valentine's day Thank Goodness for Elle Decor

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Elle Decor December 2009 Cover

After the very sad news today about the closure of Metropolitan Home, all I could think of was holding on tight to what we have left. There is nothing out there quite like Metropolitan Home for modern design, and perhaps it will make a comeback in another form after the economic dust settles. You can be certain I will be holding on to every issue I have ever had of what has been a classic in the world of shelter magazines.

But there is a ray of sunshine here. Elle Decor is holding it's own quite well. In fact Margaret Russell has been able to keep advertising dollars at a healthy rate and it seems the magazine will grace our magazine shelves for the foreseeable future.

I hope you all had a chance to hear the interview with Margaret Russell over at The Skirted Roundtable last week. It helps to see just how Ms. Russell is able to accomplish what she has: keeping a magazine fresh and current over the years while maintaining it as a profitable business. Check it out HERE.

So here is a little taste of what's coming up in the December issue of Elle Decor. It is going to be exceptional I assure you!!!!

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Can we ever see enough of the work of Miles Redd?! I can't. If this New York City hallway for a young family is any indication, this feature alone is worth running right out and buying a copy. Drama!

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And for all of you Charlotte lovers, we will get to see Ms. Moss' getaway in the Colorado Rockies. I will be stoking my fireplace, making a cup of Chai tea and settling in for this issue. You may not see me a for a day or two.

You will also be seeing:

~ the Manhattan home of Phillip Gorrivan

~ An upstate New York Home by Ernest de la Torre

~ 12 things Simon Doonan cannot live without

~ Trend alert: plaid is making a comeback in a BIG way (Mr. Tartanscot, you were definitely on to something!!)

~ What's Hot: McAlpine Home Collection from Lee Industries and Shelia Bridges new bedding for a start.

Elle Decor, thank you for fighting the good fight and providing content with something for everyone. You never disappoint and we look forward every month to your fresh ideas and insightful view of the world. We are rooting for you.

And to Metropolitan Home,

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Metropolitan Home, the December 2009 issue will be it's last.

you will be sorely missed.

P.S. Thank you so much Anons for the correction!! I was given incorrect info on that one! I apologize.

valentine's day The Art of the Table: Preview Party For DIFFA

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"CHAHUT" Table by Ken Fulk

The Fall party season in San Francisco is in full swing, and what better way to start it all off than with the "Art of the Table" Preview party benefiting DIFFA's DINING BY DESIGN. Gumps hosted the party last week featuring the table topping talents of these four top San Francisco designers: Ken Fulk, Claudia Juestel, Martha Angus and Orlando Diaz-Azcuy. The party was a kick-off event to the upcoming DIFFA events this November in San Francisco. To find out more about DIFFA DINING BY DESIGN click on over HERE.

Partnering in the event at Gumps were notable tableware masters: Hermes, Puiforcat, Cristal Saint-Louis, Raynaud, Ecruis, Alberto Pinto, Varga and Jean Louis Coquet. All contributed to the fantasy table decor put together by the designers.

When we arrived, the party was in full swing. We got a glass of wine and immediately found the tables. I have to say, I was a little star struck by the designer line-up. I am a long time admirer of each one of them.

I started at Ken Fulk's table, which was dazzling. Topped with the front half of a black stallion ringed with dozens of sunset hued roses, this table was off and running at first glance. Ken was so imaginative with this table, I hardly know where to begin!
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The dark wood table was topped with a piece of glass which was back-painted with Hermes orange paint. Now, that is an idea that anyone could use to update a table and make it one-of-a-kind. Ken contacted Hermes to see if they might lend saddles to use as the dining "chairs". And they said "Yes"! Ken painted the saddle stands (also by Hermes) a fuchsia pink, topped them with the Hermes saddles, and draped those with Hermes scarves and belt buckles.

The table is set with Fil D'Argent China and Attalage Silver, both by Hermes. The Black Martini glass is by David Redmond, Martini Shaker by Lappas, Toroise DOF by Stueben, and charger by Laque De Chine Noir and Platinum by Haviland.

Ken added the crop (Hermes) as a "party favor", or perhaps just to whip a little more excitement into this equestrian fantasy. This run for the roses is a clear winner.

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Hermes Saddle and Stand

Next up was "The Observer Effect" by Claudia Juestel. Claudia, founder and principal of Adeeni Design Group, brought her own design sensibilities to the table by designing a custom Dining Table with Brazilian Rosewood Veneer. She also created the custom dining chairs upholstered in a shagreen textured fabric.

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"The Observer Effect" Table by Claudia Juestel

Claudia used China by Raynaud, silver by Ercuis and crystal by Saint Louis and Varga. The silver "bowls" at each place setting are made out of coins and titled "Beggar" Bowls, by Dave Meeker. The centerpiece of the table was not the expected flowers, but what appeared to be a miniature laser light show made from the "Shpera" Light Fixture by Matteo Thun coupled with "Quiet Tectonic" Single Channel Video Projection available through Baxter and Cook Art Advisors. Try THAT at your next party!

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Perhaps my favorite thing about this setting was the brilliant bar cart design by Paul Benson. His talent never ceases to amaze. Paul works out of Sonoma and creates the most beautifully crafted metal and lacquered pieces of furniture art. You may remember his console from the Met Home Modern by Design Showhouse HERE.

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"Tantalus" Bar Cabinet by Paul Benson

Martha, Martha, Martha! I love your designs! Full of artful fun, high and low, Martha Angus' table is as beautiful as it is accessible. Martha Angus designs are playful as well as sophisticated, which is just how I like it! Martha started things off with a Duodecogonal (say that ten times fast!) Mirrored Dining Table with etching from Sarlo. The beautiful orange and pink upholstered Gustavian and Louis XVI chairs are from Therien.

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"NtRain" Table by Martha Angus

And here is where things get fun. The area rug is actually two IKEA rugs put together and the light fixture by Aargon Neon was made from plastic bags. Beauty and creativity is not dependent on price.

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Martha topped the table with China by Alberto Pinto, Silver by Puiforcat and Crystal by Saint Louis. Lovely!

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The table by Orlando Diaz-Azcuy was an imaginary High Tea with all of the First Ladies in attendance. Mr. Diaz-Azcuy began his thought process with the selection of the Pensees pattern by Bernardaud. The Pansy motif set the tone for the whole table. Mr. Diaz-Azcuy had pansies printed onto the table top (table and chairs were designed by Orlando Diaz-Azcuy for McGuire Furniture) as well as onto the tea cookies.

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"High Tea with Bernardaud" table by Orlando Diaz-Azcuy

It was fun to see which of the First Ladies had their place cards at the table. Michelle and the last six all seemed to be in attendance. (Can you name them all?) Pretty and feminine at first glance, there as it was quite another story that was running through Mr. Diaz-Azcuy's head as he told us all what he imagined the ladies talked about at this party! Very entertaining!

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After seeing the tables, there was a discussion with the designers about their designs and how they personally like to entertain. Marta Benson of Gumps introduced Diane Dorrans Saeks who led the discussion with the panel.

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Ken Fulk and Marta Benson

Diane led a lively discussion, and I learned some very interesting tidbits! There were strong opinions as to whether paper napkins were acceptable or not. (What do you think?!)Orlando likes to play old movies without the sound at his dinner parties to keep the conversation flowing. Claudia loves to play Latin music, while Martha likes techno, but not while at the table. Ken was not able to enjoy his parties until he learned that people had much more fun when he did not worry too much about things being "perfect". Most importantly, everyone agreed that a good mix of friends is key, and that simple is sometimes best.

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Diane Dorrans Saeks, Claudia Juestel, Orlando Diaz-Azcuy, Martha Angus

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Claudia Juestel, Ken Fulk and Martha Angus

(Love the Houndstooth suit Ken!)

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At the end of the party, guests were invited to purchase their tickets for the DIFFA DINING BY DESIGN Events November 18th and 19th. A lucky (SOOO lucky!!!) few purchasers won gift bags from Hermes!

Thank you again to Gumps who knows how to throw a perfect party!

And please hop on over to the DIFFA DINING BY DESIGN site to see how you can attend or help.

valentine's day SHOWTIME HOUSE!!!!!

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Everybody loves a good Showhouse, right? We are used to seeing them in the Spring and maybe there are a few during the holiday season. But our craving is usually put on hold in the Fall.

Well, we are in luck, because this Fall, starting the weekend of September 12, Metropolitan Home's second annual Showtime House is slated to open to the public. Met Home and Showtime are partnering for a second season bringing their cutting edge cable TV hits to life with the design talents of some of the country's most notable designers.

The event takes place in New York at the Tribeca Summit: "a collection of elegant loft residences created from an historic former warehouse." To learn more about the building (pictured above), click here.

Let's cut to the chase here. So, what shows are providing the inspiration and who are the designers? That's what was formost in my list of questions.

Each designer has been assigned a room and a Showtime Series:

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Can you just imagine?

And the designer lineup:

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1) Marie Aiello, Dexter Foyer, Living and Dining Room, Kitchen, and Terrace

2) Matthew Berman and Andrew Kotchen, Nurse Jackie Waiting Room Lounge and Triage Garden

3) James Biber, Weeds Dining Room

4)) Christopher Coleman and Angelo Sanchez, Nurse Jackie Master Bedroom

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5) Markus Dochantschi, Californication Master Bedroom

6) Susannah C. Drake, Californication Outdoor Living Room

7) Francine Gardner, United States of Tara Duplex Apartment

8) Joannah Kornak for Holly Hunt, Californication Master Bedroom and Balcony

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9) Paul Latham, Weeds Lounge
10) Piero Lissoni with Nicoletta Canesi, Lissoni Associati, Tudors Dining Room and Exterior

11) James Lord, Roderick Wyllie, and Geoff di Girolamo, United States of Tara and Weeds Outdoor Rooms

12) Kara Mann, United States of Tara Multiple Personality Room

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13) Richard Mishaan, The Tudors Small Study and Sitting Room

14) Glenn Wallace and the Savannah College of Art and Design, Foyer

For more info on the fab fourteen above click here.

If you are like me and just can't wait til September, here's a bit of a sneak peak.

And for those of you who can't keep away, you can find out more info on tickets and such here.

And just for a bit of fun......

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Kirsten Brant's Cafe/Lounge from Metropolitan Home's Showtime House 2008

Click here for the sizzling slideshow of last year's event!

valentine's day Magazine Mainstays, and the Loss of a Favorite

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As many of you have read by now through Cote de Texas, Pigtown Design, and other blogs, we have lost yet another excellent publication: Southern Accents. This news was a bit of a shock and I was so sad to hear it. It has made me appreciate and look forward to getting the new issues of Elle Decor and Metropolitan Home all the more!

And it seems we have very good issues to look forward too! Elle Decor, always one of my faves, is showing of John Mayer's Giorgio Armani designed SoHo pad....I must admit, I have been very curious about how John lives behind the scenes! We will also get to see the Kentucky Farm of Mark Badgley and James Mischka, and Theory's Istvan Francer's Connecticut Farmhouse among other notable digs.

And for those searching for that perfect writing desk (I am always on the hunt!)? There is a roundup of the ten best. Travel destination? Elle Decor has it covered with a story about enchanting Istanbul.

So much to be thankful for in one publication! My foot is tapping out the seconds until it arrives.

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Metropolitan Home treats us to an issue all about Renovation. Don't let the cover fool you! The Met Home of the month is a century-old home in Washington, D.C. that has been "given new life". And in Savannah, an historic Townhouse is transformed. There are also modern twists given to a 1952 LA house, and an artist's Manhattan Loft. Lot's to look forward to!

As I mentioned, one of my very favorite publications will be seeing it's last issue this Fall, Southern Accents. I am sure the complete story as to the why's and how's will be forthcoming, but until then, we will all be scratching our heads and wondering why a beautiful magazine like this gets the boot while others that seem so obscure are still in circulation.

I am mourning the loss whatever the reason and am posting some of my most favorite covers as a sort of "ode":

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Southern Accents, you were full of charm and grace, just like the South. It will be a long while before I forget to listen for that undeniable magazine thunk through my front door mail slot. You will be missed.

valentine's day Modern by Design Showhouse 2009: Last Stop

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Last Stop: Top Floor!

The Top Floor of the Modern by Design Showhouse was a show stopper! At the top of the stairs was the large Family Room designed by that purveyor of “Sophisticated Fun”, Jay Jeffers. Jay has been noted in House Beautiful’s Top 100 and has graced the pages of Metropolitan Home and Elle Decor numerous times.

His room for this Showhouse shows off his talents yet again. A sunshine-y color palette makes you feel immediately upbeat, and there was an abundance of great ideas.

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The main seating area was grounded by a fantastic geometric cowhide area rug designed by Jay and put together by Kyle Bunting. The sofa is another custom JDG design. Note the subtle crenelation across the back. The high back club chairs are from Modern One, and the coffee table is by Paul Evans. The light fixtures were another custom design and made by McEwen Lighting Studio.

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Remember that sofa back? Well, it is echoed again in the design of the fireplace surround. And I loved the side table between the chairs: a vintage scale from Coup d’etat.

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This one-of-a-kind beauty was a custom design by Paul Benson. Yellow lacquer console with yellow brass and aluminum with a bamboo interior (bamboo interior! All things were considered here.) The art above is Untitled, but described as a “Yankee Septic Emergency” (Hahahaha!) by Gregory Crewdson available through Berggruen Gallery.

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I loved the game table and it’s industrial chic look (Coup d’etat). The base was made from an iron buffing machine circa 1900. Jay Jeffers designed the rug to look like a tree stump (Mark Nelson Designs), and also the game table chairs (C. Mariani) ….amazing designs!

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I was taken with the design of the Loft steps and how they were also used for library shelving. So clever! And the leather covered panels are barn doors for bedrooms on either side. The chairs are Austrian secessionist elm wood burl circa 1880 from Epoca.

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Jay put in a couple of seating areas in this loft space. Kind of a fun little hideaway! Fun faux wood grain fabric on the chaise is from Dogwood Fabrics. And the Ikat fabric on the drape is from Belfour. Interesting lighting idea: lining up a series of spyglass sconces from Circa Lighting. I have never seen this done before.

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JDG also designed the Powder Bath which I thought was really handsome. The vanity is another custom design by JDG produced by Metropolis Metal Works (who also did the fireplace surround). The mosaic tile is made from cork!!! (Habitus Inc. ) The other thing that caught my eye was the wallpaper: a trellis print on grasscloth by Studio Printworks. Fresh and fun.

There was so much here to see, I could not capture it all! You will just have to come in person!

valentine's day Jay Jeffers, Jeffers Design Group

Jay was so gracious and quite dapper in this picture, I think. His tie fits in perfectly with the scheme. He was so fun to talk to and had so many fantastic ideas in this room!

There were two “his and hers” bedrooms off of the Family Room designed by the architectural partnership of Min Day. E.B. Min and Jeffrey L. Day created duel spaces that are young and fresh. They designed a pierced panel closet door in a sort of wave pattern that hides a Murphy bed. Nicely set off by the blue green desk area. Fun carpet tile by FLOR. Wood stool designed by Min Day.

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In the “girl’s” room, the dot idea was carried out with paint stenciled in a cloud pattern. Really a great idea for a child’s room! More “dots” on the floor (FLOR carpet tile)

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The bathroom was an “ode to green” with it’s apple green paint and glass tile (Walker Zanger) Happy and striking in it’s monochromatic palette.

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It was a refreshing way to end the tour of the interiors here!

But there is more outside!!! Surfacedesign is the genius behind the outside spaces. This first space is the rooftop terrace which was decked in an angled pattern and furnished with soft “sculpture”.

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The downstairs patio was a study in black and white. There was modern wood paneling installed as sculpture and stained black Throwing Rock Studio created the concrete pads and bench. The white strips in the concrete are LED lights that glow with a blue light at night. Quite stunning.

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The space had a very liveable quality but at the same time was a sort of interactive art piece in and of itself. Quite beautiful.

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The birdbath was formed out of the end of the bench. It reminded me of Indian grinding rocks filled with rain water.

And one of the talents behind Surfacedesign is principal Roderick Wyllie who was on hand to chat about the landscape design and his company. Do check out the Surfacedesign website to see more genius at work. valentine's day Roderick Wyllie, Surfacedesign

I hope you have a chance to get over to the Modern by Design Showhouse this weekend….the last weekend BTW! There is so much I was not able to show you (my little camera can only do so much!) And so much more you really should see!

I wanted to thank all of the designers I was able to meet for being such great hosts in the very hectic hours before the opening Gala. It was truly a pleasure meeting them all. As varied as their styles are, there were clearly traits common to them all. They are all passionate about what they do every day, and the enthusiasm for the clients with whom they work is palpable. It was inspiring to see their designs….but perhaps even more inspiring to see the kind of people they are: really interested in the world and the people in it.

(And a special thanks to Cheminne Taylor-Smith of Metropolitan Home!)