Those dedicated fans will have heard me mention L. Francis Herresmhoff a time or two before.  When I have quoted him a half a dozen times or more, you will start to quote him too, because he was funny, and rather insightful. Now you are in on my secret plan.  L. Francis said:  “To most people, particularly the ladies, there are two types of wood, one is stained red and called mahogany and the other is not stained red and is not called mahogany.”  This wood will be the basis of concept 3 for project number 5.

My tiny hesitation with this design concept is that it leans a little toward the nautical.  It all started with the desire to have a brightly varnished mahogany countertop in the kitchen.  I wasn’t even thinking about cabinets – just the beautiful finish of the wood, gleaming under a perfect pendant.  I wanted something other than my standard Carrera marble counter.  It’s not as if I have fallen out of love with it or anything, it’s a beautiful material.  It’s more of a case of absence makes the heart grow fonder… I think.

I can see the cabinets painted in a deep muddy blue, hand carved mahogany cleats for door and drawer pulls (how in heavens name am I ever going to be able to retire)?  The backsplash done in a rough hewn ship lap, a la the powder room at Nantucket’s Cru.  Beautiful.  If I were to go all the way it would require a pretty big effort as I would want the mahogany baseboards too.  Instead of molding (no problem for most places – they don’t have it anyway) I would replicate the same simple base but apply it to the wall, adding a piece of quarter round to the top.  elegant.

I love the rough and the polished side by side.  It’s got personality.

I have always wanted a built-in around the headboard of the bed. This concept begs for it – so screaming boat cabin sheik I can’t stand it.  Why the heck not?  This is Boston, a port city after all.  There are boats everywhere.  Go luxury liner or go home.

One more concept to go before you weigh in.

Note:  puddling curtains, herringbone floors, chair rail, slip covered sofa, simply white.

The French love their all white apartments with their perfectly stunning herringbone laid wooden floors, and I love the French.  This has led me to toss around the idea of going stark, and letting the art and the furnishings do the talking.  That would mean no wallcoverings, and no accent colors.  I could play with different tones of white, of which there are a boundless number.  Don’t test me, I’ll blanco bore you to death with the shear volume of offerings.

Note:  Herringbone Floor, Paneled walls, and architectural details, and …..white.

It is interesting to consider texture on the walls – even in white that can be a pretty intriguing statement, it doesn’t feel super French to me though.  Grand architectural moldings, and paneled walls, chair rails, or simple applied moldings feel more authentically Parisian apartment – which is the look I would go for, if I go for concept 2.

Note:  encore, encore, encore – this repetition never gets boring for me.

I might have a slipcover made for my Verellen sofa.  I had it upholstered for No. 4 in a beautiful cream silk and linen Turkish fabric.  This look would demand something a little looser.  Breezy.  That’s the French way you know – looking effortless….minimal.  Oh sure, you can find a Louis the XV commode or Etagere, dripping in gold acanthus leaves, but that’s likely because the recipient got it from their grandmother and with the price of apartments in Paris, can’t afford to replace it with something more modern.

Where in the heck am I going to find that molding in Boston?

My art work would remain the same, but I suspect, somehow look entirely different.  It’s amazing what throwing a piece of art on a wall covered surface will do to the colors – dramatically different. The same of course goes for a different pigment.  When buying a serious piece of art (read expensive) always make sure that the seller will allow you to hang it in your home first before you finalize the purchase.  Who wants something that looked divine in the store and looks more like a consolation prize that’s handed out to the loser on The Price is Right.  NOT ME.  Now if you are buy a Monet or a Rembrandt, then you aren’t going to have the luxury of trying it out first.  I don’t feel bad for you.  Just redesign the whole room around the piece of art, and not the other way around.  You can afford it.

Note:  Floors, molding, white, amazing, but in full disclosure this apartment is in London – clearly we know where they got their aesthetic!

Be ready to vote shortly.  I have at least two more concepts coming….Happy Saturday.