Brand New England

Like everyone else these days, I love New England style homes, whether they're in California beach towns, Napa wine country, or Midwestern plains. But I personally like to blend the clean, classic look with unexpected elements of modern, French or even Baroque. I encourage clients to use salvaged or modern light fixtures here and there, hang a gilded Chinoiserie mirror over a contemporary sideboard  or paint at least some millwork a color other than white (like the teal lacquered library I'm rendering tonight!). Blended, eclectic interiors are so much more expressive, more interesting and, like all spaces done well, age better.

Tonight I happened upon this Interiors spread by Westport designer Lynne Scalo. I was blown over by her super fresh, eclectic take on New England style. I think you will be too.

Happy Weekend!

Sources: Interiors

Little Black with Your Coffee

I'm usually one for light, bright decor in a breakfast area, but I love the touches of black in these breakfast rooms; black fabrics, rugs, lampshades, even walls. I might even start taking my coffee black.

Antique mirror set in black lacquer mullions makes this such a rich space. Even the floor is black lacquer.

Love the combination of black with those copper light fixtures.

It's hard to tell in this photo, but that rug and the wallpaper are actually black. Black and emerald green is such a classic combo and trending hard right now. For more of this look, click here.

This room would sure wake you up.


Just a touch of black adds a little contrast here...


and a lot of contrast here.


For the moodier morning people.

Okay, so this is more of a dining room, but it's one of my favorites. I love the way this black rug grounds this crisp white room. Same for the shades on those emerald porcelain lamps. To order that fabulous light fixture, or any products you like on these pages, just shoot us an email.

Expert Advice

You know how much I admire Charlotte Moss, not only as a designer and incredibly astute business person, but as a woman of strong character. The more I learn about her, the more I put her on the shelf with Diana Vreeland, Elsie de Wolfe, and Diane von Furstenburg – all strong, fearless women with even stronger aesthetic visions.  I was delighted to read Charlotte Moss' "Tips for Living with Style and Self-Confidence" in the latest, delicious issue of Lonny.

My favorite tip, Listen to yourself and don't solicit the opinions of others. This is one of those things that comes with confidence and age. Hopefully I'll reap more of the former before much of the latter.