Tuesday, January 31, 2012

TURKISH T: TOWEL TIME

The new Beach Candy stripe is a good all around travel scarf

Candy colors and a variety of patterns make Turkish T Fouta Hamam towels a great gift. Use them as a sarong, beach towel, picnic blanket, bedspread, tablecloth, the options go on and on.
Sue Joyce took a basic towel, traditionally used in Turkish Baths, and made it fresh and exciting in juicy colors and stripes. Incredibly soft hand-loomed 100% Turkish cotton dries quickly and gets better with age, just be sure to wash in cool water, and machine dry on low heat. This soon to be summer staple will be a piece you always take with you to the beach. Visit Betsy Wills and Sue Joyce at The Javits, Booth 7877!

The Basic Breeze has a wide banded stripe and richly colored ground field.

There are also earthy colors.

The Basic Bath towel is sarong friendly.

The Soft Bath is available in small runs. I like the wider striped banding for its nautical style.

Monday, January 30, 2012

FLOWER POWER: TOMMY MITCHELL'S TOLE BOTANICALS

Delicate petals made of metal form the tole botanicals from Tommy Mitchell. I have shown his designs before here, and you may have seen them at Bergdorf Goodman or Mary Mahoney in Palm Beach. At his inaugural gift show, see his potted flower creations on display. I hope this will mean you will see his flowers in many more wonderful stores. Placed on gilded brackets against a silver and white bamboo patterned wallpaper, the varied assortment of blooms including lily of the valley, thistle, auricula, hyacinth and orchid plants. He can do custom vases and pieces, just ask. Swing by and see his flowers at Pier 94 booth 44045. They are the perfect antidote to winter.

A mini lily of the valley in a mercury glass vase.

Blooms in a new metallic finish gleam in silver and gold painted creations.

Mitchell has garnered a loyal following for his pastel florals.


Create a totally different look with pots that range from mercury glass to woven metals.

Terra cotta planters have a rustic simplicity to them.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

HILLARY THOMAS DESIGNS COMES TO THE NY GIFT SHOW

Photos courtesy of Chic Shop
Gutsy and glam, Hillary Thomas Designs finials, found at her LA-based Chic Shop will be making their New York debut at the Gift Show. Sunny Brentwood, California dwellers designer Hillary Thomas and partner Clara Hendon will also be showing their cane lampshades, 80's essential My Boyfriend's Back Initial Bed Pillows and signature candles. Add a pop of color to dress up lamps by adding their brightly colored finials and shades. Head to Pier 92, Booth 32010 and tell them Stylebeat sent you!

Vibrantly colored semi precious stone finials from the Rock N Rolla collection

You remember these!


Friday, January 27, 2012

NEWS AND DEBUTS: 2012 SPRING NY GIFT SHOW

Feeling the need for faux? Karen Robertson Collection is launching a new collection of decorative accessories with tortoise shell finishes, all done to resemble the real thing, a Victorian-era specialty. Choose from rich brown mottled mirrors, boxes, obelisks or egg-shaped finials, all in the faux finish.

Soaring upward, a stately pair of obelisks on a mantle could be just what you have been looking for.

On a desk or a bookshelf, this box will never go empty.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

MEG BRAFF DESIGNS WALLPAPER SALE THIS FRIDAY

If you missed Meg Braff's vibrant wallpapers and vintage finds on One Kings Lane recently, you are in luck, as she is offering tons more vintage and fab retro papers this Friday on Long Island. If you are in the tri state area, check it out, there will be literally hundreds of rolls to choose from!
9am-4pm
250 Piping Rock Road
Locust Valley LI
For more information call: (516) 801-4939

Arbour- Sand on White

Brighton Your Pavillion- Jungle on White

Meadow Reed- Coral on White

Monday, January 23, 2012

OOMPH SNEAK PEAK: GREAT GIFT SHOW INTRODUCTIONS

I always look forward to seeing new introductions at the New York Gift Show. The show is just around the corner and here is a look at one of my favorite brands and Stylebeat Sponsors, Oomph. Each season they introduce something creative and colorful to get excited about, and this winter is no exception. Taking their cue from their favorite destinations, I am sure you will love this launch as much as I do.

Photos courtesy of Oomph
A variety of juicy high gloss colors and grasscloth options make choosing a finish a challenge.

The Hobe Sound Coffee Table has a fun wavy edge.

The Charleston Coffee Table with a detailed edge takes its cue from American antiques of yore.

The Charleston Side Table in a zesty red has a lower shelf for extra storage.

The Charleston Mirror is a modern day version of a classic American antique form.

My favorite! The Scalloped Slipper chair with curved back and undulating upholstered base is perfection. A personality chair to be sure.

Friday, January 20, 2012

MAKE A DAZZLING STATEMENT: TONY DUQUETTE FOR COACH

The just - launched collection of gems by Tony Duquette for Coach are fantastic with a capital F. Gutsy and bold, the designs are based on the iconic over sized classics yet well translated for frequent wear with signature Duquette elements. With a more is more approach, he was fearless with his creations. If you love estate jewelry, this tightly edited collection is for you. I have chosen some razzle-dazzle standouts I think you will fall for as much as I have.
Mixing semi precious stones, crystals, enamel and gold in a glam old-world way, the capsule collection is sure to go fast. It arrives in Coach stores February 1st, but is available online now.

Photos courtesy of Coach
Grab it! Red satin serves as the backdrop for this jewel-encrusted clutch. A field of flowers in varied crystal and semi-precious stones down the front is both charming and decadent.

The showstopper Duchess Bib Necklace with pale purple and green stones in 3 curving rows is ladylike, lovely and alluring.

The Hinged Starburst bracelet in teal enamel with the distinctive Duquette lozenge pattern and robust starburst detail is a piece I have my eye on.

Charmed, I'm sure. Eight starburst charms in malachite, lapis lazuli and crystals suspended from a chain link bracelet.

Just like the fabulous starburst Duquette light fixture for Remains, the pendant Starburst necklace has glittering gilded rays.

A gobstopper - sized cocktail ring with a faceted Malachite stone in the Empire ring will make those that don't scoop it up green with envy.

I love when cuffs have a lot going on, like in the Sunburst cuff that layers flowers and sunbursts with gen centers.

The Bouquet ring with a tight cluster of jeweled flowers is not for the timid.

New Spike Necklace goes for the gold for those that want to look fierce.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

HONORING MY DAD

Amanda, Dad and me with bluefish at Great Point on Nantucket, circa 1979

On February 12th, I am participating in a fundraising event to benefit Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Called Cycle for Survival, it is a day long spin relay event at Equinox that supports cancer research. I cycle with pride to honor my dad, Robert Marcantonio, who was a MSKCC patient. My dad had a brain tumor and 2 surgeries at Memorial. The doctors and nurses there are just awe inspiring in their dedication and level of care. It has been 18 years since he passed away, and I think of him daily, so this ride is especially meaningful for me. I think it will make him happy to know that I am doing something to give back.
Join me in the fight against cancer, as sadly, it has touched most of our lives. Friends have been so amazing in supporting this event, if you want to contribute, visit my page here.
And go Team Gear Up 2 Fight Cancer!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

A STYLISH WAY TO SAY THANK YOU: TORY BURCH DOES STATIONERY

Photos courtesy of Tory Burch
Designed in the spirit of great French papermaker G. Lalo, Tory Burch has come out with writing cards that look as though they come from a seasoned stationery source. Dream of exotic locales or write a missive from them on these engraved cards that come twelve to a box. A billowing striped hammock, in four different colors, sits centered on an ecru card with brightly colored tissue lining. What a great way to correspond with class. They are available at Tory Burch boutiques and through their website.

A line drawing of the new Madison Avenue flagship on on the cover of the orange paper box.

hot pink

navy blue

mustard yellow

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

PILLOW TALK: MALCOLM JAMES KUTNER FOR FORTUNY FABRICS

I love a good collaboration, especially when it includes Fortuny's sublime textiles. Malcolm James Kutner, a New York - based interior designer was recently asked to create a capsule collection of pillows with the esteemed Venetian fabric company. Using intricate patterns in a pastel palette with inset borders, Kutner's pillows would be at home in a warm climate as well as a city setting. The pillows are available at the Fortuny showroom on the 16th floor of the D and D Building, suite 1632.
Fortuny's subtle patterns, gradation in tone and vibrant palette make them true works of art. In order to protect the magic formula that achieves their gorgeous designs, Fortuny does not allow anyone outside the company to visit their mills. Their secret technique remains a mystery, making their designs even more covetable.

Yellow, pale pink and an earthy green pillows

My favorites

Pastel perfection

Monday, January 16, 2012

IT'S SALE TIME! PORTHAULT PRINTS AWAIT

Need a joyous burst of zebra stripes, Mimosa sprigs, Sweet Pea bunches or peacock feathers to perk up blustery winter blues?
Take 40%-80% off poppy printed bed linens, table linens and more at D. Porthault's semi-annual sale. Visit the store from January 16th through February 4th or check out the assortment on their website. I have a hard time staying away, so you may see me perusing the bins next to you.

Visit prints charming:
10AM to 6PM
470 Park Avenue @ 58TH STREET
New York City
212.688.1660

Friday, January 13, 2012

SALE TIME @ BUNNY WILLIAMS' TREILLAGE

If Santa didn't give you everything you wanted under the tree, head over to Bunny Williams' Treillage for their winter sale that runs till January 20th at:
418 E. 75th St., NYC 10021
Monday – Friday 10:00 - 6:00
212-535-2288

1015 Lexington Ave., NYC 10021
Monday – Friday 10:00 - 6:00 & Saturday 11:00 - 5:00
212-988-8800

Here are some yummy things I uncovered on my recent trip over to Lex:

Silvered hurricanes with Greek key borders and vases

The scene when you walk in

A standout chandelier with leaves of burnished metal

A pair of light Swedish side chairs

A chic little green marble tabouret table is the perfect spot to place a cocktail! Don't you need one?

Eat your veggies!

Entertaining soon?

A rainbow of vintage Indian textile throws

Small Japanese lacquer trays elevate objects to create multiple surfaces for display on a table

Decorative spheres and a small metal side table are on an antique round hall table

Decorative objets...

An entire etagere filled with vessels that can be used for flowers or storing stuff