Muse - Hope Sword of Pigsty

Isn’t it lovely when our muses are also our closest friends?

I have been inspired by Hope Sword for as long as I can remember. She is, and has always been a true creative. Growing up, this was evident in the way that she threw outfits together, the things that she loved, and through the way that she saw the world around her. We grew up down the road from each other, and now she has paved the way for me out West as a fellow “California girl.”

Based in Los Angeles, Hope sprinkles her magic near and far by way of her floral design company - PIGSTY! I love GOOP’s description - “If you’re going to open a flower company, you might call it something sweet and whimsical. If you’re going to open a flower company with wit and irreverence, you might call it Pigsty. Which is exactly what Hope Sword did.”

I asked Hope a few questions about what inspires her - and some fun things about her L.A. world. Before la vida quarantina, I had plans to go study with Hope to soak up some of her tricks of the trade. It is one of the things I am most looking forward to once life gets back to normal !

AEH : What led you to dive into flowers ?  

HTS : I have always felt compelled to be in the garden. Since I was a little girl and in my mom’s garden or my aunts garden, it was important to be outside watching things grow. I began doing flowers professionally when I was in college, twice a week at a small shop. I fell in love with that shop and with the comfort of working with my hands. That feeling has never left me. 

AEH: What does a typical work day in the life of HTS look like ?  

HTS: If it’s a market day, I wake up around 6:30 , make a coffee & warm lemon ginger water to go - and get to the flower market. I cut and process all my flowers in my studio , prep for the day and inform my girls what we’re working on. If we’re busy - we’re doing restaurant weekly accounts, delivering bouquets to our retail clients, arrangements for events or getting deliveries out the door :) 

AEH: Describe the Pigsty vibe. 

HTS: I like for things to feel wild but contained, and have movement. I also love to see texture so I am always trying to keep textures interesting. 

AEH: Where do you find inspiration?

HTS:  I love to see what my fellow florists are doing, I peruse modern art around Instagram, sit in my garden or look around Pinterest for unusual color palettes. Recently I’ve loved browns and creams and lavender. 

AEH: What most excites you about what you do ?  

HTS: Honestly sometimes just the way an arrangement turns out will excite me. I love seeing how things evolve and develop into complete arrangements or bouquets. It can be so hard to photograph the things so I try to really enjoy them before they go out into the world. 

AEH: What are 3 of your favorite places in Venice ?   

HTS: To eat? Gjusta :) Zinque, Felix. To hang: Topanga trails, beach, on a bike ride around to see friends.

Thank you Hope!!!

Follow Hope’s latest adventures on instagram - you will probably learn something fun!

William McClure

On the list of people that I am obsessed with - I have to add William McClure. I have long admired his style (and his art and antics!) on instagram, so I was excited to learn more about him when I saw that he was featured on Paloma Contrera’s new podcast: Conversations with Creatives.

My main takeaway from the podcast, was the word gumption. More than anything, William McClure has the confidence to be himself, put his work out there - and GO for it. Although today he is a much lauded creative, and his work his been seen in esteemed publications such as Elle Decor, William’s first job was with the State of Alabama Board of Heating and Air Conditioning. As he writes in an interview with Flower Magazine - “one day I woke up and thought, “What am I doing with my life?” and on a whim I reached out to [architect] Bill Ingram.”

I am so inspired by the way that McClure uses antiques in a way that feels modern and fresh, and how he is constantly changing and re-styling his home. It has been so fun to watch his career evolve, and to follow along as he transforms one home after another. William’s interiors (always complimented by his own artwork) has evolved through the years to become a bit more modern and minimal, although common themes run throughout: white lacquer paint, sisal rugs, white linen upholstery, excellent lighting - and of course great art and antiques. His current residence is a rambling farm house in Alabama, and he has essentially been pouring white paint over every inch of it - for tremendous effect. I suggest you follow his adventures - here!

Here are some of my favorite W.M. spaces

For a piece of William McClure’s magic in your home - you can shop his art, pictured here!

108" X 72" ABSTRACT PAINTING ON CANVAS

48" x 60" MIXED MEDIA ABSTRACT ON CANVAS

24" x 24" OIL ABSTRACT

36" X 48" OIL, ACRYLIC AND CHARCOAL ABSTRACT ON CANVAS

Design - Billy Baldwin

Years ago, when I was first stepping into the interior design industry, someone gave me the book Billy Baldwin Decorates. I have to admit, that it has taken me years to actually crack it open and give it a thorough read. While we have so many sources of inspiration available to us, there is something about diving into a real, live, book that feels so refreshing.

Billy Baldwin’s style resonates with my own design sensibilities on so many levels. His work is formal and traditional, but never too stuffy. He deftly combines furniture from different periods, allowing each piece to have a moment - while still creating a sense of harmony in the room. His use of parsons tables, the allure of glossy lacquer walls, the perfect touch of chintz, the practicality of slipper chairs, the power of a well-placed vase of star-gazer lillies… I could go on. As a designer, I find so much value in closely studying his work!

Deeda Blair’s D.C. Dining Room

Here are some of my favorite Billy Baldwin pearls of wisdom - gleaned from his book.

“One of life’s greatest pleasures is living with the pictures you love. ”

— Billy Baldwin

“Nothing is interesting unless it is personal. If you really like something, you can usually find a place for it - but maybe not the one you had in mind.”

— Billy Baldwin

“Suitability is the quality that makes things durable. Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style.”

— Billy Baldwin

SHOP THE LOOK

Arbre De Matisse Throw Pillows

Slipper Chair

Christopher Spitzmiller Lamps

Vintage Chippendale Mirror

Park Avenue Cocktail Table

Round Skirted Table

Tea Leaf Topiary

Turkish Pillows

Outdoor Planter

Telephone Table

Design - Aldous Bertram

I have had Aldous Bertram on my mind for a while. First of all, he is so handsome and talented. But also - his instagram feed is so fun to follow. Peppered between his posts of his own interiors, and his work (notably the collaborations with Amanda Lindroth) - he features the most beautiful historic homes and architectural details. Aldous is a classic multi-hyphenate, and his work as an artist, decorative painter, and designer has me captivated. His work and interests are whimsical, yet firmly rooted in classicism — and I can promise that if you follow him, you will go down more than one rabbit hole learning about this or that palazzo or neo-palladian pile.

I have to admit - Palm Beach is on my short list of places where I would love to live. If not for the antiquing alone… Here is a glimpse into Aldous’ Palm Beach apartment as featured in House Beautiful (a few months ago!). The title of the editorial “The World is His Canvas” - is so fitting, It is also a good directive for all of us, as I feel the most interesting interiors are pulled together from bits of one’s life — and if you are lucky, experiences from all over the world. I love the personal, eclectic vibe of his collections - from shells to porcelain to prints which he bought by way of some serious sleuthing on e-bay!

An Chinoiserie expert who has a PhD from the University of Cambridge in Chinese Influence on English Garden Design and Architecture - Aldous has a book coming out in 2021 with Vendome Press called “Dragons and Pagodas.” Until then, you can have a tiny piece of his world by purchasing one (or three!) of his prints.

To inject some Aldous Bertram style into your home…

Chinese Chippendale Bamboo Chairs

Peter Dunham Fig Leaf Pillows

Riverwalk Mirror

Shell Console Table

White Orchid and Wicker Cachepot

Chinese Famille Verte Foo Dogs

Design - Thomas Britt

Every once in a while, a designer absolutely stops me in my tracks. Such is the case right now with designer Thomas Britt.

As a color enthusiast, I have swooned over his work before. I so admire designers who are fearless with color (Kit Kemp! Miles Redd!) and I obsess over the way that the U.K. designers have long had the gumption to boldly wash a room in a zesty yellow or bright coral for tremendous effect.

I went down an instagram hole yesterday stalking Claiborne Swanson Frank, and was excited to learn of her family’s long friendship with the designer. For their entire married life, Claiborne’s parents have lived in Thomas Britt designed homes. To see their fabulous RED residence in Nob Hill - click here for the AD article.

Continuing to paint the rainbow for the family, a few years ago, Britt designed this stunning turquoise JEWEL of a Manhattan triplex belonging to Claiborne’s sister - Veronica Swanson Beard.

Now is certainly the time to be BOLD ! For more of Britt’s design tips - click here for a great VERANDA magazine article.

Design - Bowood

As this is place for my to wax poetic about the things that I love, one of the the things that immediately comes to mind - is the beautiful Bowood fabric by Cowtan & Tout.

I dream of the Bowood bedroom that I am going to design for myself once we move into a new house. Whenever I excitedly show my husband a classic floral fabric, he tells me that while he doesn’t love chintz, but he loves me, and I love chintz - so he accepts the chintz.

GORGEOUS LIVING ROOM BY JUSTINE CUSHING

Bowood so so classic and beautiful, and even more endearing because of the story behind it. As the story goes, John Fowler found a scrap of fabric in the home he was decorating “Bowood House” and he had it replicated by Colefax & Fowler.

One glimpse of the fluffy white roses in the gorgeous Capability Brown designed gardens and you can see where the inspiration came from.

Design - Rebecca de Ravenel

I have always been drawn to the sun-soaked, whimsical, glamour world of Rebecca de Ravenel. One part aristocrat, one part island child - her beautiful home in L.A. showcases her casually glamorous personality.

While her decor is beachy and casual, featuring rattan, block print textiles, and seagrass rugs, it is no surprise that the daughter of a french Marquis who’s apartment was deemed by Christie’s as “one of the most beautiful in Paris.”

I particularly love how she mixes textiles, vintage pieces, art, and objet to create an eclectic mix that is all her own. The result is a true testament of my favorite design saying “buy what you love and you will always find a home for it.”

PHOTO CREDIT - ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST

For a glimpse of her previous home in L.A., click here to see the Domino spread — and her for her Greenwich Village apartment - click here for the Vogue feature “APT with LSD.”

Travel - The Fife Arms

As a huge Outlander fan, a fly fisherwoman, and someone with Scottish blood — I have been dying to go to Scotland.

I had read about The Fife Arms a while ago, and then it reemerged on my Instagram and I was totally captivated. The inn re-opened in late 2018, transformed by art world power couple Iwan and Manuela Wirth (founders of the Hauser & Wirth gallery). The Fife Arms is a Victorian-era inn two hours north of Edinburgh in Braemar.

As you would expect, the inn features standout art pieces - such as the Lucien Freud painting in the lobby, and the Louise Bourgeouis spider in the courtyard. Learn more about the art featured throughout the hotel on Hauser & Wirth’s website here.

One of my favorite design elements, is the ceiling mural in the drawing room, by contemporary artist Zhang Enli, who according to this Town & Country article, was “inspired by the swirls seen in a certain kind of Scottish quartz.”

To my mother’s chagrin - I really love taxidermy and antlers. How fun is the “Flying Stag” restaurant?

I am ready to check in!

Shop - Laguna B

I am tablescape obessed. I constantly dream of new plates that I am hoping to collect. My wedding registry was almost 90% tabletop. I stalk Mieke ten Have’s instagram for fun places to add to my Duchess County Antique-ing list. I dream of the exact details of my future butler’s pantry (red felt lined custom drawers for my silverware!).

I think the key to a perfect table is a touch of whimsy. These glasses by Laguna B are just the ticket. They are just so summer-y and fun. This is perfectly exemplified by this beautiful summer table by Kristen O’Neill.

PHOTO CREDIT - VOGUE

As soon as I saw these photos, I immediately started to investigate Laguna B - as the colorful glasses really lit up the entire design and added to the playful, happy vibe that is exactly what a summer dinner party is supposed to feel like!

PHOTO CREDIT - VOGUE

Laguna B is a Venice, Italy based brand founded by Marie Brandolini in 1996. Marie earned the nickname “the Glassmaking Countess” while training with the Murano masters.

Her Venetian tumblers were inspired by the goti de fornasa glasses that glassmakers would make at the end of the day using leftover bits of glass for their own personal use. Sadly, she passed away in 2013, but her work has been continued by her son Mercantonio. As a Rothschild who married into the Brandolini family - there is such a convergence of legacy and tradition within her family. Read more about the work her son is doing now to continue to innovate within the Murano glass tradition here. For a peak into the Palazzo Brandolini - click here.

To start your collection - click here to order from Moda Operandi. Collect one at a time for yourself, or gift a pair to be someone’s very favorite house guest!

Shop - Jean Roger's Frogs

PHOTO CREDIT: KATE RHEINSTEIN BRODKSY

One of my new favorite accessories - is actually something that I have had in my house for years - Jean Roger’s ceramic frogs! I had a renewed interest in the after spying the happy little frogs in Kate Brodky’s UES store.

Frenchman Jean Roger started his ceramic studio in Paris in 1947. The frog planters became quite popular in the 1960’s, and became a favorite of Jacqueline Onassis and Coco Chanel. Today, his work is continued by his son Francois. For a peak into his studio - click here.

I love them on their own, or filled with a little maidenhair fern.

PHOTO CREDIT: KATE RHINESTEIN BRODKSY

If you are not following Kate Brodsky’s store on instagram — here you go! She sells a few pieces by Jean Roger. I particularly love these seaweed candlestick holders !

PHOTO CREDIT: KATE RHEINSTEIN BRODKSY

Travel - Bar Palladio

Like a lot of people, I am sitting here in quarantine, feeling very day-dreamy about traveling. A few places come to mind — mostly those with vibrant colors and an inherent sense of adventure. On my list - scuba diving in Raja Ampat, a culinary tour of Oaxaca, and - a total dream, to travel to India with the designer Grand K. Gibson. Learn more about Grant’s India itinerary here.

I am constantly floored when I see images of Bar Palladio in Jaipur, India…. Here is a bit of fodder for your blue and white day dreams !

If you still need more - check out Schumacher’s blog for an edited collection of some of their favorites.

Sourcing Ikats in Indonesia

Locally made ikats for sale at Nihi on the island of Sumba.

On the subject of textiles, whenever a client tells me that they don’t love florals but want some sort of pattern - ikats often come to mind. I love ikats because they give a space a sense of personality, without being too stuffy or preppy.

My husband’s grandmother was a prolific textile collector, and it was not until I came upon her vast collection of ikat books, that I realized how much I really had to learn on the subject.

The word “ikat” is Indonesian, and it means “to tie.” Ikat is one of the oldest forms of textile decoration. As a designer, the thing that really lights me up are textiles. My mother likes to say that “thread is in my blood” - but that is a story for another time. Anyhow, you can imagine my excitement to be going to the islands of Bali and Sumba for our honeymoon — home of textiles galore.

While we were in Sumba (at the fabulous Nihi resort), they had a little market on the property where local women would come to demonstrate the weaving technique and sell their wares. We also had the treat of visiting a local village, and stopping by a roadside store to source directly from the artisans. We ended up purchasing one there, and another from our favorite staff member at Nihi.

Me, holding the ikat that we purchased from a local market.

Trying to make decisions!

If you can’t make it all the way to Indonesia, here is a link to buy Sumbanese Ikats on Etsy ! If you are wondering what to do with them, the main lodge at Nihi provides a lot of inspiration.

Ikat inspiration in the main lodge at Nihi

Bold British Use of Color

I just listened to an interview with Kit Kemp on The Business of Home that got me thinking about color. Namely, about how color makes people happy! I have always been attracted to bold rooms and can in fact pinpoint my first leap into designing when I painted my bedroom a vibrant coral color right before I went abroad in college. 

While you don’t want your home to feel like an acid trip as you move from room to room (or maybe you do??) — if you splash some brightness on the walls of specific rooms, the results are marvelous. 

No one does this better than the Brits. I am always enthralled by the effect.  

Nancy Lancaster’s Living Room - Architectural Digest