Terrific New Buys at Wisteria!

Wisteria has some new offerings in their spring catalog and I was really surprised by the great pricing. The first that caught me eye is their handpainted Balustrade console table - for $179 plus $75 shipping surcharge. Love the demilune shape and the fact that it's only 15 1/4" deep. At this price, you could justify spray painting it a new color if you wanted - maybe a chinese red or peacock blue?
The next is their Tiered Metal Garden Stand for $149. It's 80" tall - so glad they didn't skimp on the height because it allows you to use it as a real focus point.
Finally, their new German Silver Etched Square Coffee table for $279 plus $25 shipping surcharge. I think this table has alot of character - more of what you'd find at an estate sale as opposed to a catalog. Wisteria never seems to disappoint!

Reader Request: Sources for Wire Grille & Metal Screening

A reader noticed the wire grille in my half-built gray shelves and wondered if I could share the source. Her husband is in the midst of building built-ins and she loves the look. Imagine the red lacquered secretary above without the wire grille - it wouldn't be the same. My shelves came with the grille but after a bit of searching I found an excellent This Old House article full of resources. (image above via House Beautiful here, designer Christopher Maya, photographer not known)
One of the sources mentioned is a company called Rockler. They have two types available, pre-woven wire grill and hand woven grille, in different patterns and finishes.


The This Old House article has a complete buying guide with links for all the screens shown above, including some great patterned metal ones. Love the chain link (C) and mosaic (D) screening. Some of these screens come in 6' and 10' foot lengths and could be used for screens, room dividers or as an interesting window treatment or focal point behind a bureau.
My shelves, before their relocation.
A cabinet from Matthews House & Garden, with a chicken wire grille.

Resurgence of Bun Feet: Yes or No?

The last few months I think I've been noticing a resurgence of bun feet. Now, I used to associate bun feet with those oversized pine ones from the 80's but these bun feet are much more sophisticated. With turned detailing and better scale, they can be down right charming. I love this silver bowfront dresser from Wisteria with its elegant bun feet. Here's a mood board from Susie Isaac of Maddie G Designs incorporating the Wisteria piece into a luxe room design.


Brooklyn Limestone just posted on her master bedroom and she selected a gorgeous painted dresser with bun feet. Love it!

Wisteria has a helpful design glossary and here's their definition: "A Jacobean term for a foot shaped like a stubby knob. This term came to use in the 17th century. This is an English term for ball foot." Here's some more examples, this first one is Brooklyn Limestone's dresser with shelves from Find Home Furnishings.

Dresser with antler pulls from Find Home Furnishings
I was curious to see if Pottery Barn offered furniture with bun feet. Here's just one of their pieces - the new Belvedere Armoire
The Baxter's side chest (above) and Benedetta's side table (below) from Ballard Designs
So, are there more bun feet around lately or is it just my imagination?

Oyster Stick Furniture - Yes or No?

Oyster sticks - used to cultivate farm raised oysters are now showing up recyled into furniture and accessories. I first noticed oyster stick furniture in this restful living room designed by Erin Martin and featured in House Beautiful (photography by Luca Trovato)

Yesterday, the new Wisteria catalog came (full of great, new stuff) and they're offering an Oyster Stick Mirror ($249) and Oyster Stick Lamp ($399).

BoBo Intriguing Objects also offers a lamp, chandelier and mirror (and possible more).

So here's my question - Do You Like The Look of Oyster Stick? On the one hand, it's very eco-friendly but every time I look at it, it makes me think of pock marks. Is it just me or do you like the look...?

Twall Y'all

Love, love this "twall" pattern on Bungalow Company's Twall Y'all Junque Trunk. It's a super sturdy 24 X 15 X 15 container that has a zippered bottom that allows it to be folded completely flat. I am totally enamored with their beachy lime green/blue toile that I scoured the internet to see if it came in wallpaper or fabric. As far as I can tell it doesn't.

This junque trunk is doing duty just inside one of the french doors in our family room. Since the basement entry is a bit under-continuing-construction this door is handling all the traffic from our pool. Hoping it will encourage people to drop off their shoes & wet towels...

I bought the first one at a local store and ordered another one and a taller, hamper sized version from Amazon. Here's some more pics of the pattern. Too cute!

Tracy Porter - Serious Clearance Sale

Tracy Porter is having a serious clearance sale.
Reversible euro shams are marked down from $96 to $16. The blue wildflower 14 X 20 pillow is $38 - down from $192. Bed skirts are $29.99 and reversible duvet covers are $119 - their original pricing was $398. I remember these price points well because I loved the Skylark and Rosewater bedding but it cost more than I was willing to spend. (First posted on this terrific bedding over a year ago, February 8, 2008.) The sale doesn't give an end date but does say limited time only.



I bought 3 of the Skylark euro shams for the 3 euro pillows I bought at the Wisteria Outlet over a year ago for $5 a piece. Once in a while procrastination pays off.

Didn't get the fern pillow but I was tempted - $45 down from $224.

A Trend: The Magazine - Catalog Merge?

Recessions require innovation. I was particularly interested to see the collaboration between Domino magazine and Ballard Designs. Domino transformed a room into a dual-purpose study and dining room using Ballard pieces. Click here for a full listing.

Domino has also paired up with West Elm to select Editor's Picks - here's just a few. Click here to see them all.

West Elm's handloomed striped cotton pillow covers and zigzag rug.


Expresso Butler Tray

Now I"m wondering if we'll see a shelter magazine pair-up with Pottery Barn?? If so, I'd nominate these new pieces:

Verona table lamp
Monroe Console table - notice the interesting leg detail. It's reminiscent of a greek key design.

Bettina pillow
Orange tea garden
Cooper desk chair with slipcover

Just had to add in this lovely shelf from Tracy Porter. It shouldn't be my style but I really like it. Contrasting it against the newsprint makes it so appealing.

Last Night at Domino Mag. Event

Last night was great fun at the D.C. Mitchell + Gold showroom, the hosts of a book party for "Domino: The Book of Decorating." Dara Caponigro was on hand to sign books and I was lucky enough to be one of the first 50 to receive a free book. The Mitchell + Gold showroom put on a wonderful party, the food was quite good and the flowers lovely.
However, the best part though was meeting fellow bloggers and DC Designers. In addition, I met Bonnie, a reader of my blog who was a delight to talk to. Erika of Urban Grace recently posted about her work with Bonnie on her bathroom. Gorgeous!


Here I am with Stefan of Architect Design and Bob of Homers Odd Isn't He. Thank you for the wonderful conversation - it was terrific to meet you in person! They both look great in this photo. I have a weak ego when it comes to photos so this is a bit hard for me to post a photo of myself. Oh, well...

Also at the event was Jennifer of Washington Spaces , Loda Designs and D.C. designers Annette Hannon, Shannon Munn of Ambi Design Studio, and Anne Hardock, Gretchen Ginnerty and Nancy Schatz of Dwellings by Design.

Love this chair. Isn't the panelling on this wall terrific?

Yes, this photo is from the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams showroom bathroom. You've probably have heard of this idea - but love the tall vase filled with TP and of course this wonderful spool table. It's on sale for $199, if I remember correctly.
Again, thanks to Domino Magazine and Mitchell + Gold for a fun night out!