Interior Design in Raleigh, NC

…tablescape competition…southern ideal home show…

Didn’t want to do a tablescape for the spring show, especially since I participated in the fall show which I blogged about here.  I did not want to appear greedy but my design group was desperate for participants and I have a problem saying “no,” so there you have it.  There were six tables in the fall but we only have four this time…and, if I do say so myself, they are lovely and unique.  We laughed that “blue” seems to be a theme for us all this time.  In addition to the tablescape competition, our design group holds a big attic sale at the show with accessories and furniture selling for deep discounts…great opportunity for home decor items.  Come check it out, Raleigh peeps…

form and function table with birdcage "chandelier"

can you see the blue birds in the fabric?

close-up on the birdies...hello salt-n-pepa

largest fake parrot i've ever seen...and the electric candles even flicker

My fellow tablescapers delivered such an array of beautiful designs.  First up…Meredith who designed a wedding table (or engagement dinner or a themed wedding event), complete with streamers hanging from a screen behind…so cute and whimsical…and she’s so darn cute herself…

love the blue ikat mixed with pink and other delicious colors

…Marie designed a beautiful table with lots of glitz and glamour…

all dressed up

…and finally, Marguerite’s table with jolts of orange and blue…simply elegant…

love the fresh fruit amidst the asian theme

Even though my heart wasn’t in it and I had big client work this week, I’m glad I did it.  Good vignette practice, good exposure and good fellowship with my design crowd.

…d.c. architecture, art and assorted…

I love exploring D.C. and especially love that it feels different from other U.S. cities, in part due to the Heights of Buildings Act passed in 1899.  Almost European feeling with both old and new architecture in the mix…I sometimes feel vaguely Parisian…

part of the old...stone carving pediment...

...and columns below...

...and more columns...

love the detail around the windows

stately hotels near the white house

lots of statuary

lovely row house...

...and another one...

the cathedral...still under construction from earthquake damage

the simplicity of the Washington Monument

love the modern just as much

and the rolling...

...waving...

...curves of the National Museum of the American Indian...

I love the many friendly places suited for congregating and relaxing…

natural beauty outside the National Museum of the American Indian

the C&O canal and trail

un cafe, perhaps?

great spray on a hot day

Different things in and around the museums inspired design ideas…

wisteria outside the National Museum of American History...love the gnarly branches

seeing this put me in good humour, the Canadian spelling, bien sur

hello mr. totem...i love your scale

look at all this gorgeous woodiness

i see props at auctions...beautiful art pieces....i'm sure the Wrights would approve their reuse

metal version of the star spangled

copper wall

the famous blossoms were peaking

beaded car...bedazzling

i love the texture of metal and old lettering and everything about this historic piece of aviation

As much as I’ve been to DC (Mr. F&F commuted there for the last 7 1/2 years), there’s always something new.  It would take a lifetime to  see all of the Smithsonians or walk all the leafy neighborhoods…our wonderful French exchange student got to see a lot, however, in a fast-paced two days.  And we enjoyed seeing it through her eyes.

 

 

…D.C. hotel design & a little visit to the big house…

 

oversized turquoise chairs greet you at the entrance

Kimpton Hotels have earned F&F favor in the past…see here and hereHotel Helix is, by far, the funkiest…

helix lounge is a popular afterwork watering hole...outside area

check-in is a space age experience

…the rooms make the most of tight spaces such as this small loveseat backed up to a triangular desk…

stripes incorporate all the colors

bed area is an alcove with romantic gauzy curtains...would be more romantic without children in the room

swivel stand tv is very practical...point to loveseat or bed

how easy would this sink be to copy...drill hole in cheap kitchen stainless bowl

i can find the bar even in the middle of the night...can you say neon?

As many times as we’ve been to DC, we’ve never done the White House tour…very worthwhile…

on a lovely day

molding detail is amazing...even on the outside

beautiful gardens in bloom

hey there Barack...what a nice surprise to see you there! Love your empire furniture, sir.

 

 

Ha…just kidding…no purses, no cameras, nuttin’ allowed inside…so I pilfered these from the web…did I fool you?

the Green Room...from Architectural Digest, Derry Moore

East Room, big ass dinner parties held here...my invitations have all been lost in the mail

"smaller" dining room

the blue room. for greeting guests...every room has a purpose even when you have 132 rooms

More DC inspiration coming…

 

 

…design work sneak peak…

Got right back to work Saturday (my only day between travels)…checked on my booth at H&G and picked up a load from my seamstress.  She just completed all the makings of a beautiful bed…sumptuous duvet, king shams, euro shams and decorative pillow.  I am officially lusting after this bird fabric which incorporates a lot of my client’s colors throughout her house.  And, well, it’s birds…what’s not to like?  The duvet and king shams are the bird fabric, the euro shams in front are a silk check with beautiful, coordinating striped trim (and there’s a third fabric on the decorative pillow that pulls out the red from the bird fabric – not shown)…

come live with me birdies

I LOVE my seamstress…her work is divine.  Hidden zippers on all pillows, perfection in pattern matching and my favorite thing?  ***DEIGN TIP ALERT*** You know how the duvet insert always seem to move around so you feel like you’re left hanging onto a piece of cloth in the middle of the night, instead of a fluffy blanket?  Well, she sews buttons onto the duvet insert and puts button holes into the seams of the duvet cover so it’s buttoned at the top and bottom (3 buttons on each end)…no more duvet shifting.  Such a simple, but brillliant solution.  She also makes sure the fronts and backs of patterned pillows are exact so they can be flipped and look the same.  I appreciate her attention to detail and her very fair pricing which I pass onto my clients.

The rest of the master suite?  Gorgeous deep aqua on the walls, natural sisal rug for floors and waiting on headboard that is being fabricated in a golden linen to pull the whole room together…

Spring break for the kiddies so we’re in the car on the way to D.C. …don’t worry, Mr. F&F is driving.  I do a lot while blogging but driving is not one of them.  We picked up our lovely French exchange student at the airport at noon - her name is Jessica and she and middle child conversed until they fell alseep in the back seat.  Mr. F&F scored some Springsteen tickets this evening and tour of the White House on Tuesday…this child can’t say she didn’t have an American experience…Born in the USA and all that.   We’ll leave Wednesday and head to Asheville, NC…land of hippies and artists and a completely different American experience from buttoned-up D.C.  And, of course, we’re Canadian, so that makes it multi-cultural as well .  NYC in a few weeks and more inspiration….and maybe a few nights in my own bed inbetween….

 

 

…gamble house in pasadena and farewell…

This is my eighth and final blog about L.A., but don’t think I won’t be mentioning this city again!  It has been so rejuvenating, for many reasons, and I’m sure I’ll reference it in the future.  For my last day I decided to drive over to Pasadena, check out old town and the notable arts and crafts architecture.  Cruised around downtown, had lunch, and toured the Gamble House (as in Proctor and Gamble), a wonderful example of arts and crafts architecture by brothers Charles and Henry Greene.  Pictures were not allowed during the tour but the outside gives clues of the simplicity and clean lines reflected inside.  The wood and joinery were extraordinary – wish I could have done this tour to learn more…

the Gamble House

every light, most furniture, some rugs...just about every detail was designed by the architects

the front porch with original tile and wood timbers

looking around from the side of house to back porch and beyond

looking from upper porch to pond below

front wall detail with creeping fig and original planters

the pond is actually built into the porch

close up on pond

stone walls, using "clinker" bricks

Cruised along Orange Grove Boulevard where the Rose Parade floats assemble, and also checked out Millionare’s Row.  Spent the last afternoon and evening on the rooftop of my hotel, a favorite hangout all week…

left side of rooftop...hot tub is to the left of the covered chair

my afternoon perch

covered cabana area

the pool and the Hollywood Hills in the distance

Thanks to Martin, Kyle, Kevin, and Bad Boy for an impromptu going away party on the roof…my very own group of mad men.  Great way to end a wonderful ten days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…laguna beach and newport stores…

As part of my design research I’ve visited The Paris Market in Savannah, Georgia which I blogged about here.  Explored Trohv in Washington, DC which I also blogged about.  And I’m looking forward to visiting NYC in April to check out another prime store in Brooklyn (info left home in Raleigh – will link later).  Yesterday I went to a store near Laguna that I had researched prior to this trip.  Unfortunately the owner would not allow pictures due to proprietary concerns…I get that, but another blogger had posted pictures and the owner offered high-res photos of her own.  So aren’t those also subject to proprietary issues once they’re on the web?  Anyway, won’t go into everything but, suffice it to say, I’m not providing a link to the store.  It was a beautifully curated space but, in the end, sometimes things work out as they should.  Had more time to discover other lovely, inspirational stores…first up, Tuvalu in downtown Laguna Beach…

mermaid on dry land

glass floater heaven

equine pairing

singing the blues

wine bottle/wine rack reuse

beachy vibe

driftwood votive

column lamps on columns

reuse guitar shell art

home tweet home

Next up, Areo, a wonderful, electic mix…

indian chest

indian chest...would make a great bar...just sayin'

bust and globes

wire cage lighting

victorian shell box

lovely altar

Sprink break for many at Laguna Beach…ah, to be young and bare it all again…

chilly day for a bikini

laguna

To call Roger’s Gardens  a nursery is to not do it justice.  I have never seen a garden store quite like this…part nursery, party furniture store, part accessories haven and everything inbetween.  Roger’s was unbelieveable…and the Mexican Santos were of particular note…

succulent-ative

hanging around

classical sculptures

stone fountain bubbler

marble slab table and stools

stone face owls

lots o' color

bigga pots

busts and greens

greens and urns

bigga bust

barrel turned wine rack

bunny love

found object art

heads up

white love

more sculpture

tweet

antique mexican santo

painted glass

frenchy furniture

lovely center hall table

easter topiaries

roger's gardens...corona del mar

But perhaps the best part of yesterday was having dinner in Newport with two girlfriends, one who drove up from San Diego and the other from Mission Viego…girls from the past who saw me through the early years of parenting when we all thought we’d lose our minds…love these girls…

newport girls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…the real reason for visit to L.A….

Once there was a boy, a boy I liked.  He helped me with parties and, in more recent times, he helped me with big design jobs.  He writes plays and screenplays so he decided he should move to the bright lights, big city of L.A.  So one year ago he left…me.  That schmuck.  So here I am, with the intention of design inspiration, but secretly spending time with this boy…or as I now like to call him, Bad Boy.  Consider him the latest addition to my cast of characters…Mr. F&F, college boy, middle child, and little man.  May I now introduce Bad Boy…

Bad Boy looking out over the Hollywood Hills, picking his house when he makes it big

Bad Boy and I met in 1988 when we did a play together, portraying April and Roy Pitt (ironically a Hollywood couple) in a production of Bad Habits.  We were friends long before I started my design business and he was a natural trusted resource to help with my work.  Shame on you for moving, Bad Boy.  But I do hope your dreams come true and I’ve had a ball this week, sharing my L.A. adventures with you.

And, in the spirit of design, which is the real reason for this trip, some more inpirational photos of things I’ve seen.  At the Pacific Design Center last week, there was one showroom that was a surprising inspiration.  At first, I thought it was mostly new furniture and not really part of my mission, but there were some nice surprises…

a chandelier made of silver chains...why couldn't a similar one be fashioned from old necklaces?

close-up...ladies, save those old silver necklaces...

a different version of the silver chain chandelier...breathtaking

chrome and all things metal are hot

i have seen this stool in every major publication lately

ahem...F&F recently refurbished vintage wingbacks that looked like this...on trend

...and finally, outdoor furniture made from recycled milk jugs...YES!

Headed to Laguna Beach on Wednesday, home to various art galleries and a store that is a big part of my design research.  Stay tuned…adios!

 

 

 

 

 

 

…los angeles farmer’s market…

Started the day exploring the Silver Lake  neighborhood east of Hollywood, had a tasty brunch at Millies which has been around since 1926, and visited  a couple antique stores before heading over to LA’s original farmer’s market.

The farmer’s market at Fairfax and Third has operated since 1934…it’s such a classic market with stalls selling fruits, meats, nuts and other fresh foods.  Mixed in are several counter-style restaurants – Mexican, Italian, French and countless others…

farmer's market

original gas station with vintage car

beautiful tile at one of the restaurant counters

a kiosk selling sea sponges

more sponges in a hanging shell basket

another restaurant

gourmet pasta for sale

fruit stalls

a map/tourist angel from a 2001 public art exhibit

Picked up some cheeses, charcuterie and nibblies from this lovely French Market that also had an outdoor area…

shopping baskets and Provence linens for sale

next best thing to eating in France

Favorite store was the Shine Gallery, a collection of vintage small finds…the owner purchases out-of-production retro goodies.  A great place to pick up a sentimental gift, goodie bag or stocking stuffer.  So many fond memories from my childhood…

welcome to Shine

great, never-used silk pillow covers

ahem...F&F has scored some of these vintage souvenir pennants lately

$1.50 table had a myriad of fun choices

beautiful faux pearls

fun magnets for the collector

retro heaven with these lacquered candleholders

glass candles

bowl of bracelets from the 60s

baskets of goodies, including beautiful glass garlands...those almost made it into my luggage

Adjacent to the market is the Grove, an outdoor shopping area, anchored by Nordstrom, Crate and Barrel, amongst others.  A very smart location, allowing tourists to experience all the mall-type shopping and the charm of the market…

hordes of tourists at this outdoor shopping experience

All in all, another lovely, and thankfully sunny, day here in L.A….

 

 

 

 

 

…the getty villa & miscellany…

No design inspiration trip would be complete without a visit to the Getty Villa…sister museum to the Getty Center.  J. Paul Getty purchased sixty-four acres in Malibu in 1945 and, in 1954, opened a museum in his home to showcase a collection featuring Greek and Roman antiquities.  In 1968 Getty decided to recreate a first-century Roman house (the Villa dei Papiri) on the property to exhibit his growing collection.  It opened in 1974, closed in 1997 for extensive renovations and only recently reopened in 2006.  It is truly remarkable and much larger than I anticipated…not quite a Pompeian shack…

the main atrium included a roman style impluvium which collected rainwater from an opening in the ceiling

beautiful carving on this marble sarcophagus

close-up of another sarcophagus

a smaller reflection pool in a courtyard

one of my favorite sculptures along with the following one...

so beautifully restored

more sarcophagus carving

a side courtyard with lovely fountain and...

...tile and shell grotto...going to convince Mr. F&F we need one

more Sycamores like the Getty Center

one of many decorative ceilings

outside large reflection pool

lovely little deer adjacent to the pool

sunbathing beauty

quick get away...

there's an ocean in the distance...better get some clear cutting rights from your neighbors to improve the view

can see the painted walls behind the busts

well, hello there mister

so maybe not a grotto, but perhaps a smallish fountain Mr. F&F?

bearded fella

 It was a beautiful morning at the villa, followed by lunch on the beach at Santa Monica the back to West Hollywood and dinner with my lovely niece and her boyfriend of seven years (whom I’ve never met)…

sweet annie and tim

 They are living the L.A. life, travelling as much as possible to nearby places, hiking, working hard in the music business…ah, to be young again….Rain today so the flea market was soggy, but what I did see was enticing.  The Los Angeles County Museum of Art provided an indoor escape and two wonderful temporary exhibits…both flaming the design inspiration.  More to follow tomorrow…adieu.

 

 

 

…the getty center & a west hollywood home tour…

Yesterday was a nice break from shopping, but my tours were still very much in the name of design.  First stop, the Getty Center, an ode to modern architecture but with ancient treasures inside.  Had a lovely day with my friend who came up from Orange County…

steps leading up to the main entrance

sycamores pre-leaves...beautiful sculptures

loved the graphics on this exhibit's sign

a rare photo of Mrs. F&F

sculptures draw me in...

...and more sculpture inspiration...

loved the carving on this french cupboard

italian tiles

In front of the J.C. bust, a security guard accosted my friend and me, showing us a long scar on his bald head…thanks to some KGB guys who messed him up in the early 70s, he explained.   In 1981 he moved to the U.S. where, despite his background as a nuclear physicist, he worked many jobs from taxi driver to his current position.  He gave us a math quiz (which we failed miserably) to illustrate the failure of American education yet, despite this, he loves his new country fiercely. The final part of his lecture included his standing beside a statue in a silly pose.  As we finally escaped, I explained to my friend that this was not an unusual occurrence for me.  I attract the crazy…I just do.  It’s entertaining, at best…

sad eyes

stained glass loveliness

reflecting pool

the gardens are stunning, even this time of year

Finished the afternoon at the home of Kevin, where he treated us to coffee and tea and a private tour of his beautiful home (soon to be published in a major magazine…you saw it here first at F&F!).  Kevin is a fellow blogger, though light years ahead of me, and we spoke before I arrived in L.A.  He was gracious to provide shopping tips and ideas prior to my trip… hosting us in his home exceeded my expectations and I am forever grateful to the warmth and hospitality in this fast-paced city…

a classic spanish colonial with original iron chain rail

the largest poinsettia i've ever seen and the first to grow outdoors

the master bedroom

the former porch now enclosed...off the dining room, it is now a cozy office

the outdoor areas wrap around the house

the back part

the living room mantel

F&F is happy to see a well-stocked bar

another view of the living room

particularly loved the shells over the window

Rosemary Clooney's autograph from Graumann's Chinese Theater...one of many in his outdoor area

doll head collection

front outdoor area

Both unassuming and comfortable, yet carefully curated, I could live here.  Thanks Kevin…oh, and did I mention who he looks like?

Richard Gere Ringer

 

 

 

About

Carole MarcotteMy name is Carole...and this is my blog. I'm an interior redesigner, working primarily with what people already own. My ideal (I can dream big, can't I?): People will stop buying crap, refurbish and highlight their existing treasures, and if they absolutely need more "stuff", buy only resale items (vintage, antique, flea market or the like). And if it must be new "stuff," it would provide significant function, environmental sustainability, or support our artists and thereby feed our soul. I'm on a mission...please join me.

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