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Archive for September, 2007

Danish Design

Posted Friday, September 28th, 2007 in Home Design

I’ve been thinking about Danish design today because I was at a furniture store in NYC and sent over a client to take a look at an original vintage Danish chair and ottoman…she didn’t think it worked for her home, but today I was flipping through a magazine and noticed that the exact chair I saw was being reissued. Just reminded me of how great and timeless Danish design is.

Jens Risom is one of my favorite Danish designers. He has great furniture, upholstery, cabinetry—everything—and there has been a recent surge in the reissuing of some of his old designs. I think this is a great time to snatch up some of his work. He’s still alive (going strong at 88!)…I really see his work going up in value, especially his original pieces.

The main reason I love Jens Risom and Danish design in general has to do with their beautiful, exotic woods and incredible craftsmanship…everything is just made so well and has such striking details. The Danish are experts at proportion, functionality and are often unexpectedly clever…I have a great Danish wooden oval table in my New York City home and the whole thing comes apart—you would never know by looking at it. 

Another great designer to keep in mind is Kaare Klint…once in a great while something of his will come up for sale on eBay…keep a look-out–his stuff is amazing. I especially love Klint’s Safari Chair and Ottoman. They were designed in 1933 and were inspired by traditional pieces that were originally meant for the British military..with that in mind, the chair has a simple, sleek wooden frame and a canvas seat. He actually did another piece I love called the Red Chair or the Barcelona Chair (not to be confused with the leather cushions, steel framed Mies van der Rohe one…). Klint designed this piece for the World’s Fair in 1928. You can see some great Chippendale references in his work…the simple delicate nature, beautiful details which are signatures in a lot of Danish design.

Here are some great eBay finds that go along with the traditional signatures I just talked about!

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Jens Risom Walnut Credenza

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Denmark Tea Funiture.

On a side note, I will be at the Country
Living Antiques Fair
in Morrow, Ohio this weekend…come say hi if you’re in the area!

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And The Winner Is…

Posted Monday, September 24th, 2007 in Fashion

It was the 59th Emmy Awards and the ladies were out! They ran a tight race at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles this year to steal the show on the red carpet and procure a spot on the pages of InStyle, People and WireImage.

America Ferrera and Kristen Bell both arrived in gowns that guaranteed they would not finish last…. “Why?” you ask. They chose a wise color! Blue. Ferrera’s royal blue and Bell’s sky/light blue are hues that you’re sure to see all over this fall.

However, Minnie Driver and Heidi Klum didn’t let the young gals get away easily. The two pulled out a secret weapon of their own, pleats, another 2007 fall trend. Both garments had a touch of fabric manipulation to garner a pleated look for evening.

There were those that played it safe, such as Rebecca Gayheart, pacing her way through the race wearing black…which by the way, like it or not, is following us into fall as the must-have color in your wardrobe.

SO …who won?!?! You tell me! Leave me a comment below and I shall let “the people decide.”

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America Ferrera

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Minnie Driver

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Kristen Bell

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Rebecca Gayheart

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Paisley

Posted Thursday, September 20th, 2007 in Home Design

The big trend I’m seeing for fall is COLOR and lots of it!

In going with that, I think paisley is a classic design that is too often overlooked in home décor..though it has received a lot of attention in the fashion realm as I’ve seen stores from Bergdorf to the Paper House carrying paisley quilted totes… in terms of home though there are some great new versions of the classic paisley designs that have interesting modern twists … a lot has come up in new fabric lines that I’ve come across and I especially love the large exaggerated prints–they make powerful statements without the risk of you feeling overwhelmed by the print or colors.

Speaking of colors–paisley always has a varied color palette, but there is usually one color that sticks out as dominant. I love the prints with pale soft greens and slate blues and even burnt orange for a little throw-back to the 70s…recently I’ve also seen some beautiful paisley carved pieces that only use two colors which is great for people who are looking for monochromatic looks.

Another thing about paisley is that while most people think of it for drapes or pillow cases, paisley can be found in everything from napkins to lamps shades. Years ago, I found a great paisley ceramic lamp on eBay that would spice up just about anyone’s home.

Here are some eBay options I have come across recently…I think these do a great job at demonstrating how flexible paisley can be. You can have a whole paisley couch in your living room and balance it out with solid fabrics on club chairs or you can add touches of color with paisley accessories anywhere in your home.

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Fashion Week Wrap-Up

Posted Tuesday, September 18th, 2007 in Fashion

6 412646436 0 2 1 SILKY FEELING FOR SPRING 2008

I can’t believe fashion week is over!It’s beeninsane: therewere more shows, more presentations and more parties than ever before. In fact, I hosted my own party on Tuesday, September 11th,for Cynthia Rowley.

With all of this going on, cabbies went on strike on the first day of the shows, my cell phone broke, then another one went dead and you know how it is when your cell refuses to live.

Luckily the clothes were wonderful. Nothing revolutionary; breezy, easy, languid looks are what’s in for spring. So are dresses, wide leg pants, as well as ankle length (I don’t want to call them maxis), knee length and mini skirts. Any length that flatters you is available.

And the silks. It’s like someone hijacked a plane from India. There is more silk on the runways than we’ve seen since Ivana Trump donned a power blouse in the 80s. Silk is so sensuous, so light and it holds color so well; I’m thrilled that it’s going to be widely available. I’m already seeing it creeping into stores.

GOOD, BAD & NO UGLY

My list of noteworthy showings:

ABAETÉ —Designer Laura Poretzky presented art deco dresses and great floor-length looks for day.

RACHEL ROY —Loaded with talent, this newcomer has emerged as truly one-to-watch. I loved her light colors and the strong yellows and hot pink.

TRACY REESE- Standouts in her collection include the black and ivory chemise, and the fluffy cobalt blue appliqué bolero with navy palazzo pants.

VERA WANG –Thank goodness America has Vera Wang to bring some poetry and romance to clothes you want to wear. I loved the charcoal knit polo with the organza inset in the back paired with the terra cotta crop pants. I also died for the pleated chiffon evening frock in layers of green and yellow.



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BEHNAZ SARAFPOUR- If Behnaz could get some more funding, it seems like she would just soar. As it is, this was a great, if small, collection with gorgeous beaded dresses and spring jackets.

LAMB BY GWEN STEFANI- One of the better-designed celebrity lines, I can imagine Gwen wearing everything she sent down the runway including her terrific plaid blazers (Anglomania continues). And only Gwen would wear the fab, ultra-high “Kingston booties,” which come in the colors of the Jamaican flag. Big up Jamaica.


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SAVE YOUR $$$$$ FOR SOS

A few years back, I bought a tank on Seventh on Sale from Vogue’s Meredith Melling Burke at $20 a pop. You can find great steals too, if you log on to http://www.7thonsale.ebay.com/ starting November 15th.

MODEL MEAL IN A BOX

Some models were stuffing five or six boxes of SUPERMODEL MEAL IN A BOX into their Goyard or Marc Jacobs bags. They were being given out backstage in the W Hotel lounge at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week tents.

I read the back of the box to see how wonderful this miracle food is. Leave it to fashion to inspire one of the most life-altering inventions of our modern era: “Now the waif-like 5’9”, 97 lb frame that once seemed impossible can be yours! Two of the cinnamon Chiclets are equal to a complete meal,” it says.

However, when I went to www.blueq.com to order my month’s supply, I couldn’t find it. I’ll try again this week.

Bergdorf Goodman is getting into the celebrity act. But not just any celebrity would work for BG’s. With its high prices, the store can only carry so many names and it chooses them wisely.

Luckily, actress Sienna Miller made the cut and showed up in a red top and high-waist cigarette pants for the launch of her Twenty8Twelve collection at BG’s.

Very young and very downtown, the collection included cute, cropped leather jackets and a wide leg pant in navy. Prices are not too bad, with most pieces under $500, except for the leather.

LOS CANTANTOS

“It’s cute, right?” said Jennifer Lopez to her hubby Marc Anthony backstage after her Just Sweet show Tuesday night. Though it was around 10 p.m. and the last show of a long day, Lopez looked energetic and vivacious in a short, sexy green knit dress from the line.


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In response to her question, Anthony gave her a big, full-body hug. Lopez looks so happy with her long-time friend and now husband. More comfortable than she’s seemed with all the other men she’s had relationships with.

Speaking of others. After launches of her other lines like JLo and Sweet Face did not take off as planned, Lopez says now “I think we got it just right.”

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The collection, she said, costs from about $49-$99, yet it hits all the trends. “It’s not too expensive, fabrics are nice, you have great colors.”And there’s jewelry too. Gift bags included a black and white art deco style cocktail ring.

PARTYING CYNTHIA

Cynthia Rowley & Miss J from “America’s Next Top Model” stopped by the eBay party Tuesday night. Cynthia in a cute black and emerald green dress, wore the kind of chunky, high-heel open toe shoes seen all over the runways. She also wore jewelry from her runway show, which had taken place Friday.

Cynthia’s a big eBay user for herself, her husband and her daughter, she said, before taking off for another party—just one of at least six fashion parties going on that night.

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Matt Glazed Pottery

Posted Monday, September 17th, 2007 in Home Design

I use a lot of matt glazed architectural pottery in my home décor—I especially love McCoy and Haeger. Though this type of pottery often comes in really beautiful craftsman style colors like green and yellow, my favorite pieces are the ones that come in shades of biscuit white.

The great thing about these pieces is that they are not only inexpensive, but they come in a range of shapes and sizes, making them great for building collections. Also you can go for the functional ones that you can use in your kitchen (think bowls and pitchers…) or you can get a large collection and use them as display pieces in your living room.

Haeger especially is great because there is so much out there. You can find really great pieces on eBay or you might even stumble on some at a thrift store or a garage sale.

I really see these pieces as great fall accents, especially the off-white, earth green and soft yellow ones.

Here are some examples of accent pieces that will be great to spice up your rooms for the fall!

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On a random side note…I’ve recently been getting inspired by Josef Frank pieces. He has some amazing furniture…his cabinetry in particular is beautiful. He uses these great exotic woods that I LOVE…he’s also designed some great textile prints which you can find at Svenskt Tenn an amazing shop in Sweden that has a very rich history—a must stop destination if you ever find yourself in Stockholm!

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Wallpaper

Posted Thursday, September 13th, 2007 in Home Design

I try to use wallpaper whenever I can. In the past I’ve been a big fan of the more textural wallpapers– the sort of sexy, cool, velvety textured flock wallpapers have always been a favorite. Recently though I’ve also gotten into large vintage wallpaper prints. I think William Morris is really great. He was an English artist and one of the founders of the Arts and Craft movement and I’m sure you’ve all seen his signature design with willow leaf on wallpaper.

I also love, love, LOVE multi-colored large palm leafs and flowers papers. I think they’re great for fun touches. A way to incorporate wallpaper in your bedroom is to line the area behind your bed. This kind of anchors the room and serves as a decorative gesture…a faux headboard of sorts…

Wallpaper is also great for bathrooms and powder rooms. I’m actually working on this very modern apartment right now and the owner’s bathroom is black and white…we’re leaving his bathroom pretty much as is…I’m just adding this really bold graphic black and white printed wallpaper to spruce it up and add a little bit of a design statement.

In keeping with bathrooms, if you are working with a small space and want a dramatic touch—wallpaper the ceiling! The only thing to keep in mind is if you are working with a bathroom that has a shower and the space is getting a lot of steam or there is little ventilation, it is best to use vinyl covered wallpaper instead of paper wallpaper as the latter won’t hold up as well.

Another great thing about wallpaper is that there really are no rules—you could go over-the-top and add artwork over your wallpapered walls, or you could let the wallpaper be in-and-of-itself the statement or you could do something minimal by decorating the walls with black and white photographs.

Also, wallpaper is so easy to change up if you ever get tired of a particular print. With that in mind here are some great eBay options I’ve found!

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On a side note, I will be at the Country
Living Antiques Fair
in Morrow, Ohio from September 28th to the 30th. More details to come!

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Colored Leather

Posted Tuesday, September 4th, 2007 in Home Design

I tend to favor a very sleek and modern look and often use a lot of off-white, black, and beige in my interiors. Recently though I saw some bright colored leather pieces in a showroom that really caught my eye. In particular I absolutely loved this club chair that was a sort of citrus yellow with an ever so slight touch of green—I just thought it was really cool and it got me thinking of bright colors…apple red, orange…these are great colors for any interior.

I think they are especially great for traditionally styled rooms since they can really add freshness. For rooms with lots of patterns I think colored leather is a great accent for the pattern colors by combining them with coordinating colored leather. You don’t even need to get a big leather couch to do this—think pillows, side chairs, desk chairs…

I’ve also noticed more and more parallels between fashion and home. All these preppy blues and reds really bring to mind Ralph Lauren and the whole preppy look…I think it’s so fun and refreshing to introduce those kinds of colors and move away from the white-beige scheme for moment.

Here are a few great eBay colored leather finds!

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