New Project Preview

When my long time clients, Susie and her husband, shared news of leaving the DC area, I felt really bummed. When I found out they were house hunting in Connecticut, I was relieved. Still a bit sad, though. CT is about a 6 hour drive from DC, but at least it is on the East Coast. Plus, I visit CT quite frequently working with clients there.

Then came even better news: Susie and her husband asked me to help with their new home - a historic 1864 farmhouse that had been renovated and expanded. The farmhouse happens to be one of the original farmsteads in Fairfield, a county famous for its 'Southport Globe' onion fields. More on the onions later.

Of course I thought I had 3-6 months to tackle this project. Nope! Because they had sold their DC area home and their kids would be on summer break soon, I had a little over a month and a half to start furnishing the house and line up contractors and workrooms: painter, wallpaper hanger, electrician, carpet installer, receiving warehouse, windows and upholstery workrooms.

I couldn't have accomplished this project without all of Tom's help. Nor could I have done it without Susie's support and trust. It has been a total team effort, and I'm grateful to them both!!

Tom and I just returned home from a big install. We will be finishing soon, and here is a preview starting with the conservatory.

Built in 2002, the grand conservatory with its French limestone mantel and leaded windows from England is my favorite room. The clubchairs and ottoman are temporary. I placed those there for the family to enjoy while we wait for the arrival of the sofas, rugs, etc....all coming very soon!

 Cindy who made and installed all the curtains and shades did an amazing job. Thank you, Cindy!

Why did I choose the color blocked panels flanking the fireplace? See below photo of the room as decorated by the previous owner. (I took the photo on my first visit.) While pleasant, the adobe-like niches did not appeal to us. Instead of tearing out the niches (pricey and timely), I designed tall linen panels to conceal them and add softness to this room of exposed beams, glass and stone. I color blocked the bottom to break up the height.

 Below again is another photo I took during my first visit in early spring.

And look at the view outside the conservatory now: gorrrrr-geous and green!!!

As mentioned, this used to be a prominent onion farm. When the property was being cleared and landscaped, the vine covered stone walls were discovered to be the original fieldstone foundation of an onion barn.

Perhaps Susie will ask me to help refresh the gardens? :)

Back inside is master electrician, Rick, adjusting the new lantern for me. He did a great job hanging and centering the two drum fixtures over the new breakfast room. Thank you, Rick, for being so patient :)

When Susie discovered her home's history of having been an onion farm, she decided to pay homage with a new collection of onion paintings found on Etsy. I took them all to my framer (her pretty hand, not mine) and selected various warm silver frames for the collection. And here are some of the onions hung salon style in the kitchen. Sorry for the blurry photos....took these with my old iPhone.

While the conservatory is sunny and warm, the original living room is cool and cozy. I chose pretty shades of blues, greens and aqua to complement the beaches in the area. The coral piece and French giltwood mirror were two of the earliest pieces Susie found at my shop - almost 9 years ago! We have pillows and more accessories coming so stay tuned.

Many thanks to Susie and her family for allowing me to feature their beautiful home!

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend ~ Loi

Southern Living Photo Shoot

Greetings! It has been way too long since my last post. I hope you all are well. Work has been incredibly busy, hence my absence. I look forward to resuming my weekly postings as I have many home and garden tours to share.

Those of you following along on Instagram got a sneak peek of a photo shoot at our home. Southern Living Magazine is planning a couple stories and has been shooting here this week. We've been really lucky with weather - fingers crossed as we have one more day to go.

This week, I got a chance to meet two big names in the industry: Southern Living Garden Editor Rebecca Reed and Photographer Helen Norman. In addition to being super talented, these women are incredibly nice, warm and real pros. They made Tom and me feel completely at ease!  

While I can't share Helen's actual (OMG fabulous!) photos from the shoot, here are some I took. 

Hi, Helen (left)! Hi, Rebecca (right)!! Thank you BOTH for working tirelessly to make every shot special and beautiful.

The first story Southern Living will feature is my topiary collection. Above is a pair of rosemary topiaries displayed in our living room. Below are a few of my 50+ myrtle plants in our small conservatory. The painted console table is Swedish Gustavian while the blanket chest is American from the Brandywine Valley.

Standing behind Rebecca is Helen's wonderful assistant and lighting whiz, Dan Stack.

Below: Helen adding her magic touch to a vignette in our mudroom.

The second article will be about our gardens. Here is a peek at our late spring blue garden which features primarily blue and lavender flowers. Below from left to right: Camassias, Siberian Irises, Johnsons Blue Geraniums, and Spanish Bluebells.

A closeup shot of lavender Columbines.

Purple Alliums behind a long teak bench.

Rebecca is a styling genius, and here she is adjusting Pansies and Baptisias.

 Moving to the north side of the house is our white border garden. The white Alliums are just starting to pop while the white Azalea is at its peak.

 Above is Clematis Miss Bateman. Below is Foxglove Camelot White.

I will keep you posted on the publication dates. Many, many thanks to Southern Living!!

What's New at Tone on Tone?

What's new at Tone on Tone? Or should it be what's old? :) Well, the container that came two weeks ago has FINALLY(!) been unpacked. Now I'm working on tagging, upholstering, setting up shop, and uploading photos to our website. Sorry for the delay. I've been swamped with multiple project deadlines and endless spring garden chores.

Here is a quick look at the shop and preview of a few new pieces. I'll be adding more photos directly to our website in the next couple of weeks. Thanks in advance for checking it out!

 This pair of Swedish painted armchairs is actually from our prior shipment. I had sent them out to the upholsterer, and they just came back with their new greige linen upholstery. I love the downswept arms and pierced fretwork backrest.

 Above: A mix of Belgian, English and French pieces all in different finishes - just the way I like it! Anchoring this vignette is a mid 1800s French fruitwood farm table with a long end drawer (not shown). On top is a pair of 20th century oil and acrylic on paper paintings. The centerpiece is a fabulous antique English copper fish poacher. And the painted footstools, newly upholstered in linen with nailheads, are from Belgium.

 Another look at one of the stools next to a mid 1700s French walnut commode. The rug is 19th century Persian....just a bit worn and tattered.

 Lots of tabletop accessories in this shipment, including these antique English ivory accessories.

 A couple of Swedish Mora clocks.

 A sculptural Swedish bow front chest with three graduated drawers and cabriole feet.

 This French chestnut and oak sideboard with its fabulous long hinges and hardware just arrived. On top is a collection of creamware.

 Below: A French Directoire style fruitwood sideboard with handsome proportions.

 All French here! This type of French mirror is known as a bistro mirror. The flame top carved marble finials and soup tureen are also from France. One of my favorite pieces from the shipment is this striking marble top pastry table with its old white painted iron base.

 An antique English mirror with a frame of acorns and oak leaves.

That's it for the shop tour!

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What else is new? I'm working on a lovely Ca. 1860s home with this stunning conservatory addition. We are repainting the walls, ceiling and trim, and this photo was taken prior to painting.

A peek at my board for the conservatory: many shades of blues, tans, browns and greiges. The pottery bowl is from John Rosselli. So are the Lisa Fine and Michael Smith fabrics. The wall paint color (background) is custom and the trim will be BM's White Dove. 

 While shopping for pieces for the kids rooms, I came across this awesome collection of glass bottles at West Elm. Kinda reminds of a Morandi still life!

 I'll be sharing more photos of this home on Instagram (user name: loithai) and here on the blog. Thanks for following along :)