Art for Art's Sake

Venice, 12 August 1949

Peggy paces back and forth in the salon of her newly acquired home.  “Where are those painters?”  She looks around at the curls of paint clinging for dear life to the plaster walls, taking notice of their less fortunate comrades lying on the cold stone floor below.  There is an air of neglect one would expect in a three hundred year old palazzo, but all Peggy can see is her masterpiece.  

She checks her watch again, “10 a.m.  They’re two hours late.”   She crosses the empty foyer from one corner to the other, then thru the soon-to-be dining room and finally steps onto the terrace off the back.  Fifty yards away she spots two men dressed in white overalls paddling a small boat down the busy canal.  “Finally!” she screams, knowing that they can’t hear her.

“You’re late!”, Peggy snaps.  She rushes the painters from one room to the next recounting how each is to be finished.  She is several rooms ahead of them when one of the painters whispers, “I hear she’s going to hang some ugly abstract paintings in this old place.”  Peggy pokes her head around the corner and quips, “Those ugly paintings need a beautiful place to hang, so I suggest you get started”.

1.  Photo by Tria Giovan

2.  Photo by Pieter Estersohn

1.  Thomas O'Brien's New York Apartment

2.  Kate Spade's New York apartment, design by Steven Sclaroff

1.  Axel Vervoordt

2.  Michael S. Smith

1.  Photo by Miguel Flores-Vianna

2.  St. Petersburg art studio of Kuijni, photo by Pieter Estersohn

1 & 2.  Milan residence, photos by Melanie Acevedo

1.  Donald Judd sculpture, photo by Miguel Flores-Vianna

2.  Miles Redd

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Tricky Wickets

Cruising down a winding country road with Mother Nature as our only escort and our beloved summer getaway the only destination, we’re finally free from summer’s grip.

A refreshing breeze blows through our hair as we enjoy the scenery through the tint of our sunglasses. After an hour (or two.. because who’s counting?) we approach the crest of a hill and catch a glimpse of the picturesque cottage peaking through a cluster of lazy willow trees.  It’s exactly as we remembered it, crisply painted with all the enchantment one expects from a country house.  Birds chirp and squirrels scatter as we’re greeted by the hydrangeas that have been patiently waiting all season for our arrival.

Once inside, each creek under foot from the wide-plank floors scares away the tension of the past few months.  Just as we’re sinking into the linen sofa, there’s a knock at the door.  Anxiously awaiting our arrival, our friends from down the road have popped in and brought us a basket of freshly picked vegetables from their garden that we’ll happily work into tomorrow’s dinner menu.  This evening, however, our annual Shirts vs. Skins croquet match is on! But before any of the extreme sporting begins, we’re all in need of some light refreshments.  After selecting our favorite color mallets, we sip on Pimm’s cups putting some of those freshly picked cucumbers to good use! Several rounds (and some missing balls) later, we make our way back towards the house avoiding the tricky wickets, as lightning bugs fill the evening air.

1. Karin Blake

2. 1953 Chevorlet Corvette

1. Mariette Himes Gomez

2. French Country Log Basket by Cottage Home

3. Charles de Lisle Workshop

1. Steven Gambrel

2. Lyre Wall Light by Hector Finch

3. Boston Tumbler by Villeroy & Boch

1. The Adventures of Tartan Scot

2. House Beautiful

3. Pimm's

1. Brown Swirl Porcelain Doorknob

2. Fenwick Chair by Mclain Wiesand

3. Karin Blake

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Living Traditions

The location:  Manhattan.  The date:  late 1970's.  A nervous young man sits before the portfolio review board at the Fashion Institute of Technology.  Hands are gesturing wildly; lots of huffing and puffing.  The young man thinks to himself,  “Maybe I should have taken that flight attendant job I just applied for after all.” 

We’re so glad he didn’t.  That young man grew into the almost too-talented designer, Matthew Patrick Smyth.  Mr. Smyth’s new book, “Living Traditions: Interiors by Matthew Patrick Smyth” is full of mouth-watering reasons why we’re thankful he chose a career more suited to his artistic desires.  At Bubble & Squeak, we celebrate life through fine living and Mr. Smyth embodies our ethos wholeheartedly.  Antiques, gilt bronze, rock crystal, flame mahogany, tufted velvet...Don't even get us started!  Having studied at FIT, and later mentored by the legendary designer David Easton for several years, Smyth developed his own unique visual vocabulary rooted in classical design principles with a contemporary elegance.  Never skimping on quality, Smyth chooses materials that are lasting and furniture that is classic...another Bubble & Squeak mantra.  Aside from the book's sumptuous photos, Smyth also shares his “rules” for design…which, as far as we’re concerned, should be engraved into stone tablets and hung in every design office in the world.  Following are some of our favorite Smyth rules for design, and just a sample of the mouth-watering photos from the book.  Thank you for the visual feast Mr. Smyth!  

*If a room’s background—the paint job or the woodwork—is not perfect, everything will look second-rate.

*Consider the view:  if it’s good, open it up; if it’s bad, cover it up.

*Horizontal lines are restful.  Vertical lines support structure.

*Never invest in a trend.  If the must-have look is not banished when its fifteen minutes of fame are up, the home and everyone in it will look sadly out of date.

*It’s important to choose pieces that are as well-made as possible whether they are fine art or folk art. 

*Too little is always, always, always better than too much.

<---Click Matthew's book to purchase your copy of "Living Traditions:  Interiors by Matthew Patrick Smyth".

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Family Secrets

With our trip to St. Louis this past holiday weekend came one of our favorite Southern delights, lemon meringue pie!!  We begged Grandma to share her legendary recipe with Bubble & Squeak's readers, however, she was not about to expose her secrets to the world.  While we try and wear her down, we found a killer recipe from our friends at Gourmet Magazine that is sure to please.  Bon Appétit!

  Gourmet Magazine's lemon meringue pie recipe

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Making Lemonade

Hello Readers!  So, we're sure you've noticed that we've been M.I.A. for some time.  Our internet has been down at home for over three weeks and we're going bananas!!!  We were only able to publish this post because we spent the 4th of July weekend with family and they were nice enough to share their Wi-Fi.  When life gives us lemons, however, we make lemonade. Or rather, we post about lemons.  Either way, we've been inspired by one of our favorite summer colors, YELLOW!  Until we're back up and running at home, we hope you'll enjoy a glass of our lemonade.   

1.  Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine

2.  Sellwood rain slicker, J. Crew

3.  Vintage Stripe Folding Umbrella, Barney's New York

4.  Elwynn Bench, Currey & Co.

1.  Eric Cohler

2.  zigzag rug, West Elm

1.  American Reflector and Lighting Co. pendant, c. 1920, Remains Lighting

2.  Nancy Boszhardt, Inc.

3.  Lime block printed tea towels, Etsy.com

1.  Suzanne Kasler

2.  Francis Elkins Daybed, c. 1930

3.  Hickoree's Hard Goods special edition bag

1.  19th century French Majolica lemon charger

2.  McKinnon and Harris

1.  Mexican hand-hammered and abalone parrot pitcher, c. 1960

2.  Picnic blanket, Twine Fabric

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Who's the Fair(ley)est One of All?

Hi readers.  This week, we're in for another special treat.  Our friend, interior designer and fellow blogger, Tobi Fairley, is sharing one of her current projects with Bubble & Squeak...and it just so happens to be a cabin!  Just outside of Little Rock, the Little Red River House is located on the banks of the Little Red River near Heber Springs, Arkansas.  Tobi is designing this cabin for her parents, who purchased the property in 2010.  The location is one of extreme natural beauty.  The river is considered a premier-class trout stream and home to the world record brown trout caught in 1992.

With such natural beauty surrounding the home, it only seems fitting that the elements of nature influence the interior design.  The design of the home is meant to extend the interiors to the outdoors.  As a family vacation home, comfort and relaxation are the key elements in the design.  Whether reading, watching movies, dining or just reminiscing about old times, the home is meant to foster a good time to be had by all.  It is a spot that generations of her family can enjoy a relaxing riparian retreat.

Below, Tobi shares her inspirations and some of her mad skills (check out the perfectly hand-drawn plans and elevations!).  

1.  Tobi Fairley

2.  An Arkansas sunset

1.  Upper level

2.  Lower level

1.  Ceiling detail

2.  F Schumacher, Nantucket Herringbone in Ivory and Pumpkin

3.  Quadrille, Veneto in Venice Blue

4.  Somerset Bay Jekyll Island Buffet

1.  Lee Industries, slipcovered sofa

2.  F Schumacher, Avery Cotton Plain in Pumpkin

3.  Robert Abbey, Triple Gourd Lamp in Egg Blue

4.  Hickory Chair, Charles Hassock, made to measure

1.  Hand-drawn bookcase elevation 

2.  Lee Industries, slipcovered chaise

3.  F Schumacher, Deco Flower in Berry

1.  Art concept

2.  Stroheim, Coatue Plaid in Navy

3.  Hand-drawn stair hall elevation

1.  Kitchen design by Tobi Fairley

2.  Urban Electric Co, Chisholm Hall Lantern

3.  Viking Range, 30 Inch Gas Range in Pumpkin

4.  Shaws Original, Casement Edge Apron Sink

1.  Restoration Hardware, Vintage widespread faucet

2.  Bathroom elevation

3.  Claw foot tub

4.  J. Tribble, Miranda Sink Base

1.  Duralee, Thomas Paul Prints

2.  F Schumacher, Elton Cotton Check in Java

3.  Oly Studio, Marco bed

4.  Trowbridge Gallery, John Gould Pheasants, c. 1865

A special "thank you" to Tobi for sharing this exceptional retreat with Bubble & Squeak.  It's not everyday that an artist lets you see the inner workings of one of their masterpieces before it's finished.

Be sure and browse some of Tobi's finished projects...and don't forget to check out her blog!  It's full of wonderful inspiration, including some before and afters of Tobi's own home.

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Million Dollar Decorators

Over the years, we’ve collected what feels like an endless reserve of .jpegs, books and stacks of carefully cataloged magazine cuttings.  After watching Bravo’s newest reality TV show, “Million Dollar Decorators”, we found it amusing that all five design stars, at some point, have popped up in our collection providing inspiration for our future cabin.  With the show focusing on Hollywood’s rich and famous, the interiors are a far cry from what we tend to think of as traditional cabin-y environments. Nevertheless, the luxe interiors these five design talents create are definitely not to be missed. Whether designing a rolling country escape, a wooded hideaway or a shaded sun-porch, these designers create magic at every turn and continue to surprise us on and off the air. 

1. Nathan Turner 

2. Nathan Turner for Dutch Touch Art Company

1. Martyn Lawrence-Bullard

2. Ikat woven basket by West Elm

1. Handstitched leather cup handle by Turnstyle Designs

2. Jeffery Alan Marks

3. Morse pendant lamp by Cisco Brothers

1. Martyn Lawrence-Bullard

2. Basque linen napkins by Wisteria

1 & 2. Kathryn M. Ireland

1. Jeffery Alan Marks

2. Palladio Intrecciato linen pillow by Bottega Veneta

3. 19th century Japanese Boro

1 & 2. Mary McDonald Inc.

1. Boston functional library wall light by Circa Lighting

2. Nathan Turner

3. Nathan Turner for Elite Leather Company

1. Metropolitan Series ring pull by LB Brass

2. Mary McDonald Inc.

3. Belle cotton bath towels by Waterworks

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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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