Perfectly French

This house is so authentic- it has the modern necessities but all the charm only found in the hills of France. I love the exposed beams with the white on white interior. I love the layers in this living room- so many seating areas, collections to view and art hung in places to draw your eye to the architecture.

Simple place settings with not one flower centerpiece- let the yummy food speak for itself and be the focus. Why do Americans feel the need to overly dress the table?

If money does happen to grow on your tree...

TEAK & SILVER FROG BOWL $4,700.00

From Vivre: "A beloved Asian token of profit and luck, the sprightly frog is lovingly immortalized in this exquisite bowl, created from luxurious, gleaming tropical hardwood with striking accents of silver.

Hand crafted by artisans over the course of a full month!"

MISS CHAIR $16,000.00 From Vivre: "A modern update of a classic silhouette, this whimsical chair is a stunning collaboration between art and furniture. Incredibly detailed, this unique piece was created as part of a five-chair set displayed in the windows of Roger Vivier to elegantly display a new bag made by Bruno Frisoni for Carla Bruno Sarkozy."

BEE WALL SCONCE by Marie Christophe $14,000.00 Delicate hand-placed crystals and wire combine to make a truly unique light source in the shape of a whimsical bee. Each piece is handmade.

ITALIAN LEATHER BAR $8,500.00 Reminiscent of a prop from the set of Citizen Kane, this iguana-embossed Italian leather trunk bar is as unique as it is elegant. Mirrored double doors open to reveal a fully functional bar that includes two padded leather drawers, a sliding glass shelf, and ample storage space for bottles and glassware. On the exterior, twin tobacco leather belts, matching iguana-embossed leather handles, and polished chrome studs give this rare piece even more old world charm. Handmade.

These pieces are over-the-top fabulous!

The Frog bowl is the centerpiece for your dining table, kitchen island and living room coffee table and it never has to be filled. The lucite chair is a charming twist on what we have seen reproduced over the last decade but with more detail- and the name, is the best! I can picture the Bee wall sconce lining a hallway - whimsy and playful but not loud. The leather bar is tough to place but in a sophisticated 'man cave' it would be awesome.

John Robshaw's Asian Textiles

The manufacturing process of John's creations are just as important and inspiring to the designer as the actual process itself.

He says, "It's so simple and natural. You touch a woodblock to wet clay and then to the fabric. After the clay dries, you dip the cloth into the indigo vat and the clay stays on. One dip gives the fabric a sky-blue color, two dips and it deepens to cobalt, three dips and its a saturated midnight blue. Then the fabric is laid out to dry in the sun and later the clay is washed off. The dyer says the indigo vats are like a mistress because they need constant attention. I was completely fascinated by the dyeing and printing processes, as well as how the finished product is used. Textiles become intimate companions in daily life, whether as a pillow, bedcover or sarong."

Quadrille makes you happy!

Quadrille's China Seas Collection has florals, batiks, toiles and ikats-

the collection is colorful and dips into many styles.

The Alan Campbell Collection is full of geometric graphics showing a full array of colorways.

Quadrille's main collection is large print, bold colors and hints of the past.

Out of all the prints, the Bijou Stripe is my favorite

and comes in 5 versatile colorways.

Loving Elizabeth Eakins

Some of my favorite prints, shown above: Sanchi, Sheath and Tripura. Elizabeth Eakins stands alone- they promise hand woven, organic goods.

My favorite showrooms at DDB in NYC

The Lee Jofa Showroom (above) in NYC, does a great job showing all their designers and styles while Ralph Lauren (below) does this and more by having at least 10 rooms that include textiles, upholstery, casegoods, lighting and accessories. It is a beautiful showroom.

I also enjoyed browsing familiar brands at John Roselli & Associates (below)- touring the showroom feels like a Greenwich, CT country house- very preppy with blues, greens and pinks.

New York's Design District Building

In Manhattan's Design Center, each elevator foyer is uniquely designed and showcases the latest textile trends. These were some of my favorite windows.

Favorite Outdoor Rooms by House Beautiful

Serena's Luxuries

Viewing Serena Boardman's real estate listings is like taking a tour thru the Design District- so many beautiful New York homes...and they can be yours- for the right price, of course.

Serena writes that the below home is a "Stunning high floor white glove prewar Fifth Avenue coop with beautiful skyline views of Central Park and the Reservoir from all principal rooms. The exceptionally sunny eight into seven room apartment was impeccably and recently renovated by the esteemed designer Vicente Wolf and has been published in both “House Beautiful” and in Mr. Wolf's book “Crossing Boundaries”.







Here is another one of Serena's listings which is more traditional with dripping draperies and antique pieces throughout the home. Serena says "the glamorous high-floor residence was renovated to the highest standards by interior designer David Easton."