Saturday, January 8, 2011

Top 10 Blog Posts for 2010

Sometimes the verticality of our posts sinking, sinking into the archives makes me wistful. Wonderful friends and family have been so generous to share their amazing homes and photos, I wanted to resurrect some of our most fun and unique posts from 2010.


My wonderful daughter took these photographs while working on Lindsay Coral Harper's  "Let the Wild Rumpus Begin" table. These designer tables from the Lennox Hill Neighborhood House Gala at Sotheby's make me want to throw a party. O.K. I know, everything makes me want to throw a party!


The Best Farm Ever has me fantasizing about building a barn house. Did I say party? Party heaven is right here, with outdoor fireplaces blazing, monopoly money changing hands among frenzied children in the circle grouping, and pizza piling up on the kitchen counter. Football injuries aside, this gathering took the party prize of the year. 


Mrs. P's dedication to her mountain house renovation created a perfect year round getaway for family and friends. This image is a perfect example of using a large scale fabric with matching drapes to make a small room seem intimate and inviting. Don't miss the before pictures in this post, you won't believe the transformation. 


I hope Maria from Colour Me Happy is reading this post. Take Fun Seriously shows a playful mix of bright colors and eclectic furniture in this delightful party fortress. Run downstairs and see my favorite girl cave!


Phoebe Howard's eponymous design palace, Mrs. Howard's, in Charlotte is worth a plane ticket. The nail head trim reiterating the sunburst motif mirror in this dining room is a handsome foil to the soft chintz on the chairs. Every room in this design mecca is literally breath taking. 


Bobby McAlpine alum, Ruard Veltman, of Charlotte collaborated with Mrs. G. to create this Lutyens inspired mountain retreat that I call Nieu Neo Georgian.  The research laid the groundwork for a previously unpublished McAlpine house. The shared DNA is really interesting, start with Sir Christopher Wrenn who perfected Georgian, and embrace the transmutations of the Arts and Crafts crowd. I have more to say about that down the road, I'm smitten with Lutyens. 



Sir Bobby, who I have officially knighted in honor of Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens, interpreted Mrs. D.'s vision of a Pennsylvania stone farm house. I still owe you part II. I was waiting until the winter got really bleak to cheer you up. 


My ODF (oldest and dearest friend) is married to Edmund Hollander whose unerring taste and contribution to landscape architecture is as grand as Gertrude Jekyl's at the opposite end of the century. I recommend he collaborate with Sir Bobby, for the complete reincarnation of the Lutyens /Jekyl country house revival. If you are the type of person who watches movies over and over, just to study the interiors, Ed did the landscape for the Hamptons House in everybody's favorite, Somethings Gotta Give. It was listed for a mere 10 million. You can see more of Ed's exteriors for this house on Linda Merrill's post here.  


Speaking of movies, this James O'Connor playhouse was featured in the disappointing remake of Sabrina. This rare glimpse into the old country estate boom on Long Island was embraced by the preservationists in our crowd. This beautiful Sister Parish living room survives intact, from when Bunny Williams was her assistant! We have some more pictures of the old estate for the old Long Island crowd posting soon.  


Sending buckets of sunshine to all in gray January. This is my Edmund Hollander inspired window box. 

43 comments:

  1. Liz this is a fabulous recap and I am going back to some of the links!! Thank you Thank you!!

    New Giveaway on Monday!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  2. Thanks for this post. I bet it was hard to choose just ten posts! I am in love with the window box and shutters. That picture should be in a magazine!

    Cheers!
    Ricki Jill

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  3. Bobby McAlpine and I share the same hometown. He is very talented and I love his work. I will therefore admit that his post is my favorite, although all of them are absolutely beautiful.
    Have a nice weekend.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  4. Hi Liz - I just happened to meander over not realizing you had a new post up (hasn't arrived in my mailbox yet - so annoying, like when you go to the supermarket and see the new Elle Decor that hasn't found its way to your home yet). Anyway - love your round up. Hope you and your girls had a great holiday. Love everything you showed here and was so excited to read that you are posting more shots of the playhouse!!

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  5. Every one of these posts are super. So much inspiration and eye candy. Great recap. Hugs, Marty

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  6. I wanted to let you know that I have given you The Stylish Blog Award!
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  7. I am going to go back and look at all of these posts this weekend with my cup of tea! Hey, wondering if you can help me source some antique chinese garniture pieces; I will send you an email and a pic. Sending warm thoughts~

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  8. Since I didn't know you earlier this year, I'll definetly go back over some of these posts I've missed. I'm so happy that I won't be missing any more! Thanks for chiming in over @ Divine Distractions!

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  9. Well; you continue to astonish me! These are all beautiful, and educated, and splendiferous posts.......imaginative and creative.......and comfortable!
    Whimsical and practical! (My particular goal) Those are the things I want to create in my house........and any house I decorate!

    My mother-in-law (who was not happy that her son......got divorced....married me......and his two daughters were at my house.......and their mother was in Europe..........and staying........came to visit.....after 3 days........she said......."I am really glad I came! This house sings! My grandaughters are having a wonderful time; you are typing their papers.......and I have never seen my oldest son so happy! Congratulations!"

    Well.......you tell me.....does it get better?

    Nope. a "peak experience" to be sure!


    I am thrilled to be a distant "step" relative!

    Please promise you won't come to Santa Barbara without telling me!

    Penelope

    do you have a way to send pictures or email to "Mother Liz" in Chile?

    or an address? I would love to tell her that she (saved me.....And she did) ! Maybe someone in your family........(she was always so smart.....I bet she would welcome email) or I would like to write a real letter.......if she doesn't get email. I want to tell her the huge difference she made in my life. and how she did it.

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  10. Dearest Liz, WOW! These are indeed wonderful photos and it is so tempting to try to weed out the best posts and put them in book form! These are wonderful memories, aren't they? Thank you for visiting me and for your kind comments on my header. BLUE, or rather TURQUOISE OR AQUA are colors that connote happiness and childhood wonder for me, growing up in S. California where swimming pools ruled!!!

    HAVE A GREAT SUNDAY! Anita

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  11. A great recap. I can hardly wait for all to come in 2011.

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  12. I can't recall a post of yours that I haven't liked. Yours is definitely in my top 3 sites.I'm looking forward to many visits in 2011, and plan on visiting the online shop as well! Thank you for posting...k

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  13. Lovely recap! Really enjoyed revisiting some of these stunners!

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  14. PS...just perused your shop! wow! beautiful inventory, congrats!!!

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  15. I'm so glad you resurrected your favorite posts. I know what you mean about sadly watching our favorites drift into the archives. I have been itching to take quick trip to Charlotte, in part to see Mrs. Howard's. I can hardly wait to carve out some time to go and check it out!!

    ~ Elizabeth

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  16. That top photo is awesome what a setting.
    It was very enjoyable, thanks for such a nice post.
    yvonne

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  17. Hello Liz,

    Thank you very much for your comments on my blog!

    Wow! Wonderful posts! I went to read them and had a blast! Good job! Really!

    Have a wonderful week!

    xo


    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

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  18. thanks for sharing these beautiful photos;D

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  19. Liz:
    Thanks for continuously including our work on your wonderful blog!

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  20. Gorgeous locations, beautifully inviting rooms, thanks for sharing.

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  21. Love this idea and the posts you've chosen to resurrect. Happy New Year!

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  22. Love walking down memory lane with you and seeing a post or two that I missed. Happy 2011!

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  23. Liz, beautiful photos!! I'm so glad you did this post recapping the best of 2010. Happy New Year!

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  24. It was such fun going through your 10 favorite posts. the mc Alpine space is to die for...but this is my favorite architectural firm so i may be a little biased.

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  25. What a fabulous collection of post! I remember reading most of them, but it was really fun to revisit them. Adore Phoebe Howard's designs, I'd love to visit her shop someday.

    xo Linda

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  26. It was a pleasure to virtually meet you in 2010 and I have to say that I enjoyed your beautiful posts! These are all wonderful and worthy of praise :) Happy New Year Liz XO, Kelly

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  27. That Barn is so Fabulous! Spacious, homey, colorful. Just wonderful!

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  28. Thank you for sharing this! Happy Wednesday!
    Xo,
    E&J

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  29. Thanks for sharing all of these lovely sites to brighten my day!

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  30. I had to come back and look at your post again.
    It is wonderful. yvonne

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  31. Forgive me for being such a slow poke. The girls have been home for Christmas, and then the real Flu came. I booked a cheap flight for Florida in October, as an early resolution to get out of Winston Salem in January and February. I need to come and visit your posts, but.... couldn't move. Jane and I should have some good footage for you soon. But I will come around. Party at my house, again, tomorrow and it is a mess!! I always have a post Christmas organizing frenzy.
    xoxo

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  32. I just finished reading your best barn post. Fantastic!
    I wanted to thank you for your fear of flying advice. You a such a wonderful friend.
    I'm off to read your other top 10.

    xo
    Brooke

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  33. So much to revisit and explore here Liz...thank you! This is maybe a good idea to do throughout the year...Spring recap, Summer recap...you get the idea! ;)
    xo J~

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  34. I went through all the pictures they are awesome Liz, keep updating more with your new ideas.

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  35. Each and every one was worth re-visiting. I honestly could come back tomorrow and just go over them again. I know you have me contemplating parties and Spring! Thank you Liz!!

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  36. Liz- I dug in and looked at at "Nieu Neo Georgian" and adored it. Thank you!

    Happy New Year and to another year of wonderful images and writing!

    Loretta

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  37. Dear Liz,
    Where on earth have I been? This is my first visit with you and oh my gosh, what a fabulous blog you have my dear.
    I see many wonderful posts that I'm looking forward to reading and then I'm popping in over at your boutique!
    Again Liz, it's so nice to "meet" you.
    Yaaay a new daily read!
    Best,
    Lisa

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  38. I Feel very happy to visit ur blog!!!you made my day with ur great collections.. http://www.edgonline.com/ I appreciate ur writing...

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  39. Hi Liz, I know you are having a great time with Jane! I have an award for you...

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  40. I Feel very happy to visit ur blog!!!you made my day with ur great collections... I hope you can return the favour and take a look at my newly formed website http://dovetailsonline.co.uk/

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  41. Oh, I completely understand that feeling of nostalgia and the joy of rediscovering those cherished memories buried in the archives! It's like taking a trip down memory lane, isn't it? Your daughter did an amazing job capturing Lindsay Coral Harper's "Let the Wild Rumpus Begin" table from the Lennox Hill Neighborhood House Gala at Sotheby's. The creativity and elegance of these designer tables are truly inspiring.

    And speaking of inspiration, your mention of a sunburst mirror UK got me thinking about how such a beautiful piece could add that extra touch of glamour to any party setup. Sunburst mirrors have this magical ability to not only reflect light but also create an ambiance of warmth and radiance. Imagine how it would catch and play with the soft glow of candlelight or the sparkle of a chandelier at your next soirée!

    I totally get your enthusiasm for throwing a party at every opportunity - who can blame you when you have such an eye for design and a passion for creating memorable moments? So, whether it's the allure of a sunburst mirror or the memories of those incredible designer tables, here's to more parties and celebrations in the future. Cheers to making every day an occasion worth celebrating! 🥂✨

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