roomplanners MARCH 2010
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our favorite!
wine country furniture california casual
inside the set of It’s Complicated
croque monsieur
and chocolate cake!
wine country casual There‟s no question we‟re living more casually these days. Maybe that explains the continuing popularity of interior design styles inspired by country homes in Tuscany, Provence and Sonoma. Inside this issue, we‟ll take a closer look at wine country interiors; those charming, picturesque rooms that look old but not formal, rustic but not frumpy… and seem to be as much about a state of mind as a style. Wine country homes, wherever they‟re located, share some of the same traits… gourmet kitchens, dinner tables that stretch on forever, hefty furniture, comfy sofas and old-looking materials, just to mention a few. We‟ll show you our favorite wine country furniture, inspired by furnishings found in famous wine growing regions. We‟ll also take a look inside the set of the movie, It’s Complicated (Universal Pictures, 2009); a very recent example of a home inspired by the Italian, French and Loreen Epp California countryside. Writer and director, President, RoomPlanners Inc. Nancy Meyers, is already well-known for her portrayal of women as strong and independent; she‟s becoming as well-known for the fabulous interior design ideas she packs into her leading lady‟s home. The set of her latest movie follows on the heels of another memorable home in Something’s Gotta Give (Columbia Pictures, 2003). And if the influence of her most recent movie set on interior design is anything like the last one, it‟s likely to inspire more than a few home makeovers! Enjoy!
on the cover Tuscano, by Kincaid Furniture, features a handsome wood finish and hefty details ideal for a Tuscaninspired home. The collection includes dining room, living room and bedroom options. Kincaid Furniture has specialized in manufacturing solid wood furniture since 1946. www.kincaidfurniture.com
about roomplanners.com Roomplanners.com is devoted to making professional quality interior design affordable and accessible. We invite you to visit out web site to browse hundreds of rooms for ideas, or to take our survey to identify your environmental personality profile. We offer a variety of free home decorating articles, including room critiques, product reviews, cooking and kitchen ideas. Our RoomCues™ offer concise, practical guidance and inspiration on how to pull together a specific look you love. You‟ll find us online at www.roomplanners.com. Or join me at twitter.com/loreenepp For more information on our company and services, please contact me directly at loreen@roomplanners.com
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our favorite
wine country furniture
Granted, interior design styles inspired by houses near vineyards are nothing new. Tuscany and Provence alone have inspired more home makeovers the past decade than just about any other style. But there‟s a reason why wine country interiors are still so popular. This is the quintessential cooking
style, aligned with the trend not just to cook more, but to cook well. With more of us eating at home; it‟s also the perfect style for entertaining; conjuring up images of long dinner tables and even longer meal times with favorite friends and favorite wine!
Wine country furniture can be intoxicating with its worn antique qualities and comfortable, casual air. Photo: Accents Provence, by Drexel Heritage
wine country style
our top tips
plaster walls, or matte paint color washes
overhead ceiling beams
grainy, low-sheen woods inspired by wine barrels
old, sturdy-looking furniture; stretchers between chair and table legs, turned legs, nail studs, ladder-back or high-backed chairs
the colors of wine country décor...
old-looking fabrics— slightly worn-looking leather, chenille or jacquards
Is there such a thing as a wine country color palette? We think so! These earthy colors conjure up images of old stone
tapestries or oil paintings of the European countryside
wrought iron accents— chandeliers, candle sticks, curtain rods or glass & iron vases
faded oriental rugs or straw mats
gourmet-style kitchens with cooking utensils in open view
topiaries, sunflowers, chunky candlesticks, arborvitaes, classical vases, wire urns
But wine country style is also the perfect solution for today‟s more casual lifestyle. It‟s an appealing alternative to traditional style. Historic-looking without being stuffy or formal, it draws on earliest furniture ideas, prior to the 18th century fancy for dressy elegance and perfect etiquette. Wine country furniture can bring warmth and history to
wine cellars and Renaissance frescos painted on plaster walls. Use any of these warm, European-inspired hues in a
any interior, even without a stone house in Provence, a villa in Tuscany or a Spanish ranch in Sonoma. Despite slight regional differences, wine country styles share a common warmth, oldness and sturdy construction. So here they are… our favorite wine country collections, along with a few ideas on how to bring a wine country room together.
dry, matte finish. Better yet, color wash them, using a rag to apply a lighter version of the color over a solid first coat.
Behr 740C-1
Behr 770C-3
Behr 780A-1
Behr 360 E-3
Behr 360 D-4
Behr 310D-5
Behr 270F-4
Behr 260 D-5
Behr 180D-6
Behr 240 F-4
Behr 150F-6
Behr 200F-4
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Hills of Tuscany
by Thomasville Furniture A classic, with sturdy-looking and comfortable details.. some quite eclectic! Also, check out the companyâ€&#x;s Sonoma Ridge dining room. www.thomasville.com
At Home in Tuscany by Drexel Heritage
regal colors.
Inspired by Frances Mayesâ€&#x;s much-loved book and the movie by the same name, this charming collections offers a real taste of Italy. www.drexelheritage.com
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Cimmaron
by Lexington Furniture
This handsome collection features traditional English details, but we think the handhewn turnings, wrought metal and craftsmanship more than qualify it for wine country style. www.lexington.com
Tuscano
by Kincaid Furniture Inspired by the Italian Renaissance itself, this handsome collection features a lighter finish, warm bronze hardware, handsome details and plenty of solid wood. www.kincaidfurniture.com
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Wynterhall Vineyard by Hooker Furniture
Washed woods (far right) are pure Provence, while leather, leg stretchers and nail studs (below) are more Tuscan. Also check out the companyâ€&#x;s Waverly Place, Bordeaux and Beladora dining collections www.hookerfurniture.com
colors.
European Retreat
by Drexel Heritage This is continental styling at its finest, but scaled for homes anywhere. The practical, well -detailed collection is reminiscent of French, Italian, English and Spanish antiques. www.drexelheritage.com
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1 it’s complicated
or is it? inside an idyllic california home The set of Nancy Meyer‟s It’s Complicated showed us an easy, breezy California design style that‟s so casually chic that few of us who saw the movie didn‟t picture our life in a similar home... or even contemplate heading to California to bathe in such subtle sophistication.
Above. Meryl Streep stands in front of her character’s Santa Barbara home, a charming Spanish -style ranch with terracotta-tile roof. Bottom: A view of one of several outdoor areas. Top of page. Streep having dinner with friends in her informal dining room.
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So what is this California design aesthetic Meyers shares in her movies, and does the character Jane‟s (Meryl Streep) Spanish ranch in Santa Barbara offer any clues to creating the look? For the film, Meyers wanted a “Belgian look” and “a quiet palette with natural linen”. The home‟s setting is certainly serene, with even Streep‟s ex-
husband Jake (Alex Baldwin) commenting on how „quiet it is here‟.
but because each room reflects a casual, personal approach to furnishings.
In a nutshell, Streep‟s home is sophisticated without being fancy. Terracotta accents seem inspired by the rooftops of Santa Barbara. Antiques mix with high-end furnishings. Linen pillows and cashmere throws are tossed over French chairs and slip-covered sofas. A gourmet influence (Streep loves to cook and owns a bakery) is seen in open shelves, bunches of utensils, stacks of table linens and a charming kitchen.
This kind of California casual is hardly a new concept, first coined as an apparel style in the 1970s to describe an anything goes approach to getting dressed in the morning. But, of course, no fashionable Californian would be caught dead wearing just anything… there‟s loads of style under such a carefree spirit.
Streep‟s house is as much a character in the movie as she is…. not just because more than half of the movie takes place there,
Unlike the movie‟s plot, a California casual look isn’t complicated, but it does take a little design savvy. So let‟s take a closer look at how the set design team pulled off one of the most exciting movie homes we‟ve seen in quite a while. 7
the
kitchen This open-plan kitchen has plenty of individual style... and not a lot of matching parts. John Hutman, set designer, called it “makeshift and funky”. Together with set decorator, Beth Rubino, Hutman studied Tuscan, French and California kitchens before designing the set. The lack of upper cabinets creates a casual, airy feel. Dishes and pots are kept in open view and are easily accessible—ideal for actress Streep who plays a bakery owner and loves to cook. The skirted and cane-front cabinet doors have a French feel. So do all those cooking tools! But as charming as it looks, the kitchen isn‟t entirely functional, explaining why a kitchen makeover plays a big role in the movie‟s plot.
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what we loved 1. A skirted counter has French country charm.
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2. Herb-filled pots sit under the large window.
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3. Painted wood cabinets are casual and keep the kitchen light & airy.
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4. Caned-front cabinets under the sink recall French chairs. 5. Matchstick blinds add a natural, organic quality. 6. A small counter lamp adds charm at night. 7. Open shelves keep dishes visible and accessible.
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8. A simple iron bar above the stove stores pans in open view. 9. A butcher-block island adds storage and a cutting block. 10. A marble pastry counter makes baking easier! 11. Lots of white ceramic pots are filled with cooking utensils.
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12. A small spotlight adds task and accent lighting.
white marble pastry counter
stainless steel matchstick blinds
light wood or painted cabinets wrought iron accents linen curtains on lower cabinets black floor tile www.roomplanners.com
white tile cane-front cabinets 8
the
dining room Remember the days when kitchens were hidden from formal dining rooms? Not anymore! The trend to less casual dining rooms is certainly seen here. Propelled by a love of cooking, eating areas are closely connected to cooking areas, with the kitchen as much of a focal point as the dining room used to be. Streepâ€&#x;s dining room sits squarely between the kitchen and living room. Thereâ€&#x;s no formal dining room, just bar stools in the kitchen and a semi-formal table in the dining room. Also worthy of note is the lack of formal armchairs on either end of the table, the simple table runner that replaces a tablecloth and the lack of formal china or a formal china cabinet. Dishes are stored in the kitchen.
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what we loved 1. An archway between the kitchen and dining room frame the view to both, depending on where you stand.
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2. The weathered table top adds a natural, old quality. 3. An oval table feels sociable and mirrors the curved archway above. Pedestal tables (rather than leg tables) let you squeeze more chairs around!
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4. Low-height chairs are just slightly higher than the table, creating an airy open space. Armchairs are used all around the table. No hierarchy here! 5. Tie-on cushions over the caned seats add comfort and color. 6. Slipcovered bar stools in a striped yellow fabric look casual and relaxed. Keeping slips short makes them easy to fit, take on, take off and wash!
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7. A counter-height, tablestyle island leaves space for tucking stools underneath.
black stain chairs & stools
tie-on seat cushions white marble pastry counter
weathered table top cane seat chairs www.roomplanners.com
table runner
striped slipcovers 9
the
living room Slipcovers add casual elegance to Streep‟s living room. But the slips are less the story than how the deep sofa was personalized with a layer of extra back pillows. Three accent chairs take the place of a loveseat. The television is concealed behind a tall, charming armoire (not shown) facing the sofa. The room is large enough to float the furniture, and focal points are created on every wall—the fireplace on one wall, the TV armoire on one wall and a long console table behind the sofa. Whichever way you face, the sight is good! By keeping the largest pieces in similar, neutral colors, set designer, Rubino, was able to add spot color and eclectic variety with the small stuff— pillows, tables and lamps.
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what we loved 1. A long console table creates a focal point behind the sofa.
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2. Black and white prints are hung in a row to follow the table lines and create a relaxed horizontal line.
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3. Matchstick blinds look casual and breezy.
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4. Open shelves are filled with books, frames and bins. 5. A skirted sofa with a relaxed fit looks casual. 6. A marble-top table contrasts a weathered wood frame. 7. Large stacked, square baskets create an end table. 8. A large woven area rug adds an organic touch.
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9. Four armchairs on elegant legs contrast the skirted sofa. 10. Leafy linen pillows add a customized look to the sofa. 11. A weathered wood console table looks like an antique.
linen sofa pillows
marble-top table accent fabrics
matchstick blinds cotton slipcovers
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wicker trunks
wood accent furniture 10 Thomasville, Casula Retreat
the
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bedroom
No two pieces match in Streep‟s bedroom. We‟ve got everything here… a Louis XIV chair, a Louis Philippe mirror, a bench that looks like an Asian antique, an elegant upholstered headboard and a rustic dresser. But despite the eclectic look, a plethora of natural colors and textures hold it all together. The bed is the focal point, filled with nubby linens, crisp embroidered cotton, a slipcover-style skirt and a comfy headboard. Oversized night tables are a hallmark of Nancy Meyer movies; they‟re wide enough to double as a table and open underneath to pull up a chair. The tile-clad hallway that leads to the bedroom introduces its color palette; rosy and terracotta hues mixed with warm neutrals.
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what we loved
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1. A linen duvet is coordinated with the straight skirt. 2. A wooly upholstered headboard is paired with linen and embroidered shams.
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3. A chenille or wool blanket adds texture and color. 4. Matchstick blinds are layered behind linen drapes hung from an iron pole.
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5. An arched Louis Philippe mirror in tarnished brass is married to a chest of drawers. 6. A narrow wood bench is practical and interesting.
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7. Solid-colored linen on a Louis XIV chair feels casual. 8. A side table rather than night stand doubles as a writing desk. 9. Linen and embroidered textures add natural warmth. 10. Semi-gloss bathroom tile is installed in subway-style pattern.
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11. Rustic, terracotta floor tile leads to the bedroom.
upholstered headboard
embroidered shams
linen duvet & skirts matchstick blinds
wool or chenille throw carpet
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linen drapery
terracotta tile 11
cooking quarters Great cooking doesn‟t have to be complicated! Here are two easy recipes from It’s Complicated… Jake (Alex Baldwin) loved the croque monsieur; Adam (Steve Martin) loved the chocolate cake!
Wendi Hiebert is a home economist and food writer, living in Kitchener, Ontario. For more of her recipes, visit www.CookingQuarters. wordpress.com
chocolate cake 2 cups (500 mL) sugar 1-3/4 cups (425 mL) all-purpose flour ¾ cup (175 mL) cocoa powder 1-1/2 tsp (7 mL) baking powder 1-1/2 tsp (7 mL) baking soda 1 tsp (5 mL) salt 2 eggs 1 cup (250 mL) milk ½ cup (125 mL) vegetable oil 2 tsp (10 mL) vanilla 1 cup (250 mL) boiling water Makes 8-10 servings Grease and flour two 9” (23 cm) round baking pans. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of an electric mixer for 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water. (The batter will be thin.) Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake in a preheated 350F (180C) oven until a wooden pick or cake tester inserted in the centre of both cakes comes out clean, about 30 - 35 minutes.
Let cool for 10 minutes, then remove cakes from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with Chocolate Icing. Chocolate Icing: Melt ½ cup (125 mL) butter or margarine. Stir in 2/3 cup (150 mL) cocoa. Alternately add 3 cups (750 mL) icing sugar and 1/3 cup (75 mL) milk, beating with electric mixer on medium speed until spreading consistency. If needed, add more milk. Stir in 1 tsp (6 ml) vanilla. Recipe Source: Hershey’s
croque monsieur 4 slices bread Dijon mustard, to taste 2 to 4 thin slices cooked ham 2 slices Gruyere cheese (or grated Gruyere) 2 eggs 2 tbsp (30 mL) milk 1 tbsp (15 mL) butter Makes 2 servings. Spread two slices of bread with mustard. Place one or two slices of ham and a slice of cheese (or 1/3 cup (75 mL) grated cheese) on each slice of bread. Top with remaining bread. Whisk together eggs and milk in a medium bowl.
Melt butter in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Dip sandwiches into egg mixture, coating both sides well. Lift out and place in the skillet. Cook each sandwich on both sides until golden brown.
and finally; a few It’s Complicated dinner table ideas... 1. Plenty of pillar candles! 2. A shallow casserole bowl used to pot a favorite plant... the perfect organic centerpiece! 3. Chocolate croissants served on a glass cake stand… or in a glass trifle bowl! www.roomplanners.com
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