After a day in the freezing cold riding in a Morgan that needs to be fixed up, I am a little tired and still freezing cold. I will try to share some photos with you soon because I was so excited that I forgot to take the digital camera. However, we stopped at a drug store to buy a disposable camera, and MB claims he will have them developed very soon. I am afraid that you guys and gals will not be impressed, as this Morgan needs some work and a new paint job. The dear old doctor that owned the car did not take care of it I am afraid. Sorry MB, but I think you may have been burned.
Anyway, after church, the wife and I spent most of the day buying supplies to re-decorate my home office. I spent the day in casual clothing:
-Very old Levi jeans
-The Polo Fair Isle sweater that drew so much attention last week
-Polo Herringbone Tweed
-Polo light pink candy striped oxford cloth button-down
-Polo tassel loafers
Regardless of my tiresome demeanor, we had great success. Well, I did, because I am decorating the office with all the details I want. Her office is decorated the way she wants it, right? I already have a collection of oil paintings, and old book shelf, globe, leather sofa, etc. in the office space. So basically, I am painting the walls, changing curtains, and adding new carpet. I chose the following for the items:
Walls -- Ralph Lauren Antiqued Leather Paint - Chestnut
Carpet -- Tartan Plaid with the primary color being blue with green, red, and gold mixed in.
Curtains -- Gold Curtains
So, I am excited about beginning the renovations this week, and I will show you the finished product in a few weeks. I am doing the painting myself, but we have to wait for the carpet to come in for installation. In addition, I am attaching several pictures of our master bedroom that I recently re-decorated. I replaced a 150 year old family heirloom bed with something that sleeps a little better, and I added the rest of the finishing touches. Yes, we kept the heirloom bed, but we placed it in our 3rd guest bedroom that is never used. Anyway, let me know what you think about the bedroom!
30 comments:
Richard,
I am certainly not a decorator, but my girlfriend suggested peach for walls-every woman looks great in a soft lighted room (especially a bedroom or dining room) with peach walls. It somehow brings out color. Now I am certain that your wife does not need such things to enhance her beauty-but its just a thought. The furniture is great, and I appreciate you showing it but the walls seem to need something-and again I am nota decorator, just an untrained eye. Thanks!
That's the kind of house I'd like to return to after a long day at the office.
Lovely..but...(there was always going to be a but, wasn'r there?) I'm not entirely sold on the carpet and I'd have liked a bit of colour on the walls, just to warm it all up a bit. That said, love the furniture and paintings. Well done!
You definitely have to paint the walls. You have a lot of wood in the room and a richly patterned comforter. The walls looks to sterile in comparison. I would suggest picking up one of the colors in the comforter in a lighter shade. A subtle color on the walls will pull all the pieces in the room together and warm up the space.
While I am not sure what wall color you should use, be sure that it is a light color. A darker color will only make the room seem smaller. Again, I am not sure of the room’s size, as we are only seeing it in photos.
As far as the art works, you seem to have a very eclectic eye for art, which is nice, however, personally I would be unvaried in which pieces I displayed in one space. As you’ve heard here time and time again, less is more.
I do like what you’ve have done with the dresser. I like the added touch which shows a hint of you, and your wife. The lamps were a very nice touch. The club chair, in what I am going to assume is your corner of the bed, the possibly faux telephone on the nightstand all lends to the warmth of the room.
The focal point of the room for me was the bedspread, or duvet. I would have liked it to have been the bed it’s self, rather then the spread or duvet. It is very rich in color, but I have to question as to why this spread over one that was a little muted in color. Maybe it’s the blue that’s throwing me, can’t be certain.
I would also say that it is a great idea to no longer use the antique bed. It is also a great idea to have incorporated antiques with the new updated furnishings. Whatever you do, please do not go with peach for the walls, this is a mistake. You also may want to think about, painting the walls before putting down the carpet. Seems as though you are putting the cart before the horse on that one.
I hate white walls. And, no, hate is not too strong a word in this case.
Richard,
Once again I appreciate that you have shared another portion of your life with your loyal readers.
I am not going to give any opinion about your bedroom because I simply think that if you like it, it is ok!
I want to tell you that the jeans worn by you in the photo fit you quite well. They give you a young and sporty look.
Why don't you try to wear them with Sebago mocasins or even better Full Brogues in burgundy, for exemple?
Thank you,
Miguel Ángel
Is that,, a Gainsborough Blue Boy? I thought it was only in a museaum. You are,, a true WASP!!!
To choose the wall color, please consult the Official Preppy Handbook. it's right there on the side table
richard - i love your traditional decorating style! i think the art is perfect. i hate when it's all one style. i agree what would make it even warmer (if you were looking for change) is a bit of color on the walls, but you also took the photo with a flash, so with the lamps lit, maybe there's a completely different feel to the room?
if you did add a color, i'd prefer a slate blue, mocha or taupe. i think the room is wonderful as is, but it's always fun to play.
Richard:
It seems any comment I might add would be superfluous. The white walls and incoherent colors create an empty space that is filled only with a few objects hinting at something grander. A well chosen color might reduce the jarring effect. Of course, there is nothing wrong with white walls though they usually require a less ambitious choice of furniture. Of course it might not be entirely a matter of the decor but there is this feeling from the images of a room that is not lived in but a carefully tended life size diorama.
It is my sincere hope that you have succeeded with your study and in future the home office.
This discussion of interior decorating is rather effeminate and seems the preserve of people who buy their furniture.
Do you live in a town home?
Richard,
You should start a whole separate blog with just the comments unfit for publishing on this blog. They are distracting here, an interesting yet sad illustration of the human condition, but entertaining enough to read.
Best.
P.S. very light khaki color on the walls, and lose the corner-torch lamps.
Those are some nice pieces, however it does not seem to work with the overall scale of the room. Additionally, the walls are plain in both colour and lack of detail such as moulding or panelling. Everything has an insufferable patina of retail, to illustrate a point some family members have wardrobes that are older than your country.
I do enjoy the Fair Isle sweater, it reminds me of a similar one purchased in London several years ago. On a final note is it possible to maintain the aura of a WASP without the use of a sportcoat or blazer? The majority of the vapid and pedantic pictorial submissions depict a jacket, perhaps a change of pace for the new year?
Watch that dark Chestnut color. It will make the room look smaller than it is. Try a brownish mustard. Get a few small quarts of color and test them on poster board. Leave them in the room and watch what the daylight does through out the day,
Chestnut seems great. But depending on the size of the room and the ceiling height it will make a room feel like a closet. Beware
Very nicely decorated. The room does in general however, bearing in mind the carpet is cosy, feel like it is incredibly cold to sleep in. You must sleep in your Fair Isle sweater ! Maybe it is the wall...
Ah, decorating. Now that is my forte. No, not peach. I agree with Preppy Pauper that you should pick up one of the lighter colors of the bed spread.
However, since a WASP style is more traditional with a lean towards British style, I probably would stick with a beige - not too dark, though. Just enough to 'warm' up the room. As it is now, the white makes it look cold and it's too much of a contrast with the furniture.
Let me take a closer look at the pictures and I'll make more suggestions.
Kathie
Hey, Richard, Sydney, Australia calling. What happened to my polite and complimentary comment I posted a few days ago? I asked some questions about blazer buttons and casual shoes and was genuinely interested in your feedback. Cheers.
Okay, Rich, I went back to these pictures and studied them for a while. My daughter is here visiting and with out telling her which color I had decided I asked her opinion. She agrees with me. You should go with a light beige - warm - see the color of your pillow - it's almost a gold? a beig-ey gold. That's what you should go with. It's a very rich color and will really put the focus on your woodwork.
Whatever you do - let us know.
Thanks for putting 'blogger approval' on here. It makes the visit so much more pleasant.
Kathie
Alright guys and gals, let me try to answer all the questions and thanks for your opinions. My wife and I agree that we do need paint the walls, but they are not a bright white. The walls are a creamy egg shell color, but we agree with the beige/gold comments. Again, thanks!
Sydney Wannabe - I don't remember your comment, and if you left it once I started moderating, I may have accidently deleted. Please feel free to post the comment again, or send me an e-mail and I will be happy to answer your questions.
Anonymous -- Nope, we do not live in a town home. We live on a 5 acre lot of land in the country. However, I did live in a town home before I got married.
Anonymous -- Yes, that is a Blue Boy, and I could do a post on how I came to possess it.
I understand about living on acreage. We live in a rural area. From time to time I still fancy myself as a "Gentleman Farmer."
Richard.....PAINT???
ABSOLUTELY..............NOT.
WALLPAPER. There are numerous grand, paisley,
damask, and related looks that will have it
looking royal overnight.
OR-the cross pattern that form an "X" look
interlocking pattern.
Regimental Stripes found in wall paper too
not just in preppy ties
If paint for some reason is your only option,
go for the R.Lauren dark thouroughbred
color selection.
You want that gentlemen's club look right?
THEN-PUT IN THE DARK COLORS with mounted
lights that can dim.
Unfortunately as has been mentioned pieces
too big for room ,darker walls will help the
eyes translate better to overall appearance.
The lighter the paint THE WORSE-NOT BETTER.
WHO CARES if room looks "smaller"
better smaller and grand then big and "bare".
A Palm Beach setting ? Go crazy with all the light
colors you wish.Not this northern country
setting.
Tartan wallpaper..........See?
Let your imaginaton turn towards Country Club
"look" and or design.
Any leather pieces will look outstanding against
the darker shades of paint or fancy wallpaper.
Five acres in the country? There is a master bedroom with one window, the size of a spare room and a single port of entry? There is a gas log fire place and judging from the incessant photos of it the house must be a split foyer with the stairway to the right. You don't chop your own firewood? It must be a very large field. Do you mow your lawn with outsize pride. Do you know the status of a lawn? There must be horses or at least a horse. How long is your driveway? How close are your nearest neighbors?
This seems as contrived a comment as the entire blog.
Anonymous,
First, just because one lives in the country does not mean you live in a mansion. Our house is by no means a mansion, fort, or large estate. It is a four bedroom house with a full basement below. The stairwell you refer to leads to the basement, and the gas logs.....well, the house is only 5 years old. Very few houses are built with real fireplaces these days, and if I had a mansion I would not have a real fireplace. I actually do mow my own lawn when possible, and I hate chopping firewood since we did it all the time when I was a kid. Five acres is a small lot of land, especially compared to the 300 acres that my father owns. Maybe you would like his house much better given that it is old, and full of real fire places. Horses, no I don't own any, but again my father owns approximately 10. I hate riding to be honest.
what your father owns should not be part of the discussion. this is not feudal england. i don't think people would go nuts with the comments if you didn't make pretentious comments about things like how many acres your father owns. why even engage an anonymous poster in that way?
If you do the tartan wallpaper, you'll have to get a different, less-busy bedspread/duvet. Yes, you can, of course, mix patterns, but this pattern of bedspread is not for a tartan.
I do agree with the poster about wallpaper, though. Wallpaper, is actually my choice.
Or, I think you could even paint a darker color if you're not afraid of it. I personally DO like darker colors myself, though most don't.
I would save the tartan for your office.
I strongly disagree with wallpaper.
That is all.
So Contrived...... As everything Richard does. You try so hard...... pity pity
No to wallpaper.
And "Blue Boy" must go ...
Good sir,
I stumbled upon your blog and as a fellow W.A.S.P. must say that you give us a bad name. A true W.A.S.P. is about humility, modesty, and subtlety, traits which you lack. And while we don't disapprove of our abbreviated title, we don't obsess ourselves with it as you apparently have. You're trying too hard...find a different hobby.
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