Thinking Pink

I never miss an opportunity to think pink!  So while everyone else is thinking about red for Valentine's Day, I've got pink on my mind.  I absolutely love the color, from the palest shades of blush to vibrant fuschia.  Except for pink flowers, which to my mind, go well with any decor, pink is not necessarily an easy color to decorate with. Here are some schemes which work well.

Tailored in Toronto

I saw the work of Katherine Newman and Peter Cebulak of the Toronto firm Katherine Newman Designs, in a magazine article a few years ago. I was very impressed by their work. They are published from time to time, but not a household name here in the US. I think they do beautiful work. Their projects have a sophisticated European sensibility. And I think they integrate architecture and interior design in an elegant and seamless way. These photos were taken by Tony Soluri and were published in several different AD articles.

These two halls seem to be inspired by the legendary English architect Edwin Lutyens. 

The large plaster cove mouldings and tons of beautiful paneling seem to be their trademark. It works for me.

The walls in the room below were upholstered in a beautiful blue fabric.

I think this is an awsome kitchen.  I love how the wainscotting in the forground is framed in a panel.  It gives the beaded board a little more elegance than usual.

I love the soft colors and the large cove mouldings;  they help to make these bedrooms super serene.

Snow Day Inspiration

The snowy day and delayed school opening inspired me to take my dog on her daily romp to the local historic cemetery. I brought along my camera hoping to capture a little of that magic of day break after a snow fall. In keeping with my thoughts lately about winter gardens, I thought it would be fun to look at the cemetery as an urban garden.

Some cemeteries of this era were designed to function like urban parks or gardens, and were inspired by European landscape design.  I really like the combination of built and natural forms.  The overall effect is made nicer by the fresh snow.  I really love the architectural quality of the older monuments.

There is a timelessness about Classical details and mouldings used on these monuments. I am using the same profiles, albeit usually in wood, that were used 150 years ago on these monuments.  I love how this obelisk has a little pediment or roof shape on top and then an urn above that.

I also like the way the combination of monuments feels like a little city.

This particular cemetery has fenced in "yards" around the more elaborate monuments for different families.  The spaces are deliniated with fencing made of stone posts and iron railings.  I think this adds to the urban feeling.

There are no "yards" around the simple markers.  Much like in a city, there are sections for the weathy, and sections for the not so wealthy.

Winter Wonderland

Although we haven't had any snow here for a few weeks, it still feels very cold and wintry.  Seeing this garden makes me long for more snow.  If I had a garden like this, I might want winter to last forever.  This fabulous garden by Bryan Lynch and Evelyn Poehler is all about shapes and textures.  Even in this photo, which is almost colorless, you sense the power and beauty of this garden.  When I think about gardens I usually think of flowers and colors.  This garden doesn't need color, the architecture of the plantings is so powerful it can stand on it's own.  Although I'll bet this garden is beautiful in summer as well.