Room with a View

Back in March, I was invited to participate in Rooms with a View, an annual fundraising event started many years ago by the interior design icon Albert Hadley. According to the design brief, I was to create a “room” that was an interpretation of this year’s theme: A few of my favorite things. As most of you know, my favorite things are almost always vintage things I’ve scavenged from flea markets or rescued from giveaway bins. So, taking a cue from the legendary Mr. Hadley himself, I was inspired to create a room of cast-offs that had been recast into something else entirely. And to realize my vision, I enlisted the help of a dear friend and brilliant illustrator—Patricia van Essche of pve design. (Remember the watercolor she gave Jaithan and me as a housewarming gift?) The idea for this piece was that I would scour flea markets for the “cast-offs” and describe to Patricia how I wanted them to be “recast.” Then she would bring the room to life in one of her amazing illustrations.      

We started at Braswell Galleries, an antique warehouse in Norwalk, CT, where you can find just about anything. I was drawn to pieces with interesting details—the bamboo texture on the lamp, the handles on the coffee table, the unique arms on the occasional chairs.  I also wanted to mix different styles, materials, time periods, shapes, and heights—so long as there was a method to the madness.  At first glance, you probably see a little more madness than method…

But then, right there in the store, we arranged the room that would be the basis for Patricia’s drawing. I love how each of these pieces stands on its own, yet play well with others. The armchairs are similar but not a pair, so the look feels harmonious without being matchy. The clean lines of the coffee table mimic those of the Danish modern sofa, and the sizes and proportions feel balanced. But while the arrangement is certainly less chaotic than it was at first glance, it is not yet totally cohesive.  

In Patricia’s first rendering, you can see all the major pieces, but we haven’t yet gotten to the fun part— coloring in the lines! In my experience, color has such incredible power to unify disparate pieces to create an overall cohesive look.

Here's what inspired the color scheme for my room. It's a vintage curtain panel, also from Braswell's. I wanted to pull out the vibrant blues and reds of the Chinoiserie-style bird while grounding the overall look in the neutral background colors.

To furnish the room, we began with the sofa. This Danish modern piece I loved for its clean lines, but the upholstery felt outdated. I would first have new cushions made—a single back cushion and a single seat cushion—then reupholster it in durable, natural-colored linen. Since a sofa is such a significant piece of furniture, you can never go wrong with neutral upholstery—it mixes well with more colorful pieces and never goes out of style. 

For the chairs, I was drawn to the traditional shape of the Queen Anne on the left, but it’s still a little staid for my taste. To recast it in a fresh, more modern look, I asked Patricia to render it a pretty painted blue and cover it with the vintage bird print fabric that inspired the color scheme. Then, to set off the unusual arms of the chair on the right, I asked that she recover it in a textured turquoise fabric, finished with silver nail heads. 

The faux bamboo lamp added great texture, but it needed a makeover. With a fresh coat of blue paint and a new drum shade trimmed in navy ribbon, the lamp would tie in perfectly with the other pieces. And this versatile ottoman—which is actually two stackable pieces—gets recast in a navy velvet that pulls out the darkest shades in the vintage bird fabric.   

Once Patricia and I had recast the cast-offs, it was time to pull it all together in the room. Though the red paint and wall moldings are traditional touches, the baby-blue ceiling and updated furniture feel modern and fresh. And since at the moment, Jaithan and I are actually in Kansas, if only I could click my heels and the room would appear! Afternoon cocktails, anyone?

I loved Patricia’s illustration so much that I asked her for a watercolor that I could frame. I've always thought a framed illustration of a room that you love—maybe it's a photograph of your childhood home or a place you visited in the past—is such great piece of memorabilia.       

So for the framing, I went to—who else?—our friends over at Larson-Juhl.  They hand-make incredible custom frames that are inspired by the kind of old, antiques you just can’t find anymore. 

I’ve always found that when it comes to framing, it’s best not to skimp. Trust those pieces that you’ll pass down for generations to a framer that knows how to get the style, proportions, and matting just right.  As you can see, those small details make a big difference…

A little collaboration goes a long way when it comes to turning a room full of cast-offs into a Room with a View. Thank you, Patricia, for helping me realize this project and bringing the vision to life!

Comments

[Laura Casey Interiors]

It looks fabulous and everything Patricia does is gorgeous!

[michelle]

What a great idea! Loved seeing Patricia's line drawing before colour. Off to read about Kathie Lee's house...

Best,
Michelle

[pam robinson]

simply amazing.... love this... x pam

[Visual Vamp]

You guys are a great team!
I too am a proud owner of a couple of PVE watercolors, and I cherish them.
They make a great gift, and a wonderful way to treat yourself.
Eddie, I love your thought process! The end result is amazing.
xo xo

[abby jenkins]

Braswells never disappoints! Neither do you....LOVE IT!

[Jay]

Eddie, Can you repost the video on making bows for gifts? I saw it once on You Tube but can't find it. I need another lesson. Thanks!

[kathysue]

Hi Eddie, Love the final result , what a great idea and a wonderful collaboration with PVE.I love to see and hear how your mind works. Hugs Kathysue

[carlee]

Wow, when two amazing artists get together an incredible piece comes out in the end! I love what both of you have done here. Your piece looks gorgeous framed!

[Barbara]

Wonderful story and project... perfectly described - what fun!!

[Shandell's]

What a great combination's of stuff, you pulled it all together brilliantly. Patricia's watercolor is beautiful.

XOXO

[The Designer Insider]

The blue chair added the spark to the room! Thanks for sharing!

[Jay]

That was so much fun. You definitely have the Midas touch.

[Dagny @ Beautiful Living]

Beautiful! Love your ideas for the furniture!

[Laura @ the shorehouse]

What a fun surprise to see Patricia over here! I am a big fan. :-)

[Karena]

Eddie and Jaithan, Patricia never disappoints and of course the perfect framing from Steve with Larson Juhl. you just can't go wrong. I am hoping for a rendering from Patricia for the holidays!

[Enzie Shahmiri - Portraits and Fine Art]

What fun to create a room with cast offs! I love treasure hunting at flea markets and thrift stores and giving new life to old things. I am glad to have found your blog and hope that you will visit my 5 blogs as well to find a favorite.

[Kindle]

How is it that seeing you smile, always makes me smile? Hope you and Jaithan are having a great holiday season!

*Big ole bear hugs and kisses!*
Kindle

[Rachel]

That is going to be GORGEOUS!! I am so excited for the final reveal! Can't wait!

[Tamara Stephenson]

love your site and all you are doing -very inspiring. best, tamara stephenson from http://nestnestnest.blogspot.com

[Kwana]

Eddie thanks for walking us through the process. It looks wonderful. I was fortunate to see Patricia's side and now I'm happy to see yours. Amazing work. Love it what a great collaboration.

[Debra]

Patricia surely has a way of bringing good things together- rooms, friends, and inspiration for all. Love the gorgeous room illustration and that frame. What a great team you make.

[pve]

Thank you so much for the opportunity to work with you Eddie!
You are a joy, and have so much energy and "joie de vivre" for design and giving everything you find purpose and meaning in a new and clever way!
It was such an honor to do the illustration for you!
pve

[Kerry]

I saw that floral/chinoiserie fabric and thought 'that's it, I've finally found the fabric I've been looking for, for months and months!' And then I read that it's vintage. Eddie, did you buy it... or do you think it's still there? The colors are perfect, as is the "room" you designed. Love it!

[c'estsuzanne]

I simply love to see how you do your work. It's amazing to me how you put things together to make them work in a room...truly, it's cool to see how it all comes together so nicely. Thanks!

[katiedid]

So fun and what a great collaboration!

[Kathy]

WOW it turned out gorgeous! I love her work!

[Kate]

I am madly in love with that coffee table. God I hope it's still there because I want it! Fabulous taste, Eddie!

- Kate

[victoria]

Good to have seen you in action, love your concept of using finds
and your collaboration wit Patricia was a huge success!
You together are unbeatable!

XX
Victoria

[Shannon at Old World Charm]

Thanks so my for sharing. I, too, am a notorious scavenger. Looking forward to more of your insights. :-)

Shannon

[Melissa Irvin]

Simply stunning! Your eye for what a piece can become is unmatched! What an amazing gift!

[Lydia Bryant]

How great is that! I especially like the blue velvet on the ottoman. And I love that darling business card(?) you're holding.

Hope you guys are having a great holiday season so far!!

Lydia

[Jennifer @ Fiddle Dee Dee]

Such a neat concept, Eddie. I like the furniture that you picked out and the plans that you put together. And what a great reminder of your plans...a watercolor. You are so right, framing is everything. It is so great watching you work and seeing how far you are coming. Wishing you the best,
Jennifer

[liz aiello]

Hi Eddie!
How is Braswell Galleries? Are there bargains there...or do only serious antique shoppers go?
Looking forward to seeing you next week!
liz

[Tracy Baisden]

I just discovered you and LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog! It's brilliant! I fear I may be addicted, but you have sprinkled me with some inspiration today that I desperately needed. Thank you and keep up the great work!