Looking Ahead to Fall Part 2

In addition to the Bilhuber book below, here are some other upcoming releases that rank high on my wish list:


Mlinaric on Decorating. I really don't know a lot about English design impresario David Mlinaric, so I'm looking forward to this release. I'll give you a peek of this book next week.


Michael S. Smith Houses. I think we can all agree that this book will be one of the hottest releases this Fall.


Celerie Kemble: To Your Taste: Creating Modern Rooms with a Traditional Twist. I'm a fan of Kemble's work, so this will be a must-have for me. I haven't heard a lot of buzz about this book, but with a November release date, perhaps it's just a matter of time.


Regency Redux by Emily Eerdmans. I wrote about this book a while back, and believe me, my anticipation grows greater by the day. I think this book will be the breakthrough hit of the season.

Domino: The Book of Decorating. With the Domino name and a $32 price tag, this book will end up on most of our book shelves.

Georgian Style and Design: Living with Proportion and Elegance by Henrietta Spencer-Churchill. Everyone with a design library needs at least one Spencer-Churchill book. Or even two or three!


French Chic: The Art of Decorating Houses by Florence de Dampierre. With photos by Tim Street-Porter, this book is sure to be gorgeous.

Looking Ahead to Fall

It's not even Summer yet and I'm already looking ahead to all of the great Fall book releases. Crazy, huh? One book that I'm excited about is Jeffrey Bilhuber: Defining Luxury. In the book, Bilhuber explores luxury- what it means and why we need it in our daily lives. To Bilhuber, luxury can be found in small things like fresh flowers or in grand statement pieces. But more importantly, he writes that "Luxury is cultivated from the inside out, not the outside in." So true! The book features gorgeous photos of Bilhuber's work, including many projects that have not been published before. Here is a sneak peek of a few of Bilhuber's projects that made it into the book.

Joe Nye New York

I had the chance to visit the showroom of Joe Nye New York last week, and I was not disappointed! There are so many great pieces there that I was ready to ship half of the store home to Atlanta. Many of the finds can be attributed to Joe himself, while others are courtesy of the guys from Downtown. (I mean really, is this not a winning combination? Joe is the walking embodiment of style with a capital "S", while David and Robert of Downtown know what's going to be hot eons before the rest of us do.)

What really caught my eye was a new line of hand-forged wrought iron and steel patio furniture that is being sold at JNNY. The chairs, benches, and tables (the large basket-shaped one doubles as a planter) are powder coated in a choice of sixteen different colors, although custom colors can be special ordered (all pieces are made here in the States). And they don't rust! To me, the furniture looks a bit Elsie de Wolfe with some Mathieu Mategot and Rene Prou thrown in for good measure. How neat are these shield-back chairs?





Here is just a sample of what was in the showroom last week. If you see anything of interest, I encourage you to contact Karen at the showroom. She is really knowledgeable and nice too! (Tel. 212-486-7551)

For Those of You Planning a Spring Event...

I know many of you are in the throes of planning Spring parties and charity events, and believe me, I know that it can be daunting to decide on a scheme for an event. Sometimes all it takes is a spark... which is why I thought I would show some images from last week's New York City Ballet Spring Gala which was designed by none other than Charlotte Moss in collaboration with the talented DeJuan Stroud. (Moss and her husband Barry S. Friedberg were also Chairmen on the event.)

The event kicked off the Ballet's Jerome Robbins Celebration, so naturally the evening's program included such Robbins' works as Circus Polka, The Four Seasons, and of course West Side Story Suite. It was the graphic backdrop of this last piece that inspired the design duo's scheme for the event: yellow and black. I think this was an interesting choice because this color combination is graphic and gutsy and is not usually seen in Moss' residential work. But this is where Moss and Stroud were absolutely correct- when planning an event, sometimes you've got to think big and bold. What might work in a small room at home might fall flat in a large space, especially one like Lincoln Center.

Stroud and Moss, seen above attending to pre-gala details, kept things interesting by mixing up the table settings. Some tables had yellow cloths and small arrangements of yellow roses and protea, while others were all about black- black tablecloths, big black vases, and tall branches of forsythia.








Mixing up the table settings keeps things interesting.

Of course, the table settings are not the only things that need to be considered. What to do with the general atmosphere of the space? Are there architectural details that can be incorporated into your design scheme? Are there large voids that need to be attended to? In a place like Lincoln Center, it was important to make sure guests did not feel overwhelmed by the vastness of the space. I think they managed the space issue quite successfully, both with the tall masses of yellow flowering branches and with the yellow sculptural pieces hanging from the ceiling. And how great does the yellow and black striped banner look behind the Nadelman sculpture?


Bringing a large space down to size


It's all about the details

I hope that these tips might help you in planning your next event. With a little creativity, forethought, and careful planning, not only will your party be a success, but you too will be cool as a cucumber the night of the event. Just like Charlotte Moss.


Moss making her entrance at the Gala.

(For more information on the New York City Ballet, click here.)

(Image of Moss at top courtesy of Erin Baiano/Paul Kolnik studio. Decor shots and image of Moss at bottom: Mary Hilliard.)

Benjamin Dhong Interiors

It's Decorator Showhouse season again! Currently underway is one of the top showhouses in the country, the San Francisco Decorator Showcase. Benjamin Dhong, an interior designer who is designing for his very first showhouse, has created a really serene and elegant bathroom. Dhong was inspired by a trip through Sweden last summer where he saw rooms that were "a dazzling mix of high and low end furniture." Wanting to achieve a mix of traditional and contemporary, Dhong covered the walls in a very soothing, soft faux bois. But there's nothing rustic about this bathroom. I love the tailored shower curtain, table skirt, and curtain. And don't you just love the mirror and the smart little Saarinen stools? I think it's safe to say that Benjamin Dhong is definitely a designer to watch!

Los Angeles Antiques Show

The Los Angeles Antiques Show is wrapping up today, and from everything I've heard it sounded like a stellar event. A friend of mine was kind enough to take photos of some exhibitors' booths, which I'm sharing with you today. Looks like we missed a great show!





All I can say is "Wow!" I love this booth designed by Joe Nye. So chic! And notice the stylish use of Nye's beloved carnations.






Those clever owners of Downtown are always ahead of the curve. This year they featured a few pieces by the late Mexican designer Arturo Pani. I believe they are reproducing Pani's designs, including the small scroll table in the second photo.



The very elegant booth of Hollyhock. Notice how the exquisite furniture takes center stage.

Marjorie Skouras Design

Much of my summer jewelry is heavy on the coral and turquoise beads- it's a great way to add some color to your wardrobe. And perhaps the same could be said for your lighting too. What about some turquoise and coral on your chandeliers and sconces? I think that the designs below by Los Angeles interior designer Marjorie Skouras are so striking, especially the turquoise bead chandelier. While Skouras' lighting line would be perfect for beach homes, I can actually see them working quite well in interiors in colder climates too. In addition to lighting, Skouras also designs accessories such as tiebacks, hardware, and candlesticks, not to mention furniture too. I've included a few of her pieces here as well as some photos from her design portfolio. Enjoy!


An eclectic room designed by Marjorie Skouras


Turquoise Empire Chandelier


Red Coral Sconce


Coral Tieback

Image at top: A Skouras designed room filled with pretty shades of pink, blue, and greens.

See You Soon!

I'm traveling over the next two weeks, so posting will be a bit spotty. I'll be back posting full-time in early May. See you soon!

Chic Events Underway at Winterthur

Exciting things are happening at Winterthur, that glorious Delaware estate of the late Henry Frances du Pont. And for all of us who are interested in design and decorative arts, the events should be right up our alley!

First up is the Double Vision exhibit (March 8-May 18, 2008) which focuses on the design of Winterthur during the 1930's. Why is it named "Double Vision" you ask? Well, Winterthur has an amazing collection of stereographs (three-dimensional images) that were taken of the rooms at Winterthur in 1935 and 1938. Visitors will be able to wear special 3-D glasses to view the stereographs, which I can only imagine will make one feel as if he were actually in the room. Some of the rooms remain the same today, while others have changed over the years. It should be interesting to see how 1930's trends may have influenced du Pont's design choices.

And for even more on 1930's design, you should consider attending the "Chic It Up!" design conference, to be held at Winterthur on May 16-17, 2008. Frances Elkins, 1930's textiles, and Delano & Aldrich are just a few of the topics that will be covered. Speakers include Peter Pennoyer, Stephen Salny, R. Louis Bofferding, J. Thomas Savage, and Eric Cohler. Sounds like a stellar line-up to me!

For more information, visit Winterthur's website.

Chinese Parlor: In this large room guests would gather to play bridge or for drinks before dinner. Chinese hand-painted wallpaper was the height of exotic fashion in the 1930s. The room was always filled with flowers selected to complement the colors of the wallpaper. (Photo: Courtesy, Winterthur Archives)


White Parlor (Empire Parlor): Long before he discovered Americana, H.F. du Pont admired and collected French furniture and decorative arts. Many of the furnishings in this view came from the family's New York apartment. Perhaps as a nod to the family's ancestry, The White Parlor at Winterthur remained furnished in the French taste until the space became the Empire Parlor in 1940. (Photo: Courtesy, Winterthur Archives)


Port Royal Parlor: The 18th century furniture and paneling in this room, which served as the reception room for guests, is meant to suggest the colonial era. However, the abundance of notable pieces and the expanded size of the room taken from a house near Philadelphia are more in the 30s mode. This large room demonstrates du Pont's preference for symmetry and careful placement of furniture. (Photo: Courtesy, Winterthur Archives)


The Enclosed Porch: Many country houses featured an open loggia or arcade overlooking a terrace or garden. They provided a shady refuge on a warm, sunny day, or shelter on a slightly chilly one. The checkerboard patterned floor, the pale blue iron chairs and yellow bamboo, the urns and bright accent of the flowers all reflect popular 1930s style. (Photo: Courtesy, Winterthur Archives)

Image at top: Henry Francis du Pont was photographed in front of the Montmorenci staircase, the centerpoint of his revision of the house. (Photo by André Kertész; Courtesy, Winterthur Archives).

What's in Their Library: Charlotte Moss

Charlotte Moss, like so many of the great decorators, believes that books are one of a room's best accessories. And she is certainly one who practices what she preaches. Her Manhattan home is filled with an amazing collection of books on an array of subjects: design, architecture, art. In fact, her East Hampton home has a library devoted entirely to gardening. Sounds like heaven, right? Her love of books is also apparent at The Townhouse. There is a wonderful array of books on fashion, decoration, etiquette, entertaining, and biographies that are all available for purchase.

I did ask Moss how she organized her impressive collection of books. Because she does use her books for reference and inspiration, they are organized by subject. (That makes perfect sense to me!). I also quizzed her on the jacket vs. no jacket debate. She leaves her books' jackets on as so many of them are art in their own right.

So, without further ado, here is Charlotte Moss' List of Top Ten Books. I think you'll find her choices as timeless as her design. And as she writes in her new book A Flair for Living: "Reading has a magical way of letting you live the moment."



Billy Baldwin Decorates by Billy Baldwin



Colefax & Fowler: The Best in English Interior Decoration by Chester Jones



The Art and Technique of Color Photography by Alexander Liberman



The Decoration of Houses by Edith Wharton and Ogden Codman Jr.



Jansen Decoration



Legendary Decorators of the Twentieth Century by Mark Hampton



A Passion for Flowers by Carolyne Roehm



Roomscapes: The Decorative Architecture of Renzo Mongiardino by Renzo Mongiardino



The House in Good Taste by Elsie de Wolfe



Vogue's Book of Houses, Gardens, People, photographed by Horst, text by Valentine Lawford, forward by Diana Vreeland

A Flair for Living

I've just finished reading Charlotte Moss' new book A Flair for Living- for the second time. I've long been a fan of both Moss and her beautiful books, and this new release did not disappoint.

In "A Flair for Living", Moss gives us a room by room tour of her gorgeous home (and the homes of a few of her clients). For each room, Moss shares with us her views on creating environments that are beautiful, comfortable, and most importantly functional. And while design and decoration are important, Moss emphasizes "Living". After all, a well-designed room with no life is really rather empty, isn't it?

In the introduction, Moss writes of her admiration for Nancy Lancaster and John Fowler, two designers who possessed the ability and skill to "humanize" a room. In my opinion, Moss has taken up the mantle of these two design legends, and quite successfully I might add. In "A Flair for Living", Moss discusses the importance of getting the bones of the room right. Furniture placement is obviously quite critical- you have to create a room that is conducive to daily living and entertaining. But Moss does not stop here. She discusses ways to imbue warmth into a room through objects, personal mementos, and books. Many times it's the details that can bring one so much joy. I won't spoil the book for you, but I do encourage you to read it. The text is certainly very inspiring, but I think once you see the gorgeous photographs in the book you will be anxious to hone your own flair for living.

Moss was kind enough to spend some time chatting with me about her new book and design in general. I asked her how her views on design and living have changed in the last twenty years. Moss said that she came to realize that interior design is not just about decoration- it's about making sure that the clients have what they need to "live" after the design project is over. Moss encourages her clients to relax and enjoy their home, and she gives them the tools they need to do so. Fortunately for us, "A Flair for Living" gives us the same sage advice that Moss doles out to her clients.

We also discussed gracious living and whether this concept is dying out (something which I very much fear). Moss believes that if you give people the history behind traditions- whether it be traditions involving entertaining, flatware, or books, for example- that you make these things relevant. People will understand these traditions and might in fact start to seek out the comfort of the past.

Of course, anytime we read books by designers, we inevitably want to know about specifics. I asked Moss to name the items that really make a room come alive. Among them are books that one actually reads (Amen!), flowers, people, a good fire, fragrance, personal objects, and a floor plan that is conducive to conversation. But most importantly, she feels a room needs people to come alive. So true.

Knowing that Moss has traveled extensively, I was curious as to the kind of homes that made the biggest impression on her. Moss mentioned her fascination with grand homes because of their level of detail and because that type of grandeur is incomprehensible. But the type of home that speaks most to Moss is one that is classically French- something simple and constructed of stucco and limestone. But most of all, Moss' favorite kind of home is one that is warm and layered.

Finally, I just had to dish on The Townhouse with Moss. The shop is just so beautiful that you feel as if you've been transported to an incredibly beautiful, elegant, glamorous, and spunky home. I asked Moss who she saw as the fictional homeowner of The Townhouse. To Moss, it would be someone who has lots of interests and a great deal of energy, a person who is spirited and curious, a traveler, a people gatherer, and someone who entertains all of the time. I think that this fictitious chatelaine of The Townhouse and Charlotte Moss have a great deal in common!

(To purchase "A Flair for Living", click here. And check back tomorrow for Charlotte Moss' Top Ten Book List.)


How gorgeous is this bedroom? This is just one of the many sumptuous photographs in Moss' book.

John Stefanidis and his Terrific Table Settings

John Stefanidis is truly a master of design. What appeals to me about his work is that he mixes the traditional with the contemporary with aplomb. But what you may or may know is that he is also quite skilled at setting a beautiful and gracious table. With an eye for detail, Stefanidis can create sophisticated table settings for a home in Belgravia as well as charming, casual tableaux for lunch at a farmhouse (a chic farmhouse, mind you).

Stefanidis was kind enough to share with us some photos of his various table settings. He also listed information pertaining to the flatware, glassware, fabrics, etc. I know that this is very helpful to me as I tend to study photos like these- with my magnifying glass of course!

And just to see if you're on your toes, John thought it would be fun to present us with a quiz on the image at top. Well, I failed the quiz. I only answered two questions correctly. Hopefully, you'll fare better than I. (And I won't make you wait until tomorrow for the answers. I've included them at the very end of the post.)

Quiz:
Q: What is the base of the table made of?

Q: What is the table top made of?

Q: What are the cushions on the ballroom chairs called?

Q: Where are the lettuce leaf centrepiece and matching plates made?

Q: Where was the silver woven bread basket made?

Q: Who made the champagne and white spiral water glasses?

Q: Walls- marble or faux?



Dramatic Dining on the East Coast
Original 19th c. Dufour wallpaper depicting Telemachus on the island of Calypso
Fibre optic lighting illuminates the walls
Pull-up blinds in unlined eau-de-nil taffeta with knife-pleated frills
Chairs covered in raised velvet stripe
Antique silver candlesticks
English silver cutlery and china


18th Century House in London
John Stefanidis designed round table painted to look like parchment
Cy Twombly Painting. *Stefanidis writes that "one should not turn away from contemporary art in all its manifestations but incorporate it in one's life"
Rug: pink Spanish with Arabic inscription
Centrepiece: Indonesian bowl- container for rice and condiments used for taking offerings to a temple
Glasses: 19th c. French with gilt decoration
Plates: Wedgwood
Boxes: Indian


Dual Purpose Area
Stefanidis designed table: low oak side table is hydraulically controlled so that it can be raised for eating. Geometrical veneer patterns.
Banquette seating stretches across and fills the alcove to maximise the seating area.
Table set with chop sticks and china spoons for a Japanese meal. Black and red place settings reinforce the oriental theme.
Silver shells.


Country Breakfast in Dorset
Tablecloth- blue and white striped ticking
Blue and white Spode table setting
Polished cherrywood top on slatted radiator cover used as sideboard
Silver coffee pots
Blue and white Chinese plates and bowls in bookcase
Venetian glasses with blue spiral design
Stefanidis designed chair with "Scritch-Scratch" fabric loose covers


Farmhouse Lunch
Crisp white linen tablecloth with pulled thread work design
Plates- bespoke designed by Millington-Drake
Stefanidis designed chair with "Scritch-Scratch" fabric loose covers
Venetian glassware
Brick flooring
19th c. nursery clock
Tall storage cupboard for china and glass
Antique straw beehive


Stylish Dining in Belgravia
Stefanidis designed oval terracotta red lacquer dining table; the oval shape allows an additional two guests to be seated than if the table was circular.
Antique silver candlesticks
Stencilled walls with design inspired by the pattern on a Japanese kimono
Stefanidis candlestick lamp
Antique glassware
Silk beige and brown striped curtains with attached fringe pelmets
Lacquered sideboard with display of Chinese plates



Caribbean Dining Pavilion
Glass sliding doors and pinoleum blinds to protect guests from the wind and sun.
Table top made of cement hammered to look like jet black slate. The base is a cement drum with a pebble inlay.
Cane chairs with braided rawhide
Centrepiece with bougainvillea and jasmine flowers
Plates: Leaf design from Tiffany
Cutlery: Bamboo design


Al Fresco Dining
Circular table covered in Stefanidis designed fabric- "Stripes"
Brown terracotta plates from Este in Italy
Venetian glassware with red spiral design
Centrepiece: pink pelargonium 'Milden'
Canvas umbrella
Garden seats: Stefanidis design in naturally weathered iroko
Basket weave tiled terrace

Answers to the quiz:
A: Rusticated cement and pebbles
A: Polished Purbeck stone
A: Buttoned squabs
A: Florida
A: Mexico
A: Venini
A: Faux- invented marble in tones of grey and lilac