The importance of whimsy

We've become fast fans of wallpapers from Baltimore-based designer Carey Jacobs.

After years with her family's business, York Wallcoverings, Carey turned her attention to interiors, as a whole, and founded Carey Lind Design in 2007. But she's still a champion of the remarkable power of paper to lift a room's spirit. Having grown up with a century of inspiration right at her fingertips (York's the oldest wallpaper firm in the United States -- it's been going since 1895) she's clearly got no shortage of ideas. The papers below have historical references, but are entirely modern. And entirely cheering.
 

“Paisleys can overwhelm if one is wary of wallpaper, but this two-color paisley is really easy to live with, despite its large scale.”
    – Carey Jacobs, interior designer

Paisley Swirl in White on Blue (AP7476) from Silhouettes by Ashford House, out August 26, 2011, $49.99 per single roll. Also available in Beige on Cream (AP7472); White on Gray (AP7473); White on Pink (AP7474); White on Yellow (AP7475); and Gold on Teal.

  

“Vibrant mustard yellow paint may easily overpower a room, but wallpaper this color with a toss of metallic gingko leaves is neither overly busy, nor a color combo you’ll tire of. Statement wallpaper like this serves as wall art: no one will notice that you haven’t gotten around to finding the perfect piece above the sofa.”
   
Leone in Metallic Silver on Mustard (GM1256) from Contempo by Antonina Vella Designs, $73 per single roll.
Also available in White on Taupe (GM1257); White on Fuchsia (GM1258); White on Green (GM1259), Teal on Indigo (GM1260); Sage on Silver& Gray (GM1261); and White on Charcoal (GM1262).
 

 

“Picture this project: the wife wants wallpaper in the bedroom; the husband is against it. She falls for this floral for an adjacent vestibule and indeed, this paper picks up the bedroom’s serene colors. Since he was not consulted I held my breath for his reaction, which was ‘This paper makes the room feel like home.’ Used judiciously, men have no issue with florals.”
  
Teahouse Parthenon in Blue (AR7425) from Archives II by Ronald Redding Designs, $85.99 per single roll.
Also available in Khaki (AR7424); White (AR7426); and Yellow (AR7427).
 

For more information on the papers, visit York Wallcoverings or phone 800-375-9675.

Downton Abbey... 11 Emmy nominations!

Kudos to the cast and crew of what's arguably the greatest mini-series ever. Ever.

And, btw, that nasty Thomas totally poisoned Kamal.

Antiquing in the Lone Star State

This September, The Marburger Farm Antique Show, in Round Top, Texas, kicks off its fall show. Long a source for terrific (and quirky) finds, the outdoor show will feature some 350 dealers from all over the world.

Twelve historic buildings and ten tents—situated on the 43-acre property—will be filled with everything from European antiques, Asian art, architectural elements, garden pieces, games and books, Americana, jewelry, paintings, textiles... and more!

The show starts with Early Buying Tuesday... go if you want a serious advantage over the rest of us. Paid admission is good all week... there's a cafe and daily drawings. No shortage of good stuff. And parking's free. I'll repeat that: parking's free. Love that southern hospitality.

And what makes the whole thing even nicer? Marburger Farm's the philanthropic sort. They support their local volunteer fire department, and a portion of the the spring show's proceeds went to Texas Children's Hospital. A few images of the spring event (below) give a pretty exciting glimpse into what you might find this fall.

The show's on from September 27th through October 1st. For information and ticketing details, visit Marburger Farm.

  

Little Tokyo Design Week: July 14-17

 

What better way to celebrate Bastille Day than to jump into tomorrow's opening festivities for Little Tokyo Design Week in Los Angeles.

 

They've got an amazing line up of events planned, including symposia, exhibitions and... parties. Click here for details.

 

See you there!

 

Van Cleef & Arpels design for Monaco's new princess

We admit it, we go a little weak in the knees at the news of royal nuptuals, and it's not just William and Kate that we love... especially after finding out that Prince Albert designed a special necklace/tiara with Van Cleef & Arpels for his bride, Charlene Wittstock. Since 1956, the company has been the official jeweler to the principality. The design, called Océan, is an nod to the couple's interest in the environment, and the work they champion through the Fondation Prince Albert II.

 

Details of the Océan necklace, courtesy of the palace:

Ripples shimmer on a ribbon of white gold and round-cut diamonds. The frothy lace of diamonds sparkles with the water’s reflections and diffuses into fabulous asymmetrical circles. The waters of the sea, made of blue sapphires, carry 11 pear-cut diamonds in their gentle swell.

883 round-cut diamonds, weighing a total of over 44 carats

10 pear-cut diamonds, weighing a total of over 4 carats

A 4.01 carat pear-cut diamond

359 round-cut sapphires for over a total of 18 carats, in a colour gradation of 3 hues



The necklace/tiara will be on exhibit in L'Histoire du Mariage Princier, at the Musée Océanographique de Monaco (below), from the 9th of July until the end of November 2011.