TROPICS BOUND: GONE FISHING

These bright fish prints made by Rhode Island-based artist and store owner, Susan O'Donnell Kearney make me think of warm summer days. Made in a traditional thousand year old Japanese Gyotaku technique, it was a way fisherman could record the exact size and species of the fish they had caught. Called Nantucket Gyotaku, each print is an original one of a kind piece, hand-painted from real fish onto Japanese rice paper, canvas or linen. The prints, also customizable, capture the detail of the real deal in a way few techniques can, and the vibrant papers they are printed on bring a nautical appeal indoors. Perfect for warmer climes, the prints would look right at home in tropical interiors. They are available in Susan's Bristol, Rhode Island-based shop, Sue Casa, as well as a host of other chic boutiques.

UP- AND- COMERS AND ESTABLISHMENT MINGLE ON THE NEW AD 100

Photo courtesy of Architectural Digest

Calling their work "imaginative, intelligent, and inspiring" Architectural Digest recently came out with their list of AD100: The Top Talents in Architecture and Interior Design. Many on it are the usual suspects that do consistently great work, but some you may not know as well.
Margaret Russel has injected a much-needed breath of fresh air, and talent into the list. By highlighting design standouts, many of the designers listed here will experience an uptick in new client calls, and hopefully, a full, rich career ahead. All designers work incredibly hard, and it is great to see the addition of talent that opens the door for an entirely new generation that is well on their way. It's always nice to be acknowledged. So, who do you think should be on next year's list?

Here are some additions I was pleased to see:

Los Angeles-based Alexandra and Michael Misczynski, the married due of Atelier AM create understated, stylish homes

Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller, another husband and wife team, of New York's Carrier and Company. They create fresh interiors that mix rustic and fine antiques with visually appealing unique fabrics

LA's lifestyle maven and shop owner, Kelly Wearstler

Madeline Stuart, the LA-based furniture and interior designer who fuses modern style and traditional beauty

Fantastical, glamorous color-filled interiors define Miles Redd's interiors

New York-based internationally inspired Muriel Brandolini, a genius at eclectic, European-tinged, art-filled playful interiors

Classic yet constantly inventive Brit designer Nicky Haslam/NH Interiors, who injects personality into everything he does

Bold interiors give Richard Mishaan's layered spaces a well deserved spot on the list

Mix masters Robin Standefer and husband Stephen Alesch of Roman and Williams of NYC are hot hot hot and love to pair brass and wood

Stephen Gambrel of NYC has a chic take on comfort, with crisp lines and pops of unexpected colors

Atlanta's Suzanne Kasler, who can do inviting luxe cabins and grand country homes with equal warmth
and sophistication

Suzanne Rheinstein, the reigning classicist of LA and owner of iconic LA antique-filled shop, Hollyhock

TEAL STILL LOOKS TERRIFIC

Call it teal or call it peacock blue, but this shade of blue is still shining through. A hit of the color against red is especially alluring, but it also looks great all on its own, alone. Be on the lookout for major brights come spring, this will ease you in to the intense colors to come.

Photo courtesy of Dransfield and Ross
Tiny and nimble, the Go To Telephone Table from Dransfield and Ross can serve at your side in a jiffy.

Photo courtesy of Jonathan Adler
A high gloss teal finish and gold pattern with a deco feel on Jonathan Adler's porcelain Hera Vase looks luxe.

Photo courtesy of Colleen and Company
The new India-inspired Raj Lantern from Colleen and Company mixes teal and emerald green, a color combination I just love.
Photo courtesy of Madeline Weinrib
The Carlotta Rug, with a border of mini turrets from Madeline Weinrib uses the shade of blue as a contrast to the white ground.

Photo courtesy of Bungalow 5
The richly hued glaze on Bungalow 5's Manila zig zag column lamp adds an interesting shape to an end table or nightstand.

Photo courtesy of Cococozy
The Quatrefoil Pillow of printed linen from Cocozy has an interlocking pattern for punch.

Photo courtesy of Anthropologie
Anthropologie's Fleece Flounce Throw in an electric teal is fuzzy and fabulous.

DINING IN THE ROUND

Round dining tables promote easy conversation and provide a cozy setting to gather your friends. Eating elbow to elbow and being able to see those that gather at your table can be utterly transforming after owning a rectangular or square dining table, you can actually mingle. Not only that, a round table can work double duty to provide a work space, and you can stack it with books a la center hall table when not entertaining. Try it, you will like it.

Photo courtesy of Chelsea Textiles
With handy pull out chairs, this round table from Chelsea Textiles adds some mid-century modern and space saving style.

Photo courtesy of Horchow
With a giant ball pedestal and minimal detail, this is a table to love. Vanguard's Prudence Dining Table through Horchow proves that less is more. Add chairs with personality and color to punch it up.

Photo courtesy of Crate and Barrel
With it's cherry red powder coat finish and clean linear base, the Walker II Round Dining Table from Crate and Barrel is feisty and fabulous.

Photo courtesy of Hickory Chair
A white finish, faux limestone pedestal and solid ash plank top on the Campagne Dining Table by Hickory Chair takes its cue from great British garden tables of the past.

Savannah Table from Oomph mixes materials to great effect. A stone base and glossy lacquered wooden top work in tandem, as if a garden table made its way into the dining room.

Photo courtesy of Global Views
Global Views has an American oak light wood table that tones down and tames industrial chic with a studded metal band at the apron and base.

A zinc top and substantial raw wooden base in Noir's dining table has repro rusticity.

Sarreid's metal table with clean lines is a modern option that would mix well with vintage chairs.

The Powell Side Table from World's Away works for tete a tete dining.

The Pascall Table from Arteriors puts a new spin on a vintage feel with turned gilded metal base and glass top.

Century's mahogany dining table with octagonal base is a good option when an antique version cannot be found.

Photo courtesy of Beeline Home
Beeline's Black Beauty table stands out with ebony and ivory detailing. I love this piece.

Photo courtesy of Noir
The Taylor Table by Noir of wide oak planks is a basic that will be around always.

Photo courtesy of Century
With a wonderful star base, Century Furniture's Salem Dining Table in a warm, dark wood would work well in a country kitchen.

ROOM 125: ART WITH PRESENCE

With a limited run of 175 prints, Room 125 is artwork born from a love of decorative objects and antiquities. I discovered them at their High Point debut, and it was worth the jaunt down an otherwise lackluster row of vendors. With their large scale, dramatic impact and single subject matter, the framed presence on your wall will transform a grouping of art into a gallery- worthy selection.

Their prints and photos cover a wide range of topics to create totally unique feel.

Prints are available framed or unframed, and come in rolls tagged with calligraphy printed labels. Nice detail.

For the sporty, the 19th Century Shuttlecock with it's highly detailed feathers is a favorite. Got a game room?

The 18th Century Elephant in a dyptich is hand engraved with richly detailed color. The wise one is larger than life.

Porcelain Pattern with deep reds, indigo blues and sea green is available with a raw reclaimed wood frame or a gilt version.

The 18th Century porcelain white Intaglio of a woman's visage is available as shown with a white shadowbox or reclaimed plank frame.

An Antique French Chair in a watercolor looks just right in a more rustic frame.

RISING TO THE TOP: NICKY RISING MOVES TO MELROSE

Nicky Rising and her eponymous showroom have a new home a few doors down from Urth Cafe in the design mecca that is West Hollywood at 8625 Melrose Avenue. I loved visiting her space recently, where boutique fabric lines Mally Skok, Plumwich, Tulu Textiles, Katherine Rally, Chapas Textiles, and De Gournay papers are joined by Carleton V in an artful mix of vintage finds and punchy fabrics. Next time you are in LA, drop in to visit Nicky where you are likely to run into a designer you know!

Beep beep. Nicky zooms around town in a pale blue VW convertible. How she got this spot in front of her showroom I'll never know...

The fabric wings include Carleton V, in their new home with Nicky. They have migrated to the street from the PDC, who follow them?

Mally Skok, Katherine Rally, Plumwich and Tulu Textiles hang all in a row.

A hand-painted De Gourney paper with a pink ground looks great with a famille verte porcelain lamp.

Mixing styles, a bone inlaid dresser from India with a pair of figurine lamps on it and a decadent gilded mirror.

An elaborate mirror hangs against a De Gournay hand-painted paper.

A chair stacked high with vintage suzani's. Nicky loves so much she is reluctant to sell them!

Stacks of fabrics and pillows in front of the sample window are a feast for the eyes.

Here is a closer look at some Tulu prints from Istanbul:

A vibrant watercolor stripe, Doris.

Melvin in hot pink on black was an instant favorite.

Lola in apricot has a tiny black dotted line resembling an embroidery stitch.

In a blue as rich and varied as the sea.

Pascal's round medallions in fun colors is incredibly unique.

Do you recognize Stella in red from Jeffrey Bilhuber's newest tome? It is hot, hot, hot.

I want you Alvin in Pink.

Jubilant prints all in a row.

The navy ground makes Mahmut in pink extra alluring.