Going Dutch

Everyone loves a dutch door.  Everyone.

But they do complicate matters, especially in cold climes like New England.  There's hardware confusion, heat loss, style decisions, installation issues - the list goes on.  But despite everything, their charm is undeniable.

My house came with 2 dutch doors - at the front and (somewhat inexplicably) off a bedroom - both saddled with horribly ugly storms.  Unfortunately, the front door had been badly installed and poorly made.  It was a mess of mismatched hardware and hot glue (?), draped with an unremarkable textile and requiring asap replacement.  But where to go from here?

These - a bit like mine with lights - appear to be very popular (notice all the lovely hardware - not at all like mine)

 

And no lights, lovely too...

 

Decisions, decisions.

One Room Challenge {Guest}: Carriage House Kitchen - Week 1

If this is your 1st visit to HGL, welcome!  I started blogging in 2008, and HOLLY GOES LIGHTLY survived loads of change in my life - much backing and forthing over the Atlantic and upping and downing of the east coast.  But during that time, I became more and more enamored of the immediacy of Instagram (@seasaltinterieurs) and other forms of social media.  HOLLY GOES LIGHTLY went on sabbatical.

Recently, though, I bought a 19th c. carriage house in Newport, Rhode Island, that needed some work to make it my own.  Wanting a means to document the changes, I remembered my old blog. Today's kick-off of the Fall 2016 One Room Challenge (ORC) was just the push I needed to bring it back. (In case you're unfamiliar, ORC is the biannual design-fest / brainchild of Linda from Calling it Home that challenges design junkies to make over a space in 6 weeks.)

For my first go, I've decided on the kitchen.  The before is just below - exactly as it looked when i first viewed it with my r/e agent.  Perfectly respectable and a decent layout, but definitely not living up to its full potential.

{photo courtesy of Sotheby's International - Gustave White}

{photo courtesy of Sotheby's International - Gustave White}

 And after the initial demo day...

 

Over the next six weeks, I'll tweak various aspects to create a lighter, brighter, more open space.  My new kitchen will (hopefully) optimize the existing footprint, better reflect the historic aspects of the carriage house, and blend more coherently with the adjoining living areas.  Wish me luck!

#fridayfind

G. S. Sprague & Co., Boston, Massachusetts, was an esteemed supplier to New England outdoorsmen at the turn of the century.  The shop was located (according to a mention in the November 1921 issue of Outing Magazine) at 138 Federal Street.  Crafted in the United States of rawhide, leather, and ash (and originally purveyed by Sprague & Co. in the early 20th c.), this pair of snowshoes is an enduring piece of Americana and tribute to New England's outdoor sporting tradition.

Grenson Brogues

Grenson Shoes are quintessentially British -- the company was founded in Northamptonshire in the 1800's by William Green (originally "Green & Son"), and the Grenson factory remains there to this day. Mr. Green's was the first factory in the world to use the Goodyear welt construction method for manufacturing gentlemen‘s shoes. These supremely traditional shoemakers are as well known for their classic brogues as they are for their bespoke shoemaking services. Their painstaking process underscores over a century of amazing craftsmanship. A single pair, made from the finest leathers known to shoe making, can take up to 6 weeks to complete.

Recently, Grenson developed a women’s collection -- in large part based upon its traditional designs for men (we love the Rose, Martha & Grace.)  Although I found their stock situation in London wanting, most styles are readily available (if significantly more expensive) via Grenson's U.S. website.

Sailor Rose

Mom has a friend who creates magical scarves and sells them at the Brooklyn Women's Exchange, and it was there we discovered Sailor Rose - amazing blouses crafted in America from Liberty of London's iconic Tana Lawn fabrics.

As they describe it themselves... This collection (is) inspired by the tradition of improvising and by clothes that might have started as something else; dresses made of feed sacks, a parent’s shirt, pillowcases or bedspreads. Jumpers with rickrack and threadbare cotton shifts. Jeans with fabric added on the hem, and skirts made of pants. Clothes that are just as beautiful when worn by the third child as by the first. Beautiful dresses meant to be played in – that look as good freshly ironed as rumpled. My hope is that our grandchildren might come across these clothes in an attic or thrift store one day and be inspired to use them again, or turn them into something new.

They clean up beautifully in a front loader's hand wash cycle and to maintain the perfect bit of rumple, just hang dry & wear.  Take it from me, once you wear one you'll want to possess these sweet peasant blouses in every print available.

Perfection

The New Cinquecento

After seeing this little euro-chic thing all over London, Paris & Rome, I think I'm in love.

Roman Knockers

No knob, just multiple locks and 2 fabulous pulls {that work double-time as knockers} on each of the wooden double doors fronting apartment homes throughout the city.  And just inside?  Usually a large vestibule sharing a very worn marble staircase and a very old elevator.

My favorite, 3rd from the bottom, adorns the battered gray doors of Belstaff on the Via del Babuino.

Kate, Styled By?

According to the Daily Mail, the sister of Samantha Cameron {Sam -- wife of David} is dressing Kate Middleton on her first official visit overseas after the big event. Word on the street has it that Emily Sheffield, deputy editor of British Vogue, has been asked to help Kate select 30 outfits for her 9-day trip to Canada at the end of June. But based on the shift in Kate's look between her first appearance in Anglesey at the end of February and subsequent visits to Belfast & Lancashire, the Sheffield-ing may have already begun.

Anglesey

Belfast

Lancashire

Hurrah!

Unadulterated Anglophilia

Downton Abbey, created & written by Cambridge-educated novelist, actor & screenwriter Julian Fellows {see also, Gosford Park}, is a sumptuous period drama originally broadcast on UK television. Series 1 appeared on ITV during the fall of 2010 and {due to some crazy high viewing numbers} ITV has promised a Series 2 in 2011. Fabulous news, this. And equally fabulous for Americans is that Downton will be broadcast in January on Masterpiece Classic.

Although the sets {especially Highclere Castle} & costumes alone warrant a viewing, Dame Maggie as the Dowager Countess is truly perfection.  You won't want to miss this...

Christmas @ Claridge's

Yes, still in London thanks to yet another cancellation by Virgin Atlantic. As much as I love the full flat beds, Clipper Tea & tiny cupcakes, I'm switching to American -- forever. 

Thought this recent development warranted a trip to Claridge's for some tea. Not sure what you've seen or heard, but this place is every bit as amazing as it ought to be...