interior glass doors: 2009-02-08

Treats for My Sweets

I had a Martha moment this week and decided to make a batch of cookies to give to my friends for Valentine's Day. The recipe is based on my favorite White Chocolate, Cranberry, Macadamia cookies that I used to pick up as a special treat. Everyone enjoyed them so I thought you might like the recipe too!

White Chocolate and Cranberry Cookies

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup dried cranberries
I also added about a 1/2 cup pecans but you could add whatever nuts you like

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth.
3. Beat in the egg and vanilla.
4. Combine the flour and baking soda; stir into the sugar mixture.
5. Mix in the white chocolate chips and cranberries and optional nuts.
6. Drop by the spoonful onto greased cookie sheets. I used Silpat non-stick baking mat instead.
7. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. I checked them at 9 minutes but they all seemed to take 10 minutes but this will depend on your oven. For best results, take them out while they are still doughy.
8. Allow cookies to cool for 1 minute on the cookie sheets before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
9. Enjoy!

Rose are red,

Violets are blue,

I hate Valentine's Day!

But I love you!

Photo by Francois Halard from Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People

Lilla Blanka

Here is a lovely tray filled with moss. A simple but sweet way to bring some Valentine's spirit to you room.

Or how about another whimsical piece from folk artist, Rich Dunbrack?

flikr

Or my favorite, chocolate cupcakes with Necco "SweetHearts" on a simple, white dish! Yummy!

Have a wonderful day and let those special to you know they are loved!!

It's one thing to chat via email with a fabulous designer or just post images of their work that you love but it's quite another to get invited to their office to speak with them in person! When architect Peter Pennoyer did just that recently, I jumped at the chance! Peter is known for his classic style but when you really delve into it and learn more, you realize that it's actually quite inventive.

Peter studied at Columbia and Columbia Graduate School and while there worked for Robert A.M. Stern but established his own firm in 1984 after graduation. He showed me one of his first projects and it was much more modern than his current designs but every designers eventually finds their way.

Peter not only practices architecture but writes books, gives lectures, champions preservation and reads a lot! It's always a pleasure to meet anyone in the creative world who is passionate about their chosen path and it is clear just from the bookshelves of the office that he is just that.

One of the things I found interesting is that not only does the firm embrace hand rendering and still create watercolor drawings but they also embrace technology. One of their programs for computer rendering is the same that Pixar uses! The three dimensional images were so real looking that I thought they were a photograph at first. It is certainly easier to fine tune a design before the construction begins and the advancements are amazing!

Another interesting fact I learned was that the firm creates many of it's own designs for mouldings and other architectural details. They may look to the past for inspiration but they are creating the future and also in the way that certain architectural elements are manufactured such as stair rails and grates. I really hope I have the chance to attend one of Peter's lectures because I know they must be fascinating!

I don't know if everyone knows that Peter Pennoyer and interior designer Katie Ridder are married and actually share office space on the same floor. There can sometimes be issues and friction between architects and interior designers when they work on projects together and Peter and Katie are lucky that they can seek advice from the other when they face these kinds of situations. They also have been lucky to be able to work with each other on some very beautiful projects.

You can always get a sense of a designer or architect's style from their work place and Peter's office is as you would expect, very well designed and full of wonderful details. I loved all the hand drawn renderings, watercolors and models that lined the back walls.

It was clear from meeting Peter that he has a profound respect for the history of architecture and design.

One thing that I thought was so interesting is that Peter sometimes makes up stories about a certain buildings that he designs that create a reason as to why the design might have elements from different periods, such as someone built the home in one style and then a subsequent owner added onto it later in a different style.

One of my favorite quotes from his website is the following, "We don't practice architecture by the book. We know the book. We know, say moldings and cornices so well that we can hold the pattern book stage, which is what frees us to be imaginative in our responses."

I wish I could have stayed all day and looked through the vast library of architecture and design books! I'm sure there are some amazing treasures along those walls!

What stuck me as interesting is that the bookshelves that Peter designed were very modern and simple didn't have any details.

Wouldn't you just love to sit in that chair and pull a book out and read. In the background is Peter's office that he shares with his partner.

I loved that the red leather chairs in the conference room related back to the red in the library when you opened the door.

There were beautiful details around every corner and in this little niche. It was truly a pleasure to meet Peter Pennoyer in person and talk about design and I really appreciate the time he took out of his busy day to meet with me. I hope you will check out more of his work online. I know once you do, you will be even more impressed and inspired!

On my way out, I was able to pop into Katie Ridder's office and say hello to Laurie Reynolds. My favorite color is orange so I loved the pops of orange throughout the small office.

Anyone who has worked in an interior design office knows that fabric samples are the bane of the existence of anyone who has to keep them organized so I was very impressed by this wall, and not at all surprised that Laurie is the one that keeps it looking so good!

I hope you enjoyed this profile and tour as much as I enjoyed bringing it to you!

This has been a busy week and I have lots to write about but until I can post them all, I wanted tell you something exciting that I learned at a very chic dinner party I attended last night. This year's Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse will be held this Spring on 71st Street and will be in honor of the living legend of interior design Mr. Albert Hadley. We're not exactly sure if that means the designers chosen will be those who have had a working relationship with Mr. Hadley over the years or if the rooms will be paying homage to him but either way, it's very exciting and I can't wait to see what they come up with! Stay tuned for more details!

Decorating is not about making stage sets, it's not about making pretty pictures for the magazines; it's really about creating a quality of life, a beauty that nourishes the soul. - Albert Hadley

I spent most of Tuesday in Soho shopping for clients and spent a lot of my time checking out the amazing sale at Aero. There are some fabulous deals to be had so I recommend checking it out since most of the prices are below cost! Happy Shopping!

I have a new obsession and it's Elma Blint jewelry! I had the pleasure of meeting Elma at her table at the Brooklyn Flea Market recently and found her to be delightful and her jewelry to be beyond chic and surprisingly affordable! Elma took the time to explain vermeil and why the gold on my ring (from a designer who shall remain nameless) was starting to rub off. She clearly knows her stuff and I appreciate a designer who wants to educate their customers and isn't all about just making a sale.

I love that most of her designs are available in solid gold, silver and gold vermeil options so there is something for everyone and every budget. And she can customize most of her designs as well. Want a ring without a stone? Just ask. Different colored stone? Not a problem. Longer chain? She'll switch it out. I ended up buying the 3 Ring Necklace (I need all the luck I can get!) in 18k vermeil but I may have to go back for the Hortense Ring. And maybe some bracelets...you get the idea!

Elma's jewelry is available through her website and by appointment at her boutique Baubles and Thorn in Brooklyn or at the Brooklyn Flea Market on the weekends. During the winter, the Brooklyn Flea is located in two different buildings on Front Street and Elma can be found at 81 Front Street but you might want to check the Info section on the website to make sure she's there just in case. But believe me, it's worth the subway ride to buy her fabulous jewelry and once you see it in person, you'll be obsessed too! Happy Shopping!

No tengo arreglo

Definitivamente lo sé . No tengo arreglo. Me lío , es que me lío, no lo puedo remediar. Intento hacerlo más sencillo y no me sale......¿Qué tal una cinta de esas tan bonitas?..... No , mejor lo bordo.... Tengo una pelea conmigo misma....

Bordando sobre tul bordado......

Ya falta menos para verlo acabado.

Natori Home has just launched a new "luxury towel" collection with Loftex that complements their existing bedding collection and features Asian inspired patterns including the Natori Family crest! The invitation to their showroom party was one of the fabulous beach towels and now I'm even more ready to go to the beach! Thanks Natori!

And check out Josie's new blog for a little behind the scenes action!

I received the final issue from Domino today with a lovely little note from the PR team. Knowing that it would be the last one I would excitedly open as if it was a present on Christmas morning made me a little sad. I will treasure all my back issues and want to thank everyone who worked so hard to put each issue together. I look forward to hearing about their new adventures and checking out the new blog from Nick Olsen! Thanks for the memories Domino! Sniff sniff.

Fashion Week begins on Friday and already everyone is in a twitter especially since some shows and parties have already been cancelled or scaled back. Everyone is also buzzing about the new documentary The September Issue which chronicles Vogue editor Anna Wintour and her team as they put together the 5 pound September 2007 issue. Director and producer R.J. Cutler and his small crew assembled more than 300 hours of footage from January to August 2007 and just premiered the completed documentary at Sundance last month. I haven't heard when it will be released theatrically but I hope it's soon!

We wanted to be as careful as we could to signal that this magazine is aimed at a different market, ... upscale feel. - Anna Wintour

Cuffs Cove in Edgartown

Here is a fantastic home in Cape Cod! It is hidden in a small enclave in Edgartown, Massachusetts, called Cuffs Cove. Another gem designed by Hutker Architects.

All photos from Hutker Architects website

As usual we find spectacular architecture! This room really needs no adorning. What an unbelievable fireplace - a testament that great mason craftsman still exist. Simple upholstery , almost no accessories, allow the architecture of the room to speak.

The kitchen continues the wonderful post and beam design. I love the use of the butcher block with the solid surface counter. Notice the overhead lighting used, soft schoolhouse house pendants which cast a soft glow rather a harsh overhead light from canned recessed fixtures. Very simple cabinets, hardware and backsplash tile. Again your focus is on the architecture of the room.

The Solarium! A serene space, again using a very neutral palette so the focus is on the incredible conservatory. I love the zinc lantern!

Walkway to pool and outdoor entertaining area. I have always preferred grass walkways to complete stone walkways. I like the contrast of texture and especially the way the grass softens the hardscapes. The addition of the pergolas, calling out for climbing roses, will be quite beautiful in the summer.

Care for a dip in the pool or a cocktail?

A beautiful home on Cape Cod, with architectural detail that speaks for itself!

Everyone drooled over Julie and Luke Janklow's white townhouse when it was featured in Vogue and now it can be yours for $25 Million. The gossip on Page 6 was that the couple was divorcing and it was confirmed when the 25 foot wide 8,100 sf home was put on the market. It seems like a bargain considering how much money they put into it but buyers should beware. The townhouse seems to bring on bad luck in marriage. The Janklow's bought it in 2004 from Andre Balazs and Katie Ford who sold it when they were divorcing.

The description from Brown Harris Stevens is fascinating and slightly amusing. "Anchored by two massive 16th-century stone fireplace mantels, the 60-foot parlour drawing room sets the tone for the residence by establishing a texture of modern lines and open space set against historic furnishings and classic architectural details." The furniture includes 18th-century chairs and pieces by Jansen, Karl Springer, and Vladimir Kagan according to Vogue.

"The drawing room accommodates elegant entertaining in any season or invites a young child to race a bicycle across the perfect marble floor. (As long as he doesn't fall and break his head open!) The southern half of the space converts into a movie theater with a rear projector and screen descending from the ceiling."

Thank goodness the townhouse boasts an elevator. All those stairs look exhausting! But maybe that's how Julie Janklow stayed so thin. I heard that they made guests take off their shoes so as not to ruin the white marble floors. Usually the rule of thumb is that if you can afford white marble floors, then you should be able to afford to them them cleaned if someone messes them up.

"The master suite contains his and hers baths, two fireplaces, and two private dressing rooms: hers, fashioned in Perspex and glass with pink silk carpeting (see below), his with a fireplace and windows with three exposures." The periwinkle chairs weren't featured in the Vogue shoot but complement the painting by Stephen Hannock beautifully.

I wish they had posted photos of the bathrooms. I bet they were fabulous! Instead, there are three photos of the stairs. Yawn.

I'm not sure what room this is used for since the marketing materials state that they garden can be accessed from by the twin sets of floor to ceiling French doors from the parlour level kitchen or via the garden level formal dining room. I guess it could be part of the formal dining room. I just realized that the chandelier is the same as the one in the dining room photo from Vogue but they must have styled the room differently for the shoot. Interesting.

The "well-proportioned planted rear garden of Portuguese cobblestone" was designed by Miranda Brooks and features fifties wrought-iron furniture. I wonder if the buyer will ask for any of the furnishings to be included in the sale. The chairs look really pretty in the garden.

This room is part of the kitchen and look like a breakfast area or it could have been styled that way during the Vogue shoot since it also has the same chairs as the dining room below.

The formal dining room which features mercury-mirrored walls, a Danish candelabra, and antique gold sconces.

The rear of the fourth level, has a double-height office decorated with custom hand-painted chinoiserie wallpaper by Gracie, a sleek white full bath, and a planted terrace. The desk is by Monteverde.

Her dressing room was fashioned in Perspex and glass with pink silk carpeting and was inspired by Joan Crawford's in the movie Mommie Dearest.

"Fashioned by a young couple of unusual creativity and taste for their specific needs, this townhouse could also accommodate up to six bedrooms as it contains five extraordinary baths and a glamorous powder room."

I just hope the next couple who buys the townhouse doesn't get divorced after they buy it!

interior glass doors

Halaman

Treats for My Sweets

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Inspiration

Gentleman Architect Peter Pennoyer

In Honor of Albert Hadley...

Amazing Sale at Aero

Habitually Chic Jewelry Designer: Elma Blint

No tengo arreglo

Natori Home

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The Ice Queen Cometh

Cuffs Cove in Edgartown

Nothing Lasts Forever

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