Burlap and Grainsack - Cheap Chic or Faux Humility?

<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgXq8j8QoatDq_I2fXNcHlM8npMZyH83ssYddu8-4Jti5W1PkzIIU_4391K84WzvO_XMLdlm0hsFxNLBF1JczMMnoe8fnTyApvaecvP1M7RG3XN92dIm7GDCqXsuGfgdCfdPu5jJjeJOL/s1600-h/le-mirande-sofa-burlap-main.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353339457754525474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgXq8j8QoatDq_I2fXNcHlM8npMZyH83ssYddu8-4Jti5W1PkzIIU_4391K84WzvO_XMLdlm0hsFxNLBF1JczMMnoe8fnTyApvaecvP1M7RG3XN92dIm7GDCqXsuGfgdCfdPu5jJjeJOL/s400/le-mirande-sofa-burlap-main.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 445px; height: 445px;" /></a>This <a href="http://www.danmartydesign.com/">Dan Marty</a> settee in burlap retails for $5,450.<br /><br /></div>When I was in middle school, the hot "must wear" clothes were Levi's jeans, Fair Isle sweaters and Izod shirts (collar up, of course!) - and I lived in a town listed in the Preppy Hand Book, so the pressure was on! Of course, I was dying to go along with the crowd and wanted all these must have brands. My family was going through tight times financially during those years and the budget did not include these "label" prices. My mother had a friend in the clothing industry who told her that Levi-Strauss made Sears Roebuck jeans - so guess which I wore. According to Mom - they were the same thing. NOT!<br /><br />Okay, so fast forward a few years and I've grown into an adult who generally shuns fads and labels. I don't want brands where I have to pay for the privilege of promoting their label (think Louis Vuitton) and I'm very quick to tire of seeing the same thing over and over (think coral, think zebra rugs, think "Keep Calm and Carry On"). No thanks.<br /><br />And what's the purpose of these "anti-design-establishment" rantings? I've been contemplating the whole grainsack and burlap fad recently - this new/old trend is everywhere. And, for the most part, is certainly a very attractive trend. But, I wonder... why is this suddenly trendy? Why burlap and why now?<br /><br />A recent article by David A. Keeps for the LA times (which I read in the <a href="http://www.projo.com/home/content/lh_recessionstyle_07-05-09_F2ELIJM_v20.12eb789.html">Providence Journal</a>) making the syndication rounds posits "Burlap upholstery proclaims an era of faux humility". Is part of the current "in" state of burlap and grain sack due, in part, to the current economy and a desire to "dress down"? And, if that's true in some cases, is this a genuine desire to dress down, or only "look" dressed down? I know of designers whose clients have put projects on hold because they think a big new design project will look bad. I know of an antiques dealer who was asked to deliver an expensive piece in a plain truck - the decor version of the plain brown wrapper. Burlap is, of course, the quintessential plain brown wrapper.<br /><br />So, do you like burlap and grain sack for its vintage-y feel or does it make you feel like you're keeping it real?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2576/3677325650_8514f18289.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2576/3677325650_8514f18289.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 454px; height: 392px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Los Angeles Times / KEN HIVELY</span></div><span class="vitstorybody"><span class="vitstorybody"><p class="vitstoryimagecaption">The armchair, above, for sale at Colcha in Venice, Calif., has reclaimed wood legs and is upholstered in European feed-sack fabric; it goes for $1,600. The recycled burlap cushion is $42, and the feed-sack pillow $198.<br /></p> </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/3677325806_4d729a5fd0.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2496/3677325806_4d729a5fd0.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a>The French hemp napkins from <a href="http://www.vintageweave.com/store/page9.html">Vintage Weave</a> are admittedly adorable. But, at $275.00 for the set, one might not want to dab one's mouth with them while eating ribs and friend chicken...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2469/3677325744_34650b1720.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2469/3677325744_34650b1720.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 166px;" /></a>These graphic antique grain sack pillows from <a href="http://www.3finegrains.com/_product_40570/Double_stripe_salmon_pillow">3 Fine Grains</a> run into the hundreds of dollars.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3614/3677325900_0b7bfbb9f0.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3614/3677325900_0b7bfbb9f0.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" /></a>Well, I'll admit I love this printed burlap sack available on <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-French-Grain-Sack-Burlap-Rooster-Provence-D_W0QQitemZ110408014193QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item19b4d49971&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262&_trkparms=%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A30#ebayphotohosting">Ebay</a>. But, it only dates to 1960 (barely vintage in my book - ahem...) and at $115, I'm not sure it's worth the price.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2610/3677325694_d17ce646bd.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2610/3677325694_d17ce646bd.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" /></a>These loosely "upholstered" French style chairs, seen on<a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/seating-sofas-armchairs/look-french-chairs-upholstered-in-burlap-055733"> Apartment Therapy</a>, were reportedly on sale for $1,400 for the pair at the Paris Boutique. Keeping things real, these look to have been upholstered by someone with all thumbs and dangerous access to a staple gun. Horrific on so many levels! They are no longer listed - did someone actually buy these?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2475/3676510885_6d534e64ee.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2475/3676510885_6d534e64ee.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 406px; height: 493px;" /></a>Of course, the shelter mags are up on the trend - this from the current <a href="http://www.elledecor.com/">Elle Decor</a>, a design by Dale Saylor. Note that not only is the day bed filled with grain sack pillows, but the standing lamp on the right also has a burlap shade.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/3676510697_2bb5e60bdc.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3556/3676510697_2bb5e60bdc.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 506px; height: 396px;" /></a>The dining room of designer Abby Rizor's 1920s Florida house was originally a porch. From <a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/earthy-florida-wolfe-rizor-0908?click=img_sr">House Beautiful</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2473/3676510653_06bdfcdf0e.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2473/3676510653_06bdfcdf0e.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 547px; height: 341px;" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2646/3677325282_ef5cc8f735.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2646/3677325282_ef5cc8f735.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 467px; height: 564px;" /></a>Local magazine <a href="http://dovetalesantiquesandhome.com/home.html">Dovetales Antiques and Home Magazine</a> is au courant...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7al0DlO48fxvktQC79xeJ0Rcf9PKp_unsnfg9uY-AlYbTzBFyakMLVTIRXfkM8r9pL3gKlhcHO7yOfQvQsh_5jnA-Cv_QtbTlN9Yc4E01XKHma41tE3naYCiPAHPfpuLIr2oHqu4cBa1/s1600-r/roundtable1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7al0DlO48fxvktQC79xeJ0Rcf9PKp_unsnfg9uY-AlYbTzBFyakMLVTIRXfkM8r9pL3gKlhcHO7yOfQvQsh_5jnA-Cv_QtbTlN9Yc4E01XKHma41tE3naYCiPAHPfpuLIr2oHqu4cBa1/s1600-r/roundtable1.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 527px; height: 184px;" /></a>Even <a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/">The Skirted Roundtable</a> banner is in on the act!<br /><br />And, at Baker Furniture in the Boston Design Center, they have in their window an upholstered settee in faux grain sack. Seriously. It's upholstery weight fabric that is woven to look like a printed burlap with red stripes. I didn't manage to take a photo, but the price is likely a few thousand dollars. Huh?<br /><br />Of course, burlap can be a very cost effective textile. Just check out Rhoda at<a href="http://southernhospitality-rhoda.blogspot.com/search/label/burlap"> Southern Hospitality</a>'s posts on how she upholstered the back of a cabinet with a bolt of the stuff:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaS0PhEjYuHSeqCKKgaQQi0_Sp5B8E8aXg-fPUkL6S3TVafmF5Snw-pGksQ092-LUDPu8T3cZujx_6_tp6_RKymnEHxrNq2VF-au0rhyphenhyphen07i0kU5cXDtUe1dYbVQcc3cS1VThmJ3flEFY8/?imgmax=800"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaS0PhEjYuHSeqCKKgaQQi0_Sp5B8E8aXg-fPUkL6S3TVafmF5Snw-pGksQ092-LUDPu8T3cZujx_6_tp6_RKymnEHxrNq2VF-au0rhyphenhyphen07i0kU5cXDtUe1dYbVQcc3cS1VThmJ3flEFY8/?imgmax=800" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 484px; height: 644px;" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3663/3676511111_d9c61d5ed1.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3663/3676511111_d9c61d5ed1.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 430px; height: 322px;" /></a>On Etsy, you can purchase very price effective grain sacks at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6914863">Antique Linen Store</a> for around $44.00.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.countryliving.com/cm/countryliving/images/Tufted-Rosettes-White-Chair-GTL0407-de.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.countryliving.com/cm/countryliving/images/Tufted-Rosettes-White-Chair-GTL0407-de.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 460px;" /></a>And this little flea market find footstool has been covered in about 88 cents worth of burlap, with mini-ruffle. From <a href="http://www.countryliving.com/homes/house-tours/linen-slipcovers-0407">Country Living</a>. A very easy DIY project for someone who can sew.<br /><br />OK - so, we've seen high end uses of burlap and grain sack as well as more moderately priced examples. While this is a trend I'm not likely to jump on board with simply because we're seeing it everywhere, I do see the appeal to others. But honestly? I see it only on the low end. Some of the truly antique grain sacks may have value for their provenance but I still can't wrap my head around paying high end prices for what was made to be cheap goods to transport grain and flour.<br /><br />Edited to add - Alex from The Real Housewives of New York. As suggested by <a href="http://comfortandluxury.blogspot.com/">Tracy @ Comfort and Luxury</a>. Image courtesy of <a href="http://www.wmagazine.com/w/blogs/editorsblog/2009/05/06/stalking-the-real-housewives-i.htm">W Magazine Editor's Blog</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-Akt7NYCMbZ6ODTGRRKEjSn_r-7Nes6BZHj9dfCtKMUqBXbgWJQLYYQX48kHCTCUJCbZlZ43GlN3G_aEewZW7ai9yAvh72GQ0QTZ0v2tNcoHvqwjqmjNLEUWos4mJMxtK22Qj2ulE1Au/s1600-h/blog_housewives_party_02.jpg+%28JPEG+Image,+590x388+pixels%29_1246493096669.png"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353647213089465218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo-Akt7NYCMbZ6ODTGRRKEjSn_r-7Nes6BZHj9dfCtKMUqBXbgWJQLYYQX48kHCTCUJCbZlZ43GlN3G_aEewZW7ai9yAvh72GQ0QTZ0v2tNcoHvqwjqmjNLEUWos4mJMxtK22Qj2ulE1Au/s400/blog_housewives_party_02.jpg+%28JPEG+Image,+590x388+pixels%29_1246493096669.png" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 387px;" /></a><br /><br />So, the question is - is this trend faux humility or simply shabby chic? Take the poll and let me know how you feel about this trend? And, for bonus points, how long do you think the trend will last? Will it outlive the recession?<br /><form method="post" action="http://poll.pollcode.com/qeT"><table style="background-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 13px;" background="http://pollcode.com/images/bg/gold.gif" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="500"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" bg="" align="right" style="color:white;"><span style=";font-size:78%;color:black;" >pollcode.com <a href="http://pollcode.com/">free polls</a></span></td></tr><tr><td width="500"><strong>Burlap and Grain Sack - Faux Humility or Shabby Chic</strong></td></tr><tr><td style="padding: 2px;" align="center" width="500"><input name="answer" value="1" type="radio">Faux Humility <input name="answer" value="2" type="radio">Shabby Chic <input value="Vote" type="submit"> <input name="view" value="View" type="submit"></td></tr></tbody></table></form><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a><br /><br /><p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a></p>

Burlap and Grainsack - Cheap Chic or Faux Humility?

This Dan Marty settee in burlap retails for $5,450.When I was in middle school, the hot "must wear" clothes were Levi's jeans, Fair Isle sweaters and Izod shirts (collar up, of course!) - and I lived in a town listed in the Preppy Hand Book, so the pressure was on! Of course, I was dying to go alon…

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The Skirted Roundtable: Eddie Ross & Jaithan Kochar

<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcSCUCMvYuJbhbVSHbSVDndtED26VxakrpimvplN9s_P32kIyxwD8p1xqajCiLLf4HxNkRNIrWPHmPkCdghbhmiZZKNl-JC1vMd7F687DZxRVlmR_5MlRDD-s3vH-LREvTtWBDAQO_YeR/s1600-h/6a00e55391c48e88330115714eb12b970b-pi.htm"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352207678559473362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcSCUCMvYuJbhbVSHbSVDndtED26VxakrpimvplN9s_P32kIyxwD8p1xqajCiLLf4HxNkRNIrWPHmPkCdghbhmiZZKNl-JC1vMd7F687DZxRVlmR_5MlRDD-s3vH-LREvTtWBDAQO_YeR/s400/6a00e55391c48e88330115714eb12b970b-pi.htm" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 326px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">image courtesy of eddieross.com</span><br /><br /></div>This week on <a href="http://www.skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/">The Skirted Roundtable</a>, we welcomed Eddie Ross and Jaithan Kochar from <a href="http://www.eddieross.com/">EddieRoss.com</a>.<br /><br />Last year I interviewed Eddie for the blog<a href="http://www.bloggingtopdesign.blogspot.com"> Blogging Top Design</a> after his appearance on BravoTV's "Top Design". Here is a replay of that interesting conversation. I hope you enjoy this and our <a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2009/06/guest-bloggers-eddie-ross-and-jaithan.html">SRT chat</a> with both Eddie and Jaithan!<br /><br /> <div><br /> <object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,0,0" height="25" id="mp3playerlightsmallv3" width="210"><br /> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain"><br /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerlightsmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://surroundings.podbean.com/mf/play/7iaf9h/BTDPodcastwithEddieRoss.mp3&autoStart=no"><br /> <param name="quality" value="high"><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><br /> <embed src="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerlightsmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://surroundings.podbean.com/mf/play/7iaf9h/BTDPodcastwithEddieRoss.mp3&autoStart=no" quality="high" name="mp3playerlightsmallv3" allowscriptaccess="sameDomain" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" align="middle" width="210" height="25"></embed><br /> </object><br /><br /><a style="border-bottom: medium none; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 41px; color: rgb(45, 162, 116); text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.podbean.com/">Powered by Podbean.com</a><br /> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a><br /><br /><p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a></p>

The Skirted Roundtable: Eddie Ross & Jaithan Kochar

image courtesy of eddieross.comThis week on The Skirted Roundtable, we welcomed Eddie Ross and Jaithan Kochar from EddieRoss.com.Last year I interviewed Eddie for the blog Blogging Top Design after his appearance on BravoTV's "Top Design". Here is a replay of that interesting conversation. I hope yo…

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Falmouth, MA

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuzqWdH8Yj5NSbg_0iUlpYoPsM7HHH2CjqAY37Rf_rphH0DXfX_kQEwtryjTkWq4nrFAN1YNrGzorWYn6wpAQbY7HYEb6QmS9sD404tLZ0DNZtnhy6KmEiC-wGcl80ULUzuPbN6hKU6Mx/s1600-h/DSCN0428.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351740884056764770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuzqWdH8Yj5NSbg_0iUlpYoPsM7HHH2CjqAY37Rf_rphH0DXfX_kQEwtryjTkWq4nrFAN1YNrGzorWYn6wpAQbY7HYEb6QmS9sD404tLZ0DNZtnhy6KmEiC-wGcl80ULUzuPbN6hKU6Mx/s400/DSCN0428.JPG" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 455px; height: 341px;" /></a><br /><br />This has been an oddly busy, yet slow week, which is kind of strange. As I'd mentioned before, I've been working out of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Trianon Antiques</span> showroom in the Boston Design Center this week, while owners Diana and Scott Cooper are in France. Unfortunately, the internet connection is s-l-o-w... zzzz...zz.. So it's taken me much longer to do much of anything and therefor I haven't been able to post as much as I'd hoped! I have several posts going around in my head - I just need the time and the speedier internet connection to get them out!!<br /><br />I've been meaning to get this post done for a couple of weeks. I spent a weekend at the beginning of the month with members of my business roundtable group at a house in Falmouth Heights, Massachusetts. Falmouth is on Cape Cod (I live over the bridge, about a half hour north) and looks towards Martha's Vineyard across the water. The weekend we were there was one of the few nice days we've had all season! So, I hope you enjoy the tour of this quintessential New England beach town as much (or nearly so!) as I did being there!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3644/3663574876_760241a085.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3644/3663574876_760241a085.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" /></a>These houses are situated on the hill overlooking the bay, across from Martha's Vineyard - all have an amazing view! Most date to the end of the 19th century/beginning of the 20th century.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3571/3662775491_e7d12e83c6.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3571/3662775491_e7d12e83c6.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" /></a>How cute was this little group of kids from a wedding party I came upon. I love the formal with flip flops look. The wedding was taking place right on the beach.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2557/3662773743_de9991597c.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2557/3662773743_de9991597c.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 348px;" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2588/3662774563_d2ba29f465.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2588/3662774563_d2ba29f465.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" /></a>There's a strong late Victorian gingerbread aesthetic going on in this neighborhood:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3654/3663596420_ecaf00b7c6.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3654/3663596420_ecaf00b7c6.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 380px;" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3378/3662792921_b74891631a.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3378/3662792921_b74891631a.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 492px;" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3397/3663593840_9cf4ac92e8.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3397/3663593840_9cf4ac92e8.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 348px; height: 500px;" /></a>This is a traditional Dutch colonial with widow's walk:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2595/3663594762_6e551be722.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2595/3663594762_6e551be722.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 468px;" /></a><br />This is the house that belongs to our host, which dates to just about 1900. If you are interested i learning more about the house and rental possibilities, click <a href="http://www.leewoodhouse.blogspot.com">here</a>. I highly, highly recommend it!! If you look closely, you'll see our hostess setting up croquet and one of our group members doing her yoga on the front lawn. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/3662787941_b6085347a4.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/3662787941_b6085347a4.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" /></a>Sitting in the living room, looking through the dining room out to the bay. The current dining room used to be a porch, which they enclosed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3365/3663593226_430fd65919.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3365/3663593226_430fd65919.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" /></a>The colorful and oh-so-comfy living room.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3576/3662789945_70b0beafb1.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3576/3662789945_70b0beafb1.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" /></a>A few of Martha's Vineyard - gotta love the telephoto lens!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3622/3663591822_08cdb90e0f.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3622/3663591822_08cdb90e0f.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" /></a><br />Another Dutch colonial style shingle home that I loved:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/3662788625_6f09ab28d0.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/3662788625_6f09ab28d0.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2569/3663596876_c4e2660e58.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2569/3663596876_c4e2660e58.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 240px;" /></a>I love little hidden pathways... there were several of them leading to private beach and moorings for residents:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3581/3662787193_47effa980e.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3581/3662787193_47effa980e.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" /></a>This house looked closed still. But oh, all those windows with great views!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3313/3663588930_089c36e0af.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3313/3663588930_089c36e0af.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" /></a>A nice water view from the road - love the beach plums (aka beach roses)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2470/3662782827_7e4dd9024b.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2470/3662782827_7e4dd9024b.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" /></a>Nothing but view...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3632/3662783659_e8f4ddac66.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3632/3662783659_e8f4ddac66.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" /></a>This house is okay, but look closely for the carousel horses on the first level and silver cow on the second! Odd, but fun!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2426/3663585156_1b6619fa9f.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2426/3663585156_1b6619fa9f.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 267px;" /></a>Another private little nook....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3575/3663584382_1127796d01.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3575/3663584382_1127796d01.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 437px; height: 500px;" /></a>And another with boardwalk:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2430/3662780065_ca7668b320.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2430/3662780065_ca7668b320.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" /></a>The beach roses were in full bloom:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2472/3663580928_9e1bc9d0b4.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2472/3663580928_9e1bc9d0b4.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 332px; height: 254px;" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2576/3662778991_11b1ccda74.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2576/3662778991_11b1ccda74.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 500px; height: 375px;" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3619/3663580602_063279729c.jpg?v=0"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3619/3663580602_063279729c.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 446px; height: 500px;" /></a>I hope you enjoyed my photo tour of Falmouth, Massachusetts. Have a great weekend and stay tuned next week. We have a great pair of guests on The Skirted Roundtable (I can't wait to reveal who they are!!) and I'll be spending the end of the week out in the Berkshires, attending two concerts at Tanglewood. I'll be dining al fresco on the lawn, so stay tuned for posts on the perfect lawn picnic out under the stars. * I'll also be visiting Edith Wharton's home The Mount, and doing who knows what else!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">* unless it rains, which is all it's doing these days!</span><br /><br />Have a great weekend!!!<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a><br /><br /><p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a></p>

Falmouth, MA

This has been an oddly busy, yet slow week, which is kind of strange. As I'd mentioned before, I've been working out of the Trianon Antiques showroom in the Boston Design Center this week, while owners Diana and Scott Cooper are in France. Unfortunately, the internet connection is s-l-o-w... zzzz...…

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The Skirted Roundtable - Money and Criticism, not necessarily in that order

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQ5zMhlPgUyf2dutBOf3MwcYs5uX4hSQfgDHa9H30HODubyMOH3RjOeUQLjAMRVFTgoUbCzuzeAbwRl__nYJxKgkovuQ-qL5PBlW_0WBy5MpqIYeTft_a0Ev_gWG2nJY8gdDmRk1FDBvF/s1600/Snap14.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQ5zMhlPgUyf2dutBOf3MwcYs5uX4hSQfgDHa9H30HODubyMOH3RjOeUQLjAMRVFTgoUbCzuzeAbwRl__nYJxKgkovuQ-qL5PBlW_0WBy5MpqIYeTft_a0Ev_gWG2nJY8gdDmRk1FDBvF/s1600/Snap14.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 491px; height: 640px;" /></a>This week on<a href="http://www.skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com"> The Skirted Roundtable</a> - <a href="http://www.cotedetexas.blogspot.com">Joni</a>, <a href="http://www.beachbungalow8.blogspot.com">Megan</a> and I chatted about the<a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2009/06/design-true-cost-of-interior-design.html"> real cost of interior design</a> and what to expect when working with a professional designer - making sense of the dollars. And on our blogging segment, we discussed the <a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2009/06/blogging-criticism-on-blogs.html">role criticism plays on design blogs</a>. Is it constructive, or just plain critical.<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="border: 0pt none ! important; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a><br /><br /><p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none ; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a></p>

The Skirted Roundtable - Money and Criticism, not necessarily in that order

This week on The Skirted Roundtable - Joni, Megan and I chatted about the real cost of interior design and what to expect when working with a professional designer - making sense of the dollars. And on our blogging segment, we discussed the role criticism plays on design blogs. Is it constructive, o…

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