A Weekend With Joe...

When you are superstar bloggers, like we are, you are constantly being bombarded with invitations to this event, or that party.  It's so demanding!  This Memorial Day weekend, however, we have been invited by one of our favorite designers to one of our favorite destinations...and we're bringing you with us!  Joe Ruggiero, who has traveled all over the United State touring historic homes and neighborhoods for his HGTV series, "Homes Across America", has invited Bubble & Squeak to visit his most memorable cabin retreat on Nantucket Island.  How could we refuse?  He had us at "docksiders" and "nautical prints"!  Readers, please welcome Mr. Joe Ruggiero...

"Hello Bubble & Squeak readers.  Years ago, when I lived on the East Coast, I had the chance of a lifetime to rent a spot on Nantucket Island for an entire summer.  Sharing time with my wife and children on the beach each day with the fresh air of the island, the faded blues of the ocean and the carefree lifestyle is something that has continued to inspire me for decades.  Years later I was fortunate enough to produce about ten segments on Nantucket for my show, "Homes Across America" for HGTV, and I was once again taken by the unique approach to the gardens, outdoor rooms, and uncomplicated yet elegant room decor that defines this extraordinary place.  These casual spaces mirror the love I have for summer living and have ultimately influenced my furniture and Sunbrella fabric collections.  Classic shapes and simple patterns inspired by the wonderful landscape of Nantucket, I have found, are the perfect solution for easy summer living.  I hope you agree."

1.  Nantucket Island

2.  A early US flag with 36 stars, c. 1864

3.  An original photo by Joe Ruggiero, for sale thru W. King Ambler, Inc.

1.  An original photo by Joe Ruggiero, for sale thru W. King Ambler, Inc.

2.  Joe Ruggiero

3.  Joe Ruggiero Sunbrella samples

1.  Gilt wood rope mirror with candlesticks, France, 19th century

2.  Design by Joe Ruggiero

1.  Bergen Occasional Chair designed by Joe Ruggiero for Miles Talbott

2.  Design by Joe Ruggiero

1.  Crawford Demilune designed by Joe Ruggiero for Gat Creek

2.  Design by Joe Ruggiero

1.  Marine oil painting, French, 19th century

2.  Design by Joe Ruggiero

1.  Brant Point Lighthouse

2.  Nantucket at dusk

Thank you Joe for the wonderful visit!  We couldn't agree more.  There is something rather timeless about a quaint fishing town.  Maybe it's the weathered buildings, or the fact that they're still using lighthouses to guide sail boats into the harbor each night.  Who knows...but it is undeniably relaxing.  


If you haven't already, we urge all of our readers to check out Joe's Sunbrella fabric collection.  These are some of the best, if not THE best, outdoor fabrics...that can be used indoors as well.  


Have a great holiday weekend!

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What's Black, White and Chic All Over...?

Sometimes the most dramatic and memorable creations are the result of pure and simple combinations. The cabin in our minds should celebrate that concept and lately we’ve been completely smitten with the classic pairing of black and white. On a recent visit to The Mark Hotel in New York City, we fell in love with Jacques Grange’s sophisticated and glamorous high contrast creation. After a few cups of Black coffee that afternoon… and a black and white cookie (no joke) we came to the realization that maybe this duet has the upper hand. After all, what other marriage has eternally remained chic and stylish, continues to feel fresh and current, while remaining a true classic.

1.  The Mark Hotel designed by Jacques Grange

2.  Pierre Yovanovitch

3.  Reborn Antiques 

1.  Robert Passal

2.  Burberry 

1.  Barovier & Toso 

2.  Eric Cohler Design  

1.  Branch chandelier by David Wiseman

2.  Pierre Yovanovitch

3.  Oscar De La Renta for Century Furniture 

1.  Peter Marino Architect 

2.  Vintage Vogue 

3.  Lalique perfume bottle and case for Lucien Lelong,  c. 1929 

1. Miles Redd

2. Dransfield & Ross Delphos placemat 

3. Antique Wedgwood basalt ware oil lamp

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All Rise...Style Court is Now in Session

So...we're extremely excited...for a multitude of reasons.  One, the Royal wedding seemed to go off without a hitch (only time will tell).  Two, we had to remove our sweaters this afternoon while walking around downtown, which means that Summer is officially around the corner.  And Three, we've been invited to another fellow bloggers cabin!  This time, our friend Courtney Barnes of Style Court has graciously let us in on her dream cabin.  The invitation is such a treat as we've been avid followers of Courtney's blog for years.  We love how she mixes what's hot in design with her scholarly interests in museum collections...it's always a great read.  We were surprised, however, to learn that Courtney and Bubble & Squeak share many of the same interests, including an affinity for Africa and textile design!  We hope you'll find it as charming as we did.  And now, without further ado...here's Courtney........

Hi Bubble & Squeak readers.  My idea of the ultimate cabin hideaway?  Well, to be honest I have several different fantasies. After recently seeing a certain British couple depart their lunchtime wedding reception in a super-chic Aston Martin, I can’t stop thinking about convertibles and a getaway within driving distance. But going back to the days when I pretended Barbie and Ken were on safari in Africa, checked out library books about lions and elephants, and watched PBS documentaries about African wildlife, the continent across the Atlantic has fascinated me.

In terms of style, my first exposure was definitely Eurocentric and romanticized—very British Colonial—but later I began to learn more about indigenous textiles. Visually I’m still drawn to the whole Out of Africa look.  Especially director Sydney Pollack’s 1985 interpretation. So my ideal getaway includes nods to writer Karen Blixen’s digs. I envision a small stone house with white-painted French doors that open up to an expansive green lawn. Inside I see fresh flowers and lots of white slipcovered furniture offset by a mix of European and African fabrics and accessories. I love the vintage beige-dyed wild silk and cotton stripes from the Yoruba people of Nigeria (available through Adire African textiles) as well as Nigerian indigo cloth. I hope you find the overall feeling timeless, relaxed and welcoming.

1.  Photo by Courtney Barnes of Style Court

2.  Woven Zulu basket, 20" tall

3.  Ralph Lauren Safari perfume campaign 1980s, photo by Bruce Weber

Background:  Vintage Nigerian indigo dyed cotton textiles

1.  Karen Blixen's house, photo by Peter Beard from The End of the Game

2.  Penelope Chilvers Spanish leather long tassel boots

3.  Ralph Lauren Safari perfume campaign 1980s, photo by Bruce Weber

1.  Hibiscus Hill on Harbour Island, the Bahamas, design by India Hicks

2.  Windsor Double-Sided Sofa, Windsor Smith Home Collection

1.  Canopy Bed

2.  Antiqued gilt brass candle holder with hurricane, Robert Kime

3.  Egyptian glass vases, Robert Kime

1.  Tree Peony, an interpretation of a 19th century French chintz, Robert Kime

2.  Antiqued giraffe taper holder, Anthropologie

1.  Peter Beard

2.   Ringed ceramic vessel, Baule people, Ivory Coast

3.  Cane Side Table, Windsor Smith Home Collection

A very special "Thank You" to Courtney for sharing her cabin fantasy with us.  We hope you have a minute to pop on over to Style Court for a look around.  Her style is unwavering!  Thank you Courtney!

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The Moment We Wake Up

And before we put on our makeup...we all must pull ourselves out of bed.  Ugghhh....  With all of our technological advances, you'd think we could figure out how to spend just a little more time in bed each morning.  Maybe we should move to France...I hear they've got it figured out.  The truth is, we spend almost half of our lives in bed...so there's no excuse for itchy linens or poly-filled anything.  The bedroom should be an oasis, a getaway, like taking a vacation at home.  And if the bedroom is a vacation, then a bedroom at the cabin is like taking a vacation from your vacation.  A total Win-Win.

Check out some of our favorites below.  And if you don't mind, we're getting back to our vacation.  Enjoy! 

1.  Ateleir AM, via Veranda

2.  Evangeline Sconce by Jan Showers

3.  Veranda

1.  French Art Nouveau table lamp, c. 1904

2.  Thomas O'Brien, Aero Studios

1 & 3.  Windsor Smith

2.  Antique textile pillows by Lynda O'Connor, Textures4Home

1.  James Shearron, via Elle Decor

2.  South African Zebra Skin Rug

3.  French Empire Cheval Mirror, c. 1810

1.  Ryan Korban, via Lonny Magazine

2.  Jielde Lyon Floor Lamp, c. 1950

3.  Ralph Lauren Home

1.  Ron Marvin

2.  Thomas O'Brien Trestle Bench for Hickory Chair

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