Rule #84

"Support friends in the arts. Especially if they stink." - Rule Number 84 from 1001 Rules For My Unborn Son.


Lucky for me, all of my friends in the arts are super talented. One in particular is Walker Lamond, author of the aforementioned blog turned book, Rules For My Unborn Son.

If you're unfamiliar with the material, it's just as much about style as it is solid advice on how not to be a jackass (right down to the Pantone perfect cover). The vintage reader meets Life magazine imagery adds to the sentimental journey. Some of these lessons may be exactly what your own parents taught you and some will make you laugh out loud, but I'm sure you will come across a few new words to live by.

Here is a sneak peak...(click on image to enlarge)


Rules For My Unborn Son goes on sale today—just in time for holiday shopping.

Reading & Wallpaper

"We wallpapered the stairs and hallways--it looked like an orange grove. Leafy light and dark green branches with Ping-Pong ball-sized oranges nestled here and there. The floors and stairs were painted a cream color, but we left the original walnut banister untouched. I loved that hallway. I used to just go up there and sit in it and be proud of myself."

- Isabel Gillies in her memoir, Happens Every Day.

Have you read this book? While it's not really about interior decorating, it has its moments. It's actually about making a home away from home, the never pleasant end of a marriage, and is all based on the author's true story.

Actress turned author Isabel Gillies, photographed above for Vogue in February 2009. (Is that Brunschwig & Fils "Les Touches" I spy?)

The book came to my attention, not from the Vogue article, which I missed, but from reading an interview with Whit Stillman, writer and director of one of my favorite films, Metropolitan. He mentioned that one of the actors in the movie (Gillies) had written a "very good book" about her family's move from New York City to a small town (with arguably disastrous consequences).

"We had ended up in Oberlin — in a big 1877, redbrick house we never could have afforded on the East Coast. It was our second year in Ohio. Before we bought the house on Elm Street we had lived for a year in a rented faculty house, but when we saw "Bricky," as we called it, we could not help but buy it and renovate it into our dream house. We spent all our money and took out a home-equity loan for William Morris wallpaper and a new water heater. I wish I had a picture because I'll never be able to write how great it was."

Though she never says for sure, I believe the William Morris wallpaper pattern to which Gillies refers, could be "Arbutus", designed by Kathleen Kersey in 1913. I wish I could find and example of it being used in a chic way, but all the photos I come across are from rather unfortunate bed & breakfasts.

Anyway, that concludes one of my infrequent suggestions for a good read. Those in NYC can catch author Isabel Gillies in person at the New York Society Library on October 15, 2009.

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.

Stuffed

A play on the traditional Christmas wreath and stocking featured in Cottage Living, accented by the ubiquitous (but still lovely) Imperial Trellis.

In case a Leica isn't in the Christmas budget this year, here is an inexpensive alternative for the stocking--and quite possibly the best invention since TiVo.

The GoGo Gorillapod is a flexible, mini tripod that attaches to your camera and can cling to almost any surface. It's perfect for those situations when you want your entire group in the picture, but you don't want to bother a passerby or risk having a stranger run off with your camera. (Does that ever happen in real life, or just in the movies?) It can also be used as a stand for your iPhone.

Since we don't have Slim Aarons following us around, the mini tripod is how we took advantage of this photo op. (The result was our 2006 Christmas card).

Happy Holidays!

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.

Summer Reading

Photograph from I Suwannee's brilliant "Bookcase of the Day" collection.

I am not exactly an avid reader (thanks to my debilitating reality television addiction), but I do manage to enjoy a few good books a year. I am looking for summer reading suggestions if anyone has a good read.

In exchange, here are a few of my favorites. You may notice a running theme in my reading choices, which I generally refer to as "mo' money, mo' problems". I find the ilk to be an inexpensive way to satisfy the materialistic hunger brought on from subscriptions to multiple shelter mags and Vogue.

Auto-Biography
Oh the Glory of It All by Sean Wilsey.

I read this Wilsey family memoir and tell-all of San Francisco society on my trip to Costa Rica. (Funny how being in the middle of the rain forest without a TV can inspire a lengthy read). Most of the book is funny, but I was sobbing hysterically by the end.

Non-Fiction
Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster by Dana Thomas

I learned about this book from Coterie Books who has many more great recommendations. If you are the only one in the blogosphere who has not yet read this one, you are missing out. I find it particularly helpful to read about the sham that is the "luxury market" during this time of economic reconsideration.

Classic
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

Anyone who loves descriptions of opulent interiors and New York history, will love Edith Wharton, the original Julian Fellowes.

Fiction
Snobs: A Novel by Julian Fellowes

Speaking of Julian Fellowes, the author also penned the screenplay for one of my all time favorite films, Gosford Park. Like the Oscar-winning movie, the premise for Snobs is English manor life as seen through the eyes of the common folk. However, this novel brings the class war to modern day.

Happy summer reading!

Miss Pettigrew, Chapter Two

It appears the connection between Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day and interior design continues. While I would not pass up the opportunity to see such a thoughtfully decorated movie as the aforementioned title, there is another option for the bibliophile.

Clockwise from left: The classic Persephone Book jacket, a collection of works with their corresponding end papers, the "fabric" lining for Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.

Persephone Books, known for republishing forgotten books by mostly women authors, has released their stylishly bound version of Winifred Watson's 1938 work, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. Lined inside the signature gray jacket is a pattern originally used as a linen print for interiors by textile designer Marion Dorn.

Marion Dorn in 1947 with her fabric patterns. She was also well-known for her rug designs with high profile commissions for Claridges, the Queen Mary ocean liner and Syrie Maugham's famous all-white drawing room. Photograph by Horst P. Horst.

"Fabrics are as much a part of our daily lives as furnishing and dress materials, yet we rarely see them used in any other context. However, fabric design should be celebrated for its own sake; and because it is a field in which women designers have been particularly prominent we would like to use their work whenever possible." -Persephone Books

Like the seventy-five titles in the Persephone library, the fabric patterns chosen as end-papers are largely rediscovered works from the early to mid-20th century, which coordinate with the style and year of the story.

Kudos to Persephone for keeping female artists from fading into obscurity!

Society Portraits, Then and Now

Amanda Hearst at age 16 with portrait of her great-grandmother, Mrs. William Randolph Hearst (1882-1974). Image from Bright Young Things, published in 2000.

Amanda Hearst in her New York City home, 2008. (Photo from Inheriting Beauty via Black Book Magazine).

The tradition of society portraiture continues with Inheriting Beauty, a new book of photographs by Roger Moenks. In addition to the lovely Amanda Hearst (seen above), the coffee table size collection will include design blog favorites, India Hicks, Carolina Herrera and Tinsley Mortimer. While the book does not focus on interiors, it does capture it's subjects in their respective homes around the globe.

Party Dresses

A woodland-themed, holiday party, photographed for Departures Magazine in 2005.

'Tis the season for the party dress. For me, getting dressed up for a social event usually invokes a panic episode. Next time, I will try to channel the confidence of Dorian Leigh, photographed above in Paris, 1949. (From The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London, 1947-1957).

More inspiration comes from a new book, The Party Dress, Alexandra Black's follow up to 2004's, The Evening Dress. Both celebrate the history of the festive frock from the 18th century to present day.

Fantasy Bar

Tory Burch's luxe, lacquered and mirrored bar puts me in the mood for a Harvey Wallbanger on the rocks and a little Chuck Mangione playing on the hi-fi.  (Photograph from Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People).

What better to add to the fantasy than lighting a few of Burch's own votives, made of bamboo extract, fresh citrus, water jasmine, dewy greens, osmanthus, sandalwood, white musk and amber.

For a similar vibe at a fraction of the price, try West Elm's Red Currant candle. I have this one myself and it smells divine (at $6.00).

Friday Flair II

Here is a rare chance to own an entire set of vintage Flair Magazine, now available on Ebay. In case you are interested in a compiled version, Rizzoli published The Best of Flair in 1996.

Travel Write II

In a couple of days, I am heading down to Costa Rica for a much needed break from the working world. Since I plan to "unplug", I will be blogging the way nature intended...with pen and paper. I picked up a couple of these animal print journals at West Elm yesterday in an attempt to channel a little of Osa Johnson's adventurous flair.

Because the pages are unlined, they double as a sketch book as well.

Update: As cute as these little journals are, I was sorely dissapointed with how well they held up on the road. The paper seems to be coming loose from the binding after a couple of uses. Caveat emptor!

Loft Tour

Artist Michele Oka Doner's amazing NYC loft is a true live/work space. A pioneer during Soho's rehabilitation days, she has maintained her remarkable sense of personal style while the neighborhood around her evolved.

Update: The eagle-eyed Liberty Post recognized this loft as the space used in the movie Ghost.

Only one notch lower on the cool scale is Castleberry Hill, Atlanta's hippest downtown neighborhood. Their Sixth Annual Loft Tour will be held this month and is a great opportunity to see the galleries and artists in residence of this revitalized in town neighborhood. For an example of what you might find, check out Stable 1897.

(photos from Taschen's New York Interiors).

Nuts for Squirrels

"Royal Squirrel" letterpress cards (image from Domino Magazine).

Squirrel Key Chain from Kate Spade.

This stuffed squirrel in Domino caused an avalanche of hate mail. (Photo by Roland Bello).

Mercury glass acorns from Wisteria.

"Les Squirrel" design by iomoi.

Autumn is in the air and squirrels are in our homes. Really? Well, it seems every magazine editor, fashion designer and art director is jumping on the woodland creature train. I guess it has to do with fall in that acorny, oak leafy kind of way. I am not sure I get it, but one thing that makes this trend forgivable (for me at least) is that my favorite childhood book, Miss Suzy by Miriam Young was about a squirrel, who was coincidentally an interior designer of sorts. I wonder if other designers were inspired by this tale.

Inspired Red & Leopard

Charlotte Moss finds inspiration in Elsie de Wolfe's personal photo album, which she owns. I am inspired by the way she houses this treasure with red leather binding, lined in leopard print. More specifically, I am inspired to go shopping for accessories...

Brown Leopard patent leather Christian Louboutin heels with trademark red sole.

"Malawi Carla" handbag from Kate Spade.

Top photo from Design Inspirations, Vol. 1.

Travel Write

A 1962 Vogue Magazine jet-setter (photographed for Domino).

If it is possible, I am probably more obsessed with reading about travel than I am with art and design. Although I can't get away as much as I would like, I am constantly attempting to educate myself as to where I would go next, if I could. Here are a couple of new travel resources hitting the scene:

In October, Conde Nast is set to release Unforgettable Journeys: Great Writers on Great Places, a collection of travel essays by both fiction and non-fiction writers.


I am a big fan of The Hotel Book series. Available soon from the same group at Taschen is the lushly photographed, Great Escapes Around the World, which has a coordinating website when you are ready to make a reservation.


Town and Country Magazine added the Travel Issues in 2003, but they have also recently launched a new Travel Site which combines the magazine's quality with a broader spectrum.


And here is a photo from my own travels: Ravello, Italy 2005. I do my own "travel writing" of sorts on Trip Advisor. It is one of the best resources for unbiased reviews and candid hotel photographs.

I am curious, what are your favorite travel resources and sources of inspiration?