STYLISH SHOPPING IN SAG HARBOR PART I

If you find yourself taking a fall weekend out East, Sag Harbor is the perfect town to shop in for antiques and home decor with seaside charm. Several great home shops are a must-shop. Be sure to hit Sylvester and Co for modern housewares and clean design, Ruby Beets for rustic finds mixed with new pieces that seem old, and Jed next door for fabulous antiques and stylish unique pieces. There are more shops to look forward to, that I will share in Part II tomorrow!

  Sylvester and Co. at 103 Main Street calls themselves a "Contemporary General Store", which is a perfect way to describe what they are. They have a little bit of everything, all of it supremely well edited. Since 1989 they have been welcoming shoppers in this charming town.

Tabletop and trays for entertaining.

A view of the back where artwork is on display and natural fiber clothing is available.

Cool down from the heat. Cold-brewed iced coffee is one of my favorite things, and they offer Dreamy, in a retro fridge upfront.

A mix of warm modern tables in wood and metal.

Colorful pillows to perk up a summer rental house.

Oversized white slipcovered furniture is popular with the summer set.

Entertaining essentials.

Everything is beautifully displayed on long tables, and it's easy to see why people run in to pick up gifts constantly.

Eco conscious bamboo plates and kitchenware.

Shoppers congregate.

RUBY BEETS

Honey Wolters and Sharone Einhorn have created something very, very special. Ruby Beets at 25 Washington Street is so jammed with amazing rustic and refined stuff it is hard to capture the magic here. The shop is a stylists dream with the old tempered with the new. There is always something totally unexpected there, that they have unearthed in some far-flung corner of the world.

The display is just that good-

Rough hewn tables sit beside striped dhurries.

Colored glassware sits next to large vessels in the window.

A view of the front of the shop as you enter-- you have to walk around things to get a closer look at the endless inventory.

This white chain lamp has such style

Another stylish table lamp with the right amount of rusticity.

Shelves hold more dhurries.

Artful arrangements are everywhere you turn.

An all-white encaustic canvas was terrific.

Even a mortar and pestle looks great mixed with shiny objects.

An overall scene setter.

Matte resin veggies in an old wood bowl.

Vases upon vases.

A bit of mid-century modern lurks.

Vessels galore.

Need lamps?

This Victorian woven table has such character.

Throws, the perfect way to add some cozy to a rental.

White with color.

JED:

Next door to Ruby Beets at you will find JED. Jack Deamer's antique shop is punctuated by hits of color, unique one of a kind antiques, and cool finds.

You have seen the copies, this is how it all began. An original Italian Brass Occasional Table.

He has some cool re purposed industrial finds.

Don't get me started on this petite charmer in the palest pink glazed chintz.

Or this chair, with a painted wood frame and chocolate chintz.

Chic! Navy upholstery and a white painted frame.

Need a personality piece?

An inlaid table with divine bookends.

A rope wrapped lamp with original shade.

A nice collection of simple Black Basalt.

I have never seen a chair like this, the silhouette is darling.

Making the most of the space, Deamer added a suspended lucite shelf so it looks like the chairs are floating.

Smaller object perfect for styling bookcases.

Artwork rests on red-legged benches.

Some dainty chairs.

This mirror! Gorgeous.

STYLISH SHOPPING ON THE UPPER EAST SIDE: GERALD BLAND

If you frequent the Upper East Side in the 90's on Madison, then perhaps you know of the beautiful shop, Gerald Bland. For years it has served as a go-to source for stunning English 18th and 19th Century antiques. I was in the shop recently, and was amazed at what I found. The space was alive with color, innovative artwork and filled with unique statement pieces that bring a room alive. He represents a stable of really fascinating artists and everything looks at home against walls painted in a rich chocolate brown.  You may not know that Gerry Bland was close with Albert Hadley and handled his estate. There are a few remaining drawings of Mr. Hadley that he has in store, so if you missed the One King's Lane sale, now is your chance.

Bland has always had a knack for finding the coolest stuff, and upholstering it with just the right amount of detail, from tiny button tufting to contrasting welting.  His wife, Mita Corsini Bland, is also immensely talented, she is a painter and did the watercolors for the Sister Parish book.

 I loved the about-face here,  there is a younger, fresher vibe that I can't get enough of it. 

A chalky white console is so chic

Bright canvases and a Louis chair in Quadrille

See that bench in yellow leather? So good.

A painting of the artist Basquiat Hadley had.

A vignette with a charming fern to add a touch of greenery.

There are so many great chairs to be found I wanted one of each.

A pop of white with camel upholstery

The work of New York-based painter Julie Gross

A perfectly lived-in bookcase

Need a console? Look no further

Modern and antique forms live side by side

Like they say, scale is EVERYTHING

Hello color

These mirrors move me

A desk is the perfect perch to watch the world go by on Madison

Art of every size and shape

Want to look at inventory? It is housed in leather books

A painting on a chair? Sure, why not.

Bland's office downstairs is worth checking out too

More goodies

Where the magic happens

Matte and shiny surfaces

Need accessories?

Like I said earlier, there is no shortage of great chairs

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: DAVID WEBB JEWELS FLAGSHIP

Photos courtesy of Katie Ridder/David Webb

Tucked into a discreet Madison Avenue entrance before you reach 72nd Street and Park Avenue, you will find David Webb jewelers. If you blink you might miss the small awning leading into their understated chic location. Jewels of this stature are probably better off being displayed behind layers of limestone and glass, rather than screaming for attention. They will garner enough of that when worn.

Husband and wife, architect and designer duo Peter Pennoyer and Katie Ridder set about designing the salon for David Webb the same way they go about creating a home.  No design detail or comfort was overlooked. The ever-important New York flagship, as part of any stylish re branding, sets the tone for any brand on a global scale.  The company, bought in 2010 from the founding family that has owned it since its 1948 beginnings, is trending hot for starlets and those that love rather large stones and gutsy settings.

The seating area, with icy blue walls, crystal chandelier and yellow, chartreuse and teal accents sets the opulent stage for the gorgeous gems that live there. Like a gracious living room, the space instantly makes one feel at home for a relaxed un-retail experience.

The viewing room, with vivid custom chartreuse lacquer tables and chairs.  A classic Ridder color, it is used in ways that sooth, never vying for center stage. The brightness is toned down by the use of a neutral wall color, in Philip Jeffries popular rivets - studded wallpaper.

Framed archival designs mounted above a long table inspire today's designs while acknowledging the creative spark of the past.  By framing past design renderings as artwork, rather than hanging a tranquil scenic, the brand heritage is enforced with flair.

The mix of delicate and tough make give the space a fresh twist.  Fluid Baques crystal sconces against a graphic geometric wallcovering merge soft and linear. Display cases have subtle lighting to enhance the setting, rather than  detract from it. Because when you feel at home, you are more likely to enjoy a shopping experience., and warm to the idea that you may be wearing these baubles in your living room.

Magnifique, non?