DIVINE DESIGN INSPIRATION FOR YOUR HOLIDAY WEEKEND!

To all you interior designers out there: So, you say you are going to take a break from working this weekend. But you know that isn't true---you are ALWAYS working. That eye just never rests. Since this is the case I thought I would send a little Albert Hadley inspiration your way:
























Photo from Albert Hadley Drawings: The Design Process


From concept to reality:
























Photo from Albert Hadley by Adam Lewis

Isn't working hard on something so worth it?!

FAREWELL SUMMER!

Photo by Slim Aarons from A Place in the Sun

Toast a great summer---those pool days are on the wane!!!

NEWS: SHELTER MAGAZINE HOME SHUTTERED, VOGUE LIVING ON HOLD

RIP
Hachette Filipacchi Media’s Home magazine was treading water for a while and its last issue to run will be October, WWD reported this past Thursday. In addition, Conde Nasts's title Vogue Living will be "scaling back", which seems to be code for closing. Or, perhaps this means skipping the fall 09 issue due to the ad climate, leaving us in great anticipation for Spring 2009.

MALLET DOES MODERN: THE NEW META COLLECTION

Mallet Antiques of London is moving in a modern direction. Founded in 1865, and known the world over for their museum quality 18th Century antiques, their offering something for the modern client is an interesting sign of the times. Their newly released Meta collection taps into the talents of modern design's great stars. Matali Crasset, Asymptote, Barber and Osgerby, Wales & Wales, and Tord Boonje, veteran wunderkind of the Milan Furniture Fair, were approached by Mallet's creative consultants, Louise-Anne Comeau and Geoffrey Monge. Past client projects of theirs include Swarovski Crystal Palace, ECAL, Gucci, Design Miami/Art Basel ‘Designer of the Future’, LVMH, Lotte, LG Electronics, Paul Smith, The Swire Group, and Target. The artistes came up with something very now---luxurious and grand sleek pieces. Many collaborated with artisans and used rare materials to create their product. Venini and master ebénistes’ continuing the 18th Century art of veneers were employed.

Images courtesy of Meta, a Mallett Company
Matali Crasset's Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend giant handing lantern is faceted like a gem. What a statement piece. It is made of golden silver patina patkong, a rare Chinese metal that does not tarnish.

Images courtesy of Meta, a Mallett Company
Designed by Tord Boontje , The Fig Leaf Wardrobe is a fantastical piece. 616 enamel hand-painted leaves hang from a tangle of iron vines. Lined in silk, the interior holds a brass tree by French sculptor Patrick Blanchard, to hang clothes on. There is something very Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe about this that I love...

The pieces are on view now at the Mallet Store on Madison Avenue. If you are in London from October 14th -19th, check them out at the ever-fabulous Frieze Art Fair, where they will be at 141 New Bond Street location. If you are an art show hound, hunt them down at Miami Basel Design from December 2nd -5th in Miami. For details, visit Made By Meta

WHAT IS YOUR FOLLY? ARCHITECTURAL AMUSEMENT

Photos courtesy of Antique Collectors' Club/Garden Art Press
In case you did not travel to the European countryside this summer, I have a treat for you.

A folly, a building created for pleasure, can be whimsical and wild architectural feats. A new book from The Antique Collectors Club/Garden Art Press, Follies of Europe: Architectural Extraveganzas, covers 18th Century classical, 19th Century Romanticism, modernist and individual styles of follies across Europe through today. Follies were photographed in Italy, Madrid, Pottsdam, many parts of England, Antwerp, Austria, Russia and Portugal, every building was captured through stunning images by Nic Barlow.
Many were never finished, are crumbling in disrepair, especially those in England, where many were built. Others, however, have been spectacularly maintained and the details put into the materials and craftsmanship are astonishing. Castle crenelations, shell inlay, mosaics and stone used in the most dramatic ways are awesome to visit as an armchair traveller.


The Chinese House at Stowe near Buckingham, England, of 1738



The Chinese Pavillion at Jardinesde Aranjuez, outside Madrid from 1729


The Pineapple, Dunmore House, Airth build in 1791, can be rented out and who would turn away the chance to stay in the most eccentric structure in Scotland?


Pagode de Chanteloup,the Loire region of France from 1774

SHOPPING:NEW HOME SHOPS IN NYC AND UPSTATE NEW YORK

MICHAEL DEVINE HOME IN KINDERHOOK, NEW YORK
10:00 to 5:00 mon to sat-- by appointment sunday


Photo Courtesy of Michael Devine
Upstate New York is lucky to have Michael Devine Home brings to it's midst. The former market and social editor at Home Furnishings News knows all things chic and where to find them. His website sells lots of goodies. It is well worth a look and a great place for ordering birthday and even Christmas gifts in advance....check out Michael Devine Home

Photo Courtesy of Michael Devine

His new fabrics made their debut at Maison et Objet in Paris:
Photo Courtesy of Michael Devine
Look at his other fabrics on his website. He has targeted an untapped market segment: handprinted motifs that are sophisticated and warm at the same time.

Photo Courtesy of Michael Devine
A photo album made out of MD fabrics is a fresh and summery hostess gift.

Photo Courtesy of Michael Devine
When you visit this charming outdoor living room, you will want to create your own. Also check out his social coverage of the interior design world at The Devine Life


GEORGIA TAPERT LIVING, SOHO

Photo Courtesy of Georgia Tapert
Georgia shops the globe for her new home store. After stints working for interior designers, she decided she loved furniture and accessories and wanted to hunt and gather for them instead. The result is a store filled with entertaining items like great trays and The Oscar de la Renta Collection with Lunt-- a beautiful mixed materials line few stores aside from Saks Fifth Avenue carry.

Photo Courtesy of Georgia Tapert
Large etageres hold glasses, napkins, not-found-everywhere candles. Pedigreed antiques mix with china sets and blankets recently brought back from India.

Photo Courtesy of Georgia Tapert
The faux topiaries are a great touch--they bring the garden in. Visit the shop and shop the site at Georgia Tapert Living


ELIZABETH BAUER DESIGN, WEST VILLAGE

Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth Bauer
I am so happy to write about Liz Bauer. She worked with me at Oprah's Home Magazine and I always knew she had a good eye. She used that eye to create a fresh, bright and fun shop that carries a mix of upholstered pieces covered in China Seas fabrics, fun accessories and great art.

Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth Bauer
Color! It makes people happy. Swing by the store and peruse online at Elizabeth Bauer Design

Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth Bauer
Colorful damask pillows and raffia upholstered x-bench console are some of the items Liz has had made custom for the shop.

COZY BLANKETS KEEP AWAY COOL OCEAN BREEZES

Photo Courtesy of Dash and Albert

Courtesy of Dash and Albert

Courtesy of Dash and Albert
The colors are calming and there are so many delicious combinations.

Courtesy of Dash and Albert

Courtesy of Dash and Albert

Courtesy of Dash and Albert
Be prepared for the chill that will arrive in September. Pick up these super soft pillows and throws from Dash and Albert. The collection is available from Lavender Fields Get the matching rugs and hall runners for a coordinated scheme.

The ever- talented and cheery Annie Selke churns out the most colorful and comfortable home goods with her Pine Cone Hill Bedding and Sleepwear, Potluck Studios and Dash and Albert lines. I recently discovered Annie and I went to the same high school, Miss Porter's---I always knew there was something great about Annie! Apparently the Colefax and Fowler wallpaper in her dorm room ignited her creative spark.


MORE COZY BLANKETS...
Photo Courtesy of Brahms Mount Textiles
Brahms Mount Textiles is a resource that specializes in blankets. Their cotton and linen blankets and throws are hand loomed in Maine. Using antique looms, they carry on a wonderful art form. What a divine blue stripe in the Ebb and Tide blanket.

Photo Courtesy of Brahms Mount Textiles
The cotton Ticking Stripe Collection is great on beds in the guest room.
View additional collections including baby blankets at Brahms Mount Textiles

WICKER THAT IS THICKER

Artesia is a company that I always check out at High Point Furniture Market.
This past market they introduced a whole new look and feel with their woven collection. In addition, they have added great statement seating and case goods that are elegant and well proportioned. See the selection at Artesia

Photo Courtesy of Artesia Collection
For the teenager's room instead of something plastic for magazines...

Photo Courtesy of Artesia Collection


Photo Courtesy of Artesia Collection

Photo Courtesy of Artesia Collection


For a living room, kitchen or den, these classics in lighter wood are less formal:

Photo Courtesy of Artesia Collection
It's on wheels, pull it up to a table for extra seating or leave it against the wall.

Photo Courtesy of Artesia Collection
Book storage, the ultimate challenge solved here!

HIT THE BEACH

Pick these up for the summer house:


I adore everything Kerry Cassill does--she injects her Laguna California vibe into all of her colorful prints, dresses, bedding and accessories. From Kerry Cassill

THE POWER OF PAINT

Photo Courtesy of Christopher Rollinson
Whimsical and fun, this room instantly brightens any mood. This room is sure to be a great conversation piece. There is no better way to bring the outside in. Living in harmony with nature....

Photo Courtesy of Christopher Rollinson
Why not make a statement with your walls----say something about yourself. Decorative painter Christopher Rollinson taps into his client's passions and personalities, translating them into the tableau of their home. He can paint just about anything. Check out his beautiful work at Christopher Rollinson and his paint line, Rollinson Hues--impressive.


In order to target what colors you are drawn to, read the following books to see how color works in a variety of settings:



The Way We Live With Color is a continuation of The Way We Live series, an exploration of ways of living around the globe from Stafford Cliff. The book examines monochromatic colors, blues, reds and pinks, yellows and greens and finally, colors from natural objects. The soft, moody photos from Gilles De Chabaneix are not overstyled and represent real homes.

Photo Courtesy of Echo Designs
When I found out that Meg and Steven Roberts had written this great book on color, I wanted to learn more about it. So I called up Meg, who invited me up to visit the Echo showroom and chat about the book. What a treat it was. Getting a tour of the showroom and seeing where the creative process happens was wonderful. The finished product--scarves, gloves, and wonderful knits and prints are always on trend and luxurious. From shooting friend's houses and scouting in Connecticut, Meg and Steven culled a great series of photos. They arranged the book chapters by each color and it's usage, exploring how surfaces changed when a certain shade was applied. The pop of color against white and with the backdrop of nature make the exterior shots unique. Seeing is believing, and this book teaches to embrace color, and do not be afraid!!!!

Photo Courtesy of Echo Designs
The magic of red brings this room to life. The great moldings help the high gloss color look even more divine. Pick up a copy of the book for truly inspired examples at Stewart Tabori and Chang, and also look at the fun designs Echo has done with Kravet in showrooms and retailers that carry fabrics and papers. Echo has a home presence in addition to their well known prints and knits, and this book shows their expertise.