A FOND FAREWELL TO SUMMER. WAIT, IT'S OVER?!

The long sunny days of sea and sand have come to a close.  After numerous heatwaves, a lot of thunderstorms and hair malfunctions while surf side, I am looking forward to fall. I wish you all a wonderful, relaxing holiday weekend. Bask in summer and it's final moments. Enjoy!

 Photo courtesy of Alex and Alexa

You can wear your straw hat for a few more days. This one, lined with a sweet Liberty print, would be my pick.

 Photo courtesy of Haus Interiors

A carved wooden anchor sculpture in a pale wood from Haus Interiors will remind you of summer all year long

 Photo courtesy of Natural Curiosities

Unwind, framed rope gets the artistic treatment from Natural Curiosities

 Hung side-by-side with the white version above, the natural rope seems grounded and versatile

Photo courtesy of Anthropologie

Put the Paddle Board away till spring. Anthropologie's exclusive board with Kai Po'i has a little mod geo design. Styling. 

 Photo courtesy of Horchow

Towel off after a final dip with Jonathan Adler's bright linear beach towels from Horchow.

FOR THE LOVE OF LUCITE

Photo courtesy of CB2

The workhorse: CB2's Peekaboo tables

My love for lucite knows no bounds. A few seasons back I wished there was more of an array out there, and voila, that time has come. For a long time, CB2's Peekaboo tables were the go-to for many an interior designer.  Their easy - to-live-with waterfall tables are on my apartment essentials list, as you can place them anywhere.  Now, that list of chic basics grows with a few market finds. From bowls to a bevy of cocktail tables, the see-through material that adds a weightless presence is finally widely available. But available does not necessarily translate into easily affordable. Because the material comes from petroleum, the prices make these pieces commitment pieces. But once you have them, you will enjoy their new classic status, and endless versatility.

Alexandra Von Furstenberg's lucite pieces are getting bigger, as her furniture assortment expands. Her acrylic Sledge Coffee table with neon pink detailing

 One of her bestsellers, the Candy Bowl, now come with ink swirls embedded in the clear material

Taking dinner in front of the TV to a chic place, Grace and Blake's foldable table with chrome supports

Design Legacy's rolling Bar Cart is really well done

 The Jacques collection, launched last year by Jonathan Adler, is a crowd-pleaser with brass corner details.

 

The bi-level table also by Adler could be used behind a sofa to break up the space, or in pairs around a doorway

I spotted this cut-out coffee table at Bernhardt while at High Point Market.  

Paired with a smoky black top, Festoni's lucite table looks Deco-inspired

 Cool and confident, Bernhardt's ball pedestal tabouret Aubrey is uber chic.

Another lucite bowl, the Bel Air, this time with a pop of monochromatic white. Jonathan Adler's version is thick (read heavy) and substantial

Making desk accessories and trays from a rainbow of lucite, Tara Wilson Designs, available through Bespoke Custom Gifts,  mix monograms and shiny surfaces for personalized gifts that go a step further.

BIG DEALS @ JONATHAN ADLER

I noticed some of my favorite designs now on sale at Jonathan Adler. Why not introduce some colorful accessories into your home for spring?  Swing on over to his website for deals on some of his brightly-colored classics. If you like graphic needlepoint pillows in crazy colors, need a set of fun dog bowls or a geometric trays to serve sweets, you, my friend, are in luck. 

Here are some of the goodies included:

Photos courtesy of Jonathan Adler

These Bargello graphic geometric pillows take a sofa from basic to brilliant in seconds flat.

Mix up the patterns like the Honeycomb for a full-on Adler invasion.

Little Piggy all dressed up in polka dots holds the cookies.

Carnaby porcelain nesting trays in a mix of 3 patterns add a dash of fun for jewelry on your nightstand or serving little treats.

Hold down piles of paper in style with monogram needlepointed letter paperweights. Anything personalized makes a great go-to gift.

LOVE these.  Pull out the coasters for canapes and olives, they are good to have on hand with cocktails to entertain your world weary friends.

Your dog can enjoy mealtime in style with vividly striped stoneware dog bowls in an array of colorful alternating stripes.

This poppy square patterned Peter alpaca throw in a graphic artistic style for a burst of color on upholstery.

 

Last but not least, the Preston Game Table in stamped faux-croc  can perform double duty as a card and dining table for smaller living spaces.

NEW BABY? THE BEST GIFT TO BRING ON YOUR VISIT

With spring comes new babies and the need for great baby gifts. So many friends have just had stork deliveries or have them on the way. When I came across this brightly colored geometric needlepoint Hand Sanitizer Cozy, I knew Jonathan Adler had created a winner. The cover slips over the hand sanitizer bottle adding instant style to an otherwise drab nursery necessity. They also make nice gifts to ward off the ever-present flu germs that have been in wide circulation this winter. Either way, every home could benefit from a dash of style when it comes to germ maintenance.

STYLEBEAT'S MOOD BOARD SHOWS HOW TO PLAY UP A ROOM'S NATURAL LIGHT WITH HUNTER DOUGLAS

Photo courtesy of Town and Country and Hunter Douglas

When the marketing team over at Town and Country Magazine asked me to participate in a collaboration with Hunter Douglas, I jumped at the chance.  I created a Mood Board for the March issue, where I chose their new tailored Vignette Roman shades to play up a room's natural light. From there, I built a room around 5 key elements I think are essential to making a room great.

I share some tips on how to get started with the design process:

- Consider your lifestyle and how you will use the room

- Chart the scale and proportion of furniture so it fits the space

- Determine which colors you like, and then use them in pillows, rugs, and lamp shades
I had a lot of fun including traditional pieces with staying power and those that best reflect what is most exciting about design today. Considering room use, scale, proportion, functionality, pattern, color, texture, surface finishes and the way you live are just the beginning!

To get more ideas, check out  The new Art of Window Dressing ipad app at Hunter Douglas or iTunes and follow me on Pinterest. Thank you T and C!

Photo courtesy of Hunter Douglas
Hunter Douglas Vignette® Modern Roman Shades lend a tailored sophistication.
I chose to start with Hunter Douglas Vignette Modern Roman Shades because of their clean lines.

Photo courtesy of Century Furniture
Tip Stylebeat Suggests: Think in terms of the space you have to work with, then aim to create harmony with scale and proportion.
When thinking about the right furniture for a space, consider the function of the room. A sofa is a major decision as well as purchase, so choose wisely. I chose Century Furniture's Carter Skirted Sofa for it's traditional lines, comfortable seat cushions and tailored arm.

Photo courtesy of Lee Jofa
Tip Stylebeat Suggests Determine which colors you like, and then use them in pillows, rugs, and lamp shades to tie it together.
Blue is one of the best loved hues. It reminds us of the water and the sky, so that might be why. Lee Jofa's Groundworks Bengal Bazaar by Kelly Wearstler in teal has a varied contrasting pattern like those you might find in an antique document fabric, giving it some soul.

 Photo courtesy of Lee Jofa
Tip Stylebeat Suggests: Test colors by daylight and lamp- light to ensure you like how they look throughout the day. This can ensure you are liking the overall effect.
Coordinating fabrics work if they have texture and pattern and can relate to one another. Lee Jofa's Groundworks Fuji Moderne in teal with a zigzag texture keeps things interesting.

 

Photo courtesy of Stark Carpet 

Stark Carpet's cotton Dhurrie with a soft blue ground and loose geometric diamond pattern added a soft textural element with color and visual interest. Every surface deserves consideration and attention.

Photo courtesy of Baker

I love this cocktail table's strong silhouette, dramatic ebony color and total functionality. Designed by Jacques Garcia for Baker the Saint - Tropez Cocktail Table is modern and cool but mixes with any style.

Photo courtesy of Jonathan Adler

Tip Stylebeat Suggests: Reflective surfaces maximize the glamour quotient. 

I can't get enough brass these days. Jonathan Adler's Ulu Convex Table with highly detailed brass looks vintage. It's substantial and delicate looking and adds pattern and lightness beside a sofa. 

Photo courtesy of Visual Comfort

Tip Stylebeat Suggests: A strategic mix of reading and ambient light sacrifices neither form nor function.

Proper lighting is so important. It changes the mood of a room in an instant. Visual Comfort's functional Paolo Swing Arm Lamp by Thomas O'Brien at Circa Lighting moves for from side to side providing targeted light where needed. The brass finish provides a warm glow.

If you want to partner on something, let me know!

NYIGF 2013: GIFT SHOW GREATS THAT CAUGHT MY EYE

With the cold that has gripped most of the country recently, it is nice to look at summery home accessories to warm up with thoughts that summer days are not far off. I was able to do just that as I walked the isles of the New York Gift Show yesterday, where there were coastal chic nautical motifs, shell-encrusted pieces and warm weather entertaining accessories aplenty. 

I also noticed more than a fair amount of Chinoiserie. I feel like we JUST went through this trend, but it is back, and has been bubbling up for some time. It is here a major way, from painted cherry blossoms on ceramics, to ginger jars, pagodas, and more. I love the style, it is just incredible that it is back with such warp speed. Is this the way popular trends will surface, just hit the repeat button every few years? This may be the case. If people like it, evergreen themes sell well. Speaking of popular motifs,  I am also seeing a LOT of coral again. It just went away....or so I thought. So here are some of my favorite things that caught my eye and have style that (I hope) will endure.

I went a little bit crazy when I spotted these. JM Piers painted tole mini lanterns with bell detail votive candles are the perfect thing for outdoor entertaining.  They are available through Dalton Pratt in Washington DC.

 Add some Oomph to your dining room table or mantel with their brand new simple hurricanes. I love how the base resembles a puffy column base, while feeling fresh and classic.

I have been meaning to write about Holly Stuart Designs for ages. Her printed hard place mats and coasters are done in incredibly pretty prints that work well in so many interior settings. Incredibly durable and easy to gift, her printed coasters are now available in a set of 4, by color or pattern. Such an easy and elegant hostess or dinner party gift.

Plat du Jour, a line of cheery and practical paper mats came in great new patterns that included Chinoiserie, whales and schools of fish.

 Chinoiserie looks fresh and new on this Dransfield and Ross pillow with Chinese blue and white plates and vase cut-outs.

Kim Seybert knocked it out of the park this show, with a ton of slew of  Chinoiserie and coral motifs.  The Pagoda embroidered cocktail and canape napkins with dragon boat and pagodas surrounded by a fanciful colored border in a set of 6 had me at hello.

Lest we forget the darling elephant chain being shaded by an umbrella with a punchy orange scallop edge.

 Or the multi colored seersucker with bright contrast edging and tropical motifs, sold in a set of 6.

 More Chinoiserie! Kim Seybert did a punchy blue and white pagoda toile pattern in melamine, complete with a matching picnic basket. Now you will be ready for Central Park or Ascot.

 Zoe Bios Creative continues their winning streak with artwork that combines individual style and beautiful abstract watercolors  and photography.

I adore the decorative painter Harrison Howard, so happy to see his Chinoiserie designs at Dean Rhys Morgan Works on Paper booth.

Jonathan Adler killed it with mixed materials this show. Brass! Inlaid shells! Lucite! This articulated turtle has my name on it for my menagerie collection. Good thing Mr. Adler was on hand to show me the plethora of newness with, as always,  such wonderful unbridled enthusiasm.

Scalloped brass tables with shell inlay are super sexy glam from Jonathan Adler.

What! Coffee tables, side tables and more in lucite with brass corners also at Jonathan Adler. I kinda want everything. Just like vintage, but fresh and new.

There speckled colorful painted cubes from Jonathan Adler in punchy colors remind me of the work of a decorative painter without the customization and wait time.

Emporium Home launched a bevy of great new things. This stacked glass and metal Luck Be a Lady lamp was spot on with a vintage vibe.

It's here! John Robshaw has teamed up with environment friendly Cisco Brothers Furniture for a line of pieces. This little tufted number leads the collection.

Adding to their upholstery ensemble, Oomph's charming linear X- Bench with painted wood leg and small arm is a winner for small locations that need a perch.

With cut corners and classic lines, Bungalow 5's new Jardin kelly green bamboo chair is as good as it gets for all you vintage classic reboot fans.

Circular details, round lucite knobs and a cut out base add special touches to Bungalow 5's Savoy three-drawer white dresser that is calling out for a tropical home.

With green penshell overlay, Made Goods simple Parsons style table has an added elegance to it.