Pasha Style

This lovely portico is part of Doris Duke's "Shangri-La" estate in Honolulu (open for small group tours), an amazing and inspiring place we visited last month. On a world-wide, whirlwind honeymoon tour in the 1930s, she fell in love with Islamic mosaics and art, and designed this, her favorite estate around it. We were so taken with the designs, colors, geometrics of it all. Couldn't take photos inside, so you'll just have to visit in person, or online at shangrilahawaii.org. The estate is managed by the Honolulu Academy of Arts, a small gem of a museum, also highly recommended. Loved loved loved the modern art mixed in with the serene asian setting. Loved the buddhas in all their different forms, and was stunned by the gorgeous, modern lines of some of the asian pottery, most notably the Korean pieces that dated from 1,000 b.c. or so (maybe earlier?).

This month's "House Beautiful" features a house that uses some great pasha style on a covered porch and elsewhere. Oh, and my dream living room is in it, too. Right on the front cover. Yum. Except I would have chosen one of our slipcovered sofas at Pomegranate instead of the slightly sloppy, boxy one shown. How about the "Rachel" sofa slipcovered in the same, simple, creamy, washable linen? I'd leave the legs exposed for a tailored look. In fact, this IS our next sofa. I've got it all planned out... Check out our line at www.bestslipcovercompany.com. We're showing just a few chairs in our downtown shop, but can get any of the pieces for you, in a fabulous array of washable slipcovered (or upholstered) fabrics. Including pure linen in several colors. Believe in linen!