HAPPY EXOTIC HALLOWEEN!

Everyone has their own take on Halloween. Mine is the festive orange color peppered with the color gray and global glamour. When I think orange, the first thing that comes to mind is Katie Ridder interiors and her knockout orange pagoda.

ROOMS WITH A VIEW IS WAITING FOR YOU

With Albert Hadley officially retiring and closing his eponymous design firm, attending this year's Rooms with a View Vignettes is a must! Mr. Hadley, referred to as The Dean of American Design, founded the event sixteen years ago, and has served as it's chairman. Honoring his years of dedication and service are Parish Hadley and Albert Hadley alums Pamela Banker, Libby Cameron, Suzanne Earls Carr, David Easton, Thom Filicia, Thomas Jayne, David Kleinberg, Brian McCarthy, Brian Murphy, Nicholas Pentacost, Harry Heismann, Michael Whaley and Bunny Williams. They will transform their 5 x 8 spaces. This fantastic annual event is held at the Southport Congregational Church in my hometown, and draws design enthusiasts from far and near that come to see the creative vignettes and shop in The Marketplace boutiques. Don't miss it.

Here is the scoop:
The Gala Preview Party, Thursday November 4th 6:30-9:30 pm to order tickets click here.
Show hours to visit Friday, November 5th and Saturday the 6th 10am-5pm and Sunday, November 7th 11am-5pm

For more information visit
Rooms with a View
See you there!

DEAL ALERT! A SPECIAL OFFER ON HARRISON HOWARD PAINTINGS

Lucky us! Harrison Howard is offering his whimsical work for 25% until November 5th. Check out his marvelous world of wonder here.

A BRENTWOOD LA BOHEMIAN CHIC POP UP SHOP WORTH A VISIT

Are you a gypsy in training? Save time, airline miles and jet lag fatigue by letting Andrea Gibbin and Wendy Riva travel for you. In R and G Collective, a newly assembled boho chic pop - up shop in Brentwood, CA the girls have hand - picked exotic goods so you don't have to barter and haggle in the bustling souks and markets of Marrakesh and India to find great stuff. They enlisted the design help of Californian Nathan Turner, and New Yorker Eric Hughes, who styled the space. Nathan must be sleepwalking at this point, what with a High Point trip to launch additions to his Elite Leather line, curating artwork with Dutch Touch and taping Million Dollar Decorator (for it's January run). This sort of puts the fun back into global bazaar shopping when it all looks so enticing and gorgeous. I first heard of this gig from my uber cool friend writer Ingrid Schmidt, a newly minted LA hipster, who shared the post from Lisa Borgnes Giramonti of A Bloomsbury Life. If you have not read it, you must. This is how things go viral-- don't sell everything till I get there!

A lounge lover's lair

Fresh ikat and patterned pillows punch up a striped settee

Tea anyone?

The look is not complete unless you have a curly lamb rug

Sun streams in the window, where a suzani covered sofa beckons

Everything you need to entertain but the spices

Staples of ethnic interiors dot the store

Photos by Lisa Borgnes Giramonti
Orange is a powerful statement maker

Visit the new pop up R & G Collective (soon!)
11981 San Vicente Boulevard, Brentwood, LA near Saltair Avenue
Mon-Sat 11-4pm
Through October and November only
310-729-7775

WATERCOLOR WONDER CAITLIN MCGAULEY CAPTURES FASHION AND HOME WITH CHARM

With her sketchbook in hand, the stylish artist Caitlin McGauley is often seen dashing through the NYC streets. Stopping long enough to get an impression in watercolor, her subjects range from a great interior to fashionable moments that capture city style. This watercolor maven gets to the essence of her medium; in a wash of saturated color she captures intimate moments with personality and flair.


A West Village doorway ready for Halloween and the trick or treaters it will bring
A sunny yellow room of an artistic type with a bohemian tablecloth and stacks of books

Vintage mismatched lamps and geometric art with red upholstered white frame chairs bring this living room together

A dashing fashion darling sits poised for a fireside chat

A potted herb garden in blue and white pottery is the epitome of the new ruralist movement for city dwellers

Finally! Someone else that loves gorgeous tabletop as much as I do. Mix and match your china for a colorful melange.
Sweet yellow blooms are just as good as the real deal
Oreo French Bulldogs

Catlin's work caught my eye when she painted portraits at the opening party for the Hermes men's store, and then I saw her work in Lonny. I just love her charming style so much, I had to find out more. I caught up with her when she had just put down her brush.

Why is watercolor your chosen medium? It seems very difficult to master since it is such a sheer wash.

I started taking watercolor classes when I was 8. It's the first medium I ever used and I just always kept going back to it.

What are key traits you focus on so the sitter's personality really comes across?

It's not as much personality traits as it is distinguishing features. I love when someone has really big eyes or a nose that's a little off center. I play those things up to make it really feel like the person.

You are a style aware city gal. What do you love most about fashion?

Prints, patterns, and color. I'm so inspired by designers that do the mix so well, like Dries Van Noten or Etro. It's right up my alley.

What inspires you with interiors?

What I love about interiors is what I love about fashion- different colors and patterns converging. A mix of colorful upholstery, animal prints, or interesting wall coverings. I was just looking at pictures of Temo Callahan's apartment , the former director at Clarence House. He started an amazing wallpaper collection, Studio Printworks. What I like is that it has all these elements and it looks lived in. Also, I can't get over his kitchen cabinets. It looks like he's living in a Ludwig Bemelmans book! Amazing.

Do you have a fave interior designer?

I am a huge fan of Miles Redd. His style is so classic but so whimsical and theatrical too. My favorite space is his own apartment. Pink walls, tons of art, and zebra upholstered doors with brass nail heads. It does not get any better than that. He is definitely not a minimalist, which is obviously not my thing!

VICTORIA HAGAN'S INTERIOR PORTRAITS SHOWS A FEW KEY PIECES CAN MAKE A ROOM SING

Photos courtesy of Rizzoli
After 20 years in the business, New York- based designer Victoria Hagan has assembled a collection of her stunningly serene work. Rizzoli's Interior Portraits, done in a striking large scale format, is filled with lush spreads and calming spaces. The cover happens to be one of my favorite areas she has done, showing the entry of a home with a banquette and modern take on a high backed Federal style benches that look like they came from a Congregational Church circa 1772. As is often the case in Victoria's work, the classics have been reinterpreted for gracious living. Organized by locations, the book delves into "portraits" of Waterside, City, and Country homes, elegant spaces are carefully edited and arranged. Composed of unique custom upholstery, rugs by Elizabeth Eakins, hand picked antiques, furniture from her namesake collection (available through Julia Gray), and client's rarefied art, the results are breathtaking. Her work makes me want to exclaim, "Serenity now, serenity now!" a la Kramer on the classic Seinfeld episode.

A subtle refinement comes across in everything Victoria does. Look at how a few, well chosen key antique pieces can bring a room to life.

With many seaside homes, the calming color palette of pale blue and cream fits the bill. Picking up on the sea and sky, it is one of the most soothing hues everyone can relate to.

Crisp white walls are the perfect balance for the exquisite Greek key molding details and pilasters. The stark white plays off the dark lustre of the mahogany round hall table and Spanish chairs.

Victoria is a master at creating livable old world kitchens. Reminiscent of kitchens found in great estates, this newly constructed Nantucket kitchen is filled with usable space. From the classic detailing to the hardware and soapstone counters, the kitchen is a place meant for lingering.

FOX NEWS iMAGAZINE SELECTS STYLEBEAT AS TOP DESIGN BLOG 2010

A BIG thank you to Fox News iMagazine for naming Stylebeat a top Design Blog for 2010!
Here is what they said:

Stylebeat: For the In-the-Know

A former style editor for both House Beautiful and O at Home, Marisa Marcantonio is one of the most connected design bloggers out there. In addition to her favorite design photos, she shares insider info on all the latest tag sales, show houses and best of all, giveaways! STYLEBEAT is a must-have in your list of blogs you follow – it's the read that keeps on giving!

Day in, day out, I work hard to make Stylebeat shine. It is fantastic to be recognized along with great blogs in the interior design and architecture space--congratulations blogging friends.

A $500 HORCHOW SHOPPING SPREE COULD BE YOURS!

Have you entered the Horchow Giveaway yet? If not, you should! Here is a shot to win, win win a $500 gift card that could go towards something chic from Old Hickory Tannery, John Derian, or Dransfield.

What do you need to do to win, you ask? First, subscribe to Stylebeat, and then send me an email with your name and email address to stylebeatcontest@gmail.com for your chance to win!
This contest closes October 31st. Get to it!

JULIA B DEBUTS LUXURIOUS EMBROIDERED BEDDING AND LINENS AT HIGH POINT

Be sure to stop by and say hi to Julia, in her booth is in the Suites at Market Square #G7057, and peruse her stunningly beautiful monograms, embroidery and linen options. They are endless!
If you are not headed to North Carolina you can shop from her easy to order website

WHAT IS NEW FROM BUNNY'S BEELINE HOME? SNEAK PEAK FROM HIGH POINT

Bunny is back and has she been busy! Beeline Home, her furniture and accessories line is making it's High Point debut, AND her new book, Scrapbook for Living is out. Her entire collection will be on view at The Wesley Hall showroom, 310 North Hamilton. Beeline was launched out of Bunny William's New York office to retail stores in 2009. Now, Collection II boasts 45 new introductions of sofas, chairs, small tables, mirrors, lighting and additional accessories, and is available to a wide audience of buyers and designers. If you are at market, pop in for a visit and tell them Marisa at Stylebeat sent you. Take a peek here at some fab new additions.

Every High Point Furniture showroom should take a page out of Bunny's book. Seeing fully styled, easy to relate to, richly layered spaces makes them oh so appealing and easier for buyers to imagine in their stores.

Combining light and dark finishes, this room has a dynamic feel. Don't be afraid to mix things up, having the same finish throughout is boring.

Mirrors open up a space and add reflective surfaces.

The rich upholstery color palette provides inspiring design tips and shows buyers how to work with color. A little glimmer and gleam from a gilded mirror frame adds a touch of glamour.

A cozy reading nook makes a room comfortable. Accessory placement and fresh flowers are key, they bring a room to life. Think of them as beautifying essentials, not afterthoughts.

The glamorous Zeigfeld Mirror inspired by Venetian heritage and craftsmanship

The Star chair with classic lines

The triangular Porter's Drinks table in black lacquer with cut out sides

Photos courtesy of Bunny Williams
John's Sofa with a deep seat and nail head trim

The 2010 KIPS BAY DECORATOR SHOWHOUSE IS OPEN AND DETAIL DRIVEN

Kips Bay is now open to visitors! After priming walls, papering, plastering, upholstering and installing, the designer rooms are ready today in their big reveal.
Starting off with Katie Ridder's entryway, the house amazes with stunning wall applications, well chosen modern art, and inventive schemes. Take a peek at my initial round up with more to come soon. Stop by the house at 106 East 71st Street over the next month to see all 17 rooms, shop the stocked gift shop and sign up to volunteer as a room docent if you have the time.
Beauty awaits.

Katie Ridder welcomes you to the house with her fantastic coral color - infused entry

An over sized custom pendant light with a hanging piece of coral from Ruzetti and Gow adds glamour and drama to the entrance. Her new Pagoda wallpaper from Holland and Sherry and a gold foil paper tie it all together.

Rod Winterrowd designed the parlor floor stair landing and stairwell

Design takeaway: use table surfaces an an opportunity to display collections. Add in a flower arrangement, candle and sculpture,and voila, a pretty moment.

Yet another great console moment in between two black lacquer doors

A shell console grounds a vignette with an eglomise mirror

The Rod Winterrowd - designed space continues on the second floor as seen here. Mottled deep blue Italian Venetian plaster covers the walls in a recessed niche. Antique pedestals hold matching Roy Hamilton gourd vases.

A plastered and wallpapered tiny nook is made important with architectural prints, a chinoiserie lantern, a pretty console and Roy Hamilton vase filled with purple Hydrangeas, a stair model and dark hurricane

A close up view

Eve Robinson's fresh take on a traditional kitchen with pops of lilac and pistachio green in a modern and traditional mix

A custom lacquer desk makes the space dynamic and workable

A sputnik pendant adds a vintage modern touch to the minimalist dining table

Beautiful vintage Murano glass hurricanes with a subtle stripe hang over the marble - topped island

Elissa Cullman and Tracy Pruzan of Cullman & Kravis created the dining room around the theme of Dinner at 8: celebrating the great celebrity chefs of our time.

Dutch modernists Studio Job's Homework Tower of cast bronze cooking pots adds a light hearted element in front of the windows, with their cream panels and embroidered leading edge.

1810 Biedermeier chairs are arranged throughout the room

Two arched bookcases encase artfully displayed books mixed with turquoise Foo Dogs and vases for a pop of color.

A killer Candida Hoffer print hangs above a 1930's Art Deco Maxime Old sideboard

A closer look at a Joel Meterowitz photograph of a city street

The table is set for the leading lights of haute cuisine

Darren Henault created His and Hers Dressing Rooms. He stands next to a magnificent Gilt Bronze Mounted Ebony Antique Cabinet with enamel plaques from Carlton Hobbs.

"Her" dressing room where a hard screen has a draping motif that is echoed in the window treatment valance. A Leleu vanity from Maison Gerard is exquisite with its clean lines.

The return of the daybed! Designers are dressing them up and making them the focal point in smaller spaces.

Mirrors on closet doors have been painted with the same pattern as the matching Fortuny fabric. Darren takes pattern and texture into every aspect of what he mixes together. From the stenciled floor to the walls, there is a geometric combination working together.

In "His" dressing room, a new Fortuny fabric covers a daybed in a niche lined with a Holland and Sherry embroidered haberdashery fabric. Art Advisor Kim Heirston works with Darren on picking art work suitable to the client's needs and location.

A deco chair from Berndt Goeckler on a round patterned silk rug

Elizabeth Pyne of McMillen Plus created a Room for Daydream in a girly escape

Another daybed-- I am seeing a trend here. Does this mean we should be turning out smaller spaces into nap rooms?! Made up in F. Schumacher's Birches Blue and Herringbone Aqua cover the daybed and canopy.

A Charming hard valence perfectly frames a wire tree sculpture by Pablo Avilla from Maison Gerard. Sherwood Park fabric from Osborne and Little covers the walls and valences.

Elizabeth's vast knowledge of art inspired her unique choices like this fantastic Portrait of her grandmother, Evelyn Sloane Pyne by Bernard Boutet de Monvel.

A modern chair and desk with clean lines and severe silhouettes stand out amidst the sea foam green and white scheme

Vicente Wolf took on a grand room with existing mill work and great architectural details

An engaging mix of antique and modern elements jazz up a classical marble topped console

A sleek chrome chair with chinese fretwork detailing supports a painting

Spare book shelves with a few white bound books celebrate the beautiful wood surround and millwork

Noel Jeffrey created a frothy glamorous bedroom for an imaginary young client

Black and white elements pull the large space together

Stay tuned for all the rest!