IT'S A DOGS LIFE: UPHOLSTERY LOVES COMPANY

I have a soft spot for adorable dogs and how their personalities come across when a camera is present. Here is a round up of designer's dogs, showing how they love to sit on gorgeous upholstery and live the good life.

They love the ottoman, my mom's darling Westie's Lilly and Daisy, even with plenty of dog beds to choose from. Still, they prefer the ottoman.

Matthew White's new book, Italy of my Dreams, shows Holden sitting on his favorite 18th century Venetian chair. Thank you for the darling photo Frank.

Photo by Tim Street Porter

Peter Dunham's brood

Lucy, Bunny Williams canine cutie

Bunny LOVES her dogs and tries to select fabrics that are dog proof. She puts pretty quilts and throws over her sofas so the dogs are always welcome.

Noodles, Katie Leede's dog, sits daydreaming in a chair covered in Katie's bird fabric

Beth Greene from Kravet's Wheaton terrier Murphy ignoring the alarm clock

Patricia Shackelford aka Mrs. Blandings Rosie naps on the window seat

Tricky, approving the new rugs at Schuyler Samperton's. Her neighbor found him in the bushes of a Ralph's grocery store in the valley in LA, and she has had him since he was 4 months old.

Martyn Lawrence- Bullard's Diva on a custom bed in Madeline Weinrib fabric

Rufus, a mini labradoodle belonging to food writer Carolynn Carreño

Oakley a Norwich napping with his master James Anderson

Oakley and Dash, Steven Gambrel's Labradoodle, sharing the duvet

Grant Gibson's Westie's, Campbell and Wallace

Wallace snuggling on a Fortuny pillow

If your dog loves to do this too, send me snaps!

WANT TO GET THE BEST HOSTESS GIFTS? HEAD TO PORTHAULT'S SALE

From June 14th- July 3rd (Monday to Saturday, 10am-6pm), drop everything to hit D. Porthault’s White Sale at 470 Park Avenue (on 58th Street), New York, NY.

With discounts from 40% to 90% off retail, this is well worth attending. From special archival prints made especially available for the White Sale, the selection will include sheeting, terry, accessories and robes in D. Porthault’s signature florals and prints. An embroidered tablecloth that was $2,400 will be $1,200, and a printed percale king bed set that was $1,050 will be $630. Heck yeah, this sale is unlike any other. Summer hostess gifts, check.

They take Visa, Mastercard & AMEX. No returns or exchanges. For more information call 212-688-1660

HAVE YOU ENTERED YET? SUMMER GIVEAWAY TIME!

Summer accessories can perk up a coffee table in no time. This stunner of a box from Karen Robertson can be YOURS, show me how you fancy up your home for summer days!

Enter at stylebeatcontest@gmail.com by June 18th!

DOGS ON FURNITURE, OF COURSE!

If you have a dog and they try to get on the furniture, they just want to be closer to you. Should furniture perching be forbidden? I think no. They like the good life too. Sure, you can get them a fabulous dog bed at Canine Styles or John Robshaw, but they really want to be next to you. Designer and shop owner Liz Bauer's Lilly finds upholstery is not enough, she goes for the desk, a mirror, and the coffee table. She is more of an ornament, a decorative addition. With that face, it is hard to say no. Don't deny them!

Lilly Liz Bauer's Norfolk Terrier is at home in her French chair covered in satin.

The desk, sure

Good thing she is staying away from the ikat!

Better to see myself in

The Cozy Alternative:

Photo Courtesy of Canine Styles

The Hampton's Nesting Bed from Canine Styles

Photo Courtesy of John Robshaw
The Vintage Stripe Dog Bed from John Robshaw

If you have a dog that likes to sit on the furniture, send it in! I want to see your canine's style.

TABLE TALK: THE GREENWICH RED CROSS BALL'S GORGEOUS TABLES

Over 400 guests attended the Greenwich Red Cross’s Red & White Ball on Saturday, May 15th at a fun and unusual venue, the Net Jets Hangar at the Westchester Airport. This year’s theme, “Stand by Me” embodied the mission of the Red Cross to provide relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies, and the fete featured designer tabletops from a host of designers. The event raised more than $740,000 to support the programs and services of the Greenwich Chapter that provide immediate humanitarian aid – food, shelter, financial assistance, temporary housing, mental health support and emergency supplies to those in need. If all this kindness if making you reach for your check book, reach out to them here, at The Red Cross.

The following designers channeled their creative and charitable energy:

Ashley Allen Home, Bardin Palomo, Betteridge Jewelers and Warren Lagerloef, Carey Karlan - Last Detail, Carolyn Dempsey Design, Cheryle Janelli of Cocoon, Connecticut Cottages & Gardens, Gardiner Larson, Gregory McGuire of McGuire Home, Hoagland's of Greenwich, House of Flowers, Jewels by Viggi and Amy Hirsch, Julianne Stirling of Stirling Design Associates, LLC, Kat Burki, Linda Ruderman Interiors, Lynnens Inc with Dransfield & Ross, MacKenzie Childs, Marcia Tucker Interiors, Muse Interiors, Richards, NancyMarcantonio for Baby Decorator, Rhonda Eleish and Edie van Breems for Eleish van Breems, The Flower Bar, Tom Farrington, and ZdM Design Studio.

Marcia Tucker created a tented fantasy with porcelain birds and small flower arrangements around the table. Mixing high and low, she used a blue and white embroidered napkin, beautiful china and chic white plates from CB2.

Adorable!! Nancy Marcantonio of NHM Interiors (go mom!) and her custom nursery design company Baby Decorator created a playful children's table in blue, pink and orange, replete with giant balloons and adorable knit dolls sitting in a chair and on a BMW push car. Colorful Gerber Daisies rose from their vases amidst turquoise and pink rick rack napkins and matching custom octagonal plates. Guests got mod lunch boxes as a take home gift.

Bright baby flatware with binkies for napkin rings.

Cottages and Gardens Magazine's table with flowers arranged by Phillip Gorrivan, china from Frances Palmer and William Yeoward Crystal.

The smart, energetic super talented Edie and Rhonda of Van Breems used stunning Fortuny fabrics for their Gustavian chairs seats and tablecloth, and a ring of orchids surrounded a little leaf-woven pagoda. See more of their furniture at Eleish Van Breems.

Lynnens of Greenwich used Dransfield and Ross table accessories, brass nautical lanterns and a festive paisley print.

Jewels by Viggi used gold- edged L'Objet plates on a red and yellow ikat tablecloth, placing their jewels in a teacup flower arrangement.

Muse Interiors also used a gorgeous ikat for their table, and brought in the summer entertaining classic--foldable tortoise - finish chairs.

Hoagland's table with Hermes's covetable Balcon red and white china.

Photos from Cottages & Gardens by Paul Johnson

Ashley Allan's table has a huge arrangement of just cut garden peonies. White stemware played off the pomegranate colored swirly fabric.

TURNING THE PAIGE FOR REAL AT ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST

So I felt it coming, maybe too soon, but it has happened. I blogged there was a change in the air last year, but I think the wheels of change have been in motion for that long.

The earth has shifted on its axis and Paige Rense is ending her tenure at Architectural Digest. She has "retired" and just in the nick of time. I cannot wait to have a great new and improved shelter book to get excited about. Just imagine the opportunities! Ideas are bubbling up on who the big contenders are. My money is on Mitchell Owens....where is yours?

My original forecast was a bit premature, but...

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2009

TURNING THE PAIGE?

The drums of change continue to beat as loud as ever over at 4 Times Square. With low circulation and dropping ad pages, which industry defining title is looking to make an editorial change after 35 years under the current stewardship? Does this now mean the magazine will change to target to a younger demographic? Stay tuned – we’ll know in 2 weeks time.

JUNE GIVEAWAY! A SEASHORE CHIC BOX

A blue shell box will remind you of summer days long after the season ends.

Happy June stylish ones. Have a summer design tradition you are known for creating year after year? Send it in for a chance to win a gorgeous Blue Limpet Shell Box from Karen Robertson.

QUESTION:

Do you switch out your winter to summer slipcovers, change the throw pillows, do a special fresh-from-the garden arrangement, rent a house and do it up for the season with your own take on easy living, set up a holiday table worth seeing? Show me what summer style and design means to you!

The winner's work will be posted on Stylebeat for all design admirer's adoration!

Submit your creative creations to:

WHEN: Send in by JUNE 18th

WHERE: stylebeatcontest@gmail.com

The winner will be revealed here June 21st!