According to designer Philip Mitchell, the best interiors tell a story. They express how we respond to the world that surrounds us, the experiences we have over time, and the unique furnishings, objects, and art we love. Creating beautiful living spaces that complement the unique personalities and lifestyles of his clients has become the hallmark of Philip Mitchell Design, and Philip has built an international presence thanks to his and his firm’s passion for architecture and love for curated spaces. In his first book COLLECTED INTERIORS: ROOMS THAT TELL A STORY, co-written by renowned lifestyle writer Judith Nasatir, Mitchell’s layered and timeless style is on full display. He masterfully incorporates a wide-ranging mix of antiques, vintage collectibles, and contemporary pieces—everything from inherited furniture collections to modern art—in rooms that are filled with memories and warmth.
As the legendary Bunny Williams explains in the foreword, “He is a passionate collector, and a great decorator and designer who wants to create homes with a soul. Philip’s interiors always look as though they were created over a long period of time. Collections have been assembled, art has been collected, textiles seem to be gathered in a completely undecorated manner, but all is in harmony.” She continues, “As Philip says, collections tell us so much about who we are — I say that in each of his rooms there is so much personality you are irresistibly drawn into wanting to know more about the person who lives there.”
As a master of what he calls modern maximalism, Philip embraces the challenge of taking wonderful things that a homeowner already has and making more of them. Once Philip has established a connecting thread among a variety of disparate pieces—whether through finish, material, scale, color, texture, or line—he starts the process of building the relationships that bring a space to life.
COLLECTED INTERIORS takes readers on in-depth tours of nine homes, ranging from an elegant Upper East Side pied-à-terre to a classic cottage on the water in Nova Scotia. Philip’s personal narrative in elegant text enlightens, while his takeaways accompanying each home help readers understand how to blend new and old, mix colors and patterns, and fill a home with an eclectic mix that is truly their own.
Since 2002, Philip Mitchell Design Inc., with studios located in Toronto, New York City, and on the east coast of Canada, has been designing homes around the world, and his work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Veranda, House Beautiful, TheNew York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. You can follow @philipmitchelldesign on Instagram for ongoing inspiration.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I thought this North Carolina dining room by Anne Pearson Design would be lovely to post in support. Located in the Meyers Park neighborhood of Charlotte, the room is adorned with gorgeous Chinoiserie wallcoverings, a subtle leopard-print rug, and fabulous pops of pink lacquer on the doors and built-ins. It’s elegant, cheerful, whimsical, and timeless. Let’s take a little peek inside!
To learn more about Anne Pearson Design, please visit her website and follow her on Instagram. We hope to have her back soon for a Style Profile!
If you have never been to The Greenbrier in West Virginia, you simply must add it to your immediate bucket list. The iconic resort, decorated by the legendary Dorothy Draper in the 1940s and maintained to perfection over the decades by her protégé, Carleton Varney, is nothing short of heaven on earth! You can read about the history of The Greenbrier along with my visit recap and recommendations here… Needless to say, when I saw the Frances Valentine Fall 2021 Lookbook was shot at The Greenbrier, I immediately wanted one of everything in the collection! Here is how Frances Valentine describes the inspiration behind the collection…
For our Fall 21 campaign we sought out West Virginia’s Greenbrier Resort, home of the unapologetically bold interiors of Dorothy Draper. Bright florals, animal prints, and geometric patterns drench the walls, floors, drapes and upholstery. It’s a kaleidoscope of decor at which you can’t stop looking. With prints and color as the driving inspiration behind our Fall 21 collection, The Greenbrier made for the perfect backdrop.
Dorothy Draper once said “You don’t sell a commodity, you sell joy, gaiety, excitement. You aim at people’s hearts, not their minds.” Too true Dorothy! Too true. What’s a space without style? And what’s style without emotion? So get out there. Find something that makes you laugh. Or maybe cry! Open new doors and find some inspiration.
Let’s take a look!
To read more about The Greenbrier, as featured by The Glam Pad, please visit the links below:
When it comes to wallpaper, there is simply nothing more beautiful or timeless than the hand painted works of art from Gracie. But if you’re not ready to commit to a full room or even large framed panels, designer Christian Ladd has you covered! Christian worked with Gracie to create “la petite Gracie,” an exclusive line of delightful, heirloom-quality scenics scaled down from original, full-scale Gracie designs.
“My goal was to give people a little piece of Gracie, even if they couldn’t cover their entire room in it,” said Christian. “I saw them as little pieces of art.”
Painted on a range of silks and various papers, each piece is a work of art created with exquisite detail. Each la Petite Gracie is individually hand-painted by Gracie Studio’s artist and hand stamped for authenticity. The pieces can be beautifully displayed on their own or grouped together as a collection of various quantities.
Christian initially ordered 88 pieces, and they sold out in the first two weeks! She has since purchased another 180, in addition to launching four new patterns.
Measuring 18″ x 22″, each la petite Gracie collection is sold unframed and priced at $395.
For additional information and to purchase, please shop here. You will want to hurry, because this collection is limited and selling fast!
To read more about Christian Ladd, as featured by The Glam Pad, please visit the links below…
When we lived in Florida, I loved driving down to the Keys to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The charming old homes in historic Key West captivated me, and I was delighted to learn this circa 1845 “Eyebrow” house – decorated to perfection by Todd Richesin Interiors – was for sale! The design was inspired by the client’s love for antiques, as well as what was suitable for the house’s age and location. Todd selected pieces that could have been in the house when it was built, and updated them by adding in comfortable upholstery and beautifully patterned fabrics in bright, tropical colors.
From the listing:
Includes two addresses! The creators of this home made sure they checked ALL of the boxes. 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, 3 first floor primary suites, guest cottage, 2 driveways, garage and with over 10,000 square feet of breathtaking landscape! Like a make-believe world but real, this home contains perfectly dressed and accessorized spaces that create their own, charmed world. Directly in the center of Old Town on one of the finest streets, it belonged to one of Key West’s founding families for generations before being salvaged and lovingly renovated by the current owners. Sparing no expense, they modernized all the inner workings (security, control systems, storm-proofing, structural elements) but mined the past for craftsmanship and aesthetic elements. The decor is alternately majestic (with statement furniture like an oversized desk; king-size four-poster beds, and oversized cabinets brimming with enough glassware and china for a banquet) and girlishly playful, with toile, ruffles, valances, pompoms, pillows, and joyful combinations of candy-colored patterns everywhere the eye lands. It’s a house filled with abundance and exuberance, waiting to welcome the entire, extended family and their friends. It is a house full of smiles, and a place for all ages to play. Every room will inspire some kind of timeless enjoyment, whether it’s perusing books, soaking in the heated saltwater pool, cooking, grabbing a bike to tour Old Town, or simply gathering for hours of conversation and relaxation with iced tea or margaritas. If you’re looking for a home that will inspire the imagination and create the eternal memories, this is the one. Original, Dade County Pine walls have been preserved to perfection, as have elegant crown moldings and spindled staircases. It’s nothing short of an architectural gem, from the main house to the cottage and garage that lie beyond the beautiful pool and spa. Lots of covered porch and deck area for relaxing and entertaining and even a fireplace!
Let’s take a tour!
To learn more about this beautiful home, click here, and to see more of Todd Richesin’s work, as featured on The Glam Pad, please click on the links below…
A-List decorator Ashley Whittaker is a favorite here at The Glam Pad, and we were delighted to preview her first book – The Well-Loved House: Creating Homes with Color, Comfort, and Drama – in which she shares the secrets of her colorful, pattern-filled classic rooms. Ashley believes houses are meant to be beautiful, but also lived in and enjoyed. In the introduction, Ashley writes, “… if the sofa arms are not worn through and the rugs are still pristine after ten years, then I have not done my job. But when the rooms show the marks of family life over time, I know I have achieved my goal: a house lived in and well loved.”
The Well-Loved House showcases homes from gracious Connecticut estates to chic Manhattan pieds-à-terre to waterfront beach houses on the Florida coast, most exclusively photographed for this book, including her own house never before seen. Within each house, Ashley offers guidance on furniture plans, complementing the architecture of a space, playing with color, and mixing pattern. She explains why it is important to have consistent threads throughout a home, but also contrast and juxtaposition. And most importantly, Ashley shares homes that welcome you at the end of a long day, homes for living, homes to love.
The Well-Loved House was released this week and is available for purchase via Amazon. To see more work by Ashley Whittaker, as featured by The Glam Pad, please click here.
Here at The Glam Pad, we love needlepoint, and we love tradition! And this year, we are honored to partner with Bauble Stockings to share two beautiful new needlepoint stockings designed by Holly Hollon of Dogwood Hill, now launching exclusively via The Glam Pad.
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.
Kate has since turned this tradition of gifting into a tradition that gives back. Each Bauble Stocking is completely hand stitched in Haiti through the company’s partnership with Good Threads Needlepoint (a certified B-Corp), providing over 100 women with full-time work that helps fund their children’s education and meals. And five percent of the profit from each sale benefits the Atlanta Children’s Shelter, a day shelter for homeless children.
Over the past few years, we have made Bauble Stockings part of our own family traditions and have loved watching our friends do the same. Ideas are endless: feature them in tablescapes; give them as party favors; perhaps one could even make a proposal or a clever baby reveal!
The stockings are heirloom-quality and make beautiful gifts to pass down through generations, while also being purposeful in so many lives. “We’re honored to partner with The Glam Pad to not only introduce new families to the tradition that is Bauble Stockings, but also provide job opportunities and food for as many Haitian women and their children as we can,” Kate tells us.
We are thrilled and equally honored to launch this delightful collaboration of three designs by the talented Holly Hollon of Dogwood Hill and Bauble Stockings: Nutcracker Patissiere, Rose Medallion Tree, and a reprise of previous favorite Holiday Trimmings. Shop them first here at The Glam Pad—that is, while they’re still hanging around!
Psst! Shop more of our favorites from the full Bauble Stocking collection below!
Today we are delighted to welcome a delightful addition to The Glam Pad team… Natalie Aldridge, our newest Contributing Editor! A graduate of Parsons School of Design, Natalie spends her days as Junior Interior Designer and Project Manager for Sarah Magness Design. At night, she freelances for publications such as Guest of a Guest and creates works of art for both personal pleasure and commission. She also enjoys needlepoint, collecting antiques, and travel. Natalie’s style can be described as an irreverent combination of whimsy and tradition. She draws heavy influence from the past and has a passion for neoclassical elegance, old-world glamour, and eccentric characters. A self-proclaimed Old Soul, Natalie’s classic, timeless style is reminiscent of an iconic Hitchcock Blonde.
In the past, Natalie has worked for John Rosselli & Associates and Scott Sanders Interior Design. She has also worked for Lilly Pulitzer as well as the London-based French Connection. She has collaborated with entities such as The Holland Society of New York and House Beautiful magazine among others.
Let’s get to know more about Natalie!
Natalie Aldridge
Q: When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in interior design, and what brought you to New York City?
A: I started developing a keen awareness of the arts as a child. I always involved myself in art classes, fussed over my clothing, and sought out aesthetic experiences. I knew I wanted to do something creative. I grew up in the Midwest where I felt out of place and longed for space where culture and creativity rained paramount. Rather than dueling on this, I spent much of my time developing my artistic ability and personal style. Something very pivotal for me was taking sewing classes from a local woman, Mrs. Quilling. I would ride my back after tennis lessons to her home where she would teach young girls of the town how to sew from her basement studio.
It wasn’t until the teen years that I realized being an interior designer was an actual profession and could be studied. I toyed with the idea but ultimately opted for the fashion industry. At eighteen I moved to New York for university and began working in fashion. I quickly realized while I love the art of fashion, I did not enjoy the industry and began wiggling my way into the interior design industry. I ultimately graduated magna cum laude from Parsons School of Design and have been growing my career in interior design since age twenty.
Interior rendering by Natalie AldridgeInterior rendering by Natalie Aldridge
Q: What is your favorite aspect of interior design, and why did you choose it over fashion?
A: The intimacy of interior design is one of my favorite aspects. Whether one is designing a singular space or entire home for an individual, developing a deep understanding of their lives and building personal connections is vital to producing successful work. Interior design at its surface is cosmetic but on a much deeper level, interior design is the psychological art of living well.
At one point in history, it was commonplace for a man or a woman to have their clothing tailored to their bodies making for an intimate experience. This is rather unusual these days which has led to a distinct lack of intimacy in the fashion industry. While I adore the art of fashion, the personal intimacy and scale of work in interior design won my passion.
Interior rendering by Natalie AldridgeInterior rendering by Natalie Aldridge
Q: How do you define your style?
A: Timeless with a dash of irreverence. My affinity for old-world sensibility and glamour has informed the timeless aspects of my style. My penchant for the creative, the wacky, and the wild drives the irreverence. Think Grace Kelly meets Auntie Mame.
Natalie was presented as a debutante at the Consulate General of the Republic of Austria and the 2020 Viennese Opera Ball where she now sits on the Junior Ball Committee.
Q: After a year of Zoom meetings and sweat pants, do you think glamour will make a comeback?
A: I sure hope as much! Then again, I have been trying to bring glamour back since I can remember, and it will be on my headstone. I am truly tired of people dressing like they have been plucked from the Great Depression. I think as a society we have forgotten our manners and lost our panache. Dressing well is not only a form of self-expression but self-respect.
The current trend seems rather confused. There seems to be a push and pull between designers who are looking towards the excitement of a post-pandemic world and those who have a grimmer outlook. I hope that as we move into better times that fashion follows. I feel a personal duty to inspire others to bring glamour into their lives.
Q: Who are your favorite designers (past and present)?
A: That’s a tough question! For interiors – Tony Duquette, Jacques Grange, Jean-Louis Denoit, Beata Heuman, Jacques Garcia, Martin Brudnizki, and Madeleine Castaing top my list.
For fashion – Dior, particularly during the 1950s, Valentino, Miu Miu, old school Prada, Carolina Herrera, Bob Mackie, and Pierre Cardin. I am also in love with newer designers like Markarian and Emilia Wickstead. I could go on. There are many designers I love for different reasons and at different periods of history.
Q: And your favorite trendsetters/style icons for fashion inspiration?
A: I tend to go back to historical figures for inspiration- Diana Vreeland, 1960s Catherine Deneuve, Princess Diana, Marie Antoinette, Doris Duke, Françoise Hardy, Edith Sitwell, Salvador Dali, and Isabella Blow.
Some of my favorite contemporary trendsetters include women like Alexa Chung, Jenny Walton, and Camille Charriere. I think those three ladies are true trailblazers with impeccable personal style.
An interior rendering by Natalie Aldridge inspired by Diana Vreeland’s iconic red room
Q: What are 5 everyday luxuries you could not live without?
A: Airpods, my laptop, a moleskin notebook, fresh bed linens, and good coffee.
Q: I love your artwork, please tell me about your inspiration.
A: I think I have a perverse attraction to chaos and oddity. As much as I am timeless and a magpie for old-world glamour, unexpected juxtaposition fascinates me and fuels my imagination. Much of my artwork is an exploration of my current obsessions or bits and pieces of ideas I am fiddling with. I go through phases of mediums as well. Most recently I have been working in multimedia collage. I adore placing bizarre pieces floating around my head together to create a composition.
Q: What are your favorite movie houses, and your favorite movies for overall inspiration?
A: I am huge on art house kind of films, old Hollywood, period pieces, and documentaries. Some of my favorites include The Eye has to Travel (2011), Blue Velvet (1986), Sunset Boulevard (1950), Auntie Mame (1958), Valley of the Dolls (1967), Marie Antoinette (2006), and An Education (2009). I also adore anything Wes Anderson especially The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) and The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014).
*Click here for more of Natalie’s favorite movies for creative inspiration!
Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
A: I’m such a history junkie so I love to check out different streets, buildings, neighborhoods, etc. in New York that I have read about and studied. I could moonlight as a tour guide. When traveling I also love to read about obscure history and off-the-beaten-path places to explore in whatever city or country I am headed to.
I delight in working with my hands and exercising my artistic muscle by painting, building something, sewing, needlepointing, anything hands-on really. I am always looking for a new medium to take up and starting a random project.
Antiquing is also a big thing for me. I am on continuous hunt for my next treasure. I think high-end hoarder is the proper terminology. I may have to take out a storage unit soon.
We are thrilled to have Natalie on board and look forward to an extra dose of Glam at The Glam Pad! You can follow Natalie on Instagram at @nataliealdridge and check out her blog to read her design musings and purchase her fascinating artwork.
Needlepoint is such a fun and relaxing hobby, and it has provided a wonderful outlet for many during Covid. It has been fascinating to watch the industry transform over the last five years and then skyrocket during the pandemic. However, the known health benefits of needlework are not new. Studies have shown that it reduces stress, depression, and blood pressure, and I was fascinated to learn that needlework was even used as a form of therapy for WWI veterans suffering from shell shock!
Recently I started a separate Instagram account so that I could keep up with the goings on within the needlepoint community. There is such a warm and welcoming network of canvas designers, needlepoint shop owners, and individual stitchers online eager to offer advice and inspiration. Two ladies I have enjoyed “meeting” are Carol Crowe and Polly Kramer, co-owners of KC Needlepoint. While physically located in Kansas City, they offer free shipping throughout the US and a range of invaluable online resources. Today, I am delighted to welcome Polly and Carol to discuss the booming needlepoint industry along with some exciting new ways they are catering to the rapidly growing number of needlepointers…. and those who want to learn! Welcome Polly and Carol!
Q: Please tell me a little about KC Needlepoint… How you got started, your mission, and what makes you stand apart.
A: We met coming up on 7 years ago. Although we lived 2 blocks apart and had children similar ages we had never met. We each emailed Julie, the manager at Sign of the Arrow in St. Louis, asking for advice about opening a needlepoint shop in Kansas City. She responded by asking if she could share our information with the other and here we are.
We went to lunch and talked about our ideas for a shop. We decided to go to a TNNA [The National NeedleArts Association] show in January to see if we really wanted to do it. At first we had a hard time getting in because if you didn’t have a shop you couldn’t go, but our friend Madonna Lewis from Cabbage Row in Charleston, SC brought us with her. We were there for 2 days and decided on the plane ride home we would do it. We opened our shop on June 12, 2015
Our goal is to share our joy of needlepoint with others. We have both been needlepointing since we were young girls. It has brought us years of joy and we want others to experience that too.
Carol Crowe and Polly Kramer, co-owners of KC Needlepoint (image source)
Q: How have you seen the needlepoint change over the last few years, particularly through Covid and the Grandmillennial movement?
A: Since we have only been in the industry a short time compared to other shops we don’t have a lot to compare it to until COVID arrived. When we had to close the shop to walk in customers we pivoted like many shops to on-line sales. With so many people stuck at home, stitchers started working through their stashes and lapsed stitchers found that project that they hadn’t seen in years and started stitching again. Once they had finished those projects they needed new projects and we were able to send out new canvases and threads.
A variety of canvases and threads available through KC Needlepoint
Q: Thanks to technology, customers can shop your store nationwide. How do you work with needlepointers who may not have a local shop, or are looking for something more?
A: We have been spoiled to have always lived in a city with needlepoint shops. Our goal is provide those without a shop an easy way to shop for new needlepoint projects and a place to send their completed items to be finished. Our entire shop is available online through our website, www.kcneedlepoint.com. We spend a lot of time on the phone and through email with customers, sharing photos of fibers, helping them pick the perfect threads for their projects.
Shipping is always free within the US!Click here to sign up for KC Needlepoint texts.
Q: What is your advice for someone who has never needlepointed before but wants to get started?
A: We have a beginner kit in our Happy Stitching line, the Alphabet Beginner Kit. This canvas fits a lot of the things we look for when helping a customer choose their first canvas. First, pick a canvas you love that’s not too big so you can keep your interest and will be more likely to finish it. We also suggest a square 13 mesh canvas so the holes are easier to see and you don’t have to tackle too many curves. Finally, a canvas that does not have a lot of detail so you aren’t constantly changing colors and you have an area large enough to learn how to basketweave, which is the basic needlepoint stitch. We believe these will help beginners have an enjoyable first experience and want to continue stitching.
Q: I was so excited to learn Jinny Barney McAuliffe from @stitchstyleblog has joined your team! Jinny is an amazing teacher. What are some of the ventures you will be working on, including Needlepoint Tutorials and The Stitch Vault?
A: We were thrilled to add Jinny to our team. Her experience is invaluable and she has certainly added a lot to our shop. Jinny has allowed us to expand what we offer to customers in the shop and online. The Stitch Vault has been a fun project to work on. We wanted to make stitches available to anyone at any time. With people on the move so much you may not always have the stitch book you need when you need it and this way you just need to log onto our website to find what you need. Jinny came up with the idea for the Doodle Canvas Kit which is a great kit that will allow you to practice stitches with a variety of threads.
We recently launched a collaboration with Bauble Stockings to bring their designs to canvas. We currently have 10 Bauble Stocking designs available and Jinny has created amazing stitch guides for each of them.
We are planning for 2022 so be on the look out for a new 22 in 22 project, new additions to the Stitch Vault and so much more.
Q: What other resources do you offer for those looking to advance their skills?
A: We are fortunate to have a gifted teacher in our shop, Lale Verhulst. Lale has been with us for 6 years and she is responsible for all of our in shop classes. Lale has a full schedule of classes each year and in 2022 we plan on bringing some of those classes online. We want to give those living outside of Kansas City the opportunity to learn from Lale and create some of the beautiful pieces she has taught.
One of the consistently popular classes she has taught is our Brick Class. This is the perfect class for the beginner stitcher who wants to move on from basketweave to decorative stitches. During the 5 week class Lale teaches 15 different stitches using a variety of threads. We started the class in 2016 and since then Lale has taught the class to over 100 people.
Brick Class
Q: Please tell me more about your Needlepoint Kits and other offers and exclusives you provide?
A: We have worked this year to increase the number of canvases we offer as kits. Again, we realize that not everyone has a shop close by and to be able to buy a complete kit makes their access to needlepoint that much easier. In 2021 we also started an exclusive line of needlepoint kits called Happy Stitching. These designs are all from the artists we represent through our wholesale business, KCN Designers. The kits range from a single letter canvas for the beginner stitcher to simple ornaments to larger detailed pillows. The kits come complete with the canvas, threads and instructions in a beautiful box. The idea for the box was in the hope that needlepointers may give them as a gift to friends who needlepoint or friends they want to start needlepointing. We named the company Happy Stitching because we always say that to customers when they leave the store or in the note we write to on-line customers. Let’s face it, needlepointing should bring you happiness. We also have a few accessories in our Happy Stitching line including project bags and Happy Stitching Tervis Tumblers.
Q: Where do you see KC Needlepoint over the next five years?
A: We hope our shop continues to grow and the love of needlepoint continues to spread. It is such a creative outlet for people. It is wonderful to see daughters beginning to needlepoint as their mothers and grandmothers have. There are so many new, young needlepoint artists that are sharing their fresh, fabulous designs that it’s not your grandmother’s needlepoint anymore.
A: We love all of the people we have met in the shop, online and throughout the industry.
Thank you so much Carol and Polly for joining us today! I am so excited about all of your new resources! To learn more, please visit KC Needlepoint and follow @kcneedlepoint on Instagram. Happy stitching!
