Rich Dunbrack -The Thieving Magpie

Many of you have emailed me for information about the whimsical clock I have in my kitchen. I thought it timely to share with you the work of Concord, Massachusetts Folk Artist, Rich Dunbrack.

I came upon his work quite unexpectedly at a Sunday morning flea market in Rowley, MA almost ten years ago. There he had stored in a barn, several pieces which were not for sale, but waiting to ship to lucky, new owners. I was immediately smitten with his work. Rich uses found objects and architectural antiques to create his one of kind pieces. Cupboards and clocks can contain fragments of old buildings, antique iron grates, bedposts, clock faces, old farm tools, eel spears, wooden paper mache molds and old barn siding. He meticulously blends these elements together and creates what he calls art that is "utilitarian with elements of vitality." You can"t help but smile when you see his work in person.

Here are a few of his pieces:

Happy Moon Cupboard

Includes building salvage from western Massachusetts, house and tobacco farm materials and an antique moon paper mache mold.

Head and Shoulders Above - Tall Clock

Fabricated from southern Vermont salvage, Victorian house fragments, a bronze doll's head and a period clock dial
Old Road to Nine Acre Corner - Column Cupboard

Built with period New Hampshire artifacts including a Federal house column, Victorian house fragments and iron fittings and hardware, Victrola tube and a mahogany, folk art carved figure.

This custom desk built for the owner of The Zoo Factory in Florida is only one of a few desks Dunbrack has ever fabricated. Another sits happily in Carly Simon's house in Martha's Vineyard. Simon was an early collector and supporter of Dunbrack's art.
Spying Moon - Cupboard / Pantry

Fabricated from Southern NH reclaim, 1800's Federal house materials, period folk art carving and cast stove fragments The 5 Hole - Cupboard

Fabricated from southern Vermont salvage, Brattleboro, VT Arts & Crafts period home, folk art carving, and an early eel spear.
If you continue to be intrigued, check out Rich's website at http://www.thethievingmagpie.com/.
I am sure it will bring a smile to your face!

My New Butler's Pantry - Before and After!

When I moved into my 1930's Royal Barry Wills Colonial four years ago I was certain the room the real estate listing indicated as "small office off kitchen" would someday turn back into the Butler's Pantry it was originally intended to be. The room measures 9' X 8', and because of the way the lot is graded it has 9 foot ceilings and a lovely, large window. Over the years the previous owners removed the original cabinetry and moldings.

As you can guess, I had grand visions (and a limited budget)!

I wanted it to be an office and a real working pantry -storage for platters, serving pieces, my mixer, and a place to roll pastry crust. I wanted to hide away my microwave, have filtered hot and cold water. We needed file cabinets for family organization and a place for the family computer and hard drive. I wanted to be able to sit in this Pantry/Office and blog. I wanted to showcase my mothers heirloom, turn of the century China. And, I insisted that it look original to the house but with an updated feel. Here is an inspiration photo of the glass front cabinets. I also wanted honed marble counters for rolling pastry. Because my kitchen cabinets were white I wanted the pantry to cabinets to be different, but not wood, so I wanted a gray/green color.

Cote de Texas

Here is my inspiration photo for the color of the cabinets. Many of you may recognize this kitchen, it is Sally Wheat's Kitchen from Cote De Texas "Stalking the Wheat's" post. Joni was kind of enough to put me touch with Sally who shared her color with me. Do not miss touring Sally's house. It is incredible - she has wonderful taste and talent! Here the link.

After four months of searching I finally found my marble. Here is my slab of Calcutta before it was installed.

I wanted period style hardware. I loved these from Christopher Peacock. I ended up finding a nearly exact replica from Cliffside Industries. Lucky find! Vertex
As a family, we drink gallons of bottled water. At my husband's urging we found this bottleless water filtration system from Vertex. It heats and cools the water and connects directly to a water line. No more lugging bottles or polluting the landfills and the kids make their own hot cocoa and cup a soup instantly.

I found a wonderful cabinetmaker who was able to work with in my budget constraints. We had some mishaps with other subs, but were able to hide/fix the problems, so hopefully you can't notice them.

Here is the before:
And After: The Butler's Pantry! The cabinets go all the way to ceiling and the molding wraps around the room. Walls are real wood tongue in groove beadboard. You can't see that the counters are honed, nor can you see the bevels on the glass. The color is more gray than green and the counters have much more contrast than these pictures show. The microwave is hidden in the the cabinet in the bottom left of the photo. Drawers have platter and serving pieces. The appliance garage on the left holds my Kitchen Aid mixer & Cuisinart. It's still too new, so I haven't rolled out pie crust yet -but I will in time.

This side is my office area. Cabinets house file drawers and the hard drive. The appliance garage on the right has shelves for bills. The cabinet on the bottom right of the photo has a drawer for each family member - this is a handy place for keeping homework and school things organized. The far right is the bottleless water cooler - we love it!
So if you ever wondered where I am when I am blogging - here it is! I think I accomplished all I had hoped. My husband calls it my little jewel box - and really it is! Hope you like it!

Beauty in Portola Valley

BCV Architects in California do some extraordinary work. Here is a kitchen that is stunning. It has been posted on BCV Architects website. It also has been on the GardenWeb's Finished Kitchens Blog Forum since 2004 and still four years later, there are comments of admiration being posted.

It is a wonderful and peaceful space. The owner refers the kitchen as Tuscan meets California Wine Country. I call it beautiful and timeless!

Notice the Beautiful honed caesarstone in Baja on the counters, with a double thickness added on the edges to give the illusion of greater heft. I love the mosaic backsplash.
A Lacanche Fontenay range! The Rolls Royce of ranges. Stunning!

Notice the lovely windows. The owner mentioned that the Astec extruded bronze windows were imported from Italy. Also notice the bronze pulls.

The doorways on either side of the range lead to a pantry area. .

The area has a dog watering/feeding center, additional stove and microwave

With every renovation the architect's design is an important component, but also the owner/builder relationship and their ability to execute that design is paramount to success. In this case it seems a very talented and tenacious owner was able to create a space that is elegant, peaceful and timeless. Let me know if you agree.

I encourage you to click on the Garden Web link to read the owners comments in more detail. She is very gracious and forthcoming with her experiences and information.
http://finishedkitchens.blogspot.com/2005/06/bosches-kitchen.html.

Also more pictures of the entire home including the exterior and the dining area are on the BCV website: http://www.bcvarch.com/home.html

Nantucket De Novo Style

Here is a spectacular home designed by De Novo Architects in Minneapolis. They design gorgeous new residences with old world detailing, as well as phenomenal renovations. I lived in Minneapolis for seven years and was lucky enough to see some of their work in person. All photos are from their website.
The family room is a gem! Look at that unusual ceiling - It is curved and beadboarded.


It does not mention who the builder was, but the craftsmen should be congratulated for executing such a challenging but beautiful design. I can only imagine the difficulty in building that ceiling and the months to complete the trim moldings and fireplace surrounds.



Enter into the lovely Dining Room. Notice the high wainscoting and the built in china cabinet that is made to look like furniture. I like the mirrored back in the china cabinet which reflects the windows and the outdoors. I also like the mixed chairs and the bench seating at the head of the table. Lighting plan includes sconces and a chandelier for the perfect lighting at night.
A classic kitchen - Christopher Peacock inspired, except for the backsplash tile, which is hard to make out. I like the pendants lights over the island -I especially like three. I am a fan of things in threes. I also like the interior window over the doorways, this adds such openness and light into the space.

What an unbelievable library. Notice how the curve of the window is mimicked by the curve of the opposite bookcase. I love the softness that the hanging light adds. Notice the ladder on the brass rail.
Another curved ceiling in the porch - yet another room which demonstrates excellent in design and workmanship. Not only is ceiling a work of art, but also notice the detailed moulding on all the posts between the screens. You can see the entire house including the beautiful exterior and learn more about De Novo Architects at http://www.denovoarchitects.com/

Counting Blessings

C'est la vie

As the year comes to a close we have the opportunity to take a moment and reflect on our blessings. I count you, my readers, as a huge blessing in my life. Thank you!!! Willow Decor is labor of love and my sincere thanks for reading, and sharing your comments. I never imagined when I started writing this blog it would reach so many readers in so many countries. Your emails, comments and questions inspire me to be better each day. Wishing you all the best for the Holiday Season! I look forward to continuing the journey with you into 2009!

Peace!
Gina

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Holiday Decorating in White

Martha Stewart

Why do we love using white for the holidays? Perhaps its the way it sets off the table setting or the tree, or decorations in such a way that makes everything look fresh and magical. Here are some of my favorite holiday decorated rooms. Some of these photos I have been saving for years and may not remember where they came from. If you recognize any as your own please let me know so I can give credit to these wonderful images.

Above, an entry way with fresh greenery and a moss wreath. Cast iron urns and small trees add to the wonderful mix of textures.

Min Lilla Veranda
A small tree decorated in the traditional Scandinavian style with real lighted clip on candles. Windows adorned with fresh greenery and a gingerbread house on the counter. I love the warmth and simplicity of this room.


Finikanten
What a beautiful dining room! I love the small flowers at each place setting. I also like the way the three trees, only adorned with white lights, bring your eye out of the room. They add a simplicity to the what could be a very formal and fussy space.

Unknown
Perfect for a cozy holiday breakfast. Just the right amount of decorations. Notice the pine-cones and fresh greenery. This is a simple look to duplicate in your own home. All you need is a white tablecloth, a linen topper and them some items found in your back yard. Don't forget the candles!

Marie Claire Maison

Austere, but very chic. Not necessarily something I would choose but I like the interesting tree and the how it adds so much texture to the room.

Ikea

Another more modern look, but also lovely and elegant. The wonderful chandeliers add drama. I especially love the angels.

Dreamhouse

I have had this picture so long and I absolutely love it. Is it the black server, the linen, the wreath, the canisters?? I love the pears and the ornaments. This picture makes me want sit at this table and share a cup a tea with friends. (It also makes me think I should start painting some of my pine pieces black.)

Annette Hus
Another room I adore! I especially like the wreaths on every chair. A simple tree with small lights and homemade linen ornaments. (A tip: make sure you hot glue some linen or cloth to the backs of the wreaths so you do not have sap and dirt on your chairs later.)

Magdalenas Hem

Magdalenas Hem

A simple spray of white paint or spray snow transforms the ordinary into extraordinary.

Magdalenas Hem

Is this bark or linen? Either way, with the branches and the berries it had a wonderful unusual texture and makes a unique wreath.

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Two more white wreaths-both simple and beautiful.

Camilla at Home
Finally - a sweet vignette that you can do anywhere in your home. Just find a small chair, add a tray or plate with candles and some greenery and at tiny wreath - viola !

Simple, lovely decorations to lift your spirit!

Even More Holiday Window Boxes

The response to the Holiday Window Boxes has been so great I decide to post just a few more for inspiration! These window boxes all include the addition of a wreath or two.Flikr

Here is a great combination of ivy, greens and plumes of reddish flowers. I like how the wreath in between pulls it all together.

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This is classic New England! Three tiny Christmas trees and two wreaths on the windows - simple and classic.

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Finally here is a great example of adding faux flowers. The poinsettias add a splash of color to a lovely evergreen arrangement.

All this holiday decorating is getting me in spirit - Fa la la la la....