My Three Favourite Parts of Sarah Richardson's London Townhouse

I got my new Canadian House and Home magazine and was thrilled that there was an article about a London (England) townhouse that Sarah Richardson and crew had decorated.  It was beautiful and amazing and fantastic - just like you would expect it to be.  I checked online and since I couldn't find pictures of it anywhere I didn't want to spoil the surprise for when you first see the home.  Instead I thought I would show you the three things I liked best about it (and give you a little sneak-peak at the same time).



1) I love the family room and especially these chairs.  The room has many shades of blue and, of course, a variety of fabrics in the upholstery and the cushions.  I especially love the dots and curved lines on this fabric.  I also adore the beautiful silver twig side table between the chairs.

2)  I love the pale blue cabinets and crystal hardware in the kitchen, but what really caught my eye is this antique French wine-tasting table.  I love the patina and the simple lines.

3) And finally I love the living room, which is a gorgeous room with fireplaces at both ends.  To arrange the furniture to allow for  intimate conversation areas while taking advantage of the fireplaces, two sofas were put back-to-back in the centre of the room.  The overall envelope of the room is very neutral with cream walls and sofas and cream patterned drapes.  I love the rich claret reds and rusts in the cushions, the patterned rugs, and the chaise.  I especially like the two cushions on either end of the sofa.

And finally, I love the quotation from Sarah Richardson which is something that I have always held to be true:

I like a different colour for each room.  If you're going to open another gallon of paint, you might as well make it a different colour.

I often read in magazines that they have used the same paint throughout or even the same colour family throughout so that there is continuity and flow.  Well I say flow, schmow - I like to see different colours used.  Variety is the spice of life after all.


Isn't this house a beauty?  What did you like best?


(all photos in this post were taken by me from pictures in my Canadian House and Home magazine March 2012)

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Don't forget to put your name in for my SmartSilk pillow giveaway (see this post for details).

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10 Reasons Why I Love Sarah Richardson's Cottage

It could be that seeing summer end has made me a little nostalgic for the relaxed carefree days at the cottage.  Whatever the reason, I have recently found myself thinking about Sarah Richardson's cottage - which is one of my all time favourites.


There is so much to love about her cottage and I know that I'm not the only one that feels that way.  Of course, the location is divine - with windswept pines and gorgeous granite rocks.  The scenery is very familiar to me as our family cottage is also out on an island in Georgian Bay.  However, it is far more than the familiar setting that has my heart going a pitter-pat.  


When I looked through the pictures and watched the shows (which you too can watch online - check here to see the episodes), I tried to put my finger on what it is that appeals to me.  Sarah's cottage is decorated in a style that I find pleasing and welcoming.   Me, being me, I had to think about it, analyze it half to death, and come up with a list of reasons why I find her cottage so attractive.


So, what is it that makes Sarah's cottage so amazing?  Here's my list:


1) PASTELS ABOUND
My number one favourite range of colours to decorate with are pastels so I love that Sarah uses soft easy-to-live-with colours in her cottage.  (I'm also tickled that I own one of those banker's chairs that she has in her dining room - although I painted mine black).

2) BLUE PREDOMINATES
Blues rule for me - I love every shade, tint, and hue.  I know that one of the reasons I adore Sarah's cottage is that she used blue in every room (and yes I looked to make sure).  Her living room with all the different blues is especially divine.

3)  A RAINBOW OF ACCENT COLOURS 
I'm not one of those people who could live in a neutral house with only beige, black, and white everywhere.  I like that I can buy a turquoise bowl, or a red vase, or a yellow box and find a place for it in our house.   I noticed that Sarah's cottage has accents of almost every colour I can think of, with the exception of brown, orange, and purple - which suits me fine as those are my least favourite colours.  


While there is a predominance of blue throughout the cottage, several rooms also have quite a bit of red in them.  The main bedroom is dreamy with hits of pure fire engine red.

And red is used on the cupboard doors leading to the bathroom.

A bright green is used as an accent colour in the west guest bedroom,

Love of Family & Home

and in the children's bedroom.

Yellow is used on the chairs in the lounge.

Love of Family & Home

A bright floral in the east guest room combines red, yellow, and green.

4) SIMPLICITY 

I love how paired down the decorating is.  Detail and interest are added through texture and layering rather than embellishment or fussy details.   In the kitchen, Sarah incorporates a simple collection of milk glass footed bowls and glassware with muted tone-on-tone cabinets and back-splash tiles.

What could be simpler than this corner of the living room - a chair, some flowers, and a gorgeous view.

5) MIXING OLD WITH NEW

The mix of antique and vintage finds with new furniture is what makes her cottage feel like it was decorated over time.  Sarah added interest to the kitchen by mixing the vintage weathered boards around the exterior of the kitchen cabinets, the antique corbels, and the "groceries" sign, with the new appliances and cabinets.

6) MIXING HIGH WITH LOW END FINDS

The mix of cheap-and-cheerful and high-end furniture are a signature Sarah look and can be seen all over her cottage.  The straw hat collection on the wall in the lounge area contrasts with the chairs that I'm sure are more cheerful than cheap.

HGTV

7) MIXING ELEGANT WITH RUSTIC

Mixing refined pieces with simple rustic finds is another feature typical of Sarah's decorating. Here in the main bathroom, the elegant Venetian glass mirror contrasts so nicely with the rustic chair and the simple baskets under the sink.  

8) MIXING FABRIC PATTERNS
Sarah is the master of mixing fabrics and you can see that in the cushions in the living room and the pillows on the beds.  Check out the guest bedroom below - I spy six different patterns used in this bedroom - and all in some of my favourite colours.

9) MIXING NATURAL WOOD WITH PAINTED WOOD 

While I like both natural wood furniture and painted wood furniture, too much of either can be too much of a good thing.  Sarah has found the perfect balance of wood and painted wood in her cottage.  Along with wood furniture, she also has wood walls, ceiling, and floors to contend with.   While some of the rooms have white-washed wood walls, others have been painted, and others have natural wood walls.  In the bedroom below, Sarah has found a wonderful balance of white-washed walls, painted floors, and both painted and natural wood furniture.

10 ) BRINGING NATURE INDOORS
Sarah's cottage is located in an absolutely gorgeous setting and she has decorated the cottage to take advantage of that in several ways.  I love that Sarah incorporated the colours of nature and lots of wood throughout her cottage to blend the indoors with the outdoors.  With the beautiful views out the windows, she used the perfect simple window treatments so that the scenery is the focus.  She also used simplified modern florals on many of the cushions and fabrics in the cottage.  

So these are the ten reasons I love Sarah's cottage.  What about you?  Why do you love it?

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Sarah Richardson's House Up-date and Giveaway Winner

A few weeks ago there was some serious Sarah Richardson house stalking going on (which you can read about here).   Many thanks to a tip from an anonymous commenter who told me that Sarah's house is now up for sale and the MLS listing can be seen here.  

I don't want to have the real estate police after me so I'm not going to post the photo of the gorgeous kitchen, but if you follow the link you can see it.  I was very surprised to see a published photograph of it before the show has aired.  I'm curious to know how they got a photograph of the landscaped front yard when we have had feet of snow ever since we visited the house.   The house is for sale for a cool $1,o26,000 and this is how it is described in the listing:

Absolutely gorgeous brand new custom home designed by Sarah Richardson and built by Double Oak Homes, backing onto The Silver Creek Ravine in Georgetown. Features Sarah Richardson design and decoration throughout, soon to be seen on HGTV Canada. Over 5,000 square feet of elegantly finished living space. Full walkout basement, media room, open concept main floor, and over $200,000 in upgrades. A home for the most discerning buyer!

Any takers!

 

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I also wanted to post the winner of the $40 CSN gift certificate.  

The winner is Shannon from The Fam who said she would get a stroller if she won.  I will contact her by email.  Thanks to everyone for entering the giveaway. 

 

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Sarah Richardson's Rooms at the Interior Design Show 2011

I mentioned in yesterday's post that one of the highlights of the Interior Design Show in Toronto was seeing the Sibling Revelry rooms that Sarah Richardson and Tommy Smythe decorated with Sarah's brother Theo Richardson.  The rooms were fabulous, warm, inviting, and filled with so many take-away ideas.

The idea behind the design project was that siblings would collaborate on decorating rooms.  Theo is a co-founder of the New York City furniture design company Rich Brilliant Willing and the rooms were designed using many of his products along with Sarah's warm inviting design style.

When I went through the rooms I was impressed with Sarah's use of:

• bold primary colours - a different one in each room
• balancing bold colours with white (the white panelled walls in each room was the perfect foil for the strong colours)
• mixing traditional elements with more modern industrial pieces (many of them Theo's)
• mixing pieces from high and low price points

THE RED DINING ROOM

I loved the red Summerhill subway station photograph,

 the mix of vintage chairs all painted glossy red (some of them cost $10 according to Tommy),

 the display of dishes and candlesticks in this gorgeous metal cabinet,

 the bandanas tied with a simple knot and used as serviettes,

 the mix of fabrics, including this cheery polka-dot on the end chairs,

the ribbed green glass pendant lights designed by Theo,

and the shaker inspired dining chair beside the cabinet designed by Theo.

THE BLUE STUDY

I loved the mix of IKEA drapes with other blue and white pieces,

the bold polar bear painting,

 the metal bar cart ready for action with blue patterned glasses on top and some crazy animals on the shelf below,

 the modern simple wall clocks designed by Theo,

 the amazing wooden wall hanging (would this not be a great DIY idea),

 the beautiful blue fabric on the inspiration board,

and the fantastic collection of fabrics on the cushions.

THE YELLOW BEDROOM

I loved the chaise's chevron side panel and the wood side table designed by Theo,

the mix of fabrics in the cushions on the chaise (and the purse, of course),
 

the mix of gold-toned metals and yellow accessories on the dresser,

the metal dresser with a vintage suitcase underneath,

  the wooden overhead light designed by Theo,

 the fanciful yellow polka-dotted headboard,

the gorgeous orange and yellow pillows on the bed,

the side table designed by Theo, and the Audubon bird prints framed in yellow on the wall.
 

I loved seeing Sarah, Tommy, and Theo's designs up close and personal and especially loved that there were lots of ideas we can use in our own homes.  I really liked all three rooms a lot, but would have to say that the red dining room was my favourite.  What about you - what's your favourite?

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