Laman

Chic Designs: Sophie Conran for Portmeirion


One of the first things I put on my Christmas list this year is Sophie Conran's Collection for Portmeirion. I already own a few pieces including the sugar bowl and creamer that sit on my stove (see last photo) but now I want the place settings. Actually, I want the whole darn collection. Every last piece! But only in pale robin's egg blue. It's my favorite color and matches my decor perfectly. I love that they all look slightly off kilter and handmade, although I'm sure they are not but it's nice to know something mass produced doesn't have to look like it!

Sophie Conran is the daughter of Sir Terence Conran, the famous designer, and is a cookbook author as well as designer now herself. She said she believes in enjoying every moment and in creating a beautiful world around you and your family, with warmth, simplicity and love.

The Portmeirion Collection includes the porcelain which has been designed to look as good on the dining table as it does in the kitchen. They not only look great but are robust and can go from the worktop to the oven to the table to the freezer, and back to the oven again. Love it! There is also glassware, silver serving pieces, wood pieces, and aprons and tea towels. Oh, and it's also a design winner! Sophie's collection won the Elle Decoration Design Award in 2006. So I guess I'm not the only one who appreciates it. There are many stockists who carry the collection including Anthropologie, Macy's and Amazon.com. Just in case you want to put in on your holiday wish list as well.




Read More

Habitually Chic Artist: Julian Barrow

Bethesda Fountain, Central Park, New York


I'm always in awe of artists who are capable of evoking the feeling of a particular place through their art, especially those old-school artists such as Julian Barrow. When the invitation for his upcoming exhibition at W.M. Brady & Co. in New York crossed my desk, I thought his art was just too spectacular not to share.

Julian Barrow, a painter of cityscapes, conversation pieces and interiors throughout the world, is an Englishman as comfortable in New York, Venice, and Rome as he is in London. His paintings convey his delight in travel and in getting to know a subject, whether it be architectural, human or a combination of both. He has exhibited regularly in New York, London and the Middle East since the 1960's after studying painting in Florence. His studio is in Tite Street, Chelsea, London in a Victorian building of studios where both Sargent and Whistler painted. And as you can see from his work, he is just as wonderful and talented as the former tenants!

After I uploaded my Julian Barrow post yesterday, I received a lovely email from Mary Aarons, Slim Arrons' daughter, mentioning that she had met Julian Barrow and admired his painting in person when she met him this past April at the Palatino (overlooking the Forum and Colliseum in Rome). How exciting is that?! She was even kind enough to send me the photo above. The best part about blogging is hearing fun stories like this that add another wonderful dimention to a story.

Park Avenue at 69th Street, New York

Dogana, Venice

Palazzi on the Grand Canal, Venice

St. Peter's, Rome

Horse Guards, London

Read More

Quaker Exchange 14 recibido


Hace un par de días que recibí el intercambio quaker. Esta vez mi compañera fue Nancy K, justamente la moderadora.
Bordó un precioso pinkeep con un motivo del Pattern Book de Ackworth School, en un lino morado tintado de Silkweaver con sedas de Vikki Clayton y the Thread Gatherers . Desde luego ha dado en el clavo con los tonos y aunque el tema de Halloween no sea habitual, entre los diseños quakers, éste desde luego tiene toda la pinta de animar la fiesta.

Detrás bordó nuestras inciales y utilizó una tela muy adecuada .



Es la segunda vez que Nancy me envia uno de sus bordados en este intercambio. Ella y yo somos las únicas que nos hemos mantenido constantes en los catorce intercambios ( según me dijo una vez ). A mí no me cuesta nada realizarlos y no me importa que el tema siempre sea el mismo porque los quakers me encantan. Eso sí, al menos intento hacer algo distinto o utilizar otros materiales y tomarlo como excusa para aprender algo nuevo.
Read More

My Design: Original Content Week


A shot of the living room looking towards the family room. Across from this arrangement is another seating group comprised of a tufted sofa and two more chairs.


In honor of Decorno's proposal that design bloggers celebrate "Original Content Week," I've dug into my archives and pulled out these shots of a highrise apartment that I worked on last year. My client is a single woman in her 80s with reddish brown hair and olive skin tones. Working around her coloring, I came up with the scheme of sage greens, terracottas, and caramels for her new space. My client looks wonderful in her condo because the colors blend with her complexion rather than fight it. This was the first time I had considered complexion in thinking up a color scheme and it is something I have continued to do. It was a real eureka moment in my design life and I highly recommend trying out the premise.

My client plays cards and lots of it and one of the most important aspects to get right were all the gaming tables. So, poker with the men, (and the ladies) takes place on the round, wooden dining table. We purchased a heavy, fold-up topper, backed with felt to cover the table when the chips are flying. Next, I purchased a smaller game table to seat four for a game of bridge. This worked beautifully until it was discovered that the mirror was reflecting the cards, so I designed a temporary cover out of the pillow fabric that is placed over the mirror when the bridge ladies come. I kid you not. Lastly, a larger game table that seats six was placed in the den to handle card games for between 4 and 8 players or to serve lunch on at all the games. Obviously, this is a woman who loves to entertain. Working on this assignment was challenging and took up the better part of a year. My client and I didn't know each other when we started, but by the end of the project we had become close friends, despite our 30 something years age difference.



A closeup shot of the living room, with it's sage and terracotta tones. I designed all upholstery here and in the family room and had it fabricated at Custom Creations in Houston.


A close up of the dining room. The light fixture is a beauty: a highly patinaed antique brass fixture from Belgium. The fixture was purchased at Brown, a unique lighting shop whose proprietor lived in Belgium for several years. Now back in Houston, she returns there several times a year for inventory. The light fixture is a stand out in the room - it's patina actually picks up the wall's color.

This is the family room with caramel tones featured in the wall color, the Rose Tarlow fabrics, the drapery, and in the geometric patterned sisal rug. The brass and crystal light fixture is from Circa Lighting. The two brass lighting fixtures on opposite sides of the large space play off each other: though one is contemporary and the other antique, they complement each other. The set of prints are black and white drawings of Galveston, Texas that I had framed to cover the alcove space above the sofa. Janus et cie chairs surround the mid sized game table.

Another view of the family room. I designed the bookcases to form an alcove around the sofa to create some architectural interest and to house the smalls collected over a lifetime. The red table to the right is actually an oriental drum, purchased from Area, a local store.


Read More

Kate Moss Holiday Collection for Top Shop

One of my favorite things to do when I go to London is to visit Top Shop. If you've ever been there, you'll know why. It's the most fabulous store, chock full of spot on trends at inexpensive prices and amazing vintage clothes as well. There are rumblings about a store opening up in New York but no confirmed report as of yet. Too bad since Kate Moss has just unveiled her new holiday collection.

Barney's had a small selection from her first collection that sold out in about 30 seconds so I'll keep my fingers crossed that they get the holiday clothes. They're a little seventies disco era looking but also completely modern with a little Deco thrown in for good measure. If Barney's doesn't carry them, I might have to hop across the pond for a little shopping!
Read More

Operacion: un hogar mas agradable

Cuando volvimos de las vacaciones italianas este pasado verano, vino conmigo un panel de tela propia de la Toscana. Estaba claro que su destino era hacer un cojín. En la misma tienda compré algo que me sirviera para la trasera, un bonito lino con mezcla de algodón y con cierta caída.
Le añadí unas bolitas de algodón y ya tengo otro cojín para hacer mi sofá más agradable.

Cojín de Italia

Detrás monté las telas dejando una abertura para sacar el cojín y lo cerré con una cinta de piculina doble sobre las que cosí unos botones de nácar grandes.

Cojín de Italia detrás

El próximo miércoles dedicaré este artículo a la decoración otoñal en mi habitación de costura, que ya va haciendo un frío ......
Read More

Love in the Time of Cholera

I buy a lot of books that I start but get too busy to finish, such was the case with Love in the Time of Cholera. But now, I am determined to finish it before the movie version comes out on November 16th! It looks so beautiful! I can't wait to see it!

The movie is based on the acclaimed book by the Nobel Prize-winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez and tells the epic love story of a man who waits fifty years for the love of his life amid the lush, romantic backdrop of early 20th century South America.

It was adapted for the screen by Academy Award winner Ronald Harwood (‘The Pianist’) and directed by Mike Newell (‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’). It stars Academy-award nominated Javier Bardem, Giovanna Mezzogiorno, and Benjamin Bratt. Colombian-born, international recording artist Shakira has even contributed songs for the movie and soundtrack. If this talented group of people can't put together an amazing movie, I don't know who can! But don't forget to start with the book!

Read More

Primeros pasos en bordado

Hace unos días que Cristina nos comentaba sus " tiernos comienzos" en el bordado. Casualmente hacía unas semanas que , tras una limpieza otoñal, apareció junto a la tarjeta de recuerdo de mi bautizo ( aquellas tan lindas que daban con la cigüeñita y los datos del bebé ) , un trabajo que tuvimos que hacer todas las alumnas de octavo curso de la E. G. B. para el Día de la Madre.
Recuerdo que me costó bastante hacerlo porque era un muestrario de puntos de bordado que tuve que aprender justo para esto. Quién diría en lo que me iba a meter muchos años después.....
El caso es que , con una tela de esas de restos de sábana que mi madre me dio, junto con alguna otra más , empecé tan ardua tarea. Ahora miro aquellas imperfectas puntadas y me traen recuerdos escolares , todas allí , dale que te pego a la aguja para tenerlo a tiempo. Pero también me asombro de ver cómo era capaz de sacar los hilos y hacer vainica en esa tela de hebras tan finas......
El trabajo iba en una cartulina que también tenía su cuestión.Delante , escrito a boli ( vaya una letra más repipi que tenía entonces....) el título que celebraba el amor a nuestras madres.....


........ y dentro , después de desplegarla , se encontraban todos los trocitos de tela con una clase de bordado diferente.Afortunadamente teníamos un modelo que la profesora dejaba a la vista para asombro de las principiantes alumnas



Algún ejemplo más cerquita.....


Supongo que muchas de vosotras tendréis cosas similares . La verdad es que pensé que este regalo se había perdido después de tantos años , por eso me dio mucha alegría ver que todavía se conservaba , en cierta manera , en buen estado , además de decir un " ¡ Madre del amor hermoso! bien alto .... que es lo que suelo exclamar cuando me ocurren cosas como estas.
Espero que alguna vez enseñaré a mis nietecitos , si los tengo , lo que su abuelita hacía cuando era una niña. Porque desde luego pienso conservarlo muuuuchos años.
Read More

Park Avenue Potluck

I am excited to announce that a very great book for a very great cause is finally released today! More than just a cookbook, Park Avenue Potluck is an unprecedented peek into the dining rooms of New York’s poshest addresses and savviest hostesses. It offers advice on how to entertain in true New York style with a compilation of recipes, entertaining tidbits, anecdotes, and party-planning advice from celebrated New York party givers, members and friends of The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). Acclaimed food writer and contributing New York Times columnist, Florence Fabricant edits as well as contributes to the book.

Through its fundraising events and organizing volunteer committees, The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center supports patient care, research and public education on the importance of early cancer detection and treatment. These altruistic women, who dedicate countless hours, now open up their personal recipe boxes and share their crowd pleasing signature dishes, desserts, and drinks served for holidays, parties, weekend gatherings with friends, and quiet nights at home with their families. Beginning with “The Guide,” the ladies go through all the necessary steps of throwing a party, including invitations, setting the table, and serving styles. All of this savvy know-how is accompanied by an indispensable pantry list of items to have on hand at all times - because you should never be caught off guard!

“A good party takes planning, but once it starts you can relax and enjoy every minute.” - Jamee Gregory

“I go to several markets that I like and get inspired by what they have that’s fresh and what looks good.” - Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos

“When I serve a frozen dessert at the table, I will opt for a demi-tasse in the living room afterwards to use my collection of un-matched cups, brought out on a serving tray.” - Coco Kopelman

Read More

Beadboard UpCountry - Brenham, Texas

It's no secret that Texas is a huge state, just to drive from one end to the other is a journey that can't be done in a day. It is so large that we have 254 counties. Several books have been written about the architecture of all of our courthouses. There is even a web site, where a man named Ted has taken a picture of each of the courthouses. Many of them are old buildings that are registered with the Historical Society while others are newer structures that replaced the older, smaller courthouse as the county grew more populated.

Drive through any small town in Texas where the county has it's seat and you will find the proud courthouse erected right in the middle of a small, antiquated downtown. One of the prettier counties in Texas is Washington County whose name to Texans will evoke visions of rolling hills and fields of bluebonnet flowers. Brenham, Texas, the county seat of Washington County, has a population of just 13,500 and is also the home of the famous Blue Bell Ice Cream. Unfortunately, Brenham's courthouse, pictured above, is not one of the old ones as it was built in 1939. The downtown of Brenham is being revitalized and it's filled with charming shops, restaurants, coffee houses, and a few romantic B&Bs. In order to satisfy the design needs of all the ranch owners and chic people who either live here or have a second home here, a new store, Beadboard UpCountry opened up last year, right on the town square across the street from the courthouse. Location in Brenham doesn't get any better than this.

Maryanne Flaherty, the brainchild behind Beadboard UpCountry, runs the store with the help of her husband. Their store has helped put Brenham's downtown revitalization on the fast track. Last week it was announced that the 2007 recipient of the Best Commercial Interior Design Award, given by the Texas Downtown Association (TDA), is none other than Beadboard UpCountry! Maryanne is a friend of mine and she emailed me to share the exciting news. The TDA, the organization behind the revitalization of downtowns around the state, hands out several different awards each year, and Beadboard UpCountry is most deserving of their top award. Located in a former bank building, Maryanne worked hard to restore the space into the charming, sunny shop it is today. To Maryanne, a chic redhead, her shop is the culmination of years of dreaming and planning. Prior to opening her store, she commuted the hour to Houston to work at local furniture stores. Now, her clients travel to see her. Beadboard UpCountry is bright, with high ceilings, and white stucco walls. For sale is bedding, tableware, accessories, candles, and furniture in white and linen slipcovers. The shop is so atmospheric, you might just think you are actually in France instead of a small Texas town.

The charming storefront: outside a chalkboard advertises the specials inside. I adore the awning almost as much as the store's name. Who could resist coming inside?

The walls are stuccoed white, with the old brickwork peeking through.

Against one wall are shelves of creamy plates and assorted tableware.


A view towards the back, you can see how high and airy the ceilings are. Notice too, the black and white mosaic tiled floor.

Besides accessories, Maryanne sells furniture and offers interior design services.


My favorite: a big round slipcovered ottoman that doubles as a coffeetable. Behind it is a white, slipcovered sofa. Seagrass, linen and white slipcovers: I am in heaven!



A view of a tablescape with shelves of goods in the background. The tableware is mostly either white or cream.

Friendly and chic Maryanne, the proprietress of Beadboard UpCountry. In this picture, you can just see the restored wooden ceiling.

If you would like to visit Beadboard UpCountry, it is located at 1o1 South Baylor Street, Brenham, Texas 77833. You can call Maryanne at 1-979-830-8788 or you can email her at beadboardupcountry@sbcglobal.net If you are planning a trip to the Round Top Antiques Fair this April, be sure to visit Maryanne as Brenham is just a short drive from Round Top.
Read More

You Like Me! You Really Like Me!

I am so excited to announce that Habitually Chic has been voted one of the Top 10 New Design Blogs to Watch on the Laissez Faire Design blog! I am so honored to be the same company as so many other wonderful design blogs such as Desire to Inspire and Brilliant Asylum, as well as others that I can't wait to check out. It's hard sometimes when you write a blog to always keep up with everything going on in blogland so what was even more exciting is that I didn't even know this contest was being held so I didn't even nominate myself! I am extremely grateful to everyone who appreciated my blog enough to vote for me. And a big thank you to my loyal readers and new blog friends! What's that line, without you I am nothing! Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by everyday! I hope I can continue to bring you interesting and inspiring posts!

I am actually taking the day off Monday to enjoy autumn in New York, although it still feels very much like summer. I always enjoy taking some time in October to walk, shop, and explore this wonderful city. It really is the best season of the year and there is so much going on that I can't wait to check out. And who knows, maybe one of my adventures will make it into a post soon!
Read More
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
DISCLAIMER
If you are the copyright owner of any of these articles or image and don't want me to share them, please, write comments on pages and I will gladly remove them.