Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2011: Kemble Interiors

One of my favorite rooms in the 2011 Kips Bay Decorator Show House was designed by Celerie Kemble and her team at Kemble Interiors.  Due to the historic significance of the home, many of the designers were required to work around certain features and that included the wood paneling in the library. With a little magic and lots of light colors, the dark and masculine room was transformed into a woman's library, "a sanctum for a siren." The shelves are filled with books on fashion, poetry and contemporary literature and there are plenty of places to sit and read or chat with friends. Since the walls could not be touched, the team focused on adorning "the ceiling, floors, windows, furniture, and bookcases with every trick of their craft to add glimmer and put a little switch in its skirts."  Artist Miriam Ellner created the amazing ceiling of gold leaf and other metals on the reverse side of glass, verre eglomise, to create a "Chinoiserie inspired skyscape fantasy."   A room this size filled with so many special pieces could have look cluttered but instead your eye is drawn around the room as it slowly unveils itself.  I could have spent all day in this room which in my mind makes it a huge success.

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic except for #1, 5, 10, 14, 16 and 23 courtesy of Kemble Interiors

French Inspired Interiors

If you'd like to add a touch of French charm to your rooms here are some photographs I'm sure will inspire you. No need to stick to just Louis XIV and antique furniture. From clean and modern, to rustic farmhouse, this collection of beautiful interiors will give you some ideas for kitchens, dining rooms and bathrooms.


An oversized crystal chandelier and ceiling medallion set a traditional tone in this light and airy dining room. Louis XVI chairs covered in honey-coloured velvet and a Matelasse coverlet, used as a tablecloth.

Photography: Angus McRitchie

Milk-glass schoolhouse light fixtures, black and white marble hex tiles and a chunky marble countertop are tried and true French bistro elements. The clean white backdrop and stainless steel appliances, meanwhile, update the look. A framed chalkboard panel with an Eiffel tower is a smart, affordable art idea that can be changed easily.

Photography: Michael Graydon

A home office in the corner of a bedroom. French antique furniture such as the Régence style desk, Trumeau mirror, marble topped demi-lune table and red Louis chair.

Photography: Monic Richard

A chunky wood harvest table and hurricane pendant light for this dining room. A weathered wood cabinet with exposed hinges adds to the casual, farmhouse look. Displaying framed artwork on a chair rail goes with the informal style, and allows the arrangement to be changed easily.

Photography: Virginia Macdonald

A gilded settee, upholstered in a ticking stripe fabric, is the focal point of this library. Ikea bookcases are mounted on the wall and the floral skirt along the bottom hides a storage area underneath. Accessories and framed artwork add the layers that make this room look vintage and timeworn.

Photography: Virginia Macdonald

Contemporary French loft. White painted walls, a light hardwood floor and neutral rug provide a clean backdrop for a mix of French antique furniture, wall sconces and a gold and crystal candelabra. A modern sofa and ottoman, upholstered in simple white cotton, adds a current note, making the room comfortable and inviting rather than fussy and formal.

Photography: Monic Richard

Large scale windows, a dramatic fireplace and the floral centrepieces create an air of elegance in this dining room. It also features a 19th century Louis XVI mirror, French Directoire chairs and a mahogany Regency dining table, offset by warm quarter sawn oak flooring.
Photography: Ted Yarwood

In this modern kitchen a rustic Chinese table and an industrial metal chair update French-style black and white floor tiles and a large crystal chandelier.

Photography: Per Kristiansen

Vintage fixtures and a roll-top pedestal bath tub set the traditional tone of this soothing and elegant principal bathroom. Designer and homeowner Julie Charbonneau designed the built-in cabinet to create storage for linens, recycling former leaded windows from elsewhere in the house into the doors. An off-white palette and Roman shades create a soothing ambiance, while art and an antique chandelier complete the look.

Photography: Angus McRitchie

A vintage-looking French La Cornue stove is at the heart of this grand kitchen. Custom oak cabinets, a marble countertop and a pressed-metal ceiling complete the design.

Photography: Michael Graydon


A kitchen lighting system that layers an antique chandelier, antique wall sconces, pot lights mounted under the cabinets and a candelabra with taper candles is visually stunning but also allows the flexibility to create any type of mood. Herringbone patterned hardwood floors and framed French doors with leaded glass elevate the European country, luxe look.

Photography: Ted Yarwood

Room design: Sharon Mimran

All photographs from here.

I am linking this post over at Jerri's blog Simply Sweet Home for the Friday Favourites MckLinky party. Thanks Jerri for hosting!
I am also joining Miss Mustard Seed's Furniture party right here.

Interior Designer Serena Crowley

Interior designer Serena Crowley from California opens up he Canaan, Connecticut where she lives with her husband Paul and their children Mckenna and Theo. Let's take a tour of her sunny welcoming home.



The Crowleys’ living room; walls of windows and French doors give the space the feel of a conservatory.  Walls are painted a soft gray and furnishings are in creams and white. Artwork and an antique Oriental rug add punches of color, and potted banana palm trees connect the room to the outdoors. French doors open to a bluestone patio softened with clumps of purple thyme.


The dining room is almost as sun-filled as the living room. China cupboards accent three corners of the room; a fireplace fills the fourth. French doors open onto a sunny terrace.

The library includes an office nook for Paul, separated from the main space by glass-paned pocket doors.

In the mudroom coats and hats hang from hooks in an arched niche. Above, a collection of hats is displayed.

The kitchen is large. Two islands with thick, honed marble countertops. A black-metal custom hood trimmed with nickel bands hangs above the range. For the range backsplash, Serena used a simple pressed-tin ceiling panel attached to the wall.

Serena’s collection of vintage cookie jars are showcased in glass-front cabinets with hefty polished nickel hinges and pulls. Adding to the vintage look are a separate refrigerator and freezer that are finished with cabinet faces and nickel hardware to resemble old-fashioned iceboxes.

The kitchen’s dining nook is furnished with an antique pine table and Swedish-style chairs.

The potting room, with a deep copper sink and open shelves for vases.

I have linked this post to SomeDayCrafts MckLinky party hosted by Michelle. Thanks Michelle!

Photography Tria Giovan

All images and information from Traditional Home.

Interior Designer Ty Larkin's Home

Let's step inside interior designer Ty Larkin's house in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Elegant, full of French furniture and subdued colours, he has made himself a superb home. Come and see.


Larkins describes the exterior as a detached neoclassical town house.


One of four outdoor seating areas.


Fig ivy covers the courtyard walls.


The foyer's elaborate staircase has alternating balusters of three different designs.





Full length curtains match the red toile pattern slipcovers in the dining room.


The patio was inspired by the romantic courtyards in the French Quarter.


The library.


The kitchen is reminiscent of staff kitchens in 1920s Southern mansions — they were generous in size, but always very simple. Countertops and island are honed Carrara marble.


A kitchen chalkboard by Ballard Designs.


In the guest bedroom, a large drum shade lamp is juxtaposed with an antique French daybed. What a contrast those small modern tables make!


The other side of the library. A Louis XVI trumeau mirror reflects the dark, moody clubbiness of the library.

Dark mahogany and walnut bedside tables.


Travertine marble tiles give the bathroom a spa-like atmosphere. The freestanding Vintage bathtub is a modern interpretation of a claw-foot tub.

Photos byThomas Loof
All images and information from House Beautiful.