Pigs, the new trend...

So I was literally just having a conversation about a necklace from Michele Varian's amazing shop, when it went from jewelry, to rabbits, to the Year of the Rabbit, to the Year of the Pig, to PIGS... The new trend!

Let's explore this... I love a good pig, don't get me wrong, but the new trend?  I don't know, let's see where this blog takes us...

During the conversation with Michele Varian and Ron Foo Chun, Ron posted a picture of this adorable guy because he was born in the Year of the Pig...

Photo courtesy @RonFooChun via Twitter

It got me thinking... I have used a pig or two in my own designs, one of which is actually one of my favorite creations... I've posted about this guy before, but Robert Kuo does such amazing lacquer work, that anything worth saying once, is worth a repeat... This cream lacquered pig seat that sits at the foot of this bed gives just the right amount of whimsy with the right amount of chic.  It's the perfect understated way to bring a little humor to a space with out it becoming a joke...

 

Also, another amazing creation from Mr. Kuo is this elegant indoor/outdoor hand carved garden stool.  This hunk of Chinese white marble was meticulously chiseled into this handsome little guy that would work in any style of garden or garden room for that matter... The great people over at Sutherland is where you can grab him.

There's always a need for a footstool or ottoman in a home, so why not this handsome one from Omersa and Company?...  He's sturdy, well crafted, and any library or den would be proud to have this bit of livestock taking up residence.

Finally if all these large scale pigs are just too much for you to handle in your home, then maybe just a classic piggy bank is the way to go... This Harry Allen pig bank was actually cast from a real pig that died of natural causes, and would look lovely anywhere from a cocktail table to your child's dresser... Super simple, super functional, and super chic!

So what do we think?  Cochon the new trend?  I don't know, but I can honestly say, I wouldn't mind if it did take off... Boy if pigs could fly...

Quick thank you...

I just wanted to extend my deepest gratitude to Emily Henderson, Design Star Season 5 Winner for her constant support.  She has the most awesome Online Manager in the world, Lana Migliore who works her butt off to ensure that Emily is always where she needs to be, meeting the people she needs to meet, and appearing in the best light possible, all while looking spectacular.  They are a team to be reckoned with, and I was so fortunate to be a part of a wonderful evening of talent, creatives, media, bloggers and friends last night.  I will be send out props to the amazing new friends and connections I've made, but first and foremost, this dream team of Design Delight, Emily and Lana... Many many thanks!

Photo taken by Duane Hosein

Fresh flowers, never fake...

I just participated in a wonderful chat about flowers the other day with my friends over at #DesignTV on Twitter and it got me thinking about some of my favorite flower options...  Personally I think you should ALWAYS go fresh and not fake.  There's not really a need to explain that, as it's just better. :)  Although I do have to say in the world of succulents, they have come out with some spectacularly faux versions, that I may give a free pass to...

I do think that fresh flowers can transform a room's static appearance to something more organic, homey, warm and luxurious...  The use of flowers or any greenery gives the room more appeal for not just your visual senses, but the amazing scents, the textural feel, it's an essential element in a well designed room...

I think the key to a really great arrangement in a space is restraint.  I prefer to use really no more than about 3 or 4 elements within an arrangement, then the true beauty of each piece is able to sing on it's own and not be drowned out by the visual noise of the competing flora and fauna. 

This is one of Bloom's signature arrangements of tulips... How gorgeously simple is this?  It's tactile, it's colorful, without throwing a thousand unnecessary colors into a space, and it's architectural in its form... Any room would be happy...

Bloom, Signature Tulips

Another one of my favorite "go to" florists in the city is Jane Packer... She has this aesthetic that I love, in celebrating the flower for what it is, and not having to over do it, and sugar coat it.  It's the greens speaking for themselves and the focal elements.  I particularly enjoy the name of this arrangement, "Wicked".

Jane Packer's Wicked arrangement

Lastly, sometimes nature in its purest state is the way to go... I love the smell of gardenia, it's just so lovely.  A small potted plant of blooming gardenia is the perfect way to dress up any area, the flowers are crisp and white, and will go into anyone's decor...