Designer Lee Ann Thornton first caught my eye exactly a year ago when one of her projects made the cover of House Beautiful magazine. I loved the article and realized right away that her aesthetic was similar to mine.
It wasn’t too long after seeing the cover story that I put two and two together — connected the dots per say, and realized that she had also done the homes of two of my close friends in Greenwich. One I had been in many times and loved. The second friend moved a few months after the article hit from one gorgeous house to another — the old house literally across the street from the new house. The decor was warm and welcoming in all the right ways. She is now doing a third friend’s house, so I feel that I am getting to see and appreciate her projects up close and personally! How could I not want to interview her for my blog? Her paint color choices are spot on and she really has a knack for combining just the right patterns and trims to bring a room together seamlessly. In case you missed the House Beautiful March 2013 article, here are some of the highlight pages:
In this seaside home she designed for Jack and Morgan Meinikoff, shades of blue prevail with hints of brown, orange and purple. She took inspiration from the air, water and sand. The custom mixed blue that she came up with on site with the painter in the family room is a perfect stony blue – as she says, like a pebble on the beach. In the kitchen she used Farrow & Ball’s Borrowed Light. I especially like her use of an Elizabeth Eakins runner on the stairway. Her designs include practical decisions such as wipeable faux leather on the banquette in the kitchen which is suitable for use by children.
Her knack for creating sleek, clean-looking kitchens is evidenced here:
There is so much to like with regard to Lee Ann’s work. Here are a few more of my favorite rooms she has done:
She never forgets to bring the indoors out – I appreciate the way she warms up porches using outdoor fabrics and pillows:
It’s all in the details when it comes to her design of powder rooms:
Since I love Lee Ann’s soothing palettes, and summer is just around the corner, I asked her to share with my readers her favorite paint combination. She said to bring the outside in, her favorite combination of blue and green is Benjamin Moore’s Pavillion Blue HC-144 and Hollingsworth Green. Take a look here:
Her favorite combinations of summer whites and blues are:
WHITES:
Farrow & Ball Win Borne White
Farrow & Ball Great White
Farrow & Ball Pointing
Benjamin Moore Glacier White
BLUES:
Benjamin Moore Pavillion Blue
Farrow & Ball Stuffy Blue
Farrow & Ball Skylight
Farrow & Ball Parma Grey
LeeAnn’s selected some fun summer items from The Well Appointed House that would be a great addition to anyone’s outdoor area. Take a look and let us know what your favorites are!
1. Turquoise and Jade Chandelier
2. Turquoise Wall Sconce
3. Lion’s Head Cake Plate
4. 20″ Wooden Planter with Cross Pattern
5. Eastern Shore Wicker Dining Chair
6. Cape Heirloom Wicker Chair
7. Closed Weave Wicker Sofa with Cushions
8. Mini Squre Nickel Lantern
9. Mini Rectangular Nickel Lantern
10. Beach House Wicker Chaise Lounge
11. 20″ Wooden Planter with Cross Pattern in Black
When asked what hostess gifts she thought would be fun, she selected our Vintage Revolving Candy Jar (what fun to bring it stuffed with candy for an over-the-top gift!) and our monogrammed soaps (very reasonably priced)!
You can visit Lee Ann Thornton’s website here. She will be launching a new furniture line by the end of 2014 that will be available through her design studio and website! ~Melissa Hawks
