For Palm Beach-based designer Jack Fhillips, Black Squirrel Farm, his 123-year-old country home in upstate New York, is an oasis for relaxation. The soothing green and white palette was inspired by the greens of the surrounding pines and evergreens. “My attitude is, when you’re surrounded by nature that way, you need to make it flow inside,” he told The Cottage Journal. After collecting dozens of green paint samples, the resulting choices range from pistachio to sage to mint and bottle-green. The various shades keep the monochromatic scheme in each room interesting, and the warmth of the wood adds depth and contrast.
Originally a boarding house, the simple shingled structure “was a sad old house, in a way” when Jack purchased it with updates reflecting “the sins of the ‘70s and the bad vibes from the ‘80s,” he said. While renovation was underway, Jack began collecting furniture and accessories. He selected 18th- and 19th-century English furniture to complement the style and period of the house. While some pieces had a pedigree, others were rescued from the curb or discovered at thrift shops and given a second life with paint and upholstery. “When I see a chipped plate or a dented, dinged piece of furniture, I say, ‘If only you could talk,’ he said. “It means more if it’s not perfect.” The mixing of fine antiques and salvaged finds evokes the “British bits-and-pieces” approach to decorating and gives a house comfortable, welcoming character perfect for a retreat in the country.
Did you notice one room – a guest bedroom – that departs from the green theme? A brown and white Mount Vernon toile inspired Jack to begin collecting George and Martha Washington items, including an antique print of the first President.
Jack Fhillips has offices in Palm Beach and Manhattan. You can learn more by visiting Jack Fhillips Design and follow @jackfhillipsdesign on Instagram for ongoing inspiration. I also recommend following @brantleyphoto for beautiful photography inspiration. To see more of Jack’s work, as featured by The Glam Pad, please click on the links below…
For anyone who loves classic style, Scully & Scully is the mecca and a dreamy destination when visiting New York City. It is a special treat each season when my beautiful catalogue arrives in the mail. Scully & Scully opened their doors on Park Avenue in Manhattan in 1934 with the mission of providing the world’s finest home furnishings and gifts in a gracious and beautiful atmosphere. Eighty-five years later, they have become the gold standard for upscale home decor, and I recently discovered that they also offer interior design services! In a world full of trends, it is refreshing to find a resource for all things timeless and traditional.
Scully & Scully’s Interior Design Department offers classic design for elegant living. Jonathan Tait, Scully & Scully’s lead designer, is a graduate of The Parsons School of Design who began his design career in several well known fashion houses including Valentino and Zandra Rhodes. Jonathan and his team create room layouts, select furniture, fabric, wall coverings, carpeting, and more. And of course, all customers and clients have access to Scully & Scully’s vast collection of luxury fine china and dinnerware sets, crystal and glassware, and sterling silver from top luxury brands. Let’s take a look at some portfolio highlights!
Below are a few of my favorite items available through Scully & Scully, most of which are exclusive to the store!
With the holidays rapidly approaching, Scully & Scully is also a wonderful resource to help find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. To learn more, please visit sculllyandscully.com and click here for additional information on their in-house interior design services. You can also follow @scullyandscully on Instagram for ongoing inspiration and updates.
After working as a senior designer at Mark D. Sikes Interiors, Becky Boyle recently formed her eponymous firm, Becky Boyle Interiors with offices in California and North Carolina, and let me tell you… her work is exquisite!! Becky was asked to design the dining room, butler’s pantry, and bunkroom for the Southern Living Showcase Home in Nashville, and when she posted a sneak peek of her dining room last week on Instagram, I gasped! It is hands down the prettiest dining room I have ever seen, and I am so happy that she is sharing additional pictures with us here today!
The wallpaper is by Gracie, manufacturers of the prettiest wallpapers on earth. Caroline Boykin designed artwork to complement with porcelain flowers and butterflies fluttering off the canvas and hanging on the Gracie wallpaper. The beautiful rug is from Kings House Rugs, and the lighting is Circa with custom shades created for the chandelier.
“I have always been fascinated by Truman Capote’s Swans of 5th Avenue,” Becky told The Glam Pad. “When I lived there I tried to learn as much as I could about them and have always tried to base my design aesthetic and style off these beautiful, classic and well styled women. I wanted this to be a Southern nod to their timeless style. They all loved to host, and had grand dining rooms with tall ceilings – usually a tableskirt for different occasions and lots of layers and warmth.” Let’s take a look at her rooms with photography by Laurey Glenn!
Please click here to learn more about the Southern Living Showcase Home in Nashville. The home was built by Hatcliff Construction. For additional information on this talented young designer, please visit Becky Boyle Interiors and follow @becky_boyle on Instagram. And please stay tuned to The Glam Pad, as I look forward to featuring more of Becky’s work!
Textile designer Lisa Fine always produces the most beautiful hand-printed fabrics, so when I learned her first book was being published this fall, I could not wait to get a copy! In Near & Far, Lisa invites us into her homes in Dallas, New York, and Paris and then takes us along as she visits the places and people who have been her greatest sources of inspiration. Step inside the dazzling homes of Lee Radziwill, Penny Morrison, Charlotte Moss, Carolina Irving, John Stefanidis, Charlotte and Alex di Carcaci, Rose Tarlow, and more. Photographed by Miguel Flores-Vianna and with a foreword by style editor Deborah Needleman, Near & Far also offers advice for anyone interested in fully expressing their personal style. Let’s take a sneak peek with images courtesy of Vendome Press…
Lee Radziwill’s New York City apartmentLee worked with Renzo Mongiardino on the interiors of many of her homes. His influence can be seen in her dining room where she cut a striped fabric on the diagonal to create diamond frames to highlight her collection of Indian portraits.Charlotte Moss’s New York City apartmentCharlotte Moss’s New York City apartmentLisa Fine’s Paris apartmentCharlotte and Alexander di Carcaci’s home in LondonLisa Fine’s New York City apartmentLisa Fine’s New York City apartmentCharlotte Moss’s New York apartmentCharlotte Moss’s New York apartmentLisa Fine’s Dallas HomePenny Morrison’s home in WalesPenny Morrison’s home in WalesPenny Morrison’s home in WalesPenny Morrison’s home in WalesNear & Far by Lisa Fine, photography by Miguel Flores-Vianna, foreword by Deborah Needleman, published by Vendome Press
Near & Far is available for purchase through Amazon. To read my reviews for more newly released fall books, please click here.
Thanks to House Beautiful’s delightful article on “Grandmillennial style,” I recently discovered the work of designer Josh Pickering. A fellow Texas native, I was instantly smitten with Josh’s classic aesthetic and dedication to the art of living well. After graduating with a degree in architecture, Josh made the immediate shift into the world of interior design. Following time spent in Texas design firms, and then several years working with legendary designer Bunny Williams in New York, Josh returned to establish his firm, Pickering House, in Dallas in 2016.
Josh enjoys being a perpetual student of design, referring to historical precedent while looking towards what is new and innovative. Throwing oneself into the process by traveling, shopping, studying, drawing and painting, helps to tangibly understand how a room should be put together, he says. I am delighted to welcome this exceptionally talented designer today at The Glam Pad for a Q&A. Welcome, Josh!
Josh Pickering pictured at home
Q: When did you decide you wanted to pursue a career in interior design?
A: It sort of happened organically, but early on. My parents really nurtured my creativity from the beginning. In adolescence, I commandeered their garden shed as my own personal decorating laboratory, and filled it with whatever odds and ends I could get my hands on. At 16, I started taking architecture classes at school and working part time for a designer. I really can’t remember an age that I didn’t know my path (for which I am grateful).
A: I’m so glad that we can officially consider classic style trend-forward again, and even more glad to be considered as part of that movement. Honestly, I am an “old soul” in every sense, so it is only natural that my sense of style tends toward the traditional. I love the sense of history you can get from antiques – I like to imagine the stories they would tell if they could. Every time we travel, I see beautiful things in centuries-old buildings that I want to emulate in my work.
Q: What was it like working with the legendary Bunny Williams, and what are the top lessons you learned from her?
A: It was collectively the most formative experience of my life, and Bunny did more than enrich me with countless lessons of how to design a room. Working for her gave me a confidence and clarity in my own instincts that I didn’t have before. Ultimately, I learned that in order to truly succeed in creating rooms that are eclectic, layered and interesting, the spirit of the items going into the room must harmonize, not necessarily sing in unison. They interact with each other in a way that starts to create a story and give a room its own unique identity.
Q: How does your education and passion for architecture influence your work? I understand your husband, Daniel Heath, worked for renowned Ferguson Shamamian and Peter Pennoyer Architects in NYC prior to branching out on his own in Dallas… What a dynamic duo!
A: Well, Daniel is my biggest critic and my ultimate “quality control” test. He challenges me to do my best work and not compromise a good idea. While we can decorate over bad architecture when we have to, there is no chance of a truly phenomenal interior without a good architectural background. Understanding and speaking the language of architecture is crucial to my process. Although interior design is absolutely the right career path for me, I wouldn’t trade those years of architectural education for anything.
A: I do not shy away from formality, as I don’t think it is necessarily irrelevant in the world we live in. Formal rooms that are rarely used, however, are. This goes back to architecture. In todays world, the layout of a home needs to make a person engage with the rooms. I don’t like unnecessary hallways and galleries. Rooms shouldn’t be destinations, You should walk through them and experience them everyday. My approach is to make refined spaces that are functional. If a space is practical and inviting, you will use it, regardless of how casual it looks. Use and comfort are what makes a space livable, and rooms should have grace.
Q: What are five things every well appointed home needs?
A: 1. First and foremost, a dog!
2. A drawer full of taper candles in every color imaginable, so that each table setting can have its own personality.
3. Fresh flowers and plants are a MUST.
4. Linens!!! Beautiful linens always make an impression, at the table, in the lavatory, in the bedroom, and always under a cocktail. Hilariously, I remember at one of my first client interviews, the client brought me a can of diet coke and set it down on a pressed, hand-embroidered cocktail napkin, and I thought, “We are definitely going to get along!”
5. Art that has a story is more interesting than any piece that is bought as an “investment” or showpiece. Whether the story is about the artist’s experience, or your experience discovering the piece, it makes the home more personal and will always make for engaging conversations.
Q: Which movie houses have given you the most inspiration?
A: The Sound of Music is most important simply because it affected me at a young age. I remember watching it over and over again as a child, mesmerized by the scenery, the interiors, the architecture, and the way that Maria brought new life into the Von Trapp family home. It was a lesson on living well, in so many ways. Other movie houses that I would add to the list would be from To Catch a Thief, the mid-century house in A Single Man, and who can ignore Chatsworth’s role in Pride and Prejudice?! Additionally, I was completely awe-struck by the house (and Tilda Swinton!) in I Am Love (Io Sono l-Amore).
Q: Who are your favorite interior designers – past and present?
A: I’ve spent a lot of time documenting the work of Borromini, and find that his inventive use of geometry and decorative motifs inspire me (even though this is not Baroque Rome!) Obviously Bunny, but the Parish-Hadley alumni in a broader sense as well. I especially admire and constantly reference the work of David Kleinberg and Brian McCarthy. Others: Bruce Budd, Timothy Whealon and Tom Scheerer, and more recently, I am really drawn to Alyssa Kapito’s work.
Q: Please tell me about your beautiful tablescapes, and do you also offer event planning?
A: I like to share my tablescapes just to emphasize their importance to the next step of interiors and how to live in them. One of my best friends, Rusty Glenn, has been doing floral and event design for decades and I see firsthand just how exhausting it can be. I am what one would call a “recreational tablescaper”. I’ve done a lot for those close to me, but I see the value in hiring others so you can enjoy the moment.
Q: When you aren’t busy designing, how do you enjoy spending your free time?
A: Daniel and I really do live and breath design. When not working, I am busy trying to find inspiration and doing things that fuel my creative energy – Traveling when we can, antiquing on weekends, and long Sunday afternoons poring over the latest design books with endless cups of tea and playing with our dog, Tippi. I love to cook and entertain, so there is always a dinner party on the books.
Q: Anything else you would like to add?
A: I just want to say how grateful I am that you reached out to me. It’s always so much fun to share my musings on design (especially with a fellow Texan!).
Thank you so much, Josh, for joining us today! We are certainly kindred spirits. 🙂 To learn more, please visit Pickering House and follow @joshuappickering on Instagram for ongoing inspiration.
Anne Wagoner’s love for interior design began at an early age. While growing up in Greensboro, North Carolina, she was introduced to fine antique furniture and accessories at her grandmother’s landmark shop, Carlson Antiques & Gifts. Anne assisted her grandmother on several buying trips to Europe, where she cultivated her passion for design. She fell in love with the concept of using antiques, art and accessories to create homes that reflect the heritage and lifestyle of its owners.
Since establishing Anne Wagoner Interiors in 2010, Anne has realized her dream of transforming houses into beautiful homes. Often known for addressing the “bones” of each space first, Anne believes the most essential element to any space is a classic foundation. The result is a home that will stand the test of time. Today, I am delighted to welcome Anne to The Glam Pad for a Q&A!
Q: How do you define your style, and how has it evolved over the years?
A: My style is rooted in timeless foundations and architectural elements. I reconcile this with furnishings that are equally classic but also thought-provoking and unexpected. My style has evolved over the years in two ways. Growing up, I was often surrounded by formal spaces. These days, I’ve found that almost all of my clients begin the design process with a desire for elegant yet approachable and inviting spaces. Times have changed and there is a strong desire for livable rooms, above all else. So I am constantly balancing practicality with my innate love of formal aesthetics. My passion for antiques has also evolved. I grew up with (“brown”) English antiques, either mahogany, walnut, oak or pine. As my style has developed over the years, I have discovered a passion for French antiques as well as painted and gilded finishes. I also love to incorporate Italian and Biedermeier pieces wherever I can.
Q: How did growing up in Greensboro, North Carolina influence your design aesthetic?
A: Growing up in Greensboro was the single most defining influence of my career. I spent time as a child worshiping my grandmother, who owned and operated a high-end, landmark antique shop. I accompanied her on buying trips to England, where I fell in love with antiques and the industry as a whole. In addition to this, my grandmother was fortunate enough to have vacation homes, i.e. canvases for her passion, which were individually inspiring. She enlisted the help of Virginia and Otto Zenke, Greensboro-based designers. Spending time in her homes exposed me to classic design elements I still use today; center-mounted hardware, strong architectural bones, dressmaker details, jib doors, decorative painting, fine textiles and most importantly, the calming effect of a well-appointed home.
Q: You recently sold your home the first week it went on the market, wow! What is your secret? And what are your plans for your next home?
A: It’s interesting because this happened with the sale of our last house as well. I’m either lucky or my approach to home buying/selling has paid off. First and foremost, maximize the potential of your home while you live there. Update your kitchen and bathrooms, upgrade or restore moldings and architectural elements (remove dated built-ins) and increase curb appeal. Buy homes with “potential” and make them special over time. My second piece of advice is to de-personalize your home for staging. Your goal is for the buyer to emotionally connect with the house. To do this, remove all personal photos, artwork, or décor that is specific to your family. Stage with utilitarianism in mind so you appeal to the most amount of people. You want to encourage the potential buyer to envision their family in that home, not yours. I’ll certainly be using this philosophy with our next house, which I’ll be sharing with everyone soon!
Q: What are five classic design elements every home needs?
A: Window treatments (the most transformative design element), at least one antique in every room, beautiful artwork, strong architectural bones and fresh flowers.
Q: Please tell me more about your passion for antiques, and how do you like to use them in your designs?
A: No matter how modern the space, every room should have something old. Antiques have a story, a
history, a soul. It’s an energy thing you can’t put into words. Antiques layer beautifully to create a design that feels sophisticated. I love mixing antique periods and finishes for an established feel.
Q: Are there any other signature elements you like to incorporate within your interiors?
A: My goal with every design is to create a layered, curated home. Many clients comment that they were drawn to me as a designer because they want their house to feel collected over time and not installed in one day. I put a lot of thought into my designs and don’t believe in ordering everything from a catalogue or “pointing and clicking” my way to a finished space. We source pieces from all over the world and have established relationships with the best workrooms and artisans in the area. I’m constantly challenging myself to think outside the box and ask my team on a regular basis, “What makes this special?”
Q:What designers – past and present – inspire you?
A: Elsie de Wolfe, Sister Parish, Stephen Sills, Lorenzo Castillo, Daryl Carter, Jackye Lanham
Q:What are your favorite movie houses?
A: It’s Complicated and Father of the Bride
Q: When you aren’t busy decorating, how do you enjoy spending your free time?
A: Spending time with family and friends, traveling, playing golf, cooking, laughing and antiquing.
Q: What does the future hold for Anne Wagoner Interiors?
A: We have some exciting news coming up (hint: it has to do with my new house) but I’m not sharing it quite yet, so stay tuned. We’re also about to launch a hostess gift line that has already become very popular with our current clients. We’re perfecting the website as we speak so everyone can shop these gifts as well as our line of candles, which have now sold out twice!
Such an exquisite and timeless portfolio… Thank you, Anne, for joining us today! To learn more, please visit Anne Wagoner Interiors and follow @annewagonerinteriors on Instagram for ongoing inspiration.
