Spring Things
Hi!
It's been a while — almost a year, to be exact. Last year I had every intention of showing up here consistently, but alas life got busy and Substack got put on the back burner. So here I am, a year later, giving it another go! Spring is in full swing here in Charleston, though it seems to be in the early stages in Michigan, where I spent this past weekend. Cooler weather and spring showers — the perfect recipe for spring blooms.
My brother and sister-in-law are lucky enough to have Lily of the Valley growing wild in their backyard. Oh how I wish I could take some back with me to South Carolina! To me, it is the floral mascot for spring. It was Christian Dior's favorite flower — he saw it as a symbol of hope, joy, and the beginning of spring, and would even sew it into the hems of his dresses. The flower appeared in many of his designs, and the house still keeps up with this design motif tradition. The dress shown below just has an ethereal quality to it. Divine!
Spring itself is ethereal — dreamy and light, yet alive with the freshness of new blooms and the promise of what's ahead. Spring showers roll through, flowers are in abundance, and thoughts of summer bucket lists start creeping to the forefront of your mind. What's not to love?
Wearing: This spring, I have been particularly drawn to knitwear paired with tailored or relaxed shorts and ballet flats — simple, chic, and honestly the best kind of outfit. If you're up North enjoying the last of the cool weather, you're perfectly placed for this look. And for those of us in the South where the humidity has already arrived? Style with a shirt and layer the sweater over the shoulders. You’ll need it with the AC!
Artists: I love discovering new artists — there's something so exciting about stumbling across a piece that stops you in your tracks, and it's always useful to file away for future projects. This geranium piece by Henrietta Abel Smith did exactly that. Absolutely beautiful — her florals especially are just stunning. On the completely opposite end of the spectrum is Susan Thornbury, whose work is currently available at Huff Harrington. I love how she uses plaster and wax to build color and texture. Every home needs a mix of traditional and modern, and these two are at the top of my list right now.
Place: Don't you just love Parisian terraces full of bistro chairs? I received a marketing email from Maison Drucker recently featuring Le Grand Café and their Haussmann chair. Rattan chairs against white table linens, classical architecture as the backdrop, light filtering softly through to the terrace — the perfect ambience for a late lunch.
Color: I've been saving a lot of terracotta orange lately, and what I love most about this color is how many versions of it exist. The punchy brightness of a brand new pot as seen at Le Grand Café and the aged warmth of the pot in Henrietta Abel Smith's geranium painting. The same shade, but entirely different moods. And then there is this living room by Studio McGrath, where terracotta acts as the neutral on the sofa against the other colors.
Farrow & Ball Pointing, Farrow & Ball Vert de Terre, Farrow & Ball Faded Terracotta Design Detail: There is so much to love about these built-in cabinets by Amelia Handegan — the curve detail at the top, the decorative molding around the perimeter of the doors, and that color combo! Again, weaving in that terracotta, but here it is balanced with a vert de terre. I love the addition of these types of cabinets in homes, whether in a utilitarian space like a laundry room, or somewhere more personal like a bedroom or closet. Line the doors with fabric for an added softness.
Watching: Wiggy Hindmarch’s home tour on Home Worthy is an absolute must-watch — the lattice dining room with its mix of Swedish antiques and bamboo is refreshing. I love everything about it. It also sent me on the search for bamboo, and I ended up finding this little bamboo Sellette through one of my favorite UK antique vendors, Lorfords. A little more quaint than hers, but that's part of the charm. It’s just waiting for a plant.
Buying: I've been grabbing my wicker mug from Z.D.G by Zoë de Givenchy's Osier collection for my morning coffee lately. And afternoon — always an afternoon cup. Anyone else? I've also been eyeing her Brique à Vin. It would be a great addition to any tablescape.
Reading: I keep coming back to Bunny Mellon Style for design inspiration. I love her mix of formality and casualness — a Rothko next to a slipcovered sofa! It just makes sense in her world. It's a sensibility many designers try to encapsulate today. If I were to give it a go, I would pair this Louis XV style étagère by Victoria & Sons for Bunny Mellon with Soane Britain's Pineapple Thread fabric and a Vaughan Globe Lantern. Oh, and Z.D.G's wicker pieces and the Maison Drucker bistro chairs would go perfectly in this room — let's envision it as a breakfast room.
Tell me, what has you inspired this season?
À bientôt,
Gretchen
Soane Fabric | Z.D.G Cup & Saucer | Maison Drucker Chair | Vaughan Globe Lantern
Bamboo Sellette | Cache-Pot | Casa Branca Wallpaper | Bunny Mellon Style |