Dulcet Delights

Image: Message in a Bottle Necklace, Dulcet

"Imagine an attic filled with books, birdcages, costume jewelry and old linens. Antique trunks overflowing with dresses, photos, maps, advertisements." Meet Dulcet, a treat for the wandering eye, a store overflowing with decorative accents, divine papers, and delicate jewelry. 

I discovered Dulcet's wares this past fall while browsing Etsy and was immediately captivated by the store's beautiful photographs marketing a unique selection of lovely products. Many of these photos could easily be described as well-framed works of art. Dulcet's creator does a wonderful job of presenting old maps, postcards, papers, and jewelry in a beautiful and thoughtful way. And further, Dulcet's store is reminiscent of a visit to a simple but well-appointed country cottage. In viewing its treats and treasures, I am transported to a world of freshly wrung clothes billowing on the line, homemade concord jam spread thick upon just-baked tufts of bread, and long afternoons sitting on the front porch sipping lemonade. These fond recollections of a forgotten place of rest and wonder press upon me with a sense of serene timelessness. They push me to go deeper and linger longer, dwelling upon the polaroids of moments now scattered in gray matter. These images urge me to probe and widen my aesthetic sensibilities, realizing that good design tells a story and weaves its readers into an intricate plot that is thick, rich, and life-giving.

Image: Evangeline Fragrant Bath Tea, Dulcet

Barry's Beauts

"Style has nothing to do with money and everything to do with discipline and restraint. Quality speaks for itself, and I think we should build our interiors over time incorporating quality. A dark, polished wood floor will look great even with sparse furnishings." -Barbara Barry, Style at Home interview

A few weeks ago, I ran across the lovely work of designer Barbara Barry at Barnes and Noble in a book called Inspired Styles. The book provides work samples and biographies from several different interior designers and I was immediately struck by the design choices and philosophy of Barry. Her less is more approach to interior design, even in high-end spaces, allows room for viewers to appreciate the elegance of choice pieces, be they a bold wallpaper, or a stunning mantel. This design approach allows viewers to feel restful and at home in her spaces as their eyes are not overwhelmed by competing elements. Barry's look reads Hollywood Regency with a softer edge and has a kind of timeless transcendence to it. In the Inspired Styles book, Barry describes her sense of design as one that "emerges from a philosophy rather than a style...based on principles of balance, proportion and symmetry. This sensibility shows in her work, as Barry's postmark involves making a room work functionally-less as a gallery space, and more as a livable space-while dressing it up with a few striking touches of glamour.

Barry's designs for the Brentwood Residence, Image: Barbara Barry Company

Barry creates spaces where residents, shoppers, travelers, diners, etc. can relax and be comfortable while also enjoying some of the finer things in life. What makes her distinctive is a strong, but tastefully editing, eye for details-she masterfully paints the fine lines that make a picture pop without impeding a viewer's appreciation of the overall aesthetic. Barry has an excellent sensibility for finding pieces that work well in a given space and work well together, blending new and old to create spaces that feel homey and down-to-earth but also chic and high fashion. This knack has enabled Barry to work for a varied clientele, including restaurants, hotels, homes, retail boutiques, and more, both domestically and abroad. In addition to space design, Barry has also tried her hand at product design, creating lighting, linens, and tablescapes that leave viewers gasping. 

A sample of Barry's offerings through Wedgwood

A true treat for the meandering artsy types who like to find inspiration from high-end designers and make it their own, Barry's work offers just the right blend of luxe and hand-me-down antique. To read/see more about Barry's work visit her website.