ArchivesSeptember, 2011

You know I love to troll Circa Who for new vintage items sourced from the rich and famous in Palm Beach (or maybe from aunt Doris in Tamarac…, but who cares?) It’s these small things that wake the space up, give it a sense of humor and a story and things you can truly make your own. Here are my picks of the week:

FAUX BAMBOO PAGODA CHANDELIER

I would put this anywhere: over a table, in a kids room, in my office, in a sunroom..

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GREYHOUND

I lust after this; look at his necklace, oh, I mean, collar! All he needs is the right foyer…

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PAIR OF LUCITE STACK LAMPS

These would glam up any living room or buffet with new shades.

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POODLE ON PILLOW

Okay, now I am dying. Another friend for Trudie…

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GREEN CHINOISERIE SECRETARY

This is MAD… just MAD!

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PAIR OF ZEBRA BENCHES

I am loving these… perched at the base of twin beds or in a living room! So seventies!

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Last week, I put my pen down, closed my files and went to New York Fashion Week sponsored by Brizo, a company I knew nearly nothing about. Yes, they rolled out the red carpet, wined and dined us and took us to the Jason Wu show and after-party at a sleek downtown loft. I made friends I feel I will keep in touch with and really talented people from all over the country. I left with so much.

Remarkably, I met a group of people at Brizo who seem like family, care deeply about heir work, and are committed to innovative design, quality and the environment. That is something you rarely see in a corporate brand and something I can tell you first hand filters down from the top at Brizo.

The design team was excited about their work, passionate about it and willing to show a group of near strangers new designs in order to garner feedback and input from the “eyes and ears” of the design blogosphere. This in itself speaks volumes and was so exciting to participate in.

But actually seeing the designs and learning about the innovation behind them—which is cutting edge —makes me highly likely to spec a Brizo fixture the next time I am called upon to outfit or design a kitchen or a bath. And the upcoming collaboration with designer Jason Wu is just the beginning of what they have in store for the future.

I could show you some photos of me with my new blogger friends, or me sitting at the Jason Wu fashion show, but I’d rather show you some pretty faucets that work like a dream.

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Solna was my favorite: a simple modern almost minimalist faucet that reminds me of Calvin Klein. While in the sleek mode, I also loved this one called Venuto. But far and away, Tresa will be my go-to classic.

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Well, I told you I wasn’t going to post pictures of me at the Brizo event; why would you care to look at those? I lied! After I saw these, I had to share them. They capture the smiles and happy times we shared. Team Brizo, THANK YOU! All photos by Jayme Thornton.

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I admit it. It’s 80 degrees this week in Boston but Labor Day weekend, I changed my closet over, removed all overt traces of summer, and my sweaters are folded and waiting in the shelves.

With the change of season, it’s a like a ritual for me to change the clothes and shoes in my closet and with that, the small accessories in my house. I get bored and this solves that inexpensively. Swap out pillows, rugs, lamps and containers to fit the new season. It sounds complex, but it’s really not.

Look below. In each picture, the orange elements, whether they be pillows, vases, branches or lamps, could easily be changed to another color—turquoise, fuschia, cobalt, green, marigold—to suit the season. These spaces feel autumnal, but could just as quickly transform to spring summer or even winter with some small but effective color and textural swaps. Easy as 1-2-3. Now, it’s your turn…

1. Martha Stewart 2. Lucky Mag 3.Pinterest 4.Pheobe Howard 5.Pinterest 6.Porter Design Company

It is tempting, and certainly easy, to indulge in one-stop-shopping for the home. I do understand the task of decorating is overwhelming, and for those who don’t solicit professional advice, it is great to point and click your daughter’s bedroom from Serena & Lily or your family room from Mitchell Gold.

But I caution you not to succumb. I fear your home will end up feeling like a hotel and you will regret having a “bought” room that could conceivably be the same as your friend down the block.

Your house is your own. Don’t you want the rooms to have a story or a rhythm? Don’t you want there to be something curious to see? If you must shop only at big stores or etailers, try to at least mix it up with different venues. Select pieces from various places and mix them, and splurge for one or two important custom and several vintage pieces.

By the way, vintage doesn’t need to mean crusty or old—(you know I love crusty…). By all means, if old gives you the creeps, select items that are one-of-a-kind but not “aged”. And whatever you do, don’t buy all the accessories like pillows and objects in the same stores as the furnishings. Can you say, rooms-to-go? As I tell my clients, I would rather see empty space than the wrong things. Do it once and DO IT RIGHT.