Portrayal

I am part of the portrait party over on Style Court today. Come visit for the story behind this one.

(And, for those of you who have been paying attention, that is my yet to be painted, exposed brick wall. Still weighing my options on that one...)

Grey Gardens

A restored Grey Gardens Cottage in East Hampton, New York, photographed in 2005. The Beale family owned the famously dilapidated home from 1923 to 1979.

If ever a home could be considered a character in a story, Grey Gardens would qualify. Just in case you have not yet experienced the original 1975 documentary about the home and its lovably crazy inhabitants, there is still a little time left before the motion picture premiers this April.



It took me a second of watching this trailer to realize that this was the new version because Drew Barrymore's accent is so good. And while the original may be more inspirational for its message, the latter promises something stylish in its memory.

(Top Photograph from the East Hampton Historical Society)

Saving Face

I saw this pillow on The Today Show and am wishing it had been invented ten years' worth of fine lines ago.

I also wonder how it would look with a Leontine Chopstick mono--even if that defeats the skin smoothing properties of the original product.



Speaking of Leontine Linens, how cool is Kim Hastreiter, co-publisher of Paper Magazine's collection of assorted monogrammed guest towels. I love the idea of having more than one design in a single setting (and the funds to make it happen).

via Isaac Mizrahi.

Design With Silex

And you thought they only doled out helpful fashion and parenting advice! In case you had your doubts, here is clip of Simon and Alex trying to impress/belittle their poor architect with their design concepts. Watch them explain the latest trends in kitchen design as the champagne flows. (I love how these two always have to bring out the bubbly whenever it's time to write a check).

More dirt and much wittier observations on the Real Housewives can be found via the truly brilliant, SGM.

Photograph by Gillian Laub from New York Magazine.

Update: "News flash, granite is way more "In Vogue" then growing mold on your ceiling." - A note to Alex from OC Tamra's blog

Spoiled

I want to be here...

Reading this....

With este lugar as my home for the weekend...
All photos with the exception of Caitlin Macy's Spoiled from the Viceroy Mayakoba, opening in 2010.

What To Do

Tom Scheerer would paint the bricks.

So, here is a blurry camera phone photo of my yet to be decorated office. What was once a screened porch will soon become my cozy work space and I am still debating whether to paint over the brick or keep it exposed. The minimalist decorator in me imagines how nice it might look under a coat of White Dove, but I worry I may be losing one of the few interesting elements in our otherwise architecturally bland home.

According to Dara from Domino, exposed brick can "suck the life out of a room", but I am still not 100% convinced.

Once you commit to painting brick, there is no easy way of going back. However, a white background would give my growing art collection a lift.

Decisions, decisions. Any advice?

Top photo from Tom Scheerer, Third photo from Domino, December 2006, Fourth photo from Living Etc. by Penny Wincer

Happy March

It's blizzard city outside. So much for early spring in the South!