Skirted Roundtable: Michael J. Lee

 

 Linda’s newly remodeled kitchen, photographed by Michael J. Lee

 

This week we welcome architectural photographer Michael J. Lee to The Skirted Roundtable.  Lee is kind enough to discuss the ins and outs of professional photoshoots.  Lee is a personal friend of Linda’s, having shot several of her projects (see above.)   Starting out as an interior designer, Lee brings an extra element to his photoshoots.   Most architectural photographers don’t have the design background that Lee has and this gives him a distinct advantage over competitors.  He is able to style the interiors, as well as photograph them, which is a rarity in this business.   During his interview,  Lee gives out helpful tips about how to take better pictures.   He claims it’s not the camera that makes a great shot!  Well, snort, thanks for telling me now, after I’ve spent a small fortune on cameras and lenses trying to get better shots for my blog!  Something tells me that he is being just a little humble.  Lee has a fascinating story to tell about first spending years working with the best designers in New England before he shifted gears in midstream, starting over again, shooting interiors instead of creating them.  It’s a good one this week, even if you aren’t into photography!  Be sure to listen, you’ll enjoy it!

 

 

This photograph had us all wondering exactly how he shot it – Lee explains!

 

To listen to this week’s Skirted Roundtable and our guest Michael J. Lee, go HERE.

To peruse Michael Lee’s web site,  go HERE.

Thank God for Margaret Russell and Elle Decor!

 

 

No that beautiful, sexy woman isn’t Miss America – she’s Margaret Russell, the brains and creative force behind Elle Decor Magazine.   Margaret came to The Skirted Roundtable this week to talk with Linda, Megan, and me about magazines and blogging and her new wonderful book Style and Substance, a compilation of the best of Elle Decor from its heralded 20 year history.  

When it was announced today that Metropolitan Home was closing shop, yet another magazine failure in a long line, everyone said - “Thank God for Elle Decor.”  Thank God indeed, but really Thank God for Margaret Russell.  I wonder if there would  still be an Elle Decor if it wasn’t for her keen intellect and steady leadership as Editor-in-Chief.    It’s no coincidence that Elle Decor is the leading design magazine.   If only Margaret had been Editor-in-Chief at Cottage Living, House and Garden, Country Home, Western Interiors, Home, Vogue Living, and on and on – under Russell’s guidance they might still be publishing today. 

 

Russell’s newest book – it is quite beautiful and wonderfully edited.  Available at Amazon HERE.

 

If you have the new book Style and Substance – get it out before you listen to the podcast.  Margaret picked her three favorite rooms from the book and we discuss them in depth.   It’s a great interview, if I might say so myself!    Russell is strong, vibrant, sharp, and witty – so any interview of hers is great.    To listen, go HERE.

In other news today, Thank God for Elle Decor!  The December issue is now out with a spread by Miles Redd (who is always fabulous), another by Philip Gorrivan, and then there’s my favorite story – Miss Charlotte Moss’ new Aspen House.  We all remember the book The Winter House – the story of her house in Aspen which was sold soon after the book came out.   Now, after a few years of waiting, we finally have the first glimpse of her new Colorado vacation house.  Worth the price of the issue for sure.

 

The Winter House by Charlotte Moss (doesn’t she have the MOST beautiful name?) available at Amazon HERE.

 

 

OK, OK – here’s a sneak peak at Charlotte’s new Aspen house from the December issue of Elle Decor.  To Die For.   Lushly photographed by her favorite, Pieter Estersohn, of course and written by the best in the business, Mitchell Owens (who has his own new book out HERE.)

 

 

Mitchell Owens, resident scholar on everything design, shares credits with Derry Moore – one of the most talented photographers in the business.   My book is coming tomorrow and I can’t WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Lots of reading, lots of thanking God for Margaret Russell, lots of praying that Elle Decor and House Beautiful and Stephen Drucker are safe from the magazine zombies who keep killing off the best of best while leaving the worst design magazines standing – like, well, I won’t name it, but you can only guess who I mean!!

To listen to Margaret Russell on  The Skirted Roundtable, go HERE!  It’s a good one, I promise you!!!

Charlotte Moss

 

The gorgeous back terrace at Charlotte Moss’ NYC apartment.  Look at that lantern!  And the fireplace!  And the dog!

 

Just a reminder – Charlotte Moss visited the Skirted Roundtable last week.  The three of us recorded a new show tonight and I just wanted to let you all know you can still catch the Moss interview HERE in case you missed it.  In fact, all of our past shows are still available at the Skirted Roundtable blog AND on I-Tunes.   As the weeks since the launch of the Skirted Roundtable have added up, so have the shows, of course – and there is a wide range of topics covered.     One day I went back and listened to a few of the old recordings and they sounded fresh to me – so much time had passed by, I could barely remember recording them. 

 

 

Miss Moss shopping in Europe.  How chic is she!?!!

 

 

 The salon in her NYC townhouse.  I think this is my favorite room in her house.  I love the pinks and greens – the painted consoles are to die for!  In the interview, Charlotte more or less admitted she was not going to be changing her decor to the ultra trendy Belgian design any time soon.  That really wasn’t surprising to hear!

Photo courtesy of Newyorksocialdiary.com

 

The Skirted Roundtable Charlotte Moss interview, HERE.

 

As always, thank you so much for listening!!  We can’t tell you how much your support means to all three of us – and I say that from the bottom of my heart.    The new show recorded tonight should be up in just a day or two.

Velvet and Linen’s Brooke Visits the Skirted Roundtable

 

Brooke’s wonderful Oxnard House – where she and her family spend their weekends on the water. 

 

Interior Designer Brooke Giannetti of the blog Velvet and Linen visited us at the Skirted Roundtable this week and the time just flew by.  The three of us, Linda, Megan and myself, were mesmerized just listening to Brooke talk about her business, her family, her design aesthetic – even how a beautiful room is an emotional experience for her.  I think the three of us just wanted to hear every word she said – we all admire her so much.   I told Brooke that the first time I had ever heard of her was after Villa Anna posted pictures of her Oxnard house.   Even though it was a year ago, I remember it very, very clearly.  The picture,  above, of her weekend house sent me into a jealous tailspin!   OMG – WHAT a darling house!!!!!  Look at that clock!  The slipcovers!  The fireplace!  The tufted chairs!   I loved everything in the house and had to find out who owned it and what she was all about.   It was the beginning of a true love fest for me and I  became obsessed with everything Brooke  – her portfolio, her Santa Monica house, her shop, her husband’s work, their web site – you name it, I wanted to know all about it.    That first night I spent more than a few hours on Brooke’s web site poring over all the houses she and Steve had designed together and apart. 

 

The breakfast area at Oxnard – with antique shutters, wicker chairs, and wonderful oil paintings.

 

What I did learn though, was besides being fabulously talented,  Brooke is a nice person.  This past year, she and I have exchanged countless emails, and every time I’ve asked her for help or advice, she has always come through for me,  always lending an ear.   Many times she’s just been there – a good friend I’ve never even “met.”

 

 

 I mean, what is there not to love about a girl who tears down the wall between her bedroom and bathroom and puts up curtains instead, and who even has a bathtub we all have lusted after? 

 

So, naturally, I was thrilled when I learned Brooke was coming on the Skirted Roundtable this week.   She talked all about interior design, how she started out, and everything in between.   She is such a doll – inside and out.     To find out everything about Brooke you didn’t know before, be sure to listen HERE  - I think you’ll be as glued to your seat as we were!

The Skirted Roundtable: We Got Mail!!!!!!

 

This week we asked our listeners to twitter or email us questions about design and blogging.  We were thrilled with your participation – there were lots of really great questions sent it.  Thank you!!!!!  We spent almost two hours answering them and Linda had quite a time editing it all down.  But she persevered – thank you Linda – and actually divided it into two different shows.   To listen, go to The Skirted Roundtable here.  

 

As always, your support is much appreciated.  More and more of you are listening and the numbers continue to grow.  What was once just a little experiment has turned into something that the three of us enormously enjoy doing  and feel a big responsibility to.   We can’t stress to you how thankful we are to all of you for taking the time and effort to listen to us.   And – please continue to send in your ideas, comments, and questions you want us to address on SRT.  We read each one and seriously consider every suggestion.   And finally -  SSSShhhh - We have a real super star guest coming up in the next month or two!!! 

TABLESCAPE THURSDAY: Alone with Books

 

If it’s Thursday, it must be Tablescape Thursday, hosted by Between Naps on the Porch.  Be sure to visit (here) to enjoy all the other Tablescape Thursday tablescapes!

 

 

If there was one room I could add onto my house – and I’ve said it before – it would be a dedicated library.   It would have bookcases, wrapping around the wall, high to the ceiling.   In the middle would be a huge old library table that would double as a desk or a dining table.  There would be two chairs with soft down filled cushions and ottomans for both and a fireplace that would blaze all winter and be filled with scented candles in the summer.   In the middle would hang a huge lantern, low from the ceiling,  to light the room just enough to glimpse the collections of antique globes and lacquered boxes.  If possible, the ceiling would be double height and there would a balcony around the second level to access the higher books with ease.  There would be, of course, a wonderful ladder – no library should be without one.   Alas, I don’t have  a library, just an area of bookshelves on the stair landing.   No room for an ottoman there, much less a chair or two.  The books are overflowing – they are stacked everywhere.  New ones, still unread, are in the garage – waiting their turn.  Ones recently read have found their way inside to the entry’s hall table.   The extras are now encroaching on the dining room, piled on chairs and the floor.   So, you see, I DO need a library.

If I could, I would turn my living room into the reading room and let it double as a part-time dining room – something I might still do one day.  The rarely used living room could be the perfect library – it just takes time and money – both of which are scarce these days.   So, for now, the dining room is my reading nook – a place where I can sit and thumb through design books in search of a picture to scan in for the blog, or a story to show a client.  I have some research to do today – so I think I’ll just eat a very late, leisurely lunch in the dining room while I’m working – a truly novel idea!

 

Care to join me?  The table is all set and ready for one, but I could quickly add a plate if you stay!   It won’t match though, I only have one of those that I am using today!

 

 

My dining room is small and open to the entry hall.  Instead of a proper table, I have an oval shaped one that is draped in a heavy silk plaid from J. Robert Scott – which I copied from a client!   Last year I starting turning my chairs outward for some reason and I like them that way.  They look like ladies primly sitting, patiently waiting to be asked to dance!

 

 

The chandelier is an antique that I bought from a friend when she remodeled her house.  I told you all about it here, in case you missed it.    When we moved in our house 15 years ago – there was a short window here.   After a few months – we replaced it with French doors, much better, no?  The doors lead out to a small side garden – just 5’ wide and 40’ long – typical for the small town lots in West University, where we live. 

 

Since I have a skirted table, whenever I have a dinner party – I first put down a waterproofed, special table cloth - cut to fit.  Then I layer a white cotton or linen cloth over it.  That way, if anyone spills red wine or coffee – the skirted tablecloth isn’t damaged.   After the meal, I toss the white tablecloth in the washing machine.    Today, since I am alone, I am just going to put down a cloth with fringe instead of lugging out the liner and the topper.  This is much easier and I’m not drinking any red wine anyway. 

 

 

In setting the Tablescape Thursday, I tried to keep everything neutral and creamy.      The silver dome is something I have just started collecting – I’ve bought two and that is probably all I will buy:  they take up a lot of room, something I am short on!

 

 

Do you recognize what book I am reading?  The author is a popular blogger – and that is a picture of her maison, in the south of France, in the middle of an olive grove:  My French Life, by Vicki Archer – available here.   

 

 

The rose came from my yard, the white urn came from the famous Betty Rae.

 

 

The drinking glass is from my favorite restaurant – Galatoires in New Orleans and the decanter was bought there too, on Magazine Street.

 

 

The antique altar candlesticks came from Tara Shaw, of course, and the marble grapes are from Mona Dees at Antiques and Interiors on Dunlavy, the same person who has sold me both my silver domes.  Thanks Mona!

 

The reticulated creamware plates were won on Ebay from England.  They aren’t antique but they look it.   This is probably the only time they will be eaten off  - they are going to be hanging on the walls soon.   The antique fork is a style that I collect whenever I can find them.  Some of mine are monogrammed, but not with my initials. 

 

And finally, look at this gorgeous napkin!   Imagine my utter shock and sheer joy to open up such a dear package containing 10 of these oversized French linen napkins.   They are a gift from Ruth Gay – of Chateau Domingue – whom I wrote about here and here.   I really can’t remember receiving anything so lovely before.   Can you read the monogram? 

 

Thanks for joining me at my late, leisurely lunch this afternoon.  I won’t tell you what I ate – it’s soooo disgusting.  OK, I will:   Whataburger Chicken Strips with Onion Rings instead of French Fries with a Diet Coke.  hehe.  It’s such a guilty pleasure. 

 

And be sure to join Linda, Megan, and me on the Skirted Roundtable today with two brand new shows:  Blogging – what keeps up motivated from jumping the shark, AND Design – all about kitchens!!   

To listen, go here.

Cote de Texas: Updates and Thank-Yous!

 

The first piece of business today – we have Week Four of The Skirted Roundtable up on the blog here.    Wow – hard to believe it’s already been four weeks!  Time flies when you are having a blast.   The three of us have loved yakking it up and we hope you have enjoyed listening to us.   We feel truly grateful for your listening – we know you all have busy lives and it does take a certain amount of commitment to tune in, so thank you for your continued support.   The first topic this week  – Paint and Colors - is up now, while the second topic – Advertising On Blogs - will be available in the next day or two.

 

 

 

The second piece of business today - I’ve said it before, blogging has brought so many wonderful friendships – both real and virtual – into my life, something I never anticipated would be a such a large and fulfilling part of the process.  I have met so many nice, interesting and selfless people through this blog and the experience has taught me much about humanity:  people are genuinely kind and giving.   Yesterday is a perfect example of this:    I came home to an unexpected gift, via Fed Ex, from a fellow blogger, the artist Fifi Flowers.   I am so overwhelmed by her gesture – two art pieces created especially for me, and without my even asking her do so!  A kinder act, I can’t imagine. 

 

 

 

 

The first piece is familiar to readers, Fifi  - inspired by a Cote de Texas story of a shopping trip to an antique store - created this charming painting. 

 

 

And – enclosed in the package was a real surprise – Fifi’s interpretation of the cover of  Houston House and Home with my two dogs – Sammie Jo and Georgie!!!   Isn’t this the absolute cutest!??!!!!

 

Thank you Fifi from the bottom of my heart!    Your generosity truly overwhelmed me.     I am so thrilled you did this and can’t wait to get them framed and hung.  Thank you, again, my friend.    To see more of Fifi Flower’s work, please visit her Etsy shop here and her blog here.    You can purchase paintings already created or, if you prefer, Fifi does commissions, specializing in pet portraits, interiors, and vacation memories. 

 

 

 

And finally today, for Houstonians – this weekend, Sunday May 17, is the return of the great outdoors show – The Urban Market - the best antique shopping venue in Houston.   The list of dealers keeps getting better with each show:   this Sunday, friends of Cote de Texas with booths include: 

Antiques & Interiors on Dunlavy with Mona Dees,   Carolyn Westbrook Home,   Empress of the Eye - Jane Schott,  Ginger Barber,  Janet Wiebe from Austin!, Maison Maison, The Gray Door, and extra special Cote de Texas favorites – Sally Wheat and The Fabulous Flea,  along with two of my favorite Houston bloggers  – Carolina Saunders (Carolina Eclectic) and Paloma Contreras (La Dolce Vita) plus tons and tons of other dealers.  This show promises to be a not-to-be-missed event!!!

 

Photos from a past Urban Market.

 

 

 And if you are in the market for a dog, Golden Beginnings Golden Retriever Rescue will be there too!!   AWWWWW.

 

 

Go to the web site for all the information:  www.theurbanmarkethouston.com