Games Tables

In the current issue of Elle Decor, Emma Jane Pilkington and Juan Montoya extol the virtues of games tables and compare various ones on the market. Games tables are great accent pieces to have around the house. They are of course useful for card games but also as a small dining table (which Pilkington mentions more than once) or as a table on which to display a collection. If your taste is more traditional, there are some beautiful antique tables out there. If you prefer a mid-century look, there are an abundance of 20th c. games tables available- remember, mahjongg and canasta used to be quite popular in the 1950s and 60s. And if space is an issue, the triangular, flip top-style table would be perfect in the corner of a room.


White Leather Games Table at Mecox Gardens

Red Lattice Games Table at Downtown/Joe Nye New York




Louis XV style French walnut games table at Piranesi

Table at top: Late 19th c. English lacquered games table from 1stdibs.com

Quadrille Fabrics

As Spring and its promise of warmer weather is right around the corner, now is the perfect time for you to reevaluate your interior and consider lightening things up. Out with the wools and in with the cotton and linen! Billy Baldwin suggested having two sets of slipcovers made for upholstered furniture- one set for summer and one for winter. While this may seem a bit extravagant, Baldwin had a point- who wants to spend the warm weather months lounging around on a pile of wool pillows?

The most appropriate fabrics for Spring and Summer are, in my opinion, cotton and linen. Why not change out those heavy curtains for some breezy linen panels in a solid color? And to add dash to your room, how about having some pillows made in a graphic- print linen or cotton? Some of the best summery graphic prints around are by Quadrille. Here are a few that would look great in a beach house and a city apartment:


"Saya Gata" in Orange on Linen by Alan Campbell at Quadrille


"Deauville" in French Blue by Alan Campbell at Quadrille

"Textura" in French Blue on Linen, China Seas Collection at Quadrille

Image at top is "Ziggurat" in Brown in Linen/Cotton, China Seas Collection at Quadrille

(All images courtesy of Quadrille Inc.)

Paper Lined Bookshelves

An old designer trick is to paint the backs of bookshelves a contrasting or darker color in order to create depth and interest. This trick definitely comes in handy if you're displaying objects in the bookshelves. Remember how great Todd Romano's antique Queen's Ware looked against the black backs of his bookshelves? Another look that I'm really taken with is the use of decorative paper on the backs of the shelves. I remember seeing a room published in which the decorator (I believe Steven Gambrel, but please correct me if I'm wrong) lined the shelves with marbleized paper. The design on the paper gives such interest to plain shelves and makes them seem more dramatic. I most recently saw the paper trick again in Christopher Spitzmiller's glorious apartment which has convinced me that I should try this someday!

Todd Romano's Manhattan home in Elle Decor, Jan '07

Christopher Spitzmiller's home

Bookish Dining Rooms

I have longed admired the look of books in a dining room. The library/dining room combination is certainly nothing new, but I think it's a great way to create warmth in a dining room. On the flip side, it gives the book lover an additional room in which to store books. This room multi-functionality is perfect for apartment dwellers and for those with small homes. If you own a large home with a formal dining room, why not take a small den, turn it into a library, and then use it for informal or small dinner parties?



(image at top of Alex and Eliza Bolen's dining room; bottom image is James Andrew's dining room)

Update on Lulu DK for Matouk Linens

I know that many of us are anxious to see the Lulu DK for Matouk linens in person. Gracious Home in New York is now carrying the line, although for the time being only at its' East Side location. Their website does say, however, that the other locations as well as the website will be selling the line soon. I suppose that for those of us who don't live in NYC, we'll just have to get our fix over the web!

(images courtesy of Lulu DK Matouk website)

Upcoming Book Releases

It seems that my wish list on Amazon just keeps getting longer and longer, especially since there are so many exciting book releases in 2007. I'm anxious to get my hands on these books, but alas, it looks like I'll have to wait a little while! Here are a few that I'm looking forward to:



"Privileged Life: Celebrating Wasp Style" by Susanna Salk. I know that I already mentioned this book a while back, but I think this is going to be a good one. Alyssa at Petite Tresor was kind enough to alert me to an update on the book over on the Fashionista website. Jackie O, Grace Kelly, C.Z. Guest- what more do I need to say?

"Florence Broadhurst: Her Secret & Extraordinary Lives" by Helen O'Neill. A biography on the tragic life of Broadhurst, an Australian designer. Her wallpaper designs have a cult following to this day.

"Decorating Is Fun! How To Be Your Own Decorator" by Dorothy Draper (my idol!). I have a first edition copy of this 1939 classic, and I truly treasure it. Draper writes in such a light-hearted manner, and her decorating tips are certainly applicable today.

Isabelle de Borchgrave for Target

Was anyone else as taken with these chair covers in today's Home & Garden section of the New York Times? According to the article, Isabelle de Borchgrave has created a new paper line for Target called "Isabelle Party" that is set to debut this month. de Borchgrave is a Belgian artist whose work is quite varied. She is best known for creating stunning paper dresses and costumes that represent the history of fashion. The collection, entitled Papiers a la Mode, was a collaboration with Rita Brown, a Canadian costume designer. de Borchgrave has also designed china for Gien and napkins and papergoods for Caspari.

The chairs covers can supposedly be sponged off and reused, and I'm assuming the same can be done to the tablecloths. I love the floral prints that de Borchgrave has designed. To me, they look a little like a Porthault print!

Paper dress from Papiers a la Mode collection (image courtesy of de Borchgrave's website)

Another paper dress from Papiers a la Mode (image from de Borchgrave's site)

de Borchgrave designed china from Gien


de Borchgrave design for Caspari

(image at top courtesy of New York Times)

Geometric Print Rugs

If you're looking for a geometric print rug that is a little tamer than those David Hicks patterns, you may want to consider one from Elson & Company. The company, which weaves Tibetan and dhurrie rugs, has a very sophisticated collection of rugs. The colors tend to be soft, and the patterns are not at all jarring. What is most exciting, though, is that Oscar de la Renta and Lulu de Kwiatkowski have both designed rugs for Elson. And for those of you who adore Lulu DK's "Chant" (myself included), you can now purchase a rug in this pattern (see image above)!

"Madison" in Sky by Lulu DK

"Manisalez" Dhurrie by Oscar de la Renta

"Pasajes Blu" Dhurrie by Oscar de la Renta

"Caceres" Tibetan by Oscar de la Renta

(All images courtesy of Elson & Company)

de Gournay Porcelain

de Gournay is best known for its magnificent handpainted wallpapers, but what you may not know is that they also create exquisite porcelain dinner services and figurines. With a factory in China that employs skilled craftsmen, de Gournay is able to manufacture porcelain much in the same way that it was produced hundreds of years ago for the East India Company. Although these reproductions are not true Chinese Export, they would certainly be a worthy addition to one's collection.

(All photos courtesy of de Gournay)

Shopping in Atlanta

A reader asked me the other day to post some of my favorite shops in Atlanta, New York, and LA. Unfortunately, I've only been to LA once, and it was so long ago that I can't remember where I went! I can, however, talk about Atlanta and New York. This week I'll post about shopping in Atlanta with an emphasis on design/home furnishings/accessories. For those of you who live in Atlanta or have visited the city, I would love for you to add your favorites to this list! Look for New York shopping next week.

Furniture/Antiques
Belvedere- 996 Huff Road. This shop, owned by Julia-Carr Bayler, has been at the top of my list since it opened almost 10 years ago. Specializing in mid-20th c. pieces, the look is glamour and elegance. No clunky furniture here. They also carry Christopher Spitzmiller lamps and Jonathan Adler pillows and ceramics.

Scott Antique Market- This monthly antiques market is legendary both in Atlanta and beyond. It's a great place to find reasonably priced antiques. There is a lot of ground to cover, so wear your walking shoes!

Travis Antiques- Galleries at Peachtree Hills. A great source for 20th c. French furniture, paintings, and accessories. This store is open to the public. Travis and Company also has a wonderful showroom in ADAC (Atlanta Decorative Arts Center), which unfortunately is to the trade only.

Interiors Market- 55 Bennett St. Comprised of numerous antiques dealers' stalls, this is a great place in which to spend half a day. Many different styles can be found here: French and English antiques, mid-20th c., etc.

Linen
Belle Chambre- 318 Pharr Road. I love this shop for beautiful table and bed linens as well as candles and soaps.

Home Accessories
Lush Life- 146 E. Andrew Dr. Great accessories such as crystal obelisks, coral, sterling silver shells, cachepots, and candles. They also create lovely floral arrangements.

Boxwoods Gardens & Gifts- 100 E. Andrew Dr. A traditional gardening/home decoration shop. Boxwoods has wonderful plants and garden urns. In addition, it's a perfect place to find a hostess gift. Great antique furniture and porcelain, too.

Beth Ann- 47 Irby Ave. Beth Ann's background is in makeup consultation and application. Over the years, however, she expanded into jewelry and accessories. Recently, she branched out into home accessories, and she carries items such as cocktail napkins, candles, and decorative items. You can also purchase furniture from Bungalow 5 from her.

This is just a *short* list as I could go on and on. Please share with me any shops that you like!

Todd Alexander Romano

I'm excited to report that Todd Romano now has a website! I have long admired Romano's interior design prowess. His "look" is what I consider to be updated traditional. He mixes traditional furnishings with contemporary ones, giving a youthful vibe to a room, and the decorative accessories that he uses are always unique and appropriate. I think that where Romano really excels, though, is in his use of color. Bold, clear colors can be found in his interiors, either on the walls as a backdrop or in his choice of upholstery and accessories.

In addition to his interior design business, Romano owns an eponymous shop on Lexington Ave. which is filled with wonderful antiques and decorative accessories. This is also the place to go if you are looking for Christopher Spitzmiller lamps and de Gournay wallcovering.

Here are a few photos of his portfolio that I got from his website (www.toddromanohome.com). And the next time you're in NYC, go to his shop. You won't be disappointed!

(All photos courtesy of Todd Romano Home)

Spectacular Beds

I adore glamorous beds. I'm not just talking about the linens but the bed itself. It seems like the ultimate luxury. While I do agree that one's bedroom should be an escape from the world, a "cocoon" so to speak, most of us tend to be quite practical and focus our energy (and funds) on the "public" rooms of one's house. This certainly makes sense as guests rarely make it past the kitchen, dining room, or living room. I thought I would share some fantasy beds that would truly be the showstopper of any bedroom.

Who does a bedroom better than Miles Redd? This iron bed has been seen in a few of his clients' bedrooms. I like the sculptural aspect of it.

This has to be my all-time favorite bed. Doris Duke bought this bed from Gimbel's, and it was part of the Doris Duke Collection auction at Christie's a few years ago. The Chinoiserie top is simply perfection!



This bed was in a McMillen room from many years ago. Although the bed is quite ornate, it is the canopy that once again makes this bed stunning.

Claus Porto Soaps

There are so many lines of soaps on the market today that the array is dizzying. How many soaps, however, are wrapped in such gorgeous packages that one hates to throw them away? That's the way I feel about Claus Porto soaps. One of the premier soap makers in the world, Claus Porto of Portugal has been making soaps since 1887. It is the soaps' wrappers, though, that I treasure (although the soaps do smell divine). The Art Deco-looking designs are originals from Claus Porto's archives. The soaps come in bar sizes, pastille sizes (perfect for one's powder room), and now in liquid soap pumps. The pumps would be a stylish addition to one's kitchen. They also make candles, but unfortunately the candle votives are not quite as decorative as the box it comes in!