Seeing Design -

Published December 30, 2009 by Anne Collins Howard

The 2010 Decorating To-Do List

It’s been a productive year at the Collins/Howard household (we built a kitchen island, bought a sofa, hung bookshelves, installed a chandelier, and constructed a birch-log table, to name a few projects). Though, as anyone who owns a home knows, your work is never done–but that’s the good news. Mike and I always have a blast doing these projects, and we have no shortage of them lined up in 2010.

To-do List

(Above) Living Room Art: We bought these 19th-century fern prints almost a year ago, and they desperately need to be matted, framed, hung, and enjoyed! Once that happens, I have reserved a home for them to the left of our living room fireplace.

bedroom-decor-bookshelf

Living Room Storage: I’ve been eyeing this shaped storage unit from Brocade Home since it came out in 2007. (Think I should pull the trigger already?) This unit–or a yet-to-be-discovered vintage hutch–would flank the other side of my living room fireplace and be the hub for Mike’s incredible antique camera collection, our books, and a few other favorite accessories.

Bedroom Fireplace: Much to our handyman’s chagrin, we ripped this once-cherry-colored mantel off the wall, cut out its ornately carved archway, and painted it an oil-based white. We love it, but it has been pathetically leaning against the wall since the fireplace excavation. The next step is to lay bricks along the foundation, seamlessly secure it to the wall, and somehow get this bowing piece of wood to lie flush. Genius will strike, I’m sure.

KitchenDecor-bar

The Kitchen Bar: Our 1950s tin-top table works nicely as a bar, but the surface is getting a bit cramped. Now I’m on the hunt for a wall rack/shelf that we can use to hang wineglasses from below and store cookbooks and kitchen tchotchkes on top. If any one sees something fabulous like this, please let me know!

design-ideas-newyears-valance

Guest Room Window: I love this oversize red magnolia wallpaper so much that I considered having it printed as a fabric for a Roman shade. However, since I need only a few yards, this started to sound like a rough proposition, plus the existing shade is in fine condition. The new plan? Build a wooden valance and wallpaper it. If all goes well, the small dose of pattern should balance the room and finish the window.

Bedroom-decor-Ski-Shelves.

Office Shelves: In the new year we have to get Mike’s office in order, and once we do, the antique ski shelves are going up!

The list goes on and on–art for the mantel, a rug for the guest room, refinishing the kitchen cabinets–but it’s all a process, and we hope to be tweaking, improving, and enjoying this home for a long time to come.

Projects

Anne's buys decorating DIY

Published December 11, 2009 by Anne Collins Howard

The Most Romantic Hotel

I’ve stayed in some fancy hotels in the past, but I don’t think I’ve ever found one quite so luxurious (or romantic) as the Rockhouse in Negril, Jamaica. Mike and I spent last weekend there, and it wasn’t the full-treatment spa, the award-winning restaurant, or the thousand-thread-count sheets that won us over—those things are standard in the luxury realm. So what makes the Rockhouse the real créme de la créme? Privacy. And I don’t mean the kind that requires a “Do Not Disturb” sign.

Along the low-lying cliffs of Pristine Cove are 20 thatched-roof villas—all single story, all freestanding. Either perched on the edge or nestled into the cove, each has a private terrace with two Adirondack chairs, the shade of sea grape trees, and a view of the turquoise Caribbean. Mike and I stayed in a studio the first two nights and a premium villa the last two—both complete with a four-poster bed and outdoor shower—only to realize that there is no such thing as a bad room. The upgrade just goes from amazing to unreal.

The staggered landscape always seems to keep neighbors out of sight and makes it feel like the grounds are yours alone. Two-person patios jut out on the ledge or drop down into a cove for secluded sunbathing. Craggy natural rock separates each spot, making encroachment near impossible.

For couples, it couldn’t be a more amazing place. If you don’t feel like leaving your room for a meal, room service is free of charge. If you don’t feel like being apart at the spa, there is no markup for a side-by-side massage. If you are feeling social, they have happy hour by the pool each sunset.

The setting was actually so romantic, it pushed Mike to propose. Yes, I got engaged at the Rockhouse (and I’m incredibly excited about it) so I may be biased but with their rank as one of Travel + Leisure’s Top 25 Caribbean resorts and Patricia Schult’s book 1000 Places to See Before You Die, the Rockhouse has more fans than just a smitten bride-to-be.

For more information on the Rockhouse visit RockhouseHotel.com

Places

Carribean hotels rockhouse

Published December 3, 2009 by Anne Collins Howard

The Right Rug

Thank you again to all who voted in the Rug Runoff; the rug has arrived and I couldn’t be more thrilled with your pick! Le Poeme adds just the right amount of pattern and contrast to the room. The color of the cursive picks up the chocolate tone of the couch and the beige backdrop is nice moment of calm amidst the silver sage walls and fuchsia accents.

I love the fact that the pattern comes from the words of a French fable, but I didn’t want the verses to feel quite so obvious. By turning the rug in the opposite direction and having the text run upside down, it doesn’t scream script; instead, you see a swirling pattern before it registers as cursive.

I was a little concerned that, as an outdoor rug, it might feel crispy and awful to the touch, but it’s surprisingly soft. The letters have a raised pile and give it just enough texture. Plus, the all-weather surface is bound to buy us a little spill security.

But perhaps the best part about this rug, after a year of fiendish decor spending, is that an 8-by-10-foot was only $579 at Ballard Designs. That was hundreds, if not a thousand, less than the others in the runoff (thank you).

Le Poeme is also available with black script and will be available in sage and denim in spring 2010.

Finds

Anne's buys living room our house

Published December 1, 2009 by Anne Collins Howard

How to Pick the Perfect Ski House

When I moved to the East Coast from California, I was shivering constantly. I spent the first year finding ways to enjoy myself indoors but the end result was eating, sleeping, and shopping far too much. Year two: I stopped avoiding winter and embraced it with a ski house.

Mike and I have been doing a seasonal rental in Killington, Vermont, since 2006, and I’ve loved winter ever since. There is just nothing like a day of skiing through trees, cooking dinner with friends, and relaxing in the hot tub under the stars. We’ve loved every house we’ve stayed in but with four rentals under our belt, we’ve learned a few things guaranteed to improve your stay.

What to look for when shopping for a group ski rental:

1. Single family home. You are in the mountains; it should feel like it. A freestanding house, tucked in the trees is the way to go (and generally not that much more expensive than the three-bedroom condos). Plus, the option to snow shoe or sled on your property is a great way to get adventure when the weather is too arctic to ski.

2. Flexible sleeping arrangements. A ski house should always have a more-the-merrier mentality so pullout couches, trundle beds, and bunk beds are a great option to keep the house guest-friendly and the mood spontaneous.

3. Fireplace. This is essential not only for gathering around with friends or a book but also for drying your ski gear.

4. Hot tub. We didn’t have one the first year but once we did, there was no turning back. Great for relaxing sore muscles, prompting gatherings and if for nothing else, I recommend it for the surreal experience of watching snow fall while swimming.

5. A kitchen for multiple chefs. Cooking with friends is half the enjoyment of the meal, but not if everyone is tripping over one another. A kitchen that can handle three or more chefs makes cooking social and efficient.

6. A big dining table. A table that can seat ten or more will keep the conversation and the group bond going strong.

7. Mud room. Between the ice, dirt, and mounds of gear, ski houses are bound to take a beating. Having a large mudroom where people can dump their wet stuff will be the best way to keep the rest of the house clean.

8. Nearby grocery store. This isn’t your house so you’re bound to be missing the spices or staples you think you have. Though it’s great to be in the wilderness, it’s worth sacrificing a bit of nature to have a few comforts easily accessible.

9. No steep hills. There are bound to be housemates or guests without four-wheel drive so you don’t want a house they can’t access. Take the steepness of the driveway and nearby streets into account before you rent.

10. Proximity to the mountain. The heart of any ski town is the area surrounding the slopes. Though cooking and relaxing at home is nice, nearby bars and restaurants offer some welcomed variety.

While it may be too late for a great seasonal rental, all of these tips apply to week-long rentals or even buying a ski house. Happy winter!