

 

 

 

 

- Nina the Pup -

  

Sooooo cute!

 

 

 

 

 

- Nina at Work -

 

Helping select fabric samples at Huntley & Co.

 

 

 

 

 

- Nina at Play -

 

In the grass …

 

… and in the snow.

 

 

    

 

 

- Nina at Rest -

 

At the foot of my desk snuggling with her bear and bone.

 

On the bed … and under it.

 

In her “superman” pose cooling her belly at the A/C vent.

 

 

 

 

  

- Nina & Her Momma -

 

In good times and in bad.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To the dog days of summer and all our beloved animal companions.

Tricia & Nina xoxo