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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