SITTING PRETTY

Photo courtesy of Serena and Lily

If you are planning on sunbathing this weekend, this is just the chair to take along. The teak Soleil Sling Chair from Serena and Lily in their cheery new demilune outdoor print will be around for years. Take it to the park, take it to the beach, it's a way to sit in style is never far from reach.

Photo courtesy of Milly

And after you go for a dip, grab Milly's mod Novo 5 Beach Towel for some more punch.

SUMMER: LET'S GET IT STARTED!

Glorious weather this past Memorial Day Weekend has helped charge a clear path straight to summer. Here are some goodies to help you get ready to live outside and entertain like you mean it. 

Photo courtesy of Pottery Barn

I have always wanted one of these to help channel my island side. Pottery Barn knocks it out of the park with their Raffia Round Umbrella, it is a charmer.  It will make you shout, "Paradise now!"

Photo courtesy of Crate and Barrel

If you need some sunny prints in le jardin, try adding Crate and Barrel's jazzy

Marimekko Appelsiini Caliente Umbrella for some heat shade.

 Photo courtesy of Ballard Designs

I love the look of lush ferns in Ballard Designs Scalloped Square Planter, it also comes in a round version.

Photo courtesy of Anthropologie

Water your flowers with Anthropologie's Mr. Snail Pail to add some character to the task.

Photo courtesy of Terrain

Instead of climbing a tree, swing in one. The Original Tree Swing from Terrain is like the old T-Bar lifts from skiing, but it's nothing a few Dark N' Stormies won't help you get over.

Photo courtesy of Wisteria

I have been eyeing these iznik patterned melamine  Wisteria plates for awhile now, I really think they are great.  Plus, if you order something from Wisteria up until May 31st,  they have an offer where they will throw in a set of 4!

Photo courtesy of West Elm

Bring a little bit of the French seaside to your outdoor entertaining with West Elm's wrapped Woven Pitchers. Be prepared for the raffia to get a little worn, the glass does not come out of the surround, so buy an extra to have just in case. They're on sale!

Photo courtesy of World Market

If you prefer a more muted color palette, then check out these beautiful soft colors in the Palampore Placemats from World Market.

Photo courtesy of World Market

If pillows are what you need, these outdoor ready Indonesian Fruit stunners at World Market are bright and cheery adding a touch of the exotic.

Photo courtesy of Pier 1

A right - sized fan chair from Pier 1 means you won't feel like Lilly Tomlin sitting in one!

Photo courtesy of CB2

Shed a little light inside or out with hammered brass teardrop Ous Hanging Tealights from CB2. They cast a party-ready glow.

Photo courtesy of Z Gallerie

For a more trad option, there is this Z Gallerie Malaga Lantern that is inspired by a classic English lantern. It would work well lining a pathway. 

MEET ATLANTA'S ROBERT BROWN AND HIS NEW MACRAE COLLECTION

Mixing warm modern and antique pieces in his work, southern interior designer Robert Brown is known for his mastery of simplicity, clean lines and elegant neutral - with - a - pop - of - color palettes. His interiors make your shoulders drop and relax, and want to have a cocktail. As a designer that understands classic scale and proportion so well, it made sense that he channel this talent into furniture design.  A partnership with Macrae allowed him to use his fashion and textile background for inspiration, and the result is southern sophisticated. In New York for Blogfest to launch the furniture collection at the Lee Jofa showroom, you can see the hallmarks of his clean design with masculine yet modern lines.

Whenever designers create rooms in the front area at Lee Jofa, I pay attention. They are a nice way to show a designers sensibility and showcase their new designs.  Using a wonderful grey paint, the walls envelop, resulting in a sophisticated modern-inflected study. Clean lines and a lack of cluttered surfaces allow the furniture pieces to enhance the architectural aspects of the room.

Bob chatting with Lisa Kravet at the launch.

A beautiful Parsons-style desk, The Griffin Writing Table,  in a rich, dark wood with pared down objects on it is a perfectly refined place to work. That Maple tree creates a serene feeling by bringing a bit of the natural world in.

Pretty pretty, spring is in the air!

Using a clear glass box to neatly display desk items keeps things tailored and orderly.

Another angle of the desk.

The handsome Barkley Bar with deco and mid century lines hides contents but adds stature.

Southerners know the art of hospitality, so of course, a pull - out shelf for a drink has been included in the McDaniel Lounge Chair.

The low-profile sleek and modern Kathryn Slipper Chair has a wooden frame painted in a chalk white finish. A great lounger.

A classic wooden chest of drawers with linear brass pulls re-invents a classic antique form by taking the best attributes from it. A modern color field painting in rosy pink hues adds just the right amount of color to the grey walls.

The detailed interlocking demilune pattern on the back of The Chandler Chair really stand out in the white finish. I would say this is an instant favorite.

A classic column is always a wonderful spatial device that can enhance an entry flanking a doorway. The Chambers Column is a clean lined version of a classic style that has endless functions.

Idea alert! The lucite antlers bring your eye up the wall, and a corner screen below it is an interesting surface to hang artwork on. 

IT'S BLOGFEST!

A red and purple arrangement for the debut of Robert Brown Home Furniture

 by MacRae in the front room at Lee Jofa 

Yes, it's that time of year! The spring is here, it must be time for Blogfest 2012. Attracting a diverse network of design bloggers from around the country, the three day event,  hosted by Kravet Inc,  is in it's second year. With a bevy of fun events in the jam- packed schedule, we were off and running yesterday at 8:30am. 

We kicked off the day with breakfast at Hearst Tower, which included candid conversations with Dara Caponigro of Veranda and distinctly American designers Darryl Carter and Timothy Whealon. Their designs have that elusive play of light and color with an architectural bent and use of strong pieces for impact.

Tables were set with the most glorious pure pink peonys

House Beautiful followed, where the hot issue was  uncovering life-changing Ah Hah moments from HB Next Wave designers Jon Call, Jill Goldberg, and Michael Herold.

 The HB Connect App works like this:

Staying close to the leading edge of technology, their just launched House Beautiful Connect app scans scans images on the magazine pages to unlock behind - the - scenes video from photo shoots and additional content. It is a great way to feel like you were there, as a fly on the wall editor. I am very impressed with their early adapter initiative, it engages readers to interact with the print copy to gain access to that ever-desirable thing: more content.

 The ever-inspiring interior and fabric designer Katie Leede left us all with a mantra for the day-

Most of Katie Leede's bedroom for a college gal included catalog - shopped finds. And yes, Laduree Macarons that matched her tented fabric swag.

Followed by a  tour of the just-opened Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House, where participating designers Katie Leede and Sherrill Canet among others, were on hand to discuss their inspiration.

Southern gent Atlanta-based Robert Brown sharing his design inspiration with Lisa Kravet

From there, we headed to the  D and D for a delicious Lobster Roll lunch at Lee Jofa and got to know Atlanta-based interior designer Robert Brown, whose just-launched sophisticated traditional yet minimalist Macrae furniture collection was debuted in the front showroom.  

The beyond hilarious speaker Alexa Hampton regaled us with tales of design excursions with her dad, including a class trip to Kips Bay in  2nd Grade.

We then headed over to Kravet, where we were privy to a spirited design conversation with Alexa Hampton and Traditional Home Editor in Chief Ann Maine.

Interiors latest issue

More fun is to come tomorrow, and I am very excited to participate in Blogfest on an Interiors Magazine panel hosted by Editor in Chief Michael Wollaeger.  Joined by the effervescent interior designer and creative director for Oscar de la Renta Home,  Miles Redd, along with photographer Peter Aaron, the panel is entitled "Interiors Insider: Beautiful design results from inspiration, experience and creativity whether the goal is a magazine spread, a photograph or simply a happy client. Join Michael Wollaeger for Interiors Insider, a panel discussion which will address the various functions of designer, photographer, and blogger, and the important role each plays in achieving success through design. Learn tips and tricks from top experts in their field: interior designer Miles Redd, noted photographer Peter Aaron, and blogger and former editor Marisa Marcantonio. You’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories of how the most beautiful work in our industry is created."

The venue is one of my favorite Old New York institutions, The  Museum of the City of New York at 1220 Fifth Avenue (at 103rd St.). 

More from the final day as it unfolds. Please standby...

Outside the Lee Jofa Showroom, Kravet goodie bags lining the entire length of the hall.

LUSH LIFE: WHIMSICAL NEW ANTILLES PRINTS

Reviving the iconic 1960's printed textile designs of Amos Morrill, his daughter Lee Morrill-Harrington is sure to create another wave of interest in this particular resort style. Capturing the quaint aspects of island living, from the exotic flora and fauna to sealife, enter Antilles Designs. The brainchild of  the Antiguan-born interior designer, this bright new tropical collection brings the natural world in, with festive color combinations,  detailed renderings of leaves, flowers and sea creatures. The joyous, easygoing designs by her father were created from existing sketches and samples Morrill-Harrington recently happened upon in her father's Antigua loft. As an interior designer, she embarked on a path to create fresh and fun graphic prints in highly usable colors.  You can find the designs in the Gary McBournie Home Dering Hall storefront, as well as Studio 534 at the Boston Design Center and Webster & Company in Estero, Florida.  I have to thank Christine Bell from C. Bell in Florida for introducing me to the line, it is sure to please those wishing for the footloose and fancy free living island life provides.  Hey, has Jimmy Buffet seen these yet? I think he would approve.

Banana Bird in royal blue. Can you spot the birdy?

Banana Birds in trade winds blue

Banana Bird in sunset orange just needs a cold Sunkist next to it

Oversized leaves eclipse the dallying butterflies in Breadfruit in plumbego blue

 Breadfruit in confetti pink

Breadfruit in crocus

 Key Lime stacked

Key Lime in flamboyant red

green on white

Turquoise 

Calypso blue

I just love the colors in the sky blue on white 

It's electric! Sunnyside yellow

Turq on white

Capturing the lush abundance of Bougainvillea in bloom, amythest is for people who adore purple 

Bouganvillea in beach rose

Icy blue perfection: Bubbles in blue 

Bubbles in a pale lettuce green 

Bubbles in the perfect shade of sorbet pink

Reef, in pink and blue

 Frangipani in orange with pale pink is crisp

icy blue and persimmon in Frangipani 

Frangipani with teal and yellow

Townhouse captures island dwellings in a jolly, naif print 

Redcliffe Red has zing