Let's ease into our work week, shall we? Perhaps a little sojourn to a villa in Northern Italy? Sounds nice, doesn't it?
Christine, a kind reader who divides her time between Milan and her husband's rice farm in the province of Pavia, Northern Italy (isn't that the life!), sent me a link to an auction house that was selling off the contents of Villa Coardi di Carpeneto Mazza, an old patrician estate in Genestrello . Christine had the opportunity to visit the villa during the sale, and she said that what captivated her was the understated decoration of the house. The architecture is pretty stunning, but when you look at the furnishings, they're actually fairly quiet. After viewing the photos, I completely agree with Christine. Although, what also captivates me are all of the fabulous floors throughout the house. I'd love to replicate the look in my home, but I'm guessing that Lumber Liquidators won't be much help. Anyway, happy Monday to you.
(All images from Wannenes Art Auction catalogue.)
Last week was one of those weeks. You know the kind; they go from bad to worse. When I found myself playing Morrissey on my ipod one too many times, I realized that it was time to, in the words of Cher, "Snap out of it!" But how? Well, a few fun books always help, so that was the first course of action. (By the way, see Morrissey there at top? I totally know how he feels.)
Thank goodness for Rebecca Moses new book, A Life of Style
Then it was on to shoes. Manolos, that is. Of course, what would really help me add a little spring to my step would be a new pair of Manolos. Alas, not this week. But the second best thing might be Manolo's New Shoes
I was feeling immensely better. But books alone don't banish the blues or even the mean reds. It takes a few other things, like candles. My new favorite ones are by Matouk. They smell divine, but I'm not sure what I like more- the scent or the packaging. Burn one, or a few, of these and, as Rebecca Moses said, it will send your bad mood running.
And of course, looking at this little guy on his brand new bed makes me very happy. It was a gift from Chelsea and Sabina at Fleabag Bed, and it's perfect for the both of us. Alfie likes it because it's comfy, and I like the glam metallic silver print fabric.
Wow, I feel like a new woman!
(Moses images from A Life of Style: Fashion, Home, Entertaining
I'm big on signs. Not signs as in signage, but rather an indication that something is meant to be. You know, like there are no such things as coincidences. That kind of thing.
So late last week, I received an email telling me that Chanel has a new fragrance, Beige. Now, when some companies use the word beige to describe a product, you can be fairly certain that it's dull. Kind of dingy and like dishwater. But when Chanel uses Beige as the moniker for their new fragrance, well, it seems kind of chic. There's beige, and there's beige. You know what I mean?
Interestingly enough, the first thing to pop into my head- after the thought of "Wow, Chanel has a new fragrance", of course- was the image of Kitty Miller's London living room as decorated by Billy Baldwin. There's beige in that room, but there is nothing vanilla about it. That room sizzles in an elegant kind of way. I always said that if I were to go neutral in my home, I would use the Kitty Miller room as inspiration.
My favorite beige room ever, that of Kitty Miller.
And then, guess what arrived in the mail later that day? The review copy of Billy Baldwin: The Great American Decorator
A new favorite book.
What's interesting is that I associate the word beige with Baldwin. Sure, Baldwin used some beige in his own apartment and in projects for others, but he also loved color. Really intense color. And he was quite good with it. It was Truex who was the master of beige. In fact, Lewis writes that Baldwin once said "Someday Van is going to beige himself to death."
Truex's beige living room; certainly not deathly looking to me.
So, what's the sign here? Does all of this portend that I'm supposed to go beige in my apartment? Maybe, but my high-gloss Farrow & Ball blue walls cost a fortune, and I'm not changing them anytime soon. Perhaps I should start wearing the new Chanel fragrance? (I don't know as I'm about to take the plunge with Gucci Guilty which I wrote about a few months back.) Or maybe this was all a big build-up to the arrival of the new Baldwin book which I'll review soon. Who knows? But one more thing: I'm going to hear Adam Lewis speak on Billy B. in a few weeks at the San Francisco Antiques Show. You see? It's a sign.
(Baldwin photo from Billy Baldwin Decorates
Fall is a great time to curl up with a book on entertaining. After all, at some point in the next few months, you'll be entertaining whether it's for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, or New Year's. I just got through reading a really great book that gives the reader a behind the scenes look at how some of Manhattan's tastemakers entertain. New York Parties: Private Views
Jamee was kind enough to chat with me last week about her book and the subject of entertaining. When asked why write a book on entertaining, Jamee responded that she wanted to document all of the great parties that she was attending. Parties by their nature are ephemeral, so she wanted to be able to give them some sense of permanency. And when asked why New York, she replied that New York hosts and hostesses often pull out all of the stops. Thank goodness there are still people who have the time, energy, and desire (and, okay, the means) to entertain at home.
Food, of course, is one of the most important components to successful entertaining, but Jamee stressed in both the book and in our interview that it does not have to be elaborate. Case in point? Tory Burch hosted a luncheon for her staff in which she served Greek take-out. And Michael Kors ordered lobster rolls from a neighborhood restaurant for his outdoor summer party. That said, Jamee also feels that it helps to know something about food. Even if you're not cooking the meal, you'll have an easier job of planning the menu if you have some epicurean knowledge.
Now on to tablesettings. Again, Jamee says there is no one way to do it. Mix and match your china. Use high and low. Yes, there is a lot of amazing tableware in this book: Herend, antique Sevres, Christofle. But you'll also see a few things from CB2 and Pier 1. There is even a Hunt Breakfast featured in which, because it's outdoors, the napkins are paper and the glassware is plastic. That's the ultimate high and low, and it totally works.
I asked Jamee if she had a signature dish that she enjoyed serving. It's a dessert prepared by Glorious Foods, and, according to Jamee, it's gaspingly beautiful. Around the edge of a large silver platter are dark chocolate dipped strawberries that rest in pink spun sugar, and in the middle is a meringue nest with both peppermint and chocolate sorbets. A chocolate sauce is served on the side. I'm dying to see this for myself because it sounds pretty magnificent. Jamee made sure to say, though, that a dessert like this needs to be served where appropriate, i.e. the city. In the country, one would want to serve a dessert that is more, well, country. She suggested a strawberry rhubarb cobbler with frozen vanilla yogurt. For those of us who want to try our hands at the city version of the dessert, Jamee thought that meringue molds (which can be bought at bakeries and grocery stores) piled with strawberries, mint, whip cream, and sorbet (with Hershey's chocolate sauce on the side) would be a great substitution.
For those people who don't entertain often or who are just starting out, Jamee recommends serving something fun like Chicken Curry that can be prepared ahead of time and served in a pretty casserole. (Preparing dishes ahead of time is a true life-saver.) You could then serve all of the appropriate accompaniments- coconut, chutnies, etc.- in small dishes. Sounds good to me. 
Finally, for a few of Jamee's no-no's. Don't experiment with a new dish the night of a party. (You'd be amazed at how many people do this. Rarely does it turn out well.) No scented candles on the dining table. Unscented votive candles on the table or buffet, though, cast a nice glow. And if you have a few guests who stay beyond the witching hour and who don't seem to want to leave, you should yawn to give guests the hint. If that doesn't work, plan B is to say, politely of course, that it's getting late and you have an early morning to face.
So, if you'll excuse me (yawn), I have an early morning to face. 
(All photos courtesy of New York Parties: Private Views
I was in Gramercy today checking on my custom shower curtain with gray Art Deco monogram (you know how I love a monogram) and was thrilled to see the shop decked out in pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. As you can see in the photo at top, Gramercy's Pretty in Pink promotion (cue the Psychedelic Furs song, please) means that the shop will donate a percentage of all pink items sold during the month of October to the Doris Shaheen Breast Health Center at Piedmont Hospital. Also, for every $20 donated to the Center, Gramercy will give you a ticket that you can use to enter a drawing for monogrammed napkins, a complete bed set, PJs, or a throw. If that doesn't entice you to give to a great cause, maybe these photos of the shop will.
A little feminine, a little preppy, a little pink...a whole lotta look.
Linens and a lamp cast a rosy glow in this vignette.
Pajamas with the Pink Ribbon embroidered on a front pocket.
See that gray horse blanket? I've been pining for it for weeks now. That's one of the prizes in the giveaway mentioned above.
Think pink when buying this Madeline Weinrib rug, Pink Westley
Pink linen certainly looks a lot more stylish than my Vanity Fair napkins.
One can never have too much linen.
All photographs by Jennifer Boles for The Peak of Chic
