ROOMS WITH A VIEW WILL CONTINUE!

My designer friends are hard at work on their vignettes for Rooms With A View, the wonderful annual display of design at the Southport Congregational Church in Southport, CT. My hometown! Thom Filicia is the Honorary Chairman, and this year's theme is Design on A Shoestring, honoring the creation of the late, great Albert Hadley. In its 18th year, is always a display of enormous creativity, as 5x8 booths are transformed into designed spaces. The Gala event has been moved to Friday, November 2, at 6:30pm and the show goes on.

Come and visit the installations open to the public 10:00 am until 5:00pm November 2-3, and from 11:00-5:00 November 4th created by:

Bachman Brown 

Allison Caccoma 

Topher Carnes with Rebecca Soskin 

Lynde Easterlin 

Lynn Ehrlich 

Jack Franzen, Ann Franzen, Katrina Franzen, Jody Foote - J.P. Franzen Architects 

Jennifer Gresinger

 Ryan Humphrey 

John Murphy 

Paola Salinas 

Kelley Schutte 

Sean Michael Waters

SANDY STORMS MANHATTAN

Photo courtesy of Best Made

Nature Abhors A Vacuum Brush with horse hair bristles from Best Made Company won't be enough to clean up this mess. If only.

I am having a hard time writing about anything but the storm today, as I am concerned for fellow New Yorkers and the state of the state, New Jersey, Connecticut and the Eastern Seaboard. Hurricane Sandy wreaked such havoc on lower Manhattan that it is hard to believe until you see it. This New York Magazine article pretty much sums it up. The subway will be down for several days, trees have been uprooted all over the place, sidewalks have buckled, basements and first floors flooded and the electronic inner-workings of the city have come grinding to a halt. So, instead of writing about design, I have decided to see what I can do to help my downtown neighbors deal with the after effects of the roiling turmoil Sandy has left in her wake. Recovery will not be swift, but rather a slow crawl, so we have to have patience for the Big Apple and know it will take time to hit its stride again. Halloween? Why yes, it is scary.

HURRICANE SANDY STYLE: LANTERNS TO LIGHT THE WAY

The East Coast is hunkering down thanks to Hurricane Sandy.  If you lose your power and need a way to illuminate in style, consider glass hurricanes to light the way. You can always use them for dinner parties to come.

Photo courtesy of Crate and Barrel

The Crate and Barrel London Hurricane is the glass vessel against which all others are judged. It's classic silhouette, clean pedestal base and high sides make The London the perfect hurricane.

Photo courtesy of Canvas

The Bell Hurricane from Canvas Home Store with a wide opening, curved sides and detailed edge is another nice glass version.

Photo courtesy of World Market

Capturing the same bell shape, World Market has their Silver Mercury Glass Hurricanes for a bit of sparkle.

Photo courtesy of Pottery Barn

For the minimalists, Pottery Barn keeps it simple. The Linden Hurricane Lantern has a glass column that lifts off with a graceful handle that sits in a nickel base.

 

Photo courtesy of Target

Combining stainless steel and glass, Target's Candle Lantern has streamlined, shiny metal detailing.

Photo courtesy of Arteriors

Capturing the essence of San Miguel de Allende, Arteriors Kennedy Lantern has a  leather strap handle and simple glass sleeve. I would get rid of the metal base for a cleaner look.

 

Photo courtesy of Serena and Lily

Mouth blown glass  Storm Lanterns from Serena and Lily on a round base are practical and good looking.

Photo courtesy of The Source Collection

Cut glass circles and a dramatic stepped-up pedestal base on Honeycomb Hurricanes from The Source Collection have the flair of Irish cut crystal.

Photo courtesy of Global Views

Turned glass gives the Global Views 1961 Glamour Hurricane traditional appeal.

IT HAS ARRIVED! THE NATE BERKUS FOR TARGET COLLECTION

Consisting of favorite finds translated into a diverse range of earthy to outstanding colors, The Nate Berkus for Target Collection has arrived. Design watchers have been waiting for months with anticipation, and it was worth the wait. Filled with hundreds of decorative accessories, bath items and bedding inspired by Berkus's travels and  his own vintage collection, designs will be replenished often so there are always new surprises on the shelves. Cutting a wide-ranging stylistic swath, metallic touches, textural fabrics, patterned surfaces and unique materials were used to create highly stylish design stories. The Target timing is in sync with the launch of his latest book, The Things That Matter, a personal account that shares twelve homes and profiles friends and clients that shows how to live with what you love in stylish, meaningful ways. Shoppers will find the book displayed alongside his designs on the shelves, providing a total immersion into Nate Berkus's creative world.

Small Chevron Urn with black and white pattern and lots of punch.

 A curved rectangular Gold Vase for a bit of metallic gleam.

A Yellow Lacquered Wood Box with cut corners and stud closure is the ideal jewel box.

Mixed materials of bone inlay and wood on this Lidded Box have a masculine edge.

Like a marble patterned floor, the partner Picture Frame has graphic appeal.

A hunter green Round Lacquer Tray with studded surround for a tough chic look.

An ikat batiky Fabric Tray great for using on a bedroom dresser for storage.

Green Tortoise Shell for hanging on the wall.

In yellow

This Silver Shell would look super chic on a bookcase.

 A pointy Urchin in brass finish.

 Ram's Horns in polyresin channels Maison Jansen's classic Ibex in brass.

Scoop up this Glass Hurricane with rope detailing to use in pairs on a mantel or coffee table.

A six-sided Column Lamp in black faux shagreen could go in a library on end tables.

Monterrey Decorative Pillow with black and white pin dot chevron weave.

Hammered brass Decorative Bowl adds a nice textural element to a tablescape.

Nepal Chevron Bedding in a teal blue with touches of ikat in the pattern.

Urban Trellis Bedding with a large scale chain pattern.

A Braided Jute Rug is as classic as it gets and a great deal.

Diamond Jute Rug with a jaunty fringe edge.

THE MADELINE WEINRIB SAMPLE SALE IS ON NOW

Calling all fans of colorful ikat, Moroccan patterns, florals and graphic geometrics! Madeline Weinrib's NYC Sample Sale has begun. With savings of 40-70% off, you won't want to miss fabric yardage, furniture, jackets, pillows and bags. Swing by ABC Carpet and Home at 881 Broadway on the lower level to get in on the deals. Its over October 28th.

FALL 2012 HIGH POINT MARKET ROUND UP: 15 SMALL OTTOMANS WITH BIG APPEAL

Whether it has an x-base or is fully upholstered, small benches and ottomans are a great addition to the end of a bed or in seating arrangements. Providing an extra perch or a place for a bag or throw, they serve a smart dual function role. Small pieces were aplenty at High Point Market, and here is a round up of some favorite pairs for bunching  and to use stand-alone pieces.

A pair of white Consulate x-base benches in turquoise upholstery at Century Furniture.

Slatted x-base Rockwell benches at Century that feel very Spanish in derivation.

Century's upholstered Canter Ottoman with nail head trim and tapered leg.

A diminutive low footstool at Hickory Chair.

Mr. and Mrs. Howard from Sherrill has these cut corner upholstered benches with cushioned tops and storage inside. All I could think of is that they would make the best dog beds for a pair of dogs.

Wesley Hall had an upholstered pair of curved ottomans, version 75, with skirted base.

Bernhardt's wooden base bench with leather top is very French 40s.

 Resembling highly coveted vintage finds, Drexel Heritage had the Eve Ottomans. Tufted, upholstered stunners with an arched leg merge the best of old and new. 

Thibault Furniture's Preston Ottoman with a cushion top and bamboo ridged white leg are perfect for country and coastal settings.

Ralph Lauren Home's classic x-benches with tight seat and nailheads in a blue fabric.

A pair of 69W Parsons-style upholstered and tufted x-benches from Wesley Hall have got it going on with contrast trim.

Upholstered in a graphic geometric fabric with orange trim.

Mr. Brown debuted a quatrefoil tufted ottoman with contrast trim on bobbin legs and casters that sits next to an upholstered clean-lined one with button tufting, both in natural linen.

Studio A had a metal bench with an x-base and dog head finials called The Bow Wow Bench.

 In a zippy red, Arteriors x-base upholstered Tennyson Bench with nail head border is a plush option.

THE UPPER EAST SIDE'S NEWEST GLOBAL MECCA: CREEL AND GOW

Photos courtesy of Creel and Gow

 Low Ivy covered walls at the entrance
Working with a global network of design talent, Jamie Creel and Christopher Gow have opened the Upper East Side's newest decorative accessories destination, Creel and Gow.  Both gentlemen, are self-declared, "curious by nature," have a love of beautiful things, and Gow is well known for bringing silvered shells, fossils, coral, rock crystal and gemstone boxes to the neighborhood when he had his shop, Ruzzettt and Gow. It was an editor favorite for all things rare and unusual.
This space is hallowed ground in design circles, because Slatkin and Company, Charlotte Moss, and most recently Mish jewelers have all occupied the beautiful brick building. Now there is a new game in town, and you sure to uncover magical, natural world finds at this ever changing emporium of all things fabulous. Be prepared to be delighted an amazed as you enter the threshold of the former stables at 131 East 70th Street. Even the logo is totally chic.

Black lacquer walls host an array of fine taxidermy specimens and objets

A display wall with niches filled with butterflies, obelisks, mounted coral and global ephemera

An incredible wood and glass display case is filled with taxidermy fowl

Royal Brighton Pavillion created out of matchsticks. Wow.

An Apatite Stone Box is among the stone boxes of every stone you can imagine

An Amethyst Bowl with brown striations

A moss Agate Bowl

 A Nautalis Shell Clock makes a great gift for seaside dwellers

A White Heron Bird Giglee Print reinforces the love of birds