8.27.2009

Dinner with the Design Duo - John Loecke, Inc.

Welcome........
Come on in ~ I may be small, but I pack quite the punch..............
this just ain't Aunt Flo's bungalow....

Let me introduce you to Mr. John Loecke, & his life/business partner - Mr. Jason Oliver Nixon of John Loecke Inc. These fabulous fellas are the talent behind my quaint, and captivating cottage. I was immediately drawn to these two men. Number one - their smiles; number two - their self proclaimed "Auntie Mame" design aesthetic; number three - their philosophy - "Frankly, we are all about the "F" words. Frisky, fabulous, and fun to be with" (is that not tremendous?).

These two can whip up a potent daiquiri and dance the rumba - all important skills at those intense (design) instillation's, don't you think?

Come on in, sit, relax & enjoy the conversation.....

Would you fancy a cocktail? The boy's are serving cranberry martini's....

Cranberry Cranium Martini "Cock-tail"


Why don't you share with our guest your "design doctrine", so to speak. John, why don't you go first ~
"Good taste need not be expensive but it should be expressive, John explains. Your home should make you happy. It should be the kind of place you can retreat and relax in a wonderful, gracious setting with plenty of pizazz and pop."
" I agree, Jason injects. Expensive does not necessarily equate good taste. Plus, I'm all about having fun and never taking anything too seriously. I love nothing more than pairing a wonderful flea market find or a lamp from IKEA with a hand-printed wallpaper from Zuber."


Why don't you three continue your chat while I whip up our meal. Tonight it's "Lemon Chicken with Olives & Ricotta", a mixed baby greens salad with raspberry/balsamic vinaigrette, and a hearty rustic style bread....sound good?


Shall we dine off the kitchen ............

or enjoy the sunset in the sunroom?

That was lovely, so glad you all enjoyed. Let us go into the sitting room for a pot of tea or a nightcap if you prefer?

I'd love to discuss with you John & Jason what exactly inspires you?.........

"99 bottles of rosé wine on the wall, early mornings at the Bermondsey tea market in London, Mom, aka Lois "Big Momma" Nixon, good manners & grace under pressure, Helena Rubinstein, and more, more amore"..........they describe with delight.

It's getting late. You are most welcome to stay the night. Breakfast is served @ 8:30 a.m.

You love to read late into the night don't you? This would be a comfy spot for you"

This is my piece of heaven, my glorious retreat from the world...

one more flight up gentleman..... you two can stay here. You both loved designing this comforting nook, which makes it the perfect spot for a restful evening.


you'll find the books you authored right there in the bookcase. Would you mind terribly autographing them for me?


order them here

~ Sweet dreams all ~
{go forth & design responsibly}
amore for your environment

recipes courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens

26 comments:

debra@dustjacket said...

I adore them, the house, the food, the drink and the fun sleepover! Fabulous post my dear and on that note I have an award for you at mine.
xoxo

Kitty said...

Fab post, darling. The cranberry cocktail would be so refreshing on Thanksgiving! Do you mind if I link to it for my Mad Men Party post?!?

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Gorgeous Deb
Always a treat for me over here. Now just what I am dreaming about .. a small but happy bungalow and this one has Happy written all over it. I think I might 'retreat' to that little alcove for a nap. Wake me when dinner is ready!! Always a pleasure to visit you!!! xx Julie [your aussie blog friend]

Magdalena said...

I adore this post, what fun I just had journeying through such beauty and happiness!! The food, the colors, the design philosophies are all delightful..thanks for sharing this fun post.

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

I L O V E these two guys,,they look really fun and not at all pretentious...something that really annoys me with designers, the 'it's not good unless it's expensive' brigade...YUK.
This is a lovely house, plenty of room (who needs any more?) beautifully designed and very welcoming...I'll take the first two weeks in September please !!!! XXXX

Kitty said...

Deb, thanks for your very sweet comments! I'll have that up and linked pretty soon. xoxo kitty!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Such fabulosity, I don't know where to begin. Did I spy a pink chandelier?

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Perfectly charming rooms.
And recipes!

Blasé said...

So many pictures..so little time...

You have GOT to come see my Blog!

Couture Carrie said...

Gorgeous spaces! Love all the green!

xoxox,
CC

Haute World said...

This is so terrific! First off... these two are adorable. And I love the philosophy of expressive vs. expensive. So true. Many expensive homes lack a personal touch and might as well be a hotel lobby. I adore how they clashed patterns and added so many cluttered but artistic touches to the home. Oh, and thanks for the recipes as well :)

Hope you're having a lovely weekend so far!

DesignTies said...

This post is definitely an F -- FUN!! :-) Interesting and informative, with lots of wonderful pictures. My favourite is the very last picture of the bedroom with the round window. Love the character that the sloped wood plank ceiling gives the space :-)

Kelly

Beth Connolly said...

Love it all-I used the bar picture before when I did a post on Chinoiserie bars. Great to see more of their work.

Marnie said...

this cottage is perfect.

Keith said...

Great photos. So amazing. Hope you had a nice weekend.

Kellie Collis said...

I adore this post -some seriously fabulous inspiration!

Meg said...

I am in love with them!! All things F? Seriously, so utterly fab.

Christy said...

I adore all the green they used - especially the head and footboard in that gorgeous print fabric. And that bookcase behind the bed - I LOVE that. And the recipes too, of course. Very fun post - made me smile!

Marsi @ The Cottage Cheese said...

This is the most charming (casual yet sophisticated at the same time) little cottage! I love the greens and yellows throughout. It's always fun to see trim painted a bright color. The wood and wallpapered ceilings are fantastic!

FROM THE RIGHT BANK said...

Cute, cute, cute! I'm loving all the green and little pops of yellow. It's all so happy!

Mimi said...

Wow! The rooms just kept coming...never expected it. The rooms are fantastic..I love them all! I really love it when people take risks with color and pattern. Thanks so much for sharing...Love it, love it.

Amanda said...

Absolutely stunning. I wish my house looked magazine worthy as yours does! AMAZING!

Janet said...

Green, green, green... I love all the green. These guys have a great attitude, love their style.

Haven and Home said...

What a fun post! Can't wait to try out some of these recipes!

Sanity Fair said...

Shriek! That blue and white wallpaper is to DIE for. Love the way you incorporated the rooms and recipes - really fun.

Alicia said...

Amen, amen ,amen to your rules!!! The children behaving thing need also apply to everywhere else. On vacation Grant & Hailey were amazing since they were brought up to be that way but the children running around tyhe in...horror!!! The 12 year old at a fine dining establishment in Charleston who threw a tantrum when they had no french fries...ridiculous.
Hailey out it best...
" I think too many people act like idiots out in public."