The Glam Pad was deeply saddened to learn of the August 17th passing of Robert Kime, antiques dealer, textile collector, and celebrated interior designer. The British designer and “king of English classic decor” was born in 1946, and was well known as Prince Charles’s decorator of choice. His expansive design legacy includes six homes for the Prince of Wales —including Clarence House— numerous residences for the British aristocracy, and manor houses across the English countryside. When the antique textiles he loved became scarce, he created his own line. “I just love old textiles,” he explained to Elle Decor. “And when I couldn’t find enough of them anymore, I started my own fabric line.” His extensive line of fabrics, wallpaper, lighting, and furniture were all steeped in the tradition of classic English decor.
House & Garden produced a beautiful video interview with Kime and tour of his London flat in 2020 that we highly recommend watching. It is a delightful snapshot into the exquisite life of an exceptional man (below).
“In a funny way, I never thought of myself – I still don’t actually – as a decorator,” Kime told House & Garden . “I don’t see it different from anything that I do all the time anyway, so it doesn’t seem to be a job. It’s just something that I can do, and have always done.” An collector at heart, when Kime first widened his practice as a decorator, he described it as “a Friday job because I would deal all week and do decorating on Fridays.” (source)
Kime inherited his passion for collecting from his mother. “I don’t have things because they are valuable, but because of what they represent at the time. Nothing is very valuable anyway….” (source) He says in his book, Robert Kime, “A room should represent the absent owner, its arrangement is the owner’s memory. The association of people with things is important and romantic; it is to do with what they value.”
Elaborating on the concept of romance, Kime explains to House & Garden. “I don’t know how you describe romance actually, but some objects have it. They just have something that makes them more than themselves… And it’s just magic. It’s just how life is.”
In celebration of Kime’s life, let’s enjoy a few of the beautiful examples from his extensive portfolio.
Kime believed it essential that a home should convey a sense of safety and a feeling of permanence. His rooms were designed as sanctuaries from the busy world, and not only are they beautiful, but they are also supremely comfortable. “It is also of importance to him that they resonate with the past, with real or imagined memories, writes Alastair Langlands in the book, Robert Kime. “He uses furniture and antiques that bequeath their own layers of history, and he uses fabrics that are either old, or seem ageless, to add a hint of wider exotic world. In this way, by being associated with the past and the present, his rooms become timeless.”
Robert Kime’s work exudes romance. It was infused into everything he did, and The Glam Pad hopes his legacy and timeless designs will continue to live on and inspire future generations.
With offices in Palm Beach, Florida, and Nassau, Bahamas, Amanda Lindroth is the go-to interior designer for airy, relaxed, indoor-outdoor living. From beach chic to high glam, her affinity for boldly coloured prints, rattan and cane, canopied beds and vibrantly layered fabrics make Amanda a master of island charm.
A favorite here at The Glam Pad, we were delighted to learn that Amanda is now sharing her step-by-step guide to creating informal but elegant interiors designed specifically for entertaining friends and family. Thanks to Create Academy, you learn directly from Amanda how to create comfortable spaces, from floor plans and furniture layouts to romantic bedrooms with styling touches that will make your guests feel right at home. In her first-ever online course, Amanda teaches how to conceptualise, scheme, source and install inviting interiors in any size home or style, and on any budget. Plus, you’ll visit one of her favourite interior projects, The Dunmore Hotel, as well as some of her go-to stores and suppliers to help bring a touch of breezy sophistication into your own home. Amanda Lindroth’s new online course “Design Ideas for Entertaining” is available now priced $150 from www.createacademy.com. Enter code GLAMPAD15 for a 15% discount!
As a little sneak peek of what her class has to offer, today Amanda is sharing her top 10 Design Secrets for Entertaining! Welcome, Amanda!
1. Create A Welcome
Creating a warm welcome for your guests is so important for setting the tone of the whole evening. This starts from the very first minute that they enter the front door. Make sure to decorate your foyer with candlelight to set a warming, relaxed ambience and continue this candlelight through the interior route to your outdoor space. I will also always make sure to highlight a beautiful doorway view to the entertaining space outside that will encourage your guests to want to be outside in that space.
2. You can never have enough conversational seating…
I host all of my dinner parties outside on the veranda and so the main focus of this space is all around relaxed, informal seating that is grouped together around coffee and side tables to encourage conversation when guests arrive, and for after dinner cocktails. Easy-to-move modular seating with cushions and stools at the side will allow for more guest seating and encourage larger groups to converse.
3. Candlelight is key…
Make sure candles are a consistent experience of the night. No successful dinner party is going to be fabulous without it. Guests feel unbelievably beautiful and prettier when they’re in candlelight, they feel more relaxed and will become more involved in the evening as a result. On the dining table I will always have one central candle in a hurricane lantern surrounded by multiple, smaller votive candles. All of the reflections of the candlelight with the glassware really does make a difference.
4. Cohesive colour…
When I’m designing any outdoor space, there should always be a cohesive friendliness to the decor. By that I mean they should have the same colour scheme or the same material layered throughout that can flow from interior to exterior. One of my favourite materials to use for outdoor spaces is rattan which is a beautiful material that can be easily painted and updated. Most of the rattan pieces I used I have bought on eBay or found in junk shops for next to nothing, and then I gave them a cohesive coat of paint (a shade of Messel Green is my go-to colour) so that they all look like one family of furniture. This creates an outdoor room that feels curated and that guests will want to spend their time in.
5. Seating plan…
If you’re inviting a mix of friends who don’t all necessarily know each other I will always put name cards on the table to encourage interaction. Sometimes when guests are left to choose they will end up seated next to partners or friends that can cause conversations to become quite insular. Name cards and a seating plan will mean you can curate the conversationalists at key points around the table and hopefully conversation will be flowing all night!
6. Too many is never too many…
When you’re trying to create an atmosphere at a dinner party, my advice is to have as many people as you can possibly fit, squeezed around the table. You do not want extra room between your guests because, frankly, they’re going to have a better time if they’re bunched up tightly. So this makes setting the table a slightly different affair. My top tip is to use a 48” round dining table which will seat 8 people around it – you’re very much touching shoulder-to-shoulder and that gets people to gossip more and conversations flow much easier as this builds a camaraderie.
7. Formal or Informal…
I’ve always had a little bit of a prejudice against the notion of “fine dining” – it implies a seriousness to an event that immediately puts guests on edge, with a vast dining table and chairs that set people far apart from each other. There’s actually nothing worse than sitting at a table like that in a noisy room where you have to pick your chair up to actually talk to the person next to you. So I have always preferred a more relaxed, convivial dinner table. And to create that I don’t use stiff white napkins and tall wine glasses – instead I will introduce colours, textures and elements of fun and charm that become talking points for guests. For me, that’s using colourful batique print textiles – all different in pattern but all friends in terms of scale and colour and which can be layered together for different effects.
8. Tableware…
I tend to always use antique or second hand crockery for dinner parties. I love china and I always buy it in tag sales or eBay – the best deals are on those sites – and these don’t all necessarily have to match but can be unified by a colour that gives cohesion. I also don’t really believe in tall stemware for a dining table – I find it antiquated and fancy. I will always opt for short stem wine glasses or simple tumblers and will mix in a range of colours, styles and sometimes even plastic ones to bring an element of fun.
9. Rattan for texture…
Rattan is one of my favourite materials to use and forms a central part to my own collection at Amanda Lindroth. As a material it immediately shouts ‘tropical’ when you layer it into interiors and brings in that breezy holiday vibe that encourages relaxation. So when I’m entertaining outdoors I will always make this a central part of the table decor be that though glassware sleeves, lanterns or serving baskets. I’ll also opt for bamboo handle flatware too instead of traditional cutlery as again this gives a calming island vibe that will put guests in a more easy-going mood.
10. Low centerpieces…
Centerpieces can look stunning but can also be a hindrance to a table if they are too extravagant! Sometimes bunches of flowers and candelabras can actually block conversation across a table so I always keep the tablescape quite low so that you can always see above. Short stem wine glasses, low floral centerpieces, pillar candles with glass hurricane lanterns that allow you to see through easily – these won’t obstruct guests’ eyelines and allow for chatting across the table.
Amanda Lindroth’s new online course ‘Design Ideas for Entertaining’ is available now priced $150 from www.createacademy.com
To learn more about Amanda Lindroth, please visit amandalindroth.com and follow @lindrothdesign on Instagram for ongoing inspiration. We also highly recommend her book, Island Hopping (reviewed here), and you can read more via the following articles from The Glam Pad featuring Amanda’s work…
Welcome to TGP Tidbits where we round up the happenings and our musings of the design industry each week. This week we take a look at the newly debuted Marie-Chantal collection for Schumacher, Sister Parish for the Atlanta based stationery company Dear Elouise, and dream-worthy closets for chic wardrobes. Written by Natalie Aldridge.
Marie-Chantal x Schumacher
Allow me to introduce the maven who has brought luxury, classicism, and high society to children’s clothing and beyond. The London-born Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece founded her eponymous label in 2000 with the intent of bringing to market newborn clothing made with the finest and softest of fabrics. Not long after, the chic society scion expanded sizing and her reach of products. Since the inception of the brand, Marie-Chantal has become the go-to children’s clothier for the royals. She has also become an authority on style, etiquette, and everything in between, prompting the release of her book Manners Begin at Breakfast.
When Schumacher debuted their collaborative collection with Marie-Chantal, we were over the moon. Schumacher frequently partners with celebrated designers and moguls alike, but it is unusual to see a collection so kid-centric and chic! The mother of five has achieved the perfect balance of youth and sophistication, making a sublime selection for a nursery or young child’s bedroom. The collection boasts seven adorable prints in multiple colorways. There are also a couple of pillows and trims that are worth snatching up immediately. Take a peek!
Here at The Glam Pad, we are all stationery aficionados. You may recall our six-part series on stationery and the art of letter writing from earlier this year. We believe in the art of letter writing and adore all things stationery. As the art of both seems to be a thing of the past, we have found a growing resurgence.
I happened to stumble upon quite the fun collaboration this week while browsing Instagram… The iconic brand Sister Parish, known for its illustrious founder and iconic prints, has released an exclusive collection of envelope liners with Dear Elouise. Dear Elouise is an Atlanta-based stationery brand and printer founded by Brent Ellis. I recently discovered Dear Elouise and have completely fallen in love with the company’s mission to preserve the art of antique printing techniques.
Featuring some of Sister Parish’s classic prints, the envelope liners bring such a delightful twist to an otherwise unadorned element. We cannot wait to add these to our stationery stockpiles. Take a look at the collection!
Believe it or not, Fall is upon us. This morning while selecting an outfit I began to evaluate my clothing and make mental notes of items I may want to purchase for the cooler weather. As a New Yorker, this can pose quite a challenge. While I cherish seasonal updates to my wardrobe, I simply run low on space too quickly. New York closets were not designed to hold the clothing of a woman highly interested in fashion.
I could not help to imagine what my dream closet would look like and quickly fell down a bit of a rabbit hole. Take a look at these dreamy wardrobes I cannot stop dreaming about…
Shop this week’s inspired finds! We are particularly excited about Emily Post’s Etiquette, The Centennial Edition of Emily’s Post’s iconic and revolutionary Etiquette… Preorder now for early October 2022 delivery. If you are looking for a particularly fascinating read, try tracking down an original copy!
Last year’s delightful collaboration between Bauble Stockings and Dogwood Hill was a near instantaneous sellout at launch, and we are delighted to debut their latest collection today! Not only are these hand-stitched treasures darling, but they also support The Glam Pad’s passion for needlepoint, family traditions, supporting women in business, and giving back.
Each Bauble Stocking is completely hand-stitched in Haiti through the company’s partnership with Good Threads Needlepoint, a certified Benefit Corporation that provides meals, tuition, books, housing, and a variety of other services to its community of 1,000+ stitchers, most of whom are single moms, and their families. Profits from each sale go to the Joan Rose Foundation in Jacmel, Haiti.
This year’s Bauble Stockings were designed by five talented Dogwood Hill artists, each brimming with holiday cheer!
The latest Bauble Stockings by Five Dogwood Hill Artists
Kate Stewart founded Bauble Stockings in 2018 based on a cherished family tradition. When Kate was young, her mom would receive the very last gift of Christmas, hidden in a needlepoint stocking hung on the tree. Kate’s dad called it a “Bauble Stocking” because once in a while, it would contain a special bauble: a piece of jewelry in appreciation for everything her mother did for the family.
Timeless, whimsical, and a treasure to keep forever, Bauble Stockings are heirlooms you’ll love and look forward to displaying – or gifting – each year.
Bauble Stocking founder, Kate Stewart, and her family
The stockings are heirloom-quality and make beautiful gifts to pass down through generations while also being purposeful in many lives. “We’re honored to partner with The Glam Pad to not only introduce new families to the Bauble Stocking tradition but also provide job opportunities and food for as many Haitian women and their children as we can,” Kate tells us.
If you are as excited as we are about this collaboration, you’re not going to want to miss the Bauble Stocking x Dogwood Hill Giveaway, starting August 31st! One winner will receive a set of of 5 Bauble Stockings (a $425 value) in addition to 100 Dogwood Hill holiday cards + return address printing (a $320 value). Stay tuned and follow @baublestockings on Instagram for more details.
In addition to the new collection, below are a few more of our favorite Bauble Stockings… You can never have too many! Please visit baublestockings.com to shop the entire collection.
My family and I have spent a lot of time this summer visiting my parents in my hometown of Abilene, Texas. Between eight years of living in Florida followed by two years of Covid, we had some making up to do. Abilene is a small but growing town located smack-dab in the middle of the state, an approximate three-hour drive from Dallas. In June, my Mom and I toured the local Parade of Homes and had the pleasure of meeting Rebecca and Lucas Gibbs of Gibbs Design + Build. The husband-wife team were exhibiting a stunning custom build they had recently completed for a client just outside town. While I’ve seen a lot of beautiful homes in some of the poshest cities in America, the quality craftsmanship and beauty displayed in the Gibbs’ work is second to none. I was intrigued and eager to learn more.
Lucas and Rebecca met in Abilene during college where they studied Pre-Architecture, Interior Design, Architecture History, and Business Management. Rebecca is an interior designer with a distinctive style that is luxurious yet fresh and down-to-earth. She incorporates a layering and mixing of styles throughout her work in order to create a distinctive style that is a beautiful tribute to the surrounding West Texas landscape. Lucas is a master carpenter who produces the highest quality cabinetry and millwork with beautiful custom detailing. He has a Masters in Sustainable Building Practices and an AP accreditation in Residential Design through LEED. Together, the pair constantly strive to build beautiful homes that will last for generations.
I’m delighted to introduce Rebecca Gibbs today for a Q&A… Welcome, Rebecca!
Rebecca and Lucas Gibbs
Q: When did you know you wanted to become an interior designer?
A: When I was a little girl, I was always so enamored by how a bit of rethinking and scooting furniture could transform my room.
Q: What brought you to Abilene, and how does West Texas influence your style?
A: I came to Abilene, Texas to attend Abilene Christian University in 2004. I met Lucas there and we have made our home here. I am absolutely inspired and influenced by our West Texas landscape. The beautiful color palette of blues, muted greens, browns, earthy hues and warm chalky grays are my forever go-tos for paint and fabrics. The rustic and wide open landscape also forever inspires me. I love a design that is simple in its bones, well thought out in its function and then beautiful and layered in a natural and effortless way.
Q: Who are your favorite designers past and present?
A: Where to start?! So inspired by so many. Gil Schafer, Rita Konig, Steven Gambrel, Peter Block, Mcalpine House (can’t tell you how many times I’ve studied Mcalpines website over the past ten years), Nickey Keyhoe, Billy Cotton… I adore everything Salvesen Graham does, and have been so inspired by the work Devol Kitchens has done in the last five years.
Q: How did you meet your husband, and what is it like working together?
A: We met in college. He was pre-architecture and I was interior design so we had so many classes together. It’s very easy working with him–he is hilarious and very laid back. He knows his craft well and is always looking to improve. While working for a carpenter’s shop in college he really discovered how much he loved working with his hands. He is like an old school home builder in that he is also the finish carpenter. Before he built his first house, he worked for all the different subs for 3-6 months each. He learned so much during those years and now uses all of those subs on his builds and has a great relationship with each of them.
Q: What are some of the benefits for your clients in choosing to work with a husband/wife architectural/design team?
A: Definitely more communication between designer and builder since we are roomies! Professionally, we stay in our own lanes and trust each other completely. I design and he builds. He doesn’t question anything I design and I know that anything he creates will be done beautifully. I actually have a hard time working with any other contractors. He definitely has set my expectations high.
Q: In addition to new construction, do y’all also do major renovations?
A: Yes, we do. We are currently working on a really special Lakehouse remodel for a client here in Abilene. It had a funky cool early 90’s vibe that needed to die, haha. There were lots of purple faux finishes and piano key cushions on either side of the fireplace! Also a strange layout that did not take advantage of the killer view of the lake. We are changing that! It started out as a bit of room rearranging and has grown into a complete gut.
Q: The homes you and Lucas create are exquisite, and Lucas’ millwork is second to none. What is your secret to providing big city quality in a small town?
A: Thank you so much! The people that we end up working with are all very trusting of what we do. We are lucky to have them “commission” us to create their forever homes. Lucas is not just a builder, he is an artist that takes so much pride in creating something well.
Q: How do you create homes that are designed and built to last a lifetime?
A: We are not in the business of cranking out the projects quickly. We absolutely buy into quality over quantity. Taking our time to make sure things are done well and that these homes will still be here in a hundred years is a big driving factor for us. Also, Lucas has a masters in Sustainable Building Practices that is basically a fancy way of saying “Green.” He implements “smarter” building practices in each of the builds and never sacrifices the quality. We are pretty picky about our windows and woodwork materials.
Q: You have four boys! What are your tips for living beautifully with young children, and how do you balance your time?
A: 1. Fabrics that don’t show the dirt and wear. Wipeable everything. And being okay with patina for the things that scratch and stain.
2. Having grace with the tiny humans and yourself.
3. Splitting up design time and mom time has always been necessary for me. I pay for childcare Tuesdays-Thursdays about 20-25 hours and am with them the rest of the time. I just don’t do any design while they are with me at this stage. I just really don’t like the feeling of my brain being pulled in two different directions.
Q: Where do you see Gibbs Design + Build in the next five years?
A: Definitely still in Abilene and hopefully into a cute shop downtown! We are currently in two upstairs bedrooms and a little office and looking forward to more space and a little retail storefront. It’s in the works, but our client work takes priority so it’ll take some time.
Welcome to TGP Tidbits where we round up the happenings and our musings of the design industry each week. This week we take a look inside a Miles Redd designed gem in Locust Valley that’s for sale, a special Jackie Kennedy exhibition at Winterthur, and highlights from Chairish’s White Sale. Written by Natalie Aldridge.
A Locust Valley Gem by Miles Redd
In my formative teenage years, Miles Redd was one of the first interior designers to capture my heart. His almost cinematic approach to interiors aided in my understanding of space and shaped my love for the extraordinary. As a fellow John Rosselli alumnae, I have always felt a connection to high-octane work. His ability to toe the line between classic and whimsy makes for the utmost sumptuous spaces. Since the release of his first title, The Big Book of Chic, it has remained a continuous thread of inspiration for me. I cannot recommend it enough for one’s design library.
When a former project of Redd’s recently hit the market, I could not wait to catch a glimpse of the listing photos. Built in 1928 for wealthy financier John Denniston Lyon by Delano and Aldrich, the estate is located on the North Shore of Long Island in Locust valley. Dotted with elegant historic homes, the quant hamlet has long been home to many of New York’s upper crust. The region of the island, known as the Gold Coast, even earned the fictional residency of one Jay Gatsby.
Over a decade ago Miles Redd had the rare opportunity to grace his magic upon this truly magnificent property with superb bones. Every designer’s dream! Alongside architect Oliver Cope and landscape designer Ed Hollander, Redd transformed an already sublime home into a state-of-the-art manor. Take a look inside. Photos curtesy of Compass.
While the sale of the home means a departure from the exquisite interiors of Miles Redd, it does leave the door open for another designer to make their mark on the estate. Take a peek at the listing here.
From Winterthur to the White House
It has been over 60 years since the original airing of “A Tour of the White House with Mrs. John F. Kennedy.” On February 14th, 1962, the 32-year-old First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, kindled the hearts of Americans with an inside look at the newly restored Kennedy White House. This seemingly candid glimpse into the home of the iconic First Lady forever engrained her tastemaker image into the memories of everyday Americans.
In commemoration of the CBS White House special and the decorative legacy of the First Lady, a special exhibition “Jacqueline Kennedy and H. F. du Pont: From Winterthur to the White House” has opened at Winterthur, the American decorative arts museum and former home Henry Francis du Pont. At the time of the Kennedy White House, Henry Francis du Pont, the heir to the du Pont fortune, horticulturist, and prominent collector, held close ties with Jacqueline Kennedy. An unlikely pair, the young First Lady enlisted the octogenarian to lead the restoration project of the White House.
The two formed a historic partnership leaving a legacy for the White House and historic preservation that is still enjoyed by the public today. For the first time, Winterthur has opened its archives to tell the story of the White House restoration and the illustrious relationship of Kennedy and du Pont. The exhibit features archives, artifacts, and even the recreation of the on-screen moment of Jacqueline Kennedy wearing her famous red suit on the CBS TV production set within the White House.
While the exhibit opened on May 7th, The Glam Pad hopes to make a summer jaunt to experience the magic in person. Take a look at the video produced by Winterthur for a glimpse at the exhibit.
The Chairish White Sale
It’s no secret that Chairish is a go-to resource for The Glam Pad. When it comes to online shopping for furniture, antiquities, bedding, and more, there are not many websites with the quality and array that Chairish does. As an interior designer, I also rely heavily on websites like Chairish which offer incredible second-hand goods and one-of-kind pieces. With production times at record highs throughout the pandemic and still today, sometimes the best option is to buy already made goods.
Celerie Kemble for Chairish. Photo by Brittany Ambridge.
My wishlist on Chairish seems to be ever-growing with many of my desired pieces being nothing more than an antiquities pipe dream. In walk the Chairish White Sale. Lasting only through this evening, the Chairish White Sale has a bevy of items The Glam Pad has been eyeing.
Texas-based interior designer, Meredith Ellis, is known for the soulful homes she designs through expert layering of pattern, texture, and color. With her exceptional attention to detail and sophisticated eye, she is able to create curated, collected interiors tailored specifically for each client. Meredith began her career in 1998, working for the legendary New York Interior designer, Bunny Williams for five years before moving West to hone her skills as a Senior Designer under internationally renowned designer, Michael Smith. Meredith launched her own firm in 2008 and then relocated her business to her home state of Texas. She is also the founder and owner of JAMES, a to-the-trade showroom with locations in Dallas, Houston and Austin representing dozens of well-respected lines of fabric, wallpaper, furniture, lighting, and carpets for Texas and the South.
Meredith has received numerous accolades for her work. In 2016, Traditional Home Magazine recognized Meredith as one of the nation’s Rising Stars of Design. In January 2017, she was named one of Luxe Magazine’s “Fresh Faces” showcasing 15 of the top trailblazing talents in the industry, and in 2018 she was selected by Southern Living Magazine to design the 2018 Southern Living Idea House. She has been featured in several online and print publications including Architectural Digest, Traditional Home, Luxe, Modern Luxury Interiors Texas, D Home, Better Homes and Gardens, Southern Living, and more.
Today we will enjoy images from her portfolio, including her work at Kips Bay Dallas and a look inside her elegant JAMES showrooms. Photography is by Read McKendree, Nathan Schroder, and Ryann Ford.
To learn more, please visit Meredith Ellis Design and follow @meredithellis on Instagram for ongoing inspiration. Click here to shop Meredith’s current curated sale via Chairish, and you can shop her look below!
Built in 1929, the owner of this elegant traditional Georgian in the Shadow Lawn neighborhood of Houston remained true to the home’s roots when it came to restoration. Materials used inside were kept in line with what they would have been in the 1920s. New or repaired walls were covered in plaster rather than sheetrock, unlacquered brass hardware was installed so it could age naturally, William Morris’ “Bird and Pomegranate” wallpaper – an archived block print that dates back to 1926 – was installed in the powder room, and dining room murals by de Gournay were custom painted to depict 1920s Houston. Beautiful paneling in the foyer was extended into other rooms, carefully researched to remain authentic to the period. A kitchen addition was demolished and replaced, shutters that had been removed over the years were reproduced and reinstalled, reclaimed slate was used where needed for the roof, and the home’s original Cordell red brick was tracked down through salvage yards and used for a new garden wall addition.
The construction and restoration to the 6,500-square-foot home took three years, and was overseen by Lucas/Eilers Design Associates interior design, architect Dillon Kyle of Dillon Kyle Architects, and builder Bill Rademacher of The Artisan Group. The team did a beautiful job of taking the well-cared-for but aging home back to its original condition – referencing drawings by the original architect Cameron Fairchild – yet thoroughly updating to perfectly suit modern-day life. Let’s take a look inside!
Welcome to TGP Tidbits where we round up the happenings and our musings of the design industry each week. This week we take a look at the new collaboration between colonial Williamsburg and Schumacher, and the world of Jane Austen now on Netflix. Written by Natalie Aldridge.
A Collaboration 80 Years in the Making
The storied town of Williamsburg became the capital of Virginia in 1699 and quickly became a stately marvel for the newly formed colonies. Named after England’s King William III, the city was built in a traditional English manner with classical portions, clean lines, and meticulously planned space. Home to great statesmen such as Patrick Henry, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson, the city fell into disrepair during the Revolutionary War and shortly thereafter was no longer the state’s capital.
The decades following proved trying for the once gleaming capital as it remained largely left to the elements. It was not until the early 20th Century that industrialist John D. Rockefeller Jr. rallied to restore the town. He transformed the once forgotten beacon of our nation’s history into a living museum. With the aid of historians, architects, and numerous designers, buildings one by one were brought back to their full splendor with accurate interiors. Today, Colonial Williamsburg even brings on a designer in residence to further the influence of colonial interiors and historic significance. Notable interior designer Heather Chadduck Hillegas holds the reigns as the institute’s current designer in residence.
Since Colonial Williamsburg first went under renovation, the historic institute made a point to collaborate with American companies and tastemakers. Eighty years ago Schumacher first partnered with Colonial Williamsburg to create textiles inspired by the former capital. Now, Schumacher reunites with Williamsburg once again to bring us a collection filled with American charm and traditional sophistication. Entitled Homecoming, the collection has been brought forth by non-other than Virginia native and interior designer, Charlotte Moss.
In perfect fashion, Moss used historic colonial tidewater home, Westover, as her backdrop to display and experiment with the collection. And what a perfect setting! Take a look…
Poring over images of Williamsburg and exploring Schumacher’s new collaboration reminds me of the inspiring world of Jane Austen. While the inception of Williamsburg was before the era of Jane Austen, the novelist lived and wrote from an England similar to that of colonial America. As a Jane Austen devotee I was quite ecstatic for the release of Persuasion on Netflix, a new rendition of the book and previously produced movie.
Released on July 15th, the film was less than stellar. Although, no matter the quality, competing with the original text of Austen is no easy feat. While I longed for the depth of narrative and emotion generated by Austen, I was enchanted by the sets. The Faye Brothers, who worked on the sets of Downton Abbey, The Romanoffs, and other sumptuous series, brought the world of Jane Austen to life. Formal yet not pretentious, perfectly pleasing to the eye yet not too done up, each scene felt aesthetically interesting and accurate.
Meet husband and wife design duo Odom and Kate Stamps. Founders of Southern California design firm Stamps & Stamps, the pair are Anglophiles at their core with a Californian sensibility. Their work combines classical English details and layers with a coastal flair making for perfectly appointing interiors with charming ease. Since 1991, Stamps & Stamps has built a distinguished reputation for reviving historical homes and creating beautiful gardens.
The pair met at Tulane University, Odom, an architecture student, and Kate, art history and English literature student. After graduation, the couple married and remained in New Orleans for ten years working at separate design firms. It was in New Orleans the couple had their daughter Emma and when she was three, the Stamps moved to Los Angeles.
As seasoned professionals with distinct perspectives, Odom and Kate joined forces to establish their eponymous firm. Both avid travelers with an English design sensibility, their work feels timeless and collected. Each space is saturated in life offering a sense of discovery. The Stamps have mastered the fine balance of comfort and restraint. And wonderfully so, this tension makes for interiors that are not place-specific or trend-driven. The pair have completed projects in Argentina, Canada, Norway, England, and Ireland just to name a few. In the United States, their projects span from coast to coast.
Take a look at the magnificent interiors and travels of Stamps & Stamps.
A gardens glimpse taken by Stamps & Stamps
Calke Abbey taken by Stamps & Stamps
Buscot Park taken by Stamps & Stamps
The English countryside taken by Stamps & Stamps
Linley Samborne House taken by Stamps & Stamps
Saltram House taken by Stamps & Stamps
The Vyne taken by Stamps & Stamps
We just adore the magnificent world of Stamps & Stamps. To discover more, please visit Stamps & Stamps and follow @stampsandstamps on Instagram for ongoing inspiration. We also highly recommend their book, Stamps & Stamps: Style & Sensibility which was released in 2021.
