Summer Art Inspiration: Peter C. Jones

I stumbled upon these photographs by Peter C. Jones, and I can't stop thinking about them. They not only appealed to me visually, they seemed to resonate with all my senses. From the sound of the ocean to actually making me remember the metallic smell and feel of pressing my nose against our porch screen when I was little, these images somehow captured everything I love about a lazy summer day. You can see more work by Peter C. Jones at the Bonni Benrubi Gallery.

*All images from Bonni Benrubi Gallery

Adventures in Before & After: Fire Island Kitchen

Before:

After:

I love a good old fashioned fixer-upper. Not for the faint of heart, you can see from the before photo that this was going to be a project. Instead of running for the hills on their first walk-through, my friends, Greg and Raquel, invited me to take a look to confirm what they already knew: that despite the dated wallpaper, cabinetry, and a whole lot of junk, this was a house full of charm and potential. I was thrilled to be a part of the transformation, and here's how we did it.

1. Demolition. We got rid of the oddly shaped countertop that was cutting the room in half and making it look smaller. New drywall was put up to replace walls that were in bad shape (and covered in some pretty bad wallpaper).

2. Fixture Replacement. Sliding glass was replaced with french doors which seemed more fitting for the style of the home. Dimmers were installed to help soften the light on a new, glass chandelier which replaced a clumsy looking polished brass light fixture. Both the new doors and new lighting helped to bring an element of romance to the space.

3. Paint, Paint, Paint! While dark woodwork can be a beautiful addition to a home, the color on the existing woodwork in this house looked a little too red, and nothing about it said beach house. To achieve the light and airy look that Raquel had dreamed of, we used Benjamin Moore French Canvas for the walls, Pratt and Lambert Ancestral for the trim, and Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee for the ceiling. I love layering whites as opposed to using one color. It helps to create warmth and emphasize architectural details of the space.

4. Out with the old, in with the new! From flea market finds to custom-built pieces, the new furniture helped to update the space and make it ready for a house full of friends, family and little ones.

Hope you enjoy! More to come!

Booklist: The Natural Home by Hans Blomquist

I was so inspired by these images from May's issue of Elle Decoration featuring photographs styled by Swedish art director Hans Blomquist. His book, The Natural Home, is an exploration of his style which incorporates muted color palettes, vintage pieces and the beautiful layering of textures and fabrics. I love that nothing is too manicured, and he uses space to carve out "still life" compositions that feel rich and organic. These photos definitely got my wheels turning, and it's just the inspiration I need to put some finishing touches on my own home.

**All images from Elle Decoration except for last which is from Decor8.

Robert Ogden

On my wishlist are Robert Ogden's light fixtures. He uses found industrial parts and antique shades to create the beautiful lights you see above. From flea markets to junk yards, he artfully combines vintage parts into fixtures that are both whimsical and elegant. It's granny's attic meets urban chic, and it's right up my alley. 

**All images from Anthropologie except for last which is from the Myles Henry Blog. John Derian is also one of my favorite places to find Robert Ogden lighting.

Roman Thomas

Since lighting is on my mind this week, I thought I would share my absolute favorite, Roman Thomas. From the perfect finishes to the right proportions, their fixtures truly are as good as it gets. If you like what you see here, you should see their beautifully handcrafted furniture. Their designs are the embodiment of refinement, and even one piece dramatically impacts the elegance of a room. They may be slightly out of reach for some budgets, but they're never short on inspiration.

**All images from Roman Thomas