valentine's day Celebrity Cover: Elle Decor and Ellen Pompeo

valentine's day Fresh is right! That is what we have all come to expect from Elle Decor: Fresh, unique, delightful interiors. The May issue looks like another breath of fresh air, and I am looking forward to sitting in the garden my husband's new birthday present (hammock), sipping a chai iced latte and letting Elle Decor take me away.

Photo by Tim Street-Porter
This month's issue features the home of Grey's Anatomy star, Ellen Pompeo designed by Martyn Lawrence- Bullard. Here's a little sneak peek!

valentine's day Photo by Tim Street Porter

Michael S. Smith also makes an appearance with his Manhattan

Penthouse.


What could be better?

valentine's day Don't Skip It: Michael S. Smith

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Photo by Scott Francis

I think some may miss this because, let's face it....we may not have the desire or the funds during this economy to get every magazine we want to. But I didn't want you all to miss an article about the incredible Michael S. Smith. So I am suggesting that you may want to take a look at Architectural Digest this month.

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Photo by Scott Francis

Michael Smith has designed a house in Rancho Mirage, California....just outside Palm Springs, and it is not what one might expect of a desert house. No Brat Pack terrazzo. No Hollywood glam.

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Photo by Scott Francis

Michael has his own take on things. A bit of quiet comfort. Luxury, yes...but not one of those places where you have to keep your feet off the couch.

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Photo by Scott Francis

I never tire of his style.

Not a lot to add to the AD article....just passing it along.

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Cover Photo by Durston Sayler

Also...check out the section shown on the cover "Shop Like a Designer". Well, most of us can't really shop like this, but it is fun never-the-less to see where the top guns shop. There is a very comprehensive source list at the very back of the magazine with websites. So thanks, AD, for that!

valentine's day $35,000 Toilet?!?!?!

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"Dagobert" Wooden Throne by Herbeau. Constructed entirely of solid ash and decorated with hand painted Moustier Polychrome designs. The musical chime "Le Bon Roi Dagobert" begins playing as the lid is raised. MSRP: $14,123 plus shipping.

It seems there has been a bit of confusion about a $35,000 "commode" that found it's way into the office decor of one notorious Mr. John Thain, (ousted Merrill Lynch CEO) via the talents of recently announced White House decorator Michael S. Smith. For an excellent and comprehensive article about the scandal, visit Joni at Cote de Texas for her fascinating report.

Now, back to the now infamous "commode". Yes, a "commode" can be defined as a "toilet". And there are many toilets out there that come close to, and even far exceed the $35,000 price tag. And even though the "commode" in Mr. Thain's office is NOT a toilet, but instead a low chest of drawers, as illustrated in Joni's article, it is amusing to speculate as to what a $35,000 toilet might look like.

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The "Isis" toilet by Jemal Wright Bath Designs has been decked out with 50,000 Swarovski crystals and retails for about $75,000

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The "most expensive toilet in the world" this 24carat gold and be-jeweled toilet can be found in a Hong Kong jewelry store and has become quite a tourist attraction. Estimated to be worth $7.5 million.

Mr. Thain might be interested to know that, now that he might be looking for a job, he can still get his very own "throne" here.