Blackberry Farm
January 7, 2016
I’ve never been to Blackberry Farm but these images (all from Instagram) made the decision for me to add it to my “must visit” list. I had never even heard of this beautiful place until today, but just look at it. I’m sure my southern friends will say “hello, where have you been…” I’m just happy to have discovered Blackberry Farm. The decor and care and attention to detail is clearly something they pride themselves on. To see many more beautiful images and to learn more about Blackberry farm visit their website here. Here’s more in their words (taken for their website)…
In 1939, Mrs. Florida Lasier of Chicago snagged her silk stockings on a wild blackberry bramble while exploring the idyllic Smoky Mountain foothills, and the name Blackberry Farm was born. Thirty-nine years later, the Beall family invested their hearts and souls in the same romantic site that has become their family home and lifelong passion. Today, one of America’s most celebrated intimate luxury hotels beckons discerning guests who aspire to escape modern-day frenzy and slip into a Blackberry state of mind. Situated on a pastoral 9,200-acre estate in the Great Smoky Mountains, Blackberry will show you the many reasons why it is one of the top rated properties in the world.
Whether you select the intimate charm of an Estate Room, the legendary elegance of a spacious Singing Brook, Farmstead Cottage, Holly Glade Suite or luxurious comforts of a Hill Cottage, Blackberry Farm’s accommodations offer a haven of carefree comfort. From heavenly feather beds adorned with sumptuous linens to plush robes and luxurious amenities, your accommodations reflect a meticulous attention to detail.
Winter Rates available January – March:
Roaring fires, frosty mornings and everything signature Blackberry Farm in between – plus our annual winter rates for rooms and activities. No matter what draws you, there are plenty of reasons to slip away to Blackberry this Winter and enjoy the stillness of the smokies during truly one of the loveliest times of the year.
(Winter rates available from January 1 – March 13, 2016)
Winter Romantic Escape: Spend more time together at Blackberry Farm in an exclusive offer for a complimentary fourth night when you book three weeknights during December-March. You will also receive a split of champagne on arrival, a seasonal welcome amenity, and a rose petal turndown one evening.
Call 800–557-8864 for information and details. *subject to availability
No promotional enticements or fees were paid for this blog by Blackberry Farm or another person or company. This is just me, telling you what I think is chic and what deserves to be celebrated and admired.
For Sale (CRUSH)
March 21, 2015
Does everyone dream of living on a farm with chickens, gardens, fields and a barn for parties… or is it just me? I’m crushing on this house big time. I love that it hasn’t been redone. As far as I’m concerned all it needs is a little paint (not a fan of the trim color) and maybe, maybe… shiplap or clapboard.
This one is for sale in Westport MA. It’s 1.4 asking price is prohibitive for me v(1.4 Mil) but I love the bones of this house and the mostly original interiors – if not original then just damn old – and the well proportioned rooms. The kitchen is something I would build into a newer home just to get the turn of the century look.
I think it is safe to assume this house was once sided in shiplap or clapboard siding. I think I’d want to restore the outside to that original aesthetic (drink). Love a shingled house but it doesn’t suit this one. Every time I help a client remodel an antique home I try to encourage sensitive “updating” and to work with as much existing as possible. Updating systems always seems to screw up wallpaper, and I’m ok with that it’s usual the wallpaper that is dingy, stained or not the desired look, But his house is so sweet, as is… I wouldn’t want to change much. I’d just go antiquing and to garage sales and estate sales all weekend, and take baths in the claw foot tub. This place has to have a claw foot tub! Right?!?
The other bedrooms are bigger, but I pick this one. Love the vintage ship paintings and prints. As it turns out I have had the pleasure of going to a party at this home. A friend rented it a few summers ago, we played croquet on the lawn and drank lemonade, it was quite swell. Lots of artsy folk from Rhode Island School of Design, and other wild free spirits. 
These built-ins are clearly original but it looks like the cabinets not so much. Id take down all the upper cabinets and put in open shelves like the pantry, or nothing at all. And, that’s about all I’d do. ok, and paint… and peek under the linoleum to see if there are wide board floors, but that’s it! I swear it. 
…and paint. That’s IT!
…and take down those bad swags on the dining room windows. www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1787-Main RdWestportMA_02790
…is the link if you have to know more!
For Sale – Still LA Dreamin
December 15, 2012
Known as the Hailey Residence, this compact mid-century modern in the hills northwest of the Hollywood Reservoir was designed by the brilliant Richard Neutra in 1959. A two-bedroom, two-bath property, per tax rolls, it features beamed ceilings, built-ins, a wood-burning fireplace, sliding glass walls, “a soft mobile wall [that] when open, allows for a generous den off the living-dining area … a small office, control temp wine cellar & laundry constructed within lower undeveloped space.” Sited on a 5,616 square foot lot, the property, which last sold in 1996 for $275,000, is now asking $895,000.
See more pics at: la.curbed.com
FOR SALE in LA
December 4, 2012
Last time I was in the City of Angels visiting close friends I had to good fortune to get into this little beauty. Completely refurbished, the interior maintained a Hollywood glamour but the open space was decidedly modern and fresh. Now mind you, I’d rather buy an “original condition” home and I’d preserve as much if not all the authentic details, rooms (and floor plan within reason) but walking into this made it easy to see why someone might just blow the whole thing out and make a tiny bungalow go BIG!
Not every decision made was a decision I would have made, another reason I’d rather do it myself, but the all of it was beyond livable, it was beautiful. The bacykard off the open kitchen felt more like a courtyard, walled and private a small pool was guarded on one side by olive trees and across the back of the property a media room, a bar accessible from the pool area, and a small apartment above.
Here is a picture of the upstairs apartment, funny now that I look at the picture they had it staged without a bed… I guess a studio looks bigger when you don’t put a bed in it. I loved the decor of this private space and the long narrow windows that opened in to make the room feel part of the beautiful outdoors – Southern California weather is lovely – and let the fresh air in. 
For Sale
August 4, 2012
Offered by the Sunset Team in Los Angeles this West Hollywood residence is a Deco (without being too Deco) Dream. They had me at Deco, but then the designer or owner poured chocolate all over the interiors and now I’m down right smitten. Here are some great images from the listing…
For Sale – Bridgehampton
June 26, 2012
Have you ever been to the Hampton’s? Long Island is full of swanky enclaves oozing with chic people, and chic people live in chic homes, no shortage there. I have been and I love the high hedges and the lowness of the buildings and the geography, and the shopping is great but prepare to pay top dollar unless you hit the end of season sales. Sag Harbor is a favorite of mine, the town is very easy-going and the folks there a bit more relaxed. Bridgehampton is also nice, and if you’ve got 4.something laying around you could be living in this contemporary house right now. To me this is a modern home that would live comfortably, its relaxed and easy (and most definitely chic) but the rooms don’t suggest that they aren’t for sitting down. Great color palette, beautiful pool and nicely designed. 
I’m A Little Bit Country!
June 20, 2012
The ONLY thing about this house that doesn’t “work” for me is that it’s in Australia. Wow, what a beautiful setting, house and interiors…
I first saw this listing on fellow blogger Justine Taylor’s site birch&lily and I am totally smitten. Here’s the link to all the great images of this pretty country house www.realestate.com.au and the description provided by the real estate agent…
The house is called Glen Athan and it is in Berry, AU ( Kangaroo Valley – how cute is that? )
Regarded as one of the South Coast’s most stylish and authentic country properties, Glen Athan is a private 105-acre retreat with a recently completed and stunning family farmhouse, a world-class resort-style swimming pool and the most spectacular of views encompassing 180-degrees of the quiet and unspoilt Wattamolla Valley.
Blending the best of Australian heritage design and contemporary luxuries, the home features rustic wide-board flooring; timber-lined walls and ceilings; South Australian slate hearths; craftsman-built windows, doors and cabinetry; recycled timbers; and 150-year-old convict-hewn sandstone.
With four superbly-sized double bedrooms and three enormous bathrooms – all with underfloor heating – the home is perfect for families or entertaining large groups at weekends and holidays.
There is a grand central living area with open fire; a stylish bespoke kitchen featuring marble bench-tops and double butler’s sink; an impressive walk-in pantry; a scullery; and a convenient tiled laundry and mud-room.
Off the generous entrance foyer is an inviting library with custom joinery and fireplace. The master bedroom also benefits from its own open fire, en-suite bathroom and room-sized private robe. Additionally, there is a large open study area; separate and quiet home-office; as well as a walk-in linen room; ample ancillary storage; and built-in robes for all bedrooms.
On the over-sized sandstone entertaining terrace there is a large barbecue and shower area adjacent to the breath-taking wet-edge pool; which is conveniently gas-heated to extend swimming times throughout the year and late into the summer evenings. To the rear of the property is a private and protected flagstone courtyard and rose terrace with a slate-roofed bread and pizza oven and a convenient and fully-irrigated kitchen herb garden. The wide wrap-around verandahs provide yet another venue for outdoor dining.
Both discreet and highly private, Glen Athan is elevated from the world below and blessed with cooling summer breezes and ever-changing views of the escarpment and valley to be enjoyed from every room in the house.
For Sale – Borrowed Blog
June 5, 2012
FOR SALE
For Sale – Deja vous!
February 14, 2012
A reader (thx SB) brought to my attention what had become of a house in Los Angeles that I had blogged about back in July here’s the link:
https://billbarr.wordpress.com/2011/07/25/for-sale-575000-00
I can’t say I’m surprised, it really was a diamond in the rough. But WOW. Looks like they did it right and took special care to preserve the building’s history and style. I personally love the Spanish influence, thick walls, tile floors, beamed ceilings and this house has that in spades plus the distinct narrow and tall great-room at the front of the house.
Now this is a room I would like to decorate. No offence, but it doesn’t look like the furnishings were really all that thought out. The rug is small, the chairs are mis-matched and the floor plan is really not celebrating the volume of the room. I’d lighten it all up too with furniture covered in creams, tans and taupes.
I like the kitchen, and I think I’m relieved that they didn’t build in a kitchen that looks like it belongs in a Spanish castle. The color is interesting, the wall of subway tile is a good vintage nod and I love that they left a wall without upper cabinets. But can I get a shelf? another window? something on that blank wall…
Click on the link below to see more pictures and information on the sale. list price: $1,995,000.00
http://www.redfin.com/CA/Los-Angeles/2311-Richland-Ave-90027/home/7136275
Shell Crazy ( & for sale & i’m working on it )
August 20, 2011
Some clients want beige linen and dark wood accents, others want shiny mahogany and gold accents, and still others want historic colors and wide pine floors. Every now and then a free spirit walks though my doors, looking to take major risks and to have a little fun. I’m lucky enough to have a “regular” client – meaning we have done several homes together – and she is the type of person who makes decisions well and is not afraid to take a risk, or many as were.
The house we did most recently included many shell themed fabrics and wallpapers including the red fabric and matching wallpaper from Thibaut in the image above. The over the top moment came when we found this natural shell trim for the lead edge of the roman shade, so perfect for the fabric and the room and the perfect scale for this bold but tiny powder room. The house is beautifully built and appointed with quality finishes everywhere, views that won’t quit and it can be yours… that’s right it’s for sale! The client and I are on to the next project. To see more of this house click this link. www.jackconway.com
For Sale – becoming a habit, I know! but it’s an OMG.
July 30, 2011
Have you ever seen a perfect house? Your perfect house? A house that speaks to you as if some one looked inside of your head in the spot labeled “perfect house”? This is that house for me. It’s modern but the wood cladding gives a warm organic vibe that balances the extensive glass used throughout.
A masterpiece of architectural design, this 4-bedroom, 4-bath home with 150′ waterfront frontage is remarkably Provincetown’s most distinctive home. It offers an unrivaled combination of striking architecture and breathtaking views, blending seamlessly with the natural environment on 3/4 acre. The entry immediately captives you with stunning views of Long Point followed by sweeping postcard views of Provincetown. Casual elegance defines the relaxed living areas of the first floor and each of the four master bedroom suites presents a unique definition of customized tile,showers and bath. Framed by a spacious wrap-around sun deck, an expansive… cabana terrace with dramatic stone fireplace provdes a perfect place for entertaining, bledning the indoor-outdoor lifestyle. An elevated lit boardwalk provides access and privacy to the beach.
http://www.trulia.com/property/photos/3016647491-781-Commercial-St-Provincetown-MA-02657#item-0
For Sale $575,000.00
July 25, 2011
One more great house for sale… But this time it’s old Hollywood glamor (not at it’s best) pulling my heartstrings. Maybe it’s the memories of old Spanish Mediterranean homes around my childhood home, maybe it’s the allure of a time gone by – where things were built to a different standard and a higher level of quality – and maybe just maybe I have already lived a life where a home like this played an important role. Maybe I just love the style of the thick stucco walls and graceful archways of architectural style. I know I would love decorating and living in a house like, even though the interiors as they are would scare away most contractors, not to mention buyers. It can be yours if you’re looking a BIG project in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles.
http://www.redfin.com/CA/Los-Angeles/2311-Richland-Ave-90027/home/7136275
By the way… you won’t believe how badly the home has been allowed to decay. I hope someone steps up soon to rescue this beautiful home. I’d like to imagine it become something like this…
…a little bohemian, a little eclectic, with bones that are appropriate to the architecture (note tile floor). If only! I have friends looking to relocate to LA, maybe they’ll scoop up this fixer, you never know.
FOR SALE
July 23, 2011
This little house isn’t so little. I love the super clean lines of this cape style house, the center portion is a very classic shakeresque structure that has a main livingroom flanked by fireplaces at both ends. Attached to the little house are two not so small modern wings that create front and back courtyards. The symmetry of the buildings and the old mixed with new styles makes this house very interesting to me. It’s the balance of casual and elegant, modern and old-timey and small but big.
Also available with-in 10 miles of my current residence is this beauty (below). This house along with the one above are both on the market for mid $700,000’s. Don’t anticipate moving anytime soon, but aren’t the proportions of this house lovely? Funny.. when I ask clients to pull photos of things they like colors, interiors, inspirational objects something always “come to the surface”. Look at my pictures, clearly I’m mad for symmetry (love a double chimney’s) modestly proportioned homes with some formality painted all one color. Like I said, I’m not moving… but I do need to paint my house. I think I might go all creamy white, with a strong shutter color.
For Sale
May 12, 2011
Located in the historic town of Winnetka, this stately red-brick colonial Georgian is dramatically situated on a beautifully landscaped half-acre lot, just blocks from the quaint town-center and magnificent Lake Michigan. Built in the 1920s, this residence is now recognized the world over as the “Home Alone Home,” as it was featured in the popular family movie Home Alone and its first sequel.
For Sale
April 30, 2011
Do you ever shop for things you know you won’t be buying any time soon? Diamond jewelry, Sports cars, Boats and Second Homes all top the wish list for most people. For me it’s the second home, a little obsessed to be completely honest. I am pretty sure it has to do with the opportunity to decorate another house, without upsetting the one I currently live in. It’s the itch to have a project, wallpaper to pick, furniture to plan out, gardens to fix and everything needing to find a place and be styled just so.
This little house is in Provincetown. When I dream of my second home I dream about a small stylish house with just enough room for guests. When I found this house for sale I was blown away because here is my dream house, no renovation necessary… I’m thinking this one is really “turn key” as in turn the key walk in and put your feet up ( in style). The relaxing neutral palette of colors is perfect, love the fireplace and it’s strength and presence. White slip-covers on pretty much everything, great and wall to wall seagrass suits me fine. This little house has a $799,000 asking price. If you love it as much as I do, there is a link at the bottom of the post.
How perfect is the discreet little kitchen. open shelves over the sink and a cook top surrounded by a warm wood counter top makes for an almost non-kitchen kitchen… blink and it could be a wet bar. No hood, that’s ok. I’d just open all the doors or grill outside, after all it is a summer-house, now off to find the perfect winter cabin!
http://www.3harborsrealty.com/MLSLimitedDisplay.asp?fp=mlsdetails6-residential&mlsnumber=21102771&pg=2&pt=6
For Sale (in France)
February 21, 2011
Beside the Marne river, this splendid architectural gem was built in 1969 in the modernist style. The house is organized on 2 levels; downstairs are 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and the kitchen and the living room with its double-height and a huge fireplace is surrounded with bay windows. Upstairs there are 2 large study rooms, 2 bedrooms and a bathroom made of concrete. All rooms have a direct access to the terraces. The roof is a huge terrace. this house is so cool and it’s only 1.7 million euros.
Check out the interiors and garden here: www.yourchoiceproperty.ie
For Rent
February 4, 2011
Torn from the pages of the NY Daily News…
The iconic Grey Gardens estate in East Hampton is reportedly now available to rent for the last two weeks in August at a whopping total of *$135,000, according to the Real Deal.
The home once belonged to Edith Ewing Bouvier Beale and her daughter also Edith Bouvier Beale, the eccentric aunt and cousin of former First Lady Jackie Kennedy. The 6,000 square foot, 19th century home was the setting for the 1975 documentary “Grey Gardens”, which shadowed the mother-daughter pair living in the decaying structure.
Having been completely renovated in 2003 by current owner and Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee, the home boasts eight bedrooms and sits on a charming two-acre lot.
“I think people realize that it’s completely redone,” Sotheby’s International Realty agent Bill Williams told the outlet. “There are no more raccoons in the attic. We’ve gotten calls already. It’s a novelty for some people, who want to stay in Grey Gardens. It has that history to it.”
Published on Wednesday, February 2nd 2011, 3:29 PM
By Nicole Carter
* I don’t know about you but if I had $135,000 to throw at a two week vacation, this would be very tempting… imagine the home movies you could make, your very own Grey Gardens… Campy Fun!
For Sale
January 11, 2011
The home featured in the hit movie Ferris Buellers Day Off ( also know as the Ben Rose Home ) in Park Slope IL is on the market. This classic modern steel and glass structure is a beauty. Cantilevered over the ravine, these two steel and glass buildings, which can never be duplicated, have incredible vistas of the surrounding woods. This unique property was designed by A. James Speyer and David Haid, both notable architects of the 20th Century. I love the floor to ceiling glass, I love the white kitchen and the touches of wood. Perfect! I love this house! …oh did I mention it’s listed for 1.6 million and change. here is a link to the listing just incase you’re interested: 370 BEECH
…and then it was 2011
December 31, 2010
First a big THANK YOU to all my readers. I started this blog to be able to promote & share anything I felt was well designed, pretty, inspirational, or fresh and new in the world of architecture, design, fashion and/or the arts and frankly I can’t believe so many of you are willing to keep coming back to see what I have to say! This blog isn’t about selling something, or promoting my own interior design services, it’s about sharing the passion for design in any form and I’m flattered that your interested in my perspective, THANK YOU.
Here’s to a new year of blog posts, but where to begin? I think I will start by ending ( because it’s still 2010 ) by going back and giving you my own top 10 list of BILLblog from this year. Top 10 lists have become “the” end-of-year wrap up… a count down and a look back and i think we have David Letterman to thank for that. Here’s mine:
10. I’m Working on it – July 27
This project was so creatively fulfilling for me. I couldn’t have asked for a better job… Clients that trusted and respected my opinion, an end product that was truly my vision and a respectable budget that allowed for the before mentioned.
9. More Summer Love – July 19th
This house is IT for me, the dream house…. everything perfect, even it’s location! ‘nuf said.
8. Sneek Peek, June 11th
These were the pictures I took while my house was being shot for Southern New England Home. While my work has appeared in other publications – including Southern New England Home – to have my own home shot and printed for the world to see was a big deal to me!
7. Before & After – May 19th
Because EVERYONE loves a good before and after story (and because it turned out so well).
6. Kelly Wearstler – May 4th
She continues to be the designer I feel has her pulse on what is current while making beautiful rooms that will stand the test of time. Layered, rich, pretty and unique… this woman is a design power-house.
5. More White Spaces – April 16th
Just the prettiest rooms ever! …I never get sick of neutral rooms with interesting shapes and forms.
4. The Perfect Countertop – March 22nd
A very popular post… many found this blog informative and important. In the throes of a major re-design you don’t want to make an expensive mistake, the right countertops are important and are not cheap.
3. A Well Designed Cake – February 17
I never would have guessed that a blog post about cakes would be SO popular… more hits on this blog than many others… can you say Bridezillas? …just kidding ladies.
2. Setting the Table – November 21st
This is the all time highest, most looked at and read post of the year. I guess there are a lot of people who appreciated being reminded of how a table should be set. Who knew? I’d like to think now that we have that figured out we can spend more time on the centerpiece?
1. White Kitchens – All of them
A personal Favorite, if this blog wasn’t BILLblog, it would have been WHITE KITCHENS. Love them, can’t get enough, never tire of them, suits any style of architecture and yes a VERY popular subject for BILLblog. Thanks again for reading, and Happy New Year!
For Sale (had to sneak this in)
December 5, 2010
WHAT: Fawcett House, a Frank Lloyd Wright design, with six bedrooms, four and a half baths and 80 acres of land
HOW MUCH: $1,999,9999
SIZE: 3,800 square feet
PER SQUARE FOOT: $526.31
SETTING: Los Banos is a city of about 35,000 in central California’s San Joaquin Valley, about two and a half hours from San Francisco. The surrounding area is mostly agricultural; San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex is nearby.
INSIDE: The house was designed in the mid-1950s, while Wright was working on the Guggenheim Museum in New York. The design is based on equilateral triangles, with a core living room and kitchen area, and two wings. Mahogany and cinder blocks are used throughout. The concrete floors were stained tan to match the color of the earth outside. The living room features a built-in seating area, a wet bar, shelves and a 12- by 6-foot fireplace. A china cabinet with a wooden screen above it separates the dining area from the kitchen. The master bedroom has a built-in desk and shelves, and an en-suite bathroom and dressing area. The other bedrooms have built-in closets, shelving and desks.
Just north of the house is a workshop, built in the 1980s, with a fireplace and bathroom.
OUTDOOR SPACE: The house is set on nearly 80 acres, mostly leased to farmers; pomegranate and walnut orchards are nearby. Almost every room overlooks the patio at the back of the house; the patio is an extension of the interior floor slab. Next to the patio is a pool. There is also a koi pond, a Japanese rock garden and views of mountains.
CONTACT: Will Klopp and Steve Barsanti, Alain Pinel Realtors, (408)483-2900; thefawcetthouse.com
Mr. Barr 
