Inspired By: Taking Inspiration from Olden Days
Yesterday I finally went to see Little Women. Beyond the fact that it is a magnificent film, it felt inspiring on many fronts. So prepare yourselves, I have another Little Women-inspired post in me this week. The visuals in this film (both the homes/interiors and fashion) were so rich, layered and total eye candy. It was filmed completely in Massachusetts, and so I plan on stalking a couple of the homes in the film (you can find details on them here in this great Boston.com article). What I noticed though was that there are SO many modern day interiors and “trends” (can we even call them that though if based in such classicism?) that really play off the homes in this Civil War-era set film.
I, for one, am ALL FOR IT. You can keep your modern, rose gold coffee table and macrame wall hangings, and give me a nice scuffed wood piece found in an antique shop and a painting framed in a chipped gilt frame, thanks. :) One of the things that really spoke to me was the paint palettes and schemes– SO many of the rooms have millwork, trim and walls all painted the same rich tones, like this room we did last year (which is Farrow & Ball Green Smoke). Of note: to be historically accurate, the windows would also be green (and have multi-pane mullions), but the overall effect is very much based in Colonial style.
photo by Sarah Winchester
Currently also SO popular is the English, rustic, scullery-style kitchens, like these from DeVol Kitchens. Note the beams, the simple millwork on the doors and wood or antique brass hardware. There is zero “glam” elements to these kitchens, it’s much more about texture and rich materials that feel, or are, hand-made and carefully crafted.
Fireplaces were also so important, as the source for heat, so dressing those in antique reproduction mantels and surrounds is important in order to get this look. Our favorite sources for these are Chesneys and Jamb.
Image via Jamb UK.
Here are some finds that fit this aesthetic- not all antique, some newly made, and of various price points.
1. Antique Duncan Phyfe table 2. Velvet English roll arm sofa 3. Wood Windsor chairs 4. Antique landscape in frame 5. Wood bed 6. ceramic crocks 7. Wood cutting boards 8. Federalist mirror 9. Brass buffet lamps 10. Traditional rug 11. Painted tallboy dresser 12. Antique Louis setttee (needs reupholster) 13. Rustic dishware 14. Woven basket 15. Table runner
I also gathered up some historically-based paint colors that would look especially good on millwork and trim. We reach for our Benjamin Moore Historical Colors deck the most often because these tones are so classic and timeless.
Do you like that this style is resurfacing in modern day? Did you see the movie and love it too? It’s really re-ignited my desire to buy an old home and fix it up again :)
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I love this post! I was so inspired by the gorgeous New England design – thank you for translating to something more modern.
I’ll never know for sure…but i am 99% sure that a “Louisa May Alcott-Style Writing Desk” that my parents bought at a New England Antique shop in the early 50s and that has traveled around from my childhood home to my own home ended up in one of the final scenes in the movie. It’s a lift top writing desk with gilded edge/dusty rose/red wool felt inlay on the top of it. I gave it to 4th Floor shop at The Mills on Pulaski Street in Peabody right as they were being used as one of the prop resources for the film. I’d gone to them for a desk to replace this one in my living room…it just isn’t practical for laptops/lamps etc. They told me they were working on the film…and lo and behold my desk seems have made it into the film. It’s in just about the very last scene (in the attic) when Jo pulls her papers back out to dive back into writing! I was so excited when I saw it!! And in the meantime i have a gorgeous “new to me” desk from them that’s much more practical! The entire mill building is filled with amazing shops…worth checking out! 58 Pulaski St, Peabody, MA 01960. In addition to selling to the general public, apparently they are the first stop for all set designers working on film/tv/advertisements in MA.
Over my lifetime, I have collected beautiful things, many antiques and possessions left to me by family who also treasured classical objects. Being surrounded by treasures we love and collect gradually is far more rewarding than constantly changing one’s surroundings to reflect current decorating trends. I love this post. Aren’t we fortunate to live in New England, where there is so much visual beauty and visual history to enjoy?
I’m with love the sets and loved the book and the movie. I look forward to another Little Woman themed post.
Beautiful post. Best sentence is the one about rose-gold coffee tables. :) I’m a preservationist out West, and I’m always encouraging people to paint walls and trim the same color. It’s rich and classic. Can’t wait for your follow-up post.
Given the huge popularity of DeVol, I absolutely do think this is resurfacing. I also adore the work of Darryl Carter who uses very traditional pieces in a totally modern way. Love love love these paint colours too!!!
Thank you for such a wonderfully clever post. I cannot wait to see the film now. You made me realize I truly do need to follow my heart and not the latest trends in decorating. Classic with hints of Colonial or Traditional is much more in our true comfort zone. Thanks for the color ideas since we will be redoing walls and some furniture pieces this year and the reference pieces. Always so helpful.
Yes, Yes, Yes !!!! To all of this!!!
Loved loved loved the movie, and also couldn’t get enough of the details in those houses!
Hi Erin! This post is amazing and exactly the look I am going for in my apartment, too. How would you describe this style? For example, what keywords would I use to hunt for pieces like these online? Thanks xo
I went to see it yesterday too!! It was so beautifully shot. I love that you’re doing this post!
Yes. Love this post. Alas, I haven’t seen the movie yet but plan to ASAP.
Love this SO much!
Really luv “the look.” Makes my kitchen look better all the time!! franki
I love all of this, and agree with every word you said, give me all the antiques! Traditional is classic, cozy and timeless.
But no Oscar nod for Greta Gerwig! Appalling.
She was actually nominated for best adapted screenplay (though not for director). And the movie was nominated for best picture.
Great post. I live in a 1890s Victorian and I’m also looking for good sources.
I am designing a kitchen right now with DeVol and I have nothing but the highest praise for them. The cabinets are beautiful, but they also sell sinks, faucets, hardware, etc. — it’s like one-stop shopping for your kitchen. And their designers are a dream to work with.
Lucky duck!!!!!
Little Women was nominated for Best Picture and Best Writing, also best lead and supporting actresses. Just not in the directing category. Still – GG should have been nominated for best director.
Now that I live in London, I randomly wandered into Jamb one day without even realising how interior design famous a place it is. They also have utterly incredible taxidermy from these Dutch artists who mount rare birds on vintage velvet and marble Cartier necklace stands under massive glass cloches… I inquired and got a whole fascinating lesson from one of the employees about how when an exotic bird species dies in a zoo or wildlife preserve, there is this behind-the-scenes bidding war from high-end taxidermy artists so they can produce works of art like they sell at Jamb.
Also this is a lovely fireplace but nothing on seeing their full stock in person; definitely worth the trip if you find yourself here! I’m coveting this Egyptian revival one that’s got sphinxes flanking black and white marble with little Egyptian slender cats… swoon!
Many of the knitted pieces in the film were made in Massachusetts! The ladies of Another Yarn in Burlington, MA did a beautiful job!