Retreat outside New York

We are going to visit a 10-room house in northwestern Connecticut belonging to literary agent Lynn Nesbit. Made from scratch by <span class="c"><span>architect </span>Calvin Kiiffner and decorated by </span><span class="c"><span>interior designer </span>Annabel Bartlett</span> who kept things light and airy and used soft colours, such as restrained yellows, greenish grays and subtle celadons, that wouldn’t compete with the glory of what lay outside. The elements and furnishings came from a multiplicity of sources: auction houses, salvage yards, an abandoned Victorian building at the foot of the property that had had to be razed because it was about to cave in, and Nesbit’s own travels. From 17th-century Tuscan doors and 19th-century French terra-cotta floors to an antique Moroccan chandelier, this house, though newly built seems as if it has been here for ages.<br /><br />Tour time!<span class="c"><span></span></span><div color="transparent" style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/images/homes/2002/06/nesbit/hosl02_nesbit.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 497px;" /><br />Architect Calvin Kiiffner included an octagonal observation tower in the configuration of the clapboard-and-stone house, which stands near a field of wildflowers.<br /><br /><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><img alt="" src="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/images/homes/2002/06/nesbit/hosl04_nesbit.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 497px;" /><br />A series of double-hung windows and four sets of French doors allow light to flood into the high-ceilinged living room. Hanging above the fireplace is <em>Western Skies</em>, 1995, by April Gornik. The 19th-century child’s rocking chair, once belonged to Nesbit’s grandfather. Wood horses on mantel from Sotheby’s.<div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /></div></div><img alt="" src="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/images/homes/2002/06/nesbit/hosl03_nesbit.jpg" style="width: 550px; height: 680px;" /><br />Two black-and-white digital prints by Robert Rauschenberg—<em>Quiet House, Black Mountain</em>, 1940, left, and <em>Ceiling & Light Bulb</em>, 1950—were placed in the entrance hall by Annabel Bartlett. In the den beyond lies a 19th-century Persian carpet that Nesbit bought in Damascus.<div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /></div><img alt="" src="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/images/homes/2002/06/nesbit/hosl05_nesbit.jpg" style="width: 601px; height: 717px;" /><br />The Han Dynasty ceramic female attendant in the living room was found by Nesbit.<br /><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /></div><img alt="" src="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/images/homes/2002/06/nesbit/hosl06_nesbit.jpg" style="width: 601px; height: 783px;" /><br />Painted faux-stone walls and massive antique wrought iron chandelier for the dining room.<br /><br /><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><img alt="" src="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/images/homes/2002/06/nesbit/hosl07_nesbit.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 497px;" /><br /><p>A tapestry-covered settee faces the master bed, which has hangings made from saris Nesbit purchased in India. </p><img alt="" src="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/images/homes/2002/06/nesbit/hosl08_nesbit.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 708px;" /><br />The first-floor guest wing, one of three wings in the residence, is reached by a long corridor punctuated with window seats and shelves filled with part of Nesbit’s extensive collection of first editions and contemporary books.<div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/images/homes/2002/06/nesbit/hosl09_nesbit.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 497px;" /><br />A Louis XVI-style chair and an iron bedstead are paired in a guest room.<div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /><img alt="" src="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/images/homes/2002/06/nesbit/hosl10_nesbit.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 781px;" /><br />A paved patio off the kitchen. Low stone walls delineate the outdoor dining room and frame beds of perennials, wildflowers and herbs.<br /><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /></div><img alt="" src="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/images/homes/2002/06/nesbit/hosl11_nesbit.jpg" style="width: 602px; height: 499px;" /><br />“It was important to me that the house be unobtrusive, that it look like it belonged on the land,” Nesbit explains.<br /><div style="overflow: hidden; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /><span class="c"><span>Photography by </span>Scott Frances</span><br /></div>All images from <a href="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/">Architectural Digest</a>.<br /></div><br /></div></div></div>

Retreat outside New York

We are going to visit a 10-room house in northwestern Connecticut belonging to literary agent Lynn Nesbit. Made from scratch by architect C...

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House in Cantabria

A very Happy Independence Day to all my American readers! Hope you are all having a wonderful time celebrating with your family.<br /><br />Today I'm taking you to Cantabria, in the north of Spain. this summer house has been decorated combining modern, classic, and antique furniture. Beautiful rustic beams in all the rooms and colourful accents on a pale background makes it both interesting and attractive. Come with me and take the tour.<br /><br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.nuevo-estilo.es/espacios/383/383_4_2g.jpg" style="width: 602px; height: 753px;" /><br />Sunny sitting area in the porch. Aluminium frame furniture with straight lines.<br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.nuevo-estilo.es/espacios/383/383_4_4g.jpg" /><br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.nuevo-estilo.es/espacios/383/383_4_3g.jpg" /><br />Deadly hydrangeas dangerously placed near the vintage tea set.<br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.nuevo-estilo.es/espacios/383/383_4_5g.jpg" /><br />Two chester sofas face each other in the living room. Two antique trunks as coffee tables, one for each sofa, and a third trunk at one side. A XIX century lamp sits on a vintage metal stool. Toile fabric for the XVIII century armchairs.<br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.nuevo-estilo.es/espacios/383/383_4_1g.jpg" /><br />Two slipcovered chaise lounge and XIX century leather ottoman on the other side of the living room. An iron framed antique mirror rests against the wall. Three kilims add warmth to the room.<br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.nuevo-estilo.es/espacios/383/383_4_6g.jpg" /><br />A reading nook in the living room with a distressed desk, toile covered antique armchair.<br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.nuevo-estilo.es/espacios/383/383_4_7g.jpg" /><br />A good example of how to make a room as big as this one warm and inviting. Area rugs have been used to delimit three zones: the living room, piano area and chaise lounge area. A zinc top for the console table behind the sofa. A terracota Han dynasty figurine and a stone base lamp adorn the console table.Three XVIII century Chinese trunks.<br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.nuevo-estilo.es/espacios/383/383_4_8g.jpg" /><br />Open plan for the living room and dining room. On the console table there is a XIX century wooden trumeau, an English fruitbowl. In the dining room a picture by Luis Fernando Martín hangs beside a curved cupboard.<br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.nuevo-estilo.es/espacios/383/383_4_10g.jpg" /><br />Spacious kitchen with an interesting contrast of industrialand rustic styles.<br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.nuevo-estilo.es/espacios/383/383_4_11g.jpg" /><br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.nuevo-estilo.es/espacios/383/383_4_12g.jpg" /><br />Auster lines for the breakfast table.<br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.nuevo-estilo.es/espacios/383/383_4_15g.jpg" /><br />Double sinks and warm towels in the bathroom.<br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.nuevo-estilo.es/espacios/383/383_4_14g.jpg" /><br />Hand painted headboard. A vertical heater has been embbeded between the closets.<br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.nuevo-estilo.es/espacios/383/383_4_13g.jpg" /><br />Antique toile covered settee and a bright hand-woven rug in the master bedroom.<br /><br />Liked the tour? Hope you are enjoying your Sunday. See you tomorrow!<br /><br />All images from <a href="http://www.nuevo-estilo.es/index.shtml">Nuevo Estilo</a>.

House in Cantabria

A very Happy Independence Day to all my American readers! Hope you are all having a wonderful time celebrating with your family. Today I...

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Deadliest Garden Plants

I've always thought flowers and plants do so much to make your rooms more inviting and beautiful. Look at a photograph of a lovely room. Place a finger on the spot where the flowers are and you'll realize how much of the room's charm has disappeared. A room I thought I loved turns out to be just ok, or even blah without flowers. So, as you see, I'm all for flowers and plants inside a home. But... beware.<br /><br />I came across this interesting and enlightening article at <a href="http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh">This Old House</a> and you will forgive me for not showing rooms today (or I might post something else later on!) but I was really shocked to learn all this and knew I had to share.<br /><br />This is the deadly list:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />1. Rhododendron (</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rhododendron ponticum)</span><br /><br /><img alt="a rhododendron in full bloom with pink flowers" src="http://img2.timeinc.net/toh/i/g/10/yard/05-deadly-plants/01-deadly-plants.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 500px;" /><br /><br />Swallow any part of this plant, and you're going to look as bad as you feel. While drooling from the mouth and teary-eyed, you'll begin vomiting violently, just as your pulse slows down and low blood pressure sets in. Death can occur shortly after falling into a coma or during a violent seizure.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majallis)</span><br /><br /><img alt="a lily-of-the-valley starting to bloom" src="http://img2.timeinc.net/toh/i/g/10/yard/05-deadly-plants/02-deadly-plants.jpg" style="width: 501px; height: 501px;" /><br />Even the water you place cut lily-of-the-valley flowers in contains deadly traces of convallatoxin, which intensifies the heart's contractions. Just a bite causes headaches, hot flashes, hallucinations, and irritability, not to mention red blotches on cold, clammy skin. The heart will also slow down, potentially leading to coma and death.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Hydrangea</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">(Hydrangea macrophylla)</span><br /><br /><img alt="a hydrangea with blue flowers in full bloom" src="http://img2.timeinc.net/toh/i/g/10/yard/05-deadly-plants/03-deadly-plants.jpg" style="width: 505px; height: 505px;" /><br />Swallowing hydrangea is like popping a cyanide pill. The present poison, hydragin, is a cyanogenic glycoside, meaning it will cause shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, and a rapid pulse, along with a drop in blood pressure that can cause convulsions and death. (Et tu, Hydrangea! You have stabbed me in the heart!)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Poet's Narcissus</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">(Narcissus poeticus)</span><br /><br /><img alt="single narcissus flower" src="http://img2.timeinc.net/toh/i/g/10/yard/05-deadly-plants/04-deadly-plants.jpg" style="width: 501px; height: 501px;" /><br />If the scent of a narcissus bouquet in a closed room is strong enough to cause a headache, just imagine what eating an entire bulb might do. Think severe nausea, convulsions, fainting, paralysis and eventual death. Still want to plant them? Watch any open wounds you may have while tending to them—coming into contact with their bulb secretions has produced staggering, numbness, and heart paralysis.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Floxglove (Digitalis purpurea)</span><br /><br /><img alt="foxglove flowers" src="http://img2.timeinc.net/toh/i/g/10/yard/05-deadly-plants/05-deadly-plants.jpg" style="width: 505px; height: 505px;" /><br />The same thing that makes these lookers toxic to deer won't sit well with your—or the family pet's—digestive tract. Twenty minutes after a little nibbling, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea set in. Depending on the amount ingested, untreated poisoning leads to death by bradycardia (lowered heart rate) or ventricular fibrillation (a rapid, irregular rhythm in the lower heart chambers). Keep in mind, however, that children have died just from sucking on a part of the plant.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. Larkspur (Delphinium consolida)</span><br /><br /><img alt="larkspur flowers" src="http://img2.timeinc.net/toh/i/g/10/yard/05-deadly-plants/06-deadly-plants.jpg" style="width: 506px; height: 506px;" /><br />These enticing blue growers are definitely just for looking—not eating. Immediately after ingestion, nausea, burning in the mouth, vomiting, and slowing of the heartbeat set in. Seek treatment right away, because six hours is all it takes for this flower to become lethal.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">7. Oleander (Nerium oleander)</span><br /><br /><img alt="oleander with white flowers in full bloom" src="http://img2.timeinc.net/toh/i/g/10/yard/05-deadly-plants/07-deadly-plants.jpg" style="width: 506px; height: 506px;" /><br />Think twice about growing one of these babies in your yard, especially if you have little ones: a single leaf contains enough toxins to be lethal to an infant or small child. Like other poisonous plans, ingesting it first affects the digestive system with vomiting and diarrhea, then poisoning progresses into life-threatening circulatory problems. If your heart's still ticking after that trauma, oleander can also deal a fatal blow to your central nervous system, causing seizures, tremors, and coma that can lead to death.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8. Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)</span><br /><br /><img alt="poinsettia leaves on a white surface" src="http://img2.timeinc.net/toh/i/g/10/yard/05-deadly-plants/08-deadly-plants.jpg" style="width: 503px; height: 503px;" /><br />Despite its toxic reputation, poinsettias will never top the list of most poisonous plants, as there's only been two documented cases of them causing human death. But you'll want to teach kids not to touch or consume the plant, nonetheless. And as far as cats and dogs are concerned, keep poinsettia plants out of reach—unless you want to clean up after pet vomit and diarrhea. Take extra precautions if you have elderly, ill, or young pets. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">9. Purple Nightshade (Atropa Belladonna)</span><br /><br /><img alt="purple nightshade flowers just starting to bloom" src="http://img2.timeinc.net/toh/i/g/10/yard/05-deadly-plants/09-deadly-plants.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 500px;" /><br />Don't mess with this one—pop a handful of berries in your mouth, and you'll physically be unable to call for help. After you lose your voice, respiratory complications, intense digestive disruption, and violent convulsions begin, the combination of which has proven fatal.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">10. Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)</span><br /><br /><img alt="mountain laurel with pink and white flowers in full bloom" src="http://img2.timeinc.net/toh/i/g/10/yard/05-deadly-plants/10-deadly-plants.jpg" style="width: 506px; height: 506px;" /><br /><strong></strong> Mountain laurel parts are full of andromedotoxins, which go to town on your gastrointestinal tract. Watering of the mouth, eyes, and nose are common, as is shortness of breath and slow heartbeat. Kidney failure can occur, as well as convulsions, paralysis, coma, and death.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">11. Mistletoe (Phoradendron flavescens)</span><br /><br /><img alt="mistletoe leaves in a tree" src="http://img2.timeinc.net/toh/i/g/10/yard/05-deadly-plants/11-deadly-plants.jpg" style="width: 502px; height: 502px;" /><br />Munching on a couple of leaves, berries, or shoots—or drinking mistletoe-flavored tea—will cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. Cases where mistletoe ingestion were fatal involved gastroenteritis (an inflammation of the stomach and small intestine), followed by cardiovascular collapse. The berries are particularly potent when it comes to pets, so mind your cats and dogs around this plant. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">12. Water Hemlock/Spotted Parsley (Cicuta maculata)</span><br /><br /><img alt="a single stalk with white water hemlock flowers" src="http://img2.timeinc.net/toh/i/g/10/yard/05-deadly-plants/12-deadly-plants.jpg" style="width: 501px; height: 501px;" /><br />This wildflower has been dubbed "the most violently toxic plant that grows in North America" by the USDA. True to its killer reputation, water hemlock can strike you dead within 15 minutes of ingestion. The poison cicutoxin wastes no time in attacking the central nervous system, causing severe seizures and convulsions that turn deadly as a result of asphyxia and cardiovascular collapse. <br /><br />I can't believe I didn't know all this before! I have hydrangeas and oleander at home and my grandmother had masses of rhododedrons in the garden of her summer home where we used to spend our holidays. I guess pets must have a natural instinct that makes them shy away from these poisonous plants. But children don't. So please keep them away from these plants and when they are old enough teach them about these dangers. So, today you will view your garden with different eyes. I am very sorry, but this was necessary.<br /><br />Have a splendid poison-free weekend my friends!

Deadliest Garden Plants

I've always thought flowers and plants do so much to make your rooms more inviting and beautiful. Look at a photograph of a lovely room....

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Colourful Summer House

This summer house restored by architects Miguel Ángel and Joaquín Mier is located in the south of Spain, a place called Sotogrande along the coastline of Costa del Sol. Interior designer Sylvia Melián spent many childhood summers here and decided to come back and make her home. Many of the items she has collected during her travels to Morocco, England and Paris and visits to flea markets.<br />Let's take the tour!<br /><br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.micasarevista.com/casas/campo/campo23/campo23_1g.jpg" /><br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.micasarevista.com/casas/campo/campo23/campo23_2g.jpg" /><br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.micasarevista.com/casas/campo/campo23/campo23_3g.jpg" /><br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.micasarevista.com/casas/campo/campo23/campo23_5g.jpg" /><br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.micasarevista.com/casas/campo/campo23/campo23_6g.jpg" /><br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.micasarevista.com/casas/campo/campo23/campo23_7g.jpg" /><br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.micasarevista.com/casas/campo/campo23/campo23_8g.jpg" /><br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.micasarevista.com/casas/campo/campo23/campo23_9g.jpg" /><br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.micasarevista.com/casas/campo/campo23/campo23_10g.jpg" /><br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.micasarevista.com/casas/campo/campo23/campo23_11g.jpg" /><br /><br /><img name="foto" src="http://www.micasarevista.com/casas/campo/campo23/campo23_12g.jpg" /><br /><br />I have linked this post over at Melissa's <a href="http://theinspiredroom.net/">The Inspired Room</a>. Thanks for hosting, Melissa!<br />All images from <a href="http://www.micasarevista.com/">Mi Casa Revista</a>.

Colourful Summer House

This summer house restored by architects Miguel Ángel and Joaquín Mier is located in the south of Spain, a place called Sotogrande along the...

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Swedish Style American Home

Hope you all had a good night's sleep and are ready to get up and go. We have a lovely home to see today. It was featured on Martha Stewart's site a long time ago and it has finally landed here. Owners David Weiss and Martina Arfwidson's home by the Hudson chose to combine casual American style with Swedish tradition.<br /><br /><img class="lpgVerticalShadow" src="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/2008Q3//mld103531_0708_woman_strs_xl.jpg" style="width: 501px; height: 626px;" /><br />Distressed carved wood Gustavian chairs in the foyer.<br /><br /><img class="lpgVerticalShadow" src="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/2008Q3//mld103531_0708_kitchen_xl.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 625px;" /><br />Weiss, a restaurant owner and chef, prepares crayfish in the kitchen.<br /><br /><img class="lpgVerticalShadow" src="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/2008Q3//mld103531_0708_german_shep_xl.jpg" style="width: 500px; height: 624px;" /><br />A pale palette ensures bright interiors all year. The Gustavian-style chairs are vintage.<br /><br /><img class="lpgVerticalShadow" src="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/2008Q3//mld103531_0708_live_room_xl.jpg" style="width: 501px; height: 626px;" /><br />Massive floor-to-ceiling mirrors in the living room illuminate the space and help bring the outdoors inside.<br /><br /><img class="lpgVerticalShadow" src="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/2008Q3//mld103531_0708_daybed_xl.jpg" style="width: 502px; height: 627px;" /><br />A Swedish daybed is upholstered in green velvet, revealing Arfwidson's love of watery colors. An antique gilded mirror on the floor rests against a wall. Notice how the pictures were hung with the bottom line at the same level.<br /><br /><img class="lpgVerticalShadow" src="http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/pub/ms_living/2008Q3//mld103531_0708_bench_xl.jpg" style="width: 501px; height: 626px;" /><br />Storage in style. This antique Swedish bench holds bedding and table linens underneath the seat. A white mirror reflects a collection of gardening hats.<br /><br />All images <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/">Martha Stewart</a>.

Swedish Style American Home

Hope you all had a good night's sleep and are ready to get up and go. We have a lovely home to see today. It was featured on Martha Stew...

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