Luxe & Lucid

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

Quips and Quotes

 

This week I stumbled upon several meaningful quotes while thumbing through newspapers

and magazines.  It was like finding water in the desert.  I dedicate so much time to visual

consumption that I have neglected one of my first passions … the written word,  I love a well-

crafted phrase.  The right combination of words can be truly magical - evoking sentiment, laughter,

insight or inspiration.  I may produce a blog about “all things design” - that I admit is 85% photos -

but I do consider the words as important as the images.  Hopefully I engage my readers with each

opening paragraph by delivering a thoughtful, humorous and/or compelling statement that reaches

them as much as the subsequent eye candy.  I guess I’ll find out when I review the stats for this

post since it’s heavy on prose and light on pics.  With that in mind, I should probably cease typing

my amateur novella and bring you the words of those much wiser, wittier and emboldened than I. 

   

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

  

  

- Career / Success -

  

  

“By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail.”

- Benjamin Franklin

  

  

“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes of your goals.”

- Henry Ford

 

 

“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.”

- Jim Rohn

  

 

“Nothing bothers me more than people who suck up and scream down.”

- Katie Couric

 

 

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.”

- Winston Churchill

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Humor -

 

“Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes.

- Jim Carrey

 

 

“Guilt, the gift that keeps on giving.”

- Erma Bombeck

 

 

“Great ideas often start on cocktail napkins.  Especially when you consider a large vodka martini a great idea.”

- Advertisement for The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas ; )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 - Love -

 

“If you press me to say why I loved him, I can say no more than because he was he, and I was I.

- Michel de Montaigne

 

 

“Love does not dominate; it cultivates.”

- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

 

“Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence.”

- H,L. Mencken 

 

 

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”

- Lao Tzu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Life & Wisdom -

  

“Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.”

- Samuel Taylor Coleridge

 

 

“Be polite to all, but intimate with few.”

- Thomas Jefferson

 

 

“Wise men make more opportunities than they find,”

- Francis Bacon

 

 

“I’d rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done.”

- Lucille Ball

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Writing That Inspires -

 

My taste in writing is about as random as my taste in movies, music and art.  If there is a

common thread among the writers below, I don’t know what it is.  They’re just all so good!

 

 

 

 

 

Charlotte Brontë

Jane Eyre was the first book I read that made me sob aloud uncontrollably.

 

Edgar Allan Poe

I love a good fright and Poe knows how to build suspense and fear like no one else.

 

David Sedaris

Quite possibly the funniest !@%$#% person alive.  Just looking at the bookcover above makes me laugh. 

 

Malcolm Gladwell

I have devoured his first three books – The Tipping Point, Blink and Outliers – so What The Dog Saw is a must read.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And since we're on the subject of writing ...

Thank you to the following blogs for their recent accolades and mentions.

 

A Thoughtful Eye

 

Bijou and Boheme c/o Breakfast at Toast,

 

and Providence Ltd. Design

 

 

 

for the "Stylish Blogger Award".

 

  

 

Thrilled to be recognized by such talents!  Tricia xo

 

Tidy House Tidy Mind

  

Some people dread the due diligence of home ownership, but for me, organizing and caring for

 one’s home is one of life’s simple joys.  That’s not to say I don’t suffer from a messy garage like

everyone else, but given limitless time and resources, I would trick out my garage until it looked like

 a feature in Martha Stewart Living magazine.  Honestly, I think being organized is a lifeline to sanity.

Sometimes, in fact, when my life gets too chaotic and I feel like I’m losing control, I find one small

 project – like organizing the kitchen junk drawer – and suddenly life feels much more manageable. 

It seems I’ve been tackling a lot of small projects lately.  Upon the completed renovation of the new

Huntley & Co. office space, we were besieged by three floods in 6 weeks.  Furniture was damaged,

walls warped and the carpet had to be ripped out and replaced on all three occasions.  2011 has

certainly been a bit stressful thus far.  The silver lining?  I have the most organized design studio in

the city.  Every container and every drawer is labeled.  The office supplies are sorted, the tools are

sorted, the light bulbs and cables are sorted.  We even created thumbnail “cheat sheets” for the

boxes containing our accessories.  Aaahhh.  Type A?  Definitely.  A little neurotic?  Probably. 

I may have gone a little “Martha”  in the past few months, but it’s better than going postal!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The aforementioned – and now organized – kitchen junk drawer.

 

 

 

 

What woman doesn’t want her beauty supplies in order?  My new house came

equipped with a long vanity and lots of drawers in my master bath – a rarity for

many residences in Georgetown.  I delighted in sorting and organizing my products

after years of stashing them away in closets and in baskets under the sink.

 

 

 

 

 The Huntley & Co. library is much more pared down these days because we

do so much work on the internet, but there is still a lot to keep organized.  Elfa

shelving, storage boxes, magazine caddies and plenty of hooks make it possible.

 

 

 

 

The “handyman” storage area in my office complete with tool belt, drill, toolboxes, light bulbs and cords.

 

 

 

 

Love me my toolbox.

 

 

 

 

We can’t keep everything in our toolbox, nor do we need to.  This

2-tier drawer caddy sorts all the miscellany in our designer bag of tricks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This 8-drawer Bisley cabinet is great for sorting small and/or thin items

that can get lost on a shelf – labels, stamps, file folders, photo sleeves, etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The label maker.  Whether you love or hate this machine will tell you a lot about

what kind of person you are.  Perhaps a good litmus test for potential hires?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For my own office, it’s important that things are organized, but I also need the

space to be bright and cheery with personal touches that have meaning for me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And perhaps the biggest challenge of all – my desk.  I like to have things visible and at

my fingertips, but my desktop can become cluttered quickly.  I rely on a vertical file divider,

small dishes and bowls for small items, and the all-important tray to contain the chaos. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While in my sort-file-purge mode, I’ve clipped several articles and made note of other ways I can keep 

the “Martha-train” going and fine tune it even more.  Check out the resources below for helpful tips. 

 

 

- MARCH, TIME TO PUT YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER -

article, The Washington Post

 

 

- PAPER: FILE THIS STORY UNDER ‘GETTING ORGANIZED’ -

article, The Washington Post

 

  

- RACHEL STRISIK, LIFE STYLIST -

daily deal, Living Social

I just purchased a 2-hour professional organizing session for my boyfriend

as a gift.  Check out Rachel’s website to see what services she offers.

 

 

- A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING: ORGANIZING THE STUFF OF LIFE -

- REAL SIMPLE: THE ORGANIZED HOME -

 books

I own these two books and love to flip through them for clever ideas.  Both

offer stylized solutions for a simplified, beautified home/office/garage, etc.

 

 

 

Good luck and happy organizing!

 Tricia xo

Ice Queen

 

We had a terrible ice storm in DC this week.  The freezing rain started about 7PM on Monday

and lasted all night.  By morning the street outside was as slick as a skating rink and the trees

were dripping with icicles.  Treacherous … yet pretty.  Downed power lines, sidewalk pitfalls,

car crashes - that’s the downside.  The upside?  Inspiration for a blog post and maybe a future

design scheme.  OK, maybe that’s a little insensitive.  Alas, when you have a deadline each

week and work in a competitive industry, you have to stay sharp.  Hmmm.  Cold … yet creative.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steven Meisel’s soft and ethereal version of an ice queen for the cover of Vogue.

  

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Ensembles from Karl Lagerfeld’s Fall/Winter 2010-11 runway show for Chanel. 

I believe he must have been inspired by The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson. 

  

  

  

  

 

  

  

  

  

 

In grammar school I was totally captivated by the story of The Snow Queen. 

I am sure I would find it equally beautiful and haunting as an adult. 

  

  

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chandeliers fit for an ice queen’s palace.  The two fixtures on the left are from John

Salibello in New York.  The top right pendant was created by Venini in the 1960s and the

starburst on the lower right is from the 1930’s and attributed to C.J. Weinstein.  Stunning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For some women, only one kind of “ice” will do.

Left: White gold, diamond and south sea pearl detachable earrings. 

Right: Art Deco bracelet with 30 carats of white and fine diamonds in a platinum setting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately, I am not one of those women.  But I still can make a statement sans diamonds.

L-Atitude has just the pieces I need to create an ice queen look without the “ice”.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

And if Huntley & Co. were hired by la reine des glaces, what kind of interior

would I create for her?  It would need to be cool, elegant, regal.  Yet softened

with natural materials and a hint of feminine color.  Crisp, lovely, cultivated. 

Designs clockwise from top left c/o Suzy Hoodless, Huntley & Co. and Uxus.

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

With a variety of texture and finishes in the fabrics and materials.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We would dress her tabletop in cut crystal, sterling silver and sparkling accessories.

Cutlery photo c/o Western Interiors magazine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And hang works by Rebecca Plotnick, Robin Rose – currently on

exhibit at Hemphill Fine Arts – and Elliott Puckette (respectively).

  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Maybe the reason I am finding all this so inspiring is because I AM an ice queen.

Disconcerting … yet delightful.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This ice queen and her Norsk Elghund wish you a fun and frosty winter. 

 

Tricia xo

 

 

 

Stocking Stuffers a la Georgetown

 

I am fortunate enough to live in Georgetown - an urban village in DC with cobblestone streets, historic

 architecture, charming restaurants and fabulous shopping - the perfect setting for Christmas.  So

as things quiet down, I'm going to grab a latté, enjoy my city, and pick up stocking stuffers from my

favorite vendors.  Below are nine items you may want to pick up for yourself.  But buyers beware,

some of these items are one of a kind and I may have already beaten you to the punch.  ; )

  

  

 

1.  J. CREW 

3222 M Street NW

leather driving gloves

 

2.  JEWELERS’ WERK

3319 Cady’s Alley NW 

brooch by Reiko Ishiyama

  

3.  SIXTEEN FIFTYNINE 

1659 Wisconsin Avenue NW

vintage boxes

 

4.  HAPPY NAIL SALON

1607 Foxhall Road NW 

gift certificate for manicure …

or the polish itself - “Wicked” by Essie

 

5.  DEAN & DELUCA

3276 M Street NW

collection of sea salts

 

6.  SAXBY’S 

3500 O Street NW

Mistletoe coffee beans

 

7.  BLUEMERCURY

3059 M Street NW

Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish

 

8.  OLIVER DUNN (aka Moss/Catherine Roberts)

1657 Wisconsin Avenue NW

owl Christmas ornaments

 

9.  THE LANTERN

3241 P Street NW 

vintage books on travel, art and history

 

 

 

Happy holidays to my fellow Georgetowners and Luxe & Lucid readers worldwide!

 

Tricia xo

 

 

Wuzzup?

  

I’ve received several requests from readers (colleagues, friends, etc.) for an

update on chez Huntley.  I wish I could say things were further along, however, I am

happy to report the purchase of a few fabulous items that I’m dying to put in place.

All were great deals, but more importantly, they all have a Tricia-esque sensibility

and suit the house beautifully.  If I survive the renovations (God willing), I may just

have one rock star pad to blog about.  Keep your fingers crossed and stay tuned!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A general inspiration board for the public spaces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 My first purchase for the house.  I stumbled upon this pair of

Platner chairs at a flea market in Pennsylvania in September.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A vintage Brutalist chandelier for the dining room (or guest room or ???). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I actually purchased this Louis XVI-style lit de repose years ago, but

always had it in storage.  It’s finally found a home in my living room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a find.  This Paul Evans style coffee table is sick!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These chairs will be gorgeous once I reupholster them.

I’m planning to use them as conference chairs in the H&C studio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Simple, tailored and comfortable – my criteria for all sofas – whether traditional or modern.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I have scoured the floorcovering world for a funky, graphic, asymmetrical stair runner.

Apparently they don’t exist.  At least not in available materials and colors that will

stand up to the paws of my canine kid.  This is my best find so far.  I’ll buy five or so,

cut them to fit the stair, seam them together and bind in a contrasting tape.  Voila!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ceilings in the new H&C studio are über low, but I still want a decorative

fixture at the entrance for impact.  This unusual “chandelier” is just the piece.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Another hidden gem I unearthed from the POD.  This little Lucite martini

table was a gift from my former boss, Paul Sherrill, from Solis Betancourt. *

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Not exactly a critical element to the interior, but a great find nonetheless.

I visited the workshop of Katherine Hackl while in Princeton over Thanksgiving and

purchased several pieces of pottery.  This bowl is in a different vein than her typical

work and reminds me of Mirό.  It’s sitting on my dining room table and looks amazing.

 

 

 

Hopefully I’ll have more images to share over the next few months

… and won’t have lost my mind along the way.

 

 

Tricia xo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*postscript*

 

 

My beloved former bosses at Solis Betancourt have just published their first book, Essential Elegance.

It’s filled with their stunning work and should be on everyone’s Christmas list.  Paul and José are

doing several book signings, including one this Thursday evening 12/9 at Bulthaup in Georgetown.

Head down to Cady’s Alley to get a signed copy and to meet these two brilliant, charming men.

 

 

Purple Reign

It's over.

I'm not a guy, I'm not a jock and I haven't lived in Minnesota for twenty years.

But I do have three brothers and a father who are die-hard Vikings fans.  So despite 

the fact that I'm a fashion-loving, bauble-wearing, design-obsessed girlie-girl, I was

truly crushed by Sunday's loss.  In honor of my home team and those who love them,

Luxe & Lucid is featuring all things purple this week.  Who knew football could be so inspiring? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The power of purple brought to life by artist Mark Rothko.

 

 

 

Emma Watson in Teen Vogue - darling.  And check out her ride!

 

 

 

Saipua, a florist in Brooklyn, has the lushest, most incredible arrangements I have ever seen.

 

 

 

I’ve been on a bit of a fragrance kick lately.  YSL’s Parisienne has notes of blackberry, rose and sandalwood.

 

 

 

 

 

Kelly Wearstler’s new book HUE (I have a signed copy!) and photos of her home office.

 

 

 

 

 

I loved Gucci’s 2009 spring/summer ad campaign.

Only girls this gorgeous could rock intense violet eye shadow.

 

 

 

 

I became fascinated by the work of Josef Albers as a fine arts major in college.

The German artist was a color theorist whose “Homage to the Square”

series illustrated the relationship and interaction of adjacent colors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Incredible!  A pair of amethyst cufflinks from Kimberly Klosterman.

 

 

 

 

 

Two rooms by Solis Betancourt – my mentors and professional heroes – both featured in Southern Accents.

 

 

 

 

 This aubergine clutch from Anya Hindmarch is insanely chic.

 

 

 

 

 

 Louboutin’s signature red heel gives this ladylike lilac pump a little va va voom.

 

 

 

 

 

 Aerin Lauder’s dining room in Elle Decor showcases the sexy sophistication of purple.

 

 

 

 

Speaking of glamorous, successful, New York women.

Plum Sykes wearing, well, plum … and violet, raspberry, etc.

 

 

 

 

A vignette of lilacs, reds and creams in the Virginia living room of a Huntley & Co. client.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And an ottoman upholstered in an orchid-hued moiré in another client’s Pennsylvania Avenue pad.

 

 

 

One of Reese Witherspoon’s best red carpet moments.

Her deep purple ombré Nina Ricci gown was a stunner.

 

 

 

And because I'm always looking for an excuse to Google Colin Firth ...

Only a man as handsome as this Oscar-contender could rock a lavender ascot and look dashing.

 

 

 

 

- Professional Huntley & Co. photos by Kevin Allen Photography -

THE LUXE LIST - Holiday Hostess Gifts

It’s that time of year when friends and family invite us into their homes to celebrate

the season.  And if your mother “taught you right”, you don’t show up empty-handed. 

So what to buy that special host or hostess?  Your gift doesn't have to be expensive,

but it should be thoughtful, attractive, and well, something the person might actually want. 

So to ease your mind and your wallet, Luxe & Lucid has hand-picked ten hip, holiday

hostess gifts below.  You’re sure to be a hit, so enjoy yourself and party on!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coffee table books are a no-brainer.  Both beautiful and meaningful.

Rizzoli publishes some of the best.

 

 

 

 

The household item no one knows they need, but no one should live without - the candle snuffer. 

When not in use, this one from Match is like table art.

 

 

 

 

 

I personally believe you can never have too many table linens.

Who wouldn’t want a set of Sferra’s linen napkins designed by Kelly Wearstler?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Which leads me to my next obsession … napkin rings.

The latest designs are like jewelry and are sure to delight a glamorous hostess.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A cashmere blanket is the perfect cold-weather gift, especially if you’re an overnight guest.

I love the gorgeous hues above from Williams-Sonoma Home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These fold-up leather slippers are stylish, useful and on sale for less than $35!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of us spend more time at our desks than anywhere else, even our homes.

Why not give that stylish man you know a desktop calendar that will brighten up his desk and his day?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Is it just me or is cheese beautiful?  I love the colors, the smells, the packaging.

A selection of French cheeses from Dean & Deluca for the foodie in your group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m a big fan of Claus Porto liquid soap and have it at home and in my office.

I mean seriously, could this soap get any better looking?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone, and I do mean everyone, loves candles.

Seda France's lovely little pagoda boxes make them the perfect pre-packaged gift!

 

 

 

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM LUXE & LUCID!

Tricia xo

 

Tip deLuxe

DIVERSIFY YOUR HUE

It's a common pitfall.  You want a blue (or green or yellow or red) room and you think the answer is paint.

  But alas, a room is not built on paint alone.  A room with one color is like a song with one note - flat. 

It takes layers of colors, textures, fabrics and finishes to really make a room "sing".  The dining room

below from Bunny Williams is a beautiful example.  The star of this room is a dramatic cerulean blue, but

it's the supporting shades of green, yellow, gold and cream that make it pop.  Moreover, the designer

chose checked slipcovers, a large 18th century framed wallpaper panel and a collection of Chinese

porcelain to bring this shade of blue to life.  So take Bunny's cue and diversify your hue!

 

 

 

 photo courtesy of Ms. Williams' book "Point of View".