My last few posts have been about our March trip to Europe. I’ve decided to take a break from writing about that trip, though I still plan on posting about antiquing at the Paris flea markets and sightseeing in the Netherlands.
This week I’m thrilled to share the home of my good friend and client, Lori. BTW, Lori introduced me to Pinterest and Instagram. Also, she suggested I start this blog. Yup, she’s pretty cool!! 🙂 Check out her Pinterest boards here.
Lori and her husband’s 1905 shingle-and-clapboard house is located on one of the oldest and prettiest streets in historic Greenwich, CT. Though the house is not huge, it feels really spacious and lofty due to the abundance of natural light, tall ceilings and open floor plan. And, the architecture is just amazing: period details such as bay windows and moldings blend seamlessly with new cabinetry and millwork.
I’m so grateful to have many of our antiques in this gracious home. Enjoy these photos from my visit last summer.
You enter the house via a covered porch and through Dutch doors to this charming foyer. As typical with some older homes, there isn’t a coat closet. When Lori saw the Swedish Gustavian armoire at
Tone on Tone, she knew it would be perfect for coats in her foyer. The Gustavian console table and Rococo side chair, both Swedish, are also from my shop.
The console table and chair are from the 18th century, and both retain their early paint. The chair, which I found in Jönköping, still has its old leather seat – a rustic contrast to the lovely paintings.
The sophisticated yet inviting living room is my favorite. In a cool color palette of blues and grays, it is important to bring in some warmth. Here, the large 19th century French giltwood mirror does just that. Also, notice how Lori has used the antique dark wood tables to ground the neutral sofa. Pair of Swedish barrel back chairs, French giltwood mirror and Belgian lamps all from Tone on Tone.
Fabric on the Swedish barrel back chairs is from Bennison. Pillows are from antique textiles.
Vintage Italian stone fruit from Hiden Galleries, Stamford, CT.
In the middle parlor is the dining room with its sweeping bay windows. When Lori told me she wanted a chandelier, I suggested this antique French painted lantern from my shop. Together with the Robert Kime “faded dandelion clock” slipcovered chairs, the room is very garden inspired. BTW, you can read more about
Kime here. Chairs are from Rose Tarlow.
Lori purchased the four candlestick holders from florist extraordinaire Tage Andersen in Copenhagen. Aren’t those a bit avant-garde and unexpected?
Over the dining room fireplace mantel is an antique French landscape in a period Montparnasse frame. I am very fond of these frames, and insist on them for all of our old French paintings. The pair of tole botanicals and silver candlesticks are also French. English creamware reticulated plates flank a faux-grained tin tea caddy.
In the rear of the house is the family room. Just a bit more colorful and relaxed, this room overlooks a fabulous step-down garden.
And here is one of the bedrooms with exquisite built-in cabinetry. Thank you to Lori and her husband for allowing me to share their beautiful home!!
Thanks for sharing it!!! So elegant and fresh at the same time.
What a beautiful and gracious home, not to mention a lovely showplace for so many of your wonderful pieces! And thank you Lori for convincing Loi to start his blog and join Pinterest.
xo Kat
What a beautiful home, gardens and furnishings. That armoire couldn't be any perfect for that space. I love all the lighting, especially the living room lamps and the bouillotte in the family room. It was wonderful of them to let you share their lovely home.
Loi, this is a beautiful home and grounds. I am looking forward to your Paris flea market post since I am going in September for the first time.
Thanks, Kim. I'll email you some info on the flea markets in Paris. You'll have so much fun….I just know it 🙂
Loi, Loi, Loi, I miss you as much as a day without coffee…which is a lot;) The interiors that you help form are genuine and inviting. I was almost going to whine that in CT. summer came early! Thank you to you and your hosts for sharing the beauty:) xob
Loi, yet another beautiful and sophisticated design from you! I LOVE IT! I predict a book in your future. Can you imagine a Tone on Tone book similar to Velvet and Linen? I will be the first on the list to purchase it.
I would love to hear more about your work at the Freer Sackler Gallery, perhaps a post or two about your work, and the fabulous collection, and of course some behind the scenes information about the breathtaking Peacock Room?
I hope you have a fabulous day! I was so hoping to get to your shop while in was in DC but traveling with 2 young adults and 3 other adults left me with little free time. I will make it the next time.
Best, Elizabeth
What an impeccable home – I just love it and I want to be in the Lori fan club now! Special thanks to Lori for sharing her gorgeous home and inspiring you to blog and such. I cannot wait to visit her Pinterest pages!! I love everything about this house, but particularly the neat, perfect architecture and the smaller scale of the home. The garden is stunning – how perfect – tailored and elegant. Inside the home, I adore that antique french painting in the Montparnasse frame. I have not heard of that, so I sent an email to my master framer friend Jarvis!!! I love the the restrained palette, those Swedish barrel back chairs (need!!!), and the great hall cabinet. I love the lamps, the fabrics (that Robert Kime dandelion – perfection), the lantern…all wonderfully executed.
Thanks for sharing! Hugs, Terri xo
I always know a post is a good one when I have to stop in the middle to start pinning things and then go back and finish reading it. 🙂 What a treat for us that your lovely friends graciously let you share their beautiful home with us!
You got me there Loi. From your title, I thought your post was about a visit to Greenwich,UK since you just came back from London. Lori's house is beautiful and so elegant. Even thpugh we only saw parts of the house, it looks like there is an easy flow to the rooms. I love her circular dining table and also surrounded by windows in the Dining area. Her garden is so amazing too. I wonder if she has a gardener or does she garden by herself? She has beautiful furniture choices too from your shop. Looking forward next about your own experience in the flea markets of Paris. Have a good weekend!
Hello Loi,
I look forwards to your posts so much. This home is so beautiful and has a welcomeness to it which makes it all the more special. The garden is equally stunning. Thank you for showing us round and also to Lori for letting us have a peak! Bennison fabrics have always been a favourite of mine.
Have a good week!
Ivan
Loi this home is stunning and full of breath, I can see your touches!
I especially love the hallway, this part of the home it's always not easy to create. And that garden… beautiful!
Nice WE
Silvia
Your friends are very generous in allowing us all to see their beautiful and elegant home. Three of the things that particularly caught my eye were the framed dried leaves along with the pair of French tole botanicals and silver candlesticks
Good morning, Loi,
If I had chanced upon these beautiful images while blog hopping, as I tend to do, and they just happened NOT to have your name on them, I would STILL be able to identify and connect them with your artistry! Whether it is the flowing presentation, perfect placement of your 'finds', gorgeous gardens or accompanying text, these spaces all speak of serenity, elegance and taste, and thus, I would automatically connect them with your signature style.
From the Swedish Gustavian armoire to the eye-pleasing symmetry of the gardens, Lori's house is exquisite and inviting. Thanks for sharing and thanks to Lori and her talent of persuasion!
Poppy
wow, her home is STUNNING! i pinned the gorgeous entry!!! wow- drooling over here!
What a warm and inviting home, so beautiful and your antique pieces look stunning in Lori’s home. Thank you to Lori and her husband for allowing you to share their home with us it’s amazing!
I hope you’re enjoying your weekend Loi!
XXX
Debra~
Loi, I am in love. I adore the fact that this house is marvelously decorated without being pretentious at all. It is warm and inviting, lived in. I love the groupings of furniture, and can easily see a small group of friends (or a large one), having a wonderful time sharing stories and life! Your pieces look so perfect that the house almost seems to have been built around them! I especially like the coat armoire. We also don't have a coat closet. I have made a portion of our sunporch into a "mud room" of sorts….but it is the first thing our guests see. It is very messy! My problem is I only have about an 18" depth. Your lovely cabinet has made me think perhaps a built in would be lovely here! But you know Loi, the garden stole my heart! Something about it reminds me of your lovely gardens! Looking forward to your spring photos. Thanks for sharing Lori's gorgeous home!
Thanks, Monica. 18" is quite shallow, so a built-in would make sense. With a built-in, the backing would not be necessary which means more storage space. Good luck!
Yesterday while keeping watch on new posts on my blogroll, I was wondering if you were going to post! And here you are Loi, delivering what I knew would be inspiring, GORGEOUS and breathtaking!
This home is peace and elegance wrapped up like a gift, with the last and final touch from YOU, like a pretty bow. Your antique finds go perfectly in her rooms, and that armoire is the perfect touch for a coat closet. You know how I feel about grays and golds and here, this has been mastered. THEN THERE ARE THE GARDENS! I cannot wait for my boxwoods to get lush and thick because the color of natural greens lends itself so well to the grays and patinas of statuaries and white flowers, that are in my plan this year so I can also enjoy a white, night garden!
Many hugs and thanks for transporting us into Lori's world, and YOURS! Off to see her Pinterest! Anita
Just beautiful…a very calming, serene and inviting home. Love the welcoming feeling and that beautiful parterre garden what a gorgeous place to welcome spring!
stunning home, loi. the pieces in the entry are wonderful and the lantern in the dining room is the best I have seen. our thanks to lori for sharing her home, and also for encouraging you to blog – our good fortune. donna
Thank you for sharing your friend, Lori's, home with us. It's so serene and beautifully done. I am in love with the armoire in the foyer, and it's amazing how perfectly it fits the space! What a beautiful garden she has, too. Thanks to both of you for a glimpse inside her home.
Claudia
Good Morning Loi,
What a lovely way for me to welcome this gorgeous sunny Sunday up here in NH…sitting in my jammies, sipping a hot cup of coffee in my kitchen enjoying a post from you! I hope your friend Lori reads all of the comments your readers have left. She will be even more house proud than she must already be. What a perfectly comfy beautiful home. Loi, your antiques look so wonderful in this home.
I absolutely love the master bedroom.
Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful day.
Hello Loi, This house has such a wealth of architectural details, and the furnishing all take advantage of this in varying ways–style, contrast, age, function, etc. I think that the light tone palette helps the formal and informal elements to blend.
Loi, this is such a beautifully designed interior and exterior! I love how uncluttered and simple the rooms are. Perfectedly curated, just like your style, and inviting. The selections of fabric and furnishings is perfect. I love love those gardens and sitting area. How enviable. Again, your work and the things from your store are perfectly showcased. Hope youre having a wonderful weekend. It's going to be 80 today? I do not want to spend one minute indoors. Are you going to the DC Design House press day? We are, on Tuesday..hope to see you there.
xo Nancy
Powellbrowerhome.com
Loi, Lori's home is so gracious and charming! Your magic talent to create such spaces is a great gift. Everything you touch turns to something beautiful!!
Thank you and Lori for sharing her home.
Hi Loi, What a beautiful house, gorgeous furnishings and lovely details. The garden is stunning as well. xo, Phyllis
i am in love and in awe of your exquisite eye and talent loi. this is such an exquisite setting, calm and soothing with great depth of interest.
love the choice of one color walls, woodwork and trim to set off the beautiful antiques and textiles. their choice of you and of james doyle equals a masterful property
debra
What a wonderful Greenwich home – it seems they are all so beautiful. Just love the color palette, and I certainly see your amazing touch here. So wish you lived near Beaufort, Loi!! Warm, inviting and gracious, indeed…
Hi Loi!
Lori's home is beautiful,very kind of her to share it with us. I especially love the barrel back chairs and the french lantern. Hope you are having a great weekend!
Sarah XO
Hi Loi,
Your work is stunning! You and Lori created a perfect home, elegant yet casual, fresh and inviting. Each image is just so lovely. As I always do with your posts, going back to reread very slowly to absorb all the gorgeousness!
Finally some spring weather arrived over here yesterday afternoon. Filled concrete planters with pansies, so wonderful to see color and life in the yard. Still early but hard frosts are hopefully done. I bet your garden is coming back to life quickly with the warm temps you have had!
Happy spring Loi!
Loi…her home is amazing and your wonderful pieces take it to the next level….I'm so glad she encouraged you to start a blog….now we also can enjoy your creative spirit!
Hi Loi! I love love love this house and all of your pieces!! Did you use the weathervane in the weathervane post? It looks so fab perched over the sofa. The art is amazing too. The dining room is such a lovely spot. The candlesticks are so fun and the lantern is to die for!! Thank you for these inspirational Loi photos:-). Xoxo, K
Good eye, Kathleen!!! I did share photos of the family room in my weather vane post. Thanks!! L
It's Patty again!
I wanted to tell you that I LOVE the Swedish barrel back chairs, and I adore the Lantern!
Thanks for your second visit and kind words, my friend! xoxo, L
This is amazing Loi. The living room is gorgeous. I love the mix of soft gray, blue/white, and dark wood. It's a sophisticated combination indeed. The console and chair are perfect in that spot .. and I like the photos framed above. So simple, so elegant, and perfectly thought out down with each detail in place. I'll be pinning a few of these pictures and will tag this for future reference.
Enjoy your weekend! xxleslie
Thank you for sharing this beautiful house, Loi! I can tell that I'd love the size and scale of every room. The millwork is gorgeous!
Loi, this is so beautiful. It makes me want to be a better gardener. I love all the details inside and out. What is your instagram name?
Linda, finally some free time to catch up on all the wonderful comments. Thank you to everyone!!! My Instagram name: loithai
Loi,
Your antiques look so beautiful in this home. Paired with the owners cool palette you bring the gilt and warmth needed. Gorgeous!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Loi, what a charming home and garden. Leaving in May for garden tour and trip to Chelsea Garden Show, so the garden was very inspiring. I'm going to have to get to D.C. to visit your shop – you have such a wonderful eye, and all your things look lovely. Warming up in Boston.
Dear Anonymous –
Please do visit!! Feel free to email me at topiaryplants@gmail.com before visiting. I'll be sure I'm at the shop.
Cheers,
Loi
Loi-
Thank you for sharing this jewel of a home. Just beautiful, and the garden is perfect.
Happy Sunday.
Teresa
xoxo
Although I like to be surprised by interiors in a certain way , and this house has nothing unexpected , I admit that it is a very refined and elegant house surrounded by a well arranged garden and outdoor space. Who wouldn't like to live there or to visit this house ?
Warm regards Loi and take care !
Olympia
Hi, Loi – How good it must be to have clients who are also friends, and to be mutally enriched. I am impressed to see such beautiful cabinetry throughout the house!
Loi, What a pleasure to walk through this beautiful home with you! It is understated elegance at its best, peaceful, serene, welcoming,
Kathysue
What a serene and beautiful home, and that garden is perfection!
Loi,
I LOVE this house. Who wouldn't want an armoire instead of a coat closet? How fabulous. I love the barrel back chairs in the living room and the fabric they're upholstered in. A fireplace in the dining room is such a bonus to entertaining. The garden…I am such a fan of boxwood and pea gravel paths. The furnishings Lori bought from your store are striking! Such a beautiful home.
Karen
Love every detail. The color palette, the lanterns, the gardens..,just all fabulous. You are a phenomenal talent. XO, Mona
Loi,
This home (both inside and out) make my heart skip a beat!!!! Greenwich is just one town over, 3 quick exits on the highway, so I'm there every week for one reason or another. I will enjoy the thought that I have walked by Lori in the Whole Foods or somewhere on Greenwich Ave. What a fabulous client for you and I love that she was the one who encouraged you to start the blog, etc…! Smart and stylish lady!
Hope you've had a wonderful weekend and that this coming week brings all good things.
xoxo Elizabeth
Elizabeth,
We should meet up this summer. I'm working on a project on Sasco Hill in Fairfield. Will be spending lots of time in your area.
xo
L
What a truly lovely home! I am in love with that armoire! I need one just like it 🙂 Maybe someday it will be in my budget!
Hi Loi-a beautiful home + your antiques are just wonderful. Lori is a lucky lady to have such a talented buddy as you. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
What a lovely home and garden, Loi. The antiques, furnishings and fabrics all complement each other so well. I like that you are working your way north, too!
-Deborah
It indeed is a lovely and warm abode.
Best wishes
Elegant, comfortable, welcoming.
I love the the scale of all the rooms and furniture is so reasonable – that's a huge part of what makes it soooo lovely. And I am sure Lori was so happy when that armoire fit in the space in the front hall!!
that garden is BANANAS! I want to move in! Love the bedroom built-ins too.
Wow…you have the best group of friends!! Each home is more fabulous than the last. This house is so serene, yet still very inviting. I love love love the gardens. I need to find more friends like yours so I can come visit and drink it all in.
Thank you Lori for allowing Loi to share your home with us. And a great big thank you for encouraging Loi to start a blog. Genius idea!!!
xo
Terri
A treasure chest of wonderful! franki
Beautiful! So nice to have such a lovely supportive friend too.
No, my new site has not launched yet- which will have everything integrated as well. I am happy to refer my designer to you.
best-
pve
Truly love this home and how it is decorated. Thanks for sharing!
Dear Loi…this is an exquisitely beautiful and peaceful home…your pieces add so much to the feel, and I love the unexpected touches in accessories…
What a wise friend to suggest you start a blog! :))
The green of the garden…we need some of that right about now! 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing their lovely home, sweet friend…
Hugs from Minnesota,
– Irina
I adore this home in Greenwich–warm and welcoming from the front door to the backyard. As you took us on a tour, I love the armoire from your shop. It is subtle and sophisticated so perfect next to the table and oil painting grouping. Then the living room composition is perfection: the mirror above the sofa, the beautiful and balanced lamps, and those chairs with the perfect print. But the dining room really stole my heart. I love the lantern, the gorgeous round table and the fabric on the chairs. And, last but not least–inside, the built ins in the bedroom enfold the room, just like the headboard enfolds the bed! Finally, as if the interiors are not enough, the gardens are fit for a king and queen, but make a commoner like me feel equally welcomed. Thank you, Lori and Loi for your generosity in sharing with us.
Dear Loi,
What a lovely house. I love the symmetry and particularly like what has been done to the foyer.
Montparnasse frames – I couldn't agree more. AGA is a big fan of them and we have a fair few for our own French paintings. There is something exquisitely lovely about them don't you think?
Hi Loi,
Such a beautiful house! Love all the details and those Gustavian beauty's are sooo beautiful with that great patina.
xoxo Rozmeen
Olá Loi,
que casa linda e aconchegante. As cores usadas nas decorações são muito bonitas, gosto de tons neutros. Aqui no Brasil usamos muitas cores, deve ser por causa do clima tropical e também deve ser pela herança africana.
Aqui é muito difícil encontrar móveis antigos, que tem não se desfaz. No Uruguai se encontrar muitas antiguidades, temos viajado para lá para comprar algumas relíquias.
Tenha uma ótima semana. Amei sua viagem de verão.
Wonderful house and interior, reflecting the owners personality together with your unmistakable/distinctive "signature"!
For me timeless and certainly gracious!
Thanks for sharing, dear Loi.
Warmest greetings from the Périgord,
karin
what a stunning home, loi. i love all the thoughtfulness about each piece of lovely. and the gardens are breathtaking! heaven.
hugs to you.
michele
Hi Loi,
This is such a beautiful home, elegant, peaceful and warm. I particularly like all the fabric and pillow choices. I always find it challenging to select the right scale in a stripe, and the one on the family room couch is just perfect. And the soft gray armoire in the foyer – I love it! Thank you for sharing. Best wishes as always,
Suzanne
What a beautiful home only made more special by your gorgeous antiques! And the James Doyle garden…. heaven. Thank you for giving us a glimpse inside!
Hi Loi! Each post is more and more beautiful. Your work is stunning. I love your friend's home, everything looks so calm and soft. I would love to call this place home.
Very beautiful, indeed! Maybe when I get a few more Tone-On-Tone pieces my place will come together like this! Wish I could see the house exterior – bet it is great!
Thanks, Beth! When will you visit again? Let's get together real soon. Hope spring in Ohio is glorious ~ xo
Hello Loi, what beautiful, soothing spaces. I love how all of the gold frames really shine against the neutral graceful pieces. Gorgeous design as always!
So glad your friend talked you into starting this blog!! Monica
What a beautiful home, of course enhanced by your gorgeous furniture. They have got the perfect balance between casual and sophisticated which I love. X Sharon
Loi, this is simply breathtaking! I loved every room and every details! All of the pieces that Lori bought from you really stand out and are exquisite! What an eye you have for detail and it seems she does as well! Can't wait to follow her Pinterest board! Thanks for sharing this! I'm glad that Lori agreed to do it…it was truly wonderful!
What a beautiful home Loi. I am so happy to be following BOTH of you on Pinterest!
Stacy
Loi,
What a wonderful project. The home celebrates such a great style and feel of real design. Calm and serene and very inviting…Love it. So glad she shared some great tips with you as we all enjoy seeing your work on pinterest and this blog. Cheers to Spring!
Bette
Cool post. Beautiful pictures, I love this color. I'm going to bookmark your website and keep checking for new data.
3D Architectural Rendering
I'd be happy if you allow me to your blog list.
What a beautiful home. Your photographs are awesome Loi. Thank you for sharing this with your readers. I am in love with that landscape painting. It's gorgeous.
Susan
Loi!
First, I'm thankful to Lori for encouraging you to start this blog! Now, let's talk about her home. I love how she carefully chose each piece and her decor is very stylish, but still approachable. Definitely not pretentious. The natural light is a joy too! Really a stunning home and feature!
Loi
Thanks for sharing Lori's beautiful home. Your antiques combined with her stellar fabric choices are right on. That Bennison fabric on the barrel chairs has long been a favorite of mine.
Hi Loi,
You've done it again – really making rethink Scandinavian decor – never my style. This house is so lovely it may be my style, at least one of the 5.
b
Dear Loi, I am paying late visits these days it seems….I think this is one of the most serene and lovely colour palettes I have seen…I especially love the beautiful yet simple French lantern, a perfect and unexpected touch….the interiors here are carefully selected and I can see your fine touch everywhere.
Thank you, Nxo
Dear Loi!
Happy April my friend! Oh, we are still getting SLEET over here! I love my grays all year 'round, but I think I wouldn't mind a little sun to get our boxwoods nice and fluffy and our moss nice and green! I am itching to dine al fresco too!
THANK YOU for your visit and comment and your idea to team up with my best friend Irina is a DIVINE idea indeed! We live in the same area and nothing would make me happier than to team up with her skills. She painted the most beautiful "Clair de lune" scene for me! I have to share the photo with you. She painted a small acrylic that sits on my gray sideboard in the dining room. It is fabulous. Perhaps painting and poetry and both can be a summer project! Hmmmm….you got me thinking, Loi!
Have a super day, you and Tom! LOVE! Anita
Gorgeous home! So Loi I'm just now reading the classifieds in the WP….estate sale in Chevy Chase advertised as "interior designers dream! Tone on Tone look" LOL.
Loi, dear!
You are too kind, my friend!! :))
I so appreciate your visit, and your beautiful, heartwarming message. I do hope you had a chance to read the Russian tale…I wish everyone could read it and understand it in the original language…
Are you a lover of poetry?
Oh, and to have my name in the same sentence as Anita AND poet….wow! You are very, very kind. Anita was born with some incredible gifts, and she is honing her skills to the point of brilliance…
Yes, dear Anita…we shall discuss this idea! 🙂
Thank you for the sweet sunshine wishes…I bet it is gorgeous in D.C. right now!
Much love to you…have a splendid Sunday!!
Hugs,
– Irina
Dear Loi, just had to thank you again for your very, very kind comment. Coming from you, it is a such a compliment! Thank you, N.xo
I have a pair of Swedish side chairs I need to sell. Would you be willing to help me price them if I send you a picture? Thanks! June
Such a amazing gracious in greenwich and amazing home its very beautiful.