Let's play, I wonder where they live?...

I just love all the photos that Tommy Ton snaps for GQ during fashion week of all the uber-styled patrons of couture...  I was just scrolling through a few of his albums from this past season during his European whirlwind tour, and thought, I wonder where these well groomed gents all live, and what that would look like... So I just did a fun little experiment pairing random strangers images with an interior I could see them inhabiting...

So this first guy obviously is not afraid of pattern or color, so I pictured him resting his weary head in a clean and simple bedroom from Decor Pad. The furnishings are classic, with pops of pattern and color used in just the right proportions to not overwhelm the space, and not make it too feminine...

Tommy Ton photo for GQ.com

Photo from Decor Pad

What can you get from a wrist shot, and a fragment of this dude's trousers... Well, I think he's not scared of bold, but likes the edgy feel...  The muted colors are what I think he may gravitate towards, but with some Rock and Roll elements in the room... I saw this from Andrew Martin and thought this would be perfect...

Tommy Ton photo for GQ.com

Andrew Martin at DCOTA

Classically handsome guy, with a definite sense of style, and probably a great respect for vintage, patinas, but also utilitarianism...  I immediately though of Roman and Williams and saw this photo from Habitual Chic's blog on the amazing couple, and saw this guy comfortably planning out his wardrobe for the next 3 months there!...

Tommy Ton photo for GQ.com

Photo from Habitual Chic, Roman and Williams Home Office

CLEARLY the right choice...

So many colors, so many materials, so many options for awesome furniture designs... What if we took all the guess work and chromatism out of the equation and were left with the form of the object to speak on it's own... And by speak on its own, I mean in a whisper...

The beauty of acrylic, plexi, glass or crystal furnishings is it can literally go into any environment because it clashes with nothing... It's also a great way to fool the eye to give the illusion of more space, because your sight line is never broken...  I've put together some of the most practical and interesting transparent pieces out there...

Gus Modern Acrylic I-Beam Table

Axle Acrylic Desk by Alexandra Von Furstenberg

Ghost of a Chair by VAL

Philippe Starck's Ghost Buster

My very own clear creation (photo courtesy HGTV.com)

Channeling my energy in awesomeness!...

Just one of those things I love that, if you will allow me rant on for a little bit... I love a good channel... Not talking ABC, NBC, or Bravo, but the technique of creating a texture and rhythm using a textile in parallel lines to each other... This can be done through simple stitching of the fabric or can be created with segments placed side by side, in regular or irregular stripes if you will...

Channeling a fabric or leather is the perfect way for a solid textile to have a pattern...  One of the most recognizable applications is the Eames Executive Chair...

Ergonomically speaking it adds a bit of heft to the seat and back to give it a slight cushiness, but ultimately it gives visual interest to the chair... Image this without the channels sewn in... It would be the most boring piece of leather wrapping this frame...

It's a popular treatment especially in bedding situations... You find it a lot in coverlets, pillow shams and even headboards... Many down comforters are channeled or box quilted to keep the down from traveling all throughout the blanket to keep an even warmth...  Below are some of the channeled pillows from Ann Gish as well as the great headboard wall at the Eventi Hotel in NYC...

Ann Gish

Eventi Hotel

Another feature that I noticed at the Eventi Hotel during my last stay was the amazing leather bench in the elevator vestibule right off the lobby.  It was this amazing channeling job, but done in irregular widths creating such movement... I loved it immediately...  The over the top flower explosion I could do without, but hey, you can't win them all...

Eventi Hotel

Upholstered pieces can make a very strong statement depending on the size of the channels and the purpose of the piece... A sofa that I've specified for a client is the ultimate is this look...  This De Sede sofa is a masterpiece in workmanship, and undoubtedly a very specific look and not for all, but it is channeled and segmented almost to the point of looking like a serpent's skeleton, which is kind of awesome!

De Sede Sofa

Go channel surfing the next time you're torn with what to do with a simple and plain fabric you love...

Perfection as art...

I was just thinking about a couple of the past projects I've done, and one came to mind where the client, whom shall remain nameless was on quite a spending spree, and needed some glassware for this gorgeous modern hi-gloss white lacquer and stainless bar built for his viewing room...  So what's a designer with a large budget to do?  Why go over to Baccarat of course... Of course...

So I purchased quite a bit on that shopping spree, totaling just over $22,000 in glasses... Yeah, it was a good day that day!  But some of my favorite goblets were purchased that day, which were designed by the insanely genius mind of Philippe Starck.  Check these AiE Harcourt Goblets out, which Starck decided to imbed into each glass another color of crystal in the glass while still molten... "The AïE style evokes the shock of a meteorite suddenly frozen like a baroque stone in the planetary imperfection of cut crystal."

Such a gorgeous goblet...  Now what's even more amazing is the technical feat that goes into making a single glass... Baccarat has such high standard with their products, that in general it takes about 6 tries to get a flawless piece...  Meaning they scrap 5 out of every 6 goblets on average!  How ridiculous is that!  The quality control is so stringent, and perfecting this is why the price points are so much more.  I think it's such an honorable thing to do, especially when, to the layman, none of these flaws would be immediately evident.

So, what happened was a brilliant idea, again spawned from Starck, an installation if you will of the process it takes Baccarat to perfect a single glass, by showcasing the "flawed" ones alongside it.  Thus the Un Parfait Boxed Set was born.

In each set, "Philippe Starck examines the difficulty in achieving perfection with this boxed set—one perfect goblet and five others, each with a subtle flaw."

• From the Darkside Collection.
• Goblets, no. 3 Harcourt black full-lead crystal; set of six. Each, 5 1/2"H.
• Set includes Un Parfait ("perfect one," shown left) and Cinq Imparfaits ("five imperfects," shown right).
• Un parfait, sits atop a red silk pillow. Numbered and signed by Baccarat and Philippe Starck on foot.
• Cinq Imparfaits, sits atop a base covered in black silk. Each inscribed with "B" for Baccarat, Starck's "+" logo, and "Imperfect."
• Case, clear; inscribed with a Jean Cocteau quote, "A l'impossible je suis tenu" (I am obliged to do the impossible)

Is that just not the coolest concept?  I love the set, showing the pride this company takes in what it does... It's the perfect, expensive gift to give for anyone who literally has it all, and can appreciate perfection at its finest in the form of art... Retailing for about $2,400.00 it's a lot to pay, considering you really only get one "good" goblet out of the bunch, but I love it nonetheless!

And life goes on...

So I got the chance to catch up with someone today, that I know gets a very polarized reaction to... Miss Cathy Hobbs, my fellow cast mate on Design Star... She was portrayed at times in a very unflattering light, but I'd like you all to know that behind the editing, she's actually quite lovely.  We both agreed that the show was an amazing experience, but would like to look forward now to the potential the future holds for all of the 11 designers that did not "get their show produced".

We sat, and laughed, and commiserated about the intensity of a reality series, and the aftermath.  It was such a nice time actually talking to each other, while not under big brother's watch.  We met at the most charming little cafe called Lily O'Brien's Irish Chocolate Cafe on the south side of Bryant Park...  If you're in the neighborhood, check out their Dark Hot Chocolate and be a little adventurous and try one of their Bacon Macaroons!... Yeah, you heard me... BACON!  I was like having your morning bacon with pancakes, and dipping in the maple syrup... Delish!...

Long story short people, there's two sides to everything, and things on TV aren't always what they are made out to be.  Spread positive vibes in the world, and don't be a hater... Hating, and hateful negative comments are basically the equivalent to bullying, which I don't tolerate.  TV is a powerful medium that can change perceptions, so just be aware of that the next time you're thinking about passing judgement over someone.  Love and be loved people...

Lighting... It's a powerful interior element....

I was just scanning a bunch of different showrooms and sites over the past couple days searching for a very specific and oversized chandelier for a client, and it just made me re-appreciate (if that's even a word) the amazing ceiling mounted fixtures out there... I just wanted to share of few of my favorites.  All completely different from each other, but all beautiful in their own rite...

Restoration Hardware's Foucault's Twin-Orb Iron Chandelier

Baccarat's Zenith Midnight Chandelier

David Weeks 403Aluminum Bullet Chandelier

Alison Berger's Custom Chandelier

Hudson Furniture Inc.'s Black Dragon

I'm kind of in love with all of them, but I have to say especially this last one!  OMG, how sick is that!... I bought another chandelier from them not too long ago, and this Black Nickel finish was not around... Wow!  Seriously, dying...

Another shot of the Black Dragon, well, because... Well... I want to wear it!...

Artistic Frame? New Space, New Look, Consistently awesome product...

Roaming around the Decorators and Designers Building at 979 Third Avenue in NYC is my normal routine.  This is where I source, not all, but a lot of fabrics, furniture, accessories, etc.  I was on the 17th floor, and glanced down the hallway to a rainbow of colors!  The Artistic Frame company is one of the "go to" places for, "if you can dream it, they will figure it out, and build it" kind of places....  They already have hundreds of different chairs and sofas in their repertoire, but are constantly looking to what's new and innovative...

The first thing you see when coming into the showroom is a spectrum of prints!...  This is a new line of custom fabrics that you can actually print any image you want on it, then upholster away!  Super fun, and a definite statement piece in anyone's home.

They do the whimsical as well... Again your imagination is the director of what is possible.  This chair, which I'm kind of loving was picked up by the hotelier giant Ian Schrager for a project he did...

Artistic Frame also does casegoods... Above is just a sample of the amazing slabs of wood you can use on a dining table, or a more innovative material like the undulating wood blocks that you could turn into a stunning cocktail table, topping it with a thick piece of glass... Amazing!

So, if you were used to walking down Third Avenue before and seeing the large chair back from street level, and now the storefront looks bare, it's because they moved inside, but are still going strong, and looking spectacular!

Genius... BOFFO!

So I get a random email from my husband today to go down to 50 Walker Street, something about Nicola Formichetti...  I had no idea what it all meant till I got down there and saw the interior of this store!  It was like you were inside a brilliantly cut diamond... It sparkled, it shined, light danced around the room on all the facets adhered to the walls, the ceiling, even the floor.  It was a spectacle.  After the initial gasp of amazement I realize that there's merchandise everywhere, and pretty freaking cool merchandise.  An assortment of clothing, accessories, jewelry, books, and everything in between.

Photo courtesy Boffo-ny.org

Where am I?  Well I'm in a pop up store that was created by Boffo.  In their own words, "Boffo Building Fashion is a series of collaborations celebrating architecture and fashion design.  BOFFO fosters collaborations between artists, designers, community, theorists, and the media in the exploration of contemporary subject matter that informs and educates the public, through innovative, participatory arts and culture programming.  BOFFO is the conduit between the emerging and the established, the obscure and the adored, the profound and the profane.  BOFFO is always on the move, repurposing unexpected spaces.  All projects are open to the public.  Boffo is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, based in New York City."

Amazing!  Just amazing... I love when there's a cause behind something fabulous, and this is the perfect way to celebrate all that is creative...  At the helm of this latest project is Nicola Formichetti. This guy is a genius, and the creative force behind Mugler, Uniqlo and the many memorable looks from Lady Gaga, not to mention the fashion director at Vogue Hommes Japan.  Born in Japan to an Italian father and Japanese mother, his style is a blending of the international influences, which I of course totally relate to and admire.  So he's a busy boy, but still kind of looks really HOT!...

Photo courtesy NicolaFormichetti.com

So the concept for what was going on at 50 Walker Street was a synergy between Formichetti and the architectural firm of Gage/Clemenceau Architects.  Mark Foster Gage says, "The space is a faceted, robotic, mirrored chapel that, through millions of reflections, produces stunning environment to view fashion in surprising new ways."  That's not a lie, it's a shopping experience like no other!

Photo courtesy NicolaFormichetti.com

This amazing installation is only around till September 21st, so there's very little time to get there, but if you have the opportunity or means, go down... I haven't experienced anything as moving since the Alexander McQueen, Savage Beauty exhibit at The Met... GO!... That's all I have to say, go...

Happy Little Moments

So I was just putting together a few things today at a client/friend's place and I stepped back and smiled at the perfect little snapshot that went off in my head.  We still have a bunch of things to do in the space, like paint, and accessorize, but the seeds of something awesome are there.  I found this amazing vintage dresser that I fell in love with, along with one of those ridiculously beautiful Color Reform rugs from ABC... Then I came across this chair, and thought, it was interesting.  I showed it to my buddy and he was like, "Really?!... A yellow chair!".  I told him it was chartreuse, and yes, it would be perfect.  Just these 3 major elements, popped with a bamboo fiber throw, and fun graphic pillow creates such a "Happy Little Moment" in my book... Kind of loving it!...

McQueen exhibit is gone, but that doesn't mean you can't appreciate him everyday...

I knew that this line was out, but just forgot to write about it, even though I could hardly contain myself when I discovered it... The Rug Company has a series of rugs and a small assortment of cushions designed by the master of avant garde fashion.  I died when I was walking down Wooster Street, and glanced into the window and saw this beautiful rug displayed on the wall right off the entry, then the light hit it just right and silk started to shimmer, and I then noticed what I was looking at... It was dozens of skulls over the entire surface of this rug.  I would've never noticed, since at first glance it appeared to just be a nondescript textural element.

Skull

I know this has been out for a little bit, but just having seen the remarkable Savage Beauty exhibit at The Met, I was just in that frame of mind... And kind of still am... Loving McQueen, and his artistic genius.

Now it's not just all macabre, but ethereal and aspirational... Check out these two rugs, one is called Feathers and the other Hummingbird.  I love the subtle graphic and soft textural elements Feathers portrays, but then almost the polar opposite is Hummingbird.  It looks like digital photography on the rug... Just amazing!

Feathers

Hummingbird

I will admit that these rugs are not for everyone, and are quite costly, but it's like a piece of iconography literally at your feet... I simply find them to be individual jewels all on their own.  If a rug is too much of a statement or investment, try a cushion...

There's always room for a skull pillow... Right?!...

Love a gorgeous showroom, but we love an interactive one even more!...

So I attended a tweetup on Wednesday for the grand opening of the Axor showroom in NYC.  Wow!  What a beautiful space. 

It showcases all of the Axor and Hansgrohe products in a clean and contemporary setting, but the kicker is that you can actually play with the products and see them function!  That's so so smart in my book.  What people want besides a good looking product, is one that works, and now the proof is there to experience. 

This is Russ Wheeler showing off the multiple setting on one of their many hand held shower offerings.  The showroom is done in such a way where things are presented on simple black cubes on varying planes, so there's visual interest to the entire suite, but everything is approachable.  I like to not feel intimidated when walking into showrooms, and this definitely didn't have that heir of, "don't touch". 

What I also enjoy about this particular space is that it's shared with Vitra and Prouve RAW.  This is a full experience, it's not just looking and experiencing faucets, it's now furniture and accessories to tickle your fancy.  Just love that...

I also learned that the Axor brand isn't afraid of finishes, and there's a whole display of custom finishes they offer.  I just wanted to highlight this gold faucet... Yeah, I said it...  GOLD!  I WANT!!!

Tying up some loose ends...

In the past 2 days, I don't know what's going on but I've seen a lot of rope... Yeah, rope... I stopped off at one of my favorite vendors to talk about some custom lighting fixtures, and I noticed something on the workroom table.  He was creating a lampshade out of rope... How hot is that?

Tell me that is not going to be super chic!  How awesome is that idea?  I LOVE it!!! I'm so looking forward to the completed design!

Then I stopped off in the Cassina showroom, and noticed all these amazing black and white paintings on the walls.  They were all various shapes, and lines, interweaving with each other in this harmonious way.  It looked like a close detail of  the lampshade above... The artist I found out is a talented man by the name of Medad.  I'm very intrigued by the simplicity, but complexity of this latest collection of works.

Then perusing sites for pretty things, I came across these fun rope ottomans...  The Seafarer's Rope Ottoman is a perfect little addition to any room.  The natural rope, with it's organic texture and weave, but composed in the perfect sort of pouf is a welcome seating addition for anyone's aesthetic...

Finally the reigning master of all things rope, Christian Astuguevieille knows no boundaries when it comes to manipulating this nautical material into all that is luxurious.  His furniture and fixtures are individual pieces of art.  The precision and detail on each piece is just impeccable.  Here are just a few of examples of his artistry...

Seriously, could anything be more divine than this chair?!... It's basically haute couture for chairs.  The manipulation of the rope to create this gorgeous and effortless draping effect, then finished off in gold, is just... Uuhhh... Speechless!...