Escape to Bermuda

I just got back from a short vacation to Bermuda with my husband. We left the kids to reconnect and celebrate our 18 year anniversary!

Pink sand and turquoise water is a winning combination. As soon as we got to our hotel we immediately relaxed! These two photos are from Tucker's Point. It is a gorgeous hotel.

As soon as we settle in, we both always look at the real estate guides; we are always interested in properties. This particular home caught our eye. I guess you could say it's our hobby, because of course we could never afford to buy such an extravagant retreat.

This home was designed and influenced by renaissance architecture. If you look beyond the gorgeous furniture and notice the architecture itself, the room is quite grand. I love the fireplace and the french doors. But what really caught my attention was the ceilings - every room in this estate has interesting ceilings. The wood ceiling above really warms up the opulent space.

Perhaps the most impressive ceiling was in the dining room. The coved ceiling was illuminated in gold leaf.

The kitchen ceiling was also an interesting work of art. I loved the wood design and the way it was white washed and distressed. Of course the zinc hood made me swoon.

I just fell in love with this office! The doors, the view and the ceiling -stained the same color as the ocean. Just beautiful!

I really like the relaxed feeling of this guest room. It is has the classic wood/tropical ambiance. Another room with spectacular ceilings.

Overall the home is a bit too opulent for me but they seemed to get the bedrooms right! Here the view in the master bedroom takes center stage - and the coffered ceiling is nice too.

This is the lovely view off the master bedroom terrace - beautiful iron work on the railings. Again notice the ceiling, clearly no detail was overlooked.

Of course I could get used to cocktails by the pool...but its back to reality for me. If you want to dream a little, check out the rest of this estate here. End of the year school activities with kids are keeping me busy since I returned, but it was a wonderful anniversary trip!!

(all photos Tuckers Point and Sotheby's)

'Lost at Sea' Fiber Arts show in NYC

If you are in New York right now, I highly recommend heading over to Gallery Hanahou to check out the fiber arts "Lost at Sea" show, where the work of some of my favorite fiber artists (including Jessica Marquez of Miniature Rhino, Knitalatte and Lou Lou and Oscar) is on display.

While all of these are beyond gorgeous, I am obsessed with the pieces from Miniature Rhino, which were inspired by sailors' use of the night sky as a guide. The sampler has two layers -- the bottom piece features the constellations, and spins to match a real night sky. So brilliant. You can learn more about the inspiration behind the pieces here.

Some of the amazing pieces below.

Miniature Rhino:

Knitalatte

Lou Lou and Oscar

I Must Get Back to the Sea Vol. 3

Lately I've been thinking about the sea of our childhood imaginations -- the mysterious, faraway kind of sea inspired by mythology, epic novels and fairy tales. You know, the sea filled with mermaids and sirens, cursed mariners, whirlpools and mist and dead-end horizons. Yeah. I want to get back there...

P.S. Probably too many of these photos were sourced from my all-time favorite tumblr Le Princesse Endormie. Go pay her a visit if you have some time.

I Must Get Back to the Sea Vol.1

This unexpected heatwave has left me feeling like this -- I must get back to the sea. It's funny because (being 5'2 and just over 100 pounds) I tend to get rocked by the sea -- it does not embrace me back, that's for sure.

A usual day at the beach for me involves spending an hour on shore nearing heatstroke, letting the delirium from the heatstroke coax me into the waves, enjoying myself for five minutes, getting smacked face-first by a wave and, finally, spending the next ten minutes picking sand out of my teeth, trying to avoid a wardrobe malfunction and poorly timing my mad dash to the shore.

But somehow a day at the shore restores me in a way I can't describe. The brown tinge on my skin and salty smell in my hair leave me feeling...whole. So even though DC is a land-locked city, I'm going to try to give us a weekly dose of images that take us back to days spent at the sea -- starting now. Enjoy!

Chappaquiddick Boat House

Some of my most favorite spaces are smaller ones. And this recent renovation by Hutker Architects in Martha's Vineyard is no exception.

Formerly a boat house, the 1,100 square foot renovation opened up the space and provided a wonderful ocean escape for the family. Built right over the water, it's almost as if you are on a boat.
Upon entering the neutral decor lets the water views take center stage. You will notice that the trim, walls and ceiling are all painted the same color. This is an old decorating trick. If the trim was a painted a whiter shade than the walls your eye would stop (even for the briefest second) at each opening. By keeping the color uniform your eye stops only when it sees the view or into the next room. I find this trick really opens up a room.
The family room has plenty of seating and the ottoman coffee table is a wonderful addition which adds a nice textural element and a few extra seats. Again a neutral sofa is key and the pillows add the dash of color. Notice the beamed ceiling and beadboard above.
This kitchen is perfect! It has all the amenities you need in a carefully designed space. Green soapstone and rattan stools compliment the family room decor. I really like the different rugs. Not matching the rugs, but choosing complimentary colors adds another layer of interest.
Who would guess that this small area could seat 8 adults? A good trick in a limited area is to add a banquette. I am sure you can even fit more if they were children! Pale blue dominates this area, but notice it compliments the ocean and because it is so subtle it does not compete with the view. Every ocean retreat needs a hideaway spot and this one is lovely. Built in drawers provide much needed extra storage. I like the addition of arched opening - it is a wonderful way to frame the spectacular view.
Finally the porch - what a beautiful spot to relax. For more photos click here.

.

Enjoy the the weekend!!

Coastal New England Ocean Oasis

One of my favorite parts of writing Willow Decor is getting to know the many other talented designers, architects, artists and residential photographers that make these beautiful spaces come alive. Meeting photographer Jamie Salomon was one of these special connections. Whether you are aware of it or not, you most likely have already seen his work. It has been featured in many magazines including, Coastal Living, Better Homes and Gardens, New England Home and several others.

He shared with me this wonderful cottage renovation on the New England coast. As you can see the home is located out on a peninsula. At high tide it becomes an ocean oasis. Though small, it is filled with everything you need to relax. The main room above features a kitchen nook and desk area.

Decorated in soothing whites and grays it is impossible not feel your tension rush away with tide. The cottage is sparsely decorated; intentional so you take in the spectacular ocean views. Here is the couch area from a different angle. I love the whitewashed walls which remind me of sun -bleached driftwood.
Opposite the seating area is a ladder to the loft above and a daybed tucked below. As you can imagine the views from every direction are breathtaking.

Here is a close up of the daybed overflowing with soft pillows. The wonderful sconces provide just the right light for curling up with a good book. With this view I am quite sure I would never leave - it gives a whole new meaning to word "bed-rest"!

Except of course to sit out on the deck and cast my line - Perhaps fish for dinner??

Have a wonderful relaxing weekend!

To see more of Jamie Salomon's work click here.

.

(photos J. Salomon Photography - not to be copied with out permission)

Never miss a post!! To subscribe to Willow Decor click here