Glamorous Imbibing

To me, no home is complete without a fully stocked bar (perhaps this is a result of my days attending a university known for its partying!). For those of you who do not have the space for a built-in bar, why not try a bar cart? The ultimate cart for me would be of the antique chrome and glass variety. Until I have found "it", I'm thinking of purchasing one from Restoration Hardware. The Hanover Bar Cart is rather glamorous and looks quite similar to those I've seen in the auction catalogues. I might even consider replacing the clear glass with smoked glass.

For one's bar accoutrements, decanters are a must. While cut-crystal decanters are great, I am partial to rather plain ones; plain does not, however, mean boring. Moss, one of my favorite design stores in New York, has a beautiful crystal one made by Lobmeyr of Austria. Part of the Ambassador series, it was designed in 1925. It is very simple and very chic.

And for sterling silver bar tools, Tiffany & Co. is really the ultimate. The Century ice strainer and muddler would add just the right Deco touch to the whole setup.

Carolyne Roehm- Fall 2006

Carolyne Roehm's new Fall 2006 entertaining and gift collections have just been added to her website. She has three new collections: Louis XVI, Tapestry, and Luxe. There are so many beautiful items that I'm adding to my Christmas wish list, most especially her new line of Chocolate Limoges china.

The rich chocolate color with gold is so elegant. I'm really crazy about the tureen. Or, if you would prefer a pop of color, you may be interested in the Brique Limoges line- the coffeepot and demitasse sets would like so pretty on a tray for after-dinner coffee.

If you're interested to see what Roehm's own home looks like, there is a new interview with her on newyorksocialdiary.com- this is the first in a series of interviews entitled "The Way They Live". There are numerous pictures of her very stately and elegant New York apartment. Also make sure to read the interviews with various New York decorators that were part of their New York Social Diary Decorator series. There is a recent interview with one of my favorite designers Miles Redd.

Oscar Does Silver!

Oscar de la Renta Home has recently unveiled its new line for Lunt Silversmiths. There are three collections- City, Country, and Island, and in typical Oscar de la Renta fashion, it's all pretty fab.

I love the silverplate revere bowl with the robin's egg blue enamel- a great pop of color. And, if you want something more subtle, there is a sophisticated wooden revere bowl with silverplated trim.

And for something really graphic, what about the lacquered tray below? It reminds me of a painted floor that I once saw- I think one done by Albert Hadley.