I am so lucky!! Our house “scouting photographs” by Mark Lohman for a new magazine!
Aug 13, 2012
32 Comments RSS
A few weeks ago, Mark Lohman, an excellent and well-known interior and exterior photographer
(whom I have known for many years!) called me about a new magazine!
“French Country”!
Fifi O’Neill, the editor ,has written books, and has two other magazines, ”Romantic Prairie Style” and” Romantic Country”
Her books are “Romantic Prarie Style” and ”Romantic Prarie Cookbook”
She has been searching for real “country” (not fancy, not formal; but rustic and authentic) French houses in the United States!
My blogger friend Contessa sent her my blog on Renee; and she had Mark come take “scouting shots” of both houses!!
Lucky me! He took some wonderful shots of things that have not been photographed before!
I hope you enjoy them!
Here are some new angles of everyone’s favorite room! Remember, the heat is in the floor out here (and all through the house)
and we live out here all year long! Even in the rain; I don’t have to move the books!
My Corgi-mix rescue “Pete ” likes this ottoman!
By the way, the paintings on the right are of the identical room in our old house in Pasadena!
This ivy on the ceiling is my favorite, the panel was a shade on an Italian verandah we found in Florence; and the Italian stove
is another favorite!
Here are our ducklings getting bigger and enjoying their repaired house!
The main terrace with the previous room behind the umbrella! The deer is wrought iron!
A pretty plaque on the chimney; and an unusual way to hide those ugly metal things at the top of chimneys!
The Spring slipcovers and pillows!
My collection of Quimper salt and peppers on the mantle; and showing how the “convent table” works! The nuns would work
at the table all day; then take their dishes out, have a meal, and return them! Very practical!
The teeny Portugese chair on the table I bought at a museum in Portugal! I found the identical chairs at an antique shop here in Montecito!
My mother’s first Vertes painting! (Once, on a tour, a man insisted to his wife that it was a painting of “Mrs. Bianchi”!
”Can you imagine having a nude portraitof yourself in your living room?”
(It was painted before I was born!)
These lovely chickens were a gift from Oprah when there was a tabloid story quoting Oprah complaining about our chickens!
The card said: ”Contrary to tabloid opinion; I absolutely adore your chickens!”
This panel in the kitchen was one of a pair I found for a client who only needed one!
The soup tureen on the bottom shelf has chicks poking through her feathers
The cat jumps on this antique stool to reach her food on the island!
Radisha makes us an “initial painting” for our birthdays! These are Adam’s by his sink.
This is my “pride and joy” Vertes screen which was owned by Gypsy Rose Lee! and my sink on the other side of the bathroom!
More Vertes lithographs mostly from the “Cirque” series!
These books house my millions of decorating books!
The checked ottoman is a pop-up TV!!!
two antique valances and a favorite Vertes silk screen of his dog; an Airdale!
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tara dillard
You are the rarest. Interior, exterior, cooking, livestock, pets, children, grandchildren.
All thrive beautifully in your realm.
You make is seem so easy. You give all your knowledge.
Yet.
It’s like I understand your language but can only speak it a tiny bit.
Adore seeing the dogs.
Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
Aug 13, 2012 @ 8:10 PM
La Comtesse Lola
The only thing more beautiful than your home is you! Brava Penelope!
xo
Aug 13, 2012 @ 8:51 PM
Thoughts on Design
Beautiful! I love reading the stories about what I’m looking at! I hope you are in the premiere issue!!!
Cheers,
John
PS: I wish I could see more of your kitchen! It has such a happy, cozy lived in feeling!
Aug 13, 2012 @ 8:56 PM
Sandra Jonas
Penny, your home is exquisite! I love the Vertes,(and the way you display them) the Ivy climbing in… and ….and …. Everything!!!!
Aug 13, 2012 @ 9:02 PM
little augury
I love your home-full of delicious details and collections. that little chair-and the convent table are amongst my favorite pieces-though an of the Vertes works are pretty fabulous. pgt
Aug 13, 2012 @ 9:22 PM
penelopebi
Oh how sweet you are!
Aug 13, 2012 @ 9:42 PM
penelopebi
Tara! You do speak it! Beautifully! Thank you!
Aug 13, 2012 @ 9:46 PM
La Contessa
First off your WELCOME!!!!!!!!!How exciting!
SECOND, I have a CARDIGAN CORGI named SIR WINSTON!Third,my AUNT KATHERINE lived by Oprah……you must have been neighbors!Lets communicate…….do you ever head North?I have a shop you may just adore in LAFAYETTE, Calif.Twenty minutes outside of SAN FRAN.Called HEN HOUSE…………hope you e-mail me!When does the Magazine premiere??Do tell!
Aug 14, 2012 @ 4:25 AM
penelopebi
The magazine debuts in October!
Don’t even tell me your Aunt is Katharine Abercrombie??
Penelope
ps Corgis! WOW!!!
Aug 14, 2012 @ 6:29 AM
Greet
Dear Penelope,
Congratulations!! Oh dear that man does know what he wants! Your home is gorgeous! Love love your home style! So very French and oh so charming!
You really deserves it to be featured in the new French Country magazine!
Have a wonderful day Penelope!
xx
Greet
Aug 14, 2012 @ 8:25 AM
Victoria Athens
Your home is a stunning example of one that has been adorned over time with objects loving collected by someone with a great eye for design and originality. Congratulations, Penelope. It is beautiful and unique.
Best…Victoria
Aug 14, 2012 @ 11:04 AM
home before dark
Valentines to a sweetheart! Look forward to reading more. In this time of gray/white rooms that seem the same around the world, it is comforting to know that your home is where passion…and chickens come home to roost!
Aug 14, 2012 @ 5:06 PM
La Contessa
YES!That would be my AUNTIE MAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m her youngest sisters daughter!ELIZABETH.
Congratulations again I know how exciting it is as FIFI and MARK did a spread on me for Romantic Country Living last Fall and then WHERE WOMEN COOK the SPRING issue.We also, have 8 pages in the Romantic Prairie Style Cookbook!!!!!!!!I married a REAL ITALIAN!Do you remember I left a comment that I had one of your dishes in a cup??!!We lived outside Florence in 1991 thru 1994……….please be in touch!
Aug 14, 2012 @ 11:56 PM
penelopebi
This is completely amazing! I do remember that! And I love your store online!!
Aug 15, 2012 @ 1:14 AM
penelopebi
And your Aunt’s house, “Contantia” has been my favorite house in Montecito since I first saw it at 15!!
Eric Haskell led many tours there!
Aug 15, 2012 @ 1:17 AM
La Contessa
My favorite house too!It left a lasting impression on me!The swans on the 90 foot reflecting pond…….the ocean view over the pool.Sadly, she sold and I recently saw it in Santa Barbara magazine…NOT THE SAME!
AS I drove down the driveway for the last time I told my SON to take a good look as homes like this are rare to see.You see she is his GREAT AUNT KATHERINE!I was recently asked who influenced me in my life and my response was AUNT K.The house in Palm Springs was equally STUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!
Aug 15, 2012 @ 4:11 AM
Karen
I have the same convent table, however the legs are much shorter, so it is used as a coffee table. I actually think it was used as a school desk. It is very heavy and appears to be oak. I love multi-purpose pieces.
Karen
Aug 15, 2012 @ 10:59 AM
penelopebi
How interesting! Perhaps its legs were cut off to make a “coffee table”!! There was a lot of that going on the the fifties!!! All these antiques!
I would love to see a picture of it!
Aug 15, 2012 @ 5:11 PM
penelopebi
I never knew she had a house in Palm Springs! Any pictures?
Aug 15, 2012 @ 5:18 PM
Content in a Cottage
Dearest Penelope . . .
Thank you for such a personal tour of your amazing home. You have the most delightful knack for displaying your treasures from all over the world. I love hearing the stories behind your collections.
I’lll look for the magazine in October.
xo, Rosemary
Aug 16, 2012 @ 8:04 PM
Misty
You really deserve to be in that French Country magazine Penelope so that more people will be inspired by your works.
Aug 17, 2012 @ 1:24 AM
penelopebi
I absolutely love your blog……and I love meeting people I love through blogs! “like-minded people”!!
I so appreciate this compliment….and you are correct…every single little thing has a “story” and meaning to me! How can you tell? I think because we are in the same “tribe”?
Thank you so much!
Aug 17, 2012 @ 7:39 AM
penelopebi
Thank you !! What a lovely thing to say! I have been in magazines; ( and thrilled to be!) However, blogging is so much better in so many ways!
When one is in a magazine; there is no real connection…..no feedback……it just goes out there!
Now magazines are getting on the web…..much better….they may get blogging……blogging had connected with true friends…….and it is “like minded” people…..It is astonishing the friends I have made online……..and it is not “Match.com” it is true and lasting friends…….for life!
You are one!
Aug 17, 2012 @ 7:45 AM
penelopebi
more kitchen coming! And I am coming next month! We will meet!
I hope you will be there!
Aug 17, 2012 @ 7:47 AM
Jules
Just found you through Millie and had to come visit as it is not often I find a blogger in my age group!!!!! Joy of joys you have a truly beautiful house and a truly lovely blog so I shall be back! I must go and thank Millie!!!
Aug 18, 2012 @ 6:43 AM
penelopebi
Welcome!
(I think my replies will be right after the comments I am replying to! No! )
I guess it is a puzzle So sorry to my readers!
and I ADORE your comments! I reply…..but they don’t end up under the comment they are replies to!
Thank you all for reading…..!
Next post about the kitchen!
My new friends from Salem Massachusetts…….(neighbors of our daughter in Marblehead);
requested more kitchen pictures…..they are coming tomorrow!
P
Aug 18, 2012 @ 7:07 AM
penelopebi
Where are you? You have been a favorite from day one…..(what; me blog)?
You have been a beacon! I mean it!
Penelope
Aug 18, 2012 @ 7:10 AM
pimpmybricks.wordpress.com
I hope it’s alright with you Penelope – I just directed someone here to your blog. They wrote this: http://purestylehome.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/vines-indoors.html about a love of vines indoors, and what better place to see just that than your own home…
PP
pimpmybricks.wordpress.com
Aug 19, 2012 @ 9:48 AM
penelopebi
I am completely delighted that you directed someone to my blog! I love your blog! And I have made such wonderful connections in “blogdom”!
Thank you!!!
Aug 20, 2012 @ 7:49 AM
Karena
Oh my Penelope it is such a treat to see any rooms in your home. The art, antique panels, fabrics, the summer slipcovers, it all resonates so perfectly as a collected collection over the years!
Of course your home should be featured as it is so very special; as are you!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
2012 Artist Series
Aug 22, 2012 @ 1:02 AM
Nella
Dear Penelope , you are so entertaining, I could sit and listen to you all day long ! Your story telling is so special, your home something that has resonated with me from the first that Brooke posted about you on her blog….I will say it again, you are a woman ahead of her time, choosing to embellish her home as SHE wishes without any compromise….and very good taste…something I aspire to.
N.xo
Aug 23, 2012 @ 12:03 AM
Jacqueline@ Tokyo Jinja
So exciting to see more photos of the loggia and the house – and I love love the screen in the bathroom!
Aug 23, 2012 @ 6:08 PM