Bubble & Squeak

Thursday, August 2, 2012

A True Southern Gentleman

Barry Dixon

Garden at Elway Hall, Traditional Home Magazine

A gentleman, and a designer, and a farmer, and a social media junkie? Wait, what? Either this bottle of wine is getting to us or these unusually hot summer temperatures are playing tricks with our heads. Few designers these days actually make us take notice, however, Barry Dixon makes us swoon. Always the gentleman, Barry is as charming as his interiors are honest. He is a master of creating spaces with a sense of history and courage that indulge the senses on every level. Bubble & Squeak had the pleasure of sitting down with Barry to discuss his dream cabin, Facebook, Downton Abbey, and his underwear. That's right, his underwear!

Bubble & Squeak: So, you're very active on Facebook, more so than most designers. What makes you click "Like"?
Barry Dixon: Anything that inspires me, in any direction...emotionally, spiritually, or aesthetically, and almost any picture of a dog.

BS: When you get up from your computer, what's the first thing you reach for?
BD: Ellie, my wire-haired fox terrier.

BS: Describe your fantasy cabin retreat in three words.
BD: Serene, layered...magical.

BS: You're unpacking your groceries at the cabin. What's in the bag?
BD: A sharp robust Gruyere cheese, sweet red grapes, free range eggs, tart cherry tomatoes, whole wheat bread, coffee.... and spicy ginger snaps!

BS: When traveling, what four must-haves are in your carry-on?
BD: Dark blue jeans by Ralph Lauren, Thom Brown Brogues, my iPhone, and sunglasses.

BS: What puts Barry at ease?
BD: A trip to the barn on my farm in Virginia.

BS: Speaking of your farm...your beautiful estate, Elway Hall in Virginia, is right out of Downtown Abbey. Which of these Downton characters do you identify with most and why? The Dowager Countess, John Bates, Lady Sybil Crawley, or Matthew Crawley?
BD: Matthew Crawley, definitely. I truly believe that we don't own these old homes, they own us. Rather, we act as stewards, guardians that "protect the realm" for our time, then pass it on, the better for our efforts.

BS: Well, Elway Hall has completely "owned" you! Cascading drapery, tassels, and fringe, oh my! Many people think of cabins as rustic places, how do you see these two worlds colliding?
BD: Happliy. I love the juxtaposition of formal with rustic. The tension between opposites is far superior to a calculated mean.

BS: What are the first three songs on your cabin playlist?
BD: 1. Adele: Someone Like You

2. Michael Buble: The Way You Look Tonight
3. Lulu: To Sir With Love

BS: There are two kinds of people when it comes to firewood... those who chop their own and those who don't. Does Barry Dixon chop his own wood?
BD: No. But I'm a consummate stoker.

BS: Lastly, Barry, the design community is all a-buzz with one important question. Boxers or briefs?
BD: At the cabin...neither.

Interiors by Barry Dixon

1. Robertson Bench by Barry Dixon for Tomlinson/ Erwin-Lambeth

2. Duck Head Decanter in Smoke, Asprey, London

1. Poillerat Sconces, George N Antiques

2. Oatlands Side Chair by Barry Dixon for Tomlinson/Erwin-Lambeth

1. Martini Table by Barry Dixon for Tomlinson/Erwin-Lambeth

1. Fresh eggs from Elway Hall, Traditional Home Magazine

1. Ginger Snap Cookies

1. English Convex Mirror c.1840, R. Ege Antiques

1. Royal Water, Creed Perfumes

1. Luminor Panerai 1950

Thank you Barry! You're an asscher-cut diamond amidst a field of rough-cut gems.

Please visit Barry's website to see more of his beautiful, jaw-dropping projects.

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Thursday, May 24, 2012

Only The Canyon Will Tell

He was skeptical of the plan at first, but his family has lived in this canyon for hundreds of years so I knew that he was the right person for this job. Ahiga is his name, Navajo for “He fights,” another good reason to have him by my side on this expedition. A quiet man with an intense nature, he didn’t offer much conversation, but that’s not why I hired him.

The descent into the canyon was rocky. It’s not for the faint of heart—riding on the back of a mule down a trail barely wide enough for the mule itself—but I was assured that this was the safest way. We circled for hours around this canyon wall, and that canyon wall, each one looking exactly like the last. By the time we reached the canyon floor, the temperature had dropped significantly and the mysteries of this stoic valley began to reveal themselves. Modernist abstract paintings emerged from the colorful sedimentary stripes of the canyon walls. An audience of saguaros stood at the rim silhouetted against an orange sun watching our every move. The wind howled like a pack of coyotes.

We kept our pace for several more hours until I begged Ahida to stop so I could refill my canteen from a trickle of water weeping from the rock walls. Looking to the sky I found the saguaros that had been guarding the rim of the canyon all day had begun to retreat into the crimson and violet sky. Night was falling fast and I couldn't wait to crawl into bed. "Just over that ridge and we'll be there," Ahida announced. His echoed words disappeared into the canyon—a secret waiting to be discovered.

1. Sunrise over Fountain Hills, Arizona

2. The Painted Desert, Arizona

1. Coronado House near Tuscon, Arizona. Architecture by Voorsanger

1. Ralph Lauren

2. Almidi Hurricane, Casamidy

1. Atelier AM

2. Papago Figural Basket, c. 1910, Four Wind Gallery

1. Ralph Lauren

2. Robinwood Chaise, Sutherland by Starck

1. Kara Mann

1. The Blanket Weaver-Navaho, 1904, by Edward Curtis

2. Shipibo Beer Pot, Douglas Dawson Gallery

1. Amangiri Resort, Canyon Point, Utah

2. Aspen Firewood Bucket, Tuell + Reynolds

1. Petroglyphs at Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument, Utah

2. Sunset over Tuscon, Arizona

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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

The Odyssey

23 April 2003

San Juan Islands

"It's just around this cusp."

"You said that about the last two," I shouted into the wind.

"What?"

"Never mind!"

"It's hidden amidst the rocks. We won't see it until we're upon it," he said before we embarked on what seemed like an impossible expedition down the rocky shoreline. Earlier this morning we sailed North from Whidbey Island in Puget Sound until we reached the Southern coast of the San Juan Islands. As a child, it was here that he remembers witnessing several hundred migrating Orca with his parents, or so he thinks. No one can agree on the exact location of the occurrence. His mom claims it was North of the island, and his dad insists it was West. And, each time the story is retold, the Orca pods double in size and the boat dwindles. Thus, it has become a family fairytale of sorts that I have never entirely believed. To add mystery to the legend, there was also mention of a small cabin nestled among the stoney shoreline that "makes Falling Water look amateur" (again with the exaggerations!).

Months had been spent planning the trip and it was this weekend that he was intent on making me a believer. I first started feeling sorry for him when, after several hours of sailing, there were no Orca sightings. Likewise, we scaled the coastal cliffs for the last half of the day without spotting a single manmade structure. "Maybe it really is on the Northern coast," I said to ease the blow. With the sun setting in front of us he said, "No. It's here somewhere. I know it is."

1. Olson Kundig Architects

1. Peter Marino

2. Rutland Crystal Column by Vaughn Designs

1. Pewter Mounted Ceramic Jardiniere by Orivit c.1902

2. Thom Filicia

1. Gant

1. Hickman Design Associates

2. Intermezzo Blue Double Old Fashioned by Orrefors

1. Seedling Dinnerware by West Elm

2. Sea Urchin Napkins by Seaside Inspired

1. Beth Webb Interiors

1. Carl Suede Brown Slippers by Frette

2. Shawn Henderson Interior Design

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Monday, February 27, 2012

The Homies!

The Homies: Apartment Therapy's way of surveying the blogosphere each year for the best new home design & cooking blogs. It's not so much a competition, but to the winner of each category comes the real prize of lots of traffic as Apartment Therapy publishes the winners in big congratulatory posts across their network. And, let's just say that the winners from the past two years have gone on to become quite successful!

So, if you have the tiniest minute to spare, we'd be grateful for your vote! The link is below. FYI: It's a bit tricky to register, but we found it easier to sign in using our facebook accounts.

Please click here to vote for Bubble & Squeak.

Thank you for the support!!!

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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Swan Lake

14 February 2004
Near Ely, MN

We slept in this morning. The drive last night took longer than expected with the detour and the snow. The heat was out in the old truck so both of us were more than happy to stay tucked into our warm cozy bed late this morning. We had the best afternoon walking through the woods and trying out that old sled you found this summer. I've lost count how many times you had us fly down that hill. Next time I'll have to let you steer considering I nearly drove us into the pond more than a few times! When the sun started setting we headed home through the trees. We shook off our boots and spent the rest of the evening relaxing by the fireplace. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day. Bringing us up here was exactly what we needed. I'd forgotten how much I love this place this time of year. I can't think of anyone else I'd rather share it with.

I Love You!

1. Snow Berries

2. New England Saltbox

1. Chalet Gentianes Verbier, Switzerland

1. Stamped Brown Boots by Diemme

2. Sperry Top-Sider Authentic Original 7-Eye Boot

1. Antique Sled by Paris Manufacturing Company

1. Amanda Harlech

2. Massimo Dutti

1. Garret Cord Werner

1. Chocolate and Walnut Fudge Bar by John Kelly Chocolates

2. Homemade Graham Crackers

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Thursday, February 9, 2012

And the Winner is...

Thank you to all who entered!

And, a special thank you to Patrick Hamilton of AskPatrick. We had a wonderful time visiting with you at the ski lodge. We must do it again some time!

Don't miss the next Bubble & Squeak giveaway coming soon.

It's another good one!

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Wednesday, February 1, 2012

So Mod Giveaway! Extended!

Due to technical issues,

Bubble & Squeak and AskPatrick

are extending the giveaway

one more week to allow

everyone to register

The winner will be announced

Tuesday, February 7th

Reminder: Two simple rules.

One: You must SUBSCRIBE to Bubble & Squeak.

Two: You must COMMENT on Ask Patrick's "Ski Lodge Mod" companion post.

The links above will take you to where you need to go. Please note, you must subscribe to Bubble & Squeak the blog...not the facebook page. All current subscribers to Bubble & Squeak need not subscribe again, but you still need to COMMENT on Ask Patrick.

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Sunday, January 29, 2012

The Call of the Wild

05 February 2010

Near Telluride, CO

This necktie has been irritating me all day. It's the first thing to come off the moment I’m thru the front door. I slip on a pair of old Redwing boots and grab the duffel bag that’s been sitting by the door. Gus is already waiting with his leash in his mouth. He loves these trips. No fences, no people, no rules. I load our things into the old Woody, and we're off. Twenty minutes outside of Telluride, and the radio turns to static. The only thing keeping us connected to civilization are the tire tracks in my rearview mirror. The passenger window is cracked, allowing the smell of pine and snow to envelop the truck. Each mile up the mountain, Gus becomes increasingly anxious. He knows how long this trip takes, and recognizes that we should be there by now. We come to a stop at the cabin, I open my car door, and Gus is over my lap and into the snow in a flash. I don’t see him again for hours. I never know where he goes, and he never offers an explanation. A bark at the door, and this wild animal is ready to come inside to warm himself by the roaring fire.