Interior Design | vmac+cheese

The castle behind Downton

Posted on January 31, 2012 by vmacandcheese

Are you watching Downton Abbey? If not, you should be. If the fact that it picked up 6 Emmys last year, and was nominated for 4 Golden Globes (it took home best miniseries/television film) doesn’t sway you, then trust me, the gorgeous costumes, lush interiors, and compelling story line should.

The background is this: the series opens up in April of 1912, on the morning after the sinking of the Titanic. This sets in to motion a series of events that carries us through the whole of the season. In the second season, currently available to watch for free online, the story is set during World War I. Downton Abbey is a period drama, to be sure, but it also takes a look at how the elite and the help interacted, with their own class and with each other. I LOVE IT.

I was curious to learn more about the gorgeous house that has such a big roll in the series. Here’s what I learned.

Downton Abbey is actually ‘played’ by Highclere Castle, a large home situated in Hampshire, UK. Like in the series, it has belonged to one family for generations, and major building of the house began in the late 18 century. One fact that I thought was very interesting: the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, along with Howard Carter, discovered the tomb of King Tut in 1922!

[spoiler alert] Similar to the series [seriously, if you don't want to know anything, just skip to the next paragraph], Highclere was converted into a hospital during the First World War, although the lady of the house, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon, was a bit more willing than Cora to have wounded soldiers under her roof, and was well-remembered for her efforts in caring for these men.

Check out the mini-Highclere tour, after the jump! (more…)

Filed under: Beautiful Things, Culture, Design | Tagged: architecture, downton abbey, english country homes, Interior Design, interior history | 24 Comments »

Design Impact: The Rug

Posted on January 26, 2012 by vmacandcheese

We were in the car the other day and Joe was letting me ramble on about decorating ideas I have, including those that could be accomplished in a rented space. I mentioned how I wished it was easier to replace light fixtures in a rental, then wondered aloud whether a great light fixture had the biggest impact on taking a room from okay to WOW.

Joe patiently listened and said “Uh huh” in all the right places, but when I thought about it a little more (welcome to the inner wanderings of my mind), I realized that I should stop worrying about lighting because honestly? I think rugs have the biggest design impact.

Take the above. I adore the living room on the right. I mean, the floors are gorgeous. It feels fresh, clean, and oh-so-simple. But the room on the left has a similar aesthetic and color scheme, but with the use of (two!) rugs, the feel of the space is totally different. Cozy. Warm. Textured.

Then there are these two photos, which Naomi posted a while back but which illustrate the point perfectly:

Room on the top — no rug. Exact same room WITH rug below. Crazy, right?

Are you with me? Do you think rugs are the quickest way to impact the design of the room? Paint is obviously up there too — though it’s not so quick or easy! What are your tips for making a room feel totally different when you’re on a budget or in a rental?

{Image Credits: French by Design via Savvy Home, photograph by Jean Marc Palisse; Flourish Design + Style via This is Glamorous; Laura Resen Photography via Design Manifest}

Filed under: Design | Tagged: decorating, design tips, Interior Design, interiors, rugs | 26 Comments »

DIY Inspiration: Fluff paper lanterns

Posted on November 12, 2010 by vmacandcheese

Brace yourself. This is one of the coolest, most inventive, most fun DIYs I’ve seen in a while. Nichole over at Parlour recently chronicled her DIY dining room light fixture made entirely out of coffee filters. The end result?

Pretty awesome. If she hadn’t told us, I would’ve had no idea that thing was DIY, let alone made from coffee filters. All it took was a Japanese paper lantern and about 1200 coffee filters. Here are some shots of her process:

And of course, the final hung version:

It really creates a lot of visual tension in an otherwise girly glam dining room, doesn’t it? (PS — Nichole also DIYed the decoupage on the dining table with fabric. Doesn’t it look great?)

Anyway, I had a thought. What if I used this same coffee filter technique to make a string of fluffy “snowball” holiday lanterns to hang around the living room and fireplace mantle this year? I’m thinking I could use lanterns that are a bit smaller in diameter, obviously (these I found at Cost Plus World Market):

Could be fun. Would look pretty along with the dark evergreen garland. I think I just might do it!

You can read all about Nichole’s paper lantern saga here, here and here.

**UPDATE: If you’re interested, you can check out how my DIY snowball lanterns turned out!

Filed under: Beautiful Things, Design | Tagged: design, DIY, holiday decor, Interior Design, interiors | 2 Comments »

The single girl’s lair

Posted on November 11, 2010 by vmacandcheese

Last week I stumbled across this old Apartment Therapy photo and couldn’t stop staring. Then I quickly ran and got Joe and said, “Just so you know, if I were single, this is what my little studio apartment would look like.”

Okay, I admit, it’d be tough to get rid of a lot of my books and put them in storage so that the shelves would look as uncluttered as these. But I love the idea of having the bed serve as both a place to sleep and a lounge area to watch movies on a laptop, lean back and sketch, or just watch the world go by out your window. Such an inventive use of space when you have so little of it to work with! Also, doesn’t the painted ceiling and the chandelier just add that je ne sais quoi? I love it.

{Image Credit: Apartment Therapy via Pinterest}

Filed under: Beautiful Things, Design | Tagged: bedrooms, Interior Design, interiors, small spaces | Leave a Comment »

Design Crush: Jay Jeffers

Posted on September 30, 2010 by vmacandcheese

Early last year, I first came to know the name Jay Jeffers when his stunning San Francisco office was featured on a design blog (apologies, with more than a year and a half in between then and now, I can’t think where I saw it). But then, this week, I stumbled across the office again when the lovely Cassandra over at coco+kelley featured it:

Awesome right? As much as I’d love to work in such a beautiful space, I’d probably never get anything done — I’d be too busy looking around me all the time! Those orange drapes are just amazing, aren’t they?

Anyway, seeing Cassandra’s post re-introduced Jay Jeffers into my life again, and curious, I decided to have a look at the firm’s work. Oh my goodness, am I glad I did. It’s just as bananas as the office!

This living room was part of a “Hollywood Glamour” design Jay did. I love the muted, soft colors with the bold accents (those side tables! The art over the fireplace!)

What beautiful light to start your day every morning. But of course, there are also curtains for the weekends, when you want to sleep in.

When I saw this room, my jaw dropped, literally. I loooooove the little bookshelf nook along the A-frame. And the yellow palate is so cheerful and happy. Stop it, Jay Jeffers. You’re killing me here!

This is a look billed as “sophisticated fun.” And it is, isn’t it? Loving those chairs, and the beautiful dusty coral paint color.

When I saw the first of these two images I thought, “Hmmm.” But when you see the wall paper along with other parts of the room, it works. The seating and light fixtures really help soften things up. Genius.

These two rooms are from Jay’s own home. I really admire his ability to mix so many different eras, colors and textures together. His home looks vibrant and playful, but still sophisticated. The spaces look so welcoming. Wonderful!

If you’re loving Jay Jeffers’ style, be sure to check out his online portfolio. It’s quite extensive, and truly awe-inspiring.

Filed under: Beautiful Things, Design, SF/Bay Area | Tagged: design, Interior Design, interiors, Jay Jeffers, San Francisco designers | 1 Comment »