Art + Design

Artist Ann Carrington's work is everywhere these days! (If you watch Bravo's "9 By Design", then you know what I mean). This time, her Pearly Queen of Dalston appears in the whimsical London pad of accessories designer Lulu Guinness in Living Etc.




You can imagine the two as artistic soulmates...

A sequined bag by Lulu Guinness at top, A Union Jack Wall Hanging by Ann Carrington below

I hope the collaborations keep on coming! For more photos of Lulu's Notting Hill home, visit Living Etc.

Closet Lust, Part 12

Rachel Zoe's studio as seen on The Huffington Post.

Holy bananas--there are a lot of shoes in this room. I know it's a workspace and all, but couldn't we send Jeff Lewis over there to design a decent dressing room with some stylish cabinetry?

Don't forget, it's the best week ever on Bravo, with premiers of the new seasons of Flipping Out and The Rachel Zoe Project. My DVR is feeling loved right now.

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

Moving On

Anybody still out there? I know it has been a while since my last post, but I have a good excuse (for the last few weeks at least--before that it was simply year-end blog fatigue).

So far, 2009 has been all about packing and stressing over moving into a new house. Even though we have done this a few times, I forget how physically and mentally exhausting a move can be. I don't know how Jeff Lewis does it again and again. For the first few weeks, it feels like you are camping and lost in your own house (and not because it is too big, as this one most certainly is not). We have spent hours searching for missing electrical cords to hook up computers and are currently watching the laundry pile grow until our dryer is fixed (damaged in the move, natch). At least we finally have hot water--and more importantly, cable!

Anyway, I hope everyone out there in decor blog-land is having a wonderful new year despite all of this depressing shelter mag news. (Domino, wtf?) I know my list of home projects just became a lot longer, so hopefully I will have something to share soon. If I could only remember where I packed my camera...

Viva La Top Design

Dining area designed by Top Design's Nathan Thomas.

I was at the Coldplay concert during the Top Design finale, but I finally had a chance to catch up with it on Tivo.

Now that all is said and done, I have to comment on what a VAST improvement this second season was over the initial run. The final contestants were bigger talents, the spaces were more challenging and the addition of India Hicks and Jeff Lewis was welcomed. But most notably, the ear-bleeding opening from Season One (complete with pillow fight) is gone. It's a miracle that anyone made it past the first 20 seconds of the last go round.

This season, I laughed, I cringed, and at times became so inspired that I would pause mid-show to start projects in my own house. I won't spoil the winner in case you are a late viewer like I was, but just wanted to say nice work Bravo! I am keeping my fingers crossed there will be a Season Three.

Keeping it Real

Nice try, Bravo. I caught you trying to slip this classic Buckhead home into your montage of OTP McMansions the other night on The Real Housewives of Atlanta.

Maybe most of America won't notice this house is actually WITHIN the city limits--30 miles away from where your story was taking place. Of course this is of no bother to me, but perhaps our metro area cousins would not want this old house (without it's own bowling alley) being mistaken as one of their own.

Going South

Come on, you know you want to visit Atlanta--especially after last night's shining endorsement of our city.

Well, if you were not scared away by the suburban bling and brawls, you can always get a room at the new W Hotel Buckhead designed by our favorite "Queer Eye", Thom Filicia.



According to Filicia and the Starwood Hotel Group last year, the design plan would combine "urban style with the city’s deep history and culture" and "traditions of Southern hospitality". I am not sure how much of this concept made it to the final reveal, but it looks fun and colorful in an Adler-esque kind of way. Even with the rash of new hotels opening in Atlanta this year, we don't have anything that looks like this.

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!

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.

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

...because we know it's not blogging. So, here are a couple of things that I have been up to so far this summer:

1) I Netflixed My Kid Could Paint That. At first glance, it's a documentary on four year old painting "prodigy" Marla Olmstead. (Photographed above). What it soon becomes is an unsolved mystery and a fascinating commentary on what defines abstract art, creative genius and adult greed.

2) I visited what is slowly becoming my favorite beach destination within driving distance from Atlanta: Amelia Island, Florida. Please don't tell the usual masses that are out to ruin my peaceful beach vacation with loud country music and drunken Pro-Kadima.

3) I met Top Chef-testant, Richard Blais after having a meal his Atlanta restaurant, Home. His elegant, Blaisian version of "Shrimp and Grits" with slices of citrus, chorizo and she-crab butter was to die for. My mouth still waters. Even if you didn't win, we are still rooting for you Richard!

4) I picked up my newly recovered chairs from the upholsterer. The commitment-phobe in me decided that natural linen was the only fabric I wouldn't regret six months from now. Next plan is to add pillows, perhaps with a cool fabric from Of The Young and the Restless.

5) I helped my grandmother celebrate her 80th birthday. This is her posing on the cover of Davenport Steward's 1950's literary masterpiece, "No Time for Fear". 58 years later and she still looks great (much better than the tattered book jacket remains which I have framed on my wall).

Hope you are all having a wonderful summer as well!

Girl TV

I love a good, girly television show. I also enjoy reading the occasional in-depth analysis of my viewing choices in The New York Times...

“Gossip Girl” focuses on worldly little girls who join forces against one another. The series, along with such like-minded shows as the MTV semireality show “The Hills” and a cautionary senior edition, “The Real Housewives of New York City,” are focused on friends, and most of all on frenemies. They are so postfemininist that they circle back not just to “Mean Girls,” but to the pre-Friedan era of Clare Boothe Luce and Rona Jaffe.

Huh? I have obviously been watching too much television since I had to look up half of the references in that paragraph. I prefer the way Rolling Stone lays it out in chart form with pictures...


(Click image to enlarge). And yes, I so agree that L.C. is on her way to Anistonville.

Although I still don't understand the exact meaning of Post-Feminism, I did learn one important thing from the Times article, The Real Housewives of New York City will be returning with "The Lost Footage" on May 27th on Bravo. Woohoo!

Real Housewives

Real Housewife Bethenny, just hanging out with the girls

Even though last night's The Real Housewives of New York City premiere did not leave me bowled over with style inspiration, I did spot one pretty thing amongst the coffee talk.  

I don't know if it was the blue chain embroidery on Bethenny's bed linens or the Greek-key hem of her dress, but either way I am suddenly yearning for a crisp new duvet cover for Spring. (If anyone knows the manufacturer of the pattern, please share). In the meantime I have found some tempting options.

"Fiorentina" from Matouk is a simplified, graphic chain.

At a slightly lower thread-count, Williams Sonoma Home's Greek Key duvet is the more affordable option.

For a witty recap of the show we love to hate (to love) be sure to check out the Scented Glossy Magazines unofficial "Real Housewives" fansite.

The Grand Tradition of Southern Hospitality

My favorite thing about Queer Eye for the Straight Guy is the quietly sarcastic home guru, Thom Filicia. While the other Fab Four are busy taking the "straight guy" to Brazillian dance class or to have their eyebrows waxed, Thom is always left behind with the daunting task of redecorating the poor schlub's apartment. Even if the house is piled high with Dungeons and Dragons collectibles, he finds a way to incorporate them into a pleasing, hip design. When the hour is up, everyone sobs with joy over their slick new digs.

Anyway, I was excited to learn that Filicia would be responsible for designing the new W Atlanta in Buckhead, slated to open June 2008. Of course it could always end up being corporate blah, but I am hoping the design will include some of Filicia's signature modern elements--like in the Chelsea loft project pictured above. According to the Starwood Hotel Group, the design plan will combine "urban style with the city’s deep history and culture" and "maintain the grand traditions of Southern hospitality". Yay Atlanta! See you at the rooftop bar!

Bravo

If not for Jonathan Adler's interview with Top Design winner Matt Lorenz in Elle Decor this month, I would have completely forgotten the show ever existed. I never made it past the initial episodes--actually, I barely made it past the annoying theme song.

When first announced, Top Design seemed full of promise. With host Todd Oldham and judges Jonathan Adler, Kelly Wearstler and Margaret Russell, the ultimate, design dream-team had been assembled. Plus it was to air on Bravo, home to the Cadillac of creative contests, Project Runway. So what happened?

This interesting article about the Bravo network in New York Magazine breaks down why some shows are hits, why some are flops, and what happens to the legitimately creative talents of Top Design, Top Chef and Project Runway after the cameras stop rolling.

Welcome to the Parker

With television decorating shows being notoriously unwatchable, there is one bright light this season on Bravo. While not a traditional design show, "Welcome to the Parker" is actually an unscripted drama about the everyday, goings-on inside the lush, Jonathan Adler designed Parker Palm Springs hotel.
Watching the daily routine of the hotel staff is fairly entertaining, but the real star of the show is the unique, mid-century hotel and surrounding desert property. This former Holiday Inn was redesigned and opened in 2004 with Adler's artistic vision. He occasionally visits the show (with his dog, Liberace) to lend a manic decorating hand. Meanwhile, the frazzled management team rolls their eyes at some of his more outlandish suggestions (like that they hire a full-time pillow fluffer/macrame curtain untangler for the lobby). Great TV!
On Bravo Thursdays 10/9 c.