NATURAL SELECTION

Belgian chic interiors a la Axel Vervoort are now easier to create. Creamy neutral interiors accented by natural woods like cerused oak, bubbled glass cloches, comfortable deep sofas and linen fabrics define the look.

Photo Courtesy of Flammarion
Just released: The newest Axel book! His soothing style comes through in his exhibitions of antiques at prominent antique fairs as well as homes he decorates around the world. His talent lies in his ability to mix English Antiques, rough hewn pieces, large scale artwork and relics with the spaces. It comes together to create a treasure trove of special finds only a curators eye could produce. Buy it asap from Flammarion

Photo Courtesy of Rizzoli
These floorboards are incredible!!! Find reclaimed wood from the Old Grain


This daybed with bolsters is such a great small scale and will look great in so many settings. Through retailers found at Palecek


Photo Courtesy of Williams Sonoma Home
Zinc and porcelain urns make nice accent pieces for flowers and on the mantle. These European made pieces are well designed. Pick up some the perfectly patinated at Williams Sonoma Home


Oly Studio makes light wood modern with this slatted sideboard. An ideal storage piece for your Bose ipod dock and large serving platters. Oly Studio



Atticus Home, a great new resource, makes porcelain china with fine thin edges giving it a handmade look. Get it for your table in time for Turkey dinner at Neiman Marcus in the fall.


Bobo Intriguing Objects takes materials with the patina of age and turns them into something great. Not found objects per se, but wood, stone and metal are taken someplace unexpected in their designs. These delicate lamps with stone bases remind me of French 1920's lighting, the curved shades are such a terrific detail. Through Bobo Intriguing Objects


This piece I spotted at Anthropologie. Aged to perfection.


Vagabond Vintage also gets that particular patina--their home items look as though they have lived other lives and are available at the peak of perfection. Rough hewn elegance comes across in this wooden octagon mirror. Find out where to buy it at Vagabond Vintage Furnishings

Photo Courtesy of Arteriors
Rustic and substantial, the Goldberg Tall Lamp from Arteriors Home
is a new take on wood. The gilt finish adds a touch of glamour.

DOROTHY DRAPER FURNITURE AUCTION FROM THE GREENBRIER: OWN A PIECE OF DESIGN HISTORY

Photos Courtesy of Potomack Company

Potomack Company Auction House in Alexandria Virginia is unloading a cache of Dorothy Draper pieces that were used in the Greenbrier Resort she decorated. Dorothy loved thick awning stripes and used them often. She is a legendary American decorator, wouldn't it be fun to have nightstands she designed?
Bid online at Potomack Company The auction is September 29th, @ 10:00am!

GET THE LOOK, NEW: DOROTHY DRAPER COLLECTION BY CARLETON VARNEY FOR KINDEL FURNITURE
Varney and Sons design firm continues the Draper legacy.

These pieces capture the flavor:
Photo Courtesy of Kindel Furniture
Dorothy Draper's Console and Curio from Kindel would look great with blue and white vases on the shelves.

Photo Courtesy of Kindel Furniture
This adorable slipper chair was originally designed for the Fairmont Hotel.

Photo Courtesy of Kindel Furniture
Frettework adds a clean geometrical look, consider the Square Trellis Lamp Table.
These furniture pieces are spanking new from Kindel Furniture, in case the bidding thing does not work out!

BIRDS OF A FEATHER LOOKING PRETTIER THAN EVER

Birds are no longer the stylized, paired- down silhouettes of days recently past. The new bird revival is all about natural, fully realized renditions. Pretty and sweet, this bird will adorn your walls in prints, and cover your sofas.

Photo Courtesy of Gracie
I have been seeing a return to the classics for awhile now. Pretty rooms with traditional elements are where things are headed. What an elegant statement a hand- painted scenic wallpaper is in a gracious dining room. Gracie, a classic house for hand painted Chinoiserie papers and antiques, is where decorators turn when they want the best. With a material such as this too much is never enough. If you want to make a statement without the commitment, frame the panels and hang them. Browse the stunning artistry on their easy to use site, Gracie Studio


Photo Courtesy of Loise Body Wallprint
This bird could not wait to escape the confines of his cage. Printed on silk, it can be purchased from the shop at Louise Body Wallprint

Photo Courtesy of Mecox Gardens
The scale of this bird painting creates a strong presence in an interior. The majestic pelican shown in great detail adds a bit of fun and whimsy. From Mecox Gardens



Against a painted wall or simple background, a large scale Heron print hung in a pair makes a terrific statement. By keeping the surroundings clean and without too much pattern, these birds have a striking effect. From Hedstom & Judd

Bird paintings from Groundwork look great when hung salon style.

Photo Courtesy of 1st Dibs.com
Check out this stunning 1920's birdcage from Pamela Lerner Antiques, it would be great in a sunroom or entrance foyer. It just oozes charm.

Photo Courtesy of Two's Company
The bird in a cage motif continues. Bamboo accents make this a charming piece to put over a console or in a small powder room. Find this along with other gilt bamboo pieces through Two's Company


Photo Courtesy of Mottahedeh
Virginia Blue, a new pattern from Colonial Williamsburg takes the ever popular blue and white color scheme and adds a shot of pretty. Known for their Chelsea Birds pattern also from Williamsburg, Mottahedeh has created another stunning print based on archived patterns.


Areaware, known for their injection of high design into functional and decorative items is up to their usual whimsical tricks. This pattern, Seconds, is meant to look like the imperfect pieces that get cast off in the porcelain factory. With the bird placements at random and upside down, their imperfection is what makes these pieces fun.


This sweet little settee from Design Legacy gets straight to the point. But do we want to sit on birds, or just look at them? Discuss.

SEALIFE IN A NEW WAY

Before the summer season totally ends, here are some coral, shell and critter accented pieces. Coral motifs continue...

Photo Courtesy of Homart
Sea creatures should look friendly and kind. These adorable sea things will look sweet in the guest bath for that last few weeks of Indian summer. Pick some up from Areohome


A new colorway for Raynaud's Cristobal! Alberto Pinto does one better with a fabulous new color combination, chocolate and brown. Coral keeps on ticking, in a fresh new palette. Check for retailers at Devine Corporation


Photo Courtesy of Thistle and Bee Silver
Serve in style with a shell adorned piece. The combination of silver and natural materials adds polish. Look at the rest of the line at Thistle and Bee . Their silver pitchers, boxes and frames are worth taking a look at, the quality is way up there.

BATHING BEAUTY

Photo Courtesy of Waterworks
Even if you are working with a decorator, knowledge is power! The Definitive Guide, by Barbara Sallick is a new pocket book from Waterworks, and is an all you need to know guide to putting together a stunning bathroom. Waterworks, the sine qua non for bathrooms has made what we put in the bath as important as what we wear. It is an expression and statement of who we are, the same way jewelry is. Tiles, measurements, finishes, colors, there are many angles to consider. But planning is key. This small beauty is a must have for anyone even thinking of a redo. Pick one up at a Waterworks retail location and stick it in your LL Bean bag for your next showroom visit.

WHAT'S IN STORE: CHECKING IN WITH THE BEST HOME BOUTIQUES AROUND THE COUNTRY

Finding a home store with one stop shopping makes life so much simpler. Knowing you can walk in, find something unusual and beautiful--that is what makes a shop great. Luscious displays, a plethora of books, candles, objets for tablescapes and quick hostess gifts are all tell tale signs that you have found such a place.
A few worth mentioning: Mecox Gardens, Dovecote and HB Home in Westport, CT, William- Wayne in New York City, and Hollyhock in Los Angeles. These stores have stood the test of time, have owners that each possess a hawk eye and are in constant pursuit of good style.


Mecox Gardens' man behind the scenes is Mac Hoak. He oversees the product selection at 7 locations, the newest being Chicago and Dallas. What makes this store tick? An elegant living room atmosphere, things you actually want to live with and a selection of varied objects that have a nice patina, texture, and point of view.

Photo Courtesy of Mecox Gardens
Mecox Gardens in LA with its gracious, spacious layout has plenty room to roam.

Photo Courtesy of Mecox Gardens

Photo Courtesy of Mecox Gardens
Check out the amazing inventory on Mecox Gardens


William-Wayne has been a trusted home resource for New Yorkers since 1989. Receiving a gift wrapped in their distinctive beige packaging with green ribbon means getting something in good taste! Chinese garden seats and end tables are topped with woven placemats, serving pieces, dessert plates and frog salt and pepper shakers. Tables are stacked high with Mottahedeh tin plates, Raynaud china, home scents, and barware. Walls are covered in charming brackets with vases, sconces and framed botanicals. The mix is the thing here. Every surface is covered with style, much of it easy on the wallet.






Their web site captures their spirit online, with their dapper monkey logo at William-Wayne

Dovecote, run by Sarah Kaplan hit Westport Connecticut by storm in 2000. By way of Seattle and her store Great Jones, her eye was honed from years on antiquing in the South of France. Sarah selects items that appeal to the feminine, girly, charming side we all have. Anthousa room fragrance, Kai Hawaiian floral perfume and Graham Kandiah nestle in next to Madeline Weinrib (of ABC Carpet and Home) bright silk Ikat pillows, Hinson and other to the trade fabric lines, and Oly furniture. To top it all of, well edited jewelry is displayed throughout. Vignettes around the store capture great moments in design. A vitrine full of white coral is a statement unto itself.





Look at the vignette photos on her website at Dovecote


HB Home, located in Westport's charming Sconset Square, was started by Pat Healing of Healing and Barsanti Interiors. This two floor shop has to the trade fabrics at retail displayed on clever cube shelving, all arranged by color. Gourd lamps, bright pillows and terrific framed prints dot the landscape. Upstairs a bedding vignette and sofa centric seating area have the feel of a well stocked home. Design services are available, and make sure to look out for the cut corner upholstered headboards--they are terrific.






For more info about the design firm and shop, go to Healing Barsanti


LA's Hollyhock is a must shop stop. An old post office, the incredible space is always painted an eye catching hue-- be it canary yellow or lipstick red. Chicness abounds, as antiques from near and far are mixed in with Robert Kime fabrics, William Yeoward Crystal and rare finds. Designer Suzanne Rheinstein brings her Southern charm to the space, often hosting book parties for industry luminaries. Her interior design studion is upstairs---how inspiring it must be to emerge step into a treasure trove every day!

Photo Courtesy of Hollyhock Inc.

Photo Courtesy of Hollyhock Inc.
A special upholstery line and unique antiques can be viewed at Hollyhock Inc.

Photo Courtesy of Hollyhock, Inc.
These hand-painted panels from an 18th Century screen are divine. Chinoiserie at its best!

MARTHA STEWART COLLECTION HAS ARRIVED!

For those of us who long for the days when we could peruse the wonderful Martha Stewart Catalog and see gorgeous Burleighware, signature green counter top appliances and charming embroidered bed linens--our day has come! The Martha Stewart Collection is now at Macys! If you like to see your purchases in person go to the store and if you like to order everything at the click of a button hit the website. Check out the inspired items that could only come from a company so true to designing with a nod to American culture and historical style:

Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart Collection
Faux bois accents for the bath

Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart Collection
Soothing and classic blue bedding

Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart Collection
Lorraine tabletop, looks hand picked out of Marche Aux Puces!

Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart Collection

Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart Collection

Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart Collection
A Rooster cutting board. Cut those heirloom tomatoes with flair.

ONLY at Macy's!