Searching For Charlotte York's Wallpaper!

Osborne & Little

Last Sunday night, I was up very late on a mad search for Charlotte's wallpaper -from this year's movie. When I first started my blog, I wrote how I was obsessed with her bedroom wallpaper from the series, and found Farrow & Ball's Ringwold that subsituted quite nicely. Currently, I've been thinking about that wallpaper a lot lately--hopefully in the context of starting some new projects. Anyway, the evening before, I picked up the DVD while out on a date with the hubby. I had secretly wanted to try to figure out the wallpaper, and of course had to see the movie again, as I explained to the hubby. He doesn't like it when I have a hidden agenda, especially when he wanted the overpriced blue rae disk. By last Wednesday, I had destroyed my new DVD because of stopping and forwarding--hmmm! So between google searches and only getting to where Lily grabs Carrie's phone, I was able to figure out the dining room. Yeah. The wallpaper is by Osborne & Little--Nina Campbell, the collection is Birdcage Walk Amazonas.


Now, what I did not get to was the rest of the apartment. I love Charlotte's enrtry hall, as well as the hall into which Carrie steps out to talk to Big. I could have sworn that was de Gournay but not sure because now my DVD is all messed up! And finally, Charlotte's new bedroom! Anyway, if anyone, anyone at all, knows anything about the beautiful wallpapers that were used in Charlotte's apartment --I would love to know!!!!

One Fine Day--de Gournay!

Image from de Gournay

Ever since last Sunday, obsessing over Michael Smith’s farm house, and admiring basically every single room, I noticed that there’s one room in particular that I cannot stop thinking about—the master bedroom. Unfortunately, with the picture I showed of the master bedroom, you were probably not able to capture the beautiful hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper that really made the whole room. Note, the house is also featured in Michael’s new book (trust me; I don’t work for these people, I just post what truly inspires me), and I was able to see a few more photos from there. Anyway, that same day I was also reading through Domino’s new book with its beautiful de Gournay cover. I quickly starting pondering all the rooms that I had seen done with de Gournay wallpaper and fabric, and immediately started thinking to myself how that maybe, One Fine Day, I might be able to incorporate it. Perhaps in my tiny little closet, a small powder room, or perhaps on one wall in my dining room or office—basically, where I could afford to put it and admire it every single day. For me, my favorite pattern is the chinoiserie. The wallpaper is hand painted, which comes with a price tag—a 3’wide panel is $600—so not exactly cheap! To do a whole room would quickly, quickly, quickly add up! However, I don’t think you would have to break the bank to use it because a little of this beautiful wallpaper would go a long way!!!

The wallpaper Michael Smith used here is Earlham by de Gournay - love it!

Image from Elle Decor Nov 2008

One of my favorite rooms by Miles Redd! Image from Domino

Love this dining room by Todd Romano!

Image from Southern Accents

Here is one of my absolute favorite rooms by Barbara Barry. The sunroom is done with a silk chinoiserie. Image from Architectural Digest

I have an anniversary coming up and I’ve never really been a jewelry-type girl. Yes, as strange as that sounds, I know. The hubby even thinks so but he is secretly quite pleased about it . Although he never really knows what to get me since he does not have the standby like jewelry. Hey hubby-- how about a panel of de Gournay chinoiserie hand painted wallpaper! That would, no doubt, do very nicely!!! But for now, until that fine day, I guess Domino’s new book cover will have to suffice!!!

Domino

Soup's On!

Great Settings

A few years ago, I picked up Great Settings, a book that I highly recommended for your entertaining collection—that is, if you don’t already have it. It has been out for a while. Now every fall, the hubby and I like to make Escarole Soup with chicken sausage and that recipe, of course, comes from Great Settings. But once you put it all together you will be able to eat on it for a several days and then the only things you have to do is heat it up, slap your French bread in the oven, and grab some cheese. It’s simple and makes the perfect meal–especially for us—after coming home from work, going through the daily mail, and then walking two demanding dogs in the fall chilly evening air. Now, for the hubby, anything with chicken sausage will do the trick (it’s the Cajun in him I reckon). So here it is, and please let me know what you think.

Escarole Soup with Chicken Sausage

2 Tablespoons olive oil

6 Links of chicken Sausage

4 Garlic Clover, coarsely chopped

1 Large Spanish Onion, sliced

Salt And Pepper To Taste

1/2 Bottle Dry White Wine

6 Cups Chicken Stock

2 Cups Water

5 Carrots, Peeled And Sliced into 1/2 - Inch Rounds

3 Cups Cooked Cannellini Beans

2 Heads Escarole, well washed, trimmed, and coarsely chopped

Parmesan Cheese For Grating

Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy stock- pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook until browned all over. Remove the sausage, cut it into bite-sized chunks, and set aside. Reduce the heat to medium, add the garlic, and cook until fragrant. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook until the onion is translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the wine and stir to dissolve any of the brown bits on the bottom of the pan. Add the chicken stock, water, and carrots, bring to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes. Add the sausage and cook for 5 minutes, then add the beans and escarole. Cook for 5 minutes, until the escarole is wilted but not overcooked. Check the seasoning and serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy!!!

Loving Michael Smith!

All images Elle Decor & photograped by Henry Bourne

This past Sunday, while at the bookstore I was leafing through the new November issue of Elle Decor and quickly noticed this beautiful home designed by Michael Smith. All week, I've been longing over this country farm house and hitting a few antique store as well. Thanks Michael!!!

The library

The dining room

The Master bedroom

I love this bathroom !!!

In Need Of Inspiration!

Both Image from Farrow&Ball The Art Of Color

A few weeks ago, while at a fabric store here in Nashville, and a little frustrated with a few current projects, I ran across Farrow&Ball's The Art Of Color. I don't know how this book slipped through my radar last year when it first came out, but it arrived last Saturday and I have read it cover to cover.

Ina's Crackers!

I was so happy last Friday after coming home from work and finding Ina’s barn on the cover of House Beautiful—I love Ina! After walking Rolle & Ellie I plopped down for the evening with a glass of red wine and read it cover to cover. One thing that really caught my eye was Ina's new cookbook (Back to Basics). I thought these Parmesan & Thyme crackers looked wonderful! My plans are to make them for Halloween while passing out candy, so we adults will have something to munch on. The crackers will go much better with wine then Snickers bars, don’t you think? I'll cut them out as small pumpkins – now how cute is that!!! Here's the recipe courtesy of House Beautiful & Ina!

PARMESAN & THYME CRACKERS
Makes 24 crackers
1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature4 ounces freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 cup)1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves1/2 teaspoon kosher salt1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter for 1 minute with the mixer on low speed, add the Parmesan, thyme, salt, and pepper and combine. With the mixer still on low, add the flour and combine until the mixture is in large crumbles, about 1 minute.
2. Dump the dough onto a floured board, press it into a ball, and roll into a 9-inch log. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or for up to 4 days.
3. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut the log 3/8 inch thick with a small sharp knife and place the crackers on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake for 22 minutes, until very lightly browned. Rotate the pan once during baking. Cook and serve at room temperature.

back to basics

Fall Picks -- On a Budget!

Finally, after dusting off my computer and settling down a little bit, I’m finally able to spend a little time blogging –yeah! So back to where I left things off—fall picks, budget or not! So here are a few of my very budget-friendly picks.

Earlier, I had mentioned a pretty, brown vase from Carolyem Roehm for $20—not bad at all—although I still need to order it! But here’s something that you will have fun tracking down— vintage, colored mason jars, which you can easily find at flea markets, junk stores, etc., for $3-$6. Depending on the season, I like them with orange mums. Red Gerber daisies also work, or one single white hydrangea–the sky’s the limit. This past Sunday morning after my jog, I told my neighbor Sandy I was heading to Whole Foods for some flowers, and she asked me to pick her up a few for a little evening fall soiree. So instead of just knocking on Sandy’s door and handing them to her-- I pulled out one of my mason jars, chopped and viola—easy—and Sandy was thrilled. I should probably say that Sandy is easy to please, but hey, it met all our needs.

Just wondering how many Whole Foods stores in the country carry Dolly Parton CD’s while checking out – just a thought!

Anyway, next, even though I have not been posting my own blogs, I have spent a little time pouring over Eddie Ross’s new and very inspirational blog. With fall upon us Eddie has been talking about his love of copper. I love copper too, and it’s one of the few collections I have. However, most importantly, I picked it up while working (in the fields of the U.K) so it was very inexpensive! But, trust me, you can find it here in the states just as inexpensively. One thing I like to do is use my Victorian copper boiler (which I see everywhere here in the south) The boiler has several great uses. The Victorians used them to wash their clothes, but we have better methods for that. I like to use mine especially for fall (actually, I have two of them) to put a pretty golden yellow mum in. I also like to ice it down for white wine or sparking water for a fall evening dinner. Later on, when I’m lazy, I’ll throw fire logs in it and I’ll use the one in my mudroom to recycle the New York Times! More later! Thanks Granny!

Happy Fall