virginia
Facebook
Delicious
Digg
StumbleUpon
Truffle Puppy Love
Haskell Harris | January 16, 2009 | Design
Okay, so dogs have nothing to do with style. Or do they?
Whatever your opinion, I have a new (or new to me) breed worth checking out: the Lagotto Romagnolo (pictured below):
.jpg)
How could anyone resist that face?
Any dog that is sweet, beautiful, athletic, and doesn't shed is a no brainer in my book–and the Lagotto fits that description.
But here's the really interesting hook: They were bred in Italy hundreds of years ago to sniff out truffles (yes, truffles) and now that more domestic American farmers are harvesting their own versions of the infamous "black gold," the breed is becoming popular here, for that skill and their other fantastic attributes (listed above).
And don't get me wrong, I'm all for a Portuguese water dog (cousins of the Lagotto BTW) or a Labradoodle in the White House. All I'm saying is that maybe a Lagotto should be on the ballot right there with them.
Mr. President? Thoughts?
(5)
Great looking dog. Do you know what kind of temperament they have? I have a dog that is a pretty rare breed and his name is Beau, short for Beau-cephus, and he is a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon. Check out the slide show @ http://easternexpeditions.com/beaucephus.aspx
By hscdb8 | March 19, 2010 at 02:21 | report | Reply
I played with a litter of these pups at Blackberry Farm back in August 08. They were friendly and energetic. Unfortunately, all of the cuties had been claimed, but the Farm made up for it!
By Granny Smith Green | February 22, 2009 at 03:45 | report | Reply
I want one :)
By style court | January 27, 2009 at 01:33 | Reply
Cute!!!! Thanks for the info on the Lagotto breed - I did not know. Perhaps Mr.President should get two dogs! Loving Garden & Gun!
By Lisa | January 22, 2009 at 12:32 | report | Reply
0 of 350 words allowed. HTML and URLs prohibited.
Design Flash: Wiley Brothers
Haskell Harris | January 8, 2009 | Design
Any time I come across a company that makes its product in small batches, by hand, whether it be furniture or fashion, I am always inspired.
A few weeks ago, I was at a horse race in Virginia and one of my fellow revelers had on the most amazing belt. It looked like vintage Hermés or Ralph Lauren, but less precious, more gritty and rustic. Like a belt meant to be worn.
After a few Bloody Marys, he finally revealed his source: Wiley Brot.jpg)
hers in Charlottesville, Virginia.
My favorite style, the Classic 4-loop, follows below, but the company offers a range of designs, including gorgeous woven and braided models, too.
.jpg)
The founders, Marcus and Peter, have been making their leather goods since 1999 and already have an impressive list of clients: Bergdorf Goodman, Beretta, J.L. Powell, Sid Mashburn, and J. Press.
If belts aren't your thing, stay tuned for the company's possible foray into dog collars, accessories for the sportsman, and even a children's line.
(7)
I'm in Clifton VA and travel to my hometown of Lynchburg VA all the time traveling through Charlottesville en route. Any word on whether these guys did any dog collars or sportsman accessories?
By hscdb8 | March 19, 2010 at 02:34 | report | Reply
Were you at Foxfield? I'm jealous!
Louisville has its share of amazing leather goods too.
By becky | January 29, 2009 at 08:33 | report | Reply
That belt is FAB....adding it to my birthday wish list
By Steele | January 09, 2009 at 04:16 | Reply
Thanks for the amazing resource. I will definitely pick up one -- even if I have to trek down to Charlottesville. Keep inspiring me!
By Philip NYC | January 09, 2009 at 02:59 | report | Reply
Haskell,
I've got that belt and it's one of my favorites. I never thought about it before now but it would look great on my wife- Good Call
By GB | January 09, 2009 at 03:28 | Reply
I’m buying that belt for my sister for her birthday (the one who has EVERYTHING). She'll covet it. It’s AMAZING.
By Kathleen Woodberry | January 08, 2009 at 10:35 | Reply
0 of 350 words allowed. HTML and URLs prohibited.
Revival of the Chic
Haskell Harris | December 11, 2008 | Design
I just about flipped last night when the dapper owner of Revival in Chattanooga Tennessee, Rodney Simmons, sent me these pictures of his shop. I've never been in person, but I am seriously considering booking a flight just to browse.
We met at Blackberry Farm a few weeks ago, where he was putting the finishing touches on a store (the Gallery) he helped create there.
And okay, yes, his Tennessee shop has been written up in a lot of magazines, but it's looking better than ever. Plus, he's about to launch his online shop, which will make it easy for everybody to bring the Revival look home.
Here are the things I'm in love with:
1) Everything 
2) The luxe feather pillow in the foreground of this shot, the English taxidermy vitrine, the charcoal brown wool throws
3) The Mounted Deer Antlers
4) All the white dinnerware, mixed with the organic, sculptural texture of raw branches and pinecones
5) The majestic wildebeest
6) The architectural salvage, like this Swedish oak tabernacle
The entire shop has a sophisticated moodiness about it that I can't get enough of. Thanks for sending along Rodney!
(2)
This store is definitely worth a trip to Chattanooga! I am from there and every time I come home from Birmingham I schedule a stop. There is literally not a single thing in this store that isn't absolutely beautiful and everyone who works there is so nice. There is also a great jewelry store, Amanda Pinson, attached to Revival.
By Tenley | February 08, 2009 at 10:28 | Reply
0 of 350 words allowed. HTML and URLs prohibited.
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.
(23)
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
0 of 350 words allowed. HTML and URLs prohibited.
Blog Categories
- Most Recent
- Belle Decor
- Southern In The City
- Accessories
- Alabama
- Architect
- Architecture
- Belle Decor
- Charleston
- Clothing
- Craftsman
- Design
- Designer
- Designers
- Diy
- Events
- Fabric
- Fashion
- Florida
- Food
- Fruit
- Furniture
- Garden
- Georgia
- Haskell Harris
- Home
- House
- Jessica Mischner
- Jewelry
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- New Orleans
- New York
- North Carolina
- Party
- Products
- Restaurants
- South Carolina
- Southern
- Sports
- Style
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Washington
