House Romantics: Lili O'Brien

Yes, I'm biased, because interior designers Lili O'Brien (at left, below) and Leigh Anne Muse (at right, below) are from my home state of Virginia, but that's not the only reason I'm fond of their work.

Here it is: they bring a fresh, youthful, SIMPLE approach to interiors in Richmond, a city as known for  history as it is a decor style that often features English antiques, chintz, and swags and jabots on windows near and far.

O'Brien's kitchen that ran in Traditional Home magazine is still one of my fave kitchens ever (photo below by Gordon Beall). 

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Why? Because first of all, my old kitchen was grey and I love grey kitchens. Then there's the fact that she has a FIREPLACE IN IT. Beyond awesome.

And what's even more awesome is that O'Brien is today's House Romantics subject. Her photographic tour of the things she loves most in her house follows below. Enjoy.

—Her arrangements from the yard (shown below: hellebores).

—Her lithograph by Richmond-based print maker Barbara Tisserat.

—Her hand collection. "A friend gave me one of these hands years ago. The rest have accumulated over time."

—Her kitchen fireplace. "No winter night goes by without a fire—we're two cords in so far."

—And MOST IMPORTANTLY: her boys. Sam (8) and Birdie (5).