Tuesday, October 7, 2008

JOE NYE NEW YORK FEATURES DUTCH TOUCH ART SHOW THROUGH NOVEMBER 1ST

Joe Nye has an eye for things. He knew the paintings from Dutch Touch Art would make a terrific gallery show in the New York Claremont showroom. Visit the showroom through November 1st to purchase. Mother and daughter duo Shawn Silver and Barbara Von Schreiber , design and import oil paintings. Along with a guild of painters, they use European dutch master paintings as inspiration for new hand-painted versions. By taking details--flowers, a horse or a part of a still life--and have them painted up close, they create a thoroughly modern take. They have made an old subject new and fresh. The blown up versions are really special, they can really make a space look great, as seen below, in the Joe Nye New York space:


The room is party ready: a gorgeous arrangement by Belle Fleur Flowers and votives!

The showroom pieces and the artwork make the space look move-in ready


For all the bird fans out there--this should satisfy!


More birds...


Petal power--these arrangements are so charming

Photos by Lisa Fairstein
The small canvases look great hung in clusters--- the fruit is so realistic and juicy looking.
Head to the Claremont Showroom at 1059 3rd Avenue, 2nd floor to buy an oil. It is not too early to think Christmas gifts!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

NEW FURNITURE LAUNCH: NATHAN TURNER FOR ELITE LEATHER


Nathan Turner is Elite Leather's newest collection designer. He is a great choice, if I do say so myself. I consulted with this family owned and run company on this project, and they were just the greatest people (maybe partly because they are from California?! ). The Nathan Turner Collection was inspired by antiques Nathan found on his journeys far and wide. His LA store is filled with his treasures, making his creative process a natural one. What a nice follow-up to the Lulu DK line

These shots were taken in Elite Leather's High Point showroom, where this room Nathan created. The pieces are handsome covered in a more aged dark leather, and the arrangements encourage conversation

My favorite piece--the pitch in this chair is deep, good for reading a book and lounging. The finial detail adds an English touch

By bringing in vases, ikat fabric art and lighting from his shop, he created an environment that was cozy and inviting

Photos courtesy of Elite Leather
Leather and linen were used on the pieces, along with nail head trims. Functionality was also a big part of the design process--the ottoman has a lift off top for storage, and the tables can bunch together or act as end tables.
The collection is available now, check out Elite Leather and get some great new furniture for fall

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

ADD THIS TO YOUR READING LIST: DEFINING LUXURY BY JEFFREY BILHUBER


Finally! The long awaited second book by Jeffrey Bilhuber, a designer with a large celebrity clientele, is here. Displaying color saturated rooms shot in clear and bright photos, it is a treat to look at. Bilhuber, who started his firm in 1984, is a master at seating arrangements, creative applications of tape trims, applying nailheads in unexpected new ways, and wall colors that play off of upholstery fabrics. I prefer color saturated shots in coffee table books, so this follow up to his first book is a welcome one. The book is broken up into categories all relating to luxury. He defines it through the following areas: Discovery, Passion, History, Ornament, Grace, Comfort, and Delight.

Beautiful antiques mingle with clean silhouettes

This charming petal adorned mirror looks down at a comfortable nook--a Bilhuber signature. The pop of color from the pillow provides excitement for the eye

Bright yellow armless side chairs make the serious dark wood panelling less so

Don't hold back--let the pattern take hold! The curtains, sofa and bridgewater chair make the room fun and young. Never underestimate the charm of a well-placed slipper chair (one of my favorite things)

Bilhuber teaches some great lessons about how to display objects. This Chinoiserie piece is large but the books and accessories ground it in the space

Photographs by Trel Brock,courtesy of Rizzoli
It's all about the lines. A klismos and a campaign chair can be at home next to a french settee. See all 256 pages by ordering yours at Rizzoli
available in October

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

SHOPPING NEAR THE D AND D BUILDING IN NEW YORK: MYRTLE

Myrtle is a wonderful shop at 245 E 60th Street. Interior designer Michelle Prentice has gathered a great mix of French 19th and 20th century, mid-century modern antiques and accessories. She has an all-in-one routine, with an office upstairs where she designs interiors for her clients. Lucky!


A beautifully edited selection of antiques have clean lines upholstered in neutrals.


The shop's walls are covered in grasscloth, the perfect backdrop for Michelle's finds.



Michelle shops the world for great finds. She has just returned from Belgium, I cannot wait to see what good finds she returns with...


Pretty burled woods and water-gilt mirrors mix well


Lamps found from shopping far and wide.

Photos by Josh Gibson
The wall of great pillows from Pillow Inc.
Check out her website for more, at Myrtle

Monday, September 22, 2008

SHOPPING THE HAMPTONS: MAISON 24 YOU WILL ADORE


Allison Julius and her brother Louis Marra have changed the retail landscape in Bridgehampton. Their new concept store is an artful mix of home furnishings, men’s and women’s accessories, music, books, electronics, window treatments, wall coverings, children’s furnishings, branded home fragrance and collectibles. They have partnership in store boutiques with Bisazza italian tile and The Shade Store, and carry Fornasetti, Globe Trotter luggage and other worldly finds.


The poppy mix of graphic mod artwork, funky pillows and great furnishings up the ante for concept stores everywhere.


A Fornasetti moment

Photos Courtesy of Maison 24
These two went on shopping trips around the globe with their sense of humor in check, you will find quirky things to make you smile as well as covetable goodies. They want you to shop, sit down with a cappuccino and listen to cool music. Sounds too good to leave! Visit and shop Maison 24 2424 Main Street Bridgehampton, LI.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

KELLY WEARSTLER COLLABORATES WITH GROUNDWORKS FOR A NEW FABRIC COLLECTION

LA interior designer Kelly Wearstler keeps on amazing the design world. After making her name with Hollywood regency style commercial interiors of the Viceroy hotels, the Avalon in Beverly Hills, and the Tides in Miami Beach, she turns a corner and comes up with something completely new and now.

Two books, a special Bergdorf Goodman collection of accessories, three rug collections and TV show host later, she has come out with a line for Goundworks of Lee Jofa. Groundworks, the contemporary brand of Lee Jofa, breaks new ground asking design talent to create something unique and unexpected as Ashley Hicks and Thomas O'Brien did. Her ability to mix gorgeous objects from different styles and areas define her interiors. Here, Kelly's collection shows Asian and vintage textile influences. The unique color range incorporates fifteen printed and woven fabrics and nine trims in a variety of colorways, each inspired by her travels and nature.

Take a look:
Photos Courtesy of Lee Jofa
Glam teal punches up the Edo Linen showing a scenic of Tokyo and Fuji Modern, a rich chevron motif.


The Edo linen above has a muted palette that can be used with a great variety of colors


Designed with scheme in mind, the coordinates are shown together for an instant room.


Swirly velvet Sora evokes a theme often seen in antique Japanese scenics--the stylized
cloud.


Katana linen channels a classic graphic Kimono in colors that are unexpected and rich


What is next for Kelly? KOR hotel resorts in Anguilla, Miami, Mexico's Riviera Maya and Vietman. Stay tuned....

EVERYBODY LOVES A SALE- LULU DK FABRIC SAMPLE SALE STARTS TODAY


Visit 675 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor, from Tuesday till Friday!!! Get thee to see!