interior glass doors: 2008-03-09

While I darn Sewing set. SAL Objetivo 12

Estamos ya a las puertas de terminar el bordado de este Sal. Hoy teníamos que tener bordado el accesorio del corazón grande. Por tener prestada mi cámara no puedo enseñaros mis progresos, lo haré mañana, Domingo de Ramos.
El próximo objetivo será el último bordando y como ya habéis adivinado , terminaremos las dos piezas que quedan. La cita será el próximo 1 de abril. Espero que disfrutéis de vuestras puntadas finales, para empezar con el acabado el mes que viene.

Actualizado el lunes: por fin ya tengo mi cámara. Como sabéis he tenido problemas con el color del hilo del borde para hacer el Nun stitch. Finalmente lo he sustituído por el de Papaya y así lo haré cuando haga falta .Es el tono más similar a Gingersnap.Busqué entre otras sedas que tenía y decidí finalmente que éste era el más apropiado.

I know other people have posted some of these photos already but I really like Tinsley Mortimer's new apartment and couldn't resist. Especially since she's a fellow New Yorker. I also just realized that I haven't profiled any interiors this week and was afraid my readers might stage a revolt soon.

First, I have to say how glad I am that Tinsley and her husband moved from Murry Hill (social siberia) to the Upper East Side, where all the other socialites reside. I'm sure she feels very at home there. Tinsley had a little help with the decorating from her mother-in-law, Senga Mortimer, who is an editor at House Beautiful. Makes me wonder why the home was profiled in HB instead of Harper's Bazaar but anyway, I like the mix of traditional and modern pieces. It's also easy to see Tinsley's Southern roots in the apartment in the form of ancestral portraits.

For a socialite who's claim to fame is her girly style, the apartment is surprisingly grown up too. Wedding pictures and family heirlooms grace an 18th-century marble-top chest above.

Tinsley's china and and crystal are from William Yeoward.

The dining room not only looks very traditional but also very Southern. I love the wallcoverings.

I was very impressed that Tinsley chose her linens from Schweitzer Linen, the place where insiders know to go for luxurious linens at a great price. Love the Scalamandre covered headboard too.

I love that they used the same pattern from the headboard on the closet. "Tinsley's treasures (from Lia Sophia cuffs to Amedeo by M+M Scognamiglio cameos) are kept in a Smythson of Bond Street case." Must be nice.

Photos by Douglas Friedman for March 2008 Harper's Bazaar

Operación : un hogar más agradable

Habitualmente suelo hacer un artículo así casi todos los miércoles , pero justamente ayer fue imposible tomar unas fotos en condiciones. Parece que hoy hay mejor luz y paso a enseñaros el cambio que le he dado a un perchero que compré en una de las tiendas de todo a cien.
¿ Alguien ha dicho que los botones sólo sirven para abotonar camisas ? Esta es mi otra propuesta para utilizarlos.

En un principio era de color pino. Le dí una mano de pintura acrílica, unos restos de partituras originales con Modge Podge, unas estampaciones con Distres Ink y unos toques para envejer los bordes con la misma tinta.

Luego coloqué los botones , todos en blanco o con un suave beige, alternando tamaños y pegándolos con pistola de pegamento caliente. Para disimular el agujero que lleva para sujetarla, añadí también otro botón .

Después , unas cintas de de algodón haciendo una lazada, dieron el toque más coqueto.
Y ya está , un cambio radical a una percha común y algo práctico y barato para colgar mis adornos de bordado o artwork.

I had the chance of a lifetime last Spring when I met my one of my favorite artists, Anne Packard! On a whim we went to Provincetown, Cape Cod and Anne was kind enough to open her gallery to us off season. What a warm and wonderful lady! She welcomed not only my husband and I, but also our two children and dog into to her lovely gallery. So welcoming, she invited us to back to her home. Anne lives right on the water with views of the Provincetown Lighthouse on one side and the open ocean on the other. She even allowed us into her studio- what gorgeous views of the ocean for inspiration. Here is some of her most recent work. The pictures do not do the originals justice.

Anne has won numerous awards, and been featured in Coastal Living Magazine. Her work is part of many prestigious private collections including: Kemper Museum, Polo Inc, Ralph Lauren, Oglethorpe University Museum, Deloitte & Touche, Bob Vila, Bank of Boston, Albrecht Museum, Provincetown Art Association, Suffolk School of Law and Diane Sawyer.

Her studio was filled with several works in process. When my 10 year old daughter asked Anne how long it took her to paint each painting she replied "A lifetime!

Anne has also released a new book of her works available at Amazon.com. She shares the gallery with her very talented artist/daughter, Cynthia Packard,who is incredible in her own right. What an amazing family! If you get a moment visit Anne Packard's website and see her most recent work at http://www.packardgallery.com/.

The Swedish Dining Room

Lets have a look at a few Swedish influenced Dining Rooms. There are a few elements you can add to give your room that Swedish touch.

This feels very Swedish, yet does not use the trademark "gustavian gray" furniture. The cherry table and chairs could be part of any traditional dining room, but the addition of the slipcovered skirts, the crystal chandelier, light floors and the gray/blue walls lend a real Swedish feel to this room.

Here is a more traditional Swedish room. Pale handpainted walls, painted chairs and striped fabric seats, crystal chandelier and sconces. Notice the gorgeous painted sideboard.

Here is a more modern take on the Swedish look. I love the unique chandelier, coupled with the painted chairs from Niermann Weeks, sisal rug and traditional Swedish sideboard. Perfect and Fun!

Here is an elegant take on the Swedish feel. Very monochromatic with just a punch of Swedish blue on the chairs. Another sisal on the floor!

Finally, my favorite! This kitchen picture comes from The Kitchen Designer blog (see link right) Though more of a kitchen dining space I love the slat back chairs, check fabric, striped cotton rug and retro light fixture.

Crystal fixtures, painted furniture, pale floors, checked or striped fabrics, sisal/cotton rugs, chair skirts, airy curtains - remember just adding one or two of those elements can go a long way in giving you that Swedish look!

It's still chilly in New York but it's been sunny the last few days so there is a sense of excitement in the air that Spring is just around the corner. I love Autumn but there is something about Spring that makes it my favorite season. Maybe it's because my birthday is in April or all the beautiful fragrant flowers that are abound or the birds that are chirping. The whole city comes alive too. Everyone is so happy to shed their heavy coats and feel the sunshine. It's glorious! And so is the cover of the April issue of Martha Stewart Living! Have you ever seen such a beautiful bouquet?! I love it! Happy Almost Spring!

I just had a facial from La Mer today at Bergdorf Goodman. Talk about decadent! It was amazing! And my facialist Michelle couldn't have been nicer. She told me about how she left a corporate recruiting job to go back to school full time to become an aesthetician and how much she loves her job now. I always say it but I love hearing about people who have found their true calling and love going to work everyday. If you live in the New York tri-state area, you should call them up and put your name on the list for the next event. I also highly recommend the new Eye Concentrate. It's a miracle cream in a jar. Now if I could just afford to slather my entire body in La Mer everyday I'd be in heaven!

As long as I'm discussing crushes, I should mention that I have a weird crush on Anthony Bourdain. I know you think I'm crazy. He's too old. He drinks too much. He smokes too much. Probably does too many drugs. But he makes me laugh. And isn't that what every woman wants. A man with a sense of humor?! I never laugh so hard as I do when I watch his show, No Reservations, on Bravo. He gets to travel to exotic places and eat his way through the entire trip. Sounds like a dream job to me!

Well, in last night's episode, Into the Fire, Anthony goes back to his old job at Les Halles to see if has what it takes to work the line after eight years away. I think every person who loves to eat out should be required to watch the repeat of this show and see how many people and how much work goes into serving you a meal! It will also make you reconsider ever leaving a less than 20% tip ever again! And I guarantee you'll get a good laugh out of it too!

My post about David Netto had me pondering relationships. The Vogue article pronounced that opposites really did attract but in the case of David and Ione, I think we could all see that it would never last. They were much too different and David finally married a woman he knew from his childhood days. But it got me thinking about how creative types usually end up with other creative types. I could never be with someone who didn't have a deep interest in art and design like a doctor or a lawyer. Not just because I wouldn't have an interest in their work but I'm sure they could care less about the latest issue of Domino or my blog. So let's take a look at some creative types who did get together with great success and some I'd like to get together with. It's Monday people. Let's have some fun!

The couple above is Derrick Miller and Jennifer Vaughn. Derrick is the Creative Director for Barker Black, a 125-year old English shoe company that he is credited with reviving. Their shoes are so fantastic that they sometimes make me wish I were a man! The shop on Elizabeth Street is a kin to a gentleman's club. Jennifer meanwhile is an interior designer and helped to decorate their apartment that was featured in Domino magazine. A match made in heaven if I ever saw one!

Rufus and Sally Albemarle are a striking couple who also share a love of the arts. Rufus came to New York in the late 1990s, as an industrial designer but now he has a company Albemarle of London that makes "fine shirts for gents" and can often be seen out and about at parties. Sally Tadayon Albemarle is a sculptor but has been living in England with their son for a while. Rufus commutes back and forth to see them. They were married in a big international wedding in Havana, which was covered by Vanity Fair. They seem like a true renaissance couple.

One of my favorite design firm, Roman and Williams, is run by one ridiculously creative couple, Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch. They met while working on set designs for movies and finally decided to open their own firm after they were tired of seeing all their hard work at the end of a movie shoot. They just finished the redesign of the Royalton Hotel lobby and are also working on a line of furniture. I love their vintage yet modern aesthetic.

Now let's take a look at some creative types who haven't yet paired up, or at least not that I know of. First on the list is my ultimate crush, Taavo Somer. He is co-owner of my favorite restaurant in the city, Freemans, with it's rough hewn look and taxidermy animals, it's a cozy retreat. And the food is fabulous! Next door is his other venture, Freeman's Sporting Club below, which carries handmade clothing, vintage accessories and the pièce de resistence, an old fashioned barbershop in the back. Taavo actually trained to be an architect which just adds to the appeal. As someone who's tired of stark white modern boxes, Taavo's style is a breath of fresh air.

Next up is my newest crush, Tee Faircloth who bought F.M. Allen a few years ago. “I wanted to buy an old African company,” said the 36-year-old former bond trader. “I kept coming back to Frank Murray Allen, who was the last of the gentleman hunters. Bunny was a nickname. Bror Blixen and Denys Finch Hatton got him started. In 1927, he was second gun for them on the royal safari of the Prince of Wales.” I think we all dream of buying a safari company but how many people actually get to do it?! Tee is updating the company which not only arranges luxury safari vacations but can outfit you for the trip and your home when you get back from their collection of antiques and furniture. Where do I sign up?!

My last crush is Ben Schott, but only when he's wearing his dark rimmed glasses. Ben is the man behind the Schott's Miscellany Empire, which now includes the Original Miscellany book, Almanacs, Food and Drink Miscellany and Gaming and Idling Miscellany. Ben is the quintessential self-deprecating Englishman with a lovely posh accent, floppy Hugh Grant hair, and a vintage Mercedes, which would be enough for most people but he is also frighteningly intelligent and interesting. He typesets all of his books and is an accomplished professional photographer and journalist. And to think it all started with a Christmas card. Gotta love it.

If anyone else has any interesting creative types that they would like me to add to the list, I'm currently taking nominations. I'm sure there has to be some more Renaissance type men around somewhere!

Un aire de primavera

Absolutamente me encanta la primavera. Esos primeros rayos del sol que atraviesan las tímidas nubes del invierno que no se quieren ir , te hacen cerrar los ojos y respirar profundamente mientras te da su calorcito en la cara .
Verdaderamente es mi estación, aunque siempre esté deseando que llegue el verano......
La estación de los colores , de los primeros piares de pajarillos, de los bulbos , del cielo azul , del cambio , del aire fresco que vuelve a entrar por la ventana, después de tenerla cerrada para que no entrara el frío.

Los tonos pastel inspiran nuevos proyectos..............

.............. y nuestras " herramientas de trabajo " piden a gritos ocupar un lugar............

Sólo es cuestión de rodearse de cosas que nos inspiran..............

...... el blanco es otro color que asocio con esta estación, aunque sea un típico color de invierno, pero quizá la pureza , la blancura ... me recuerdan a las margaritas, a los tulipanes.... a la novias vestida de blanco que vemos recorrer los jardines en busca de la foto más romántica......

............Por eso no he podido resistirme y he disfrutado empezando algo primaveral. No es que el diseño lo sea , pero los hilos y el lino resultan "inspiradamente primaverales ".

Se trata de un modelo gratuíto que ya comenté hace tiempo en uno de mis artículos " Interesantes " ( en mis etiquetas ).
El hilo es uno de los tonos pasteles de la colección NN que ha dejado de producirse, y el lino un 32ct color Wisteria de Lakeside.

Este no va a ser un modelo para un cojín, ni para forrar una caja o un cuaderno de labores. Antes tendré que hacer una consulta en la tienda donde enmarco porque va a ser algo diferente y cuya terminación quiero hacer yo misma.

............¿ Y a tí qué te inspira ? ¿ Ya sientes la primavera ?

I was in Soho last weekend working on a project and I popped into BDDW and was amazed not only at the beautifully handcrafted furniture but also the wonderful vintage pieces dispersed throughout the store. You can get a feeling of what it was like in the photos. Each piece of furniture is handmade in Brooklyn with an attention to timeless design as well as innovation that I'm sure you will appreciate. Enjoy!