Maitland-Smith

Deck the Walls

I found this beautiful photo of a Maitland-Smith wall mirror in Traditional Home's  "Decorating:  Holiday Mantels."   

Photographer: Michael Partenio.Regional editor: Stacy Kunstel.  Architect: Jack Arnold. Interior designer: Cindy Rinfret

The shells in the mirror are beautifully complemented with the houndstooth sisal wallpaper, and the greenery and pinecones add just the right festive touch to set the holiday mood.  Additionally, the mirror reflects the light from the tree as well as light from the chandelier. 

Not just at holiday time, but throughout the year, a mirror is the perfect choice to "deck the walls."  Particularly in dark, overcast winter months, mirrors reflect any bright outdoor sunlight that may peak through the clouds, as well as reflecting interior lamp light, thus creating a sense of warmth as well as the illusion of more space.   

These framed La Barge mirrors add interest to the wall while reflecting the outdoor sunlight, and warm up this minimalist room. 

Here the outdoor light is beautifully reflected in both the mirror and the mirrored console. 

We all use mirrors in practical ways, and mirrors come in all styles and sizes.  Used in every room of the house, a mirror is a great winter-time decorating accessory. 

La Barge...a reflection of all that you are.

www.labargeinc.com

Maitland-Smith at Greystone - Alissa Sutton

The last, (but certainly not least), designer I will showcase who selected Maitland-Smith furnishings for the Maison de Luxe at Greystone is Alissa Sutton.  Alissa is a well-known designer based in California who does residential and commercial design.  You may remember that she was a semi-finalist in the HGTV Design Star design competition in 2009. 

 
 (Photo of Alissa from Cantoni blog)

The bedroom she created at Greystone is striking using a black and gold color scheme.  For symmetry, she placed midnight black painted Maitland-Smith chests on both sides of the bed with antique Venetian mirrors and hanging chandeliers.   

The whimsical wall on the left holds a collection of brass hands shown in various positions with a hat hanging on one. These fun pieces can be used singly anywhere in the home -- One at the back door would be perfect for holding the dog's leash at the ready for a long walk.   

The oversized tufted headboard provides the perfect spot to lean back with coffee and read the Sunday morning paper without feeling guilty, and slowly begin the day.  Perhaps her headboard inspiration comes from the headboard in her room at home which is her personal favorite.    

Concerning her own headboard, she says,  "It's just like the one they had on Green Acres, and I loved that show as a kid."

Here is a closeup of the chest.  The top is gilded and the pulls are coral-shaped brass.  Using a chest of drawers as a night table is functional as well as beautiful as the drawers provide additional storage space for the room.   

The luxe interiors + design Maison de Luxe at Greystone Estate, will be open for another week, so don't miss the opportunity to see this room as well as rooms designed by Bravo's Million Dollar Decorators, Barclay Butera, Lori Dennis,  and many more incredible designers.

Elegant and distinctive pieces for your home today, with quality and style to last a lifetime....Do you have a Maitland-Smith treasure?  www.maitland-smith.com

More Maitland-Smith at Greystone

Maison de Luxe , the show home of Luxe interiors + design, is the place to be in Beverly Hills these days as the Greystone Estate is open through December 22 for tours of rooms created by some of America's finest interior designers. 

Lori Dennis is one of these designers whom you may know from  HGTV's The Real Designing Women. 

Lori is a "green" designer, LEED certified, and the meditation room at Maison de Luxe reflects her design aesthetic and point of view.

Her meditation room is inspired by nature with jewels, sounds, crystals and butterflies. She created a space within a space with the 22 carat gold gilded exterior of the meditation chamber, whose interior is covered with tufted, non-toxic velvet.  The feeling is almost like a return to the womb - a place to relax and recharge. 

 Here you can see the gilded exterior and the velvet-covered interior of the meditation chamber.  The butterfly wall sconce is by Maitland-Smith and is made of inlaid yellow and white mother of pearl, penshell and brass. 

That's Lori with our President, Dan Bradley, and Mary Garvin, the Director of Design for Maitland-Smith. 

Covering one wall of the meditation room are eight Maitland-Smith mirrors.  These have an aubergine finish with inlaid penshell and lipshell.  Who would have thought to invert four of them, but it makes quite a statement on this wall.  In the reflection you can see a Maitland-Smith chair in a light, Renaissance finish, at the secretary. On the wall is a brass wall sconce with leaf pattern and faux shagreen shade. 

 To get more great decorating ideas, visit the Maison de Luxe before the 22nd.  This is a great opportunity to see the work of well-known designers up close, but also to see the scale and architecture of the historic Greystone Estate. 

Elegant and distinctive pieces for your home today, with quality and style to last a lifetime....Do you have a Maitland-Smith treasure?  www.maitland-smith.com

Maitland at Maison de Luxe at Greystone

Maitland-Smith is happy to participate in the Maison de Luxe at Greystone in conjunction with Luxe interiors + design.  This stately mansion will be open through Dec. 22 where 26 of America's top designers added their unique vision and touch.  These photos were taken at the opening gala and are from the family room, done by Barclay Butera.  

 As you may remember,  Barclay was a judge in the Maitland-Smith 30th anniversary design competition a couple of years ago. 

Barclay gave the room a sort of  "ranch" feel with antlers over the mantelpiece.  The room contains contrast and texture with use of velvets, embroideries, leathers, silks, animal print, and stripes.  Layering gives cohesiveness. The accessories and twin game tables have a decidedly masculine feel.   
Flanking this gorgeous tufted sofa are Maitland-smith end tables of burnished gold finished iron and black waxstone.

The morning light pouring in from the door and windows makes this room inviting.  I love the contrast in the dark leather and the lighter fabrics.  That round tri-pod table is by Maitland-Smith as well. 

In front of the window are a pair of Maitland-Smith game tables, ready for a rousing holiday game. These have a barley twist pedestal and inlaid leather on the top surrounding the reversible game board. I am drawn to the window seat - what a great spot to curl up and read. 
This photo isn't the best, but here is our president, Dan Bradley, chatting with Barclay. 

 If you live in Southern California, you must visit the Greystone.  This historic home, built in 1928 for the Doheny family, has 46,000 square feet and sits on 18.5 manicured acres.  Next will be the meditation room done by Lori Dennis.

Elegant and distinctive pieces for your home today, with quality and style to last a lifetime...Do you have a Maitland-Smith treasure?    www.maitland-smith.com

The Right Desk for Holiday Writing

One of the many things enjoyable about the holidays is receiving holiday cards.   Christmas cards were first sent in the 1800's so this tradition has continued for over 200 years.  Today cards can be religious, traditional, comical, or contemporary, but the sentiment is the same - a personal greeting sent at holiday time when we pause to remember friends and relatives we don't often see.  
 

In the last few years, less cards are mailed as e-cards have become more popular,  but I still enjoy receiving a real piece of mail that I can hold in my hand.   I eagerly check the mailbox during the holiday season, because it is exciting to get a newsy card from a friend instead of the usual junk mail or bills.  But... I have learned that if I want to receive cards, I have to send cards.  So, after the cards are purchased with some special holiday stamps, I pull out the address book and get ready to tell my friends all about my family's activities during the last year.

The kitchen table works, of course, but how much better it is to have a gorgeous desk and comfortable chair available to settle in. Depending on how many cards are sent out, it can take awhile. 

A lady's writing desk is just the thing.  This one is mahogany Georgian style with black leather and brass accents. 

Love this oval desk with rubbed walnut finish and black leather inlay with gold tooling and brass accents. 

Or this one with walnut veneer with antique brown leather and satina finished accents. 

If your style is more contemporary, this black crackle finished black leather inlaid desk may be more to your liking. 

The perfect chair is this comfy looking leather and fabric combination with black vendome finished legs. 

 It doesn't really matter where you sit to address your cards -- the important thing is that you are remembering special people with a personal message.  Don't forget that after the holidays, there are generally notes of thanks to be sent out for parties and gifts as well. A beautiful desk is a great investment that complements the decor and is functional at the same time.

Elegant and distinctive pieces for your home today, with quality and style to last a lifetime...Do you have a Maitland-Smith treasure?  http://www.maitland-smith.com/