Green and Yellow: Alberto Pinto and Kathryn M. Ireland

Last month, Walter and I visited Orchids Galore!: A Love of Living Color at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond.  It was more than a welcome respite from the extended winter-spring we’ve been experiencing.  The Conservatory was just filled with orchid blooms.  Some were romantic lady slippers;

others had flat, bright pansy-faces

or were strangely insect-like.

Many were slightly grandiose and worthy of old-fashioned corsages.

And they came in all sorts of colors: plummy browns,

luscious berries,

racy reds,

lipstick pinks,

and burnt oranges.

But I seemed to be drawn to ones that sparkled emerald and gold, smiled in summery lemon and lime and looked demure, even a bit hazy, in softer shades of jade and primrose.

 

 

 

They seemed to whisper “Spring is almost here” and hint at sunshine-filled days to come.

“Blue” is my predictable response to the perennial favorite-color question.  I tend to dress in varying tones of pink and red and brown.  And when helping others with their interior decorating, blues and greens or ivories and whites usually dominate.  But after our tour of Orchids Galore!, I realized how much I gravitate towards green and yellow in my own home… and in the work of others.

My rooms aren't quite as bold as this interior by Jonathan Adler!

But green and yellow crop up a lot... like in this vintage poster
in our otherwise sandy-red-and-French-blue bedroom.

Or the pretty combination of natural wicker and an olive-dark green print
from Pindler and Pindler that we've had for years.
(The rest of the room is creamy yellow, a couple pinks and red and brown.)

Antique Bavarian plates in the dining room showcase colors from
the Emerald City and Yellow Brick Road... but I think it's Hansel and Gretel, right?

And the guest bedroom sports Roman shades
in this old Laura Ashley paisley that we just love.

Two of my favorite designers: Alberto Pinto and Kathryn M. Ireland often use green and yellow with stunning simplicity.

Born and raised in Morocco, to Argentine parents, Alberto Pinto travelled widely in his youth and quickly established careers in photography and interior decoration.  He opened his own design firm more than 40 years ago.  Based in Paris, he and his team created rooms, even planes and yachts, which epitomized luxury and sophistication.  He was famous for his careful attention to detail and the grand scope of his commissions.

Alberto's dining room in his Parisian home
just glistens in darker-than-forest-green and golden woodtones.

And I don’t think anyone better understood the charm and livability of green and yellow, whether in an English castle, which feels intimate and opulent,

shimmering in a Geneva residence,

contemporary and serene at the Hostellerie de Plaisance in Saint-Emilion

or absolutely glamorous in Kuwait.

Alberto died unexpectedly in early November 2012.  But his sister Linda continues the exacting standards and palatial projects of Agency Alberto Pinto.

Kathryn M. Ireland was born in England, grew up in London and Scotland and moved to the U.S. almost 30 years ago.  After jobs in film and fashion, she started her eponymous line of lovely, somewhat feminine fabrics in 1997.

Kathryn's Quilt in Green

Kathryn’s decor is a little bohemian, pretty (without being too pretty) and completely accommodating.

Like Alberto, Kathryn regularly collaborates with other businesses, so in addition to her full-service interior design studio, she now has a collection of upholstery with Grange and new fabrics with Scalamandre.

Pennsbury,
a jacquard velvet from Kathryn's collection for Scalamandre

Senwick
an embroidered linen from Kathryn's collection for Scalamandre

And of course, she has gained a lot more attention as one of Bravo’s Millionaire Dollar Decorators.  You can shop for her textiles and antiques online or in person at her showroom in West Hollywood.

Although the formality of their styles is dramatically different, Alberto and Kathryn have obviously been inspired by other cultures.  They also share a penchant for layering patterns and colors.  They appreciate truly fine craft and know the power of beautiful objects.  Their designs reflect life well-lived.  It’s not really about money.  It’s about good food and friends and family, the chance to create beauty and joy in even the smallest of settings and the willingness to slow down and relish the moment.  It’s no wonder that, despite their world travels, both Alberto and Kathryn have called France home… at least for part of the year!

Of course, yellow and green is a universal combination, effervescent and tranquil: think of sun and grass; stone and leaf; pale moonlight and forest.  But it also seems especially rooted in Paris and Provence, Lorraine and the Loire valley, Aquitaine and Alsace.



Sugar, Sugar by Irene Suchocki

Le Petit Zinc by Irene Suchocki

I realize that few of us can afford the services of Agency Alberto Pinto or Kathryn M. Ireland Textiles and Design, but we can definitely read their books;

Alberto wrote several books, but Orientalism is perhaps the most fabulous.

Timeless Interiors is Kathryn's lastest.

splurge on some pieces of Alberto’s tableware

Bread and Butter Plate from Les Perroquets from Alberto Pinto

Alberto's Envol pattern (Tea Cup and Saucer)

or Kathryn’s fabrics;

Tulip in Nuevo Yellow by Kathryn M. Ireland

Paisley Stripe in Green by Kathryn M. Ireland

Casablanca by Kathryn M. Ireland

and maybe attend an Extreme Balance Retreat, which Kathryn and friends conduct at La Castellane, her estate in southwest France.

I also encourage you to search out photographs by William Curtis Rolf, Rebecca Plotnick and the Robertsons at Obvious State (formerly known as Little Brown Pen).

And for a completely low-budget vacation, watch Midnight in Paris.  The first fifteen minutes is like a green and gold ode to Paris.  Owen Wilson is one of Woody Allen’s most charming characters, literally mesmerized by the city, past and present.  And in a party scene, you can just make out the lovely boiserie panels, in pistachio and gilt, at Deyrolle – the landmark taxidermist and natural curiosity shop.

By the way, Orchids Galore! closed recently, but you can still get your flower fix at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, Orchids of Latin America, through April 21.  And finally, if you have a home project in mind, consider introducing green and yellow to your life!

British Butterflies

Great Britain has received a lot of attention lately… from last year’s royal wedding, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and, of course, the 2012 Summer Olympics.  And hopefully all this worldwide media will also draw attention to the plight of British butterflies.

Watercolor of Daphne mezereum with Butterfly by 18th-century artist Georg D. Ehret
from the Victoria and Albert Museum permanent collection

The populations of almost all British butterflies started to decline significantly after World War II, mainly due to habitat loss and the greater use of pesticides.  And despite decades of successful conservation efforts, even small changes in the environment, like this year’s heavy spring rains, can affect the health of Lepidoptera communities in Britain.  Out of the 70 species that live on this island of butterflies, 25 remain in serious danger.

The Fairy Queen Takes an Airy Drive in a Light Carriage,
1870 etching by Richard Doyle, also from the Victoria and Albert Museum

Nina Campbell was born at the very end of World War II.  She began her career in interior decorating and retail, training with legend John Fowler, while still a teenager.  By 22, she had established her own business.  Today, she epitomizes both the history and future of British design.  Her interiors are traditional and infinitely livable.  And she happens to love butterflies… for their prettiness as decorative motifs and the freedom they represent.

Her Farfalla wallpaper is so exquisitely elegant.  Plus it reminds me of all the lovely names for butterfly: farfalla, mariposa, psyche and papillon.  Wouldn’t it be perfect in your dining room?

Replace the hardware on your sideboard with Michael Aram’s Butterfly Knob in gold.

And continue the magic with hand-painted, Filet A Papillons porcelain by Alberto Pinto. 

Dinner Plate

Buffet Plate

Even rice pudding would look divine served with candy butterflies from Sugar Robot.

About 20 years ago, as a young mother and homemaker, Vanessa Arbuthnott could not find or afford what she wanted in fabric.  So she started printing her own.  And today, her home business has grown into a full line of textiles, rugs and furniture.  Her company is still firmly rooted in the local community and includes an art gallery that supports regional artists.  She is influenced by nature, Asian and Scandinavian traditions and the fabulously fun fabrics that came out of Britain in the mid-20^th century.

Butterfly Dance in pigeon and charcoal

Her hand-printed Butterfly Dance really harkens back to these vintage designs and would wear well in a family room as draperies or accent upholstery.  Add lamps from the 1950s or 60s.

Vintage lamps from Yew Tree House Antiques

Detail of lamp

This quirky pair with cattails and gold butterflies is available at Yew Tree House Antiques.

And Sori Yanagi's Butterfly Stool looks as fresh today as when it first manufactured in 1954.  Design Within Reach offers reproductions in curved rosewood.

Consider Butterfly Dance in brick for your kitchen, maybe as café curtains or to line cabinet doors.  I think the slightly imperfect, block-printed pattern would look great with Arthur Court’s Butterfly accessories.

Nut Bowl

Arthur Court studied art design when he returned from World War II.  He settled in San Francisco and opened his first boutique in 1966, initially focusing on interior decoration, importing unusual trinkets and creating his own jewelry.  By the late-1970s, he was making easy-care, sand-cast aluminum dinnerware to suit the trend for more casual entertaining.  Butterfly, inspired by the California-native Mission Blue, is one of Court’s most popular patterns and comes in examples of
aluminum;

Winged Pitcher

aluminum and wood;

Chip and Dip

and aluminum and glass.

Salad Bowl

The company is now run by Arthur’s daughter and remains a local family business, committed to the San Francisco community, protecting endangered Western environments and producing pretty and practical serving pieces.  You can purchase Arthur Court online at The Silver Gallery, which just happens to be based here in Virginia.

And instead of those ubiquitous glass pendant lights, try Mixko’s Delight lampshades, made from organic wool felt.  Mixko was a collaboration by artists Nahoko Koyama and Alex Garnett.  Although the partnership has ended, you can still purchase their lighting through NOA Design or Etsy.

Delight Lacie

Delight Belle

And finally, round out this cheerful mix of reds, silvers and browns with a stack of Engraved Butterfly dishtowels from Anthropologie.

Flora and Fauna in duck egg and denim

Vanessa’s Flora and Fauna is sweet and sophisticated.  The summery combination of duck egg and denim feels like a perpetual weekend.  Possibly at a Gustavian country house?  Pair it with Canopy Designs’ delicate Butterfly and Blossom Chandelier and Julian Chichester’s two-seater Butterfly Settee.

Butterfly and Blossom Chandelier

Butterfly Settee

I’m a fool for Flora and Fauna in rabbit and damson.  First – because I adore earthy, creamy taupes with red, especially a plumy-pink-red.  And second – rabbit and damson are just the perfect names.  I immediately imagine these warm, luscious colors that make everyone and everything glow.  This is a beautiful fabric for a master bedroom.

Play up the brown with Butterfly Seas 1 and 2 from Natural Curiosities...

Butterfly Seas 1

Butterfly Seas 2

and a duo of Caracole’s Social Butterfly Chairs.

Social Butterfly Chair in silver leaf

Detail of chair in champagne

Both Butterfly Dance and Flora and Fauna are printed on a blend of organically-raised cotton and flax linen.  Flora and Fauna is also available as wallpaper.

Rapture and Wright designs another wonderful fabric with hints of tan and red.

Birds and Butterflies in grenadine

Rebecca Aird and Peter Thwaites, partners in life and business, established Rapture and Wright in 2002.  And their goal has been the same from the start: to create home furnishings and textiles that are 100% British.  Designs are conceived and hand-printed in their studio... on cloth that is woven in the U.K.... from suppliers, including growers and furniture makers, sourced from around the U.K.  Cocoa Sofa is a very recent introduction and example of what can be accomplished with a relatively-small carbon footprint.

Of course, it’s interesting that they chose butterflies as part of the decoration.

Birds and Butterflies, in green, is crisp and contemporary as well as naturally simple.  In some ways, it looks back to centuries of gorgeous British craft but also thinks to the future and what we want our lives to be.

Birds and Butterflies in green

Aesthetic Movement, woodblock-printed wallpaper,
designed by Bruce J. Talbert, printed by Jeffrey and Co. in 1875,
from the Victoria and Albert Museum

Plus it’s just fantastically graphic.  Use it in a place you enjoy every day.  What about a long bench cushion in the foyer?  Or floor-to-ceiling draperies in your home office?  It looks stunning with this antique, Art Nouveau, Rorstrand vase that’s been converted into a lamp;

The original, wonderfully glazed vase was designed by Swedish artist Alf Wallander and produced by Rorstrand.
It is available at H.M. Luther in New York City.

Detail of lamp

the Fly Away tufted wool rug by Company C;

Fly Away in driftwood

and Diane Paparo’s Sculpted Stool with that big butterfly joint in ebony.

Vanessa and Rebecca and Peter share a lot in common.  Both companies have most of their fabrics woven in Scotland.  They both collaborate with Lucy Rose Design to distribute their lines in America.  And perhaps, most important of all, they live and work in the mainly rural county of Gloucestershire, in southwest England, near Wales.  Gloucestershire is perhaps best known for its charming Cotswolds villages and important gardens like Hidcote, and, as you may have guessed, the area hosts over 40 species of butterflies.

Butterflies have long symbolized hope and happiness and rejuvenation.  So they seem appropriate emblems for Britain’s recent renaissance.  You can learn more about British butterflies at Butterfly Conservation.