Innehållsförteckning för December 2012-January 2013 från House Beautiful

Candles A twist on the typical taper, these colorful beeswax candles will make any evening feel more festive. Available in eight styles. 13½" H, $45 a pair, by Claudia Cuevas. rareculture.com. 1. Teacup For more than 150 years, they've been making some of the world's finest linens. Now Frette has a line of tableware. Hand-Painted Porcelain Tea Cup, $70. frette.com. 2. Pillow Dazzling and glamorous. Donna Karan Collection, Modern Classics Layered Jewel decorative pillow in Truffle, 9½" W × 10" H, $188. bloomingdales.com. 3. USB Drive Who would have ever thought that toting around your data could be so luxurious? In the Pocket 8GB Calfskin USB Flash Drive, $270. hermes.com. 4. Hatboxes A collection of patterns in classic blue and white. They make such a pretty group, you won't want…

QUICK FACTS LIVES IN Washington, DC, and Charleston STARTED AS An event designer OPENED Niche Interiors in 2010 WEB SITE www.nichecharleston.com WHAT'S YOUR… 1. NEXT BIG PURCHASE Thom Filicia's Copake Eagle console. I'm having an Americana moment, but trying to keep it modern. 2. FAVORITE SOFA Bobby McAlpine's Spider Back. 3. FAVORITE LAMP Mary McDonald's Ondine. 4. DREAM FABRIC The Scalamandré damask on the walls of the White House's Green Room before Mrs. Kennedy's renovation. I'd love to have it reproduced. 5. LATEST FIND Jonathan Adler's Brocade wallpaper in green. 6. FAVORITE COFFEE TABLE John Saladino's three-legged version. 7. NOW ACCESSORY CB2's Numi candlesticks paired with colorful tapers. 8. DECORATIVE PILLOWS By Dransfield & Ross. 9. SOURCE FOR BEDDING John Robshaw and Ann Gish.…

VIDEO SCAN THIS CHEST TO SEE A SKYPE CHAT WITH DESIGNER JOHN MAIENZA Ampleforth Medium Wool, leather, in Kilim. 42" W × 21" D × 40" H, $2,895. timothyoulton.com. Traveler Chest Pine, poplar, steel. 50" W × 18" D × 48" H, $1,698. anthropologie.com. Zhang Pine, in Aqua. 20" W × 20" D × 19" H, $525. fourhands.com. Cowhide Storage Cowhide, leather. 44¼" W × 20" D × 16¼" H, $1,199. wisteria.com. Richards' Metal Secretary Aluminum, bamboo. 40" W × 30" D × 77" H (closed), $4,295. restorationhardware.com. Mayfair Rattan, nickel, leather, stainless steel. 23" W × 23" D × 26" H, $6,100. ralphlaurenhome.com. Trunk Acrylic. 24" W × 16" D × 16" H, $455. plexi-craft.com. Voyager MDF, various metals. 20" W × 20" D × 23" H, $230, by…

"I wear CHANEL ROUGE ALLURE LUMINOUS INTENSE LIP COLOUR [$34] in a candy-colored pink when I want to make a statement." "I always, always have the JO MALONE LONDON RED ROSES SURROUND ROOM SPRAY [$55]. I just love it!" "All the CLÉ DE PEAU products are so gentle. I use their daytime and nighttime creams, cleanser, and foundation." "TOPSHOP MAKE UP BLUSH [$12] in Neon Rose is a warm color that's nice with my paler skin." "I don't use it often, but I like BARLEAN'S COCONUT OIL [$16]. Everyone says it's really good for your skin." "Kate and I designed GEO PUNK EARRINGS [$30] for our line, Jewelmint. I like to stagger them down my ear." "My vanity is an inlaid desk that I bought from an Indian-import shop here…

A "net-zero house"—one that produces as much energy as it uses—may be ideal, but it's not realistic for most of us. At least not yet. What we can do now is minimize our dependence on the utility company. PREFABULOUS + ALMOST OFF THE GRID: YOUR PATH TO BUILDING AN ENERGY-INDEPENDENT HOMEBY SHERI KOONES. ABRAMS; $25. Houses use about one-third of all energy in America, so making them more energy-efficient would have a huge impact on our consumption. In this user-friendly guide, author Sheri Koones has gathered 32 inspiring examples of eco-friendly, prefabricated homes that lay to rest the old stereotype of prefab ticky-tacky. Could they be the wave of the future? 1 PREFAB HOUSE Although currently available only in the U.K., these compact houses ("dwelle.ings") are models of sustainable building…

I WAS NOT BORN with a sweet tooth, much less a taste for the "sinful" or gooey. The last three sips of wine from dinner are perfect for me, since the ideal dessert, in my mind, is a nightcap. So this slushy, boozy milk punch is right up my alley: it's creamy, bracing, digestive, and a great finish to a large meal, especially during the holidays. Made with just good whole milk, black rum, and brandy, it's particularly good at this time of year as an alternative to overly rich eggnog. It is easily prepared and sits very well for weeks in your freezer—convenient to have if you find yourself with unexpected guests, or needing to bring a little something when calling on friends. When there are so few ingredients…

DESIGNER BARBARA BARRY KNOWS THE POWER OF SUBTLETY OBSESSION Louis Style BLOGGER Emily Evans Eerdmans WEB SITE emilyevanseerdmans.blogspot.com BLOG SCAN THE PHOTO TO READ MORE OF THIS BLOG POST "So which is your favorite Louis?" Monsieur X leaned over and inquired. The entire dinner table went quiet. Even after a two-year sojourn in Paris, I stilldidn't have a grip on the Louies, but instead of coming clean I blurted out the first one that came to mind… ALEXANDRIA MOTT: Being here is like meditating. Instantly calming and restorative. BARBARA BARRY: Corona del Mar is a unique place. It's as if as soon as you arrive, the noisy, more animated world goes away. It allows you to channel your dreams, whether they be Mediterranean or Tuscan or about…

TOVAH MARTIN: Your own private swimming hole! WENDY GOIDELL: I have to say, every time I swim in it, it's like being a child again. I grew up in rural New Jersey and swam in ponds. My sister said, 'You're trying to re-create that experience, recapture it.' Were you? No, it's just the happy consequence. The thing that really ignited my interest was an article I read about natural swimming ponds, or pools. It was like the missing piece. I?was building a solar geothermal house here on my rocky mountain ledge—I?wanted it to be as green as possible—and the pond seemed so organic to the project. Clean, clear, no chemicals, no chlorine, aesthetically pleasing. There were all these magnificent stones on the property begging to be used. It almost had…

1. Plate Rack A machine-age spin on the classic wall-mounted wooden plate rack. Large Stainless Steel Dish Rack, 30" W × 10" D × 31" H, $495, by Tse & Tse. shophorne.com. 2. Slow Cooker Sous vide isn't just for pro chefs anymore. This compact appliance sits right on your countertop. Supreme Red Demi Water Bath, 11" W × 13" D × 11" H, $32". surlatable.com. 3. Whisk Two kitchen essentials in one: a flat and balloon-style whisk. Collapsed, it fits snugly in a drawer. Twist Whisk, $10. josephjoseph.com. 4. Range Traditional style, modern functionality—it has an electric oven, a gas cooktop, and a warming drawer. Self-cleaning, too! Heartland Classic 30" Dual Fuel Range, $7,500. heartlandapp.com. 5. Essential Oils Just a drop or two of one of these pure oils…

A listing of designers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers featured in this issue. For complete product information, go to housebeautiful.com/resources. THE SYMBOL (T) = TO THE TRADE. 'To the trade' means a manufacturer sells primarily to design professionals. Many design centers have decorating services that can be accessed by the public. Fabric shops, workrooms, and online services may be able to place an order for you. PAINT BENJAMIN MOORE 855-724-6802 benjaminmoore.com C2 PAINT 716-853-5776 c2paint.com DONALD KAUFMAN COLOR donaldkaufmancolor.com FARROW & BALL 888-511-1121 farrow-ball.com FINE PAINTS OF EUROPE 800-332-12256 finepaintsofeurope.com GLIDDEN 800-454-3336 glidden.com PORTOLA PAINTS 323-655-2211 portolapaints.com RALPH LAUREN PAINT 800-379-7656 ralphlaurenpaint.com VALSPAR 800-845-9061 valsparpaint.com BEAUTY BARLEAN'S 800-445-3529 barleans.com CHANEL 800-550-0005 chanel.com CLÉ DE PEAU 888-888-4757 neimanmarcus.com JEWELMINT 888-258-3339 jewelmint.com JO MALONE 866-305-4706 jomalone.com TOPSHOP 866-853-8559 topshop.com FABRIC & WALLCOVERING ANNA…

"I collect tapestry pieces—worn and a little frayed, like those on this 18th-century chair—and you always see this color in them. It's a blue mixed with teal green and gray, very old-world and so restful in a master bedroom. You feel as though you could just melt into the walls." BARBARA WESTBROOK BENJAMIN MOORE NARRAGANSETT GREEN HC-157 "Bits of sea glass lazily gathered on an afternoon in St.-Tropez inspired the blue walls in a living room. There's a vibrancy to this shade. It's not shy. But it also has a kind of cloudiness, and those soothing gray undertones come out in the early morning and at dusk." MICHAEL COX BENJAMIN MOORE WOODLAWN BLUE HC-147 "I have a weakness for Roman ceramics—figurines, beakers, vases. Amazing to think they're 2,000 years old.…

BENCH "This is a handmade piece from my new furniture collection. The crisscross base gives it a certain levity and lightness, so it doesn't feel blocky. It's the perfect balance to that large headboard." Facette bench, from $5,400. natashabaradaran.com. BEDSIDE TABLE "A table with a decorative base is aesthetically more interesting than a heavy chest of drawers, and it doesn't take up as much visual weight. Here, it almost functions as sculpture." Olivia Table in Gold Leaf, $720. worlds-away.com. PILLOW "I'm really inspired by sorbet colors. They all work together. For a bedroom, I always ask my clients what colors soothe and relax them." Coral Diamond Pillow Cover, cotton, $64. serenaandlily.com. THROW "A pop of color, but it's not permanent. Great to have when reading on a chaise—what's more luxurious…

COARSE WEAVE The kind of fabric that keeps things interesting without stealing the show. Cotton blend in Cherry Blossom. stroheim.com. VOYAGES Jewel tones add pizzazz to a classic basket weave. Cotton blend in Perroquet. pierrefrey.com. 31497 A pattern you might normally find in an ikat, reinterpreted as a fuzzy shag. Viscose blend in Color 16. kravet.com. CHANNELS Specially constructed—it never loses its pleats, so you can use it for more than pillows. Wool blend in Stone. weitznerlimited.com. MONK'S WOOL Graphic and textured, this bold design will add a bit of chic to your room. Wool blend in Tusk. maharam.com. WILD THING Designed for drapery—with this flapper-worthy fringe, even your curtains can do the shimmy. Polyester in Salt and Pepper. pollackassociates.com. FOAM ALPACA BOUCLé Soft and sophisticated. Alpaca blend in Moon…

CHRISTINE PITTEL: I hear you have a major obsession with midcentury modern. SALLY PERRIN: It's the quintessential lifestyle of Southern California. My husband, Michel, grew up in France, and I'm from Seattle, but we have the same aesthetic sensibility—big open space, walls of glass. I think he first saw it in James Bond movies. If this bedroom came with a sound track, what would it be? Henry Mancini and Burt Bacharach, totally. That kind of '60s sexy groove. How does that translate to decor? All white… …with shades of cream and beige. Monochromatic, but what makes it interesting are the organic materials—stone, silk, wood. It would be too cold in Paris, but it really works in L.A. because there is so much light. This room is flooded with it. A…

Maynard L. Parker: Modern Photography and the American Dream "'DEAR MAYNARD, I want to make you a proposition,' typed Elizabeth Gordon from her Madison Avenue office. Gordon, House Beautiful's editor in chief, rarely minced words. She wanted Maynard Parker, a Los Angeles photographer and her trusted West Coast source, to come to Chicago and New York when June gardens would be at their peak. She had lined up the houses; now she wanted him to shoot them. Gordon was insistent. 'As you know,' she cajoled, 'I would rather have Parker's photographs than anybody else's.' Why all the fuss? Today only a small circle of scholars and mid-20th-century architecture enthusiasts know the name of Maynard L. Parker (1900–1976). Yet at the height of his career in the postwar era, Parker's byline…

WHO'S NOT OBSESSED with something? If you're anything like me, you find yourself obsessed with lots of things, because today it's easier than ever to indulge. Curiosity and passion are other ways of describing obsessions. In decorating and design, I'm fascinated by the passions of interior designers—the more passionate they are about something, the more interesting their work is to me. Obsession with colors, details, materials, periods, atmosphere, emotion (happy, sexy, calm) are always at the root of the most pleasing, even magical, rooms. The best interior designers make sense of our lives by creating rooms that are authentic, personal, and built on tried-and-true decorating details. Barbara Barry's rooms (page 74) are always as soothing as a hush. In our increasingly noisy world, certain colors really can take the edge…

1 Barbara Barry: Around Beauty by Barbara Barry. Rizzoli; $65. 2 Interiors | Atelier AM by Alexandra and Michael Misczynski. Rizzoli; $55. 3 Kelly Wearstler: Rhapsody by Kelly Wearstler. Rizzoli; $55. 4 The Things That Matter by Nate Berkus. Spiegel & Grau; $35. 5 Timeless Interiors by Kathryn M. Ireland. Gibbs Smith; $40. 6 American Decoration: A Sense of Place by Thomas Jayne. Monacelli; $50. 7 A Visual Life: Scrapbooks, Collages, and Inspirations by Charlotte Moss. Rizzoli; $60. 8 A 21st-Century Palace, Vol. 1 by Geoffrey Bradfield. Smallwood & Stewart; $85. 9 Stuff: The M(Group) Interactive Guide to Collecting, Decorating with, and Learning about Wonderful and Unusual Things by Carey Maloney. Pointed Leaf Press; $65. 10 Nathan Turner's American Style: Classic…

MIMI READ: There's some serious pedigree here: Isamu Noguchi, George Nakashima, Karl Springer, Harry Bertoia, Frank Gehry…and a horde of other signed pieces. MICHAEL FORMICA: It may appear to be trophy decorating, but it's not. It's about the objects themselves, not about who made them. Is there a common denominator? I chose them. I like them. They make me happy. I don't know what else to say. When I saw those Julian Schnabel watercolors that are over the living room sofa for the first time—they were in an auction—I didn't know they were Schnabels. I just thought they were great. And do you know why I love that Marcel Wanders chair? Because it's made out of rope, and you can sit on it. That's how I decorate, by the seat…

Lake Martin, Alabama Bathed in leafy green and with a view of the lake, this room feels like part of the scenery. CHRISTINE PITTEL: Wow! Where did you get that green? BILL INGRAM: This is a lake house, used on weekends, and that leafy green just says 'cabin in the woods' to me. Suddenly you feel as if you're outside amid the trees. Is this an old house? No, brand-new. But I wanted the bathroom to feel as if it was once a porch that's now enclosed. It's funny how with an old house, we work hard to do additions that blend in. With a new house, we try to make it look as if it's been added onto over the years. What gives it that vintage feeling? For starters,…

"I'm crushing on brass! I love how it revs up any space. It's timeless and affordable. What's not to like?" MELISSA RUFTY "I'm wild for everything James Mont. Designers know about him, but this may be the year that everyone else gets to know his over-the-top, theatrical furniture." MEG BRAFF "Enough with the plain. I think people want pretty, and I predict a surge in demand for classic fabrics like Colefax and Fowler's Bowood." LETA AUSTIN FOSTER "Everyone will be focusing on art—it's so much more approachable these days, with art fairs popping up everywhere." SARA STORY "We're moving toward a more organic modernism with warm, modern materials that look vintage: slate, irregular floors, weathered concrete, natural crackle-glazed tiles that look handmade. Less slick kitchens!" PETER DUNHAM "Photoshop, HDTV, and…

VIDEO SCAN THE PHOTO TO HEAR HAMPTON SHARE MORE ADVICE CHOOSE FURNITURE THAT mixes well. Stick with classics, pieces with a good silhouette. The Grant chair from my Hickory Chair collection is a particular favorite of mine—combining my love of strong classical design and Hickory's virtuoso craftsmanship. Look at the curved wood on the back! NO MORE BROKEN DISHES! Golden Rabbit enamelware is my new obsession. I have three young children, and the Blue Swirl pattern feels like the indestructible—so far—cousin of my all-time favorite, Apt ware from France. LINEN VELVET IS GREAT FOR upholstery because it has a rich, gently aged appearance from the start. I do love cotton and more expensive silk velvets, but they show every fingerprint. MY FAVORITE DESIGN BOOK is Mark Hampton on Decorating, the…

Bowden Magnified in scale, a classic scallop makes a grand—and chic—impact. Hand-tufted wool, 5' × 8', in Parchment, $799. capel.com. Modern Classics CAN-1995 A burst of pattern as rejuvenating as a sunrise. Hand-tufted wool, 5' × 8', in Oyster Gray, $825, by Candice Olson for Surya. hsn.com/HBmarketplace. Caravan In fuzzy hide, this regimented geometric has a softer, cozier side. Hair on hide, 4'6" × 6'6", to the trade, by Jiun Ho. kylebunting.com. Platinum A luxurious spectrum of metallics, from silver to rose gold. Hand-knotted wool and silk, 6' × 9', $7,776, by David Rockwell. therugcompany.com. Ellington Border Just a touch of Art Deco—a stepped border inspired by an architectural detail. Hand-knotted wool blend, 6' × 9', in Platinum, $4,300. ralphlaurenhome.com. Deco Garden The trellis-like squares will bring a quiet architecture…

1. STRIPES AMERICANA Vinyl in Blue, White, Red. wallcandyarts.com. 2. BLOSSOM TROPIC Polyester blend in Pop Navy. muralsyourway.com. 3. FAUX TORTOISE SHELL Vinyl in Natural, by Karen Robertson. casartcoverings.com. 4. FAUX LINEN Vinyl in Folly Gray, by Mary Douglas Drysdale. casartcoverings.com. 5. PEONIES Vinyl in Gold Leaf. tempaper.com. 6. LIME WAVES PATTERN Polyester blend in White/Lime. eazywallz.com. 7. PSYCHEDELIC GARDEN Polyester blend in Concrete. whatisblik.com. 8. CROCODILE Paper in Guava. brettdesigninc.com. 9. ST. CATHERINE OF BOLOGNA Vinyl in Cherry. givencampbell.com.…

"I designed these matching doggie-owner bathrobes and towels after French layette sets. I swaddle my dogs and protect my furniture after bath time. Some might roll their eyes, but anyone with a wet dog can appreciate these indulgent but practical robes—and the dogs love that they get a free pass to be on the couch where they belong!" CAROL PERKINS, OWNER, HARRY BARKER "This is Hubbell, one of our three golden retrievers, in front of the built-in food station I designed in our kitchen. There are four bowls—one for each dog and an extra for water, or in case we get another pooch!" Ken Fulk, Interior Designer "Every few months I cut my Maltese's hair very close, and when I do, everyone always says she looks like a little lamb.…

VIDEO SCAN THIS PHOTO TO GO BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE DESIGNER More Shimmering Chargers EXOTIC The subtly asymmetrical rim is a fun twist. Interlude Ikat Charger, 139 DIA, $75, by DVF Home. bloomingdales.com. GLAMOROUS All-over sparkle complements any simple dinner plate. Mirage Place Mat, 159 DIA, $88. neimanmarcus.com. ARCHITECTURAL The fluted edge creates an eye-catching frame. Sunburst Charger in Silver, 139 DIA, $4. zgallerie.com. CONTEMPORARY A crisp, clean look that softens in candlelight. Mirror Round Charger Plate, 139 DIA, $24 for two, by ChargeIt! wayfair.com. "I want a friendly table, one that doesn't feel so perfect. You can relax because it's relaxed."…

ROOMS THAT BRIM WITH CHARACTER AND PERSONALITY, REFLECTING LIVES WELL LIVED OBSESSION Glazed Ceramic Lamps BLOGGER Beth Connolly WEB SITE chinoiseriechic.blogspot.com BLOG SCAN THE PHOTO TO READ MORE OF THIS BLOG POST Lamps have become a fashion accessory for the home, the jewelry of a room. I adore gourd- shaped lamps in rooms with chinoiserie elements. Designers seem to favor the solid colors, although blue and white Chinese designs add a classic element… Douglas Brenner: Your flow of rich, moody colors from room to room reminds me of the paintings Whistler called nocturnes, or harmonies. Is this far-fetched? ALEXANDER DOHERTY: It's amusing you should say that, because this apartment is really about color and the moods it can create. The first time I saw it I said,…

THE NEVER-ENDING APPEAL OF PRETTY, COMFORTABLE, DETAILED DECORATING OBSESSION Brass BLOGGER Marisa Marcantonio WEB SITE stylebeat.blogspot.com BLOG SCAN THE PHOTO TO READ MORE OF THIS BLOG POST There is a warmth brass gives an interior, whether it be a modern or traditional space. The golden hue of the metal provides a subtle, elegant gleam. It's having a comeback because it mixes well with other metals and its patina gets even better… LISA CREGAN: That's an astonishing mirror in the living room. But why is it in front of doors? KEVIN ISBELL: It's a Victorian sorcerer's mirror, and it's there because we needed a solid wall long enough for my client's 12-foot-long sofa. The room beyond is the family room, and we thought, 'Why do we need two entries…

CHRISTINE PITTEL: Dazzling! Glossy countertops, silvery tile, shimmery mirrors… LOUISE BROOKS: The owner loves shine. And she wanted a sophisticated but fun space where she could entertain her friends. The house is a traditional center-hall Colonial, and the kitchen comes as a surprise. It gives the house a lot of panache. And that effervescent chandelier. Amazing how one light fixture can animate a room. The glass bubbles look like they're dancing, don't they? They give the room a real kick. Mirrored cabinets—so glamorous. Is that a nod to Hollywood Regency? They're definitely a little theatrical—the more decorative element in a plain room. The basic idea goes back to an old Chippendale breakfront. We gave it a twist with that weathered gray finish on the wood, and antiqued mirror instead of…

1. Hook A handsome way to keep your robe at hand—and your walls looking just so. Antler Melody Hook in Iron and Horn, 6½" H × 2¾" W, $28. anthropologie.com. 2. Vanity Give your bath that warm farmhouse feel. William Single Sink Console in Pine and Carrara Marble, 36" W × 22" D × 40" H, $1,700 (with white porcelain sink; faucet sold separately). potterybarn.com. 3. Bath Streamlined style in sturdy enameled cast iron. Its standard size and one-piece construction means easy installation. Bellwether Bath, 60" W × 30¼" D × 14" H, $674. kohler.com. 4. Tile Striking stained-glass tiles that really dress up a backsplash. Available in 30 colors and eight other patterns. Devotion Series, Cathedral in Era Blend, $110 per square foot. mandalatile.com. 5. Cleaner This eco-friendly all-purpose…