In The Manner Of Noguchi And David Hicks

Sara and I were doing a photo shoot a couple of weeks ago in my dining room, and we moved the table over to get a better image. Hey! We both thought the table would work better moved "forever" to one side. The shotgun house dining room is small and a pass-through, and I have the bruises on my upper thighs to prove that the table took up valuable walkway room with it being in the center of the room.

Valorie Hart dining room Fall 2013

It meant moving the armoire. So I did a major clean out of the office supplies and crap hidden behind those closed doors, and moved the thing into the kitchen (that's another blog post). I fantasized about having built-in banquettes done, but I don't have that kind of cash. So I started a search for an option by using some storage benches to arrange banquette style along two walls.

The armoire got cleaned out and moved! And the chandelier got retired for now

The chandelier had to move from the center of the room, and sadly the in-line design did not allow for the old swag it from the power source trick. I have long loved the Noguchi over size lantern, and thought this would be a good time and place to use it. Luckily, Alberto is an electrical engineer, so swagging the huge (but lightweight) ball over the new dining table spot was easy-peasy. I got out my clipping file of pictures with this style of lantern to show Alberto what I had in mind.

Nakashima Compound by Brian Ferry - Love that stick the lantern is suspended from

Deborah Needleman used the lantern in in her dining room

Mats Gustafson and Ted Muehling used it in their home

The size I want of the Noguchi lantern is over $500. Oh well. So off I go to get dorm room standard issue ha ha. But at 30" in diameter the copy cat Noguchi lantern looks pretty good. You can buy a lantern and a cord kit for under $40. HERE.

I was also so happy to find the storage trucks with a fabric that reminded me so much of the beloved David Hicks La Fiorentina fabric. I wish I could afford the Hicks fabric, but as you know I am content with the look for less if I can't afford the real thing. And I wanted to buy seating off-the-rack.

The trunks as banquettes

I used two benches on the long side of the table

David Hicks David Hicks David Hicks! How we all love the David Hicks La Fiorentina fabric! One of my favorite rooms done by Brian Patrick Flynn features the fabric.

Bedroom done by Brian Patrick Flynn with David Hicks fabric - photo by Christina Wedge courtesy of  Scripps Networks

Brian Patrick Flynn - photo by Christina Wedge courtesy of Scripps Networks

I LURV Brian Patrick Flynn!!!! - photo by Christina Wedge courtesy of Scripps Networks

The storage benches (or trunks as they are called) came from Overstock.

The Sole Domino trunk from Overstock

I used three of them - two for the long side of the table, and one at the shorter side near the wall. Because of the table size and the stock size of the trunk, I couldn't use a full size trunk to deal with the corner. The trunks would have extended beyond the length of the table if I used more than three. So I found a cube ottoman to tuck in the corner. It didn't come in the same print, so I chose something close. Also it's a tad shorter, so I just put some pieces of wood under the legs to elevate it. It's all about smoke and mirrors.

I used this ottoman from Overstock to deal wit the corner portion of my "banquette"

I think the print looks as good as the David Hicks. It is so popular with designers, bloggers, Etsy sellers, and home decorators.

Melissa Rufty did this settee in David Hicks fabric featured on the cover of Big Easy Style

I found the fabric that my trunks are upholstered in and would love to recover the corner piece. I also am thinking about making mini "headboards" to act as a back to my banquette. I am going to hang black frame closet door mirrors horizontally over the banquette for a French bistro vibe.

You can see a long mirror over the sink in my kitchen - that's a closet door mirror hung sideways - I'll do the same thing with three of this type of mirror over the new dining room banquette

Mirrors over a banquette in a bistro

But not so fast! The fabric is out of stock (M9253 Zig Zag Domino Upholstery Fabric by Barrow), and the mill says to check back in 90 days. There is another Richloom fabric that made the rounds of the blogs, but it seems to have been discontinued (of course). I found a small amount in orange HERE.

Zig Zag Domino Upholstery Fabric by Barrow

 So there you have it. A small change that has made a big difference.

Valorie Hart dining room with Noguchi style lantern and David Hicks style fabric on the banquette

You can see that a generous walkway has been created by moving the dining room table - The credenza has been moved from the kitchen into this new spot and now holds two sets of china

Another view of the new arrangement - The skeletons came back for a minute, but didn't work out

I love this credenza in here

So what projects has the coming of Fall gotten you to do? "Enquiring Minds" want to know.

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Malachite

Today is a designated day to shop local. Here in New Orleans most of us shop local 99% of the time. We support one another in a big way. So in honor of a national day of shopping local,  I want to tell you about a new shop on Magazine Street, which is perhaps one of the best streets ever devoted to home furnishings.

Malachite - a new shop on Magazine Street - so chic!

Melissa Rufty and Adrienne Casbarian have opened a swank new place called Malachite. Melissa is the pride of New Orleans, a younger designer that has gotten national acclaim in top shelter magazines. Adrienne is the wind beneath her wings.

Come on in!

Oh boy this looks good!

Melissa confesses that like many designers and decorators, she found herself hovering on becoming a hoarder. Anyone who decorators is drawn to beautiful things, and just because you don't have room for them in your own home, or a client in mind for them, it doesn't stop you from buying.  Eventually you run out of storage space, and decide to sell off some of your semi precious finds.

Adrienne with a customer

Thank God for high class hoarding!!!

And that is exactly what the shop Malachite is all about. You are buying the fabulous stuff Adrienne and Melissa have gathered. No flash mob estate sale for these stylish girls. No way. Instead they took the street level storefront below MMR Interiors and created a chic and friendly space.

You know Melissa's work - It's been in every major magazine, a couple of design  books, and pinned onto thousands of Pinterest boards, and constantly been  blogged about

 Malachite walls behind  a bookshelf - This would be a good way to paint the back of any bookcase

Malachite walls and fab pillows, oh my!

Look at the killer desk chair! It's for sale

Malachite was the inspiration for the name. It is a semi-precious stone, and the girls love the color, a deep nuanced green. They painted the walls of the shop an almost black green. Melissa jokes that from the outside the walls look black and no one can see that they are open.

This blue mirror is one of Melissa's favorites

I love this little lion

Someone please get these chairs

The girls tell us that this is not an antique shop, but rather a place filled with their finds, all the finishing touches every home needs to make it layered and  personal and special and beautiful. There are some killer vintage pieces, which I love, because vintage is truly unique and usually one-of-a-kind.  They also sell the Bunny Williams line (Beeline) which is a great resource for New Orleans.

Malachite carries Bunny Williams Beeline - I need this Bunny Williams  table! I spy Bryan Batt's book Big Easy Style

I disagree, because the moment you see the green stripe awnings and the glimmer of exciting things through the window, you want to get in there. Malachite is located in the same little courtyard as another fab New Orleans shop, Leontine Linens.

Love the vignette, and the clam shell lamp is killer

Malachite has a great art collection that is decorative and affordable

Ooh ooh - What's that spiky thingee???

So cute and spiky

Great mix of textures

So go on over there today and pick up a gift or two (one for a friend, and one for you). And tell them The Vamp sent you.

Malachite calling card - I spy Susanna Salk's book Be Your Own Decorator

Malachite New Orleans

Their address - web site under construction

Adrienne Casbarian and Melissa Rufty welcome you to Malachite - Tell them The Vamp sent you!

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Book Signing, Big, Easy Style

I have seen the new book Big, Easy Style by Bryan Batt and Katy Danos (photos by Kerri McCaffety), and it is gorgeous and a hell-of-a-read.

Come and meet Bryan Batt at a signing of his new book Big, Easy Style

Come meet Bryan and Katy at one of their book signings, and pick up your copy for them to sign.

Today there is a signing at Bryan and partner Tom Cianfichi's gorgeous shop Hazelnut, 5515 Magazine Street.

Hazelnut in New Orleans

Big, Easy Style

PS Alberto and I are so proud to be included in this beautiful book!
Other New Orleanians homes in this book are: Bryan Batt and Tom Cianfichi, Katy Danos, Karla Katz, Andre and Caroline Robert, Richard Edrington, Suzie Allain, Melissa and Alfred Rufty,  Leslie Castay and Brayn Burkey, Kaki Foley, and Gretchen Howard.

Back story of the photo shoot in a later post...

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Big, Easy Style! Reserve Your Copy Now

Congratulations to Bryan Batt! His eagerly anticipated book, Big, Easy Style on interior design and decor will be out October 4. Reserve your signed copy now! HERE

Co-written with his incredible assistant and shop manager at Hazelnut, Katy Danos, with photographs by Kerri McCaffety, it promises to be stunning.

Of course, I love Bryan and Katy and Kerri as my fellow talented New Orleanians, and am so proud of them.

I personally cannot wait to see what's inside this book!

Bryan Batt and The Visual Vamp Valorie Hart