Incollect Magazine - Issue 8

Incollect Magazine 95 A tradition in the south, where Bunny was born, the ceiling of a screened porch is painted haint blue. The practice originated with the African-American Gullah Gechee people who lived — and still live — in the Lowcountry region of southern coastal United States; they believed that blue ceilings would prevent ghosts, or haints, from entering their homes. Vintage painted wrought iron armchairs with a Greek key pattern on their backs and splendid patina are drawn up to a wooden table for two. A salvaged antique diamond-pane window grill fitted with old mirrored glass scatters light around and creates eye-catching reflections — snippets of the room and gardens beyond. Against the windows is a vintage black-painted table with a worn finish. Most of the furnishings and accessories here have similarly weathered or subdued surfaces, creating a natural, organic feel; the mix of materials and interesting shapes give it an alluring charm. Photo by Annie Schlechter A simple but artfully appointed covered porch has a haint blue ceiling to match the screened porch, and white lattice columns, each paired with a standard topiary planted with variegated ivy. Weathered metal oval-back chairs are placed on either side of an antique wrought iron marble top demilune table, with a large verdigris patinaed urn in the form of a classical krater on a limestone pedestal, and for easy access, a wheeled firewood basket. Photo by Annie Schlechter