Monday, August 3, 2009

{New} Mary McDonald

The February 2009 domino spread of Mary McDonald's guest house made the California-based design an instant celebrity in the design world and pictures from the spreads made the rounds on the design blogs more times than I can count. And yet, despite her ever-growing popularity, McDonald's website remained...well, somewhat amateur with its scanned clippings of press and minimal online portfolio.

Fortunately though, McDonald has finally gotten with the times and gotten herself a new website -- and it's lovely. Lovelier still is her online portfolio, which is complete with plenty of new pictures of her modern, innovative take on Hollywood Glam.

This room feels incredibly soft and subtle for McDonald -- certainly, this is a far more "undecorated" look than we're used to seeing from her. I'm particularly fond of those gorgeous striped drapes and the warm gray on the walls.

In some ways this bedroom is not my usual cup of tea (white, pink and chocolate brown are a bit too muted/Restoration Hardware for my tastes, canopied beds are too fussy, etc.) and yet I love this. I suppose it just goes to show you that just about anything can be made innovative and beautiful. And certainly that bed is nothing you'd see at the RH's or PB's of the world. This isn't the first time McDonald has used a pink ceiling set off against white moldings and bold wall color, but I love it all the same. [By the way, don't the white mirrors on either side of the bed look identical in style to the brown mirror hanging next to the fireplace in the sitting room above?]

I love how subversive this room is. After all, Decorating a sun room in predominately black may seem a bit like an oxymoron (after all, isn't a sun room supposed to be light and bright), but McDonald pulls it off with unexpectedly sophisticated results -- all while using furniture (like the garden stool) and fabrics traditionally used in a garden.

Again, McDonald manages to make bold color choices look sophisticated by tight editing. I absolutely love the choice of the pale slate blue against the bolder orange.

Here, the chartreuse monogrammed Leontine linens are such an unexpected -- and brilliant -- choice in a red and white room and keeps the color palette from reading as candy striper. The large scale of the monogram is a great modern (and on trend!) update on a traditional motif.

This dining room is what I've come to associate Mary McDonald with most: namely, bold wall colors and modern, graphic takes on traditional furniture and upholstery. The antique buffet keeps the room eclectic and from feeling too new.

This last room might be my favorite. I love the modern black and white patterns paired with the vintage black Chinoiserie figurines and those stunning chairs upholstered in red patent leather (brilliant!). It's the perfect balance between traditional Chinoiserie and modern glam -- one of my all time favorite combinations.

14 comments:

Cristin // Simplified Bee said...

What gorgeous rooms! Love the b&w one at the end too. Also, the zebra bench at the console table is fab!

xo,
cristin

Kitty said...

Holy Schnikes! That was one hell of a post! I love that you called that black and white sunroom "subversive!" These are some vignettes to get me going; I can cobble a few of these looks together with furniture and stuff I have sitting around. We are here over two years now and I still call this place the "new house!" You've inspired me to get going on it!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful rooms! Don't know that I would "do" the subversive sunroom, but I love it. Also really like the pale blue with the orange but for me it wouldn't be nearly as interesting without the zebra bench. Nice touch.

Maple said...

How funny that you mentioned Leontine Linens- I've been obsessed with them recently and am saving up to buy a set for each bed (eventually)!! I want to go to New Orleans and see their showroom sometime

Beth Connolly said...

Such wonderful rooms. MM is an amazing talent. That canopy bed and those red patent chairs are to die for.

Kristina at The Purple Pea said...

I am loving all of the mirrors in these rooms.

Dumbwit Tellher said...

Thank you Averill for tipping me off to Mary's newly vamped website. I am a fan of hers since she graced those Domino pages. I know many mock her work, but most of her designs I am very fond of. Hope you had a terrific weekend?!

Liz @ It's Great To Be Home said...

I think my faves are either the zebra/orange entryway or the red/chartreuse bedroom - lovely use of patterns and bold colors!

Christy said...

Gorgeous. The one with the orange drapes next to the light blue ones is my hands down favorite!

sophiedahydesigns said...

I always love beds dressed in Leontine Linens. They add such a touch of elegance!

Kara said...

That last one is my favortie too. Gorgeous!! I'm dying to see more pics of your house Averill. And I'm glad you like the new blog and new look.

Lovely Little Nest said...

Wow, I love every room! Great design inspiration, thanks :)

Laura@JourneyChic said...

I definitely agree with your choice of favorite room - I'm in love with the easy-does-it dashes of red. But the orange/slate-blue combo is a very close runner-up. Thanks for sharing these great pics!

Sanity Fair said...

Oh my gosh - I'm in LOVE! These are fabulous! Thank you for sharing!

Post a Comment

Related Posts with Thumbnails