Illumination Indecision

#1

Always classic

I've been given too many good choices!  It's a good problem.

#2

Warm and bright

What to do?  

Circa Lighting, don't you think you should just send me all of them?  I'd be really grateful.  

#3

Cool simple classic

Circa Lighting was founded in Savannah Georgia.  (Doesn't that mean it has to have timeless goods?)  I've admired their products for a while now.  Isn't it time I made a purchase?

#4

Modern/traditional/indecisive

I am so impressed by the styles that are offered through Circa Lighting.  They have partnered with some of our absolute favorite designers:  Barbara Barry, Thomas O'Brien, Suzanne Kasler, and Michael S. Smith. 

#5

traditional 

So what are you thinking about these lighting options?  

Tell me what you think.  

Do you have a favorite?   

Celebrate!

Are you celebrating today?  

and a very special Happy Birthday to Pearls & Grace!

Kitchens: Heart of the Home

note:  the granite sink, warmth of the wood and the chicken wire.  

What do you think of the exposed shelves and the baskets?  

Dear readers, for the past few weeks I have found myself overwhelmed with a kitchen renovation project.  I do believe that the end is in sight.  The cabinetry is under construction as we speak.  

I hope you enjoy some of these kitchen images.  I have had them in an inspiration file for some time now.  I'm sorry that I did not make a note of who did the design work or the photography.  If you know, please leave me a message.  I'd like to give them credit.  

note:  the contrasting cabinet finishes and the beamed ceiling  

note:  beamed ceiling and chandelier, also note the fountain in the background.

This is one of my all time favorites.  It was designed by Bunny Williams.  

note:  wide planked floors

note:  the hood and the sunlight

note:  the very light flooring, high contrast, firewood and brick

What does your dream kitchen contain--

other than Paula Deen, Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson or Anthony Bourdain?

  

and for LegallyBlondeMel...

Smelling the Roses

I had to stop and smell the roses today.  Life has been entirely too busy the past few weeks.  I thought that it was important to slow down and appreciate the small things in life. 

 

I have to remind myself not to let life pass me by.  I can get all too consumed in whatever project is going on at a particular time.  

I took a few minutes today to step into the garden with my camera.  I find that taking the camera actually helps me slow down.  I have to focus and look at the detail.

Beautiful things are happening all around us.  We have to take the time to enjoy the process.  The flowers didn't just appear.  They have been growing and changing for months--just like all of us.

I hope that you have been able to slow down and enjoy the life around you.  If not, I hope that you are able to take a virtual sniff of theses lovelies.

What may seem a weed to some is a thing of beauty, if given the right focus and attention.

Remember:  Beauty and inspiration can be found just about anywhere and from anyone.

 

 

Stop and smell the roses (flowers, weeds, etc.) today--and tell me all about it.

Soothing

Plain English

Plain English

I've been knee deep in a kitchen renovation project.  I do hope that you find these images as pleasing as I do.  I'm a bit obsessed with English kitchens right now.  There is something about them that is just soothing.  Do the English dream of an "American" kitchen?  I doubt it.  What do you say, Europafox and you other UK stalkers?

English or not, what do you find soothing in a kitchen?  

____________________________________________________________________

Speaking of our across the pond friends, a special over-due thank you goes out to Europafox for giving me the Friends Award.  I'm honored!  Thank you so very much!

Victory

51Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed..."Death has been swallowed up in victory."

55"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 56The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:51-57

Happy Easter!

Inside the Designer's Studio

"I pride myself on creating interiors that, while always stylish, also fit the needs of those who experience the daily routines and celebrations of life within the home. I firmly believe that no matter how lovely and inviting the end result might be, if it doesn't function for the people it serves, it is not a success. My greatest satisfaction is when clients tell me how their new space affects the way that they live. In short, I help create beautiful homes and gracious living, without the velvet ropes."

-Scot Meacham Wood

Perfect design philosophy.  

I would like for you to meet my friend Scot Meacham Wood.  Scot is the great San Francisco based interior designer and stylist behind the fabulous blog Tartanscot.  I have had such fun getting to know him.  We share Southern roots, an enjoyment of opera, similar design philosophy--and a sense of humor!    

  

An interview with The Tartanscot just wouldn't be right if it didn't have a few giggles, so without further ado, may I present 

Granny Smith Green's 

INSIDE THE DESIGNER'S STUDIO:  

Scot Meacham Wood 

Photographs interspersed below are of Scot's amazing work.  The photographs were taken by Nicolas Smith and Eric Tagen Hooten.  They were kind enough to even give us a "behind the scenes" look at photographing Scot's own place.  Thank you all very much for your beautiful work.

(One credit exception is to the photograph of Ward Gardner's room at GlenFeshie Lodge.)    

What is your favorite word?
“magic”









What sound do you love?
"harmony"

What smells do you enjoy?
"Oddly, I have no sense of smell. I think it’s genetic on my Mother’s side of the family. I’ve never been able to smell, so it’s not like I miss having it. It did mean that the cat box was in my bedroom for a while when I was growing up. lol, really."

What profession other than design would you like to attempt?
"In a different version of my life . . . I would like to work in Hollywood in set design . . . but, since that’s ‘still’ design, I do have a distant dream of owning a bed and breakfast in Scotland. and I make a damn good scone."

This is in his kitchen.  How warm and inviting.

Behind the scenes

When we get to Heaven, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
“You made the right choice.”

Do you have any bumper stickers on your car?
"Just the Scottish flag."

What's on your iPod?
"Good grief, everything. Crazy dance music that I use when I run, crunchy-folk music when I’m at my desk, what ever opera production I’m in, and some broadway. Oh, and some classical." 

You grew up in Mississippi.  How does being a Southerner affect your design work?
"It definitely gives me a certain sense of formality in my work. And an understanding of the need for hospitality within each project. I do an extensive interview with new clients about how they use their home . . . and an understanding of how and when they entertain is very important. I remember a great residence that I worked on a few years ago . . . I was chatting with the couple about their lives and how they use the different rooms in the house . . suddenly the husband said of the living room, 'I want a place that when we get home from work, we can share a glass of champagne before we go out for dinner.' I saw the completed room in my mind almost immediately."

What's your favorite city in the world and why?

"London. the energy. the great style. the history. the architecture. the art and museums. and the shopping."

Why did you choose to become an interior designer/stylist?
"Like many designers, I kinda fell backwards into design as a career. I had studied design in college, but started working in retail (Creative Services for Polo/Ralph Lauren for 14 years) after moving to San Francisco in the late ’80’s. The entire time I was working for Ralph Lauren, customers were constantly asking for design assistance in their homes. After leaving Polo in 2001, I just called several old customers, and luckily, started working on a few project almost immediately. The rest, as they say, is history. lol."

What was the last thing you had to eat? 

"Most likely, my most recent meal was oatmeal with almond butter stirred in or Mexican food."

Do you have a favorite interior designer?
"Several ; Michael S. Smith, Daryll Carter, Martha Agnus, Mark Hampton, Ward Denton, Thomas O’Brien."

Is there a certain order you follow? (First the lighting, second color, mood, flow, etc.)
"I almost always start with textiles and space plans. Then floor coverings and artwork."


Care to share a favorite inspiration picture? What grabbed you?
"Ward Denton’s work at GlenFeshie Lodge in Scotland. Never could quite decide if I’d rather live here . . . or have worked on the design project."

Denton Gardner at Glen Feshie

The famous folks dinner party question--who's dining with you? (I'd better be included! ha!)
"Wow. This is gonna be random . . .
my beloved Granny Smith Green.
Meryl Streep (I have always wanted to meet her)
Evelyn Waugh (we’d have a long Brideshead chat ahead of us)
Stacy and Clinton. (from WNTW. just for comedy)
Cecile Beaton"

Describe your ideal interior.
"Warm, dark, inviting, comfortable"

Tartanscot's own living room.  

Perfect for this very talented gentleman.

Getting the shot just right.

Lovely detail photo.  Just look at that lamp!

Do you have a design motto?"

"No project is complete until the clients are *truly* living in the space"

Warm and inviting-just like him.

Thank you so very much to Scot Meacham Wood for sharing of your time and talent with all of us.  Please visit Thane Studio for more inspiring information.  Also, see the San Francisco Examiner for a great article on Mr. Wood.  We can't wait to see more!

Like what you saw?  Let me know with your comments.  Better yet, let Tartanscot know--and wish him a Happy National Tartan Day!