Diamonds and Spades and Clubs, Oh My!

I'm just crazy for these Ostrich Eggs painted with card motifs. In fact, I've always liked the card motif for as long as I can remember. This is rather surprising as I don't play cards. I even own two chocolate brown corduroy card table covers! I can't explain why.

Still, just because you don't host your own bridge parties and poker nights does not mean you can't be a card shark too!

(Image at top: Ostrich Egg Poker Diamond by Assouline, availabe at Vivre)


Assouline Ostrich Egg Poker Clover (also known as a club!), available at Vivre


Playing Card Dessert Plates from Tiffany & Co.


Mirrored Sconces with Card Motif, c. 1930s, at Marvin Alexander Inc.


Italian Arte Povera Cocktail Table with cards, available at Europa Antiques


Card Motif Matelasse by Brunschwig & Fils

Peter Dunham and Hollywood at Home

I just returned from a trip to California and was fortunate enough to visit some of Los Angeles' finest design shops. Seriously- I write about them so often that I had to see them firsthand. My biggest challenge was that there are just too many fabulous shops to visit in three days time. Still, I managed to see quite a few and thought I would share some photos with you this week.

One store that has generated buzz as of late is Peter Dunham's Hollywood At Home. The jewel box of a store, located behind Nathan Turner's fabulous shop, not only carries Dunham's eponymous line of fabrics but Carolina Irving's textile line as well. Quite truthfully, these two fabric lines are a match made in heaven. Additionally, the shop sells vintage design books, furniture, home fragrance, and accessories. I think what I like most about this shop, though, is that in a way you feel like you've walked into a witty and stylish salon where inspiration abounds. How could you not be charmed by a stairwell in which you can walk on a red carpet replete a velvet rope banister and Dunham's star print wallpaper? Get it? It's your very own red carpet moment!


Dunham's airy, breezy fabric:





Carolina Irving's fabric:






The Red Carpet:

Avery Noll

I'm always looking for fun new shops and online retailers, so it was with much excitement that I learned about Avery Noll, a great online retailer of vintage furniture and accessories. Owned by Dee Gardner and Delores Gardner-Thompson (a mother-daughter team- how great is that?), Avery Noll carries a fun mix of traditional antiques and contemporary pieces from the 1960s and 70s. Many of the pieces have been "refreshed" with new upholstery or lamp shades.

I recently purchased the bar cart (above) from Avery Noll, so I can attest to their excellent customer service (I had wanted to use an image of the bar cart in my home with all of my "stuff" on it, but unfortunately I haven't had time- so, I had to borrow the image from Avery Noll's website!). I had been searching for a stylish drinks cart, so I jumped when I spotted this one on the site. As much as I like the brass, I'm thinking about possibly replating it in chrome and adding antiqued mirror shelves to it (you know, for that glam 1930s look!). And this brings me to my next point- with such reasonable prices, you can buy a table or desk and tweak it to fit your design scheme... and you still won't break the bank.

Here are a few of my favorites from the site:


Faux bamboo metal end tables


Parchment table


Bamboo desk


Hand-painted fabric wall hanging

Let's Have a Party!

Recipe for a Fantasy Party:

Start with one of these:


Flat canopy tent from Raj Tent Club

To it, add one Madeline Weinrib rug:


Mandala Red and White rug by Madeline Weinrib

For a little comfort, add a heavy dose of pillows:


Winter Garden pillows by John Robshaw

Create a little mood lighting:


White Lantern from The Conran Shop

This is not the time for plastic plates and glassware:


Red etched tumblers from Global Table


Hermes Balcon plates

Why not add a little furniture:


Moroccan tables from Hollyhock


Ottoman from Ankasa

Don't forget about your party attire:


Mudra Silk Brocade Shawls from Passion for India

Mix the above, add a dash of adventure, and enjoy!

A VERY Happy Holiday from Charlotte Moss

Some of my favorite holiday gifts are those that are a collection of related items- think Fortnum & Mason gift hampers or Chanel no. 5 fragrance sets. They are a great way to experience the best of the best from these retail establishments. So I was excited to see that the Townhouse has put together very stylish gift boxes filled with all types of luxurious items. Whether it is an array of linens for a hostess, a library of design books, or an assortment of chic stationery, the collections all reflect Charlotte Moss' sense of style and flair. I also read that Moss' team will assemble a custom design/lifestyle library which is certainly a gift that one would never forget! And for those of you who want to treat yourself during this frenetic time of year? What about a charm bracelet or key ring with Moss' now iconic pagoda motif!


One of my favorites: The Stylish Desk, includes some of those wonderful notepads and pencils with witty quotations, post-it notes with Moss' pagoda motif, a weekly planner, and other fun desk items.


The Elegant Hostess- includes four hand-embroidered Valombreuse linen napkins, placemats, and guest towels. Your choice of twenty different embroidered designs- lily of the valley, daisy, orangerie, etc.


The Complete Decorator- Have someone on your list who is just starting to assemble a design library? What about giving this collection of books by Moss?

Karen Robertson Collection

Many of us were taken with Karen Robertson's hand tinted, framed sea fans that were featured in Southern Accents earlier this year. Recently, Robertson has expanded on the shell theme with a new line of pillows. The ultrasuede cushions feature stylized starfish, sand dollars, sea horses, and other creatures. What a stylish gift for those on your holiday gift list who live in warmer climes. Or, perhaps a stylish gift for you as you dream about Summer which is many months away!

A Fashionable Fruit

The pineapple has gone glam! Long a symbol of hospitality, the pineapple motif has been part of the American decorative arts for centuries. And, for many years, the poor pineapple has been relegated to second rate design and Williamsburg inspired kitsch. But no more! This exotic fruit that hid its light under a bushel is stepping out and is ready to take up the mantle of chicness for the 21st century.


"Pineapple" wallpaper by Studio Printworks


"Isadora Silver" crystal pineapple by William Yeoward


"Harbour Court" fabric at Lewis & Sheron


Pair of Pineapple Lamps, circa 1950-60, attributed to Maison Charles; available at Tom Thomas


Pineapple basin set at P.E. Guerin

Photo at top: The Pineapple, an architectural folly in Dunmore Park, Scotland

Coleen & Company

Coleen & Company, located in Newport Beach, California, is a fantastic shop that sells an array of glamorous furniture and accessories. With a sharp eye for unusual pieces, designer Coleen Rider sells to some of the country's most prominent interior designers. Her store was also mentioned a few times in the June/July Domino article on designer Krista Ewart, who has incorporated some of Coleen's pieces into her own home (specifically the Blanc de Chine lamp in the bedroom and the painting in the living room).

In addition to antique and vintage pieces, Rider has also expanded into custom design. One of my favorite designs is the set of 3 hand-painted Chinoiserie panels. Seen below, these grisaille panels are just beautiful. Coleen is also planning to expand her custom offerings in the very near future with more stylish ideas. And just because you may not live near Coleen's shop, never fear- her inventory can be purchased on her website and shipped to your destination.


Vignette in Coleen & Company


Vintage Brass Chiavari Chair with Tiger Velvet Upholstery


1950's Italian Tole Console


Custom Hand Painted Grisaille Chinoiserie Panels


Blanc de Chine Bird Lamp

Hi-Lo Style

For the times when we want to achieve the look for less, here are some high-end inspired look alikes:

If you're a fan of Clarence House's "Flowering Quince" wallpaper, seen above in the home of Domino editor Sara Ruffin Costello, you can achieve a similar look with Urban Outfitter's "Flowering Branch" bedspread:





This modern Chinoiserie lantern from Mallett is "price upon request". If that's enough to make you click the page, perhaps you might like the Bamboo Chandelier below from Gump's.





We're still having a Baroque moment, and this porcelain mirror from Vivre would make Dorothy Draper proud. For something a little less opulent (and less expensive), the mirror below from Jayson Home is a more subtle nod to this over the top style.






Coffee, Tea, or Sea?...Tiffany & Co.'s "Sea Urchin" teapot and its more ornate counterpart "Reef" teapot at Anthropologie below





Shell chic- Ruzzetti and Gow's version above, and the more affordable ones from Williams Sonoma Home below