When I noticed the house on the Dutch realtor's website, a dirty white brick wall screamed out at me. My initial reaction was to find out if the wall could come down. When I saw the house in person, that idea was reinforced; the wall was horrid and dated. But we bought the house and there were so many cosmetic improvements needed, (thankfully, the house is structurally sound) the building work involved in knocking down the wall seemed like a tedious process, not to mention an unnecessary expense. And after moving twice in one year, we really didn't want to spend weeks living amidst construction chaos.
So rather than knock down the wall or try to mask it with art, I decided to make it a feature. I chose a teal blue inspired by the Rijksmuseum (much to the dismay of the painter, who clearly thought I was mad). The teal matches the William Morris Strawberry Thief fabric in the Arts & Crafts chair. I hung the circa 1830 French gilt mercury glass mirror and pushed the Napoleon III glass-fronted bookcase (bought from the grandson of a professor, who had it in his office at the Sorbonne) against the wall. Then I put the 1930s table in front of the mirror and topped it with glass scientific specimen globes to reflect more light. The arrangement of antique globes containing various curiosities are a winking nod to Miss Havisham's table in the latest BBC production of Great Expectations. A Napoleon III "bamboo" stool and a matching stand (holding an antique Buddha head) complete the grouping.
The rest of the room is a mixture of modern design and influences from the Middle East and Andalucia, Spain. It's an eclectic combination, which seems to work.
In case you didn't notice, the perfectionist in me is compelled to point out a pair of eyeglasses on the table that should not have been in the photograph. But in my bid to quell these annoying perfectionist tendencies, I am posting this photo, rather than take a more "perfect" one.
The ceiling is painted a pale blush pink, which helps "warm" the space in the winter. The pendant lights (of which there are six) are from Italy. The wool rug is handmade by the Bani Hamida Women's Weaving Project in Jordan. I'm looking for a different rug for this spot; ultimately the Bani Hamida rug will move either to my office or the guest room.
Stay tuned for more house "makeover" photos... Bon weekend!
Perfect color! Happiness achieved. You made me laugh about your comment regarding the eyeglasses. I wouldn't have noticed. Glad to see you happy!
Posted by: Tongue in Cheek | 26 April 2012 at 14:48
OH, you are making a delicious home!!! It is beyond lovely, can't wait to see more. How exciting!!! Love, Vanessa
Posted by: Vanessa {A Fanciful Twist} | 21 April 2012 at 00:22
Perfectly beautiful - well done!
Posted by: Kay Cooke | 17 April 2012 at 05:36
Are you sure you are not an interior decorator? This is absolutely fabulous! The eyeglasses don't belong? I thought they could be from Simone de Beauvoir :)I love that rug. And I am looking forward seeing more of your home!
Posted by: Fida | 16 April 2012 at 17:28
so love that color blue! And the cloches with cool things!
Posted by: Maryam in Marrakesh | 16 April 2012 at 12:26
Tara, this is amazing. Utterly reminds me of the museum. Wow.
Posted by: Natalie | 15 April 2012 at 19:46
How right your decision turned out to be - the contrast of the gilt mirror on the rich teal wall is stunning. The pendant lights also caught my eye immediately. I love your eclectic, individual style, with each object having a story and a history. Really looking forward to more!
Posted by: Karen@PasGrande-Chose | 15 April 2012 at 19:26
So beautiful Tara ... you have such an awesome design flair! I am in love, love, love with those pendant lights!!!!!!
Hope you're having a beautiful weekend :)
Posted by: Deborah | 14 April 2012 at 20:23
Gorgeous! And I love the brick wall, especially painted that lovely color. The room looks like something out of a home magazine.
Posted by: Marilyn | 14 April 2012 at 17:53
You certainly do have a decorating talent, your office and now this room.
Posted by: Sheris White | 13 April 2012 at 22:10
In case your journalist job doesn't work out, you have a career in interior design. Seriously, the wall is stunning! Your home is a piece of art in and of itself.
Posted by: Mary H. | 13 April 2012 at 15:15