Over the weekend I went to the 19th annual Rooms with a View design showcase in Southport.
Over the weekend I went to the 19th annual Rooms with a View design showcase in Southport. Rooms with a View features vignettes created by twelve area designers using this year’s theme of Americanism: Timeless and Timely Design. The theme was a nod to the late Albert Hadley, the iconic designer behind the original idea for Rooms with a View. Each designer reinterpreted one of Hadley’s designs for their vignette.
Thom Felicia was honorary chairman of the event, which also included a boutique, book signings, food from local chefs, and a fashion show. The main attraction for me, of course, was the design. I love the opportunity to see what other designers are doing — it’s very inspirational and I’m always left feeling energized. Here are the vignettes I found most memorable.
Love this vignette by Christina Lake. Ski retreat — absolutely clever.Sara Gilbane: Fabric from her collaboration with Peter Fasano. Smart, well put together space.Bold and vivacious. Strong statement by designer Patrick Mele, who also collaborated with Peter Fasano on the fabric.Love the table by Christian Parkay. Leather top with zig zag contrast stitching and gradating gold dust base at the root – super sexy in an organic way.
If you made it to Rooms with a View, what was your favorite vignette?
I stumbled across Lema J jewelry while browsing online and instantly loved what I saw.
I stumbled across Lema J jewelry while browsing online and instantly loved what I saw. These handmade shagreen cuffs are simply gorgeous and make such an impact with a pop of color.
Lema J was founded by sisters Jenny Benscher and Jill Becker in 2013. The cuffs are made from stingray leather and lined with lambskin, available in custom combinations of amazing colors and patterns. The texture of the shagreen is so striking, and the cuffs have wonderful scale. They can be worn with a casual look or something more dressy. For work or an evening out, a Lema J cuff would make a great statement.
This jewelry doesn’t just look good; it supports a fantastic cause. When owner Jill Becker’s daughter Cara passed away from leukemia in 2012, her family started a foundation called Karma for Cara with the goals of engaging youth, awarding unsung heroes, and tangibly helping patients with leukemia. All profits from jewelry sales go to Karma for Cara, so you can feel good about buying something handmade by a small business which supports a worthwhile cause.
To learn more about Lema J or see their full line of cuffs, visit their website. You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram.
I realized I’ve been in business eight years and my old site was four or five years old. I felt that my body of work on the site didn’t reflect the many different things I do that clients look for. No two houses are alike, meaning our brand is not so specific that you can clearly recognize it. Each project is clearly different than the next, and that is what I feel our new site demonstrates.
Another key point to my new site is my method. I want people to look at my work and understand the process. My goal in the upcoming year is to expand on my website with a more detailed explanation of my design process from start to finish. It allows clients who are serious about design and really value it to connect with me in a way that leads to their ideal environment. Knowing my approach, new clients can gauge if they’re interested in proceeding.
The new site features a clean and refined style, making it simple to navigate. It shares my work and my personal design philosophy and process in such an accessible way. My portfolio is arranged by project, showcasing the various styles according to the various needs and tastes of my clients.
I hope you’ll take some time to visit my new site soon!
Here are some of my favorite luxuriously cozy winter scarves to help inspire your winter wardrobe!
I love wearing scarves for most of the year, but during the chilly months of winter a scarf is a must-have accessory. Scarves are such a versatile way to dress up your look. With a variety of materials to choose from, a scarf adds texture and interest to your outfit. I love to wrap up in a great scarf and always have one with me when I leave the house. Fashion for me, this year, is all about gray, black, taupe, and white. Here are some of my favorite luxuriously cozy winter scarves to help inspire your winter wardrobe!
One source I really love for beautiful, custom lighting is Lindsay Adelman Studio.
Lighting is an important element of an interior, from both a practical standpoint and an aesthetic one. Lighting sets a mood in any room, but is also an opportunity to dress up a space. One source I really love for beautiful, custom lighting is Lindsay Adelman Studio. What I love about her fixtures is that they have somewhat of an organic essence to them, even though they are metal and glass. There’s something precise and graceful about them.
Liminal Pendant, collaboration with Darcy Miro.BranchingCast bronze by Darcy MiroBrushed brass with aqua mini globes.Knotty BubbleCherry Bomb
These highly artistic pieces aren’t just lights, they’re sculptures. Each piece is hand crafted in her Brooklyn, NY studio from blown glass and precisely machined metal. A team of local artisans create each piece to order from designs based on natural forms, and each is available in a variety of finishes. The balance of each piece must be precise. Because each element is custom made and unique, the various components have to be assembled and exactly balanced for weight differences. The skill and artistry that goes into this lighting is simply incredible.
Working with glass at the Brooklyn studio.Exquisite metal work.Hand made globes at the studio.
I find her new collection has a little bit of whimsy and playfulness to it. It is striking and peaceful at the same time.
The Catch line.
To see more lighting options by Lindsey Adelman or to learn more about her company and products, visit her website.
The Inn at Pound Ridge is one of the area’s hot spots, known for its wonderful ambiance and great food.
The Inn at Pound Ridge is one of the area’s hot spots, known for its wonderful ambiance and great food. The elegant but down to earth fare by Chef Jean-George is the main attraction, but the decor is what I find so memorable. The curve of the banquets, the use of leather, and a neutral palette add up to an interior that makes you want to stay for hours and hours.
Named for the building’s history as an inn, the Inn at Pound Ridge is a refined, yet rustic, restaurant in picturesque Pound Ridge, New York. Built in 1833 as a residence before later serving as an inn, the building has been restored and carefully renovated. Many of the original materials have been preserved, resulting in a modern sensibility that stays true to the building’s historic past. A mixture of reclaimed wood, zinc, and marble throughout the interior meld with artful lighting to create a truly warm atmosphere.
In fact, the interior of the Inn and Pound Ridge was so well done by designer Thomas Juul-Hansen that it has become the inspiration for a home I am currently designing in Montana. I love how the Danish furniture, the stone, and the wood elements at the Inn became a point of reference for a home in an entirely different state.
To learn more about Inn at Pound Ridge or plan a visit, see their website. You can also find them on Facebook.
When I think of Currant, I think of a deep, sultry color.
When I think of Currant, I think of a deep, sultry color. I became inspired by it as a change from the trend of black, white, and neutral interiors. I recently pitched this color for a library as a cohesive palette to pair well with and balance rich wood tones — think walnut and wine. It’s definitely more dramatic, being so deep and saturated and just a more grounded color. A hue like this is about taking chances and steering away from the path everyone else is walking.
The fashion world lost a true icon with the recent passing of Oscar de la Renta.
The fashion world lost a true icon with the recent passing of Oscar de la Renta. Since first becoming internationally known for dressing Jackie Kennedy in the 1960s, the Dominican born designer has dressed the famous and the elite.
Jackie Kennedy in Oscar de la RentaMichelle Obama wore an Oscar de la Renta dress at a Fashion Education Workshop event.
Oscar de la Renta began his education in Spain, studying painting. To earn extra income, he sketched clothing for fashion houses and newspapers, which led to his first commission designing a gown. That gown graced the cover of Life magazine and launched de la Renta’s distinguished career. He went on to dress First Ladies, and his fashions were always a part of any red carpet event. One of his most recent fashion accomplishments was the design of the dress worn by Amal Alamuddin when she married George Clooney.
Jessica Alba wears Oscar de la RentaEmma Watson looks stunning on the red carpet, wearing Oscar de la Renta.Amal Alamuddin wearing Oscar de la Renta at her wedding.
In fashion, Oscar de la Renta was known for his glamorous designs. His goal was to make women look and feel beautiful, with lush, feminine clothing that conveyed both youth and polish. He made dresses that women actually bought, having an instinctive knowledge of the difference between the runway and fashion. Oscar de la Renta’s fashions became legendary, a hallmark of sophistication.
Oscar de la Renta on the runway.Another Oscar de la Renta runway look.
His personal life was as full of vitality and glamor as his designs. Whether relaxing at one of his homes in the Dominican Republic or rubbing shoulders with celebrities at a gala event, Oscar de la Renta embodied the idea of living a good life, full of love and enjoyment. He was known for being at ease everywhere he went, feeling a passionate and enduring love for both of his wives (the first died in 1983), and never hesitating to speak his mind.
An Oscar de la Renta sketch.His appreciate for feminine beauty is clear.I love this glimpse at the design process.
When I think about Oscar de la Renta, I think about my own business and how fashion and interior design are parallel worlds — especially for me, as someone who is very aware of fashion. Oscar de la Renta had an approach to fashion design that mirrors what we do with interiors. His whole mantra was to make women feel beautiful. His designs weren’t about himself. What we do is similar; we make interiors beautiful through details, tailoring, and custom touches. De la Renta was, first and foremost, a fashion designer, but he also happened to have an interior line, as well as furniture and fabric. Like his fashions, his interiors were well developed and well lived — impeccable.
Oscar de la Renta’s home in Punta Cana.At the Kent, CT, home of Oscar de la Renta
I admire Oscar de la Renta for more than his talent with fashion design. He had a fearless, generous approach to life. He seemed to be so approachable and kind, full of charisma. I look at what he’s done in the course of his lifetime and an have so much admiration for him. He was super involved in his life, his business, and his charities. Life is short, but Oscar de la Renta embraced it and lived it, and the whole world watched him do it. It really puts life into perspective. During his lifetime, he conquered so much and left behind an impressive legacy. I hope that when I am 82 years old, I can inspire that spark in someone just as Oscar de la Renta did in me.
I’m currently working on a pool house project which, I feel, provides a great example of the full range of services offered by my design firm.
I’m currently working on a pool house project which, I feel, provides a great example of the full range of services offered by my design firm. Rather than simply decorate a space, we take on a much more complex role, working closely with the client and the contractor to build an environment from the ground up, where every element is carefully thought out and influenced by a knowledge and respect for architecture, the client’s needs, and the surrounding landscape.
In this case, the client wanted a pool house design that would bring to mind an English conservatory, but would respect and complement the existing Georgian home with its gorgeous brick and iconic historical details. This is the part of the process I love, discussing the initial plans with the contractor and creating a new structure with a nod to the family’s home. This involved a lot pre-planning, with multiple site visits and drawings. At first, the design is conceptual — a wish list of goals, wants, and needs. We also have to consider the limitations of the site. Exploring and developing all of these elements leads to the next phase of the design.
Pool House ExteriorPool House PlansAdditional elevations.Another look at the initial plans.
During all of this, our client was very involved and thoughtful. She came back to the contractor and me to say she decided the pool house should be in a different location. Because the structure would be in a new spot, we had to reevaluate our design. Not much of the plan altered , but we had to be mindful of the site change. For example, we initially had an open area in the design, but with the pool house in a different place we decided on a new layout that will be more functional and user-friendly for the family.
The initial pool house plans.Pool house design taking the new site into consideration.
Now that the structure is finished for the pool house, we can move on to architectural specifications. This is when we choose elements such as tile, appliances, plumbing fixtures, and create the cabinetry mill work drawings. This allows the contractor to give the client an accurate quote as well as to show the scale and layout. This is an exciting time because the client really sees the project come to life. From this point on, the design turns to finding the jewelry of the interior — fabrics, furnishing, art, and accessories.
A beautiful tile I am considering for the pool house.
When you take into consideration the full scope of a project like this pool house and the involvement of the design firm literally from the ground up, you can see how important it is for us to help orchestrate the many components and specifications which are crucial in the master planning of any project.
One of the most popular events hosted by the Bruce Museum is the Outdoor Arts Festival.
The Bruce Museum in Greenwich is well known for being an outstanding institution. Their art, science, and natural history exhibits, many of which change annually, are housed in a historic building that was originally the home of Robert Moffat Bruce. Robert Moffat Bruce deeded his property to the Town of Greenwich in 1908 with the stipulation that it be used as “a natural history, historical, and art museum for the use and benefit of the public.” The Bruce Museum’s first exhibition in 1912 featured works by local artists known as the Greenwich Society of Artists. To this day, the museum continues to be a vibrant and active part of the community.
One of the most popular events hosted by the Bruce Museum is the Outdoor Arts Festival. The festival, held on museum grounds, features original works by dozens of artists from all over the country, many of whom personally attend the festival to show their work. This year, more than 85 artists were represented at the festival, showcasing everything from painting and photography to sculpture and print.
At the Festival. Image via Bruce Museum.
There are so many different styles and mediums, making the festival an ideal place to discover new artists and source pieces for specific clients. Sourcing art is one of my favorite aspects of design, allowing me to help a client find just the right piece to finish a space. At the Bruce Museum Arts Festival, many of the artists are on hand to answer questions and talk about their process. I am often fascinated by the various creative forces behind the artwork which makes browsing the festival that much more of an enjoyable experience. I found quite a few artists and works that I am looking forward to sharing with clients. Here are some of the artists and their pieces I found most memorable:
This year’s festival has ended, but if you missed it, plan on visiting the museum next Columbus Day weekend when the festival returns to the Bruce Museum. You can visit their website to learn more about the museum and keep up to date on future events.
