Cornices In a Pinch

Well, I could not be more shocked when looking for a simple curtain rod at Target.com to come across an entire section of fabric-covered cornices on the Target website!  And they're not bad looking for $79-$139, ranging in size 40" to 82."  I know I've paid a lot more money than that and these look professional and well made with cording along the edges! Below are just a few of the cornice styles they offer.  Hey, in a pinch why not? Enjoy!

Images Courtesy of Target.Com.

Floral Design as Art

Lewis Miller is my hands-down favorite when it comes to floral design here in NYC.  His team are truly visionaries when it comes to creating floral arrangements as art.  Even his profile speaks to those qualities I think a floral designer should have, including a 'respect for nature,' a 'vision of a country life in a metropolitan setting,' and an 'ability to dazzle using the grandest and simplest of materials.'  If you need an amazing floral designer here in NYC, LMD is the place to go!  And, I just love his residential 'party animal,' the beautiful white peacock that appears at certain, special events!  Also, please check out LMD's blog. So much fun!
My other most favorite floral designers are the Brits.  If your lucky enough to be across the pond, these three are the most fabulous designers that I seem to rip out of the British Homes & Gardens again, and again, and again!  Mathew Dickinson, Jamie Aston, Scarlet & Violet share Lewis Miller's talent for dazzling using the grandest and simplest of materials. Below are some of my favorite images from both here in NYC and abroad.  The first image is my absolute favorite from LMD in NYC, for his other glorious creations, you must go to his website and enjoy.  One day, my thanksgiving sideboard will look like this! Enjoy!  P.S. the last image is so much fun, and with Spring on its' way, I just had to include it from Fiori Ltd.

LMD Floral

Mathew Dickinson Flowers

Jamie Aston

Jamie Aston

Jamie Aston

Moyses Stevens

Renny & Reed

Scott Snyder Inc.

Fiori Ltd.

New Fav Show: A Moment of Luxury!

Cablevision and Scripps, your loss is my gain! For those Long Islanders who have Cablevision as a provider, you can understand my pain about losing HGTV and Food Network. Yet, I found something to replace Cablevision and Scripps "unwillingness and inability to settle their multi-million dollar differences!" It's called public television! I had forgotten what excellent programming my local public channels offered and have found new programs like A Moment of Luxury with Interior Designer Bill Stubbs. Yes, the name may not be glamorous, but Bill is "one of the Architectural Digest “AD 100” list of the World’s Top Designers and Architects," and Bill Stubbs has been president of William W. Stubbs and Associates, an international interior design firm, for more than 25 years." I'd say those are pretty good qualifications for hosting his show which is fabulous and full of fun, glamorous, and useful ideas! A Moment of Luxury can be found on my local WLIW public station and I think will do quite nicely as a replacement for those other shows! And, for those foodies of you, there are lots of great cooking shows! Let's not forget - Julia got her start of those public broadcasting stations!

Any Decorator Show Houses Out There?

Mansions and Millionaires®, where for art thou? Can I really wait until April for the 38th Annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House in New York City? I've tried finding anything local to fill my need to visit another show house in these dreary, cold days, but alas, I might simply have to wait for what is "widely considered the premier Decorator Show House featuring world renowned Interior Designers & Attended by over 15,000 guests annually during a four-week run." Well, I could always attend the February, Kips Bay 'Pre - Renovation Celebration' with cocktails & hors d'oeuvres. And, don't forget to put in your books the October 2010, Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club Manhattan Designer House Tour. Which is, "a self-guided tour of the private residences of Kips Bay designers and their clients showcasing some of their best and most admired work." Oh what fun! Kips Bay, Kips Bay, rah, rah, rah! Alright, stifle that laugh there girlie!

Mrs. Howard Meets Lilly...in my humble opinion!

I love how the truly talented, San Francisco Designer Palmer Weiss uses color in the most friendly & stylish of ways! I kept thinking while I was looking through her portfolio, she combines the elegance of a room done by Phoebe Howard with the vivid colors of a great Lilly Pulitzer design! and Voila! C'est Palmer Weiss! What absolute fun, and of course how very stylish and elegant! Take a peek and enjoy! This family room is one of my favorites as it incorporates everything I think a family room should; to include a tv, family photos, books scattered throughout, and blankets to cozy up with on all the great seating. Love it!

High Bermuda Style

Over the Christmas Holiday, I was lucky enough to visit Bermuda and stay at the beautiful Fairmont Southampton. While there, I found myself checking out a new and fabulous hotel at Tucker's Point, called the Tucker's Point Hotel & Spa.  Thanks to Megan Bishop, who handles Media/PR for Tucker's Point, I am able to post some glorious pictures for you from the hotel & spa.  But, you MUST visit their website for yourself and fall in love with the most luxurious and beautiful setting and the amazing complimentary design of this elegant hotel and spa. I will definitely be planning a stay here with my husband for our next anniversary! It is the true essence of what people perceive classical Bermuda style to be.  Also, my compliments to the design team for an amazing design concept and follow thru. The hotel & spa design is by architects Conyers & Associates of Bermuda, with interior design by Paul Duesing Partners of Dallas, and landscape design by SWA Group of Dallas as well.  Again, my compliments to you all.  I've also posted two of my favorite pictures I took while in Bermuda, both on the Fairmont Southampton Whaler Inn Beach.  Enjoy!

Art Deco Style

Falling in love with Art Deco all over again.....and NYC is a treasure trove to find cool items. My favorite spot here in NYC is High Style Deco @ 224 West 18th Street. I love the old b/w photos and James Mont holds a special place in my glamorous heart - no matter how wicked he was! Love those slipper chairs and the silver gilt console! Of course, how can you talk about Art Deco without mentioning the amazingly talented Edgar Brandt, whose 1924 metal screen L'Oasis sold at a 2006 Christie's auction for over 1.8 million. Fabulous. Something fun, Bradbury & Bradbury Art Wallpapers carries amazing wallpapers from specific periods to include Art Deco. I also love Modernism Gallery, who has a gallery in Coral Gables, Florida. They have some great finds to include the Paul Frankl "Fifty Dollar Clock" -- must read that story, and the Sabino wall light. Here are a few Art Deco favs from both local and online retailers. Enjoy!