New York State of Mind

Just so you know--- I love love love the Washington Post's home section. However, from time to time I step out on our local paper (okay, I read it every Thursday, full disclosure) to get all the brillance that the NY Times churns out as well. So here are a few things that I love--

This desk is amazing for small spaces--it is only 36x23! I KNOW! AND it has a storage ottoman, so its a real space saver! It has great straight lines for a modern or contemporary decor.But the price is the best part it's only $150 at Office Max , great for creating an extra space to put your laptop and store all your goodies!This artwork is fascinating---these images of run down homes in Detroit were captured by a photographer---they will eventually be torn down (insert sobs here). They are so beautiful it's a shame! Can't we do something? Well, you can help the greater good, the artist is donating 30% of his earnings to habitat for humanity. Get more info at 100 Abandoned Houses.

Feeling Blue

I've been feeling very partial to blue lately, but who wouldn't with these rooms:
This nursery, above, has to be the most beautiful in the world. LOOK--LOOK at the bedskirts! And the grey blue palette is DIVINE.

This (above) looks like a kitchen in the Hamptons, where you can just come in and relax in utter elegance.

The grey blue and white of this bath above doesn't complete with the beautiful water outside. And the slipper chair is such a sweet, feminine touch.

This stairway landing was done by David Mitchell in the Southern Accents Showhouse, which I had the pleasure of touring because it was done locally. I can't think of a more soothing home I've seen. All of these images are from Southern Accents magazine, and yes you will still love this mag even if you are a yankee :)

Happy July 4th! Whether you are having a "staycation" or vacation, be safe, and enjoy.

Bell--isimo!

I must admit, when I saw the movie "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," I didn't like Kristin Bell. I mean of course, her character in the eponymous movie, because she was a major witch. And sometimes you sort of typecast actors into the roles they select. However, the July Issue of In Style featured Kristin's home. Being a designer, of course I HAD to peek:

Hope you can see these pics, I scanned them but if you can LOOK at that wallpaper in the bedroom. I am in love! And I also love the color palette and open shelving in the dining room. That's the thing about open shelving, you need to be somewhat of a neat freak or it totally loses the pretty effect.

Simple white kitchen, fun stool seat fabric, pretty shade of green...and! She is a dog lover! Okay, she is warming up in my book.

Living room is swank. Again love the color palette, the garden stools in silver, the floral covered ottoman. Tres chic!

So I GUESS if she invited me over for cocktails I would go (not like I would be invited, but anyway). I also love her shoes! And I hope in her next movie she plays someone sweet.

Premium Pakistani-Persian Pandemonium! (Rugs that Is)

On a nondescript block in Merrifield, located at 2824A Dorr Avenue in Fairfax, a treasure trove of hand knotted rugs can be found. This wonderful company, Merrifield Oriental Rugs Inc., will work tirelessly to sort through the beautiful "floor art," to find you a perfect size, perfect color, perfect pattern. AND! The prices are wholesale. Yup. Wholesale.

About the title of this post, most of these rugs are made in Pakistan, not Persia, however the vast majority of hand knotted (done by HAND as opposed to hand tufted, done by gun or machine), rugs, in the world, replicatet he Persian-style designs. Still just as lovely and easier to find. Visit Sayeed (President) at M.O.R. and you will be delighted with the service, the selection, and the product for years to come!

At Panache with Panache

Last Thursday evening I had the pleasure of dining with DC area's finest professionals in design and media! It was a lovely evening at the fab restaurant, Panache!
Above,clockwise from the top right: the lovely publisher of the elegant Capitol File Magazine,
Susan Nixon, The immensely talented Barbara Hawthorn of Barbara Hawthorn Interiors,
Gayle Weyland also from Cap File Mag, and who is the brunette among those gorgeous blondies?
That's the writer of this blog,Rachel James .
Above, here I am (again) with the president of Great Falls Construction, Stacey Hoffman. Hire her to build your next house! I loved talking shop with Stacey, so knowledgeable and kind.

Here I am (AGAIN! just loved those photo ops didn't I ?!) between two of DC's best (who happen to be getting MARRIED NEXT MONTH!) Such a sweet and brilliant couple. On my left, Jennifer Ingber, owner of Fresh Confections catering....I'm getting hungry just thinging about her gourmet delights....and her hubby to be,

Lee Odess from Integrated Media Systems . Want flat screens? Lee can do. Motorized Shades?

Lee can do. Security Systems....Lee. Can. Do. In fact, I don't think there is anything Lee can't do with technology when it comes to a home!

What's Up for Walls

I must confess--I have not been a HUGE fan of wallpaper for many years. My painter doesnt install it, my contractor is loathe to remove it, and my WONDERFUL decorative painter Felix can do A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G with paint. BUT!!!!!! Yes, they are back and they are in (have been for a while). And I adore them. Hope to use them for the next project. The first three are from Farrow and Ball, LOVE this British Company, not only do they have serious English Country House Prints, but they also get so "cheeky:" (and although this is off the subject, my husband, who is British, says that I cannot do a really good accent--I tend to disagree I think I sound like I just had tea with the queen) but anyway...yes, the wallpapers:



My dear friend Lauren (Pure Style Home) got a sample of the above (Lotus) for a project. Hey girl, did you put it on the wall?

Lotus also comes in smaller print (above)

This looks just like paint (above) "Drag"----hmmm cheeky?

And this one is just plain FUN! (above)

I got an email the other day from whats up magazine, and they also had a few wallys to admire on their website:

Not sure I love the wallpaper print, but the ORANGE AND PURPLE IS THE THING!

Whats Up Mag mentioned that so much of the new wall stuff has TEXTURE. Here is an example of that (above). In addition to this, wallpapers have sueded finishes, beaded finishes, everything you can think of! Get out there and explore!

Let them DESIGN cake!

Did I ever tell you about my wedding cake (or lack thereof)?!?! Well, a YEAR, ONE YEAR in advance, I sent the caterer renderings pictures specifications, the kitchen sink...to create the cake Ive wanted since I was a little girl--a Traditional German Gingerbread House, with candy glass windows, lighted inside, elaborate mouldings, carvings, and corbels. Needless to say, the caterer REALLYmessed up, and my gingerbread house was SO disappointing...I cant even go on because Im still not over it... BUT!!!! These cakes are magnificent--the ULTIMATE in design.

They cheer me up! Here are my top three:

Tell me these dont pass for REAL pillows: Who doesn't love the awesome-ness of Big Ben...in a CAKE. This is the caterer I should have chosen for my wedding...someone who can actually construct a BUILDING!

And the peacock is just exquisite. For more beauty, check out: http://www.delish.com/entertaining-ideas/parties/wedding/wedding-cakes?Gt1=47001

And just in case I ever renew my vows, Im going to order one of these. Poetic justice at last.