After Friday’s post it has become clear that curtains are a controversial topic. Some love the sweeping luxury of cash, and some prefer the crisp modern asceticism of roman shades. I myself used to be firmly anti curtain — that is until I bought my first pair of white linen curtains from Ikea (Aina) and saw what they could do for me. They gave soft edges to my skimpy windows and no frills architecture, and somehow the texture just made everything look more expensive — mostly because it was. Curtains are pricey, and it’s going to take a while to sort out exactly what I want to happen in our great room. I can’t afford to make mistakes and do things twice over. So while I’m busy mulling the finer points of pinch pleats, and agonizing over white vs taupey natural vs soft indigo, have a look at these pictures and let’s talk Delft.
I know some of you think that blue and white porcelain is headed down the primrose path of grandma regency, but I give you Exhibit A in its defense. Everything about that picture is genius. Except for the sad clam. Sad clam wants to go home.
And just look at that kitchen — it’s ridonkadonk. Am I planning to go out and swath our kitchen in billions of expensive blue tiles? No. But the world is a better place now that someone else did.
I don’t really need to defend this, do I? Except that I would use those roses for kindling.
Apparently this is tiny picture day. Sorry about that. Although I do not care for Tory Burch’s clothing or shoes, I find her living room to be utterly charming. Mossy green + delft + tigre = yes.
Here is Mary McDonald on better behavior. I want a pair of giant Chinese porcelain planters with lemon trees in the worst way. And just in case you were wondering — I do know that China and Delft are different places. I am just not particularly picky today.
ps: did you notice the curtains? I like them.
Now this shit be kinda crazy. I do not like matchy matchy — pretty much ever — but there are some nice elements here. I’ll leave it for you to decide what they are. Just choose wisely else the swift hammer of my judgement and condescension shall fall upon ye like the mighty thunderbolt of death.
Perhaps I got a bit carried away there. Many Rush Limbaugh jokes were discarded in the making of that sentence… I decided that death seemed a little safer.
And anyway, I’m just kidding. I love reading all your comments — whether you agree with me or not.
You guys make bedrest tolerable, and I thank you for that.
[House Beautiful, Yoko Only's pinterest, Grant K Gibson, Tory Burch, Mary Macdonald, Jorge Elias via AD]
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I totally lol-ed in my office just now about the sad clam…I love that kitchen and I love those lemon trees too. Sigh!
I’m all on board with the Delft because I know you wont get all cray on us.
The clam is a little sad, but whats wrong with the roses? I’m a little afraid to show you the lame way I styled these two kitchens …
The defecting clam provoked a giggly response up north. Tory Burch, her patrician blondness, tunics and logo make me crabby. Her living room can shove it, too. I do really like the matching planters…if only I wouldn’t kill anything I put in them…
Ha! I’m sure you did a great job, Naomi — you always do. I don’t know, those roses just look kind of lost up there. But I am not big on flowers, so don’t listen to me!
Rosie, I feel the same way about her clothes. I don’t think I could live in that room (mostly because Ike would DESTROY), but colors tiger pretty.
Hee…the room itself is actually really nice. It can shove it simply because it’s hers. Though I’m not sure why…what did Tory ever do to me?
OK, I like the Delft so long as it is all export looking…I think the Dutch motifs are hard to pull off. But Tory Burch makes me want to be blond and patrician and have something to wear tunics to, so I may not get it. On the curtains though….PLEASE DIY/hack something up there first. Buy a bolt of party tafetta and those target ring clips and make sure you like 592 inches of emerald green or tomato red or beige before getting something made. I would cry here at work if you got fab curtains and hated them.
I just started reading your blog, which I found while googling paint colors (I really wish I had a Sanders). As a non-designer, I like how you bring a sense of humor to design. Sorry I can’t offer advice, but I enjoy reading yours.
When I was little my great grandma remodeled her farmhouse kitchen & it was all sorts of delft. I don’t really know why she chose delft, as she was as Norwegian as a viking, but I loved looking at & touching all the tiles. I don’t have anything productive to say here, but just wanted to say thanks for clarifying for me that those little Dutch tiles & canisters I loved looking at had a grown up name that I never knew.
Also, what is with those weird gold emblems Tory Burch has to put on EVERYTHING? I cringe whenever I see a pair of her ballet flats.
Karly needs to ask her dad where her grandmother’s collection of Deflt from Germany in the ’50s went. That collection and the Native Americans sepia toned prints were always my favorites of all her collections.
I love that Delft kitchen. If only they’d painted the ceiling a nice navy blue.
Please please please never speak of pinch pleat curtains again.
That shiz is wrong-er than tab top curtains & Lindsay Lohans youthful new face.
Yes. Im a snob. Fact.
I am a huge fan of blue and white, but not really those traditional Delft pieces. Odd, that. My favorite thing in the sad clam photo is that crazy fabric on the chair. Love it!
The last room is so confusing. Is that a picture hanging in the middle of a window? Without wires? I do like the ikat curtains though.
That clam is so, so sad!!!
I say one big, huge piece of Delft and no more.
I’m down with a pair, but no more than that.
No wait — I’m also down with the tabletop collection. And the kitchen…
Nevermind. I’m down with whatever works.
The last picture is a bit all over the place. Did they hang a painting over a painting? Because to me it look like it’s a window… And well, that would be weird, wouldn’t it? I do like their curtains, though.
The lemon trees look oh-so-nice in those huge planters….if only I had a giant, sunlight filled hallway
There is a Delft & brass chandelier on SF CL right now….(want it?)
that sounds amazing, but I have waaaaaay too many lamps. snatch up that bad boy for yourself!
thanks for looking out for me!!!