Tuesday, May 31, 2011

FOLLOW YOUR BLISS: HOTEL CHIC

Sara's latest destination: JK Place Capri

When my college friend, native New Yorker Sara Bliss told me she was starting a blog on boutique hotels, I was hooked. I knew her stellar writing from her time at House Beautiful and the articles she wrote for a host of stylish publications made this venture worthwhile and exiting.
Who wouldn't love to vicariously travel to the best boutique hotels across the globe? Hotel Chic: Hotel Style Translated To Real Life, sends you on a visual journey of well - edited, gems of vacation destinations, where you can pick up design advice and lower blood pressure simultaneously. Looking for a weekend getaway? You can search by destinations. Looking for the rug vendor a hotel used in the entry hall? Sara goes to great lengths to provide sources with service. An incredible eye paired with an insatiable wanderlust makes Hotel Chic a must read. Sometimes daily life can get banal, so become an armchair traveler without the jet lag!

Friday, May 27, 2011

SUMMER STARTS HERE: STAY COOL THIS MEMORIAL DAY

Finally! Time to get out the beach towels and spend as much time out of doors as possible. Every summer I find so many fantastic goodies for outdoor entertaining and a life if leisure that I want them all. Here are a few that have it made in the shade:

Photo courtesy of World Market
How great is this Venice Umbrella from World Market? The pattern is a little bit Peter Dunham a little bit Raoul Textiles.

Photo courtesy of Roberta Roller Rabbit
With terry on one side and fabric on the other, this Roberta Roller Rabbit blanket/towel fills many functions. Take your pick: picnic or beach.

Instead of a hammock, try Pier 1's Swingasan Chair. A what? I know, but you will love it.



Photo courtesy of Luna Bazaar
Use real or battery operated votives for these mini lanterns in sensational brights from Luna Bazaar to illuminate the night sky.

Photo courtesy of West Elm
If your garden needs a dose of new Americana, then this light wood bench called The Dexter from West Elm is for you. It's a neo-Windsor Chair with clean lines and classic elements. Love it for inside or out.


Photo courtesy of Ballard Designs
If you need new chairs for eating outside, these Gallante Chairs, aluminum painted to look like bamboo, from Ballard Designs fit the bill. You would have to look for ages to find a vintage set like it, so save your time and spend it with a summer beach read instead.

Photo courtesy of Pottery Barn
A nautical eco friendly wine tote for the gift of spirits when you go to a friend's house. From Sea Bags for Pottery Barn.

Photo courtesy of Z Gallerie
Melamine plates in a Moroccan pattern, check. From Z Gallerie.
It's a holiday weekend so eat drink and be merry!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

AT C. BELL THE PALM BEACH REGENCY IS SWELL

On my trip to Palm Beach, one store in West Palm Beach stood out for it's well edited and photo shoot - ready selection of brightly lacquered pieces and special vintage finds: C. Bell. Stylish Christine scours Florida and beyond for the best in Palm Beach Regency style. Her assortment is eye - catching, not to mention well paired. Because of it, I want a tropical home to fill!

All white interiors with pops of lime green and orange is resort perfect.

Serene and soothing, there are plenty of all white furnishings with soft lines.

The English Bar painted in a summery aqua will make cocktail hour even more highly anticipated.

Poppy and crisp the accessories match the furniture in appeal.

This game table is ready for some game.

From cabinets to sconces, you could come in and do your whole house in one swoop.

Painted in black, the dining room area has mirrors galore.

It's like a veritable museum of mirror styles.

WHEN ONLY CUSTOM WILL DO:

But wait there's more! You can order a Pagoda Glass Panel Cabinet from Christine's custom Palm Beach Collection.
or the Small Tray Table

the Linen Etagere

a Lucite Game Table

fabulous ornate Chippendale Armchair

Ocean Boulevard Mirrored Cabinet

the C. Bell Chair in the style of Frances Elkins


and a true classic, a Linen Wrapped Coffee Table

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

WHAT'S NEW FROM CASAMIDY?

If you know Casamidy, then you know they are sought after for their deft metal work, brightly colored finishes and genius designs. You may have seen their shiny nickel Symi lanterns, as they are very popular. The husband and wife duo behind the brand begin with classic silhouettes and make them modern. Streamlined forms and intricate iron work detail set their designs apart from the rest. I have written about them in the past here, but am always excited to share their new designs every season. They can do custom colors and finishes and each piece has that special handmade feel.

Photos courtesy of Casamidy
Their 1907 home in Brussels is attached to their showroom, the entrance sure is grand.

Anne-Marie Midy and Jorge Almada moved from Mexico to Brussels and their new home is elegant and rustic at the same time.

Their Loop Mirror in mahogany is amazing. You can also get it custom colored.

Every season brings new lantern designs. The Barranca mixes soft edged and classic elements.

The Amidi Bookcase has a detail of a Moorish arch and is painted in a kicky aqua.

The Diego Canopy Bed is like sleeping in the trees.

Their Loop Settee with intricate ironwork on the back is a favorite.

The Manchez Armchair in a traditional Mexican embroidery has intricate mesh and takes the Louis chair to a new place.

Wow! Maybe they also read the J. Crew catalog... a hit of neon is killer on the mesh Theofilio Chair.

Part wing chair part settee, their Ixelles Sofa merges old and new with an iron frame and traditional printed fabric.

The Ixelles Bistro Table and Opera Chairs mix light and airy metalwork with a pedestal table.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

THE DESIGNERS PARTICIPATING IN THE HAMPTONS SHOWHOUSE THIS SUMMER

July can't get here fast enough!
From Sunday July 24 to September 4th, The Hamptons Designer Showhouse will be held in a sprawling shingle - stye home in Bridgehampton. Traditional Home will again sponsor the event, benefiting Southampton Hospital, and it is sure to be worth a trip out east.
This year, a creative group of established talent and up and comers will transform the house.

They are...

Aurélien Gallet LLC
Bakes and Company
Baltimore Design Group
Donald Schermerhorn
Eddie Lee Inc.
Haus Interior
Jennifer McGee Design, Inc.
Joy Tribout
Katie Ridder Inc.
Keith Carroll
Lillian August
Meg Braff Designs, LLC
Mendelson Group, Inc.
Patricia Fisher
Robert Stilin
Ron Fiore
Tilton Fenwick LLC
Tobi Fairley Interior Design
Welhil Interiors

Enjoy scheming, and if you find the install tiring hit the Candy Kitchen for a break!

SWOON WORTHY LENOX HILL TABLESETTINGS

Thank goodness for April flowers after all these spring showers. I adore creative table designs, especially when the theme is this soigne. "Your The Tops," the theme for this year's Lenox Hill Neighborhood House benefit at Cipriani 42nd Street was over the top, with gorgeous flowers and table settings to swoon over. Beautiful tables created by creme de la creme interior designers and creatives was sponsored by Rolex and honored past president of the board, Elizabeth Rohaytn. Cole Porter would have loved it.

Photos courtesy of Lenox Hill
Lindsey Harper created Harper's Bazaar in a riot of orange, hot pink and green. Buddha gazed down at the revelers.

Lindsey had napkins embroidered for the occasion by Julia B. Gifts were animal luggage tags from John Robshaw.

Dennis Rolland looked to "Your Mambo Escargot" for inspiration, and included masses of tulips and a tablecloth of Scalamandre fabric.

Libby Cameron did "Fireworks" in ultra festive red, white and blue with her fabrics from Sister Parish Design.

Elizabeth Pyne for McMillen and her "A Thrill Divine!" with divine flowers by Botanica and Stark fabrics.

Lynde Easterlin got derby ready with "The Time of The Triple Crown Winner!"

Ralph Lauren and Two's Company accessories looked snappy with racing colors and low arrangements of ferns.

Jonathan Berger with "A La Cime de L'Arbre" created a tablecloth with fabric from Alan Campbell at Quadrille.

Chocolate brown with icy blue looks wonderful.

Eddie Ross for Carleton V and "Growing Wild" with spring florals and striped brights.

Moroccan lanterns and tons of votives added a festive glow.

Ashley Whittaker did "Fern Folly" with Cowtan and Tout fern fabric and white lattice planters.

Ashley had Jansen chairs upholstered in Quadrille's Zig Zag to coordinating with the ferns.

Daniel Robers did "Stairway to the Top" with Donghia fabrics.

The soft greens and mauve flowers were stunning against the mercury glass vases.

David Duncan's table with daffodil yellow and black was inspired by 40’s French designer Serge Roche and mixed in antiques and decorative accessories from his shop.

Chestnuts in the Tuilleries channeled tap legend Fred Astaire.

Mercedes Desio and Alberto Villalabos of Etos created "Spellbound Bliss" and used wonderful objects from their shop at 67 East 11th Street.

A crane held court in the center of their table, and peacock feathers graced the table cloth.

Frances Palmer did "Your The Moon", incorporating her beautiful handmade porcelain.

Spring flowers played off the natural handmade tabletop pieces.

Noland Interiors Kathryn C. Greeley and "You're The Top Dog Bone Appetit!" with suspended topiaries.

Kristen McGinnis and "Kencho" with a Japanese Maple tree and beautifully folded napkins that resembled small parcels.

"The Bottom Has Dropped From the Top" by Grace Kaynor.

A black and white graphic tablecloth and a mass of hot pink flowers.

Marianne Faithfull's Penthouse Serenade from Lucca and Co. with white flowers and greenery.

P. Allen Smith created "A Natural Beauty" with a graphic Greek key fabric and sky high flowering branches.

P. Allen's lush garden setting.

Patrik Lonn used a Brunschwig and Fils botanical print and pops of yellow with a waterfall of ivy.

Using her own fabrics, Tobi Fairley looked to lavender with a pop of turquoise from a Dunes and Duchess candelabra in "Spanish Summer Nights."

Tyler Taylor of New Canaan created "Le Grande Revue" with a sparkling Eiffel Tower and chartreuse tablecloth.

Robert Farrell and "An Homage to Central Park" with a grass green polka dot print fabric.

Top Hats entwined with white orchids climbed high in Rod Winterrowd's black, white and hot pink setting.

Harry Heissmann created "Skyline" with an amazing architectural sculpture.