Perfectly Picardy

Posted on Wed, 5 Mar 2025 by KiM

We were given the opportunity to turn a beige and brown historic country house into a cheerful and welcoming forever home for one of our very favorite families. We tended to the deferred maintenance first and once all of that was sorted, we made small but significant architectural changes like removing the small wooden and shingled little porch stoop cover and replacing it with a cheerful striped awning and draperies, opening up the living room fire box to its original glorious size and dressing it in a French carved stone surround, hung crystal chandeliers, installed gas lanterns, and hung a sixteen foot tall custom made rose trellis, and window boxes every place we could fit them. When it comes to the project, we lovingly referred to as #perfectlypicardy it could be said that we have a ruthlessly edited more is more aesthetic choosing layers of chintz, plush pink mohair, tufted everything and multiple bar carts stocked to entertain all summer long…
You’d think this was a villa in the south of France, not in the heart of Missouri. Such a fabulously glam, elegant makeover by the queen of glam, Annie Brahler of EuroTrash. Photos: Shannon Duggan.

This home in Palm Springs is a midcentury DREAM! House of Tomorrow was the home Elvis and Priscilla were to be married in but instead became their honeymoon hideaway. New owners purchased it in 2021 and with the help of designer Michelle Boudreau they sensitively reinvigorated the property, leaving the exterior seemingly untouched and gently modernized the interior. I am obsessed with that living room (rock wall, custom 14′ curved sofa, floating fireplace) and kitchen (verde allegre quartzite countertops, circular cooktop with custom exhaust hanging in the middle)! Photos: Lance Gerber.

An updated Neo-Tudor townhouse in Brooklyn

Posted on Mon, 3 Mar 2025 by KiM

This Neo-Tudor townhouse in Brooklyn could not be more charming from the outside, but it unfortunately had lost all character and original details on the interior. With the help and expertise of design firm Jesse Parris-Lamb, it is now the perfect refuge for a young family and despite being only 18′ wide, is fully functional and now has lots of great features, like the dining nook with banquette and that long book shelf/bench setup under the windows. Also dying over that massive U shaped George Smith sectional sofa in the den. Photos: Nicole Franzen

The Old Vicarage

Posted on Sun, 2 Mar 2025 by KiM

The Old Vicarage is a magnificent, detached period house, with Grade II listed status with Royal and Lord Armstrong of Cragside connections. The property has undergone a program of sympathetic improvements and renovations throughout the current owners’ 28-year tenure, which the owner has documented. Dating from the 18th century the property features handsome sandstone elevations and more than 5,700 sq. ft of stunning living accommodation. Period features include tall stone mullioned windows, high ceilings, wood panelling, ornate cornicing, window shutters and splendid original fireplaces and surrounds. The property offers versatile family accommodation and features six beautifully presented reception rooms in which to relax or entertain, including the well-proportioned drawing and sitting rooms at the front, the comfortable family room and the formal dining room with its intricate panelling and varnished floorboards. A particular feature of the ground floor is the modern orangery. Additionally, the house benefits from two cellars, one vaulted dating to the post medieval period. There is a detached double garage with workshop and utility, summer house, gazebos and belvederes, landscaped gardens with Rhyl water feature, poly tunnel, green house and potting shed.
This is my dream home. Lots of room to decorate, an ORANGERY, and an exterior that is beyond words. WOW!!! Located in North East England, and for sale for £1,300,000 via Strutt & Parker.

A remodeled historic Portland mansion

Posted on Thu, 27 Feb 2025 by KiM

This historic Portland mansion, built in 1912 for Mayor Russell Albee, was put into our care for a lengthy, careful, considered remodel. Some areas, like the kitchen and bathrooms, we remodeled entirely even moving walls to do so, other rooms were carefully preserved and furnished. We worked with Portland mural artists Lonesome Pictopia to decorate the walls throughout, with brass leaf, painted panels, flowery ceilings, and little animals that show up around every corner. The house is filled with art, life, and beauty, and feels both modern and comfortable but also like its beautiful old self.  Oh!  And those yellow and mirrored panels between the breakfast room and the kitchen?  That’s the refrigerator!
Jessica Helgerson creating pure magic in Albee House, with one of the prettiest kitchens I’ve ever seen (she will always rule kitchen design, and so many of her kitchens are in my inspiration folder, including this one). I am in awe of some of the details in this home, particularly the wood and brick that isn’t painted over. Photos: Aaron Leitz.