I have been just about to bust to post my darlin’ English friend-designer-artist Podge Bune’s house in East Hampton. It is in the June issue of House Beautiful, and it’s one of my favorite houses ever.
It should be noted that somewhere in there is the color of Podge’s riotous red hair, which explains a lot.
As a contributing editor for the magazine it is my privilege to “scout” for projects to publish, and every now and then I find one. Podge’s wonderful, slightly eccentric, higgledy-piggledy and utterly artful blend of furnishings, fabrics, prints, paintings, and mementos surrounded by gardens, hammocks and water–is just plain heavenly.
To me the best kind of decorating is the kind that doesn’t look it. The kind that looks as if one just chose the things one loved, accumulated them over time, added bits by necessity along the way, and didn’t always worry if they matched. From that comes a crazy, glorious mix that is exactly the people who live there. If anybody is crazy-glorious, it’s Podge.
This kind of decorating is also accessible and real. So full of heart and soul you can’t help but be drawn to the people who live here lest they be as guilelessly charming as their house.
It should also be noted that the House Beautiful-watermarked photos are by Francesco Lagnese, and the others are by Podge and me. My photography skills need work, but I thought you’d enjoy seeing what the magazine doesn’t show.
For instance no self-respecting shelter mag today would show a Herend figurine (or not since about 1985 anyway), but I love how Podge is undaunted by the contemporary dictates of cool and displays hers in a beautifully patinated corner cabinet.
And what have you done with your little figurines and such? You know who you are… Rather than scatter them willy-nilly, group them together as Podge has done to give them credence as a collection.
And how bout this pink action?
Pink again.
Read Christine Pittel’s excellent interview of Podge here, and find out how she got the name “Podge.” Hint: She was not a skinny baby. And see the House Beautiful photos here.
The House Beautiful watermarked photos are by Francesco Lagnese. The others are by Podge and Frances.
Looks like our house on steroids. Which says, perhaps, exactly what we’re missing.
My favorite thing you wrote here is: “To me the best kind of decorating is the kind that doesn’t look it. The kind that looks as if one just chose the things one loved, accumulated them over time, added bits by necessity along the way, and didn’t always worry if they matched.”
Of course looking “as if” choosing what one loves is sometimes doing just that – Herend figurines and all (and I love Herend figurines and the display here).
The hammocks!!!!
Oh, Frances! This is wonderful!
So much drool…it’s embarrassing. From the omnipresent PINK to the hammocks to the books in the kitchen to the guest room…I am smitten. Wow. Can I peek over your shoulder on your next “scouting” trip? What FUN!
xx
PS – I agree completely with Randall’s comments!
Thank you Jennifer, Randall, and Hollye. You all have gotten it completely! Very gratifying and very grateful. xo
The Brits always get it spot on along with you, Miss Scout. When I was born rather hefty…. I was called Pudge…. Podge is so much cooler…. Ditto Randall! It all makes me feel right @ home & happily comfortable.
PS….Can not get the her Herend Collection out of my mind. Had no idea they were on the endangered design list. Cheerio.
Frances,
Now I feel the need to resubscribe to HB…love these photos! Thanks! Katherine
You had me at “cottage”! Beautiful! Thank you!
This was my favourite house in June’s House Beautiful. Thank you for the extra photos and your charming perspective. I want to copy the triangular bookshelf up to the eaves in my home.
Frances, I loved this piece in HB. Thanks for adding to it!
Wow! Magnificent — better than a manor house. There’s quite a lot of Pinterest here. And why no picture of her? I had to look all over the Internet to find one little image.
Peggy, thank you for your comment, and you are absolutely right – a story about a house with so much personality should at least show a picture of the source! I shall hunt one down… xo Frances
Love, love, love this house! Have to do read more about it…
xo, Lissy
Perfectly curated to reflect an interesting life….I love when there is not so much thought given to rules:)
I was flipping through back issues of HB, when I came across Podge’s home again. It’s one of my favourites – very happy to find your blog with additional shots!!
Oh thanks, Jen! Yes it is one of my favorites, too. Can you believe she has sold it and is now up to her elbows in a project in Dutchess County, New York. That one is sure to be a doozy, too. So glad you found us – welcome!