A Royal Restoration

The February 2012 issue of Architectural Digest arrived in my mailbox this weekend.  And, boy is it good.  On the cover: Prince Charles and his newly renovated historic mansion, Dumfries House.  The article is excellent, chronicling the history of the property (which is totally fascinating).  Built by the Earl of Dumfries in 1759, the Palladian estate is located in Ayrshire, Scotland.  The property contains over 50 (yes, 50!) commissioned pieces of furniture from an up-and-coming 18th century designer named Thomas Chippendale.  Can you believe it?  One Chippendale cabinet, which resides within the home, is valued at $8 million.


Dumfries House has remained mostly vacant for the last 150 years.  And in 2005, the owners found it just too much to handle.  So, they contacted Christies Auction House and decided to sell it and all it's belongings.  That's when the drama unfolds...  Just weeks before the historic auction is set to take place, Prince Charles decides to buy the 2,000 acre property and everything in it.   Trucks full of furniture, on their way to London, literally turned around and went back.  Great story, right?  The palace has been lovingly restored, with exceptional attention to detail.  It now stands as a proud historical testament to British art & architecture.  The Dumfries House is also open to visitors, and Prince Charles returns to the property about 5 times a year.

via Architectural Digest

via Architectural Digest

Easily my favorite shot from the AD feature:

love the fabulous historic portraits, ceilings, and layered rugs.

For more fabulous images of the estate, pick up the February 2012 issue of Architectural Digest, or click HERE to see the slideshow.

Here are some additional images of the property from other sources:

(via)

a craftsman carefully restoring the plasterwork

(via)

Dumfries House 18th century Chippendale cabinet

(via)

(via)

 

(via)

(via)

 

On a royally related note, it's also the Duchess's 30th Birthday today.

(wearing an Alice Temperley lace dress)

 

Party it up, Duchess.

...

Hello, Inspiration (via Matchbook)

Thank you, Matchbook Magazine, for providing a welcome relief to the daily doldrums.  The new issue is full of fabulous inspiration...  from fashion, to design, to cakes, calligraphy, and even diamond jewelry.  Here are some of my favorite pages...

LOVE the "Editors Wish List"

And, they showed me this:

I kind of love it and want to wear it this summer.

An article on Princess Diana:

(I'm not yet sick of the Royal Wedding and all related topics. I'm actually wanting more, so this was a pleasant surprise).

And, this is genius.  A Mother's Day Gift Guide (based on the editors' mothers):

love the daisy brooch.

An article on "Style Setter" Kelly Wearstler:

An article on GADABOUT owner, Hanna Brooks Nation,

and a tour through her Charleston, South Carolina home:

(skinny stripes!)

loving that wall of portraits, too.

The gals at Matchbook had a whole section dedicated to weddings. 
It included a feature on crazy talented calligrapher, Maybelle Isama-Stukuls:

San Francisco flower shop, Studio Choo:

I will never tire of the Jane Magnolia blossom (branches shown in a vase on the right)

And of course, New York wedding jewelers Doyle & Doyle:

Read the inspiring (and diverse!) new issue HERE.

...

Zara. $89.00

That's all I have to say.

$89.00

(the dress that sold out in 2.5 seconds)

**ALSO, if you're interested, jump over to this witty site: Kate Middleton For The Win. 
It's very VERY funny.  Thank you, Sheila.**

...

The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge

What a lovely way to spend the morning.  I watched the Royal Wedding in pajamas, sipped coffee, and ate freshly baked scones.  I thought the dress was breathtaking, the ceremony was beautiful. 

I'm sure all the little girls of the world (and big girls, like me) loved to watch the Princess marry her Prince Charming.  Such fun.

Happy Weekend!

...

Fashionable Fascinators

With the Royal Wedding happening tomorrow(!!!), I decided to do a little research on fascinators (inspired by the future Princess).  And while they're not that popular in the United States, Miss Middleton is starting a global trend and I'm sure we'll be seeing more of these fancy headpieces in the stores soon.  I personally think that they're fabulous, and would love to wear one to a summer wedding or other such fancy occassion.  Something small and simple would suit me (not sure I could pull off some the more outlandish versions).

these fascinators from ASOS were pretty cute (and affordable)

Bonus? They offer FREE delivery, worldwide.

a few chic options from Washington DC shop, Proper Topper.

Based in London, this lovely shop Hats By Cressida will ship their products to the US.

And, there were quite a few handmade options on Etsy...

available here

too over the top?

available here

available here

available here

What do you think?  Could you sport a fancy fascinator like the future Princess?

...

Wedding Fever & Fancy Hats

I'm not the type of girl that gets caught up in celebrity, or ridiculous Hollywood hype.  But for some reason, I am LOVING all of the cheesy coverage on the Royal Wedding.  TV shows like William & Kate: A Royal Love Story, Countdown To The Royal Wedding, Charles & Di: Once Upon A Time, A Modern Monarchy... People speculating: what will her dress look like?  How much are they spending on flowers?  How will Kate's life change?  I love it all. 

I even saw a show called Wild About Prince Harry (sign me up for that one, please!).

So, on Friday morning, I will be DVRing this fantasy wedding and everything that goes with it... under the excuse that it's a "historical event".  I don't want to miss a thing. 

And, while we're on the subject, can we talk about Kate Middleton's hats?  The girl looks good in just about anything, but can you believe how well she wears these fancy hats?  All of a sudden, I've got the urge to go out and buy a tiny feathered hat...

Or, maybe it's about something sleeker...  Like a beret or a fidora:

Or, maybe it's something a bit more masculine.  Like this wide brim hat (actually called an akubra)

Or, something in fur??

The girl looks good in anything.

And just think, soon she'll be wearing a diamond tiara.

(can't wait to see the wedding dress on Friday!)

Are you guys as crazy as me?  Or, are you sick of all the Royal nonsense?

...