Get Cozy with Mario Buatta

I've had Mario Buatta on the brain lately, and I've been thinking about his apartment as it appeared in the 1970s. There is something very comforting to me about these photos. Maybe it's Buatta's choice of colors, the combination of fabrics and prints, the cozy seating arrangements, or the plenitude of collections. Perhaps it's a combination of all of the above. Whatever the secret formula was, these interiors make me want to crawl into the photos and curl up with a good book in that sunny yellow living room or that rich red bedroom. Can you imagine a better way to relax at the end of the day than to retire in that luxurious canopied bed?




Various shots of Buatta's living room with its glazed yellow walls.




The bedroom with its "Beaujolais" colored walls.

All images from The New York Times Book of Interior Design and Decoration by Norma Skurka.

Silver and Gold Decorations

Yes, I borrowed the title from the Burl Ives' song, but it seems appropriate for a post on metal and metallic colored trim. It's been catching my eye lately. The trim by Aiveen Daly reminds me of jewelry, while Samuel and Sons' studded trim is reminiscent of the leather bracelets that have been so popular lately. Like bold jewelry, metal trim makes a statement so you need to use it wisely. Oh, and try to avoid anything that is too terribly shiny.





The three trims above plus that in the top photo are all by Aiveen Daly. The collection, available in a range of finishes, will debut soon. Visit their website for more details.




Samuel and Sons Diamond Nailhead on Leather. I could see it used on a tailored chair or sofa and perhaps even on a console or side table.



I think that this metallic border by Samuel and Sons is so elegant.



This tieback by Remy Lemoine Passementerie is not a metal but rather mirrored glass. Still, it reminds me of a sterling silver piece by Elsa Peretti.




I like the military look of this Royal Air Force Sword Knot Lace from Hand & Lock.




I'm sure it would be a big-time no-no to use Hand & Lock's General's Gold Twist Shoulder Cords in your home, but you have to admit they're pretty handsome.

Pratesi Cashmere Collection

One of the great little luxuries of life is a pair of cozy house slippers. During fall and winter, I wear nothing but slippers around the house. (Not bedroom slippers or scuffs but rather little slip-on shoes with soft soles.) I recently received an email from Pratesi announcing their new cashmere collection, and what caught my eye above all else? Very chic cashmere house slippers for both men and women. I'm a fan of J. Crew and L.L. Bean slippers, but Pratesi is winning me over with their use of cashmere. And if you're a man, all you need to complete the picture is a smoking hat like those I mentioned a few weeks ago.

There are other items in the collection including cashmere throws, ponchos, bags, and eye masks, all of which make for great holiday gifts. Who doesn't like an indulgent gift every now and then? Personally, I can't imagine anything better than lounging on the sofa under a Pratesi throw while reading a vintage design book.

For more information on the collection or to purchase, please call Pratesi at 1-800-332-6925.



The Aconcagua directly above are for men, while those at top are for women.


Sabrina home shoes for women.


Mens slippers.


Camel toned slippers for women.


Slippers with straps for women.




I'm crazy for these cashmere ponchos. Just the thing to wear when taking Alfie for a quick walk around the block.



Beautiful cashmere throws.



This quilted cashmere and silk blanket might be a nice alternative to the oft-photographed orange Hermes blanket.




The very stylish and practical Pratesi eye mask and matching bag.

Holiday Picks from Nick Harvill Libraries

One of the joys of visiting a bookstore is the likelihood that you'll discover a gem of a book, one with which you're not familiar. Because Atlanta does not have a decent used bookstore, I like to visit Jane Stubbs at Bergdorf's, Archivia, or Potterton Books when I'm in New York. Shopping for books online is a completely different experience. Let's face it- discovering some charming, out of print book on Amazon is difficult. It really is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

I recently received the 2011 Holiday catalogue from Nick Harvill Libraries, and I have so enjoyed reading it. Nick does a great job of assembling all kinds of literary treasures, and his engaging descriptions of each book really give you a sense of what lies beneath the (oftentimes) charming dust jackets. Lo and behold, I discovered some intriguing and even quirky books that I might have otherwise never known about it, and I didn't even have to travel to Nick's shop in Hollywood to find them! I thought I would share a few of them with you, just in case you too live in a book barren city.



Reno by Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr.




The Cat by Colette




How to Be a Party Girl by Pat Montandon




Someone's in the Kitchen with Dinah by Dinah Shore




The Constant Sinner by Mae West




Rich was Better by Philip Van Rensselaer




Mrs. Astor's Horse by Stanley Walker

Drinks Trays at Greystone

Today is my last day of Maison de Luxe posting. Upon going through the house, I realized that a lot of designers added drinks trays or bar carts to their rooms. Seeing that it's the holidays and most of will be doing a fair amount of entertaining, I thought that these photos might be a little food for thought. Make that drink for thought.

Image at top: Designer David Phoenix styled this drinks tray for his Dining Room. It's traditional and timeless.


Kathryn Ireland used a drinks trolley in her Social Secretary's Room. I'm guessing that the fictitious social secretary doesn't get much work done.



Philip Gorrivan used the niche for his Breakfast Room drinks set up.



Patrick Dragonette used all kinds of terrific vintage glassware and decanters for his cocktail assemblage.



Barclay Butera displayed his drinks tray upon an upholstered ottoman.



Nathan Turner had the advantage of having a bar in his Rec Room. Looks like a turban alighted upon a bottle of some kind of spirit.

All photos by Jennifer Boles for The Peak of Chic.

The Kitchen at Greystone

And finally, I want to show my photos of the kitchen at Greystone. It was not part of the tour, but I couldn't resist snooping around and taking photos of the old stove and refrigerator, not to mention the spacious cabinetry. Can you imagine how wonderful it would be to have a stove like that in your kitchen? It would definitely make me happy.

Upstairs at Maison de Luxe

And moving on to the upstairs at Maison de Luxe...



Woodson and Rummerfield decorated Mrs. Doheny's Bedroom.




A detail shot of Mrs. Doheny's Bedroom.




The Bath off of Mrs. Doheny's Bedroom.



Kendall Wilkinson designed the Twilight Room. She created this infinity wall using mirror and flowers.



A metal structure in the middle of Wilkinson's room supported these benches with chair backs.



The Gentlemen's Study as envisioned by Patrick Dragonette.




A plaid lampshade tops a horse lamp in Dragonette's room.




The Family Room by designer Barclay Butera.




Martyn Lawrence Bullard was chosen to design Mr. Doheny's bedroom. As you can see, the room was teeming with the Million Dollar Decorators filming crew.




Bullard also created a Massage Room...




...as well as Mr. Doheny's bathroom.




Oliver Furth created a mature Girl's Room.



It might be a little hard to see, but in the center of the room Furth hung a sculpture that was made of balloons covered in graphite. As the show house continues, the sculpture will get smaller and will release its graphite coating. The sculpture was created by artist Elyse Graham.




A little fuzzy, but I tried to get a shot of the peacock blue lacquered ceiling. It was a striking contrast to the brown toned walls.




The Girl's Room Bath, also designed by Furth, featured a dressing table and walls with metallic paper insets.






Atlantan Raymond Goins painted these horse themed canvases that lined the walls of his Sitting Room. Standing in the room was like being surrounded by galloping horses.


All photos by Jennifer Boles for The Peak of Chic