Fun Interiors!!!

WSJ just did an article on Jonathan Adler's home in Greenwich Village and I had to share.  His home is so fun with its mix of boldly colored upholstery, flea market finds, and quirky artwork.  His home provides us a good reminder that we shouldn't take design too seriously and our home should make us happy!

Enjoy the pictures!

The white walls and drapery provide a neutral back drop for the bold color on the upholstered furniture, rug and accessories...

Check out the gnomes under the orange lacquered console...

One of Jonathan Adler's friends created the smoking pipe mural for the door leading to his bedroom...

No fear of pattern here...

The Hermes accents make this bedroom cozy...

No fear of pattern here either...

Jonathan Adler believes formal living rooms are a thing of the past (I couldn't agree more) so he put a wallpapered ping pong table in his living room that gets used every night.  He has to move a bust of Michael Jackson from the table every time he plays.  What fun!

The eyeball paintings help hide a view of a brick wall...

Happy Halloween!

Paris...What Strikes?

Reid and I just got back from a 6 day trip in Paris.   We must have walked between 6 - 8 miles a day in search of museums, churches, cafes, and boutiques.    It was exhausting but well worth it.  Paris is a beautiful, romantic city that in my opinion has some of the best architecture, art and food in the world!  And no, the strikes did not impact our trip.  Well, that's not entirely true...but a little more about that later.   Below you'll find my favorite pictures from our trip.

Also, I recently completed a design plan for a client's guest bedroom in which the inspiration or jumping off point for the room was a pretty painting of a french flower shop that was given to my client by her son.  During my search for furniture, bedding, fabrics and accessories for this room I was surprised at how many items I came across that were considered "french".  Maybe a trend but one that in my opinion that is worth investing in because these items are inspired by french antiques that will stand the test of time.  Below you'll also find my  favorite "french" items from national catalogs.  Enjoy!

This picture shows a contemporary structure in front of the Louvre called "I Like America".  The artist, Mounir Fatmi, is in the running for France's most prestigious contemporary art prize, the Prix Marcel Duchamp.

On our last full day we had planned to see Versailles but our plans quickly changed when we learned the workers went on strike.  So instead we went to Giverny to see Claude Monet's famous gardens.   It turned out to be a good choice.  The gardens were beautiful, even in the fall.

Monet's house

A neighbor

And of course...the Eiffel Tower

OK...I had to include a picture of my favorite pair of boots that I really wanted to buy.  But Reid, the sensible one in our relationship, quickly convinced me I was completely out of my mind after he saw the price.  Vanessa Bruno, a talented french fashion designer,  just opened her first store in the U.S...in LA of course.

Enough about our trip...here are my favorite "french" finds that you can order right here in the US.

Autumn Decor

Southern Living - Art Meripol

Over the past few weeks I've been collecting pictures of wreaths, table centerpieces, and decor for the fall season.   My neighbors have been adding pretty mums, pumpkins and wreaths to their front doors and porches so I wanted to share these pictures before it's too late.  I've included my favorite beef soup recipe at the end if the post... a guaranteed crowd pleaser or for a romantic dinner for two.  Please enjoy!

Here are simple but elegant ideas for your front door and porch.

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart

Canadian House & Home

Here are ideas for tables and mantels.  This picture is from Canadian House and Home.  I like the mix of unusual pumpkin colors with the old dictionary and dried branches.

Martha Stewart's website will tell you how to make this wreath with feathers.

White pumpkins are always elegant and mix well with any decor.  By Sunset.

A pretty arrangement for an elegant affair by Martha Stewart.

I like how Martha Stewart has placed the simple flower arrangement and candles on the framed mirror.

A mix of pears, apples and small pumpkins looks pretty on the wheat.  By Martha Stewart.

The squash and fall colored flowers pop against the brown pottery.  By Sunset.

The colorful pumpkins, pomegranates, berries and flowers stand out against the white simple place setting.  By Sunset.

How romantic and cozy is this picture by House Beautiful!?!

Try one of my favorite fall recipes from Cooks Illustrated.  

BEEF BARLEY SOUP WITH MUSHROOMS AND THYME

Serves 6.   Published January 1, 1998.  

INGREDIENTS

Rich Beef Broth For Soup
2	tablespoons vegetable oil
6	pounds beef shank meat cut from bone in large chunks, or 4 pounds chuck and 2 pounds of small marrow bones
1	large onion , halved
1/2	cup dry red wine
1/2	teaspoon table salt
Soup
2	tablespoons vegetable oil
1	medium onion , cut into medium dice
2	medium carrots , cut into medium dice
12	ounces domestic mushrooms or wild mushrooms, stems removed, wiped clean, and sliced thin
1/2	teaspoon dried thyme or 1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
1/2	cup canned tomatoes , cut into medium dice
1/2	cup pearl barley
1/4	cup minced fresh parsley leaves

INSTRUCTIONS

1. 1. For Broth: Heat 1 tablepoon oil in a large soup kettle or Dutch oven over medium-high heat; brown meat, bones, and onion halves on all sides in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan, and adding the additional teaspoon and a half of oil to the pan if necessary. Remove and set aside. Add red wine to the empty kettle; cook until reduced to a syrup, 1 to 2 minutes. Return browned bones, meat, and onion to kettle. Reduce heat to low, then cover and sweat meat and onions until they have released about 3/4 cup dark, very intensely flavored liquid, about 20 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high, add 2 quarts water and salt; bring to a simmer, reduce heat to very low, partially cover, and barely simmer until meat is tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
2. 2. Strain broth, discard bones and onions, and set meat aside, reserving half of the meat for another use. (At this point broth and meat can be cooled to room temperature and covered and refrigerated up to 5 days.) Let broth stand until fat rises to the top; skim and discard fat. When the unreserved meat is cool enough to handle, shred into bite-size pieces. Reserve 2 cups shredded meat for soup.
3. 3. For Soup: Heat oil over medium-high heat in a soup kettle or Dutch oven. Add onion and carrots; sauté until almost soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add mushrooms; sauté until softened and liquid almost evaporates, 4 to 5 minutes longer. Add thyme and tomatoes, then beef broth, meat, and barley; bring to simmer. Reduce heat to low; simmer until barley is just tender, 45 to 50 minutes. Stir in parsley, adjust seasonings, including salt and pepper to taste, and serve.

Rich Beef Broth For Soup

2

tablespoons vegetable oil

6

pounds beef shank meat cut from bone in large chunks, or 4 pounds chuck and 2 pounds of small marrow bones

1

large onion , halved

1/2

cup dry red wine

1/2

teaspoon table salt

Soup

2

tablespoons vegetable oil

1

medium onion , cut into medium dice

2

medium carrots , cut into medium dice

12

ounces domestic mushrooms or wild mushrooms, stems removed, wiped clean, and sliced thin

1/2

teaspoon dried thyme or 1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme

1/2

cup canned tomatoes , cut into medium dice

1/2

cup pearl barley

1/4

cup minced fresh parsley leaves

Galleries

As you know Reid and I just finished up a renovation on our home.  It was a crazy but good time.  The summer went by way too quick and life was a bit too chaotic.  Only real downside is I put on a few lbs from the extra wine I drank to "de-stress".

Then one day your home is sorta back together and life is a bit more normal.     We didn't do a ton to the inside but we did have everything painted.  Right now I'm finding fresh walls to be a bit daunting.  I'm trying not to rush and put everything up where it once was.   I do know that I would like to put a picture gallery up in our office and maybe going up the stairs too.  Below are some pictures of galleries I liked and thought you might too.  Enjoy!

These galleries have an eclectic look by using different frame shapes, colors, and materials but there is usually a common theme for each one to make the look cohesive.  Some of the common themes include the use of all mirrors or all black and white photos.  I especially like the galleries that add some different elements such as letters and plaques.

Unknown

Unknown

Martha Stewart Living

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn

Design Sponge - Kevin Corn

Design Sponge

Southern Living Barbara Cosgrove

Southern Living Barbara Cosgrove

Karen Hill

Mantels

With Fall around the corner, I'm starting to think about building our first fire.  Honestly, it's not because I'm looking forward to the change in season but more to do with the fact that we just had our fireplace completely redone and I can't wait to use it.  I've also been giving a lot of thought on how to accessorize the mantel.  BHG, recently published an article on the different approaches you can take.  Below is the before and after pics of our fireplace followed by the 6 different ways you can accessorize your own fireplace.

Hope you find some inspiration and don't forget check out the Tips for Accessorizing a Mantel at the end of the post.   PLEASE send me (melissa@melissamclayinteriors.com) pictures of your fireplace to either post or get my two cents on!!

After redo

I'm sure I'll change the mantel accessories many times but for now I'm liking the clean simple look.  JC, the stone mason did a great job, especially considering I picked hearth stones that weren't all the same height.

Here is the BEFORE picture...

1.  SYMMETRY - a mirror image arrangement of parts or elements.  This is one of my favorite looks because its orderly, calming to look and pretty easy to achieve. After seeing this BGH picture below I now want to add a simple picture or two above my boat on my mantel.  

This picture tweaks symmetry a bit.  It uses 2 like items, the terra cotta pots, but they're not identical.

A traditional look from BGH.

This was one of my own inspirational pictures for our new fireplace that uses some symmetry.  

Here's a mantel I spotted in the Washington Design Center lobby with the same look. 

2.  ASYMMETRICAL - the placement of different objects on either side of a center point where they balance each other, also called informal balance.  This is a hard look to achieve.  The tendency is to put everything in a straight line.  With a little practice you can get the right balance and proportion.

3.  LAYERS - Displaying a grouping of items without being too cluttered.  Another tough look to achieve but if you vary the height of objects and leave some room in between objects it will look interesting without being to hectic.

5.  REPETITION -  rhythm is created where shapes, forms, lines, or colors are repeated.  Another favorite look of mine from BGH.  Use 3 or 4 items to get the look.

6.  MINIMALIST - less is more.  This look can be used for both contemporary and traditional settings.  Makes a bold statement just make sure it matches the look of your decor.

Here's a contemporary look by BGH.

Here's a more traditional look by Michael S. Smith (another favorite designer of mine that I'll be highlighting soon.  I'm waiting for all the publicity to die down over his not so stellar redo of the Oval Room)

Tips for Accessorizing a Mantel

• Keep it neat and orderly if using lots of objects or collections
• Start with a focal point and work outward
• Group smaller objects together for bigger impact
• Group objects in 3s or 5s
• Put taller objects in back and vary height of objects
• Use books to raise items and vary height
• Vary shapes by mixing round, rectangular, square, irregular
• Small objects tend to get lost on a mantel