Lisa’s hardware has presence and intricacy; it isn’t your typical plain Jane hardware at all.
New York designer Lisa Jarvis has been interested in decorating since childhood. In addition to designing beautiful homes and offices, Lisa launched a successful furniture design business. Then, when she couldn’t find the hardware she wanted, she began to design that as well.
Long Steps PullLattice PullLong Pull
Lisa’s hardware designs are made from solid brass and are available brass or nickel finishes. Her pieces range from geometric to organic in shape and are so unique. Many of the handles and pulls have so much texture, while others shine with simplicity.
Large LinesKnot PullDouble Snake Head Handle
I love that this hardware is so substantial. It makes a statement and truly is jewelry for an interior. Lisa’s hardware has presence and intricacy; it isn’t your typical plain Jane hardware at all. When you want something to really sing, to be front and foremost, her pieces allow you to do that. You can have very simple cabinetry and add her pieces to impart a memorable look. You can mix the different hardware, join them together, take elements from different collections, and really create something. Using this hardware right in the center of a panel is like putting the perfect finishing touch on an outfit.
Barre PullChristopher Pull
To see more of Lisa Jarvis’s hardware designs, visit her website.
The 1930s and 1940s were perhaps the most glamorous years in Hollywood history, creating an iconic style that is still recognizable today.
For a limited time, the Museum of Fine Art in Boston is running an exhibit titled Hollywood Glamour: Fashion and Jewelry from the Silver Screen. The 1930s and 1940s were perhaps the most glamorous years in Hollywood history, creating an iconic style that is still recognizable today. The exhibit showcases gowns and accessories worn both on and off screen by famous starlets of the era. To round out the exhibit, film stills and clips showcase the pieces on display and give visitors a glimpse of this golden age of Hollywood.
A 1926 Coco Chanel evening dress worn by Ina Claire.Verger Freres jewels worn by Joan Crawford.Travis Banton’s costume design for Marlene Dietrich in Desire (1936).The finished gown worn by Marlene Dietrich in Desire, by Travis Banton.Dress designed for Mae West by Elisa Schiaparelli and worn in the 1938 film Every Day’s a Holiday.High style jewels by Trabert & Hoeffer-Mauboussin.Blouse and skirt designed by Irene and worn by Greer Garson in Julia Misbehaves (1948).Suite of 1940’s jewels owned by Ginger Rogers.
The Hollywood Glamour Exhibit will be on display until March 8, 2015. To plan a visit or learn more, visit the MFA website.
Pantone announced their color of the year for 2015 — Marsala.
Pantone announced their color of the year for 2015 — Marsala. Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute explains why Marsala was chosen as Color of the Year: “Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability. Marsala is a subtly seductive shade, one that draws us in to its embracing warmth.” This color was also chosen for its ability to flatter a range of skin tones as well as the way it inspires creativity when used for fashion and design.
Marsala
I agree that Marsala can be a soulful color. My reaction is to mix it with something, to pair it with other colors. Marsala has purplish, red undertones and isn’t a color I’d really use alone. I would turn to two very different hues of the spectrum — blue or ochre.
Blue would be the cooler choice to pair with Marsala. I love how they look together.
Marsala and Blue
Ochre has warmth, but is also a nice contrast to the dark richness of Marsala. These two colors really accent each other so well.
Marsala and Ochre
What do you think of Pantone’s Color of the Year, and how would you use Marsala?
Simple and hearty, this true peasant dish will definitely warm you up.
This is a great dish to make on a cold winter’s night. Simple and hearty, this true peasant dish will definitely warm you up. Pasta e fagioli translates to beans and pasta; it is often pronounced “pasta fazool” in the United States after the pronunciation of the word beans in the Neapolitan language.
Pasta e Fagioli
The recipe for this soup varies based on the region or town in which it is prepared. The consistency of the dish can also vary, with some versions being soupy while others are much thicker. Some variations do not include tomatoes at all but are made from a broth, and some use a pancetta in the base of the sauce.
The recipe I had was pretty basic, so after looking through a few of my cookbooks I decided to go with my recipe but add a few ingredients. As always, my measurements are estimated and you may need to adjust them.
Most recipes use dried beans, which need to be soaked as directed. If time is a factor, canned beans can be used. I use pancetta, but some recipes use bacon. Both can be optional, although I feel that the pancetta gives the pasta e fagioli that extra flavor. If you want a lighter soup, use half of the tomatoes to start with and add the rest if needed. I also take a rind of the Parmesan cheese and add it to the mixture while cooking, a tip I learned years ago from my favorite Italian deli in the Bronx.
Parmesan CheeseCannelloni and garbanzo beans.
Ingredients:
½ lb pancetta
1 large onion
1 carrot
1 rib celery
1 glove garlic, optional
1 14 oz. can cannelloni beans, or dried beans
1 14 oz can garbanzo beans, or dried beans
8 oz of vegetable or chicken stock
2 cups of water
1 28 oz can of San Marzano tomatoes
1/2 cup olive oil
1 Bay leaf
2 Sprigs of rosemary
2 Sprigs of thyme
1/4 cup basil, chopped
¼ cup parsley, chopped
1/2 tsp coarse black pepper
Salt and Pepper to taste
Rind of Parmesan cheese
1 lb ditalini pasta
Freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
1 loaf of crusty bread
Serves 4 to 6
Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven. In a food processor, chop the pancetta, add it to the olive oil, and brown until golden. Add the coarse black pepper at this time. Chop the garlic, onion, carrot, and celery and add to the pancetta. Sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the vegetable or chicken stock and 2 cups of water. Crush the tomatoes by hand and add to mixture, then bring to a slow boil. Drain and rinse the beans and add to the pot.
Wrap the thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf in a piece of cheese cloth. Secure with kitchen twine and add to the mixture along with the chopped parsley and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Add the rind of the parmesan cheese and let the mixture simmer.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the pasta. Cook until al dente and drain the pasta, reserving some of the liquid. Remove the sachet of herbs and rind of cheese from the soup. Add the pasta and some of the reserved cooking liquid to reach the desired consistency. Check the seasoning; I usually add extra parsley and basil prior to serving. Let mixture simmer for a few minute to give the flavors a chance to blend.
Crusty Italian Bread
Ladle into soup dishes and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Serve with a warm crusty loaf of Italian bread and, of course, your favorite salad.
Even in its natural state, wood is so beautiful in its simplicity.
Wood is an element that can have such a variety of textures, patterns, and colors. One species of wood can look very different depending on how it is cut, stained, or varnished. Even in its natural state, wood is so beautiful in its simplicity. It is definitely something that inspires me and I love the idea of incorporating it in ways that aren’t typical.
I really like kitchens that have a modern edge with a rustic vibe.
The kitchen is, for a lot of people, the core of the house. It’s a place where families tend to gather, so it must be welcoming and comfortable. On the other hand, a kitchen also serves an important function and must meet a family’s needs for cooking and entertaining. Finding a balance between style and livability means making thoughtful choices for flooring, fabrics, and wall treatments, making the space easy to clean and maintain according to the family’s lifestyle.
No matter how big or small the kitchen is, it has to contain certain elements. When planning a kitchen, you need to take those necessary elements and figure out how to achieve that ideal balance of function and aesthetics. You have to be mindful of how heavily the kitchen will be used and the best placement of each item. There are a lot of factors to be aware of, from comfort to organization. Right now we’re seeing a trend toward modern, simplistic kitchens with very clean lines. Counters often have mitered edges and we see big, expansive spaces. The cabinetry tends to be simpler, without a lot of details, molding, or hardware. When you remove something, like storage, you have to also incorporate a new solution in order to maintain the kitchen’s functionality.
I really like kitchens that have a modern edge with a rustic vibe. Stripping elements down to a simpler form while maintaining comfort and practicality is an art form I truly appreciate.
Almost every element of the kitchen is part of the Waterworks Kitchen line, creating a complete design experience.
I was in NYC recently for an appointment, rushing because I was late. I stopped short when I saw a new Waterworks storefront with a beautiful vignette and just had to go inside even though I was running late. This Waterworks show room is not massive in scale, but what they fit in was so impressive. The line includes everything from sinks and fittings to cabinets and work tables. Everything has been designed with an eye toward both form and function, using the finest materials.
Almost every element of the kitchen is part of the Waterworks Kitchen line, creating a complete design experience. I saw simple lines and super approachable products that a wide range of people will gravitate toward. The cabinets are simple but come in sultry, interesting colors with smokier tones, not your typical white kitchen. I find the way they displayed kitchen sinks so interesting, showcasing vast array of ways to use them. One sink I loved was immense at 54 in long with two drying boards set underneath — so clever and really inventive.
Waterworks has expanded plumbing fixtures to the point where they have a grand scale and such a presence. The new lines are not typical and show an insightful reinvention of fixtures and other kitchen elements. Waterworks has turned a product that was already great into something really thoughtful. This is such beautiful hardware. I really appreciate how they’ve taken an element we all believe in at its simplest form and developed on it. Today’s clients don’t want a lot of hardware in a modern setting, which is why the Waterworks recessed options are so smart. The light fixtures are also quite modern and appealing with an industrial vibe, definitely something for everyone.
I walked out wanting to design whole Waterworks kitchen with all of the accoutrements that go with it. The Waterworks showroom is so well presented, it makes it easy for a client to envision their own kitchen design, and that in itself is a success.
Olive is one of those hues I tend to gravitate toward.
When I think of Olive, it reminds me of army colors. It is one of those hues I tend to gravitate toward. Olive is an earth-oriented shade, not something that pops with jolts of color. It has a more serene presence. Although part of the green color family, Olive has a brown under hue and works well with a gray or neutral based palette. It’s also a very specific color. When you say green, people visualize a whole spectrum of possibilities. Say Olive, and everyone understands exactly what color that is.
Every project, no matter the scope, begins with an initial consultation.
Every project has its own progression, its own DNA if you will. I would like to share this process with my readers over several blog posts with the goal of giving a deeper understanding of the breadth of services we provide and the level of cooperation we have with everyone involved, from contractors and clients to architects and artisans.
Every project, no matter the scope, begins with an initial consultation. My clients come from a variety of sources, and whether they find me by a referral or a magazine editorial, the beauty of meeting new clients is that I never know what I am going to walk into or where it will lead. It’s always exciting to see the potential in a project and to sense the energy and good vibe between myself and a client. Developing this good synergy is the first step as we look at the project, discuss the client’s wants, and go over the client’s needs. During this initial meeting, we often get so deep into conversation that we lose track of time. A project leads to months of time spent together, so there has to be some connection which I can almost always feel as soon as I meet a prospective client.
Recently, I had a call from a new client and set up a meeting. When I learned of the location, I felt less than enthusiastic. It was farther than I wanted to drive and I was definitely not excited about the distance. The day of the meeting was beautiful, however, and as I drove I truly enjoyed the fall colors and the down time with my thoughts. When I arrived at my client’s home, I knew from her unique interior and great personality that we would work so well together. That kind of good energy makes me thrive! The experience served as a reminder of why I love what I do.
Of course, before a project can get underway, there are negotiations and contracts to go over. This stage can be daunting and difficult, with variables and unknowns on both sides. It takes trust from all parties to commit to a project on paper, which is one reason why it’s so important to establish a good connection during the initial meetings and discussions.
After these first meetings, negotiations, and contracts, exciting things begin to happen!
When visiting Chicago recently, I knew I really wanted to see Travelle, a restaurant and lounge at the Langham Hotel.
When visiting Chicago recently, I knew I really wanted to see Travelle, a restaurant and lounge at the Langham Hotel. The hotel, which is located in a building designed by the iconic Ludgwig Mies van der Rohe, is situated in downtown Chicago with easy access to shopping and popular attractions. With private event space, a spa, pool, and ballroom, as well as several boardrooms, the Langham is a luxurious place to stay for pleasure or business.
I made a fast dash to Travelle and sat in the lounge for drinks. Its very cool, urban, monochromatic feel was designed by architect David Rockwell. The floor to ceiling windows flood the lounge with light while giving guests a gorgeous view of the river and Chicago’s famous Loop. One striking feature was an interactive digital wall undulating amongst the lounge’s chic furniture. The space is full of lush elements and visual, techno details. As we enjoyed drinks and a woman playing rock songs on the violin, the digital wall of photos constantly changed and altered. Such a cool atmosphere!
The lobby of the Langham is another stunning space. I thought it looked really magical, with all these gorgeous clusters near the center of the ceiling. It has a special, totally different vibe, more elegant and formal. So beautiful!
Unfortunately, we couldn’t stay at the fully-booked Langham, but I did enjoy my brief time there. If you’re ever in Chicago, I highly recommend a visit to the Langham, and Travelle in particular!
