Gretchen Leigh Clark Interiors

Paris J'Adore

2011-12-01T12:05:00.000-08:00

My hubby and I recently returned from an incredible anniversary trip to London and Paris which I will happily re-live with you! One of the highlights of the trip was my first trip to the famous Paris Flea Market or Les Puces de Saint-Ouen. (Oh, and did I mention the day ended with a wine festival and fireworks over Sacre Couer?)

First, let me introduce you to our lovely friends Bryan and Laura, who were our fellow explorers! They are captured in a few of my pictures and I didn't want you to think I was stalking anyone.

How charming are these little streets? Just shop after shop full of treasures. You will have a very pleasant experience with the help of a few unspoken rules... be polite (say bonjour, merci and au revoir), attempt to speak a little French and ALWAYS ask before you take pictures!

The French have mastered many things... one of them being the art of a great chair!

Now those are some sexy legs!

I love the hardware and curves of this piece and the natural finish is yummy!

A great pair of comfy bergeres that even a man would love!

Okay so this is a little ornate for my taste, by you have to appreciate the detail! Could be really striking in an otherwise simple and monochromatic room.

Oh, my love of starburst mirrors... I'll have one of each please.

I just loved this lighting sculpture, but it would have to have a very special home... I think my friends Hilary and Drew could pull this off!

This window vignette caught my eye...

Beautiful!

How fantastic would this be in a little boy's room?!? Unexpected and lots of character.

I would keep the finish on these chairs and recover in a luxe solid, like mohair or velvet.

All this hard work of "window licking" (the french term for window shopping) left us famished. Good thing we found Le Paul Bert... to die for food and fantastic hot chocolate!

Oh the French and their attention to detail... just look at the way my french onion soup was served. Mouth watering now.

... and a Croque Madame?!? I assure you this is NOT how french women stay thin.

I LOVE the detail of the legs on these chairs - with the dainty bronze sabots. And they would work beautifully in a traditional or modern room!

Thinking these chairs would be really smart with a coat of high gloss paint and covered in a supple leather!

This settee is precious... wouldn't change a thing. And I love the rug too.

Wow the patina in this daybed is wonderful... I need this!

Um, yes please. These are just what I need to go with the saarinen style table in our breakfast room.

This little cocktail table would be amazing indoors or out. Perfect versatility for unpredictable Texas weather.

Making nice with a sweet shop dog at one of my favorite stops... maybe I could score a discount on the fabulous daybed and chairs I was eyeing!

***

And to my clients... Here are some dreamy pieces that made me think of you!

This creamy grey and ivory trompe l'oeil buffet would be perfect for your dining room Susan. Just what the design doctor ordered!

Kathryn, these rich leather chairs have the perfect worn look for the cozy gameroom. Paired with the rich velvets and houndstooths in the room... these would be a knock out.

This table has Meg written all over it! Maybe we can make a breakfast table version? Love the aged paint finish on the metal legs and of course the pretty stone top. Very french, but with a modern feel.

Okay, so this picture doesn't do the sofa justice, but I was going incognito, as we were banned from taking pictures.... oops. Ginny this piece would feel right at home in your living room with the feminine curves and lots of personality!

And this coffee table would be fabulous in LeeAnn's family room - finished off with a stone top for a little contrast. It even has that little touch of bronze... just for you!

And for my MOST important client... my 2 year old son. These would make me a sensation among the toddler set. Merry "pretend" Christmas baby!

Christmas is Coming!

2011-11-12T23:16:00.000-08:00

If you are counting down the days to start trimming your tree, then head on over to my holiday blog to hear my thoughts on how to ring in the season!

Happy Haute Halloween!

2011-10-30T20:54:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is Halloween, and the beginning of a season full of holidays! Visit my holiday decor blog "Chateau Mistletoe" for some last minute ideas to lure in some lucky trick-or-treaters!

http://chateaumistletoe.blogspot.com/2011/10/happy-haute-halloween.html

Have a Happy Haute Halloween!

All Grown Up

2011-07-13T22:04:00.000-07:00

Okay so anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE to entertain! Some people dread the thought of it, but I love to go all out and have a blast planning events. Of course my favorite part is setting the "scene" for whatever the occasion may be. So I guess it's no surprise that my favorite room in our house is our Hollywood Regency inspired dining room!

Helen Mirror from Jan Showers Collection and sconces are Oscar de la Renta for Oriental Accent

My amazing grandparents were kind enough to give us their 1920's Japanese inspired Chippendale dining room furniture that I have adored since I was a little girl. When Nana and Papa purchased the table, chairs and buffet at an auction in the 60s it even came with a sweet love story, as it was originally given as a wedding gift from a groom to his new bride in the 1920s... ahhhh, now that's a wedding gift! I actually have an old newspaper clipping describing the auction and their particular purchase which is a neat piece of history for us to treasure!

I would love to know more about the history of this furniture, so if there are any furniture buffs out there please educate me!!! All I really know is that it was purchased in the 1920's, but I don't know if it is American or European. And I don't know if it was made in the 20s or if it is older.

For larger dinners and brunches, I send the hubby to pull out the something like 6 or 7 leaves that can end up filling our entire dining room! But, my very favorite part of the room are the twelve black-lacquered queen anne style chairs, each featuring a unique hand-painted and gold-leafed scene. They really need to be re-lacquered, but in a way the chips and aging are kind of charming. There really is something magical about these chairs, which I treat like my babies... just ask my husband who teases me for my habit of obsessively reminding people to be careful with them. I know, I know not great hostess behavior - I'll have to work on that!

As a young couple (do we still qualify as such?), we have been slowly working on our house since we moved in 4 years ago and this is the first room to feel finished. Of course, for me, it is never really finished, but I'm in love with it for now and know I will be for a long time to come. We call it our "grown up" room and I really do feel a little glamorous when I'm in it!

India Table from Jan Showers Collection

Love my vintage mirrored lucite lamps that were a very kind gift from someone!

I wish I had a better picture of the antique chaise longue that sits in the window. It has all the right curves and I love it! The awesome coral linen velvet has even come full-circle to stylish again! Lately this has become Patrick's song-writing perch... lovingly referred to as the psychiatry chair.

There are a few orders of business left though... and very important ones at that! A chandelier - that must be fabulous! And to reupholster the chairs which probably have the original 100 year old fabric on them... yikes! After 2 years working for Jan Showers I unfortunately acquired expensive taste in chandeliers. Hers are always to-die-for!!! But unless I win the lottery or Patrick's record goes platinum I'm going to need to get realistic. ;)

Just for kicks, here are some dream chandeliers (all from 1st Dibs and all over $3500)...

1940's Brass Lotus

Vintage Venini

Vintage Murano

1930's Empire Design

Vintage Murano

Vintage Bagues

And here are a few more affordable options that I'm liking right now (pieces inc, oly studio, made goods, inside avenue)...


This asian palm chandelier would be gorgeous painted jade or coral with gold-leafing detail!

Wish this came in gold or green

TABLE SKIRT LOVE

2010-11-14T20:36:00.000-08:00

As our house continues to fill and overflow with toddler toys, I have found myself needing more storage to hide the craziness! I have finally decided to banish the clutter with something that I love... a skirted table! I just had a console table built for our family room (you could also buy an inexpensive table from ikea, west elm or even a garage sale - we just needed a custom size to fit the space)... The table was designed like Jan Shower's Manhattan table below, with an upper shelf for small baskets and our media electronics and the lower space is lined with baskets holding all of my 20 month old's toys... woohoo to hidden clutter! I am about to send 6 yards of platinum linen and an awesome greek key trim sent to a workroom this week for the custom table skirt... see the design board below with my actual fabric and trim. I plan to pile on pretty books and one of my favorite lamps to soften the lines of the television - and will be sure to post a picture when it is finished!

Here are some other great skirted tables. I tend to gravitate towards the more tailored look with pleated corners and trim, but you can also drape a nice silk or linen over any table for a more relaxed look. Skirted tables look fabulous in an entry, as a buffet in your dining room, for a tv console, to cover a dining table, or even as a bathroom vanity.

These may inspire you to add STORAGE and STYLE in your home with your own skirted table!

Phoebe Howard

Tom Scheerer

Urban Grace

Jan Showers

via Domino Magazine

via Cote de Texas

John Saladino

Pam Pierce

Below are a few table skirts all by designer Grant Gibson, who obviously loves a good table skirt! I love how you can see different ways he uses the first table, which is actually in his own home. Notice he shows it with a glass top and without... you could also top with marble or other stone!

Another designer, who I personally adore, that loves skirted tables is Palmer Weiss. Here are a couple of her takes on the style...

A ROOM FIT FOR A LADY

2010-07-17T13:27:00.000-07:00

Every woman needs a quite space of her own to read, relax and... who am I kidding... to look through the mail, organize her kids crazy schedules and get all the bills paid!

But who says you can't have it all?!? I am currently creating a home office/sitting room for a busy mother of 3 that is both functional and beautiful. The muted colors of a relaxed swedish/french room are the perfect calming backdrop for some blissful time alone (even if it is just to pay the bills).

Below are some other great feminine and totally chic studies/offices fit for a lady...

giannetti home

mary mcdonald

jan showers

katie ridder

ruthie sommers

tracy garet

Ruthie Sommers for Drew Barrymore

COZY GAMEROOM

2010-06-29T09:34:00.000-07:00

The gameroom I talked about in December is almost complete, and until the room is photographed, here are some images of furniture, fabrics and other elements we used to help inspire your own cozy retreat...

This galvanized steel coffee table looks fabulous topped with a leather tray and art books. The bottom is perfect for storing games and blankets in large baskets.

A small loft/nook is carved out in one corner of the room and is piled high with a houndstooth cushion and lots of custom pillows. The pillows and cushion were inspired by menswear textiles and really add a cozy richness to the room. I am a fool for monograms, and the one above was the perfect touch to a crisp ivory linen pillow in the loft.

To add a nice pop of color, a large Persian rug was laid over the new sisal-like carpet.

One of my favorite additions to the room are the custom built-ins! We transformed an odd attic space layout into a custom media center and bookshelves. The media cabinet was custom finished by Linde Browning Giddens with base of Benjamin Moore's Wedgewood Gray and a gorgeous glaze that gives it instant patina. It is flanked by antiqued ivory bookshelves (also finished by Linde) filled with pretty books and accessories that were special to the family.

The best part of all is hearing the family talk about how much they love their new room and that they spend tons of time there together... that's what it is all about!

KIDS ROOMS

2010-05-23T20:39:00.001-07:00

I apologize for not posting in so long... life has been very busy between juggling my design clients, photoshoots, my mom's illness and traveling with my family. I recently had the opportunity to design and style the room sets for JC Penney's fall baby and teen catalogues which was kind of a fun break in the routine. Kids rooms can be such a fun thing to work on, because I have the freedom to be a little more creative and whimsical than most adults are comfortable with in our own spaces. The art director, Tanya Millet, and I had a great time collaborating on over 30 sets and photographer, Keith Madigan, brought the magic to life through his lens! As soon as I get the images, I will post them for you to see, but in the meantime I would like to share some of my favorite images from Domino and House Beautiful of kids rooms that would make even the most mature adults wish to be young again!

PARK CITIES PAD

2010-02-15T20:08:00.000-08:00

I recently started working on a new project in Park Cities for a young lady with a refreshing sense of adventure. When I heard she loves Kelly Whearstler I knew we were going to have fun! We are still in the beginning stages, but I am loving the direction of this soon-to-be stylish pad. I am so in love with these fantastic tufted French slipper chairs that are going to be recovered in a gorgeous indigo velvet with a peek of ikat on the back.

sahana ikat by schumacher slipper chairs from again & again luxury velvet by fabricut

The overall look of this project is a mix of traditional and vintage french furniture with a playful edge and feminine appeal. Subtle pops of pattern along with classic textures like linen, velvet and silk keep the look young and fresh while still sophisticated. A mix of materials (navy lacquered french commode, bronze coffee table, and mahogany lamp tables) come together in a "I didn't try to hard way". And there will be lots of attention to detail with pillows, trims, accessories, artwork and lamps to complete the comfy yet glam room. Here are a few more pieces that I have scoped out for her living room.

rug by shades of light

lamps by Arteriors

(but not the crazy shade shown on the right!!!)

venetian mirror by wisteria

Since the client adores Kelly Whearstler I was delighted to run across this image of one of KWID's projects the other day. This shot totally echoes the feel of our room, but instead of being inspiration - it was affirmation!

A PLACE TO CALL THEIR OWN

2010-02-01T12:16:00.000-08:00

What could be a better Christmas gift for a pre-teen than your very own lounge room? That's exactly what Santa brought three North Dallas youngsters this year! After a quick field trip to HP Village's Rugby story, we agreed on an approachable and stylish look I would best describe as New England meets Hill Country.

This comfy room is at once preppy and rustic, with a mix of rich leather, textured fabrics, weathered wood, various metals, and a rich persian rug - perfect for a cozy and durable adolescent entertaining space. Tucked in a corner of the room is a small loft outfitted in a textured grey velvet cushion piled with houndstooth, linen, and velvet pillows. You would find me reading here every day!

It was important to the parents to showcase the passions and talents (music, art and sports) of each child, so the room is full of personality. Artistic sports photographs of the kids were printed in sepia tone and hung gallery style around a large mirror. One of my favorite things in the room is a custom brass lamp with a vintage drum for the shade.

Once the finishing touches on the lounge room are complete, we will move onto the next phase of the project including a casual French country family room and a feminine office for mom. Stay tuned for photos and more...

A PEEK INTO GLAMOROUS ROOMS

2009-11-17T07:35:00.001-08:00

Sorry for the delay, but at last here are the images I promised! These are some of my favorite images from Glamorous Rooms, a beautiful coffee table book by Jan Showers. Styling for this book has been one of my favorite projects to work on, and pulling from Jan's enviable collection of lamps and accessories made it all the better!

photography by: Jeff McNamara | styling by: Gretchen Clark

GLAMOROUS ROOMS

2009-10-28T22:10:00.000-07:00

Check back over the next few days for a peek inside Jan Showers' new book Glamorous Rooms... I had a great time with working with Jan and photographer Jeff McNamara on many of the amazing rooms in this gorgeous coffee table book. After you catch a glimpse you will be running out the door to buy it!

image from Bandelle

STYLING THE WHITMAN RESIDENCE

2009-10-26T10:02:00.000-07:00

When my July copy of Traditional Home came in the mail I was extra excited to see Kimberly Schlegel Whitman's house on the cover! Not only do I adore Kim and her beautiful house, but I was actually lucky enough to style her home for the 20th Anniversary Issue of TH with photographer Werner Straube... and we made the cover! Jan Showers did a beautiful job designing this gorgeous house - I am privileged to have learned under such a talented designer. Here are images from Traditional Home and some exclusive shots that aren't even in the magazine!

If you don't already have a copy of Kim's books you need to get them now!

She is such a creative entertainer and you are sure to be inspired by her clever ideas, sophisticated parties and all the gorgeous images!