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Sneak Peek: Texas River House
Haskell Harris | June 23, 2009 | Design
Recently I've been thinking that I should give a sneak peek of some style related things coming up in the magazine.
So here goes: My favorite Southern Style piece in our upcoming August/September issue is about an idyllic Texas river house on the banks of the Guadalupe River.
The photo below is an out-take from our photo shoot (Andrew Geiger shot it for us and he's amazing). I love how minimal the camp cots are, and the whole house has the same vibe. It's both rustic and modern—a combination that always works:
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Photo by Andrew Geiger
Stay tuned for an expanded gallery of out-takes when the next edition hits newsstands.
And just in case you might want to try the utilitarian look of camp furniture at home, here are a few sources:
1) Cabela's army cot (almost a dead ringer for the one above):
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Photo courtesy of cabelas.com
2) The beautiful and super expensive cot by Bottega Veneta, quite possibly the chicest daybed ever designed:
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Photo courtesy of bottegaveneta.com
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3) These camp stools from Design Within Reach feel like something off the set of Out of Africa. A pair of them at the end of a bed in an all white room would be fantastic:
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Photo courtesy of dwr.com
4) The classic stools from Hable Construction. Everyone has seen these, but I think they always look perfect in children's rooms because the colors are so happy:
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Photo courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com
Ode to an Old House
Haskell Harris | January 7, 2009 | Design
When I picture the fictional homesteads in Great Expectations or Daphne du Maurier's Manderley in Rebecca, I picture a place just like the one I'm about to share (see below).
Photo courtesy of Carroll Foster
Like those houses, this example seems suspended in time.
No one lives inside at the moment, but all is as it should be. The family portraits are in place, and even the Zuber Eldorado wallpaper is still clinging on (it was printed on canvas—can you imagine?).
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I came upon the photos thanks to Jessica Hundhausen (our marketing maven here at G&G who spent years at House & Garden magazine).
The estate, called Bonhaven, has been in her family since John Bomar Cleveland built the Second Empire residence in 1884.
And while the beauty of it all is hauntingly poignant, what I find most compelling is the fact that houses are simply not constructed this way anymore.
From the reflecting pond out front to the tea house that sits in the middle of the once-lush English fan garden, a tremendous amount of effort went into producing every detail, and it was, no doubt, a house meant for living life well.
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Even on a smaller scale, we can all learn so much about great design from structures like it, don't you think?
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What a special place! I have to say I recently ran across your magazine and have truly enjoyed your features. Keep them coming!
By Brooke Fern | January 09, 2009 at 03:55 | Reply
I remember sitting in the sun on the porch with a three-year-old Jessica, her parents and her uncles. The family has as much personality as the house
By Dorothy Josey | January 09, 2009 at 03:14 | report | Reply
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More than Coffee-Table Books
Haskell Harris | December 29, 2008 | Design
I stumbled on these recently and I'm totally smitten. I had no idea that a series of books covering the architecture of the Old South had ever been published, much less that they were written and photographed in such a compelling way. From the quirky mansions of Natchez, Mississippi, to the majestic colonial plantations of Louisiana, the range of styles that have evolved in this little pocket of the country are fascinating.
Excerpt:
"Buildings are three-dimensional history books that reflect the comings and goings, successes and failures of real people. Virginia was the oldest, most populous, and richest colony in the South, with early architecture of unsurpassed elegance and variety. Maryland, thanks to an early start and the successful cultivation of tobacco, produced colonial architecture second only to Virginia and South Carolina, the rich rice colony. Virginia, Maryland, and South Carolina flourished until about 1820, when they suffered relative declines in population, prosperity, and cultural vigor as people abandoned the old, exhausted, and overcrowded lands of the upper and coastal South and flooded to the fertile Southwest.
Three other colonies developed somewhat separately. North Carolina, with treacherous coasts, poor harbors, and shallow rivers, was slow to prosper and remained isolated. Georgia, the last and poorest of the English colonies in America, struggled from insecurity and near collapse till the 1760s and, like North Carolina, remained sparsely settled, poor, and underdeveloped until after the Revolution. Louisiana, the former colony of France, continued to be dominated by French culture, French language and French law long after it was sold to the United States in 1803..."
p. 8, The Architecture of the Old South: Louisiana
Even the interior pages are art worthy. I love how each one shows the history of the region through archival photos and documents, including antique drawings and blueprints. It's like walking into another era. See image below from the Louisiana book:
One other cool thing about the books: They are published by the BeeHive Press in Savannah, Georgia, a wonderful company that produces tons of other earthy, beautiful volumes about the South and beyond.
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That series of books is really excellent not only for developing an understanding of how regional weather can help create an architectural style, but also for understanding the culture of the South back then - lots of land, building design based on cultural heritage, quality over quantity, societal hierarchy, etc, etc.
Beehive has put out some really great architectural books throughout the years. Did I hear correctly that they are now out of business?
By Greg Shue, RA | January 05, 2010 at 07:13 | report | Reply
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Love at First House
Haskell Harris | November 24, 2008 | Design
Let’s just say that I knew the Virginia house I grew up in was different. [pictured above]
It was different because it was in the middle of town and there were no other children around, except my older brother and younger sister, and the house sufficed as our playground.
It was different because my mother, an interior designer, had a shop on the first floor and customers were always coming and going. Even the basement was part of her quirky creative factory, with its drapery workroom, racks of fabric memos, and library of wallpaper books.
And it was different because it was old and big and rambling, full of secret passageways, and flanked by what I called “the secret garden,” an addition of my father’s that consisted of a hand-laid brick wall, private grove of Japanese cherry trees, and big beds of flowers.
It was, to a very curious and romantic little girl, paradise.
There have been others, too, most recently a cottage in Birmingham, Alabama, my very first grown-up house, and one that I revived, bit by bit. [pictured below]
I have spent my life obsessed with houses and the beautiful things that go in them. Not for the false glamour of having “things”, but for the art and story behind the homes—the designers and the craftsmen and the ingenuity of it.
That’s probably why, after UVA, I ended up working for Cottage Living magazine and why I’m on to a new adventure here at Garden & Gun in Charleston, South Carolina.
I hope to use Belle Décor to post bits about the best of design—from fabric to shops to architecture—with the hope that you’ll stop by and share discoveries of your own.
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Beautiful! Great job! How did you do the bookshelves? And where did you get the light fixtures in the kitchen? Julia S.
By julia Sternberg | July 04, 2009 at 02:06 | report | Reply
Haskell,
I was so thrilled to see you and your lovely home in Southern Living in April. You have impeccable taste and I love what you've done. I'm also glad to see that you're blogging. I think I spoke with you several years ago (like 5 or 6) on the phone for Southern Living. You were so sweet and helpful AND I loved your name. So did my husband. Likewise...you have a namesake who is 2-years-old and lives in the Texas panhandle. You should see the looks we get when people ask us where we got her name. :)
By Keely@http://hopehugsandhaskell.blogspot.com | May 26, 2009 at 07:17 | report | Reply
Thank you so much for your sweet comments! The color on the living room walls is called Riff and I used it in an eggshell finish. The company that makes the paint is called C2 (c2color.com). They have great colors...happy hunting.
By Haskell | May 04, 2009 at 07:28 | report | Reply
After subscribing to Southern Living for years, I have never found an issue with a story that I loved as much as yours. You have inspired me to update my home with ideas that I have gathered from you. Could you please tell me the name of the color on the walls that you painted in the living room? Your southern charm is absolutely amazing!!
By Jessica | April 19, 2009 at 05:45 | report | Reply
love your house..you have such great taste! I blogged about you on my blog..
http://rikshawdesign.blogspot.com/
By Catherine Fitzsimmons | February 26, 2009 at 09:45 | report | Reply
I live in a 1929 brick bungalow in Savannah. It's my first house, and I understand the love of a house. I believe it is how we feel when we are in them that makes them so special. Good energy is what I call it.
By Christine Lucas | January 06, 2009 at 01:06 | Reply
Wow, I couldn't have summed it up better...."I have spent my life obsessed with houses and the beautiful things that go in them".... ME TOO! My grown up life anyway... I look forward to reading more.
By DesignOC | January 03, 2009 at 03:23 | report | Reply
I adore your cottage in Birmingham......know it was hard to leave! Did you sell it? Precious, precious!
My husband and I are loving Garden and Gun and so glad to have discovered it! I will really miss Cottage Living, tho.
By Lee Moates | December 31, 2008 at 03:39 | report | Reply
welcome to charleston; you are going to love it!! i adored cottage living and am excited that you have joined garden and gun (great mag)!!
By Pink Wallpaper | December 30, 2008 at 03:48 | report | Reply
Haskell,
I was just reading a back-up of blog posts and found my way here via Style Court. What beautiful homes and a wonderful story. So glad you are blogging. We have mutual friends at Cottage Living, and ironically I'm leaving for Charleston Tuesday morning... I have never been and am looking so forward to the trip. I'm also a fan of G&G, glad you are there and blogging!
Erika
By erika @ urban grace interiors | December 29, 2008 at 02:37 | report | Reply
Stylecourt sent me too. I taught stencilling in Charleston this July and was privileged to see inside some homes and gardens there, I shared my experience on my blog. I too miss Cottage Living. It was sent to me in the UK. Will look forward to visiting your blog.
By www.designinspiration.typepad.com | December 21, 2008 at 02:45 | report | Reply
what gorgeous houses both! but i wanted to thank you more for putting into words what i sometimes find hard to describe about why i am passionate about homes and furnishing/decorating/adding soul to them. it's so not about the things, but somehow the things are a step in making up the whole, so sometimes it seems hard to understand/explain the difference to people. ok, that probably didn't make any sense (you see the problem i have ha ha), but suffice it to say, thanks, i totally appreciate you and your house love and can't wait to see more
By pam garrison | December 19, 2008 at 11:05 | report | Reply
I am so thrilled that ya'll like the blog!!
By Haskell | December 19, 2008 at 09:36 | report | Reply
Another new reader -- sent over by the wonderful Style Court! I just adore visiting Charleston -- and one of my favorite designers is Amelia Handegan! Love your new column!
Jan at Rosemary Cottage
By Jan | December 19, 2008 at 04:16 | Reply
I can't wait to read your fantastic new blog! Your home in Birmingham is just so beautiful and I sorely miss Cottage Living!
By ArchitectDesign blog | December 19, 2008 at 02:35 | report | Reply
Courtney from StyleCourt sent me and your house is beautiful...
By Visitor | December 19, 2008 at 02:11 | report | Reply
I can imagine how it could be fantastic to grow up in this kind of ambiance
By LE PETIT CABINET DE CURIOSITES | December 19, 2008 at 01:59 | Reply
Courtney sent me - both houses are so beautiful! I look forward to reading more from you!!
By Joni Webb | December 19, 2008 at 06:01 | report | Reply
Haskell - so now I owe Courtney for one more good deed. I adored Cottage Living and am sure I will enjoy your posts here. Can't wait to read what comes next.
By Mrs. Blandings | December 19, 2008 at 04:03 | report | Reply
Haskell,
I was so delighted to see your name pop up at stylecourt! I had the pleasure of speaking with you 3 or so years ago at Cottage Living. You were extremely helpful and walked me through submitting a product, I had never done it before! I was recently photographed for a Cottage Living cottage industry feature and it reminded me how very nice you were when I was starting out. We are sad about the loss of Cottage Living but are happy you have found a new home. Best Wishes!
By Stacy McCallum | December 19, 2008 at 02:39 | report | Reply
I recently posted about the house in Baltimore where I grew up. Yours is a beautiful place and I am sure your memories will keep it lively in your mind.
By Pigtown Design | December 19, 2008 at 01:56 | report | Reply
That cottage kitchen is amazing! Love the colors you used throughout.
By Catherine | December 18, 2008 at 05:13 | report | Reply
i LOVE the rope around the porch swing chain. genius! can't wait to steal more ideas from you! keep 'em coming.
By jenny | December 17, 2008 at 05:08 | Reply
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