Americana the Beautiful

James “Ford” Huniford, designer of this gorgeous Hamptons home featured in Elle Decor, worked hard to ensure his design would not be defined as “Americana”.

Among kitschy items shunned: weather vanes, American flag blankets, wooden roosters (shudder!) and rusted-out signs from the side of a freight truck. Oh wait…there IS a rusted out sign from the side of a freight truck! Hm. There is also a wooden church pew (above), plumbing-pipe shelves and a 200 year old tree trunk hung decoratively on a wall. Dear me, I’d love to flea market shop with this guy!

His list of items might be a surprise, but as a true interior artist would, Ford (may I call you Ford?) expertly mixed Colonial artifacts, furniture and unique finds to create a distinctly American home without sacrificing elegance. Dare I say, rather than avoiding the label of “Americana” this brilliant designer has single-handedly redefined it.

Behold: the rusted sign, spicing things up over the rustic dining table

In the dining room, James used Chippendale “Cupid’s Bow” chairs to add Colonial glamor to the space. He also created a gallery wall of unique light fixture sketches from France.

A hallway gallery wall using old clipboards. Brilliant!!

In the guest room, shelves were created from reclaimed wood and plumbing pipe! Almost has a streamlined modern feel, no?

American postman cabinets serve as storage in the master bedroom and an 18th Century klismos chair adds a touch of whimsy.

A second guest room is best described directly by Elle Decor: “Salvaged oars hang above antique beds that came from a monastery and an Arts and Crafts lamp in a guest room; the bedcovers are replicas of blankets used during the Civil War, and the early-20th-century dhurrie is from India.”

The bathroom is the most aesthetically modern room in the house, but don’t be fooled – the bathmat is a section of a wood conveyer belt!

Peering into my Designer Crystal Ball, I predict that we’ll continue to see more spaces inspired by 18th century American styles, which are elegant and quite beautiful. Move over Louix XVI chairs…Chippendales are coming back!

Photos courtesy of Elle Decor

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I’d like to dedicate this Memorial Day post to our veterans and current troops, all of whom offered their lives in order to serve and protect our country. We should never forget that freedom isn’t free. So, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

To my own beloved veterans, I love you:

My brother:  Joshua Teater, veteran of the Iraq War/Operation Iraqi Freedom; Navy, served aboard the USS Saipan (LHA-2)

My grandfather:  Duane Cunning, veteran of WWII; served in General Patton’s Third Army, most notably during the Battle of the Bulge

My grandfather:  Elwood Teater, veteran of WWII; Navy