In my mind’s eye I breeze through the perfectly designed rooms of The Manse in a flowy cotton Ulla Johnson dress,
admiring my careful selections with pride, and a knowing nod to myself, just as I imagined it would look. In reality…there are dozens of mistakes I will make, returns, concessions, screamed vulgarities, frustration, some tears followed by elation. If I am making it sound terrible – it’s not. It’s this very part that keeps me going. That has me dreaming of different color combinations, fabrics, and patterns – textures and scale. Like a golfer that swears they will quit, and then hits a perfect shot, I’m in for life.
I’ve already bought, and plan to return a number of items that upon further reflection – will not work. If this were a Chatham Bars Inn buffet – my eyes would be bigger than my stomach – the repercussions are worse than a stomach ache though, because the beds won’t fit in the rooms! Ugh. New plan. While I think I’ve come up with an alternative approach, it’s a disappointment.
Cheeky Monkey . Add a little red felt heart on Harwich and we’re in business.
I want to be sure to get the fabrics right so I am laying out several scenarios and asking for input. Jo-Jo will weigh in here of course. I was turned onto a fourth generation textile design company out of Sheffield, MA called Tillett Textiles & T4 run by Kathleen Tillett and son Patrick McBride. This company is hot! They allow you to choose your pattern and your color way along with about a dozen materials from which you can print it. If you are in love with their designs, and want a coordinating wallcovering you might consider printing on a lightweight fabric and then having it paper backed before hanging it. Helen Baker of Helen Baker Interiors Inc. turned me on to them. She knows the coolest resources!
White and Blue Bedroom: 2nd Floor
Top Left: Carp Allowed It in Navy – Tillett Textiles (Roman Shades) Top Right: Bolero in Indigo – Sister Parish (Window Seat Cushion) Bottom: Beans and Boys in Red – Tillett Textiles (Pillow for Window Seat).
Sister Parish is a textile and wallcovering brand founded in 2000 to honor the style of and spirit of Sister Parish of the influential Parish-Hadley Interiors firm that famed designers Brian McCarthy and Bunny Williams once called their work home. I became familiar with them a few years back when I saw a pattern called Serendipity with it’s happy little stars and polka dots – two things bring a smile to my face. Their patterns are perfect for a coastal haunt.
Pink Bedroom
Left: Mally Skok . Mewar Pink Orange. (Window Seat Pillow piped in kelly green). Right: Sister Parish . Clara B . Simply Pink (Window Seat Cushion.
Above: Similar Wicker Chair – Antique Market Find with Top Left: Tillett Textiles . Puffy Petals in Forest Green. Top Right: Tillett Textiles . Dots of Non in Forest Green piped in pink.
Above Left: Tillett Textiles . Dots of Non in Forest Green – converted to wallcovering for bedroom closet interior. Right: Sister Parish . Clara B – custom upholstered daybed.
Last year, while at the Innovation and Design Center in Boston’s Seaport, I met Mally Skok. I went to the talk because I had seen a room she designed for a show house and I was struck by the organic patterns and playful motifs. She has a fascinating story, and is as lovely as her designs.
Custom Upholstered Day Bed with Trundle by livenUpdesign. Via Etsy.
I love so much of what Serena and Lily produces, but struggled with colorways that would work in this particular application. If I have to be honest, which I do, because what’s the point of writing all this if I am not honestly sharing my preferences, thoughts, and opinions. I’m not perfect – nobody is and NObody likes a property that looks too perfect. It feels inauthentic (probably because nobody lives there) Don’t you forget that.
Louis J. Solomon . Commode for inside the closet nook.
So S & L is out and I am embracing a mix of designers that you may know, and others who may be new to you. I do hope you approve. Comments are sometimes welcome – just kidding – if I couldn’t accept input and alternative suggestions, where would I be? Please do write.