Friday, March 18, 2022

Decoration progress

5% of all sales for the second half of March will be donated to humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine here).



Earlier this month I was in London, dipping my toes slowly into the idea of travelling. It was wonderful to have a reminder of how life was pre-pandemic, and hopefully we can all fully return to it soon. The chairs I've been eyeing for the showroom turned out to be as beautiful and comfortable as I'd imagined, and after finalising all the details there is nothing more to do but wait for them to be made (they will be featured on the blog of course).  

In the end, I didn't decide on either of the fabrics we discussed in a post a few months ago (here). The participation in the comment section was absolutely outstanding, thanks so much to all who voted and commented! The discussion carried over to Instagram and Facebook and while the final results among the blog readers produced a close tie between green and pink (23 for green, 10 for beige, and 20 for pink), the social media votes put pink far ahead with a total score of 185 votes (vs 103 votes for green). 

Like so many of you, I was torn between pink and green, so when I found  Kit Kemp's Hedgerow fabric for Andrew Martin (links at the bottom of the post) it was love at first sight: The Cerise colourway does not only combine pink and green but also has a blue accent colour as an added bonus. The drawings of dragons, tigers, unicorns and foxes under berry-bearing trees are by artist Melissa White, who I had the good fortune to meet at a Kit Kemp Design Thread workshop in London's Ham Yard Hotel last October (links at bottom). The collaboration between Kit Kemp and Melissa White has produced stunning fabrics, wallpapers and china, and I am so thrilled to cover my chairs in one of them.

The mythical creatures look as if they've hopped from the wall right onto the chair, don't you think? For the chairs, I decided on a carver (with arms and buttoned back and sides) with similar dimensions to the stand-in chair below.


With spring around the corner, I'm picking up on the pink and blue scheme and accessorizing jeans and a tweed jacket with a Les Plaisiers du Froid 90 Carré in a Bib knot



My long-awaited console and round meeting table have arrived in the meantime and I'm over the moon with them! I've had my eye on the console for many years, but never had a place for it. With the beautifully carved animals and leaf details, it could not be more perfect against the forest backdrop, and I think that it looks fabulous with the Hedgerow upholstery fabric too.


The blue gathered lampshades are by Fermoie. They appear a little bit too light in the picture,  but in real life, the colour is a fresh and happy medium blue. 


Console detail:


Variation ...  as in the first picture, but with a dark blue blazer instead of the pink jacket



I love the fabric and pattern of my new Fermoie lampshades so much that I decided to make inserts in the same design but in a light pink colour. I am so thrilled with how pretty they look! You can find out more about Fermoie's Rabanna fabric here  or click here to view the inserts




On walks with the dogs, I like to gather branches, flowers, and weeds ...  they make such lovely "bouquets". Here's a wintery one, but I'm already looking forward to the new versions that spring will bring.


Before

The new showroom space used to be an empty barn where we parked our cars. It looks small in the picture, but it is really quite big. The wall that is under construction (straight ahead) divides the entrance from the new garage (now behind the wall). The narrow, vertical wall to the right is part of a lift cage where now the large mirror I featured on Instagram (here) will hang. The space to the left of the lift cage became the new powder room, featured here.


In case the picture above leaves you wondering how to access the new garage ...


Completed garage with clean walls exposing the old stones and a plug to charge the car, powered by solar.


Back to the entrance! It felt such huge progress to see the wall standing, insulated and plastered, ready for some wallpaper and paint.


Interiors are incredibly hard to photograph. There always seems to be light and shadow coming from the wrong directions, hereby distorting colours and shapes.  In the picture below the ceiling and surrounding walls seem light beige, whereas in reality, they are a saturated medium/dark brown colour. It was a very exciting moment to see the first panels of the panoramic wallpaper hung!


Furniture delivery


These gorgeous, tall table lamps were a find on a previous trip to England, and I love their organic, irregular form. 


Amélie (all my mannequins have names) seems to be very happy in her new surroundings wearing a Photo Finish 90 carré by Dimitri Rybaltchenko.


In the night-time picture (further above) the linen lampshades seem to work well ...  the atmosphere had contrast and interest. In daylight, however, the whole look has become a little bit bland and too much tone-on-tone:


A change of lampshades and flowers instantly created a warm, happy, and vibrant vibe. The power of colour and accessories applies to a room in the same way as to a wardrobe!




Links for the details mentioned today (not sponsored by or affiliated with)

Kit Kemp's Instagram (here), website (here) and shop (here)
Melissa White's Instagram (here) and website (here)
Fabric by Andrew Martin (Hedgerow Cerise) here
Console table by William Yeoward  (Godwyn) here
Lamps by Oka (Frond table lamp)  here
Lampshades by Fermoie (Rabanna Blue) here
Paint: Mouses' Back by Farrow and Ball here
Table by William Yeoward (Longwood, greyed oak)  here
Wallpaper: Italian Panoramic by IKSEL here
MaiTai Collection Rabanna bag inserts here


Another zero cost posy, courtesy of Mother Nature:

18 comments:

  1. Brava, darling Tai! This has all come together beautifully! I would expect nothing less given your exquisite taste!
    Adore the chair fabric that you selected! Multi layered and faceted, the atelier is warm and inviting while taking its cue from Mother Nature!
    I can imagine the challenges were many during lockdown and delays a given! I applaud your patience!!
    I am curious about the lift as to what is on the second floor of the barn. Maybe another project to come?
    Thanks for the visual treat of this project and outfit inspiration, too!
    Cheers to your creativity!
    Mwahs x mwahs, T

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    1. Thanks so much, darling Trudye, I'm thrilled that you like the fabric! It spoke to me so clearly that I immediately knew I "found the one".
      The lift goes up into my atelier and stock room. I am still looking for a perfect small carpet for the lift and will share the makeover then!
      Patience truly has been key, there was no other way during Covid. I found that I truly enjoy anticipation, so in the end it didn't matter how long it took.
      Biggest mwahs and have a wonderful start into spring!
      Much love, Tai xx

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    2. After I wrote this I expected this was the answer, given you have previously shown us the pictures of your workshop!
      Can’t wait to see the finished project!
      I agree with Jerrine, as above, it is beautifully serene.
      It really does have a magical,enchanted forest feel! Much love, T xx

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  2. I THINK YOU NEED TO BECOME AN INTERIOR DESIGNER!!
    ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!
    XXX

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    1. Thank you, dearest Contessa, that is so kind of you. I should have thought about it a couple of decades earlier! Happiest spring to you and yours xxx

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  3. Amazing transformation, dear Tai! I love how the space "blossomed" with this stunning wallpaper and the decor items are just exquisite? I am in a middle of renovation so I can only imagine how much effort and coordination it took behind the scenes to arrive at this beautiful outcome, and just in time for Spring. Congratulations!

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    1. Thanks so much for the lovely words, dearest Aneta! I'm so happy that you like the the transformation. You are right, it looks so effortless in the end, but the amount of time and effort it takes is quite staggering. It's a wonderful and fun process (until something goes wrong, haha!). Hope your renovation is coming on beautifully and as planned, wishing you the best of luck!
      xx

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  4. Oh, my, it’s spectacular . . . beautiful . . . serene and most of all, ENCHANTING. You did a wonderful job from the conceptual stage down to the execution of the smallest details in creating this woodland bower in of all places, a barn (albeit a pretty darn fabulous barn, but still a barn nonetheless.)

    My favorite elements? Well, I’ve loved and coveted that wallpaper since it went up. I’m a sucker for scenic, panoramic wallpapers. They’re so romantic and are capable of creating a whole other world. I have spent countless hours with the Zuber et Cie catalog, but in addition to having a boat load of money, you must have just the right space, and I don’t. Doesn’t keep me from thinking about it and wanting it, though.

    And, the William Yeoward console - it’s perfection. I’ve always loved his furniture, but you definitely settled on his console crème de la crème. I know that it’s a fox peeking out from the carved aprons, but for just a moment when I first looked at it, I saw a cat instead and thought you had memorialized sweet little Chips!

    I can hardly believe how far you’ve come from the time the stone walls came down. Those stone walls with the massive limestone rocks. Walls so thick that you could hardly imagine the workmen getting them down safely. It’s a beautiful project, and you should be very proud of yourself.

    What’s next, Madame Interior Designer?

    Jerrine

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    1. Thanks so much Dearest for the lovely comment! I love picturing you going through the Zuber catalogue, what a wonderful way to spend an afternoon ... dreaming away.

      So happy that you like the William Yeoward console, it makes my heart sing every time I go past. Since you saw a cat in the carved fox I think it should represent Lily (I can't afford to memorialize Chips, there'd be hell to pay from the Wiener Boys!). You'll decide in November.

      And yes, bringing the stone walls down has been a massive business, it took two stone masons weeks on end to make all the openings. I'm so glad that there will be no more of this!

      Can't wait to show you everything.

      Much love,
      Tai xxx

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  5. Dear MaiTai!
    You look stunning!
    I love what you have done to the garage turning it into this fabulous showroom. Congrats!

    Susanne

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    1. Thank you so much, dear Susanne! Remodeling is a fascinating process ... after a few years you look back on pictures and you simply can not believe what it used to be! Warmest spring wishes x

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  6. Posting on behalf of Manuela ...

    Dearest Tai,

    What a beautiful transformation you made of your old garage! I love it all! The wallpaper, the fabric, the lamps, the console, all combined result in such a welcoming and relaxing space. Thank you so much for all the inspiration and all the pretty pictures. Have a wonderful beginning of Spring. Much love, Mxx

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    1. Thanks so much dearest Manuela, - I am so happy that you like the transformation! This stage is the most fun, I love adding the little touches and decorations ... it's like playing dress-up with a room. Have a wonderful and happy early spring, and enjoy all the pretty blossoms! Much love, Tai xx

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  7. Bonjour , je suis intéressée par ce sublime panoramique italien ,pouvez -vous s’il vous plaît me contacter par e-mail s’il vous plaît ? Je vous remercie

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    1. Bonjour Christine, - le papier peint est par "Iksel Decorative Arts" (https://www.iksel.com/) et il s'appelle "Italian Panoramique". Iksel est representé par Dedar en France. Je n'ai pas votre adresse mail, mais j'espère que vous allez voir ce commentaire. Si vous avez autres questions ne hésitez pas!

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  8. You have so many beautiful sweaters - where do you buy them?

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    1. Many thanks! Most in this post are by Majestic Filatures, but I also like JCrew and Eric Bompard.

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  9. Your deco is truly inspirational. Such beautiful fabric

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