So Long, Summer

Labor Day Weekend, 2010, Chautauqua, New York

Hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend!

Colorphobia & Chocoholism

I am a bit behind on my shelter mag perusal, but this Brooklyn brownstone caught my eye while taking the Eyjafjallajokull reroute home. All of a sudden I want to paint every surface that is not made of textured wood and tobacco-hued leather, pure white. (From New York Magazine, photographed by The Selby).

Also, there is this...


Holy drawer full of Côte d’Or! I love that he keeps it in the vegetable bin. (Different house, same magazine).

Right on the Mark

Digging these retro guest bathrooms at The Mark. Fresh off a redesign by Jacques Grange, they include my favorite new bathroom accessory...Disappearing Mirror TVs!


I know there has been a lot of discussion as to who actually watches these things, but I am sure I would. Blow drying and straightening my hair can get really boring. And now that I know that sitting and watching TV can increase your death rate, it makes sense to view those thoughtful programs while engaging in another activity.

Also loving The Mark's chic website & illustrations.

Park Avenue Bites

Tinsley Mortimer's quintessential Park Avenue dining room, via Jennifer Jane's Style Journal.

Last year...
Park Avenue Potluck.

This year...
The Park Avenue Diet.

Even though I need this year's version, I think I would enjoy last year's guide to Park Avenue eating more.

Outdoor Living, New York Style

As much as I heart NY, the lack of private green space was one of the issues that sent me packing for hometown Georgia. However, it looks like Charlotte Moss has the right idea for her own New York townhouse above.

(Photographs by Mark Heithoff).

I am especially digging the teal, chevron-slatted chairs. Now that I am back in the South, I can see Chinese fans from Pearl River Mart making useful dinner party favors on a hot summer night.

For more Moss musings on entertaining and the merits of the outdoor fireplace, see New York Magazine's "Hyper Design" Issue or her latest book, A Flair for Living.

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.

New York in Lights

Here are a few of my photos from New York, taken earlier this week.

The tree at Rockefeller Center

View from our hotel room, overlooking St. Patrick's Cathedral

The Charlotte Moss Townhouse, decorated for Christmas

Snowflakes outside of Saks Fifth Avenue


Happy Holidays!

The New Downtown

From the real jungle, to the concrete one...


I love this recent ad campaign for Tiffany & Co.'s new Wall Street store for a couple of reasons; One is the swinging, 1960's-style illustrations that harken back to the golden stride of Tiffany, years before we were subjected to the spoiled brats on MTV's  "My Super Sweet Sixteen", waving their clunky tag bracelets in our faces. Thanks to some good old fashioned marketing/nostalgia/damage control, we are reminded that Tiffany was once posh, exclusive, and all things New York. Just imagine how many Wall Street wives (and mistresses) will be getting a little blue box this year--and perhaps an orange one from around the corner, as well.

The other reason I love this ad is that I used to live on Wall Street. Back then it was a residential Siberia, and I lived on the 21st floor of the tall, tiered building featured in the illustration above. I shared a  three-bedroom apartment with five girls. We barely made it a year before fleeing to real neighborhoods. Still, it's fun to flip through a magazine and see the headline: "Downtown Is The Next Big Thing" for the umpteenth time and finally believe it.

His and Hers

Not wanting to ignore the other half, today's post is dedicated to closet space that accommodates both sides of the equation.

Separate but equally beautiful dressing rooms were designed for a Chicago couple by Alessandra Branca. (Photography by Alan Shortall for Veranda Magazine, October 2001).

Below are the dressing rooms of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (pictured above). In 1998, Sotheby's auctioned off the contents of their famously stylish wardrobe to an adoring public. My very first job as a clueless young grad was to give private tours of the pre-sale exhibition. (Pardon me while I date myself).

A pair of Chinese Chippendale style pagodas flank the dressing area of the Duchess of Windsor. Most of the shoes in the closet are designed by Roger Vivier.

The Duke of Windsor preferred the designs of Peal & Co. for his velvet slippers. Just imagine the ascots and jodhpurs this closet has seen.