Inspired Elegance

“My clients, Sally Cooney and Tom Henson, had lived in Greenwich, Connecticut, and St. Croix and have a classic sensibility and taste in decorating.” says designer Patricia McLean. “That suited my style and taste perfectly, and it made for a real match. The house was purchased with all-white walls inside and Sally wanted color—blue in particular. The main floor is painted a medium blue, and I used light fabrics throughout to soften and complement the color she selected.”

A NOD TO THE ISLANDS “The living room is a long, narrow space. The French mirror was theirs, and I found the brackets with the shell motif, which is a nod to their love of St. Croix and the Caribbean. I also added comfortable club chairs and an English-style sofa and tables. The silk draperies feature hand-tied silk tassel trim and gilt wood poles. I love the contrast of old and new, aged versus crisp, and the juxtaposition that creates.”

PERFECTLY PROPORTIONED “The dining room has a pretty bay window with doors that lead to the garden. A silk valance and panels frame the garden view beyond without competing with it, but also give the room definition. The painted-and-gilt wood chandelier is pleasing in style and scale. You see through it, yet it has a real presence. I envisioned it there the first time I saw the house! The wool sisal rug echoes the octagonal shape of the walnut base of the dining room table. It's the focal point of the space and is a real knockout.”

SOFT & SERENE “With its wall of windows overlooking the garden and pool, the master bedroom is a delight, but it was also a decorating challenge. The window treatments were paramount to the design, and the awning stripe adapted beautifully to the bay window effect. The soft valance, required to conceal the electronics for the automatic remote control, works well in the silk stripe. The antique oval table and club chairs are inviting, and the creamware lamp and plate keep the look clean, yet nostalgic. Antique English chests anchor both sides of the room and perform as his and hers. The sea marsh oil paintings by Elizabeth Stockman lend nice color and are reminiscent of the fact that the Hensons have lived in the islands. The French bench at the foot of the bed complements a French caned headboard. The wool Wilton carpet is soft underfoot and lends a nice degree of pattern to the large expanse of flooring. The cream walls and blue-tinted ceiling are in keeping with the home's quiet color palette.”

A STUDY IN STYLE “Tom Henson's study is painted one of my favorite colors. It is a gray-green that lends itself to a serious setting, yet it remains soft. The French doors open onto the front garden, so the green scheme was a natural choice, and the leather stool that is placed there is simply precious. The most outstanding paint feature, though, is not the pretty walls. When I first saw the house, the bookcases were painted chalk white. I envisioned this as a cozy space and commissioned an artist to paint a faux application on all the white woodwork. The transformation was amazing! Bamboo blinds and custom linen window treatments plus a window seat add to the polished look. The mahogany floor lamp and ladder enforce the masculine elements, and antique books and accessories give the space an Old World, established ambience.”

“The setting of the house—with its guest cottage, pool and lush yard—is perfect for the couple. I love the cream-colored painted brick contrasted with the green lawn and gardens. I was consulted on the exterior and selected the light fixtures to complement the front door fixture, and I helped design the privacy gates that were added at the driveway.”

THE TRAVELER'S CHECK “The ingenious floor plan of the petite guest house incorporated all of the essentials on the client's wish list, including space for sleeping seven people! A mirror from India is flanked by Chinese Export porcelain and oil paintings that I bought at a Paris flea market. Wide-plank hardwood floors are stained a rich, dark color, similar to those found in the Caribbean, and bamboo blinds add a tropical feel, as well.”

Patricia McLean's Shopping Secrets

H.G. Robertson Fine Silver
“Silver heaven! Super-friendly personal service backed up with expert knowledge. You can grab a wedding present, a treat for yourself or an entire history lesson on silver if Harry Robertson is there. Bruce Grant, one of the owners, has dreamy estate and custom-designed jewelry, as well!” 28 E. Andrews Dr. NW, (404) 266-1330; hgrobertson.com

B.D. Jeffries
“William Yeoward Crystal is represented here. Yeoward just received the Royal warrant for his wares. I chose the Country line of glassware for the guest house, which my client loves.” 3736-B Roswell Rd. NE, (404) 231-3004; bdjeffries.com

Erika Reade Ltd.
“Table settings made easy. Placemats, napkins, creamware—go!” 3732 Roswell Rd. NE,
(404) 233-3857; erikareade.com

Twinhouse
“I met artist Elizabeth Stockman at an opening and her landscapes really spoke to me.” 2815 Peachtree Rd. NE, (404) 233-3433; twinhouse.com

Boxwoods Gardens & Gifts
“The Boxwoods cottage explodes with pot de fleur, topiaries in various shapes, and a full nursery for custom compositions.” 100 E. Andrews Dr. NW, (404) 233-3400; boxwoodsonline.com

DESIGN DETAILS
Tricia McLean
Patricia McLean Interiors Inc.
(404) 266-9772
mcleaninteriors.com

See Page 9 for McLean's designer resources.

RESOURCES

LIVING ROOM
Wall color, Benjamin Moore Buxton Blue. Draperies, Tafford silk. Trim, Schumacher. Chairs, Edward Ferrell; covered in F. Schumacher fabric. Sofa, Kravet. Pillows, F. Schumacher. Lamps, Jane Marsden. Sisal, Designer Carpets. Plates on wall, Chinese export porcelain, Jane Marsden. Gold and shell brackets, J. Nelson. Oil paintings, The Stalls. Chinese hand-painted panels, Chelsea House. Coffee table, clients' own. Floral design, Boxwoods Gardens & Gifts.

DINING ROOM
Wall color, Benjamin Moore Buxton Blue. Table, Holland & Company. Chandelier, Ainsworth-Noah & Associates. Chair fabric, Hinson embroidered linen. Chair seat trim, Scalamandre. Framed prints, Mrs. Howard. Creamware, The Stalls. Intaglios, Patricia McLean Interiors Inc. Framing, Avery Fine Art. Draperies, Lux silk. Silver candlesticks, water goblets, salad plates, biscuit barrel, wine
coaster, nut dishes and Colonial place settings, H.G. Robertson. Napkins, place mats, chargers and wine glasses, Erika Reade Ltd. Gold brackets, Joseph Konrad. Chairs, clients' own. Floral design, Boxwoods Gardens & Gifts.

MASTER BEDROOM
Wall color, Duron Sandy Lane. Ceiling, Duron Impressionist Sky. Chair fabric, Cowtan & Tout. Fabric and trim on antique bench and ottoman, F. Schumacher. Lamps, Vaughan through Ainsworth-Noah. Painting, Twinhouse. Wool carpet, Glen Eden.

OFFICE
Wall and ceiling color, Duron Fenland. Chair, custom; bamboo shades, Patricia McLean Interiors Inc. Stool, Baker. Drapery, Award Fabric. Turtle shell, chandelier and ladder, The Stalls. Floor lamp, Lamp Arts.

GUEST HOUSE DINING ROOM
Paint color, Benjamin Moore Linen White. Custom dining table, Nottingham Antiques. Chairs, Patricia McLean Interiors Inc. Place mats, William Yeoward glasses, flatware, B.D Jeffries. Pitcher, Mottahedeh. Fabrics for window seat and drapery, Kravet. Cushion fabric, F. Schumacher. Silver toast rack and egg cups, Patricia McLean Interiors Inc.

GUEST HOUSE LIVING ROOM
Architecture by Walker Candler. Club chairs, Charles Stewart in Duralee fabric. Sleeper sofa and black end table, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Printed fabrics on pillows and valances, Ralph Lauren through Patricia McLean Interiors Inc. Custom monograms, Southern Embroidery Works. Stools, Chelsea House. Shell brackets, House Parts. Shell prints, Trowbridge Gallery. Antique Danish clock, Ainsworth-Noah. Custom painting of home, Susan Welsh. Antique blue-and-white porcelain, Jane Marsden. Bamboo window shades, antique table and lamps, Patricia McLean Interiors Inc. Carpet, Designer Carpets. Paintings, Paris Flea Market. Framing, Avery Fine Art.