Charlotte Brody’s collections feature exactly the details and qualities that appeal to me.
I was fist introduced to the Charlotte Brody clothing line by Will of Holland and Sherry’s Bespoke store in NYC and I immediately loved what I saw. I’ve always been inspired by fashion. Interior design and fashion are two separate worlds that are connected by trends and creative influences. The intricacies of a beautiful fashion piece are things I can incorporate into design. Charlotte Brody’s collections feature exactly the details and qualities that appeal to me. I really appreciate such well tailored, well made things.
Navy honeycomb wool roll neck sweater with black slacks.Embroidered wool blouse, lizard belt, and flair pant.
Charlotte Brody’s fashions show a great use of color. It’s a very well-edited collection, with such interesting key pieces. Apparel from the Cabana line is ready to wear, or clients can choose their own fabrics to create a specific and unique wardrobe. Charlotte Brody’s fabrics include Italian cashmere, Scottish tweed, silk, and linen and are hand embroidered by select artisans.
Hand embroidered feather skirt, velvet shirt, jade drop earrings, suede clutch.Totally me to a T! Leopard shirt, lucite necklace, black silk short.Black cashmere dress with black leather details.Tie sleeve boat neck dress.
Even items like bags and accessories show smart choices in their design. The jewelry is great!
Ebony studded sphere necklace.Grey lizard clutch.
To see the full Charlotte Brody collection, visit their website. You can also connect with Charlotte Brody on Facebook to learn about trunk shows, new designs, and other events.
I fell in love with Peter Beard’s photography when I saw his work in a client’s home.
I fell in love with Peter Beard’s photography when I saw his work in a client’s home. The images themselves are beautiful and striking, but each piece is surrounded by a fascinating collage of handwritten memories, found objects such as feathers, and colorful, dramatic swatches of ink. His work elicits excitement at the thought of being so close to these incredible animals.
Born in New York in 1938, Peter Beard traveled to Africa as a young man first in 1955 and again in 1960. He later returned to Kenya and worked in Tsavo National Park, photographing the demise of thousands of elephants and rhinos. Dismayed at the mass hunting of these animals for sport and the lack of conservation and regulation at the time, Beard published two The End of the Game books. He was ahead of his time in drawing attention to hunting for sport without limit or consequence. The End of the Game is a great collection of images and a book I love to put on coffee tables.
Peter Beard’s work appeals to me not only because it is real, but because the layered, collage effect of mixed mediums brings a textural experience to his art. His use of these mediums is clever and fascinating to me, making each image seem like a personal memory from his own journals. Although the photos are mainly from the 1960’s and 1970’s, his work is still prominent and quite impressive. You could curate a room room around this stunning photography.
Not all of Peter Beard’s photos focus on animals and people he encountered during his time in Africa. A rather privileged young man with a trust fund and host of interesting celebrities as friends (including Karen Blixen, author of Out of Africa), he once turned his lens on the iconic Jacqueline Kennedy in Greece where, he says, he taught her how to properly use a camera. To see more examples of Peter Beard’s work and publications, or to learn more about his fascinating life, visit his website or find him on Facebook.
One of my favorite go-to designs, chevron’s classic herringbone pattern never goes out of style.
One of my favorite go-to designs, chevron’s classic herringbone pattern never goes out of style. It’s a great graphic whether you go with a large, medium, or small style. A chevron pattern has a subtle or bold impact depending on the color or scale. I love this pattern on an entryway’s wood floor, but you can implement a chevron design in many other ways. Here are some chevron examples I love!
1. Antique French oak floor in a chevron pattern, from Exquisite Surfaces:
Like other places I feel drawn to, Greece features an incredible environment surrounded by water.
Like other places I feel drawn to, Greece features an incredible environment surrounded by water. The contrast of those white buildings with the blue Mediterranean Sea is just very appealing. Combined with the fact that my father’s family is from Greece, it’s easy to see why I’d love to visit this amazing country.
Scenery and family history aside, some of the most appealing aspects of Grecian beauty lie in its vast history, represented by mythology, carvings, relics, and architecture. Looking at the Acropolis and Parthenon, you can’t help but wonder how such incredible achievements were possible without modern tools and technology. In fact, the influence of Greece’s classical, ionic architecture has endured across centuries and can be seen all over the world.
When I do make it to Greece, you’ll find me in Santorini or Mykonos, enjoying the white sand beaches, the calming backdrop of beautiful women in linen, and the fantastic, rich texture of Greek history and scenery.
A peek into someone’s closet is like a peek into their personality.
A peek into someone’s closet is like a peek into their personality. The way a closet is organized (or not) says a lot about a person’s style and priorities. As a designer, making a closet as special as the rest of the client’s living space is an important aspect of my job. Designing the right closet for a client means staying mindful of that particular client’s storage needs and organizational style. Is the client a clothes horse, a shoe lover, or someone who needs options for storing seasonal clothing? Taking the time to learn about what the client needs as well as wants helps me design a closet perfectly suited to each individual.
Closet perfection! Design by Jennifer Eisenstadt.Furniture layered in a closet. Design by James Radin.The island detail is so clever in this design by Jeffrey Bilhuber. Via Architectural Digest.
As an example, I had a client who wanted their mudroom to act as a storage area for all of the family’s coats and shoes. They literally wanted to keep shoes in that area only, completely out of the rest of the home. The mudroom became like a dressing closet for coats and shoes which kept the actual bedroom closet like an open envelop. Nothing in that closet was closed because the mudroom met those particular needs.
Mudroom designed for my client.Mudroom door detail.
When considering closet design, there are so many storage options to choose from. The right storage for a closet depends on the client, but ease of access is always something to keep in mind. A client who enjoys beautiful things may prefer glass doors to show off the contents of the closet, while for others a system of organized drawers, baskets, and shelves would be more suitable. A closet is a jewel box than be elaborate or simple; it’s all about what the client wants.
A Stephen Gambrel closet design with ikat doors.Home of Aerin Lauder via ELLE DECOR – so pretty and soothing.
For accessible closet design, companies such as Poliform offer well made, modern components. These flexible systems of shelving, pull-outs, hanging storage, and wardrobes are available in a variety of finishes and styles to maximize space as well as perfectly fit each individual’s needs. These closets are as functional as they are beautiful.
Poliform: The openness and structure of the clear drawers and pull out bins creates a look that is so sophisticated.
I like the concept of stripping down to a basic, raw level that can go with anything.
Neutral almost by definition, nude or bare shades in design can be very serene. For example, the nude body is a natural art form, something very beautiful in its understated simplicity. I like the concept of stripping down to a basic, raw level that can go with anything. Starting from such bareness, a simple insertion of color adds interest without detracting from an overall calm mood.
On those evenings when I do have some more free time to plan and prepare a nice dinner, I usually turn to my Williams-Sonoma cookbooks.
I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before, but cooking is not something I often find time for in my busy schedule. As a matter of fact, I do so little cooking that I’ve been teased about burning water! The truth is, I can cook, I just can’t usually fit it into my daily routine of family and work.
On those evenings when I do have some more free time to plan and prepare a nice dinner, I usually turn to my Williams-Sonoma cookbooks. I love the imagery in these books as well as the recipes themselves.
Williams-Sonoma SaladWilliams-Sonoma Grilling
These dishes can be prepared by anyone and really make you feel like an accomplished cook. There’s such a nice sense of satisfaction that comes with presenting your family with a meal that looks and tastes amazing! Williams-Sonoma has a great brand in general, from the cookbooks to cookware to prepared foods, they offer high quality products that both look great and perform very well.
Grilled PearsChicken with Mustard and Walnut CoatingSpices, oh my! My mother uses basil in almost everything she prepares.
Browsing through all of the gadgets and kitchen products offered by Williams-Sonoma just makes you crave the idea of cooking. From a design perspective, I can easily imagine filling a kitchen with these great items. They are thoughtful and smart, and just so well presented.
Le Creuset Signature Deep Saute Pan in Ocean: What a great color!Bamix Professional SliceSy AttachmentLittledeer Cooking Utensil SetRösle Vegetable Chopper – Quick and easy!Le Creuset Winged Corkscrew Wine Opener, Antique Chrome – The best gadget we should all have in our kitchen drawer!Cuisinart Soup Maker & Blender
Do you have a favorite source for recipes and/or kitchen gadgets?
Since founding Bilhuber and Associates in 1984, Jeffrey Bilhuber has earned his place as one of the world’s top interior designers. He’s been published in more than 50 design books and been featured in every nation and international design magazine. He’s completed projects from New York to London and exudes such an accessible philosophy that he’s been invited to appear on shows such as The View and Conan O’Brien as well as HGTV. His Bilhuber Basics line for Stark Carpets increased his name recognition as did the success of his first book, Jeffrey Bilhuber’s Design Basics, as well as his next two books, Defining Luxury and The Way Home: Reflections on American Beauty.Jeffrey is known for blending traditionalism with modern sensibilities to produce beautiful and practical interiors uniquely suited to each client. His career and clientele so far have been really amazing so far!
Love the suzani and the black floors.More layers and textiles. Great combinations!
I adore Jeffrey Bilhuber for so many reasons. Each of his spaces is the perfect collected mix of details and fearless, unexpected, fascinating touches. His designs feature vivacious colors and timeless, sophisticated beauty. He implements top-notch finishes and creates these layered interiors that I really admire. Everything from his color selections to the way he uses big plants or bunches of grapes to bring a human element to a room resonates with me and certainly inspires me. When I find a stack of new design magazines in my mail box, I can’t wait to see Jeffrey Bilhuber designs among the pages.
I love this foyer: light, simple, and comfortable.Truly a bold statement with the gilt paint on the de Gournay panels.
My own designs have definitely been influenced by Jeffrey’s work. He inspires me to use the unexpected but still be timeless. I know when I give my clients examples from Jeffrey’s designs, we build a relationship of trust and confidence to maybe take design risks they might not otherwise have considered. I wouldn’t copy Jeffrey’s ideas, of course, but reinterpret elements and make them my own. The magnitude of his design is so big, other designers can learn so much just from just from taking a bit here and there to adapt to their own style and their clients’ needs.
The color combination is luscious with a stunning hand-painted detail on the floor.The backdrop of the black against the light sisal area rug is a great contrast.
With the cooler weather upon us, we start to look forward to meals that are warm and hearty. Veal Rollatini is a great dish for this season.
Guest Blog by Debbie Aidinis
With the cooler weather upon us, we start to look forward to meals that are warm and hearty. Veal Rollatini is a great dish for this season. It may take a little time to prepare, but it is well worth the effort. For those who do not eat veal, this dish can also be done with chicken. I like to serve this with a marsala sauce and a mushroom risotto on the side. There are many good packaged risottos available, so you do not have to make your own from scratch unless you have the time to do so.
Mushroom Risotto
With this recipe, I have found that using specific ingredients is a must. For example, the cheese. I use an Italian Scamorza, belonging to the same family as Mozzarella, but it is firmer, drier and has more flavor. It melts evenly, making it perfect for this dish. You will probably have to go to an Italian deli that carries specialty items to buy this cheese. Make sure it is hard; if the cheese is soft, it is not ready to use. I also use Prosciutto di Parma, but not a domestic brand, which can be too salty. The Veal Demi Glace gives the sauce a good flavor, but if you can’t find any you can use 1 cup veal stock in place of the water called for in the recipe.
Scamorza Cheese
I always enjoy going to Arthur Avenue in the Bronx to shop for the food I need. Mike’s Deli in the market is where I find the cheese and prosciutto, plus many other items. Biancardi’s is my stop for meats, and Madonia Bakery for excellent breads. On 187th Street, you will find Borgatti’s for fresh pasta and, of course, you cannot miss Egidio’s for some delicious Italian pastries. With so many stores to choose from, you definitely will not come home empty handed! It is a true culinary experience and well worth the trip in order to stock up on the best ingredients to make this Veal Rollatini dish a truly authentic and memorable meal.
Veal Rollatini
Veal Rollatini
Ingredients:
8 Veal cutlets, sliced and pounded very thin
1 Scamorza, sliced thin and cut in half or thirds, depending on size of the veal cutlets
½ to ¾ lb Procciutto di Parma, or enough to use 2 slices per cutlet
½ cup Seasoned breadcrumbs
¼ cup Grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup Marsala wine
¼ lb Shitake Mushrooms, sliced
2 Shallots, chopped
8 oz Vegetable stock
½ tsp Veal demi glace
1 cup Water
3 tbsp Butter
2 tbsp Olive oil
¼ cup Basil, finely chopped
¼ cup Parsley, finely chopped
1 Sprig of Rosemary
Salt and Pepper to taste
4” skewers
Directions:
In a bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and a small amount of the basil and parsley.
Place one veal cutlet on a flat surface and spread the breadcrumb mixture on the cutlet. Place 2 slices of prosciutto di Parma on top of the breadcrumb mixture, then place a slice of scamorza cheese on top, covering cutlet but not hanging over the sides of the cutlet. If the cheese is cut too thick, it will make the cutlet difficult to roll. Roll the cutlet and secure with skewers. Repeat with remaining cutlets.
In a large, deep skillet, melt 2 tbsp of butter with 2 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat. Season veal rolls with black pepper and place in skillet. Cook, turning rolls to brown on all sides. The total cooking time will depend on the size of the rolls, but typically a few minutes per side or total of not more than 15 minutes is sufficient. Remove rolls and keep warm.
To the same pan, add 1 tbsp of butter, the shallots, and the mushrooms and sauté until tender. You may need to add a bit more butter while they cook. Next, add the marsala wine and cook for a few minutes. Stir in the vegetable stock, 1 cup water, and veal demi glaze. Let mixture cook, stirring often. Season with salt and pepper, add rosemary sprig, remaining basil and parsley, and let simmer for 5 minutes.
Place veal rolls and juices they’ve exuded into the sauce, turning to coat, then let simmer for about 30 minutes. You may need to add more water or stock, especially if your rolls are on the large side. Before serving, remove the rosemary sprig.
Place Veal Rolls on a platter with mushroom sauce. Serve with a risotto, salad, and a warm crusty bread.
I’ve used Phillip Jeffries products for my own clients many times and their amazing collection never fails me.
I’ve used Phillip Jeffries products for my own clients many times and their amazing collection never fails me. Founded three decades ago by Eric Bershad, this is truly a family business. Eric’s sons Phillip and Jeffrey, the company’s namesakes, now run the business along with their father. When Phillip Jeffries initially launched, they started with a selection of ten grasscloth wallpapers. Now, their products include a wide range of high quality wallpapers like Silks, Linens, Japanese Paper Weaves, and much more.
Extra Fine Arrowroot – When in doubt, a great collection with tons of colors to select from.
Phillip Bershad recently came to my office with a presentation and it reminded me why I am such a big fan of their products. Not only are their wallpapers beautifully designed and constructed, but the quality of Phillip Jeffries service makes them a fantastic source. Once you approve a sample, you get it within only two days, as long as it’s in stock. They are so reliable and will go to the ends of the earth to make things happen for clients. Custom options are always available on select products.
Patterns and styles available from Phillip Jeffries vary widely, with a huge range of colors. Whether I’m shopping for a client with more reserved taste or looking for something spunky to dress up an accent wall, I know I’ll find what I need with Phillip Jeffries.
Chinois Our Way – The color combination is sultry. What a great guest room!Imperial Gates – Very crisp on the white and navy.
I do love it when I enjoy the confidence of a client and can implement a Phillip Jeffries design with a lot of color and texture. Within the line, there’s the versatility of using a quieter touch for those that are more reserved. One of these open patterns with a bigger, more modern impact is the kind of design I love to find the right client for! In particular, I am a big fan of their Ikat!
Tease – I love the over-sized scale.Indo Ikat – Fabulous color! I am crazy for this pattern and can’t wait to use it.
To see more examples of Phillip Jeffries product line, visit their website. You can also find them on Facebook.
