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NY Now

This past weekend I had a great time discovering some incredible things at NY Now.

This past weekend I had a great time discovering some incredible things at NY Now (formerly known as the NY International Gift Fair). Other than the name and some layout changes, this amazing show at the Javits Center is still a great way to find new vendors and products. Thanks to my cell phone camera and sometimes dubious picture-taking abilities, I can share my favorite vendors and the things that caught my eye. Here are photos of the items, listed by vendor, which I loved and can’t wait to find homes for!

1. Natural Curiosities The large scale of their prints and groupings are wonderful – what a statement!

2. Worlds Away I was thrilled with the introduction of their new lamps – the emerald green is so luscious, and I love the white as well. You can’t go wrong with a white lamp! The brass lotus lanterns have a vintage vibe.

3. Made Goods With an ever growing booth, Made Goods is full steam ahead with so many new finds. The mirrored side table is substantial and the scalloped detail reminds me of scales – love! The oval side table with walnut base introduces a new color, Mushroom Shagreen.

4. Oly One of my favorite stops was Oly. The chandelier is a cluster of pearlized globes and looks like a cloud. The lucite stool with the thick glass top has great proportion and I love the mixture of glass and nickel. Oly also introduced tons of art pieces – my favorite was the bronze sculpture of a man thinking. Can’t wait to place him on a coffee table!

5. Home Treasures There were tons of bedding upon bedding vendors at NY Now – so many sources, but Home Treasures had one of the best. Super simple and handsome. What’s not to love about linen bedding?

6. Alicia Adams Alpaca Anyone who knows me, knows I love alpaca. It is my go to drapery choice for luxury. So when I came across these beautifully made pillows and blankets, I could not resist. The gray is a handsome collection, as well as the bullseye blanket – a simple graphic for any space. It’s available in one two colors now, with more to come.

7. Dunes and Duchess I love the emphasis on pure, intense color saturation from Dunes and Duchess pieces. Such simple elements bring great energy. At their booth this year, the oversized standing lamps were amazing. Their grandeur is a commanding presence, and the monochromatic hand painted shade along with the base looks so smart! I love the bobbin etagere with smashing color and the scale. The height, width and depth was perfect.

Once again, I enjoyed a successful trip to this great NYC fair. I am already looking forward to what the next NY Now event will bring!

Color Obsession: White

A naturally reflective and bright color, white accommodates a range of accent hues and pairs so well with natural tones.

White is a great color in both design and fashion. It is so clean, crisp, and refreshing. A naturally reflective and bright color, white accommodates a range of accent hues and pairs so well with natural tones. During the warm summer months, white looks cool against sun-kissed skin whether worn all over or just with accessories. How do you like to use white?

1. Modern barn design in white by Robert Young Architects.

2. Kimberly McDonald Geode and Diamond Earrings

3. Eames Molded Plastic Dowel-Leg Side Chair from Design Within Reach

4. Valentino Studded Leather Tote

5. Vanderhurd Cushion

6. Cavetto Wallcovering from Weitzner Limited

7. Beautiful white living room. Image via Safavieh

8. Christian Louboutin Very Prive

9. White dress by Alexander McQueen

Quilted Pieces in Design and Fashion

I’ve been seeing a lot of great design elements that incorporate quilting.

I’ve been seeing a lot of great design elements that incorporate quilting. I’m not talking about your granny’s quilt, but about using this look in unexpected places. Quilted pieces add texture to a room without competing with existing patterns. Combined with modern materials and colors, quilting becomes a great addition to a space. It can be used in many different mediums such as leather, stone, and fabric. It brings a layered pattern to the interior without being overly graphic.

Quilted leather wall panels from Spinneybeck.

Established & Sons Quilt Ottoman — Established & Sons Quilt Chair

Sofa no. Two Twenty. Two from The New Traditionalists.

Mini Quilted Mosaic Tile from Complete Tile Collection

Like other design trends, quilted elements are also making their way into fashion. As an accent or large pattern, quilting takes a traditional element and elevates it to create a modern, chic look, especially when used in surprising ways.

Roberto Cavalli Quilted Stretch Leather Skirt

Gianvito Rossi Quilted Leather Biker Boots

Jason Wu Daphne Quilted Leather Shoulder Bag

What do you think of this modern take on quilted pieces?

Color Obsession: Tangerine, White, and Chocolate

Lately I have been obsessed with the way these three colors look together: tangerine, white, and chocolate.

Lately I have been obsessed with the way these three colors look together: tangerine, white, and chocolate. This combination is very strong and can be so graphic. You have to be confident when using a color like tangerine; whether it’s an accent or covers the entire ceiling, you’ve got to be comfortable with it. When combining two dominant colors like tangerine and chocolate, you need to think about how to tie them together. White accomplishes this nicely. People tend to associate these dark colors with fall, but combined in this way, they can be used all year.

1. Love the color combination and use of barn doors. Via House Beautiful.

2. Parquet Smoke White Rug by Elte

3. Estate Betteridge Collection Carved Black Onyx and Coral Cuff Bracelet

4. Hand-painted wallpaper from Gracie

5. Knighton Lantern by Jayson Home

6. Ceramic Lamps from Christopher Spitzmiller, Inc.

7. White Lacquered Strie Wallcovering from Phillip Jeffries

8. Gorgeous carved door from Marrakech (source)

9. Miss Benin by Christian Louboutine

10. 2013 Spring Fashion by Issa

Favorite Things: Console Tables

A console table is a truly versatile piece of furniture.

A console table is a truly versatile piece of furniture. In the entry, it creates visual interest and gives you a place to build a focal point by displaying art or other collections. You can place a console table behind a sofa as a base for lighting or to hold a stack of books, use it as a bar table, a dining room sideboard, a vanity in the bedroom, or even for extra desk space in a home office. With so many different styles and finishes available, there’s a perfect console table for just about any room. Here are some of my favorite examples of great console tables!

1. Orly Console Table: Sleek and modern!

2. Harwood Console: Classic design with a bottom shelf for additional storage or display space.

3. Single Peristyle Table: Great for a smaller space.

4. Stag Table: Love the curved legs!

5. Altar Table: Think about adding an ottoman beneath it.

6. Saltire Console: Weathered oak and concrete top — a great combination!

7. Museum Crate Console: So unique!

8. French Neo-Classical Console Tables: Could they actually get up and walk away?

9. Shanghai Rose Altar Table: Such a nice shape!

10. Regency Side Table: I used this console to create a custom sink basin.

11. Axel Console: A handsome combination of the industrial rivets and gray shagreen.

12. Hera Console Table: Gilt metal legs add glam.

Wood

I love the organic rawness of wood.

I love the organic rawness of wood. It is so beautiful and can be used in its simplest, natural form. With so many types of wood, each with its own finish and texture, you have incredible design opportunities. Instead of assigning wood to the floor or furniture, consider using it in a more unconventional place!

1. Kona Wood Rug, Crate and Barrel

2. Arteriors Wood Chandelier

3. Olga Guanabara Coffee Table

4. Roost Wood Veneer Shades

5. Jil Sander Lizard and Wood Shoe

6. Divan Sofa from Hudson Furniture

7. Design by Habachy Designs and Design Within Reach

8. Wood iPad Case from Root Cases

9. Wood Cuff Bracelet by Kara Ross

Cover image shows coffee table design by John Houshmand and lighting from Clubcu.

Outdoor Furniture Options

Selecting outdoor furniture is a similar process to furnishing the rest of your home — you want to balance your particular taste with your lifestyle and needs.

Selecting outdoor furniture is a similar process to furnishing the rest of your home — you want to balance your particular taste with your lifestyle and needs. One important factor to take into consideration is the material the furniture is constructed from. Whether you prefer teak, aluminum, or wicker depends not only on aesthetics, but also how much time and maintenance you plan to invest in caring for your outdoor pieces.

Teak is a beautiful and popular choice. New teak furniture has a lovely honey color and is very durable. It’s also a rather forgiving hardwood, easy to treat for minor scratches and stains. Some homeowners prefer the grayed look of weathered teak as it ages, while others are willing to clean and seal their outdoor teak furniture each year in order to maintain its original color.

Datcha dining table from Sutherland Furniture features a teak base.

outdoor furniture 8 — Weathered teak dining table from Restoration Hardware.

Like teak, wicker is a great natural choice for outdoor furniture. You can go with real wicker or, for easier maintenance, a resin designed to look like wicker. Resin is a good option for homeowners looking for easy maintenance or longevity in an area where the weather can be harsh. Either way, the look of wicker has long been a popular choice for outdoor furniture.

Sag Harbor collection from Kingsley Bate, wicker over an aluminum frame.

Lucy Stacking Side Chair from Janus et Cie. The look of wicker, but made from aluminum.

Another choice for ease of care is aluminum furniture. With so many color options available for powder coated aluminum, this is a great choice for customizing furniture as well. Outdoor aluminum furniture is also easy to clean without worries of fading, rusting, or wear.

Lucca Chaise Lounge from Design Within Reach

Beaufort Club Chair and Ottoman from McKinnon Harris.

I also like unconventional choices for outdoor furniture, like this hanging lounger from Dedon. In a shady corner of the yard or next to the pool, this lounger is a relaxing environment all to itself!

No matter which furniture choice is best for you, it’s important to protect your investment by properly caring for outdoor pieces. During the winter, outdoor furniture should be safely stored in a shed or garage. Providing this kind of storage space isn’t always a consideration when designing a home or landscape, but it is important to keep in mind. If you don’t have this kind of storage option, many manufacturers sell covers specifically for their exterior pieces. If you buy your own covers, be sure to use a breathable material that won’t trap moisture and lead to mold or mildew. Taking these steps will let you enjoy your ideal outdoor furniture for many years!

Color Obsession: Navy, Vermillion, and Turquoise

This color combination is classic, sophisticated, and always stylish.

One of the things I love about being a designer is the opportunity to find inspiration anywhere. The other day, I was dressed in navy, vermillion, and turquoise and was struck by how great those colors look together. This color combination is classic, sophisticated, and always stylish. In design, these three colors together look bold, confident, and eclectic.

1. Ocean from Lulu DK

2. Colorful chic! Image via Breakfast at Yurman’s

3. Devon Leigh Turquoise Beaded Necklace

4. She’s Pampered from Essie: My go-to summer nail color!

5. Turkish Tulip. Image via Susan Fredman

6. Blue room design by Miles Redd via Elle Decor

7. Deep Royal from Benjamin Moore

8. Ohm Mirror by Bunny Williams

Cover image features, from left to right, Salutation III by Eric Zinner, Giorgio Armani for Elle Decor, and Abstract 116 by Kris Carlson.

Favorite Things: Table Lamps

With so many different shapes, materials, colors, and finishes, you have endless options with table lamps!

Everyone needs lamps! The placement of your table lamps should always be strategic, leaving no dark spots while creating the ideal ambiance. Table lamps not only make a statement, but can change the whole feeling of a space. With so many different shapes, materials, colors, and finishes, you have endless options with table lamps! It’s important for a table lamp to have the right scale and shape for the space, so here are some of my favorite lamps to inspire you!

1. Brush Stroke Lamp from Bunny Williams

2. Sophie Lamps from Christopher Spitzmiller, Inc.

3. Trentham Vase Lamp from Vaughan Designs

4. Hudson Table Lamp by Dragonette Ltd.

5. Dunes and Duchess Four Arm Lamp

6. Clayton Home Concrete and Brass Table Lamp

7. Tessaras Table Lamp by Pamela Sunday for Studio Van Den Akker

8. David Iatesta Nantucket Lamp

9. Diego Table Lamp by Dragonette Ltd

10. Drum Lamp from Uhuru

11. Julian Chichester Capri Table Lamp

12. Stiffel Ceramic and Brass Glazed Lamps

Coffee Table Books

Beautiful books are decorative and say something about your interests.

Coffee table books make great gifts! They are also a good way to fill shelves without using a lot of trinkets. Beautiful books are decorative and say something about your interests. I have tons of interior design books, which isn’t surprising, but someone else might gravitate toward books on fashion, travel, photography, art, nature, or gardening. Coffee table books come in an array of sizes and colors, making it possible to find a beautiful book on a subject you love that also fits well with your interior. To display coffee table books, you can stack them, lay them side by side, or simply leave out one book at a time. Your collection will tell an interesting story. Here are some of my favorite coffee table books to get you inspired!

1. Rothko: An amazing introduction to Rothko’s work!

2. Abstract Expressionism: A beautiful look at the abstract expressionism movement in NY following World War II.

3. Andy Warhol: Features the life and work of the iconic Andy Warhol.

4. The Art Book: A fun, accessible compilation of artists from medieval times to present day.

5. The Little Black Jacket: Karl Lagerfeld and Carine Roitfeld’s reinterpretation of Chanel’s iconic little black jacket.

6. Cabinet of Natural Curiosities: Gorgeous displays of natural wonders!

7. Dealer’s Choice: Lush photos of homes belonging to the world’s foremost anitquaires.

8. Big Book of Chic: A lavish book featuring Miles Redd’s unique designs.

9. Cohler on Design: Cohler’s classic interiors interspersed with amazing inspirational design images.

10. Marilyn Monroe: Text from Normal Mailer’s biography of Marilyn along with Bert Stern’s incredible photography. I am so fortunate to have an edition of this book from my mother.

11. A Photographer’s Life: Everyone should have at least one book by Annie Leibovitz!

12. Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty: A look at the full breadth of McQueen’s amazing career.

13. Woman in the Mirror: Richard Avedon’s poetic portraits of women.

14. By the Light of the Sea: Always a go-to book!

15. Slim Aarons: Once Upon a Time: Influential photos of the rich and famous in their exclusive surroundings.

What kind of story do your coffee table books tell?