Thursday, January 31, 2013

STYLEBEAT HEADS TO HOUSTON!


I can't believe it, I am going to Texas! The closest I have gotten to it before is Florida, so I can say I am pretty excited to see how it's done in the state that seems to do everything bigger. 
The reason for my trip is to attend the opening party of Villa de Luxe, the first annual Luxe Interiors and Design Showhouse.  I will be covering it for Editor at Large, Editor TV. Benefiting Preservation Houston,  the showhouse, located in a 1920's Venetian- revival home in Shadyside, will be transformed by the following  designers and architects:

Peggy Hull, Creative Touch Interiors
 Marjorie Slovack, ML Slovack Design
 Donna Vining, Vining Design Associates
Lynne Jones, Lynne T. Jones Interior Design
Sandy Lucas and Sarah Eilers, Lucas/Eilers Design Associates
Marlys Tokerud, Tokerud and Co
Audrey Drought, Audrey Drought Design Inc
 John Robinson, Robinson and Associates
 Bill Stubbs, William W. Stubbs and Associates, a Preservation Houston Board member and co-chair  
Jane Page Crump, Jane Page Design Group
Donna Jarnigan, Lacy-Boon Interiors
Diana Walker, Diana Walker Design
Lisa Roth, Montgomery Roth
Connie LeFevre Janie Ellis
Laura Umansky, Laura U Inc
Julie Koch, Elegant Additions
John Dupuy
 McDugald Steel Landscpae Architects and Darla Bankston May

I must admit I am excited to be exposed to a new design market and meet a totally new group of interior designers. If there is a shop, antique or vintage store or great restaurant that should be on my radar, let me know!

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

AND THE WINNER OF THE WINTER ANTIQUES SHOW YOUNG COLLECTORS NIGHT TICKETS IS...

Thursday night brings out a bevy of amazing  interior designers and those that love a good party at The Winter Antiques Show. It is a great crowd that knows how to have a good time.
Congratulations to Katie Barbatsuly for winning the 2 tickets to the Young Collectors Night at The Winter Antiques Show. Have fun Katie and report back on how the evening went!

Katie picked these mirrors from Hyde Park Antiques. A Pair of George III Giltwood Mirrors. c. 1775. 54 1/2 in. h. x 27 in. w.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

MEET PIGEON AND POODLE: ACCESSORIES TO CHIC UP YOUR BATH

I've said it before and I will say it again, sometimes the best designs are the simplest. Functional, clean-lined easy to use practical pieces with a dash of style, Pigeon and Poodle's bath accessories, trays and picture frames are a great new entrant in the home accessories world. I think you two are going to become good friends. Here are some of their designs I saw at the Gift Show that accentuate current design trends in a nice, subtle way. Faux bois? Got that. Inlaid shells and woven seagrass? Got that too. Go tropical or go city glam.  Freshen up your vanity with accessories that speak to your locale, or the one you want to be in.

Burma, a clean white textural faux bois pattern.




Cannes, a glamorous inlaid pen shell veneer that resembles tortoise.


For the shore house, Chelston, a woven abaca in seafoam green.


For a Chinoiserie accent, hand-painted art-inspired patterns on Datong.



A chunky seagrass on Destin makes it destined to be a favorite in tropical locales.



Three lidded storage compartments make Gaya an inlaid bone pattern a chic choice for city or country baths.


The popular textured sea urchin pattern is still hot, as seen on Hilo, a patterned white porcelain with softly curved lines.




Bleached rattan set in resin provides Kona with a strong resemblance to cerused oak and grass cloth walls- everything a beach house needs.


Lugano is encased in the Kabibi shell, giving it a slightly pearly luster.



If you like something more dark and mysterious there is Luxor of matte black marble.

The wicker Malabar is my favorite, as it channels old Palm Beach with newness.




Manchester faux shagreen in a fresh blue green is refreshing.




Glam it up with Moritz, a silvery mother of pearl veneer.



Monday, January 28, 2013

NYIGF 2013: GIFT SHOW GREATS THAT CAUGHT MY EYE

With the cold that has gripped most of the country recently, it is nice to look at summery home accessories to warm up with thoughts that summer days are not far off. I was able to do just that as I walked the isles of the New York Gift Show yesterday, where there were coastal chic nautical motifs, shell-encrusted pieces and warm weather entertaining accessories aplenty. 
I also noticed more than a fair amount of Chinoiserie. I feel like we JUST went through this trend, but it is back, and has been bubbling up for some time. It is here a major way, from painted cherry blossoms on ceramics, to ginger jars, pagodas, and more. I love the style, it is just incredible that it is back with such warp speed. Is this the way popular trends will surface, just hit the repeat button every few years? This may be the case. If people like it, evergreen themes sell well. Speaking of popular motifs,  I am also seeing a LOT of coral again. It just went away....or so I thought. So here are some of my favorite things that caught my eye and have style that (I hope) will endure.

I went a little bit crazy when I spotted these. JM Piers painted tole mini lanterns with bell detail votive candles are the perfect thing for outdoor entertaining.  They are available through Dalton Pratt in Washington DC.

 Add some Oomph to your dining room table or mantel with their brand new simple hurricanes. I love how the base resembles a puffy column base, while feeling fresh and classic.

I have been meaning to write about Holly Stuart Designs for ages. Her printed hard place mats and coasters are done in incredibly pretty prints that work well in so many interior settings. Incredibly durable and easy to gift, her printed coasters are now available in a set of 4, by color or pattern. Such an easy and elegant hostess or dinner party gift.

Plat du Jour, a line of cheery and practical paper mats came in great new patterns that included Chinoiserie, whales and schools of fish.

 Chinoiserie looks fresh and new on this Dransfield and Ross pillow with Chinese blue and white plates and vase cut-outs.

Kim Seybert knocked it out of the park this show, with a ton of slew of  Chinoiserie and coral motifs.  The Pagoda embroidered cocktail and canape napkins with dragon boat and pagodas surrounded by a fanciful colored border in a set of 6 had me at hello.

Lest we forget the darling elephant chain being shaded by an umbrella with a punchy orange scallop edge.

 Or the multi colored seersucker with bright contrast edging and tropical motifs, sold in a set of 6.

 More Chinoiserie! Kim Seybert did a punchy blue and white pagoda toile pattern in melamine, complete with a matching picnic basket. Now you will be ready for Central Park or Ascot.

 Zoe Bios Creative continues their winning streak with artwork that combines individual style and beautiful abstract watercolors  and photography.

I adore the decorative painter Harrison Howard, so happy to see his Chinoiserie designs at Dean Rhys Morgan Works on Paper booth.

Jonathan Adler killed it with mixed materials this show. Brass! Inlaid shells! Lucite! This articulated turtle has my name on it for my menagerie collection. Good thing Mr. Adler was on hand to show me the plethora of newness with, as always,  such wonderful unbridled enthusiasm.

Scalloped brass tables with shell inlay are super sexy glam from Jonathan Adler.

What! Coffee tables, side tables and more in lucite with brass corners also at Jonathan Adler. I kinda want everything. Just like vintage, but fresh and new.

There speckled colorful painted cubes from Jonathan Adler in punchy colors remind me of the work of a decorative painter without the customization and wait time.

Emporium Home launched a bevy of great new things. This stacked glass and metal Luck Be a Lady lamp was spot on with a vintage vibe.

It's here! John Robshaw has teamed up with environment friendly Cisco Brothers Furniture for a line of pieces. This little tufted number leads the collection.

Adding to their upholstery ensemble, Oomph's charming linear X- Bench with painted wood leg and small arm is a winner for small locations that need a perch.

With cut corners and classic lines, Bungalow 5's new Jardin kelly green bamboo chair is as good as it gets for all you vintage classic reboot fans.

Circular details, round lucite knobs and a cut out base add special touches to Bungalow 5's Savoy three-drawer white dresser that is calling out for a tropical home.

With green penshell overlay, Made Goods simple Parsons style table has an added elegance to it.