An Open Truss

When I was in design school at the New York School, I took a terribly difficult lighting class that challenged my embarrassingly basic mathematics, physics and chemistry knowledge.  Through the semester, I learned so much about the science of light, about color temperature, kelvins and electric wattage.  But perhaps most importantly, I learned about the importance of lighting placement.  Yes, we all know that lighting is more than the basic builder's-grade flushmount popped into the ceiling of a hallway or kitchen.  It's about creating zones of light: Overhead, Task and Ambient. 

In a project for that Lighting class, I designed a magnificent beam ceiling for a private club of a racetrack.  The room was to resemble the interior of an equine barn, and so I used an open-truss ceiling, with the beams of the structure fully exposed in their structural glory.  As it was a lighting class, I devised a system so that the room's overhead lighting would be built into the beams. Man, I love wood beams...

Of course I have emphasized my love of exposed beams on this blog, as well as the cozy cool look of the American lodge, but let's take yet another look at extraordinary ceilings.  The exposed beam truss ceilings shown here give me goosebumps. 

Source: theroofovermyhead.blogspot.com via Whitney on Pinterest

I've had this photo for years.  Anyone know the source?

Painted scissor trusses via Pacific Truss



via Vermont Timber Works



via My Home Ideas

I've had this photo for years. Anyone know the source?



via Southern Living



by Tracery Interiors

via Style Files



via Home Away vacation rentals

via Mi Casa Revista

via Vermont Timber Works

via Yossawat

via Houzz

by Gap Interiors



via Timber Home Living



Source: spicerandbank.blogspot.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Cheers,
Whitney

Happy Halloween

 

Image Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Trick-or-Treat, guys and ghouls!
Cheers,
Whitney

Couch Surfing

A fun little shot from photographer Tim MacPherson.

Hope you have a wonderful, festive Halloween weekend planned.   Whether you're Trick-or-Treating with your little ones or partying it up at an all-night costume bash, please be safe and be smart.

And may I suggest the following entertaining/intriguing/exceptional bits of Internet goodness for post-Halloween-party couch surfing...

Five Half-Assed Halloween Costumes to Thrill and Impress Your Friends.

House Hunting? You'll know you've found yours when these symptoms set in. 

Yum and wholesome: Butternut Squash 25 ways.

When David Calvo juggles *and solves* a Rubik's Cube, your brain flinches. 

Still need some fall-ish decor for your front porch?  Go on a pinecone hunt and make this.

The Paint Doctor is In.  Her book should be a keeper. 

Organize your cards, envelopes and stationery like Benita in nifty upright containers.

Sugared and Spiced Pecans make a great housewarming/hostess gift during the autumnal months.

Want to live in the pages of Elle Decor?  You can if you want to buy any of these homes. 

Cheers,

Whitney

TONIGHT: Design Night on Carnegie Hill

If you're in the NYC area tonight, make your way uptown to the Design Night on Carnegie Hill, hosted by a grouping of upper Madison Avenue antique & décor shops. 

Dealers will be keeping their doors open late for a community night of shopping, socializing and admiring their truly spectacular home décor and fine antiques.  I'll be at Flessas Design most of the night, so please come stop by to browse, shop, have a glass of wine and mingle.  Also participating are Good Design, Buck House, Gerald Bland, Carnegie Hill Antiques and Linda Horn.  See you there!

Cheers,
Whitney

Hunting for Vintage

Been having a great time in Lexington, shopping the amazing vintage stores in town, and finding some amazing antique resources off the beaten path, too.

I've been redecorating a Guest Bedroom on a slim budget and blink-and-its-here deadline, so thrift stores have been my No. 1 source for unique furnishings and accessories for this room.  I've had a blast meeting many of the shop owners and salespeople at Lexington's thrift and secondhand shops, among them are the staff at Uncle Ray Jay's Furniture ReSellers, Room Service, Scout, Feather My Nest, Another Man's Treasure, and about 5 different Goodwill shops. 

But my absolute favorite shop discovery has been Street Scene, a fabulously put-together vintage boutique.  I walked in the store (which is so unassuming from the exterior), and nearly fainted at the girlie retro wonder of it all.  The store is arranged in half a dozen themed vignettes, with clothing, fashion accessories, furniture and home accessories staged to retro perfection.  It was as if Etsy morphed into a storefront and enveloped me into its well-curated quirkiness.  I whipped out my iPhone and used my favorite app, Camera+, to capture some of the goodness and share here.



Cute little kitchenette vignette!
And, are you kidding me with that chair? It was meticulously recovered in soft red gingham. YES!

A Halloween-themed vignette with 70s furniture and tons of gilded frames on the wall.



Another Halloween-y vignette near the men's clothing section.  Lots of vintage cool men's hats, btw.



The back of the shop, which is huge and so pristine, you'd think all the items were brand spanking new. 



You know I almost convulsed at the sight of all this glassware. 
Too bad I didn't bring an extra suitcase on my trip to fill with these goodies..  I love cocktail glassware!!!



A dressmaker's form was recovered in peacock blue satin and is used to display an insane amount of brooches and pins.  Steal this idea for your boudoir!

  

I really, REALLY loved this campaign-style bamboo tray table.  Wouldn't it make a fabulous nightstand?  And how rad are those plaid pillows?!




This table lamp is so haute. 



Bins filled with decorative handles, pulls, knobs and finials. 
And with prices much cheaper than that store that rhymes with Quanthropologie.



I die.  This patio furniture set would be so cute in a kitchen. 
And all those tabletop goodies are totally Mrs. Roper cool.



If you're in the Lexington area, you must check out Street Scene.  There's a treasure at every step in this shop, and the ladies on staff were so sweet and super stylish.  They recommended some of the other vintage shops that I visited this week (and mentioned above), and were so gracious while I gushed about their fab shop.  I didn't buy anything for the Guest Room makeover, but I managed to buy a purse for myself.  How does that always seem to happen?!? I was there with only 20 minutes before I had a meeting, so I couldn't shop for too long, but I'm going back before I leave town! 

Cheers,
Whitney

Gettin' Lucky in...

This morning I'm hopping on a plane for a week in Kentucky.

I'll be doing some work for a wonderful Lexington family who I love.

 

I'll be antique shopping (& bargaining!) all over the Bourbon Trail. 

 



 And perhaps buy myself a thoroughbred at the Keeneland September Sale.

 

I'll be sure to take pics of my adventures and blog about the Bluegrass!!!   

Cheers!
Whitney

The Spanish Inspiration

A few months ago, I received a sweet surprise gift from my client Aubrey in California.  She had attended the Balenciaga & Spain exhibit at the de Young Fine Arts Museum in San Francisco, and bought me this pocket journal as a keepsake.  The exhibit ran from March through July, and my not-so-secret man-crush Hamish Bowles was the guest curator. 

What a delightful gift, even though it reminded me that I missed the exhibit's tour in New York over the winter at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute.  Earlier this week, when I brought out the journal to take some notes on measurements, I was so delighted to be complimented on my little treasure.  Hey, it's the only piece of Balenciaga I own!

Cristóbal Balenciaga was the essential haute couture master.  In fact, he never created a ready to wear collection.  His works in the fashion industry made a significant social  impact on Europe and the Americas, translating Spanish culture, history, and traditions through his art. 

The designer.

Balenciaga's innovative silhouettes & vibrant interpretations completely transformed the way women dressed. His obsessive craftsmanship was epic; if he was unsatisfied with his work, Balenciaga would literally tear it apart.  His works were born in his Paris fashion house in 1937, created there until his retirement in 1968, but forever remained Spanish.  I'm inspired...  how about you?

It's a short week.  For the next 4 days, let's all put some regal Spanish style into our strut.  Balenciaga would be proud. 
Cheers,
Whitney