The Architectural Tastemakers

I think Spitzmiller & Norris are in the top ten best architecture firms in the country. They understand architecture and space but they also have great taste and style. They blend old and new seamlessly- it's truly tough to tell where their additions begin and the historic space ends.

Historic Renovations:

Before & After:

&

New Homes:

Learn more about this Atlanta based firm,

Spitzmiller & Norris

Woodbury, Connecticut

Woodbury has at least 50 antique shops and some were truly worth my drive. Gorgeous and unique pieces- even the stores themselves were inspiring but one of my favorites was Tracey's shop, The Elemental Garden. Tracey Young and Dennis Kaylor have collected pieces from all over Europe, but their true hearts seem to be in France. You can see that soft spot in all the rooms that fill their home/store.

These columns are actually built-ins designed by John Saladino in the late 1980's for a penthouse in NYC to mirror some structural columns at the other end of the room. They stored china and the drawers beneath the columns were lined in black felt to store silver.

Tracey also has a wonderful collection of antique garden tools. My grandfather, being in the hardware business, collected antique tools so these were tough to resist.

Tracey, thank you for spending so much time sharing your home and store with me. I also appreciated seeing all the hidden treasures in the loft of your barn. I can't get those 'English barbering chairs' out of my mind, so consider them SOLD- I will find them a home or they will live at mine! Thanks again for a fun morning.

The Elemental Garden

259 Main Street South

Woodbury, CT 06798

American Fashion Designers at Home

The book goes on sale in September 2010

by Rimi Suqi

above left, Angel Sanchez's living room

above right, Ellie Tahari's Manhattan rooftop

above, Donna Karan's Guest House in Parrot Cay

$1,000,000 Kitchens

What does a million dollar price tag get you today?

Check out these kitchens across America...

Denver- 3,000 square feet, close to downtown.

San Francisco- 2 bedroom condominium with water views.

Santa Fe- 4 bedrooms, over 3,000 square feet

Sag Harbor, Long Island- 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and just 1,200 square feet

Sunset Strip, West Hollywood- 2 bedrooms, 1,500 square feet

Palm Beach, Florida- 1 bedroom, 800 square feet

dimdi ART

These sweet, little watercolors are painted by a woman in Italy and are adorable for a playroom or nursery. I just ordered 3 for a friend of mine as a baby gift. Contact Irene to order.