have some decorum

Cool again....Bottega Veneta

2011-05-07T08:29:00.000-07:00

I'm kinda in love with Bottega Venetta again. Remember is was cool, then lame and now its cool again.
Look at this new travel bag....

Its called Empire Lagoon Nero Vintage Calf Flag tote. The colors are cool and I am happy there are not a bunch of logos all over it.

I think this bag will be great on the nonexistent European jaunt I will take this summer.
Oh, its $2850.
www.bottegavenetta.com

Lovely Lovely Lovely Ines de la Fressange

2011-04-27T06:49:00.000-07:00

These are the words going through my head as I left the book signing at Saks for Ines de la Fressange's new book titled Parisian Chic by F. She could not have been lovlier. If you do not know who she is ( you should by the way) google her.

The book is a style guide. It should have been titled: How to be Lovely. She gives her tips on fashion, beauty, shopping, entertaining and my favorite part... her faux pas. Her overall advise is to keep it simple. Good advise. I always think that if you dress or entertain in an over the top "look at me" way, you've got it all wrong. Being subtle is far more elegant.

All of the portraits in her book are of her teenage daughter, Nine. Ines could have put in pictures of herself but she didn't.... because she's cool.

My favorite section is her fashion faux pas. Here is a sample of her fashion no no's:
1. Bras with transparent straps. A stylish, visible bra is far sexier.
2. Never wear a necklace and earrings at the same time-too much.
3. Body piercing- "No future" is the wrong kind of fashion statement.
4. Leopard- skin dresses with plunging necklines. Too sexy is not sexy.
5. Plastic flip-flops. Guaranteed to to shatter the chic-est of looks. ( Mom, pay attention.)

I think the book should be a required reading textbook in schools.
You can purchase the book at Amazon.com or if you are in NYC tonight Madame Ines de la Fressange is signing copies at the Roger Vivier shop on Madison Ave. You can rsvp to rsvp@rogervivier.com 6:30-8:30.

A bientôt!

1stdibs Pick of the Week

2011-04-12T13:49:00.000-07:00

Clearly, I am in my noir period.

                                                                   George Jouve Lamp
                                                               French 1950-1960
                                                               Antiques MC

                                                                Swivel Chairs
                                                                             1971
                                                                        1stdibs Paris

                                                             Glass Orb Table Lamp
                                                                            1970
                                                      Palm Beach Antique and Design Center

                                                    Directoire Gueridion Side Tables
                                                                            1940
                                                                     Pat Monroe

   Ebonized Mirror
                                                                          19th c.
                                                           Linda Horsley Antiques

                                                               Jules Leleu Armchairs
                                                                            1950
                                                                  1stdibs Paris

French Candlesticks Chandelier

1960
Atomic Antiques

                                                                  Mauro Bonacina
                                                              1977 Italian
                                                                  Charles Bank Gallery

                                                                English Leaded Glass Lanterns
                                                                               1920
                                                                       Carlos de la Puente

                                                                           Sheep
                                                                                1970
                                                                         Little Paris Antiques

I have a new boyfriend. His name is The Bowery Hotel.

2011-04-09T04:21:00.000-07:00

The Bowery Hotel in New York

I am in love. I just met The Bowery Hotel. It's like dating the twin brother of my other boyfriend, Hotel Costes in Paris. Mr Bowery is everything I am looking for: moody, dark, mature and chic but not uptight. Go to their website to see more images: www.theboweryhotel.com go now.

My Platinum Years

2011-03-28T05:48:00.000-07:00

I realize that this is suppossed to be a Marcel Breuer tandem type bike but I have envisioned a different use for it. I am imagining that this is my future mode of transportation when I am old.

I will enlist my cousin, Julie, as the lead driver and I, the passenger. She will ride me along the Champs Elysées in Paris to my hearts content beeping the little horn for me. If you have the same idea you can purchase this at www.knoll-int.com

D'Espresso Coffee in New York

2011-03-21T07:37:00.000-07:00

There is nothing wrong with this coffee shop.

Nothing.

It's perfect.

Look at it.

First of all its got the "cool concept" down.

It looks like a tilted library.

Then it gets better...

The books are a sepia toned replica of library books on, not wallpaper, but TILE!

Then the herringbone floors on the walls!

I like how the small space looks like it goes on and on. The counter helps this with its length.

Then the long continuous bench, perfect round tables that mirror the lights, then the perfect ghost chairs that disappear and not make it look like too much furniture is crammed in the space.

The design was done by Nemaworkshop in New York.

They do a bunch of cool stuff. Check out their website if you want.

www.nemaworkshop.com

Remember though, as my mom says, behind every great designer is the owner okay'ing it. So, congrats to the owners for okay'ing this. I heard they want to open many more of these coffee shops. This is okay in my mind IF they vary each one a bit AND don't charge more than a dollar for coffee. No one needs coffee that is over a dollar.

                                                       They have two locations so far.
                                                 Lower East Side and Midtown.
                                                                 Goggle it.
                                                    http://www.despresso.com/

Bad use of a perfectly good zebra rug

2011-03-03T07:22:00.000-08:00

I love a zebra rug. I do. I know I shouldn't but I do. I fell in love with zebra rugs the first day I saw one on the top floor in the home collection of Ralph Lauren. But, here's what I don't love. I do not love it when people put their zebra rug at the wrong angle. Its very important not to do this. Its easy NOT to do this. Look:

This is the perfect example of how to use a zebra rug. The most important step in using a zebra rug is the angle. The wrong angle use can make it look like you are walking directly into the zebra's bum. Not good.

Now look at this one:

See? This is wrong. It looks like you are walking right IN it. Additionally, this rug is too big. Small doses are key. I love this bathroom but if they had just angled it better and found a bit smaller rug it would be perfect.

And for god's sake, if you are going to commit to getting a zebra rug, get a REAL one. Its not like you are being a better person by getting a cowhide zebra rug. FYI, cows are animals too.

Here are some examples of improper embarrasing uses of zebra rugs.

Bad angle but great blue chairs. This is a nice room but if they had just bought a real rug and angled it better it would have been great. Oh, and gotten rid of that Tuesday Morning cachepot on that beautiful guerdion table.

This is a great room but if they had just turned that beast around at a slight angle and bought a real zebra it would be perfect. Who wants to walk into a room and walk into a zebra's privates?

I love this room but I think the rug should be turned a bit, no? And real. It's like, "I'm a cow dressed a zebra, Surprise!" Love the room though.

This almost works but if they had just angled it under the bed a pit it would be perfect. I also like the layering of a sisal and then a zebra. Gives it some depth.

Yikes. Looks like the zebra went, "Splat!" On a side note, there are too many little pieces here. A small sofa would have been better and then the table. I love the table. At least they used a real zebra.

Okay, now for some good examples of zebra rugs:

This is perfect.

Perfect

So, to sum up MY thoughts on zebra rugs:

1. Angle it

                                                                          2. Use a real one
                                                                          3. Only use one zebra per house.
                                                                          4. Use appropriate size

I'm baaaaaaaaack!

2011-03-02T09:41:00.000-08:00

Its been a while since I've have posted anything party due to the fact that I had not been inspired by anything....until this.

Jennifer Rubell has combined her B.A. in Fine Arts from Harvard and her education at the Culinary Institute of America into a career that is so astonishingly clever that it made me want to blog again.

Her website states, "Jennifer Rubell creates participatory artwork that is a hybrid of performance art, installation, and happenings. The pieces are often staggering in scale and sensually arresting, frequently employing food and drink as media: one ton of ribs with honey dripping on them from the ceiling; 2,000 hard-boiled eggs with a pile of latex gloves nearby to pick them up; 1,521 doughnuts hanging on a free-standing wall; a room-sized cell padded with 1,800 cones of pink cotton candy.
Viewers are encouraged to partake in the work, violating the traditional boundaries of art institutions and engaging senses usually forbidden in or absent from museum and gallery contexts. Rubell’s work explores the intersection of the monumental and the ephemeral, and serves as a counterpoint to the virtual nature of much of contemporary life."

My favorite exhibit/party is called Icons. Rubell has cast her head in Fontina cheese and suspended it above a table of crackers. Hairdryers work their magic and gently drip the cheese down as guests catch it with their crackers. How could anyone not love that?

In this exhibit also are taps straight out of the wall with little placards stating what it is like Dirty Martini or Gin and Tonic. I wish I had this at home.

Then, to top that, there is a mound of potato chips and paint tube of dips.

There are so many clever ideas that Jennifer has designed that it makes the rest of us losers (who think chicken satay on a bamboo stick is genius) look like novices and we should never have a party again because it will all pale compared to this.

Go to her website to see more and to read about the thought process behind each exhibit.
http://www.jenniferrubell.com

Think Inside the Box

2009-10-14T08:37:00.000-07:00

Liana Yaroslavsky

Decadence

Liana Yaroslavsky

Finally! An original thought. Paris based designer Liana Yaroslavsky has created the most interesting coffee tables I have seen in years...maybe ever. The designer has combined her love of Versailles, Venice, tapestries, Murano glass and chandeliers, 19th century watercolors, baroque and modernism in her creations. The result? Coffee tables. A museum in plexiglass.

Le Bal

Liana's descriptions of her pieces are as luminous as her pieces.

Le Bal's description goes, "The scence, inspired by Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, centers around the Tsar's royal ballet. Keys of a neglected piano form a circular fan around two white wings made from real feathers...we are, after all, at the Ball of Angels. 19th century piano compositions for lovers are scattered within the base of the coffee table. The crystal chandelier (also 19th c.) are embellished with feathers. Allegro moderato, yes, but who is leading this dance? Who are the dancers? The answer is obvious: our own imagined memories." With a description like that, you know this is a special piece. The coffee tables take on a new dimension at night when they come alive with the glow of the flame.

L'Equisse

19th century watercolors are strewn about the base of the table. The watercolors come to fruition with the actuality of the 17th century Murano chandelier.

Oz Variations

One hundred crystal Murano blown glass balls float over Versailles parquet floors.

Maure de Venise

Black mirror occupies the floor base while a black crystal Murano chandelier rests on top, its branches shooting out through the plexiglass.

A closer look

Liana's website is a must see. Take a look at her drawings, inspirations and what brought her to these designs.

http://www.lianayar.com/

Hermes and Erwin Wurm

2009-10-07T14:54:00.000-07:00

Hermes and Erwin Wurm

Legendary fashion house, Hermes, has continued its dedicated patronage to the arts with Austrian artist, Erwin Wurm. Collaborating with Hermes menswear, Erwin Wurm has created a temporary installment in Hermes' Bond Street shop in London.

Erwin Wurm's bizarrely humourous "one minute sculptures" is an exhibition combining the everyday commonplace objects with the unexpected.

Hermes' menswear director, Véronique Nichanian, has been a long standing fan of Wurm. Such a fan that she gave Wurm carte blanche with the installation in the Hermes name and menswear line.

Fashion and art have always flirted with one another and with this installation between Hermes and Wurm the perfect marriage has ensued.

The collection and exhibit will be displayed at the Bond Street shop from October 11 to the 18th.

Get there while you can. And while you are there pick me up a Birkin.

Hermes London

155 New Bond Street

Mayfair London

www.hermes.com

Gandhi's 140th Birthday

2009-10-02T21:34:00.000-07:00

Gandhi

Thanks to Google, I learned today is Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi's birthday.

He would have been 140 years old.

Children in Bhopal, India dressed as the pacifist who said,

"Be the change you want to see in others."

Designer Envy

2009-10-02T19:05:00.001-07:00

Dan Marty Design

Dan Marty

Talent Extraordinaire

I think I have been envious of Dan's talent for a good 11 years now. I first encountered Dan's magic at his shop in Costa Mesa called Les Interieurs. I had never seen anything like it. The entire shop was set up like an actual home. It was like shopping in your friends's house...a very sophisticated and well traveled friend. After Les Interieurs which was a partnership I think, Dan went solo and opened his own shop in Newport Beach called Dan Marty Design. It was even better then. Next, he opened 2 shops in LA! Yea for me because I had moved to Santa Barbara by this time and LA was closer for me to keep an eye on him. Now, all these years later Mr Marty has a a 13,000sq ft showroom in the Pacific Design Center...the epicenter of all that is good.

Dan creates his "look" by mixing French, Italian, Moroccan, English, Far East and California. The result?

Fab!

Dan travels all over to collect his goodies. He is bold and brave in his creations...and an absolute trend setter in design.

Dan has antique furniture and accessories as well as a custom line. I love the fabric he uses in his upholstery...velvet, linen, monkcloth, kilim, grain sack, paisley, zebra etc.

The zebra chair is a signature piece for Dan.

He introduced the Union Jack chair this year.

On a side note, I found this French flag chair this summer in Paris. Wouldn't it be chic to use them together at a little game table?

The accessories are really what bring a room together...french market umbrellas, wicker baskets, chinese blue and white pottery, monk cloth, Swedish candlesticks.

all images used by permission

If you can get to the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles, I urge you to visit the showroom. But, if not, the Dan Marty Design website is fantastic as well.

Dan Marty Design Showroom
8687 Melrose Avenue Suite B380
West Hollywood, California 90069

www.danmartydesign.com

1st Dibs Pick of the Week

2009-10-01T17:38:00.000-07:00

1st Dibs Pick of the Week

Painted Bass Fiddle

USA

circa 1920

Jacques Adnet Rocker

France

circa 1950

custom 10 light cage chandelier

USA

circa 1920

Anglo-Indian Ebony Bed

India

circa late 19th century

Oval slate table

France

circa 1920

Pair Heavy Fluted Wooden Columns

USA

circa 19th century

Rosewood and Chrome Tufted Milo Baughman Chairs

USA

circa 1960

Paint and parcel gilt trumeau mirror

France

circa 1820

Flatweave Runner

circa 2009

Mantlepiece turned into a bookcase

19th century

France

Pair draped female cast iron lamps

France

circa 19th century and contemporary

Vintage destination stop ottoman

USA/England

circa 1940 and 2009

Italian fragment table light

Italy

circa 18th century and 2009

Gilt metal tieback

Italy

circa 20th century

That's it for this week

Check out these and other great finds on:

www.1stdibs.com

...Melt...

2009-09-29T15:59:00.000-07:00

Melt

London

I was in a clothing store in the Notting Hill neighborhood and I was suddenly "overcome" with a scent that had wafted into my air space. It was the absolute most heavenly smell of warm, rich, lucious, hypnotizing milk chocolate. I am not a cookie, candy, cake, bon bon chocolate lover but I was, again, "overcome." I had to follow that smell. It was coming from a darling little perfectly English white townhouse of a shop called MELT.

They had me at the door.

The entire design/merchandising/concept was fantastic.

"...the cool minimalism of Melt, an elegant lab-like boutique in London's Notting Hill that looks like a branch of Space NK than a bonbonnerie." Metro Newspaper

My favorites at Melt were these little Melt Drinks Stirs.

Made of 4 different single origin chocolate...Venezuelan, Caribbean, Madagascar, Columbian

You stir these in hot milk and cream. So cute!!!!

I never actually had the chance to try it out because it was the dead of summer and I wanted to save it for my daughter. These travelled with us from London to Annency to Spain and then when I was ready to give it to my daughter, I pulled it out and it was covered in sunscreen from my bag. I was and am still devastated.

Visit Melt at:

59 Ledbury Road

Notting Hill

London

W11 2AA

or online at:

www.meltchocolates.com

Divine Inspiration...Ralph Lauren Home

2009-09-29T14:20:00.000-07:00

Ralph Lauren Home

Ralph Lauren

London

I was in London this summer and walked by this Ralph Lauren shop and saw these great baskets with the boxwood and ivy and it reminded me why I love Ralph.

I got my first job at Ralph Lauren in Beverly Hills when I was 18 years old. I had zero retail experience but I wanted to just be in that store. So, I started out as a gift wrapper during the Christmas season. I loved every minute of it. I loved all the "senses" of Ralph Lauren. The sense of luxury, refinement, style, drama, detail....all of it. After gift wrapping, which I apparently excelled at, I moved on to cashier. I hated the math and counting aspect of it because I can hardly subtract but I loved seeing what people were buying and being in the center of the action. Then I was asked to be a salesgirl in the accessories department. OMG! I was in heaven. I was the first person to arrive in the morning with my head to toe Ralph Lauren outfit, coffee in hand and I would go up those glorious faded oriental rug steps with the overscaled paintings of ( I wished) my ancestors and up to the home collection. I would sit on an overstuffed armchair, soak it all in and pretend I lived there. My ENTIRE paycheck went back to Ralph Lauren so it was a win win for Ralph. Then, here is the best part.... (21 years later I am still regretting it) I was being considered for a position as assistant buyer for the women's collection in the NY store. Total dream job. But do you know what I did? I quit Ralph and went to St Tropez with the world's most notorious Swedish playboy. What is wrong with me? But, I have to say, I did get a lot out of my St Tropez trip. I went to the chicest wedding I have ever seen to this day and my eyes were exposed to the big world of Europe. So, in the end, all worked out.

Do you remember when Ralph Lauren would completely remodel the home collection every few months into a whole new world from London to Marseilles to New York. It was so exciting. Every collection was so detailed, the mood so perfectly expressed, the ambiance so crafted. Every room was like a still life painting. I have too many favorites to count. I wish someone would put together an entire retrospective in the Smithsonian of all of the Ralph Lauren Home Collection looks over the years. In fact, maybe I will write a book on it. I would love to interview all the people who made those "looks" come alive from the conception to realization. Here are a few of my favorite ad campaigns from the Ralph Lauren archives.

New Bohemian Collection

Rich colors...orange and red

Rich textures...velvet and fringe

Harrowden Collection

More is more

Layering layering layering

If you notice there are 4 layers on the floor...hardwood, seagrass, turkish rug, then fluffy heaven.

Rue Madame Collection

Marseilles Collection

Rue Royal Collection

St Germain Collection

It is interesting to research through the archives of Ralph Lauren Home. Other favorites of mine include Sheltering Sky, North Atlantic Coast, Tourville, Bedford Manor, Old Mill, Le Marais etc

all images courtesy Ralph Lauren Home

To see Ralph Lauren Home archives go to:

http://ralphlaurenhome.com

La La LaChapelle

2009-09-26T09:06:00.000-07:00

David LaChapelle

David LaChapelle Exhibit

Paris

On a freezing February day in Paris, as I was riding along on the metro I saw an ad for the David LaChapelle exhibit. The metro has all the latest "happenings" plastered on the walls. This is why I love Paris, there is culture even underground. So, the next day I headed to the exhibit. LaChapelle's

retrospective of his controversial work was being held at the La Monnaie de Paris. The perfect juxtaposition.

Statue Los Angeles 2007

There were at least 200 photographs of his work. Read HERE for a comprehensive review of the exhibit .

Deluge:Museum 2007

I bought this one...in the form of a poster... from the gift shop.

How lame am I?

image courtesy of LaChapelle website

The exhibit was an eye opening experience.

You can check out upcoming and previous exhibits on the official website of David LaChapelle:

http://www.lachapellestudio.com/

Reservation for Ms OConnell

2009-09-25T08:27:00.000-07:00

Chic Hotels of Europe

Trains, Planes and Automobiles

I was all over the map this summer. My 13 year old daughter, Grace, and I traveled to Paris, London, Annency, Mallorca, Geneva, Zurich and probably some some little towns in between. I had 3 giant suitcases, 2 laptop computers, 1 new, in the giant box, desktop computer, one box filled with my daughter's homeschooling books and supplies, 2 carry ons, 2 purses... and oh, a 3 month old French bulldog only partially potty trained named Leo. So, I had to be slightly organized which is not in my nature and also have an flexible frame of mind. I have a fear of big chain hotels. I like small boutique hotels. I typically do a ton of online research before I book anything. One online source that is perfect for boutique hotels is Mr and Mrs Smith. They were a lifesaver this summer.

http://mrandmrssmith.com

Le Dokhan

Paris

I have stayed in this hotel in Paris many times and I am always received with such a nice welcome. It is a Haussman style 18th century little gem of a mansion. Baron Haussman was a French civil planner whose name is associated with the rebuiding of Paris. He was hired by Napoleon III to "modernize" Paris. More about Baron Haussmann HERE The hotel was formerly a private residence of some lucky family. Le Dokhan is located in the "tony" (don't you love that word) 16th arrondissement. Famed interior decorator Frederic Mechiche designed the interiors of the hotel adding an elegant neoclassical touch. The service is discreet and accommodating. Everyone had such nice manners. I left a few of my extra bags in their storage for about a month while I was gone. The doorman walked my puppy with me in the evenings.

The color scheme of this hotel is really what sets it apart. The little cozy salon was a mixture of seagrass rugs, lavender and charcoal colors, chinoiserie tray tables, deep lavender velvet chairs with striped cushions, rich warm woodwork, marble demilune tables, original Picasso and Matisse line drawings in subtle gold frames, Giacometti-ish figures on columns and busts on the mantle.

The champagne bar and dining room.

This room is a perfect marriage of sage green velvet chairs, sage green paneling with gold trim, black topped tables with tiny gold filigree. Chandeliers are black and gold Empire style. The room is separated from the lobby by thick sage green and eggplant colored striped curtains held with gold curtain backs. My favorite part about this room is the little clever bar tucked into a recessed antiqued mirrored armoire stocked with champagne, vintage glasses, candles and books. Each table has a slendar tall candlestick that is lit morning, noon and night.

I have stayed in every type of room at this hotel. The one pictured above is their deluxe room. Although, my favorite room was the top floor suite. It was like a glorious attic. You are lead up a private internal flight of seagrass covered stairs which open up to the living room with a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower. There is a little pine fireplace, chinoiserie coffee table and a petite couch. The bathroom is all marble top to bottom. The bedroom is separated with voluminous, thick, heavy, blue printed curtains held with gold curtain backs. The walls are striped navy and ivory cotton fabric.

The elevator is made from a single vintage Louis Vuitton trunk thought to have belonged to the Dokhan family.

Even though this hotel is part of a large chain of Radisson hotels, the ambiance and style evoke that of a family owned residence.

Le Dokhan is listed in teNeues' Cool Hotels Paris edition

available at the havesomedecorum bookshop

Visit the hotel's website at:

www.dokhan.paris.radissonsas.com

Hotel Particulier Montmartre

Paris

"In the heart of historical Montemartre between Avenue Junot and Rue Lepic nestled in a secret passageway Le Passage du Rocher de la Sorciere (the witch's rock passage) a big white townhouse Directoire style is hiding behind a discreet black gate," so says the hotel's website.

Reason enough.

Staying at this hotel is like a visiting your aristocratic avant garde great uncle's fabulously eclectic home. This is definitely not a Marriot hotel. Thank god.

In the "salon prive" the huge windows are framed out to show the garden as the artwork. The gardens were designed by the famous landscape architect, Louis Bénech, who designed the renovation of the Jardin des Tuileries. The salon showcases furniture designed by Meis Van der Roohe and an original Arne Jacobson "egg chair."

Renowned artists were invited to interpret their designs in each of the 5 suites. The above suite was designed by Pierre Fichefeux, an illustrator and art director. Other designers include Martine Aballéa, photographer Natacha Lesueur, Oliver Saillard and Philipe Mayaux.

FYI: The hotel takes doggies

Visit their website at:

www.hotel-particulier-montmartre.com

Charlotte Street Hotel

London

This hotel is just what you want for a cozy visit in London, even in the summer. Charlotte Street Hotel is one of a group of boutique hotels run by the Firmdale Group. Designer/owner Kit Kemp mastered this one. It "feels" like London inside. Cozy eclectic furnishings, fireplaces lit, candles glowing, afternoon tea (but not in a stuffy way) in the drawing room, books stocked in the library, movies in screening room. The bedrooms have dreamy duvets, fluffy towels, aromotherapy bath oils... all in a stylish hip setting for a 30's to 40's aged crowd.

The hotel is on a quaint street that looks like it should be in a movie. There are great restaurants (lots of delicious thai food) and pubs right outside the door.

The drawing room has a warm Michael S. Smith-ish feel with the blue paisley pillows and curtains.

The "library" had a discreet, fully stocked, off the wagon honor bar.

Charlotte Street Hotel also has an awesome screening room to watch Bridget Jones's Diary I and II, The Holiday, and Notting Hill over and over and over again.

Visit the hotel's website at:

Charlotte Street Hotel London

Rough Luxe Hotel

London

When I showed my daughter a picture the Rough Luxe hotel I booked, she looked at me like I had gone off the design deep end. You have to visit this 190 year old building (now transformed into a hotel) with an open mind, an wide open design mind. I loved it. This is how I would live naturally. On the hotel's Home at Last welcome page of their website reads, "Half rough, half luxury. A little bit of luxury in a rough part of London. A little bit of rough in luxurious London." Sold.

The genius hotel with its genius style was designed by genius designer Rabih Hage. Have you ever stripped wallpaper off of the wall of a very old house, witnessed that there was a layering of years and years of "Let's paint the walls pink," moments of inspiration all mottled together through years of partial sanding , repainting, wallpapering, and then painting again and then suddenly thought to yourself, "Oh my god, that's actually beautiful." Has that ever happened to you? Well it happened to the designer and that is why he is a genius. Rabih Hage had the forethought to leave the walls in their naturally layered loved state and then added contemporary artwork as the top coat.

If you do not like this, you might want to cancel your subscription to my blog because clearly we are not in design sync, nor will we ever be.

The hotel states that the "luxury" in the hotel (and in life for that matter) is how you are treated (and life's bed linens should be nice too, which they are here). The staff is so kind and welcoming. They mention, (because they do not have a restaurant) "If you are stuck for something to do in the evening, let us know and you can either eat with us or we can go out and grab a bite." That is a nicer welcome than I get at my own mother's house for god's sake.

The Rough Luxe is a very interesting design philosophy that is emerging on the scene. I hope it does not get out of hand like "shabby chic" did. The theory behind "rough luxe "is about the experience, the surrounding, the intrinsic value of objets, art, culture and the people surrounding us as well, "according to their website. You can join the "rough luxe" movement on their network if you adhere to certain qualifications which I have listed below from their website. This is how one should operate and design in everyday life.

ROUGH LUXE NETWORK CRITERIA

* Unique location of the business in an exclusive site or address (example: mountain retreat, a beach building or an important location in an international city).

* Special or unique architectural and/or historical building where the (Rough-Luxe) business is established or operating from.

* The interior and architectural design are based on the mix of old and new elements; showing original parts of the building, preserving the memory of the site and built environment as well as adding new, useful and original elements to the property.

* The design is based on a mix that looks random but in fact is done with a conscious transmission of social and philosophical messages that put intellectual enrichment prior to the physical well being.

* Rough-Luxe is about the exclusivity of the experience and its uniqueness in time.

* Physical comfort is important. However, it comes second to intellectual exchange of ideas and personal enrichment through the time spent in a Rough-Luxe business.

* The quality of food and beverages (organic and well chosen ingredients) is also part of Rough-Luxe priorities.

* Rough-Luxe will only have original art and design pieces (no copies or prints of existing art or design).

* Rough-Luxe will have rare books and poetry collections as well as original manuscripts.

* Rough-Luxe will have original and exclusive food providers and food ingredients based on ethical commerce and environmentally friendly methods of trade (to the best of the -Rough-Luxe- ability and knowledge).

* In a Rough-Luxe business; Luxury is original materials with a unique appearance and historical elements not solely rare materials and expensive finishes.

* Rough-Luxe concept is about location and material which give an intellectual and physical experience based on the provenance of the objects and goods.

To visit their website go to:

http://www.roughluxe.com/home.php

Mallorca Spain

I call it a hotel, she calls it home.

Les couleurs de la "Côte France"

2009-09-23T13:40:00.000-07:00

Côte France

This is a great company that makes "gen-u-i-ne" French furniture that adds some "pop" to a home. Cote France manufactures 17th, 18th and 19th century French furniture. Everything is handcrafted by one family of artisans since 1885. But the twist is that they have made some of their pieces modernized with eye popping finishes in hot pink, plum, red and turquoise.

I could see this 'Commode LXV' as a pair of bedside tables in an otherwise modern room. It would also be chic up against a black lacquered wall.

The colors are fresh and modern.

This 'Buffet Regence' would make a great sink base. I love the color...plum. It would also look great, as a pair, in a library.

In a small home office, who wouldn't want a little excitement with one of these 'Bureau Regence?'

This pink fushia 'Commode Gabriel Faure LXVI' would be stylish in a teenagers room with a modern rug.

I would work better if I had this 'Secretaire De Chalon Regence.'

I would look better if I had this 'Coiffeuse Napolion III' make-up table.

LOVE!!!!

Perfect little 'Commode LXV Poudreu' for a jewel box powder room, non?

Yes, white can be eye popping. I saw this 'Lit Bonaparte' in a design magazine years ago and I still love it. This would look pretty in a provencal style home with white linen sofas, pine herringbone floors, big giant pots with rosemary, thick flat braided jute rug, old or modern glass chandelier and gold mirrors.

Love the black and purple 'Bureau Dos D'Ane Louis LXV.'

Great coffee table

This company also manufactures the typical wood stain type of french furniture buy why bother when you can add furniture with a pop!

Visit their website at:

http://cotefrance.com

Magic Carpet Ride

2009-09-19T12:01:00.000-07:00

The Rug Company

I do not typically love new rugs. I am more of antique Oushak, seagrass, zebra rug kind of girl. But, I was pleasantly surprised when I opened The Rug Company catalog. The Rug Company has used noted designers including fashion designers and interior designers to create lines of rugs. Except in rare instances, I would only, in my not so humble design opinion, only use these contemporary rugs in an older style house/office/hotel. Otherwise it would look kinda dumb. But in a proper setting these rugs rock! Really....Look......

VW Flag

Designer Vivienne Westwood

Aubusson, Wool

As the English say,"Brilliant."

Love Heart

Designer Vivienne Westwood

100 knot Nepalese, Tibetan wool

This one could be tricky to place but in the exact right setting, it would be chic.

Stripe
Designer Paul Smith
100 knot Nepalese, Tibetan wool

Swirl Rug

Designer Paul Smith

100 knot Nepalese, Tibetan Wool

I think this rug gives great movement and flow to a room. It can also steer your eye towards a particular piece.

Ponti Red Rug

Designer Suzanne Sharp

100 knot Nepalese, Tibetan Wool

This room needed this rug.

This is both a utilitarian and beautiful rug in terms of pattern and color. It picks up the red in the mahogany panelling and the red in the leather sofa. Sometimes you just need a little RED!

Tudor Rose Red

Designer Neisha Crosland

100 knot Nepalese, Tibetan wool

This is a perfect example of how a rug can modernize an older setting. It is perfect. If one had used an antique rug in here it would look stuffy and dated. This room looks like it belongs to a chic boutique hotel in London.

Bishop's Cape
Designer Diane Von Furstenberg
150 knot Nepalese, Tibetan wool
This rug look great with this old dark paneling. The pattern mimics the scroll of the console, and ties in three shades of red from top to bottom from the coral color of the feather piece, the reddish pink candles and finally the maroon-ish rug.

Flytip
Designer collection
150 knot , Nepalese, wool and silk
This rug is, yes, a little out there with its images of cell phones, soda cans, tires, babies and diamond rings but in a bar/lounge in NY it would be perfect.

Squiggle
Designer Vivienne Westwood
150 knot, Nepalese, Tibetan wool
This rug has both a fab pattern and fab color. It pulls this landing all together.

Dragon Fly
Designer Nicky Haslem
100 knot, Nepalese, Tibetan wool
I cannot image a better rug for this room. It draws your eye right up those stairs and beyond with just a hint of red. Love it. Want it.

Greek Key

Designer Suzanne Sharp

100 knot, Nepalese, Tibetan wool

This rug bring this room "in." Looks refined with the bright white wallpaint and crystal sconces. This is good design.

Ushak Morocco
Designer Rug Company
Indian, wool and mohair
If this room had actual Moroccan tiles, it would be too hard and cold. This rug enables the room to have the Moroccan tile look without the coldness of tile. Great subtle color too.

Zephyr

Designer Kelly Wearstler

100 knot, Nepalese, Tibetan wool

This is another perfect example of modernizing a room. Without this type of rug, the joint would look like a museum. Now, the owner can utilize his antique collection in the 21st century. Its all about the mix.

Dippy Pink
Suzanne Sharp
100 Knot, Nepalese, Tibetan wool
Sometimes you just need a solid.

Durbar Hill
Designers Guild
100 knot, Nepalese, Tibetan wool and silk
Even though this is a modern room and a modern rug, the rug has an antique motif. The rug softens the sharpness of this room.

Tracery

Designer Kelly Wearstler

150 knot, Nepalese, Tibetan wool and silk

This is freaking genius.

Squiggle Orange
Designer Vivienne Westwood
150 knot, Nepalese, Tibetan wool
There are 3 different patterns here: wallpaper, pillow and rug.
They all work together creating a very pulled together eclectic look.
The pillow is Vivienne Westwood as well.

Blanket
Designer Suzanne Sharp
Needlepoint
Pop! Pop! Pop!
Okay, now typically I despise these quilty grandma things BUT this is needlepoint and in this instance, maybe only this instance, with this sweet floral chair and pillow it looks great. Don't try this one at home unless you have exactly that chair and pillow.

Star Pink
Designer Paul Smith
100 knot Nepalese,Tibetan wool
If I designed my daughters room like this, she would think I am the greatest mommy ever!!!!

Pale Swirl
Designer Paul Smith
100 knot, Nepalese, Tibetan wool and silk
Everything about this is perfection when pulled together as a room. The rug just swoops you up to the sofa and leaps to that wallpaper! The sofa acts as a breaker between the patterned wallpaper and the swirl rug. The colors of the rug are subtle yet full of life.

Tangle Aqua
Designer The Rug Company
150 knot, Nepalese, Tibetan wool
This rug centers the room and still highlights the otherwise dullness of the grey walls. This room needed a print like this. I like how the rug elongates the room and the doors elongate the walls and how they hung that chandelier short which adds height to the ceiling. All the features... the rug, the doors, the chandelier just stretch this room to subtle drama. Love it.

Yamamak

Designer The Rug Company

Turkish wool

I love this rug more than life itself. It's all my favorite antique rugs together!! Antique made modern. I first saw this rug at the Conran Shop in Paris. They had a huge stack and I just wanted to throw myself on them and wallow in its glory . Did I make myself clear about how much I love this rug?

Does anyone remember when Ralph Lauren did that "bohemian" look in the home section of his shop years ago? They had a rug like this...loved it then....love it now.

Cowhide Morocco
Designer The Rug Company
Turkish, cowhide and leather stitching
I like this rug because it is so different. Moroccan "tile" in cowhide for gods sake. I think this rug would look great in a ivory kitchen.

Blue Rink

Designer Kim Parker

100 knot, Nepalese, Tibetan wool

Adore!

It would be too easy to put this in a beach house. Maybe a London townhouse with dark hardwood floors and white high walls and a giant vase of pink peonies

Catella
Designer Emily Todhunter
100 knot, Nepalese, Tibetan wool and silk
This looks rich.

Check out the website and order a catalog
http://www.therugcompany.info

Karl Lagerfeld Is Better Than Us

2009-09-18T18:29:00.000-07:00

Karl Lagerfeld

I was in Paris in July and needed a walk so I decided to walk to the Colette store for some inspiration. I was looking to buy a chic looking camera not caring if it actually functioned or not. I just wanted it to look cool. As I was peering in the camera case, a man said to me, "This one is cool." I looked up and it was Karl Lagerfeld. Heart attack ensued.

Karl Lagerfeld's library invokes extreme clinical jealousy in me.

This is an amazing impromptu video that Karl Lagerfeld shot of the ballerina, Elena Glurdjidze, who came in for a tutu fitting and paid with a dance. The Dying Swan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq0cgaC_gaw

This is the best video ever!!! It was shot for Karl Lagerfeld's "cheap" clothing line for H&M ad campaign.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCTncDmPKvM

This is the hysterically brilliant documentary of Karl Lagerfeld.

Buy it through my havesomedecorum library

"There is a sort of melancholia which I find quite elegant after the "bimbo years."

Karl Lagerfeld

http://www.karllagerfeld.com

Julian Schnabel: Égoïste

2009-09-18T16:34:00.000-07:00

Julian Schnabel

If I won the lottery, found money in a tin buried in a field, received money from a rich family member's will, or maybe just worked harder... my first purchase would be a Julian Schnabel painting. I like everything about this man...his artwork, his apartment, his hotel, his pajamas, his ego AND I think he's a hottie.

His massive vibrant artwork is thrilling.

Palazzo Chupi

His pink apartment building in NY....FAB

His pajamas as daywear...chic

His beautifully elegant ex- wife designs the pajamas through her store....Olatz

http://www.olatz.com

Julian co-designed the Greenwich Village NY hotel featuring his art, as well as the art of Cy Twombly, Damian Hirst, and Jean-Michel Basquiat

http://www.gramercyparkhotel.com

Watch the video, see the ego.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sajnloTFvU

1stdibs Pick of the Week

2009-09-18T09:48:00.000-07:00

1stdibs...Amen

The mecca of online antiquing.

Nothing can replace the sheer thrill of getting up early, grabbing a latte, stuffing your bag with cash, checks, tape measure, camera and iphone (to email pix of course) and rushing to be the 1st to get the "good stuff" at any flea market, brocante, marche aux puce, swap meet, tag sale, rummage sale, garage sale, or estate sale. BUT, if you are sick, are not in Europe, have exhausted the Rose Bowl, or hate your neighbors stuff, 1stdibs is the end all in online antiquing. Obsessively so, I have literally spent hours on 1stdibs finding things I did not even know existed or needed with a passion. I remember when ebay first started and I would find something and wait wait wait and bid and as I called it, "WIN!" My father would say to me, "You did not win. You paid the highest amount and have to pay for it so you did not win." But to me it was winning. 1stdibs is a bit more sophisticated than ebay as you are not in a bidding war with 'laliquelover' from utah.
1stdibs has everything and I love to see their newest listings every week. So, I thought I would do my "pick of the week" from 1stdibs newest listings.
Here goes:

1stdibs Paris

Candice Barnes

1stdibs Paris

Les Pierre Antiques

The Antique and Artisan Center

Bourgeoise Boheme

Jacqueline Adams

1stdibs Paris

(Jansen)

m/n

That's it for this week.
http://www.1stdibs.com
http://ebay.com

Grasshopper Chair

2009-09-17T17:38:00.000-07:00

FK87 Grasshopper Chair

I saw this chair in May, 2007 on one of my favorite websites called Luxury Culture and I LOVED it. It was designed by a Danish design team called Fabricus/Kastholm (1968)

The lines are so chic and minimal. I think the leather looks well loved and has that perfect patina. It would look great in any room, any setting, anywhere. I do not know it it has sold or not.

http://www.luxuryculture.com

http://www.idbazaar.com

If the original is sold maybe do this reproduction grasshopper chair. It is available at a shop called Suite NY. The description states that it is available in black, natural, dark brown or cognac. I like the white for an office.

http://www.suiteny.com

Note to self: Save Venice

2009-09-17T15:31:00.000-07:00

Venice is sinking

The Save Venice Foundation is dutifully trying to salvage the glorious treasures of the city. The foundation's awesome website shows what historical artifacts are in need of repair, whether it be a painting or an entire church. The website further explains the history of the piece in need of restoration, the scope of the project, the proposed treatment of the project and who is sponsoring the project.

If you have been lucky enough to visit this city you know the awe of it, the allure of it, the depth of it, and hopefully the need to save it.

Currently, The Church of San Sebastiano is one of the monuments in Venice that is need of repair. The church dates from 1505. The famed Paolo Veronese paintings on canvas are threatened by decay. It is Save Venice to the rescue by pledging a muti-year effort to save the church and the canvases. This project in in need of additional funding! Talk about a worthy cause.

These ain't no regular ole benches.

These are 16th and 17th century walnut and cherry benches located in the Scola Tedesca which is a synagogue founded in 1528 by German Askenazi Jews and they need love! The benches have woodworm infestation that is threatening to deface completely their finely carved surfaces. The restoration project needs $9000 to complete the project.

Interestingly, Save Venice has a Young Friends of Venice chapter that introduces 20 and 30 somethings to the "artistic patrimony of Venice and to instill in them the desire to help preserve her timeless treasures." Furthermore, the group funds the students of the Instituto Veneto Restoration School to restore the projects. So, in doing this Young Friends of Venice helps finance the restoration of significant work AND supports the training and education of future restorers as well. Its a win win!

Check out the website, it is facinating.

http://www.savevenice.org

Serge Lutens Perfume

2009-09-17T12:36:00.000-07:00

'How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breath and height my soul can reach.'

Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

Sonnets from the Portuguese 1850

Palais Royal

Muscs Koubläi Khan

Serge Lutens in Morocco

"Perfume is a form of writing,

an ink,

a choice made in the first person,

the dot on the i,

A weapon,

a courteous gesture,

part of the instant,

a consequence."

Serge Lutens

Need I say more?

http://www.sergelutens.com

For the Love of Bonpoint

2009-09-15T19:58:00.000-07:00

Bonpoint makes having a baby worth it.

There are lots of Bonpoint shops but the one in Paris on rue de Tournon near Luxembourg Garden is the best. It is housed in a 17th century building, three stories, and smells like baby heaven. The design is so subtle, the colors so french, the clothes so refined. Their window displays are, as Rachel Zoe says, "Bananas."

The baby section is to die for and I have to always stop myself from screaming like an American, "oh my god this is so cute!" One time in the baby section for their display, they had those clear acrylic hospital nursery beds all lined up with ivory cashmere blankies in each ones with big fat naked baby dolls all wrapped up with little ivory cashmere stocking caps. There is something so elegant about an all ivory nursery.

See? Don't you want a baby, now?

Wouldn't this be THE CUTEST baby shower gift. Your friend would like you the most.

The perfume. Oh, the perfume. When you buy something, the girl lovingly wraps your goodies in tissue then places them in a darling delicate little cloth bag that is scented with their signature fragrance.

The scent lingers for years. I know because I still have the little cloth bag. My nice Pedro Garcia shoes are in it. My boyfriend sprays this on his son before he goes to school. Boyfriend is French, not gay. I spray it on my dog before he goes out too. Dog is French, and is gay.

The shoe department is to die for. Walls are a mural of the french countryside and they little shoes are perfection. No Stride Right here.

Oh, did I mention that it is super duper expensive?.... but who cares.

Is this the cutest Bonpoint baby ever?!!!! Its my nephew, William.

Check out the the Bonpoint website. Adorable

http://www.bonpoint.com

What the.....

2009-09-15T08:51:00.000-07:00

What is up with Restoration Hardware? It is looking great. Less leather more linen now. They apparently got new designers.

There are tons of things I liked but remember...easy on the theme room. Don't buy the whole store. My design philosophy is to mix. Mix eras, mix styles, mix fabrics, mix art etc etc etc Below are a few of my picks.

Hello!!!!! How great is this? A television easel!! The would look cool in a teenager's bedroom or a bathroom or my office. I wish it came in different colors.

I don't typically like these Chesterfield sofas but this room works for me in a Restoration Hardware sort of way. I really like the frames and images on the wall. Remember when Ralph Lauren did that "bohemian look?" This kinda reminds me of that. Kinda. I am faithful to Ralph.

I like the desk and I especially LOVE the chair.

I even like this Tibetan blue grey rug

http://www.restorationhardware.com

Great AD

2009-09-14T20:53:00.000-07:00

Isn't this a great ad. If I had a horse, which I never will because I am afraid it would eat me, I would decorate my horse like this for real. Anyway, the ad is great on so many levels.

Julien D'ys

2009-09-13T19:22:00.000-07:00

I read an article in Vogue magazine in March of 2009 about a "hair artist" named Julien D'Ys. When I started this blog I wanted to feature artists in whatever form they may come and he is definitely, in my book, a true artist. His given name is Pierrick Le Verge. Besides the fact that he did the "cut of all cuts" for model Linda Evangelista, he has worked for the fashion houses of Yves Saint Laurent, Galliano and Chanel. He has also worked with noted photographers such as Irving Penn, Steven Klein, Steven Meisel, Peter Lindbergh and Annie Leibovitz who shot the photograph above for Vogue magazine. His work and his craft make me think that he, in a past life, would have been working for Marie Antoinette. He is so far forward of everyone that he is in a league of his own.

Julien regularly contributes to the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute. Check out his video: http://models.com/oftheminute/?p=6150

The guy is so cool, I want him to be my friend. I'm gonna see if he is on facebook. Check out his creative thoughts and how he designs at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvvZ-l6PD5E

The Louvre and the Loud Family

2009-09-13T13:23:00.000-07:00

Lobby of George V Hotel Paris

Sunday, July 2009 Paris. It was a perfect day. It was one of those days that reminded me why I wanted to live in Paris in the first place. Woke up early, took my daughter to the American Church, said our prayers, and headed to the George V Hotel for tea. So far, so good...then the Loud Family arrived. As awful as they were it did not ruin my day. I actually enjoy watching people act like morons. It was interesting. Here is what happened. The George V Hotel is a very lovely hotel in Paris where you need to exercise your best manners and have some decorum for god's sake. So, my daughter and I are practicing our "ladylikeness" and in walks the most obnoxious family EVER! They made Americans look good. :) The family's entourage consisted of a mother, a personal travelling make up artist, two assistants, 2 chubby brat children, and 9 nannies/slaves in full suffocating black veils. The kids were rolling around the gorgeous carpet in the tea salon screaming and stuffing themselves with chocolate cakes, macaroons, eclairs, ice cream, flan, profiteroles, whipping cream everything. Total gluttony. The mother was just admiring the little dolls with a big smile on her face. The age 3 and 5 year old children were dressed in head to toe Louis Vuitton including purses. The entire room was just watching the show in horror. As we were leaving, just as I was thinking about how perfectly I have raised my daughter with good manners and good morals, very proud of my child rearing efforts, my daughter looks at me and says, "I want to live with them." So, on to the Louvre for some culture.

My daughter and I like to visit the Louvre more often but for less time. That way we are not overwhelmed in a single day. On this particular day, we came upon an exhibit called, 'Le Louvre pendant la Guerre.' The Louvre during the war. Facinating! The exhibit details the historical events that took place at the museum during the Second World War through a series of little seen photographs taken during the time. Due to the threat of war, museum officials had to protect the fate of its treasures. "The Mona Lisa left the Louvre on August 28, 1939 and on September 3, as war was declared, a decision was made that all the most treasured work would leave the Louvre by the end of the day."

Tanks at the Louvre

Ascent of La Victoire de Samothrace
Pierre Jahan (June 21, 1945)

Wow. How many lives has this statue had? From her birth to now. She holds up well amidst all of her travels.

La Venus de Milo

Laure Albin-Guillot (Sept 1939)

The precious antiquities were hastily removed from their pedestals with ropes and man power and carted away to chateaux in the french countryside safe from the danger of bombing.

Rembrandt Abandonné ( 1942?)

This is my favorite photo. So eery. If you look closely inside the frames it says "Rembrandt." Like, "Rembrandt was here."

Conversation entre antiques
Laure Albin- Guillot
These statues look like seniors waiting for the bus.
For more info:...go to the Louvre
To buy the exhibition book (only in French) go to:
http://www.boutiquesdemusees.fr

Valentino The Last Emperor

2009-09-10T15:30:00.001-07:00

Finally!!! I have waited forever to see this movie again. I saw it in the theatres and it was a treat!!! The movie is F-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c!!! Funny, poignant, insightful, lavish, tearful, and over the top drama. The love story between Valentino and Giancarlo Giammetti is hysterically beautiful. They have been together for 47 years. Unbelieveable...literally. I loved this movie because of statements like this from Valentino as told to Amy Larocca for NY Magazine, " “With the recession, it is very sad. I would be very sad to see so many dresses not sell. And now, all of the designers are doing the eighties. I hate the eighties,” he says. “I did it, and I hate it. When I go to see my dresses of the eighties, I vomit.” Reason enough the buy the movie. You can purchase the movie through havesomedecorum's bookshop.

Mis en Demeure. The Pottery Barn of France

2009-09-10T13:54:00.000-07:00

This is the retail store! Awesome.
There is a retail division and a wholesale division. I have been a customer of both. The retail shop in Paris shown above is absolutely marvelous. You will want to buy everything...but don't...because your house will look unauthentic. You just want a good mix of new and old. So, be choosy. The store in Paris is like the perfect Parisian apartment you dream of, except everything is a reproduction, but its a store so who cares. Two stories, room after room, with no detail missed. Wood floors, wood paneling, chandeliers...the whole deal. I was in this store forever! I dragged my unwilling daughter with me as usual and at hour 2 in the shop I thought she would attempt to emancipate herself from me legally. She probably had grounds at hour 3. I have listed below my top picks from the store. Go on their website for hundreds of fabulous items. www.misendemeure.fr

Mis en Demeure lamps were our best selling item. Or was that me stealing from my own store. Its just that they took so long to get to the store from France and I knew that it would be a while before we got them again so I felt it necessary to take all of them home.

I am obsessed with chinoiserie boxes. One can never have too many. Remember more is more. My grandmother started the obsession, it continued with my mother and now me. The real thing is ideal but these are GREAT reproductions. Seriously, I have them personally and they are exquisite.

These are great as a grouping....vertical on a skinny wall or horizontally over a bed. Love how they are so minimal.

We ordered a ton of these lanterns. I regret selling them. I would love to have these scattered around a garden. Would be so nice at a wedding as lanterns down the aisles. We showed them on every other step leading upstairs in our shop.

Maison et Objet Trade Show

2009-09-08T14:58:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have attended the show....you know. You know how amazing it is for us design addicts. For those of you who do not know....you need to know. Find a way, anyway to get there. It is worth the haul. I will recount my experiences at the show for you. I flew to Paris to attend the show with my mother/partner for our antique/home store in Santa Barbara called Circa. I had already shipped a 40 foot container from Paris to Santa Barbara filled with antiques that I had hand picked. That experience alone prepared me for the shipping/customs/fees etc etc that I would experience again getting another container home from the Maison show. So, I am excited as heck for this show. I can barely sleep the night before AND I had jet lagg. So, early in the morning we wake up, grab a latte and head for the train to take us to the show. I have been on the metro trust me and I know the crowded stinky sweaty strangers that are pressed up against you for the duration of the ride. I know this will occur BUT I was in for a real shock on the "hell train" to the Maison show. I have never ever been on a train so crowded with people in my life and it kept getting more crowded at each stop. There was more body odor from every country on the map than any girl can physically stand. I had to bury my nose in my scarf to survive. Then on top of that there was perfume from every country on the map as well. There was more...babies, pickpocketers, gypsies, teenagers etc all on this one train. I tried to manage it for a while chanting my calming mantra in my head over and over. Then the dizziness came, then the full fledge panic attack. I had to get off that train at the next stop. I didn't care if the stop was in the ghetto. I was getting off. So I did. And as my luck would have it, it was the ghetto. Did you know Paris has ugly parts? I did not know that either...until now. So,apparently ugly parts of Paris don't have taxis. Another lesson learned. After my panic attack subsided I made the decision to either be killed on the streets on the outskirts of Paris or smell sweat, BO and perfume and be literally felt up by passengers on the train. I picked the train. I had to get to the show for gods sake. So, here comes the next train and I am just waitin' to see the hell I have to endure and guess what? The train only had one very nice gentleman on it who was going to the show as well. My luck was turning around. Next stop: Design Mecca.
To sum it up beause it would take hours to describe the show, it is the greatest collection of new design offerings on the planet. Not everything is great. You have to have serious style and taste to weed through the crap just like any show but when you do find a source it is thrilling.
Now lets talk about the booths. These are not the typical booths that you see at any trade show. These people lay hardwood floors down! and tile! It is jaw dropping. One booth looked like an 18th century Parisian salon. I would show pictures but the "show police" were everywhere threatening to revoke passes if you took pictures. I have included my top 3 booths in this posting.

This is from a showroom named terra di siena. They make the most gorgeous reproductions of Italian furniture. I love this commode. The official name of it is Commode Veneta en bois naturel sculpté. It would look amazing in a beach house. It is raw sanded pine with bronze pulls. Love it. Check their website for more: www.terradisiena.fr

This is a lamp from an amazing store/showroom called Mis en Demeure. I will dedicate an entire posting to this company tomorrow but for now this is just one example of their pieces. In my opinon their reproduction lamps and accessories are some of the best. I sold out of these lamps within one week. The only problem with this company is that the shipping charges will kill ya. The pieces are well priced but by the time you pay the billion dollar shipping from Europe they are too expensive for customers. This company has a retail store and a wholesale line. Website for this is misendemeure.fr More on this tomorrow.

Third pick for the show is this company called Martine Goron. she is a Parisian artist who makes the most fabumous teapots. They are exquisite. I had the opportunity to design ours for our shop. I got to pick the color, the shape, the embellishments etc. The little teacups are so darling. The colors are so vivid. Again, expensive, but worth it. She does not have a website but they can be found at the show wholesale or at Dean and DeLuca or Neimans retail.

First Book I Love Today

2009-09-03T09:07:00.000-07:00

This book is my favorite of the day. Yes, another Assouline book. Casa Codognato is a jewelery house in Venice, Italy that opened its doors in 1866. The original owner was Simeone Codognato whom specialized in ancient paintings and objets d'art yet it was his son, Attilo, who decided to specialize in jewelry. Attilo was fascinated by the archaeological discoveries being made at that time in Eturia. Attilo "contributed with singular originality, to the birth of the Italian Archaeological Goldsmithing." The jewels are influenced with a lavish Byzantine and Roman style. He uses hard stones, cameos, intaglio, diamonds, sapphires,rubies and rock crystal to create his pieces. The lucky people who have owned some of these pieces include the Duchess of Windsor, Grace Kelly, Coco Chanel, Visconti Volpi, Serge Lifar, Diana Vreeland, Jean Cocteau, Manet, Whistler, Boudin, Queen Victoria, the Tsarina Alexandra. There seems to be a mystery about these jewels where you would feel as if you were let into a secret deep society by owning a piece. Lets all say a collective prayer that I get a piece one day. You can purchase the book from www.assouline.com
Simeone Codognato
I was lucky enough have the opportunity to visit the store last year. It was my first stop in Venice and as my luck would have it, it was closed! I nearly had a heart attack. What if it was closed for the season? What if they are closed for good? What if I never get in there? I had my face pressed up against the glass windows drooling at the gems willing the place to open. I could not even enjoy Venice until I got in there. Finally, 2 days later, it opens. We rang the bell and crossed our fingers that they would let us in. Miracle, they did. I had to maintain my composure and not act like an idiot American. I got in, looked around and was like, "Where's all the stuff?" Apparently, you have to know what you want and ask for it.
This is an example of Codognato's signature, sought after Moretto brooch circa 1950. The story behind these little masterpieces is that the name refers to Shakespeare's jealous husband character, Othello, the moor of Venice. Each Moretto is unique. " Their faces are ebony, their various features, swathed in glorious draped turbans,seemingly of moiré silk, often topped with saucy egrets or other plumes, their torsos are ornamented, covered in stonework, cameos, or intaglio of stupefying inventive splendor." Does it get better than that? The secret to these Moreeti is that the back is adorned with equal embellishment that only the owner can admire. Onassis bought one for Jackie.
Here is a funny story about these particular cufflinks. I thought I would "one up" my French fabulously sylish boyfriend by introducing him to the Codognato world. I showed him the book telling him how amazing this jewelry house was and blah blah blah going on and on thinking I had finally presented him with something he was unfamiliar with on the cool spectrum. He was just patiently, quietly listening to my tutorial on Codoganto as I flipped through the book. Then I showed him these cufflinks explaining that they were delicious, made in the 1930's in gold,diamonds and green tormaline, etc etc. He tells me to "wait", he gets up, and leaves the room. I thought he was once again bored with me but he reappeared in 2 minutes holding a little box. He handed it to me, I opened it, and inside were the cufflinks!!!!! Once again, he "pre-cooled me." He had bought them years before. Oh well, at least I get to look at them in person.
I will gladly accept any of these rings as my engagement ring, from anyone.
Is there anything more beautiful than that? I think not.

Number 2 Book I Love Today

2009-09-02T16:47:00.001-07:00

The name 'Dictator Style' is perfect for this book. Do not assume style means good style. This book, written by Peter York, is so interesting.The book illustrates the homes of dicators such as Josip Broz Tito, Idi Amin, Saddam Hussein, Benito Mussolini and Francisco Franco. Mr York writes, "Dictators' houses shows you what happens when people are left to exercise their fantasies, unrestrained by scale." PJ O'Rouke writes, " Saddam's chandelier was the size of a two-car garage. If reason for invading Iraq was wanted, felony interior decorating would have done."He is exactly right. It is interesting to see these dictators and their version of style.

This is the presidential railway train boudoir of Mexico's President, Jose de la Cruz Porfirio Diaz Mori. . Understated, non? Actually, I don't think it is that bad. Looks like Marie Antoinettes carriage. President Diaz died in exile in Paris.

Now this is frightening. This is Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos' bedroom. I would rather sleep in my car.

My perfect little house

2009-07-16T16:02:00.000-07:00

graffiti is an art form you know.....

2009-07-16T15:56:00.000-07:00

Who wants to buy this for me? Anyone?

2009-07-16T15:25:00.000-07:00

I saw this today in a teeny tiny art gallery in the Marais when I got lost on my walk. The artist is Gael Darrinche. He is only 38 years old. He studied at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux Arts in Paris. The painting does not have a frame per the artists instructions. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT. The description reads, " This is a work of the very famous self-portrait of Dürer in ricin, a contemporary of Béatus Rhénanus, a humaniste of the first part of the 16th century. " The artist takes the original portraits and reinterpretes them in a contemporary medium.
Price 7000 euros.

Chic Chandelier at MERCI store

2009-07-16T15:17:00.000-07:00

This is a chandelier I found today at the Merci charity shop. The description reads, " Lustre d'Africa du sud." The beads were thick wooden and chalky black. You can click on the picture to see the image larger.
3500 euros

Trendy store in paris...Conran

2009-07-15T11:10:00.000-07:00

Store is trendy....but I liked it.
Check it out if you are in Paris. Their website is eh...not so great...better in person.

How to look cool riding a bike...even in a dress

2009-07-15T11:01:00.000-07:00

Buy this bike....
795 euros at the Conran Store in Paris. Bike is made by a company called Brooks.

Dog Painter...portraits de chiens

2009-07-15T10:55:00.000-07:00

I was walking Leo and this man handed me his card. He only needs a picture of your pet and he will paint them. He does all sizes of paintings. His website is www.une-vie-de-chien.fr

Pierced chandelier

2009-07-15T10:53:00.001-07:00

Love this chandelier. I shall put it over my kitchen table or in the loo.

Best Find of the Week....www.koziel.fr

2009-07-15T09:16:00.000-07:00

Ok, so; this is the cutest chicest thing ever!!!
These are STICKERS!!!!!
Life size!!!!!!
The door is the best. You could take a little wall space on your wall, hang just a regular flat mirror, no frame, nothing. Then take a piece of ply wood, hinge it to the wall and put this door sticker on it and voila! awesome french door/mirror!!!
I will put the fireplace anywhere...maybe my bathroom.
I needed a headboard and now I can just stick one up!!!! Instant cute.
Look at the books.
Check out everything on the website for the company www.koziel.fr
LOVE IT!!!!!!

Great apartment

2009-07-15T04:08:00.000-07:00

Love this apartment. Freestanding. Own garage. 4 or 5 stories tall. Probably a courtyard.Lots of light. These are all things to look for in a apartment, right? I might change the blue paint to black. I like a little drama.

Perfect for dinner party gift to someone who isn't serving meatloaf.

2009-07-15T03:49:00.000-07:00

This is chic little candy. Flavors are cool....wasabi, bamboo, or (gold), sesame, myrtille. They looked like little crayons. Company is called

Must be a designer's Smart car

2009-07-15T03:44:00.000-07:00

LOOK HOW CUTE THIS SMART CAR IS? IT HAS CANING ( did I spell that correctly) ON THE SIDE!!!!!

Perfect green

2009-07-15T03:40:00.000-07:00

This is the perfect green. I want to go chip off a little bit to take so I can give it to the paint shop. Do you think the owners would mind? If the door were mine, I wouldn't mind. I would be flattered.

gorgeous console

2009-07-09T01:35:00.000-07:00

This is a gorgeous console. It is sanded down pine or oak. the legs are thin thin thin...not big chunky ones. this makes it so unique. guess what? there is a pair!!!!
circa 1800
price: i do not know yet. i forgot to ask.... I was so thrilled to find them

Have some decorum.....

2009-07-09T00:25:00.000-07:00

This is my first posting for this blog.
I think I have figured out what ( i think) I am good at and that is sourcing cool stuff. Mostly relating to design.
This could be:
a house
an author
an interior designer
an artist
a fabric
a perfume
a candle
a store
an antique piece of furniture
not an antique piece of furniture
a book (usually about design)
an exhibit
a garden
a frame
a place
a friend with style
the list goes on and on and on......so read on

I hate it when I read about something and I really like it and I cannot buy it right there so I will attempt to try to make it possible for you to purchase certain items if possible.