Lean Times

No, I am not talking about the economy. For houses like ours where the art inventory tends to ebb and flow (or maybe it is because we are too lazy to get out the hammer), leaning pieces against the wall makes for a novel and contemporary display.

A Carolyn Carr print stands out in the pack of layered art in designer Keith Arnold's apartment in this month's Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles.(Photography by Erica George Dines).

I know these ledges are kind of "Pottery Barn '98" but this gallery hall still works for me (from Elle Decor, May 2008 via The Framing Fashionista).

In addition to the buffet of art, there is a lot I love about this room. Photo by Simon Upton for Domino Magazine, June 2006.

Not only does the lean and layered method allow one to keep more art on display at once, it also appeals to the commitment phobic. (It takes one to know one).

In case you are in the market for a new piece to hang or not hang, I suggest checking out the wonderful contemporary collection at the recently opened Emily Amy Gallery in Atlanta.

Oil on canvas by Sarah Hinkley, available through the Emily Amy Gallery.

Flower Happy

Look how happy a bag full of hydrangeas makes Michael Kors. I thought I would follow his lead and get a few for myself this weekend...

Hydrangeas are favorite flowers of mine because they are relatively fool proof and a few blooms go a long way. And while my over sized tropical leaf arranging skills could use some work, I love how much green it adds to an otherwise neutral room.

When properly arranged, they should look more like they do in Kors' New York apartment above. In case you missed it, click here to see more photos from last month's In Style spread.

(Top and bottom photographs for In Style September 2008 by Douglas Friedman).

Jeff Lewis & Top Design

Jeff Lewis, it was so nice to see your cameo on Top Design. The line you delivered about wanting to send Ondine home for her decoupage screens because you "hated them that much" made me miss you even more.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that SGM will be entertaining us with one of her signature recaps of Top Design this week. Topics I am hoping she covers:

1) Our favorite contestant's overuse of the phrase "panty drop".
2) India Hicks' odd pronunciation of the word "with".
3) Nathan's desperate need for a showmance.


By the way, did anyone else notice that contestant Andrea Schroder was wearing the Daniel Franco dress from last week's window design challenge at the Emmys? Nice cross promotion, Bravo!

Madeline and the Cats of Rome

Orange Beautiful used the original Madeline Book as part of her adorable, lavender nursery.

While I know most of the cats running around Rome are generally of the mean and mangy variety, the concept for this new book warms my heart nonetheless.

Madeline, the first of a series of books about an adventurous little French girl, was originally written and illustrated by Ludwig Bemelmans in 1939. Almost seventy years later, Bemelmans' grandson, John Bemelmans Marciano continues the family tradition with Madeline and the Cats of Rome, published this month. Even though Marciano never met his famous grandfather, he based his illustrations on the pencil sketches Bemelmans left behind.

Since 1947, Madeline fans have been flocking to The Carlyle Hotel, where Bemelmans Bar features a mural by Ludwig Bemelmans and a weekly Madeline Tea. The deco-style room was recently restored in 2002.

Befriending a gattino randagio, Italy 2005.

As a lover of cats, Italy and mid-century children's book illustrators, I know this book is going on my wishlist.

Style Savvy

A chic vignette from Pieces, top of the list for Atlanta shops compiled by our favorite Atlanta bloggers, Stylecourt, and The Peak of Chic.

Congratulations to Courtney Barnes of Stylecourt, and Jennifer Dwyer of The Peak of Chic for their feature in the October issue of Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles. They are both daily reads and an endless supply of design inspiration and information. The article, entitled "Style Savvy" details some of their favorite Atlanta design sources and their expert take on the world of blogging. Hopefully, October's issue will be posted in it's entirety on the Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles website soon.

Let's Pretend We Know What 1963 Looks Like

Congratulations to Mad Men on their Best Outstanding Drama Emmy. This has been one of my favorite shows as of late--in large part to the early 1960's set design.

In case you have yet to catch an episode, perhaps this little behind-the-scenes segment with set decorator Amy Wells and production designer Dan Bishop will put you in the mood for some good old fashioned television. The Season One DVD extras explore the design background even further.
For refurbished, mid-century modern antiques and furnishings, I love exploring Atlanta's Belvedere showroom. To date I have only been a browser, but one of these days...

Weekend Before and After

Take these lampshades...

Attach a black ribbon border...

Voila! $6 makeover.

Expanding the Brand

Thomas Paul pillows in "Mums" and "Buds" at Ivanka Trump's apartment for In Style Magazine, January 2007.
Thomas Paul will be in Atlanta next week to introduce his line of graphic prints to the Duralee collection. This is great news for those who love his patterns and hues, but want more control over the end product.

More details available at ADAC.

See You Next Tuesday

As part of my personal campaign to pump up the box office ratings for more female driven films, a friend and I went to see Sex and the City: The Movie on opening night. Naturally, this was a mistake. I remember pretty clothes and romantic sets, but it was hard to hear over the squealing, cosmo-soaked crowd in attendance.

Anyhoo, Tuesday brings the chance to see it again with the release of SATC: The Movie DVD. Fanciful frocks and friendships may be just the thing to distract from all the doom and gloom in the financial sector these days. I am also looking forward to Michael Patrick King's usually insightful director commentary.

In other Sex and the City news, it looks like Candace Bushnell is taking a cue from Gossip Girl and cashing in on the teen book market. Carrie is going back to high school. Coterie Books has more juicy details.

Photograph from Vogue, June 2008.

Top Design: Eddie Ross

While Bravo's Top Design has several talented designers on the roster this year, one who stands out is Martha Stewart Living Senior Style Editor, Eddie Ross.

A bow-tie guy with a culinary degree and a tureen collection, it's easy to see how he fits in so well with the gang over at Living. For his Top Design audition tape, he finds a pair of painted candlesticks at a flea market, takes them home to strip them with a vibrating toothbrush and reveals the Sheffield silver plate beneath. Then he uses them to set the dinner table in his adorable New York City apartment by candlelight. I almost cried it was so cute.

Of course, I would probably think the whole thing was a hoax if not for his highly informative blog, which details his weekly antiquing adventures. This guy knows his flea market finds.

Give or Take

One Magazine.
Two ads.
Which stylist are you going with?

(Estee Lauder left, Tod's right.)

Whatever, Martha!

"I take what I do very seriously, and I think there is a lesson to be learned in every segment. But contrary to popular opinion, I do have a sense of humor." - Martha Stewart

More about it here.

Sunday Sunflowers

With the thermometer stopping just shy of 90 degrees, cut sunflowers are the closest I am getting to fall this weekend.

Bottom photo by Angela Moore for Domino, October 2005

Pretty, Cool

It's not often that you find beautifully monogrammed linens and retro light fixtures under the same roof, but Gramercy Fine Linens and Furnishings has found that balance between pretty and cool. While the Buckhead store is worth a trip (or ten) in person, it looks like they will be adding a web store for out of town shoppers soon.

Goat Paintings Are the New Deer Antlers

The paintings of Atlanta's own Helen Durant.

Photos from top: Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles by Erica George Dines, House Beautiful, October 2007 via Habitually Chic,Traditional Home, October 2007 via Another Shade of Grey.

Because She's Gonna Have the Nuclear Codes

I know this video has nothing to do with design, but it was funny enough to bring me out of my blogging semi-retirement. (With apologies to my parents).