Chinese New Year: Year of the Snake

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chinese New Year starts on Sunday, February 10, and the Year of the Snake will begin. In honor of the coming new year, I share some images of snakes and snakeskin in home decor. Take a look . . . </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeN6peFDcxJur3GOi7d7zpyLEBsfJEfVKnESylptTtS7GLE_xV289RCylCWWy1hmvJZhPZMOKHdFaDCOkwWYIGBOby-Mg4G-B_ALY49bF6pzhYECjwdMA-ZKzkW_2ovHF_j0ixc6vssf_J/s1600/hbx-indian-watercolor-paint-lgn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeN6peFDcxJur3GOi7d7zpyLEBsfJEfVKnESylptTtS7GLE_xV289RCylCWWy1hmvJZhPZMOKHdFaDCOkwWYIGBOby-Mg4G-B_ALY49bF6pzhYECjwdMA-ZKzkW_2ovHF_j0ixc6vssf_J/s640/hbx-indian-watercolor-paint-lgn.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"An Indian watercolor adds modern punch over an Empire commode."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Los Angeles home of chef and cookbook author Alex Hitz.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Alex Hitz.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Lisa Romerein.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interview by David A. Keeps.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/house-pictures/alex-hitz-los-angeles-home-1112?click=main_sr#slide-6">A House for a Host</a>" styled by Sean McGowan.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/">House Beautiful</a> (November 2012).</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5ZqEfSfN1fK8MRdcO0YfLbu6e7aUSv9bwIUUcmOrDbASLLF29NkN27vzI8qZSxfqQaYj0M0YBu2lBCMh49_PFc96s-WSn-zvirm4G5Ymz2WpyjZYOXcwwMIQQC-6Kv4S5ll5zfGiHAsx/s1600/hbx-gold-serpent-mirror-0912-Dhong-04-lgn%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5ZqEfSfN1fK8MRdcO0YfLbu6e7aUSv9bwIUUcmOrDbASLLF29NkN27vzI8qZSxfqQaYj0M0YBu2lBCMh49_PFc96s-WSn-zvirm4G5Ymz2WpyjZYOXcwwMIQQC-6Kv4S5ll5zfGiHAsx/s640/hbx-gold-serpent-mirror-0912-Dhong-04-lgn%255B1%255D.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The entwined creatures in this photo are not actually snakes. They are "mythical dolphins" - the fish, not the mammal - but they look serpent-like to me, so I have included them in this post.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"[Benjamin] Dhong channeled 'the grandeur of English country houses' for the foyer. Fornasetti Nuvole paper by Cole and Son. <a href="http://www.carversguild.com/our-mirrors/number/1099">Entwined dolphins mirror by Carvers' Guild</a>. Vincent faux-bois table, Oly. Helmet Head table lamp, Ralph Lauren Home. Vase, West Elm."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">San Francisco Row House.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by <a href="http://benjamindhong.com/">Benjamin Dhong</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Lisa Romerein.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/house-pictures/benjamin-dhong-san-francisco-row-house-0912#slide-5">A San Francisco Row House with its Own Personality</a>" by David A. Keeps.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/">House Beautiful</a> (September 2012).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGH88-Uwo7pN_yAZptOwqu7RJsJFgGO0HORfcsUrPdI7c5a7xVlq32b3OZw6kwrDRWjR8Y58Sd0T1Zqdvo0G2upsiCKBO9giGi3X3Fqet4Xr2uSXVkF9QIHgo-ugKnmqDVqUqZd5aM718/s1600/WWW-0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGH88-Uwo7pN_yAZptOwqu7RJsJFgGO0HORfcsUrPdI7c5a7xVlq32b3OZw6kwrDRWjR8Y58Sd0T1Zqdvo0G2upsiCKBO9giGi3X3Fqet4Xr2uSXVkF9QIHgo-ugKnmqDVqUqZd5aM718/s640/WWW-0015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This "carved wooden serpent frame" is available from <a href="http://www.ceylonetcie.com/Products/Wall-Decor/-Accents/Carved-Wooden-Snake-Frame">Ceylon et Cie</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QN7iAtmSI8tsmnPdDcyLeusK9N8gbQotWy6nRQDEIVADbn5vvbiVX8lXJD1aDPmHmeLNmaQiIqCZpgh9ZOi7He2cj-fIcczCTwd0kl0Tgg4zJwkc202bKjJj9ygpW-94yYHm77dmi4s6/s1600/BlogSnakesVerandaJulyAug2011Two.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QN7iAtmSI8tsmnPdDcyLeusK9N8gbQotWy6nRQDEIVADbn5vvbiVX8lXJD1aDPmHmeLNmaQiIqCZpgh9ZOi7He2cj-fIcczCTwd0kl0Tgg4zJwkc202bKjJj9ygpW-94yYHm77dmi4s6/s640/BlogSnakesVerandaJulyAug2011Two.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Travel the world in one room. Spanish library table. Han figures. Chairs in custom ikat, lantern and stone table, all French antiques. Syrian chair. Indonesian door fragment, Allan Knight. Sofa in Rubelli wool. Club chair, <a href="http://www.ceylonetcie.com/">Ceylon et Cie</a> in Schumacher wool with Houles trim. Seagrass rug, Merida. Oushak, Esmaili Rugs and Antiques. Snake prints, <a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/">Williams-Sonoma Home</a>. Lithograph, Dominique Rousserie."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dallas, Texas home of Catherine "Capa" Mooty.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by <a href="http://ceylonetcie.com/">Michelle Nussbaumer</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Peter Vitale.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Written by Degen Penner.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"High Spirited" produced by Mary Jane Ryburn.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.veranda.com/">Veranda</a> (July - August 2011).</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzF8c4164_plAJsTgODJNWUjSBjA1tfPbwBBza5feTSILeQBi_e04o2iHS03yPmBxxcAY2RxlthCU0WmpH4GahaWB-mNNiEOB9LC5qLnc7X_b6GOAyt2XjvXhV26ACT71jyl40sC9c9b4p/s1600/BlogSnakesVerandaJulyAug2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzF8c4164_plAJsTgODJNWUjSBjA1tfPbwBBza5feTSILeQBi_e04o2iHS03yPmBxxcAY2RxlthCU0WmpH4GahaWB-mNNiEOB9LC5qLnc7X_b6GOAyt2XjvXhV26ACT71jyl40sC9c9b4p/s640/BlogSnakesVerandaJulyAug2011.jpg" width="488" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Travel the world in one room. Spanish library table. Han figures. Chairs in custom ikat, lantern and stone table, all French antiques. Syrian chair. Indonesian door fragment, Allan Knight. Sofa in Rubelli wool. Club chair, <a href="http://www.ceylonetcie.com/">Ceylon et Cie</a> in Schumacher wool with Houles trim. Seagrass rug, Merida. Oushak, Esmaili Rugs and Antiques. Snake prints, <a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/">Williams-Sonoma Home</a>. Lithograph, Dominique Rousserie."</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dallas, Texas home of Catherine "Capa" Mooty.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by <a href="http://ceylonetcie.com/">Michelle Nussbaumer</a>.</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Peter Vitale.</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Written by Degen Penner.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"High Spirited" produced by Mary Jane Ryburn.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.veranda.com/">Veranda</a> (July - August 2011).</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtP3JkRN8B9eeAvzEjP6GoiTdp-MLJoMtTsrrAhU4ZXXzSUN1KXUOmN_wiz0UVJKzblvrY0cWwosGKGWNgEjwZ9UrPTp_BLuxqVGoWwzkjydfNsUEYKNfp7QDxgUfTQ9P9h3sozgsJ9S4/s1600/BlogChristmasJackyeLanham15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtP3JkRN8B9eeAvzEjP6GoiTdp-MLJoMtTsrrAhU4ZXXzSUN1KXUOmN_wiz0UVJKzblvrY0cWwosGKGWNgEjwZ9UrPTp_BLuxqVGoWwzkjydfNsUEYKNfp7QDxgUfTQ9P9h3sozgsJ9S4/s640/BlogChristmasJackyeLanham15.jpg" width="484" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"An early 19th-century English dresser displays personal mementos, including a picture of [Jackye] Lanham's mother and straw deer she found in China."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Charleston, South Carolina pied-a-terre of Atlanta, Georgia decorator Jackye Lanham.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Jackye Lanham, <a href="http://jackyelanham.com/">Jacquelynne P. Lanham Designs, Inc</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Tria Giovan.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Charleston Gem" by Jill Kirchner Simpson.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Southern Accents</i>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3lsQpYeiEz19le3GIilHfeqNk1Y3grKVz-clvdRZgXorskYRrEWuynoG0dz1ATN-53mTIAe16Cg5Qldne3_2JVLrelqJ8I-_UumWLxVuFrJU8eVtFWGXPkTGikJ0lAQKOAROIIVevTry/s1600/luxury-home-design-ED0709-TOTAH20-1-lgn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3lsQpYeiEz19le3GIilHfeqNk1Y3grKVz-clvdRZgXorskYRrEWuynoG0dz1ATN-53mTIAe16Cg5Qldne3_2JVLrelqJ8I-_UumWLxVuFrJU8eVtFWGXPkTGikJ0lAQKOAROIIVevTry/s640/luxury-home-design-ED0709-TOTAH20-1-lgn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The slipcovered upholstery was custom made, and the zebra-print rug is from <a href="http://www.williams-sonoma.com/">Williams-Sonoma Home</a>."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Monelle Totah's San Francisco flat in a 1925 Mediterranean-style townhouse.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Monelle Totah, Vice President of design for Williams-Sonoma Home.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Simon Upton.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/round-the-world-style#slide-1">Round-the-World Style</a>" by Martha McCully.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/">Elle Decor</a> (July - August 2009).</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8zdqtH2-TwDx1sZS5c7a4n0aPX0IY_ZBhfrUE313QKrTTPcsUtrSCBys9K7Cc6POoEZi_ExT3cfLhU46bYeQYqpUqIJUToM5VXLsQ_5PFbMVNsOHPL_LEoePlVYxhr0TqY1x0G28mxIU/s1600/ED0409_Melbourne_Cover-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8zdqtH2-TwDx1sZS5c7a4n0aPX0IY_ZBhfrUE313QKrTTPcsUtrSCBys9K7Cc6POoEZi_ExT3cfLhU46bYeQYqpUqIJUToM5VXLsQ_5PFbMVNsOHPL_LEoePlVYxhr0TqY1x0G28mxIU/s640/ED0409_Melbourne_Cover-1.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">London townhouse of Guilia and Mehran Azmoudeh.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Paolo Moschino.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Simon Upton.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Text by Ian Phillips.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Made to Order" produced by Cynthia Frank.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/">Elle Decor</a> (April 2009)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9aAxkjBJ9nAXRoo5q07abeyxwCEomDcFVAolFm8-9BeFat5Kiv92caoQfY4m-byFnaMVgQBhCeXLxKqsz8e3ewpZJfGaViceHzDu-Nemy4g-EzgrosFpnVjC-w0vDvb0ZbtYRcAoUD0z/s1600/hbx-pink-solarium-french-side-tables-0512-thomas14-lgn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9aAxkjBJ9nAXRoo5q07abeyxwCEomDcFVAolFm8-9BeFat5Kiv92caoQfY4m-byFnaMVgQBhCeXLxKqsz8e3ewpZJfGaViceHzDu-Nemy4g-EzgrosFpnVjC-w0vDvb0ZbtYRcAoUD0z/s640/hbx-pink-solarium-french-side-tables-0512-thomas14-lgn.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Cobra candlesticks and framed snake prints add a touch of intrigue to the ultra-feminine solarium, decorated with a Jansen-style daybed by [Jeff] Lincoln. French iron side tables holding Murano lamps coordinate with vintage Milo Baughman scoop chairs, and a bone-inlay table from John Rosselli coordinates with the hand-carved stone tile floor by Robert Kuo for Ann Sacks. Walls in a custom stucco finish by O'Neill Studios. Girona pendant lights from Vaughan. Snake prints, <a href="http://www.aradergalleries.com/">Arader Gallery</a>."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Washington, D.C. town house.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by <a href="http://www.hillarythomas.com/">Hillary Thomas</a> and <a href="http://jefflincolninteriorsnewyork.com/profile">Jeff Lincoln</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Eric Piasecki.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interview by David A. Keeps.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/house-pictures/mad-men-decorating-style-0512?click=main_sr#slide-13">A Sparkling Ceiling Treatment Can Unify the Whole Room</a>" produced by Doretta Sperduto.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/">House Beautiful</a> (May 2012).</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMiUTB7ah9bbpQKYNyDrXm7nl59QzkxKEuhCEWaI3mQ3PpzaglEqhMOasgio732mG5k9triuJ1UfQSckkUTUl14eE6qaJk3A6Y6Inv3J05BTraPQyYThZbPWRJ2Ql20Bra3LmjoyTkWjvG/s1600/self_portrait_05-lgn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMiUTB7ah9bbpQKYNyDrXm7nl59QzkxKEuhCEWaI3mQ3PpzaglEqhMOasgio732mG5k9triuJ1UfQSckkUTUl14eE6qaJk3A6Y6Inv3J05BTraPQyYThZbPWRJ2Ql20Bra3LmjoyTkWjvG/s640/self_portrait_05-lgn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Antique prints and Jacques Adnet chairs surround a 1940s mirrored cocktail table."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paris apartment of textile designer <a href="http://www.lisafinetextiles.com/">Lisa Fine</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Lisa Fine.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Simon Upton.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.elledecor.com/home-remodeling/self-portrait#slide-5">Self-Portrait</a>" by Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/">Elle Decor</a> (November 2008).</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9pwBCq0en9sX7x5-U7CFTk5d9Jm1bSR7f2jQib0z0oW48cbPjzdgQSp3QRtxySpsgqpOs0dE76IrEgiilIGTgN_vhjN_pECukWGNzjwckdGkW9i2d1hMJ152staAbK2PXLR29EtA0Ttf/s1600/self_portrait_main-2-mdn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT9pwBCq0en9sX7x5-U7CFTk5d9Jm1bSR7f2jQib0z0oW48cbPjzdgQSp3QRtxySpsgqpOs0dE76IrEgiilIGTgN_vhjN_pECukWGNzjwckdGkW9i2d1hMJ152staAbK2PXLR29EtA0Ttf/s640/self_portrait_main-2-mdn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Red bookcases house travel and design books; the upholstered wrought-iron chair is from the South of France, the wood camel table is from Galerie Flore, and the mirror is English Regency."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paris apartment of textile designer <a href="http://www.lisafinetextiles.com/">Lisa Fine</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Lisa Fine.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Simon Upton.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.elledecor.com/home-remodeling/self-portrait-a-52138">Self-Portrait</a>" by Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/">Elle Decor</a> (November 2008).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_M34frPZEJsAYr23v3U56xHLMriSLQ9weuaPhX7Yld5H2A4pLjMESXCziZxjfVvV3Tp6-nggNITxsoKB-xsa0Nl9rs7UCxsGe9Opq-W01hKV9yHYXinIqEnnWwwTQ-MVfWKhyf9j_Dvn/s1600/BlogSnakesHouseandGardenNov2004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_M34frPZEJsAYr23v3U56xHLMriSLQ9weuaPhX7Yld5H2A4pLjMESXCziZxjfVvV3Tp6-nggNITxsoKB-xsa0Nl9rs7UCxsGe9Opq-W01hKV9yHYXinIqEnnWwwTQ-MVfWKhyf9j_Dvn/s640/BlogSnakesHouseandGardenNov2004.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"A small space requires a keen eye so that every corner shines. Texture is the theme in this one, where a wire chair, a burnished wood floor, and an animal-skin rug work stylishly together."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Robert Rufino's apartment on Manhattan's Upper East Side.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Robert Rufino, Vice President of Creative Services at <a href="http://www.tiffany.com/">Tiffany and Co</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Oberto Gili.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Written by Lygeia Grace.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The Well-Lived Life: Robert Rufino" produced </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by Jeffrey W. Miller.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>House and Garden</i> (November 2004).</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKHzkm9_bUh8vg4H4zm4C700WisnlPhClJpbU_pg9HNZNl1lZswJbnE-qxBPdIk8Stzj3UuU1vlmBH__F7HJtQsTirb_OhJTG0gOA-mou7wAab0qfu8-l_OP2Dc84uYw2DRLA123sy5Cu/s1600/BlogSnakesHouseandGardenNov2004Two.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKHzkm9_bUh8vg4H4zm4C700WisnlPhClJpbU_pg9HNZNl1lZswJbnE-qxBPdIk8Stzj3UuU1vlmBH__F7HJtQsTirb_OhJTG0gOA-mou7wAab0qfu8-l_OP2Dc84uYw2DRLA123sy5Cu/s640/BlogSnakesHouseandGardenNov2004Two.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The slate fireplace is an ideal space for a series of white-matted antique snake studies [ca. 1735 from Shapero Gallery, London]. The sinuous pieces are, in turn, a handsome contrast to the hard, dark backdrop."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Robert Rufino's apartment on Manhattan's Upper East Side.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Robert Rufino, Vice President of Creative Services at <a href="http://www.tiffany.com/">Tiffany and Co</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Oberto Gili.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Written by Lygeia Grace.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The Well-Lived Life: Robert Rufino" produced </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">by Jeffrey W. Miller.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>House and Garden</i> (November 2004).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-7eqF-4nxzSJ-ftD1_FfcFgMzh3ARhQ5B68KuUU32V97lA32A9z9TIJ45j1ohkRNUOY_QdNrm2ZkXi63PLE6WNveW5YyTTNeWqdtP8IGZelf3dJaCSCElRMcamUZTm_6FRvBfbjG8ofL/s1600/img_totaleclipse_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-7eqF-4nxzSJ-ftD1_FfcFgMzh3ARhQ5B68KuUU32V97lA32A9z9TIJ45j1ohkRNUOY_QdNrm2ZkXi63PLE6WNveW5YyTTNeWqdtP8IGZelf3dJaCSCElRMcamUZTm_6FRvBfbjG8ofL/s640/img_totaleclipse_3.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Armchair with serpent arms by John Rosselli and Assoc.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Library/living room with recycled antique mahogany paneling milled and installed by Stratham Woodwork.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Connecticut home of Thuy Tranthi and her husband, Mitch Rieder.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by <a href="http://ericlysdahl.com/">Eric Lysdahl</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Construction: Taconic Builders Inc.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by John Bessler.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/design_decorating/howwelive/total-eclipse_3.html">Total Eclipse</a>" text by Candace Ord Manroe.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/">Traditional Home</a> (September 2008).</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpXMIIZjAqGusVDDoWxVnzcXsbM9hBiloVPYjK-YgvPMVTbkymF9-XzB8BnqUXms_ORrePqeZOVhpARYU9q7ndZsbxzIt_WIUvdPxEUwWuBKHh3zwe23_7_kMeK_deKhC5JJ6ywgV7Dzx/s1600/img_totaleclipse_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpXMIIZjAqGusVDDoWxVnzcXsbM9hBiloVPYjK-YgvPMVTbkymF9-XzB8BnqUXms_ORrePqeZOVhpARYU9q7ndZsbxzIt_WIUvdPxEUwWuBKHh3zwe23_7_kMeK_deKhC5JJ6ywgV7Dzx/s640/img_totaleclipse_2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Armchairs with serpent arms by John Rosselli and Assoc.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Library/living room with recycled antique mahogany paneling milled and installed by Stratham Woodwork.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Connecticut home of Thuy Tranthi and her husband, Mitch Rieder.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by <a href="http://ericlysdahl.com/">Eric Lysdahl</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Construction: Taconic Builders Inc.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by John Bessler.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/design_decorating/howwelive/total-eclipse_2.html">Total Eclipse</a>" text by Candace Ord Manroe.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/">Traditional Home</a> (September 2008).</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggF7Fs2IvyGj7Bn8sC0d7CNmtddfxtI0Y1HgyYskUDwUA7XjvuHmS-WSTgihXq-11uzJWhERQ4yBb9rZvfYcDQvQBfC8ems0VQEXN3FbU3rB8aUuIrA6MgziYmRUCLkA_nbhWZSIT1yGfl/s1600/img_dreamhome2006lg_ss7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggF7Fs2IvyGj7Bn8sC0d7CNmtddfxtI0Y1HgyYskUDwUA7XjvuHmS-WSTgihXq-11uzJWhERQ4yBb9rZvfYcDQvQBfC8ems0VQEXN3FbU3rB8aUuIrA6MgziYmRUCLkA_nbhWZSIT1yGfl/s640/img_dreamhome2006lg_ss7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Walls painted in a python-skin pattern provide an unexpectedly glamorous background for button-tufted chairs and ottomans upholstered in steel gray."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paint: Faux python black-and-white paint by decorative artist Paul Minnihan.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Library of DreamHome 2006 sponsored by Chicago's Design Mart and <i>Traditional Home</i>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Eva Quateman, <a href="http://www.evaquateman.com/">Eva Quateman Interiors</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/design_decorating/showhouses/dreamhouse_ss7.html">Showcase Showhouse: DreamHome</a>"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/">Traditional Home</a>.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGhs8qhSvRxRf52SkOZruDdy1szG4ywwiEwt7iEtF-ek3ni3ml7m_tPKPR1BBl9Eo8rW5iSLV8pGwK4TTdbncL5iPhTMXPUPRN7bqDebBX1xpdceR2NQKQ3xVKWwJy1JaXFZBeYf5wslD/s1600/BlogSnakesDominoFallWinter2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGhs8qhSvRxRf52SkOZruDdy1szG4ywwiEwt7iEtF-ek3ni3ml7m_tPKPR1BBl9Eo8rW5iSLV8pGwK4TTdbncL5iPhTMXPUPRN7bqDebBX1xpdceR2NQKQ3xVKWwJy1JaXFZBeYf5wslD/s640/BlogSnakesDominoFallWinter2012.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">" 'Welcome to my Tom Jones rock 'n' roll breakfast nook!' [Mary] McDonald says. 'I tend to start with old-fashioned things, but once there's a flow, I get funky.' Here, she began with classic marble-topped cabinets and a traditional banquette, then kicked up the mood with exuberant zigzagged black-and-cream wallpaper and faux-snakeskin upholstered chairs. plus clean accents - a Saarinen-esque table, graphic numbered plates, and a plastic German light fixture."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Designer Mary McDonald's Hollywood guesthouse.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by <a href="http://www.marymcdonaldinc.com/">Mary McDonald</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Laura Resen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The Bold and the Beautiful."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.dominomag.com/">Domino</a> (Fall - Winter 2012).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYk5FCb5XiOori6mOClvikCFETgb1i5oZrwJZ9vMGvShQ_UF728rPPaf_bgI3acPDR983WwRfVEbMVxUCsECD9BVRcAXUKyMOKn1IlRaCQPMaJvLVl358XdJX1pqn12fEG3YRCoq2ZRATf/s1600/style-guide-At-home-with-power-couple-Ali-Wentworth-+and-George-+ED0509-9-lgn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYk5FCb5XiOori6mOClvikCFETgb1i5oZrwJZ9vMGvShQ_UF728rPPaf_bgI3acPDR983WwRfVEbMVxUCsECD9BVRcAXUKyMOKn1IlRaCQPMaJvLVl358XdJX1pqn12fEG3YRCoq2ZRATf/s640/style-guide-At-home-with-power-couple-Ali-Wentworth-+and-George-+ED0509-9-lgn.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The foyer's faux-python console was bought on eBay; the powder room features <a href="http://www.luludk.com/">Lulu DK</a> wallpaper."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ali Wentworth and George Stephanopoulos's Colonial Revival home in Georgetown (Washington, D.C.). </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Elizabeth Martin, <a href="http://www.elizabethmartindesign.com/">Elizabeth Martin Design</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Simon Upton.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Styled by Anita Sarsidi.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.elledecor.com/celebrity-style/at-home-power-couple-ali-wentworth-george-stephanopoulos-56133#slide-9">At Home with Power Couple Ali Wentworth and George Stephanopoulos</a>" written by Alexandra Wentworth.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/">Elle Decor</a> (May 2009).</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bOMPMHP0nVBvE84I1P7Ck3SYNWgwyqWgjU5jRv8d1AK09GUs09H0px_yBDPCbvnKmO_gZPi63yzvVL5VM7p-y0MGD9mgdMLJFDRKb7MNo6j50kwWamZMdjG8kfVEhr0WOnssUzpSZgE0/s1600/EDC090112Wearstler03-lgn+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bOMPMHP0nVBvE84I1P7Ck3SYNWgwyqWgjU5jRv8d1AK09GUs09H0px_yBDPCbvnKmO_gZPi63yzvVL5VM7p-y0MGD9mgdMLJFDRKb7MNo6j50kwWamZMdjG8kfVEhr0WOnssUzpSZgE0/s640/EDC090112Wearstler03-lgn+%25281%2529.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"A snakeskin-and-brass console in the hallway outside the master bedroom; the wall is covered in a hand-painted Porter Teleo wallpaper [Fluidity]."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lara and Jeff Sanderson's Mercer Island, Washington home.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by <a href="http://kellywearstler.com/">Kelly Wearstler</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Architecture by <a href="http://shksarchitects.com/">SHKS Architects</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Mikkel Vang.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Text by Celia Barbour.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/kelly-wearstler-design#slide-12">Shadow Play</a>" produced by Anita Sarsidi.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/">Elle Decor</a> (September 2012).</span></div>

Chinese New Year: Year of the Snake

Chinese New Year starts on Sunday, February 10, and the Year of the Snake will begin. In honor of the coming new year, I share some images o...

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