Halaman

Valentino: The Last Emperor

I've been hearing nothing but good things about the stylish new documentary Valentino: The Last Emperor and now it's finally about to make it's theatrical debut this Wednesday, March 18th in select cities. Andre Leon Tally, the style scribe and editor at large of Vogue will be on hand at the Film Forum March 19th and 20th to conduct a Q&A session with filmmaker Matt Tyrnauer. Start picking out your most stylish outfit today!

I love beauty. Is not my fault. - Valentino
Read More

Industrial Kitchen Stools For All Styles

It seems like industrial furniture is in every magazine -tables, cabinets, and lighting fixtures. But, some of my favorites are the counter stools. Lets look at some wonderful examples:
MS Living

Here is a great example of mixing the industrial style with a more rustic decor. I love the shiny surface of stools against the rough matte brick walls. This lab stool style is fairly common and easy to come by.Accurato

Here is another example that is a bit more modern from Offi.
Alimesh
We are seeing the square style in many homes. These are from Design Within Reach. Notice how great they look against the wood island and with the industrial pendant lights.
Martha Stewart
Here is another set of squared topped stools - these look wonderfully vintage - but what else could we expect from Martha?
Apartment Therapy
Look at these interesting spring stools I saw over at Apartment Therapy! Aren't they fun! They look so cool against the barn wood island and slate floor tiles.

House Beautiful

These are classic lab stools which can be purchased from many school or office supply sites. I love how modern they feel next the classic black island. Also notice the pendant lights and the interesting floor. This kitchen is one my favorites.
Country Living
How about a chocolate malt? These fifties vintage stools, complete with footrest rail, look wonderful in this kitchen filled with antiques. Notice the antique table paired with what looks like a copy of an aluminum Emeco chair. Schoolhouse pendants, antique signs and old lockers add charm.
Hutker
Though I love the look of stools, I much prefer them with backs for comfort. Here are some stools that are copies of Emeco stools. Notice the four bars in back versus Emeco's three. The style though, does look perfect in this more traditional style kitchen.
Emeco
Here is a photo of the true Emeco Navy stool, a classic is often copied - but isn't the orignial wonderful.
Desire to Inspire

Look at these vintage chairs - I really love them, and the kitchen cabinets and the center island in stainless steel. My only issue is the lights. They remind me of being in a dentist office. I would never open my mouth in this kitchen, but perhaps that's a good thing!
Seattle Times
These stools have more of a vintage look in this modern kitchen . I like the barrel backs. They look comfortable and hip.

Apartment Therapy

Here is an example of the Hudson Stool , also made my Emeco, available from Design Within Reach. These really add some bling to this New York Loft!

Giannetti Designs
Perhaps my favorite stools are the ones designer Brooke Giannetti used in a recent project for a client. I love the size and scale. In her own home Brooke used these with a fabric seat cushion .
Cote de Texas
Designer Joni Webb, mentioned this kitchen in her famous blog on Kitchens 101-Elements to Copy. The chairs can be found at Beach Dwelling and are the same ones as in the Giannetti designed kitchen. I love the interesting floors and the chandelier. Both kitchens have very different interiors, but they both work with these stools.


I hope they are comfortable because I think these are my favorite. Which ones do you prefer?
Check out other great finds at Miss Mustard Seeds Furniture Friday!
Read More

Thad Hayes: The Tailored Interior

I love living in New York because I have the opportunity to meet the most interesting and inspiring people. Last week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with interior designer Thad Hayes to discuss his work, his life and his new book Thad Hayes: The Tailored Interior.

When I was reading the book before the meeting, I kept thinking that the designs of Thad Hayes have a quiet elegance about them so I asked him how he defined his work and he mentioned a few words that resonate, "appropriate," "relevant," and "thoughtful." All of his projects begin with the client and he is a careful listener and is very thoughtful in his approach. Each of his projects are also appropriate to their environment. For him, the hunt for antiques, furnishings and accessories that create a layered look is what makes each of his designs unique to their environment and owner.

The man of the hour, interior designer Thad Hayes in his studio

I loved that Thad Hayes had filed his book without thought between Fallingwater, Class Act: William Haines Legendary Hollywood Decorator and the design books by David Hicks. They are all in good company!

Thad Hayes was born and raised in Louisiana and his artistic talent was luckily fostered by his parents. It was car trips to visit historic plantation houses and his own home growing up that influenced his future when his mother hired an interior decorator and he realized that interior design could be a career. But what's funny is that he ended up with a degree in landscape architecture and didn't even have a job when he moved to New York in 1979. At that time, New York was a pretty gritty place with high unemployment similar to today but Thad Hayes had an optimistic spirit and a bit of luck on his side when his upstairs neighbor, painter and designer Stephen Shadley, introduced him to Robert Bray who invited him to work for Bray and Schaible. After three years with the firm, Thad Hayes felt ready to go out on his own and the rest, as they say, is history!

Thad Hayes has been a bit under the radar and part of the reason for this he said is that he doesn't go out to all the parties and social events. He has a young son whom he likes to spent time with at the end of the day and again, it's this thoughtful nature that makes him the designer that he is today. His office has never had more than eight people so it keeps the projects manageable and allows him to give each one his attention and it shows.
Of course, I had to ask Thad Hayes if he had a favorite project and he said that he had two. The first, which can be seen in the photo above and the next four is located in Pam Beach and he loves it for it's historical value. If most anyone else had bought the home, they probably would have either razed it and built a McMansion or completely gutted it but luckily it was purchased by the Lauders who wanted to restore it. In the bathroom above, they kept the original pink sink and appreciated the quirky and whimsical nature of the house. If you can't have fun in Palm Beach, where can you?!

There are fun wallpapers and printed fabrics in most of the rooms which reflect the tropical climate.

In the dining room, Hayes had Gracie repaint the original 1930's wallpaper.

It's funny that in contrast to this colorful house, his other favorite project in the book is Dune House a more simple and modern home also by the beach but it just serves as another example of his thoughtful nature. Some houses can be bold and others need to be more quiet, just like people.

Another reason that each project is unique is that the team shops separately for each project and rarely uses the same fabrics or furniture again.

I had to ask Thad Hayes if he had any advice for young designer like myself who are going out on their own and he suggested keeping the client base varied in age and occupation. Older clients slow down their decorating and as we've just seen first hand in New York, perhaps it's not a good idea to have only clients who work in finance. Practical and solid advice that I'm sure not many people would have thought of on their own.

I could look through Thad Hayes: The Tailored Interior for hours. The details are subtle and deserved to be studied and not just glanced over. It's also interesting to note how much work goes into putting a book together. This one was started over two and a half years ago and it took two years just to photograph the 21 projects included. I think that's worth remembering the next time you wonder why a design book is so expensive!

I owe a big thank you to Thad Hayes for taking time out of his busy day to talk with me. It was really very inspiring and fun to be able to hear the stories behind the projects and the making of the book. I also want to thank Jessica Napp of Rizzoli for her assistance. There are a lot of design books on the market these days but I have no doubt that Thad Hayes deserves his place of honor among Fallingwater, Billy Haines and David Hicks!

Photos by Scott Frances and Colleen Duffley
Read More

Designer to Watch: Courtney Giles

I have no doubt that if Domino was still around, they would name Atlanta interior designer Courtney Giles one of their designers to watch! You may remember Courtney from her feature in Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles and on Brilliant Asylum's chic blog and she just launched her new website, Courtney Giles Interiors, where you can check out her beautiful work. Her style can be traditional southern or glamorous and modern and always includes fabulous art which has led her to add art consulting to her repertoire. I got to know Courtney about a year ago when she was living in New York City and can honestly say that she is as nice as she is talented! I was sad to see her leave New York but it is clear that Atlanta is lucky to have her back where she belongs! She is definitely one to watch!









Read More

Tu Casa Club : la web para la vida real


Hoy quería contaros una buena noticia. Desde hace unas nace un nuevo portal cuyo objetivo es facilitarnos nuestra vida diaria.

Tu Casa Club "la web para la vida real", es un moderno portal con los temas que buscabas para el hogar, la familia, tu imagen, cocina, medio ambiente y tiempo libre, donde también se encuentran trucos y consejos para la vida diaria con el objetivo de hacerla más sencilla y entretenida.

¿ No es estupendo ? La idea me parece fantástica y ya me he recorrido sus diferentes espacios dedicados a la familia, el tiempo libre, la cocina, el entorno , la imagen ( chicas hay que cuidarse) y por supuesto , uno que tiene que ver con ese artículo que solía sacar los miércoles ( sí , sí ya sé que algunas lo echáis de menos por vuestros comentarios.... ) dedicados a nuestro hogar y cómo conseguir hacerlo más agradable. Lo confieso : me he ido directa allí .
He descubierto trucos , artículos dedicados a la decoración y otros aspectos relacionados con la casa.
Es como tenerlo todo reunido. Me ha gustado bastante..... y con los tiempos que corren.... una web así ha llegado en el momento oportuno.

Pero eso no es todo chicas. Además el portal incluye concursos, promociones y cupones descuento que siempre que podemos solicitar, una vez registradas , para canjearlos en comercios y obtener descuentos en productos de limpieza, cosmética y adhesivos. Y además, puedes tener acceso a grandes premios, como viajes o electrodomésticos en las promociones de la web.
También me ha parecido interesante algo que se les ha ocurrido...... tener una zona llamada " Tu Espacio ".
Puedes administrarla libremente para subir fotos y compartirlas con amigos, archivar tus artículos favoritos, descargar materiales, leer la actualidad de los diarios nacionales.....Además tienes la posibilidad de suscribirte a los artículos por el sistema RSS y estar al día.

............Y como parece que ahora lo que se lleva es estar en Facebook, también podrás encontrar allí la web y estar en contacto con otros usuarios.

Os dejo para que os entretengáis y le saquéis partido.
Read More

"Peep"-ing at Orange

Peeps, the marshmallow chicks that are an American spring tradition!
This year in keeping with the design trends, Just Born, makers of Peeps, have joined in by releasing a new color: Orange Peeps. They are a lovely shade of soft orange.
Although I am very partial to neutral palettes, the Peeps inspired me to take a look at some orange drenched rooms.
Home and Garden
Here is a wonderful breakfast nook with soft coral walls. I love how the black iron chairs pop in the space. Also notice the unexpected use of bright green chair cushions and animal print pillows
Kips Bay
This bright orange gives me electric shocks! Though not at all my style, I appreciate the talent of the designer of this room. Raspberry, turquoise, bright green and orange! Wow, so much color with so much going on and it still really works. This is a happy space. I like the stenciling on the walls, but I really could not live in this space.
Dutchboy
Here is a very traditional room with bright pop of color. The black table really anchors the space . Notice how the yellow upholstery on the chairs is repeated again with the yellow plates on the wall. Martha Stewart
A sweet little girls room orchestrated by Martha Stewart. Fabric panels stretched over canvas add a designer touch at fraction of the cost! A good idea because surely when she turns 13 she will insist on changing her room ! Rafter Tales
Perhaps this is our 13 year olds' room - The little girl in her can't let go of the orange and pink but the colors are repeated in a more mature way. I can hear the cell phone ringing...
Elle Decor
In this dining room we again see orange paired with bright green. I love the interesting lights, candlesticks and wall art. I also like the rug. This color will surely encourage lively, spicy conversations!

Pottery Barn
And finally Pottery Barn gets into the game! I really like this dining room ! It has wonderful elements: the trestle style table, a current rug and those orange chairs! The topiaries, light fixture and clean white walls, even make neutral loving me, a bit more open the color of the season.
Which do you like? Or do you think orange is just too trendy?
Read More

2009 Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse Designer: William T. Georgis

I always think it's a little weird when an interior designer doesn't have a website. How is anyone supposed to find them. In William T. Georgis's case, maybe that is the point. He is very exclusive and usually only works with a select clientele. But these days you can't afford to be that exclusive which may be why he is one of the participating designers for the 2009 Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse.

I first became of aware of William T. Georgis when the townhouse he designed for real estate mogul Abe Rosen and his wife Samantha Boardman was published in the now deceased Vogue Living. It was the perfect backdrop for their art collection which was put together with the help of their art advisor and Georgis's partner, Richard Marshall, who also helped put together the art in their own home seen here that was published in the March 2008 issue of Elle Decor.
The townhouse stands out on the Upper East Side due to it's modern facade and interior which also highlights their art collection which includes the large painting by Julian Schnabel above and works by Jean-Michel Basquiat and Ed Ruscha among others.

It's also a home that doesn't take itself too seriously and mixes a bunny from Deyrolle and a moose head among all the art.

In the dining room, vintage chairs by Dorothy Schindele are paired with a Jacobean Revival table and a Christopher Wool painting sits atop a neoclassical console.

The painting above is by Kim MacConnel.

A Jack Pierson word art piece hangs above the Venetian headboard in the guestroom.

The antique chair in the guestroom was upholstered in patent leather and shares space with a lucite bench and classical sculpture. I love the juxtaposition of objects. I am very excited to see what he will come up with his room for the 2009 Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse. I'm sure it's going to be very good! And after that, I hope he works on a website!

Photos by William Waldron

Read More
Langganan: Postingan (Atom)
DISCLAIMER
If you are the copyright owner of any of these articles or image and don't want me to share them, please, write comments on pages and I will gladly remove them.