Tented Love

Paris-born designer Helene Aumont is photographed in front of an Italian canvas tent on her ten acre Santa Barbara farm. Within her outdoor room is an 18th century painted cabinet from Europa Antiques, the business she owns with her husband Patrick. In 2002, Aumont launched her own lighting and furniture line, the Helene Aumont Collection, which combines her French and West Coast influences. Says Aumont of her design philosophy, "Artful disarray speaks to a whole new level of luxury."

(Photos from Traditional Home).

The Glam and the Green

This graphic Bisazza ad (at top) always grabs my attention, so I can see why set designers would find these mosaics to be the perfect, dynamic backdrop for drama. Watching an episode of The Real World Sydney this weekend (yes, I know), I recognized an abundance of these funky mosaics throughout the Darling Harbour living quarters (pictured in the billiard room above).

But just because MTV has embraced the Hollywood Regency style this season, don't expect it to be the theme of future Real World sets. The 20th season has already begun production in L.A. with an emphasis on green design, using materials like bamboo flooring and recyclables. Fame-hungry drunks aside, it will be interesting to see if the mega-successful series will inspire a new generation of environmentally responsible designers.

As far as my own efforts to implement green design...antique shopping counts as recycling, right?

Miroslav Sasek's Map of the World

If Holly Golightly and Paul Varjak had children, they would probably read them these super cool European books, written and illustrated by Miroslav Sasek.

Produced between 1959 and 1974, the books read like a travel guide for children, highlighting the world's most famous places. There were originally eighteen books in the "This Is" series, ten of which have been reissued over the past few years. For a complete list of works and more of these fabulous illustrations visit M. Slavek's official website.

Update: Set for release in January 2008 and available for pre-order is: This is Britain

Concentrated

When I first saw this living room belonging to stylist John Barrett, I assumed it was in California because of the warm light and garden view. To learn that it is in fact a small Greenwich Village apartment "at the bottom of an airshaft" with "zero natural sunlight" was a surprise. Supporting the illusion of bright and open space is a sparkling vintage Pace Collection cocktail table and contemporary artwork by James Narres, Joe Gafney and Lucian Freud (clockwise from top).

(Room design by Joan Shindler, landscape design by James Johnson. Images from Elle Decor)

Trend Bucking

"Antlers are the new over", declared Jamie Gray in a December Domino post. Whether or not you agree, fall fashion lines are threatening at least one more season of the trend. To better recognize our psychological attraction toward all things hunting lodge as of late, the New York Times weighs in on a myriad of possibilities. The article is a few months old, but considering decorating trends sometimes take years to totally fade out, it will give you something to laugh about when flipping through the next stag heavy Pottery Barn catalog. In the meantime, I thought these candlesticks and branch vases from eco purveyor Viva Terra were a nice autumnal accessory. The aesthetic falls along the same vein without being as big of a commitment as that carved wood deer head--and they are made of recycled aluminum, so we know they are satisfying at least one green-hot trend.

Succulence II

Potted echeveria favors at an alfresco dinner party in Malibu.

(From Martha Stewart Living, September '07).

100 Degrees

Belgian antiques dealer, Axel Vervoordt's sublime indoor swimming pool. Sofa of his own design. Photograph by Christian Sarramon.

Update: Axel Vervoordt recently published a new book, Axel Vervoordt: Timeless Interiors.

Succulence

I must admit that I don't know a lot about succulents, but seeing these gorgeous photographs in the September Veranda has inspired me to learn more--and perhaps to take on some vacant terra cotta planters I have in the back yard.

Evolution is responsible for this bizzare-looking species that has adapted to arid climates too harsh for other plants. (I am thinking that these would be perfect for Atlanta's 100 degree drought we are currently experiencing). Water is retained in leaves and stems, creating a uniquely swollen and fleshy appearance. I love that these plants look like they belong in an alien landscape.

Arrangements by Botanik.

In water fountain: shallow terracotta pot with "Blue Wave" Echeveria, Aeoniums, and Crassula Cephalophora.

In stone pot: Bloom Stalks, Crassula Cephalophora, Pink Edged Aeonium "Sunburst" Sedums and Small Burro's Tails.

In terracotta pot: White Dahlias and Green "Kermit" Chrysanthemums--not succulents, but just below is a pot of Burro's Tails.

Closet Lust

Don't you loathe those catalogs with the closets full of beige and white clothes spaced perfectly apart? I much prefer these artfully arranged clothing shrines. From top to bottom: Vivre owner, Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti's (much admired) custom directoire style cabinets, a Chanel obsessed woman's dressing room from 1995's The Bedroom, and Tracee Ellis Ross's closet from the February InStyle.

To take your closet to the next level, Domino Magazine editors suggest not only matching wooden hangers, but those sporting monograms. To emblazon your own set, visit hangers.com.

London Calls

For the Anglophile within, Taschen introduces it's latest volume on London's best shopping. (Available October 2007).

Among the list of must visit stores is Paul Smith's punk-meets-prep furniture shop. In case you can't make it across the pond to see his unique collection (like the Union Jack upholstered chairs above) a visit to the website yields easily shippable finds like this yellow stingray box.

Update: These stingray boxes also come in green, black and brown in a variety of sizes.

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.

Atlanta Eclectic

This is a page I ripped out of Paper City eons ago. The large silkscreen is by Atlanta artist Carolyn Carr. She is represented by Fay Gold Gallery.

Now through August 31st at Fay Gold is the "Our Artists" group show. For a complete list of works and artists, see http://www.faygoldgallery.com.

Books for Under the Tree

A Family Christmas by Caroline Kennedy


Poolside with Slim Aarons


Ralph Lauren


Travel Italia! The Golden Age of Italian Travel


Axel Vervoordt: Timeless Interiors


1001 Gardens You Must See Before You Die


Elle Decor So Chic: Glamorous Lives, Stylish Spaces


Tartan: Romancing the Plaid


30,000 Years of Art


India Remembered: A Personal Account of the Mountbattens During the Transfer of Power


The Conde Nast Traveler Book of Unforgettable Journeys: Great Writers on Great Places


Bunny Williams' Point of View: Three Decades of Decorating Elegant and Comfortable Houses


Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People


Women Travelers: A Century of Trailblazing Adventures 1850-1950


The Best of Flair


1001 Buildings You Must See Before You Die: The World's Architectural Masterpieces


Park Avenue Potluck: Recipes from New York's Savviest Hostesses


Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster


Great Escapes Around the World

The Party Dress