FALLING LEAVES BRING AUTUMNAL BLISS OUTSIDE: ADD SOME INSIDE

Since fall is now upon us, add some style elements to update your home for the new season. Earthy hues, natural materials and items that have a worn patina of age will add warmth and texture to your cozy home.

Photo Courtesy of Unica Home
This is the best doormat since Target did their Happy Inside mat. Designed by Ed Annink in 2002 for Droog Design, it is finally available stateside. Pick up yours at Unica Home


Acorn Bird feeder from Plow and Hearth adds some rustic charm to your garden. There is a retro homey feeling to this feeder. Find it at Plow and Hearth

Photo Courtesy of Boussac
Falling leaves everywhere! Boussac's Scandale in this rich red color would make a great throw pillow. Look at their other fabrics you can get through your decorator at Boussac

Photo Courtesy of Peter Dunham
Fig Leaf, a Peter Dunham Design is used here in one of his projects to great effect. The two-tone leaves bring the outside in, with a graphic sensibility. I have also seen it used on outdoor furniture on a loggia--such fun!
Check out the other fabrics, some of which are ethnic chic, at Peter Dunham Stay tuned for Peter's latest design venture Hollywood at Home, a shop that will carry antiques, lighting, furniture and fabrics on 636 North Almont Drive in Los Angeles!! Grand opening November 1st, 2007.



Adding fall tip towels to the powder room welcome guests with whimsy. The classic L.L. Bean boots on a hand towel, perfect! From Lady Clare


Charlotte Moss launched her china pattern this year with American company Pickard, capturing garden elements in her seasonless lattice pattern. Check it out at her shop along with other decorating and entertaining goodies, Charlotte Moss


Photos Courtesy of Gien
Rambouillet, the charming Faience woodland hand painted pattern from Gien, is a seasonal favorite for those who love game and the wild. The chocolate patterned background looks great with wood handled flatware and other creamware pieces. Available at Table Ideas

Photo Courtesy of Kim Seybert
Hobnail glasses hark back to early Americana. This chic updated version from napkin ring and placemat trendsetter Kim Seybert looks fabulous on a traditional table. The teal blue is a great, rich shade that looks great with other jewel tones. See Kim's fashionable table accessories at Kim Seybert, her materials, patterns and shapes are inspired by the runway and are always innovative.

Photo Courtesy of Michael Aram
Twigware Forest Leaf Collection flatware is a fall favorite among editors, it looks great with so many china patterns. The delicate branch handles and handmade detailing add to the patterns uniqueness. See all of Michael's artistic pieces at Michael Aram

Photo Courtesy of Baker
The Laura Kirar Collection Lattice Throw plays on a geo pattern, in rich fall colors. Get yours at Kohler, and while you are there look at the lush materials she has used for her Baker line



Photo Courtesy of Ankasa
This yummy throw with lattice weave is sumptuous with the suede border. Better to wrap yourself in, from Ankasa

Photo Courtesy of Homart
Strike up a fire with these sophisticated wallpaper patterned matches. They will look great on the mantle, from Aero Home

Photo Courtesy of William Sonoma Home
Provencal bedding from Williams Sonoma's new bedding collection will have you jumping out of bed this saturday morning to spend the day making ratatouille and coq au vin! So authentique! Make your bedroom tres francais and purchase it at Williams Sonoma Home

FOR THE WRITE REASONS

At this time of year, you get the nagging feeling that the thank you notes you need to send out for the summer fun, showers and parties may be a bit overdue. If that is the case, I will make your life easier by guiding you to some new stationery that sends a message.

Photo Courtesy of Elum
Swank. A stylish box sits neatly awaiting you. Contents are influenced by vintage wallpaper patterns and their very presence in the mailbox makes the US postal service look better. Find it at Elum Designs


Jonathan Wright and Company of Los Angeles has been a big part of the momentum for classic revivals. His cursive, scroll work and botanicals in the English tradition are a welcome addition to the paper realm. Deemed Extravagant Postage, this Ready-to-Mail series has affixed stamps with American historical objects on them. For those who embrace the charms of the past, these are perfect for antiquarians. To order call 888-931-1710.


Photo Courtesy of Boatman Geller
Photo Courtesy of Boatman Geller
Classic basics in punchy colors are nice to have on hand when jotting a thank you. The calling cards and stickers are also worth a look at Boatman Geller

Photo Courtesy of Blue Ribbon Design
Letterpress note cards from Blue Ribbon Design take inspiration from classic Victorian flourishes. The soft pastels and charming detail are girly and sweet. See the range at Blue Ribbon Design

Photo Courtesy of Blue Ribbon Design
The Chinoiserie Folio comes with 8 letterpress cards and envelopes in a pretty pale blue. The geometric pattern against the soft overall floral is what really makes this special.

Photo Courtesy of Apiary
Photo Courtesy of Apiary
Photo Courtesy of Apiary
Flocking, outsize damask pattern and modern font make this option new. The stellar combination and contrast colors will not get lost in the mail!


Photos Courtesy of Sharp and Sally
Former editor Sarah Sharp has a graphic eye. Pretty color combinations like celadon
and chocolate are evergreen. Embrace your Preppy Handbook side, at Sharp and Sally



Photo Courtesy of Albertine Press
If you went to visit friends that live near a national park send them this cute take on their cities favorite public space. This letterpress woodblock style can be found at Albertine Press


Photos Courtesy of Charles Fradin Home
Furniture designer Charles Fradin has always found inspiration from growing up in New England. The comfortable luxury he designs is now imparted in writing paper. The wood boxes with sliding lids conceal a beautiful array of designs and small insignias. A classic weather vane, old typewriter and lighthouse evoke a genteel era where writing was an essential part of staying in touch. Make a swell statement with these, found at Charles Fradin Home

CECIL BEATON FABRICS--WHAT COULD BE BETTER!!!

To suit your fancy, these Cecil Beaton fabrics designs have been reworked by Beaudesert Fabrics. They make their worldwide debut this month at Decorex, the great fabric showcase in London. Let's hope they make it stateside...www.beaudesert.co.uk. The painterly naive florals and stripes capture Beaton's love of roses. They were originally designed in 1948 and are so today in their youthful exuberance. To think that one can own a part of Cecil's legacy!!!






Photos Courtesy of Beaudesert Fabrics

Sir Cecil set the tone in stage and screen with My Fair Lady and Gigi, wrote numerous books about the demi monde, and had a creative influence over portraiture, drawing and costume and set design for over 60 years.

SCENT MEMORY

Keep summer memories top of mind when the fall winds start to blow. These fragrance lines look great and smell even better. A candle is no longer just a candle. The wick width, container, labelling and outside package better be attention grabbing. But companies are going above and beyond the traditional wax in a jar, coming up with inventive versions of air fare. Wear a scent that you love and scent your home with it. I like the sweetness of white flowers, but for those that like something richer for winter, bois scents are huge.


The tropics of Hawaii inspired Malibu resident Gaye Straza Rappaport to create a white flower fragrance. Initially, the oil came in small roller ball bottle was the only way to enjoy the fragrance, but soon the brand grew to include candles, a spray and bath sponge. The store Dovecote in Connecticut understands that most Kai devotees like to buy in bulk. The plethora they carry is good for people like me that cannot get enough. Visit Dovecote to get your fix.


Photo Courtesy of Hei Poa
White flowers smell so clean and crisp. Tiare, a special Tahitian white flower oil bottled from Hei Poa is one of my favorites. Visit the island without the jet lag at Hei Poa


Photo Courtesy of Belle Fleur
Elegant script on matte chocolate glass, faux shagreen box and matches are all part of the details that make this candle so lovely. Belle Fleur candles complement their gorgeous flower arrangements. Check out the Index section of October Vogue to see one of Meredith's lush arrangements. The Mayan Tuberose is flying off the shelves at Barneys nationwide. The array of scents can be viewed at Belle Fleur. Look to them for diffusers and room sprays soon.


Mor Cosmetics found their inspiration in Edwardian chic this season with Flower and Narcissus. The hobnail glass vessel and slightly goth fabulous art on the packaging in black and yellow, a color palette to watch for more of, is new and fresh. Other packaging colors include red or kelly green paired with black. Be enticed at Mor Cosmetics


Edwardian informs and inspires Douglas Little on a daily basis. Modern Alchemy, his collection of candles, is growing to include, yes, chocolates! A little candlelight and chocolates--life's great pleasure. Using etched positive and negative glass, his art nouveau candles add a bit of art through their illumination. Each decoration is the leaf or flower of the scent. The bay laurel shown here is so delicate and sweet. The assortment is at DL and Company


Photo Courtesy of Anthousa
Anthousa, a home and personal fragrance company, means the perfect bloom. This brand defined itself with beautiful vessels for diffusers, then added candles and fragrance spray. Oil-filled glass decanters with a little silk tassel hanging from the neck look at home on the bathroom vanity and on the living room side table. Reuse the glass as a bud vase. Look at their delux 3 diffuser sets so you can have them everywhere, at Anthousa


Photo Courtesy of Seda France
Seda France wowed with their packaging when they began a few years back. A toile mini house box with tassle was a chic option for gift giving and made other brands realize how essential good packaging is. They have branched out into glass diffusers, like this Classic Toile Diffuser Set in Hyacinth from Seda France


NEW TAKES ON SCENTING THE AIR
Photo Courtesy of Dayna Decker
Dayna Decker Essence Couture Diffuser in White Tuberose is like having a modern sculpture that smells nice. This shiny bauble is a perfect for the Zaha Hadid followers homes. Observe other ultra glam home fragrances at Dayna Decker

Photo Courtesy of Slatkin and Co.
Cheap and cheerful choices come from Harry Slatkin, the fragrance man. Scentport™, their newest home fragrance system plugs into a wall outlet and offers continuous air beautifying. Modern and sleek, the device looks as good as your ibook. The Fresh Linen is nice fragrance to have around. Check out the next frontier at Bath and Body Works

ROCK SOLID

PRECIOUS GEMS
Tony Duquette did it. Marc Jacobs did it. Using malachite, precious stone, and rich looking geological gems is au courant. Marc did fine jewels inspired by Art Deco creations and Banana Republic named their new fragrance after it. Malachite is marvelous.

Photo Courtesy of Fornasetti
If you happen to be walking the hallowed halls of the 7th floor at Begdorf Goodman this September, you will pass this Piero Fornasetti stunner, a re edition of the 1950's original. This venerable Italian brand has become better known recently in the US with their black and white face plates for Rosenthal china. Their furniture, umbrella stands and magazine racks have whimsical lacquered decoupage surfaces. Glamorous!



Cole and Son, the British wall covering company, amazing us again, this time with a Fornasetti collection. The malachite papers add instant sophistication. If you are feeling extra inspired, use it to line a bookshelf!
From Cole and Son


Photo Courtesy of Ruzzetti and Gow
Malachite looks nice mixed into tablescapes in small doses. A box from Ruzzetti and Gow is just the thing. Christopher Gow made semi precious stones, coral, silver coated shells, blanc de chine porcelain flowers and special objets hot again when he began carrying them in his chic 72nd Street space years ago. His passion for natural curiosities shows in the peacock, ostrich egg and feather wreaths on hand.


Salt cellar, jewerly holder for your nightstand, or display piece, these little gems look best against glass where their subtleties stand out.



Veneer surfaces provide the look, weigh less and give the same bang. This mirror was done by Furniture Masters for a small collection with Jonathan Adler a few years back. Inspiration!


Photo Courtesy of Ruzzetti and Gow
Selenite logs are pretty much the chicest things ever. Use them in the off season to fill your fireplace. Birch logs, we have seen that before! Add some glimmer to your flame.

Photo Courtesy of Bernardaud
Jacques Garcia designed Albâtre Oriental, a trompe-l’œil pattern made to look like striated stone, after a stone that was popular in the 18th Century. Faux is beautiful in the hands of Mr. Garcia. Browse at Bernardaud


Photo Courtesy of Michael C Fina
Alain Saint-Joanis does the most drop dead chic flatware out there. They use semi precious materials, inlay and ornate settings to create place settings. If cobalt blue lapis is what you are looking for, look no further. From Michael C Fina


Photo Courtesy of Carl Martinez
Drawer pulls and knobs are jewelry for your furniture. These handmade pieces are the perfect way to add that jewel to your furnishings. Carl Martinez sculpts pieces with personality.



Photo Courtesy of Alexis Bittar
Alexis took lucite to new places with his jewelry, making it look fine and trendsetting by carving it to catch the light. His newer collections incorporate his unique material combinations with gold and stones. Be dazzled by malachite at Alexis Bittar