Getaways and Retreats by Barclay Butera

Author:Barclay Butera
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gibbs Smith
Published: 2013-10-22T16:00:00+00:00

The zebra console table and cinnabar-hued walls instill this retreat with a sense of exotic elegance. Stark white leather cubes can be recruited for additional seating.

The vision for this bedroom was to create a contemporary yet romantic atmosphere inspired by exquisite, luxurious fabrics and saturated, muscular tones of chocolate, bronze and navy.

An abstract painting in luscious blues hangs above a knockout mid-century cabinet.

Autumn

The onset of autumn marks a time for vacations to end and everyday routines to resume. Flip-flops and bathing suits are stashed away in exchange for cozy sweaters and button-down oxfords. Balmy beach days are replaced with twilight porch parties and Saturday tailgates, and the early dusks only punctuate our inevitable shift toward dormancy. There is a cliché about fall being a time to take stock and make a sober survey of the milestones and regrets of one’s life. While this is a bit too heavy-handed for me, the pivot from the exuberance of summer to the hibernation of winter does provoke me to reflect on the fact that seasons pass all too quickly and that time is a fleeting thing I must never take for granted.

Like the smell of a crackling fire or the sound of rain hitting the pavement, autumn has a warm and soothing effect on my senses. The cool, crisp air, falling foliage, dampening earth, and long, dark nights tend to shift my design aesthetic to one of lusty earth tones, deep ambers and velvety grey-browns. These palettes are then punctuated with dusty goldenrods, striking crimsons and bold tangerines.

I find that the odd contrast between the pre-winter and post-summer days that alternate in fall is a license for me to revel in visual contrast. I like to use more white than many would think prudent after Labor Day, pairing it with animal prints and creating an intermixture with textured upholstery fabrics: a bronze silk on white jacquard or an oyster linen mixed with espresso wool. I think paisley is a two-point conversion for the fall sitting room, with its strangely sinuous and luxuriant foliage rendered in browns, reds and yellows. Rich leather in caramel and chocolate tones provides an excellent accent to the more intricate elements in the decor.

While it is impossible to fix or freeze this season, I find that by showcasing bold colors, vibrant textures, and opulent jewel tones, I can capture nature’s beauty, infuse a satisfying and nostalgic feeling of the fall season, and leave one always wanting more.

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