CHEERS FROM SUNNY, WARM LONDON...

Well, my flight was wonderful, though left a little late, but landed on time.  I've never taken a flight as late as this one (11:05 PM), but it was great.  Had dinner in the lounge at Newark, a Gin and Tonic after dinner, a little Champagne and OJ pre-take off, then a little salad of roasted prawn with a raspberry dressing and a dessert of marscapone and fresh berries.  Went right to sleep for a few hours and woke to a breakfast of fruit, coffee, and a bacon sarnie (sandwich -- don't ask!) with HP Brown Sauce!!!!!


My Pre-Take Off Champus and OJ!!!!


Arrived, as I said, on time...breezed thru passport check...luggage waiting...hopped onto the Heathrow Express to Paddington and was checked into my hotel by 12:45!  It was actually beautiful and sunny yesterday -- 27C/80F.  Had a little nap then made my way to Buckingham Palace States Rooms.  Have been thru the palace so many times I just sort of headed straight to the Faberge exhibition and of course the Duchess's wedding gown.  It was all spectacular.  I was fortunate to be walking in front of a young lady who worked on the lace for the wedding gown.  I got to hear all that she was telling her friend.  It was actually machine made lace, that was then cut-out and applied to netting so that the pattern could be customized for the dress.  Apparently there would not have been enough time to make the required lace panels/pattern/design.  Anyway, as always I completely enjoyed the visit. 



Garden (West) Side of Buckingham Palace...

Made my way back to the hotel -- I was really knackered by now -- had a little more nap time -- watched a little telly.  A great show about the history of bedrooms -- hosted by the curator of the royal palaces.  By 9:00 P.M. I was feeling a little hungry -- headed over to "ASK" - a great Italian-ish restaurant.  Stopped at my usual haunt for one -- YES ONE -- glass of beer, then back to the hotel. 


I did say ONE glass...!!!

Will be going down to breakfast after completing this and then head over to Kings Cross Station for my 2 hour train ride to York.

More later.


Sittin' in the Lounge at Newark...

Well, am sitting here in BA's business lounge -- just enjoyed a great dinner of sesame chicken, sesame noodles, salmon, Cesare salad and some delicious olives.  I am now enjoying my first Gin and Tonic...see photo below...



Gin and Tonic

Let me tell you, the trip to 30th Street train station was a white-knuckle ride.  No AC in the cab, music blarring, and the driver going 50 - 60 down Wissahickon Drive.  I was glad to get to the station.  The train ride was very plesant.  I'll add more later today/tomorrow???



OFF TO LONDON AND NORTH YORKSHIRE...

Take Off Time - 11:05 P.M. -

Well, preparing for my flight to my second home -- the United Kingdom.  My last visit was back April when those two crazy kids, Kathy and Billy, had that little wedding.  I thought I'd fly over just to support them.  I told everyone to look for me on the telly -- I'd be standing next to the black lamp post waving a British flag!  Well, who would have guessed there would be a couple of others with the same idea.

This time I'll be visiting one of my favorite shops in North Yorkshire -- The Mouseman of Kilburn.  This cabinet making shop is still family owned and the grandchildren of the original cabinet maker (Robert Thompson)still work at the workbenches and in the retail shop.  Every piece of this beautiful oak furniture has a mouse carved somewhere on it -- hence "The Mouseman"...  Click the link below and browse the site and read the history of "The Mouseman".

http://www.robertthompsons.co.uk/index.php

If you look at the right bank of drawers on this dressing table -- right at the center drawer you can see the MOUSE carved right on the edge...





...and here's the item I'd liked to own -- I have always wanted these book ends...I love the little mouse/mice/mouses/mices???

Robert Thompson (The Mouseman of Kilburn) English Oak Bookends.
Now, I ask you, if the wood is from England is it just oak?

CHESTNUT HILL SHOW HOUSE UPDATE...

Well, today is the first day of our second week.  All is going very good.  Good attendance for week one -- momentum will build as we progress.  Seems like sale of room items is healthy.  BTW, anyone attending the show house can take advantage of a 10% discount at 6 of our local restaurants just by showing your ticket stub -- and it's good for the run of the house (Oct, 16th). 

Take a look at the picture below -- top pic is how the room looked when we originally viewed it...and pic #2 is the completed/transformed space.

LIBRARY/POOL ROOM PRIOR TO THE MAKE-OVER...

COMPLETED "LIBRARY"...

NEED SOMETHING FRAMED?

The best framing studio in Philadelphia...
 
Jay Susanin's "Palladio Designs" is the most incredible framing shop right here in Chestnut Hill.  Jay did so much of the framing in my show house room -- which turned out to be such an asset to the completed project.  Palladio has an incredible selection of frame designs -- I can guarantee you will find exactly what you are looking for.  Aside from all that, Mr. Susanin is helpful, friendly and easy on the eyes...!!!


Click here to go to the Palladio Designs website!!!

LIFE WHERE THE PALMS MIX WITH THE SPRINGS...

Here's a few before and after pictures of the home of my dear friends "V" & "A".  A and I have been friends for over 41 years...nursery school mates!!!  Anywho, "V" & "A" made a major decision about three years ago to leave the east coast and start a new life in Palm Springs, CA.  Once they located and settled on a house I was asked to come out and help organize, select colors, pick a couple fabrics, etc.  The results are unlike any of the neighbors'!  We worked with what was moved from the east coast and then off-set those pieces with a couple of new items.  We also recovered some old be-loved pieces, re-purposed some items and just really "spiffed" up the old place. 

Hope you enjoy the results...this was truly a collaboration of us all...

DINING ROOM - BEFORE

DINING ROOM - AFTER I

DINING ROOM - AFTER II



KITCHEN - BEFORE I



KITCHEN - AFTER I

KITCHEN - BEFORE II



KITCHEN - AFTER II




KITCHEN - BEFORE III




KITCHEN - AFTER III

 

LIVING ROOM - BEFORE I

LIVING ROOM - AFTER I



LIVING ROOM - BEFORE II




LIVING ROOM - AFTER II





WE'RE OFF TO BASKING RIDGE, NJ

My faithful assistant, Sheila, and I are off to visit a client of over 30 years.  A couple of years ago G & B purchased a stunning 18th/19th century home in Basking Ridge, NJ.  The house is one that "B" desired for many, many years.  After much work, restoration, renovation and rebuilding the house is coming close to the finish line.  What started out as "a little" make over of "B's" bathroom turned into remodeling/restoring of 3 others.  Then, there was the rebuilding of the 19th century smoke house.  One evening a rather intoxicated driver missed the turn, took out a few 200+ year old boxwood and landed dead-center into the brick smoke house -- with the shingled roof resting on the hood of the car.  As fate would have it, after much searching for the proper professionals, the smoke house is now a beauty.  BTW, "G", how're those hams coming along?  LOL!!!




THE BEAUTIFUL HOME OF "G & B"

 

THE SMOKE HOUSE POST-COLLISION!!!

RESTORED SMOKE HOUSE



THE "M & M" ROOM...

Here's a quick snap-shot of a room recently completed for 2 really lovely young ladies who both happen to have double "M" initials -- hence the "M & M" room -- get it?  Who wouldn't want a space like this to kick-back, enjoy friends, watch telly and do hours of homework?

A NEW LIFE IN HOUSTON...

After the loss of his partner of many years, my dear, close friend Dave decided it was time to down-size.  He found a lovely new place with lots of wall space (for his art collection/collecting) and a wall of huge windows overlooking a rear garden.  We sent most of the furnishing to auction and then introduced a few new pieces with a more transitional look.  Then, the true gem of Dave's new home -- his garden.

Well Done Dave!!!

GRAND OPENING OF CHESTNUT HILL DESIGNER SHOW HOUSE!!!

Friday evening 9/16/11 was the Designer Show House grand preview party -- and what a success it was.  Jammed packed, great music, incredible food, terrific cocktails and a very smart looking group of guests!

All the designed spaces looked incredible!  If you haven't planned a trip then you need to do so ASAP!!!

Silke Susanin did a beautiful job providing the flowers for my space and WOW do those lilies smell incredible -- people commented that their scent wafted all the way to the second floor...

Link to Chestnut Hill Showhouse

Silke Susanin - flowers for all occasions



A LITTLE HOME IN YORK, UK

Here are some views of a cozy, little home in the Dringhouses section of York, North Yorkshire.



No. 5 Wains Road



Front Hall




Lounge



Lounge




Lounge




Lounge




Kitchen Dining Area



AVALON, NEW JERSEY

By the Sea...

Over the past 2 1/2 years I have had the pleasure of working on an exciting and rewarding project in Avalon, New Jersey.  A beautiful beach home designed by Mark Asher Associates, built by Brandywine Construction and designed and furnished by yours truly.  Many months, many trips to the site and many meetings were required to complete the final product.  This project has been a true feather in my cap.  In addition, I have acquired not only wonderful clients, but terrific new friends.

http://asherarchitects.com/

http://brandywinedevelopers.com/default.asp



FOYER




GAME ROOM



No. 4 GUEST ROOM



DINING ROOM



2ND FLOOR LIVING ROOM




POOL