Homes & Antiques - Jodi Peckman
Written for Red Cover, photography by Tria Giovan
Written for Red Cover, photography by Tria Giovan
Synopsis:
So, was it fate, or simply a coincidence that Jodi Peckman happenedacross her dream cottage? Having originally thought she'd never be able toafford her own house, she started a little file of decorative inspiration, justin case she ever found herself in the position to buy. Months later she heard ofa tiny abode on Long Island that was just within her budget, and on viewing theproperty the penny dropped that she'd clipped its picture from a magazine whileimagining her ideal home all those weeks before. She bought the placeimmediately, and realizing that toredecorate would be futile - why replace like with like unneccessarily? -filled the space with her own collections of mid-century vintage and French antiques.
(124 words)
Title: Whiter shadeof pale
Sell:
In a small space a restrained palette and spartan approach can reap rewards, as Jodi Peckman's bijou pad proves.
Body copy:
Sometimes the world has a habit of presenting us withcoincidences that seem as if they could hardly be so, and such was the casewhen Jodi Peckman heard about a house that a friend had just decided not tobuy. The tiny abode, within walking distance of the beach on Long Island, wasperfect for Jodi - so much so in fact she had identified that very propertysome months before as the sort of place she'd dearly love to own. "Manyyears ago I had decided that I would love to own a seaside cottage, and while Ididn't think I could ever afford such a thing, I started a little scrapbook ofideas that was part day-dream, part forward planning," she explains."Amongst my collection was the photo of this place. I didn't realise thatat first, but I went to do a viewing and the house was familiar as soon as Istepped through the door. It must have been fate, helping me to find my dreamhome!"
The 1940s-built cottage ticked all the boxes in terms oflocation, space and decor, meaning that Jodi would be able to move right in.Thanks to the care and attention of Blair Gordon, the previous owner, thebuilding's original charms had been preserved; it was nestled within a prettyhedge of white hydrangeas, and surrounded by a white-painted picket fence.Improvements had been made with the lightest of touches, for example, the frontporch had been enclosed and transformed into a sun lounge with windows on allthree sides, creating a gloriously bright and welcoming space. As the directorof photography at Rolling Stone magazine, light is certainly something that isimportant to Jodi, so the fact that plenty streamed in through the abode'samply sized apertures was a major draw.
Knowing immediately that she wanted to live in the place,Jodi was keen to put in an offer there and then - although herever-professional broker advised her to sleep on it first. But there was notmuch chance of that happening. "I went home buzzing with excitement, and Icould hardly sleep because I was thinking about it so much," she smiles."First thing in the morning I jumped into the car and drove over to sealthe deal."
Despite having looked forward to decorating the first homeshe could truly call her own, Jodi decided that she would purchase not only thehouse but its contents, and not change the interiors. The relaxed approach thatBlair had employed matched Jodi's own preferences in every way, and createdjust the sort of simple yet stylish retreat that she had been looking tocreate. "It was just perfect, everything was completely to my taste,"she recalls. "From the general colour scheme to the furnishings and littledecorative details, I didn't want to alter a thing. Even right down to tinyitems like the tea strainer, it was exactly how I would have done thingsmyself, so there was no point in spending time and money replicating it just tofeel as if I had made it my own."
The balance of old and new is also something that Jodi marksout as a feature of her own preferred style. "I like to create the elementof surprise in an interior by combining complementary elements from differentperiods," she smiles. "For example, I love to juxtapose the strong,sleek shapes of mid-century modern furniture with French antiques. It all worksbrilliantly when you select pieces which have the right qualities when it comesto colouring and proportion." The key to success is her love of simplelines, along with a restrained colour palette - which features various shadesand textures of white, punctuated by a flash of denim blue here, or the mellowtones of old wood there.
With the white walls and floors as a backdrop, vintagerattan furnishings sit side-by-side with modern nickel-plated accents,providing just enough contrast to avoid an overly spartan feel in what is quitea minimalist space, albeit in a homely way. It's also an approach that's highlyeffective in a compact area, ensuring a serene and comforting retreat that'seasy on the eye. "I don't like clutter, which makes little rooms seemcramped," says Jodi. "In fact, I guess some might find my interiors alittle on the sparse side, but I find them soothing." Jodi is also acutelyaware that her choice of colour scheme is not only restful, but helps to givethe illusion of space. "Although the cottage is on the small side, itnever feels so because it's so bright and welcoming," she explains.
If uninformed, the average bystander would not immediatelyequate Jodi's bijou property with the abode of someone with such arock-and-roll lifestyle, but as she is keen to point out, it's an environmentthat makes for the ideal antidote to a high-octane working day. "My lookis the equivalent of a white T-shirt, simple, classic and comfortable,"she smiles. "And I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm so lucky to haveall my wishes fulfilled in my very first home."
(858 words)
Captions:
1, 20. (living room from sun lounge, and detail of same area)
The original front door leads from the sun lounge to the living room, flankedby a pair of lamps with a stripped-down, utilitarian feel.
2. (living room)
The sailfish mounted above the fireplace was bought from the cottage's previousowner, along with the rest of the furnishings - although he did take somepersuading to part with it!
4. (living room)
The sleek curving lines of the rattan chairs offer the requisite modernity,despite their somewhat rustic texture.
5. (coffee table)
Alongside a selection of naturally-toned accessories, the pretty varied shadesof hydrangeas add a touch of colour to the display on the coffee table.
6. (table behind sofa)
Jodi has arranged the furnishings in such a way as to maximise the relativelysmall footprint of the room, and a bench positioned behind the sofa provides ahome for her favourite reading matter.
7. (kitchen)
In the kitchen, the characterful patina of an antique table has been updated byits combination with silver chairs, and a vintage plate rack in polishedchrome.
8. (plate rack)
The chrome plate rack, originally from France, has the perfect dimensions forboth the space and the simple tableware that Jodi uses every day.
9. (table detail)
The mellow tones of old timber provide the perfect foil to Jodi's preferredwhite-on-white colour scheme.
10. (towards sun lounge)
Thanks to the design of the porch-cum-sun-lounge, the little cottage is bathedin the light that floods through the large windows.
11, 12. (dining area, choice of two)
With the addition of a striking pedestal table and a pair of cafe chairs, Jodihas transformed a corner of the living room into a dining nook.
13. (sun lounge day bed)
With space at a premium , the space under the day beds is used for storage -and of course they're useful when guests stay over.
14. (bedroom)
Layered with white linen sheets, set against white-painted floors and walls,the iron bed provides a restful retreat. A Moroccan-style table adds a moredecorative, quirky touch.
15. (enamel lights)
In blue and white enamel with nickel fittings, these lights have just the rightsort of vintage feel to go with the white-painted tongue-and-groove panelling.
16. (shelf/hook)
17. (small table)
Carefully edited and arranged, even the most utilitarian of objects can bedecorative - which is an important point to remember when dealing with bijouspaces.
18, 19. (porch)
With its quaint facade all in white, Jodi's cottage is surrounded by a prettylow hedge of 'Sister Theresa' hydrangeas.
21. (garden)
The white-on-white theme extends to the garden furniture and even the shed,with the verdant foliage, and pretty flowers, providing a contrast.
So, was it fate, or simply a coincidence that Jodi Peckman happenedacross her dream cottage? Having originally thought she'd never be able toafford her own house, she started a little file of decorative inspiration, justin case she ever found herself in the position to buy. Months later she heard ofa tiny abode on Long Island that was just within her budget, and on viewing theproperty the penny dropped that she'd clipped its picture from a magazine whileimagining her ideal home all those weeks before. She bought the placeimmediately, and realizing that toredecorate would be futile - why replace like with like unneccessarily? -filled the space with her own collections of mid-century vintage and French antiques.
(124 words)
Title: Whiter shadeof pale
Sell:
In a small space a restrained palette and spartan approach can reap rewards, as Jodi Peckman's bijou pad proves.
Body copy:
Sometimes the world has a habit of presenting us withcoincidences that seem as if they could hardly be so, and such was the casewhen Jodi Peckman heard about a house that a friend had just decided not tobuy. The tiny abode, within walking distance of the beach on Long Island, wasperfect for Jodi - so much so in fact she had identified that very propertysome months before as the sort of place she'd dearly love to own. "Manyyears ago I had decided that I would love to own a seaside cottage, and while Ididn't think I could ever afford such a thing, I started a little scrapbook ofideas that was part day-dream, part forward planning," she explains."Amongst my collection was the photo of this place. I didn't realise thatat first, but I went to do a viewing and the house was familiar as soon as Istepped through the door. It must have been fate, helping me to find my dreamhome!"
The 1940s-built cottage ticked all the boxes in terms oflocation, space and decor, meaning that Jodi would be able to move right in.Thanks to the care and attention of Blair Gordon, the previous owner, thebuilding's original charms had been preserved; it was nestled within a prettyhedge of white hydrangeas, and surrounded by a white-painted picket fence.Improvements had been made with the lightest of touches, for example, the frontporch had been enclosed and transformed into a sun lounge with windows on allthree sides, creating a gloriously bright and welcoming space. As the directorof photography at Rolling Stone magazine, light is certainly something that isimportant to Jodi, so the fact that plenty streamed in through the abode'samply sized apertures was a major draw.
Knowing immediately that she wanted to live in the place,Jodi was keen to put in an offer there and then - although herever-professional broker advised her to sleep on it first. But there was notmuch chance of that happening. "I went home buzzing with excitement, and Icould hardly sleep because I was thinking about it so much," she smiles."First thing in the morning I jumped into the car and drove over to sealthe deal."
Despite having looked forward to decorating the first homeshe could truly call her own, Jodi decided that she would purchase not only thehouse but its contents, and not change the interiors. The relaxed approach thatBlair had employed matched Jodi's own preferences in every way, and createdjust the sort of simple yet stylish retreat that she had been looking tocreate. "It was just perfect, everything was completely to my taste,"she recalls. "From the general colour scheme to the furnishings and littledecorative details, I didn't want to alter a thing. Even right down to tinyitems like the tea strainer, it was exactly how I would have done thingsmyself, so there was no point in spending time and money replicating it just tofeel as if I had made it my own."
The balance of old and new is also something that Jodi marksout as a feature of her own preferred style. "I like to create the elementof surprise in an interior by combining complementary elements from differentperiods," she smiles. "For example, I love to juxtapose the strong,sleek shapes of mid-century modern furniture with French antiques. It all worksbrilliantly when you select pieces which have the right qualities when it comesto colouring and proportion." The key to success is her love of simplelines, along with a restrained colour palette - which features various shadesand textures of white, punctuated by a flash of denim blue here, or the mellowtones of old wood there.
With the white walls and floors as a backdrop, vintagerattan furnishings sit side-by-side with modern nickel-plated accents,providing just enough contrast to avoid an overly spartan feel in what is quitea minimalist space, albeit in a homely way. It's also an approach that's highlyeffective in a compact area, ensuring a serene and comforting retreat that'seasy on the eye. "I don't like clutter, which makes little rooms seemcramped," says Jodi. "In fact, I guess some might find my interiors alittle on the sparse side, but I find them soothing." Jodi is also acutelyaware that her choice of colour scheme is not only restful, but helps to givethe illusion of space. "Although the cottage is on the small side, itnever feels so because it's so bright and welcoming," she explains.
If uninformed, the average bystander would not immediatelyequate Jodi's bijou property with the abode of someone with such arock-and-roll lifestyle, but as she is keen to point out, it's an environmentthat makes for the ideal antidote to a high-octane working day. "My lookis the equivalent of a white T-shirt, simple, classic and comfortable,"she smiles. "And I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm so lucky to haveall my wishes fulfilled in my very first home."
(858 words)
Captions:
1, 20. (living room from sun lounge, and detail of same area)
The original front door leads from the sun lounge to the living room, flankedby a pair of lamps with a stripped-down, utilitarian feel.
2. (living room)
The sailfish mounted above the fireplace was bought from the cottage's previousowner, along with the rest of the furnishings - although he did take somepersuading to part with it!
4. (living room)
The sleek curving lines of the rattan chairs offer the requisite modernity,despite their somewhat rustic texture.
5. (coffee table)
Alongside a selection of naturally-toned accessories, the pretty varied shadesof hydrangeas add a touch of colour to the display on the coffee table.
6. (table behind sofa)
Jodi has arranged the furnishings in such a way as to maximise the relativelysmall footprint of the room, and a bench positioned behind the sofa provides ahome for her favourite reading matter.
7. (kitchen)
In the kitchen, the characterful patina of an antique table has been updated byits combination with silver chairs, and a vintage plate rack in polishedchrome.
8. (plate rack)
The chrome plate rack, originally from France, has the perfect dimensions forboth the space and the simple tableware that Jodi uses every day.
9. (table detail)
The mellow tones of old timber provide the perfect foil to Jodi's preferredwhite-on-white colour scheme.
10. (towards sun lounge)
Thanks to the design of the porch-cum-sun-lounge, the little cottage is bathedin the light that floods through the large windows.
11, 12. (dining area, choice of two)
With the addition of a striking pedestal table and a pair of cafe chairs, Jodihas transformed a corner of the living room into a dining nook.
13. (sun lounge day bed)
With space at a premium , the space under the day beds is used for storage -and of course they're useful when guests stay over.
14. (bedroom)
Layered with white linen sheets, set against white-painted floors and walls,the iron bed provides a restful retreat. A Moroccan-style table adds a moredecorative, quirky touch.
15. (enamel lights)
In blue and white enamel with nickel fittings, these lights have just the rightsort of vintage feel to go with the white-painted tongue-and-groove panelling.
16. (shelf/hook)
A luggage shelf is not only practical storage, but decoration too, when adornedwith beautiful textiles.
17. (small table)
Carefully edited and arranged, even the most utilitarian of objects can bedecorative - which is an important point to remember when dealing with bijouspaces.
18, 19. (porch)
With its quaint facade all in white, Jodi's cottage is surrounded by a prettylow hedge of 'Sister Theresa' hydrangeas.
21. (garden)
The white-on-white theme extends to the garden furniture and even the shed,with the verdant foliage, and pretty flowers, providing a contrast.
