August 2009 Archives

Twelve years ago, my friend Valerie Smith opened The Monogram Shop in East Hampton.  In a community of rather jaded folks, who thought there was nothing new for them to buy, she curated a remarkable new store! Thinking back to the concept of  a classic monograming shop that she remembered from her days of living in London, she began a non-traditional business! She bought a monograming machine, enlisted her daughter as a partner and "monogramer", and went into business!  The result is East Hampton history, resulting in, I think, the most unique and successful store in our beach community.

In addition to monograms, Valerie writes names, zip codes, street numbers, and various texts on a variety of topics.  Anything can be written, on almost any surface..... including beach bags, towels, cocktail napkins, note pads, kids sweaters, and coasters. Each summer, she adds & subtracts items that are "monogramable," finding wonderful new accessories for her loyal customers. Last year, during the Presidential campaign, there were plastic glasses that had the names of both candidates....and a list was tallied of how many were sold of each. Needless to say the quantity sold by candidate reflected the election results!!! This summer among the  new items and best sellers are cutting boards, white buckets for storing flip flops, and divine plastic glasses with such bon mots as "No Pool," and ""Almost Ocean," codes for where you live and what you have in the Hampton's!!!" 

This summer my personal favorite, as a former East Hampton retailer, is the napkin that also works as a store sign.......Unattended children will be given a cup of espresso and a free puppy!!!!

For as far back as I can remember, my desk of choice has always been my dinning room table!!! Sitting here, I am surrounded by files, magazine "tear-outs", pens & pencils, and a variety of scraps of paper, all covered with illegible notes!! Sometimes, I think that I would be thrilled to finally have a real "desk!!!"  If this dream desk were to become a reality, I would adore having this fixture from French designer, Pierre Guariche, to light it. This wall light, designed in the 1950's, is painted metal & brass, and that is black, white and grey. When I saw it at the Gallerie Perimeter in Paris, I felt an immediate rush of love!!! This is my favorite furniture gallerie in Paris, the focus is on mid-century French industrial furniture design. In addition, they are as creating a portfolio of edition pieces designed by today's leading European furniture designers. A"go-to" gallerie on any trip to Paris.....but please leave this fixture for me!!!! 

The Sunset Beach Motel on Shelter Island is "the perfect escape, simple, unspoiled, and unpretentious" according hotel guide Hip Hotels. This former 1960's motel has been transformed into a clubby, chic get-away, with a European flair. The restaurant has a tasty

summer menu, with a great bar scene...very islandy... and I don't mean Long or Staten!!!

After a divine lunch there last week, my "color radar" was working overtime........I realized that in addition to the stylish guests that reside at the hotel, these trendy "birdie bungalows" were available for our feathered friends!!!  Each a different color combination, these birdhouses "accessorize" the tress that dot the parking lot!!!  What a cool & colorful place to "fly away" to!!!!!

                                                                   

Who would have thought that the most divine accessory for a truck could be a raddish!!! These giant vegetables could accessorize any moving vehicle....how about a pineapple Porsche or an asparagus Audi????  Or  to take it a step further....maybe you could put a hamburger on you Honda!!! 

Combining my African addiction, mixing my love of batik patterns &  hot colors, with my plastic passion.......this table setting screams summer 2009 at my housel!!! The plastic plates, from innovative French giftware company, Sentou are very well priced and of course, durable! The dinnerware is mixed with placemats, napkins, and napkin rings from Dransfield & Ross. In addition, the glasses are vintage, the silverware is from French Bull, and the pitcher is from Amen Wardy Aspen. So, if I invite you to dinner this summer......be prepared to sit down to this table!!!

Sentou website,  Dransfield & Ross website,  French Bull website,  Amen Wardy website,  

 

We were in Veranasi, on the banks of the Ganges River, the holiest city in India. It is treasured as the place that Buddha gave his first sermon. In addition, it revered because it is the most sacred place to die in India. There is an enormous flow of people in and out of the city, yet it has a feeling of total serenity. Daily life in Veranasi centers around the river.... crematoriums on it's banks, morning & evening prayer services on the terraces above the river, bathing in the river, and ....... clothes washing!!! I was transfixed by the laundry that was hung by the river.....is it really possible that it is hung in this tonal rainbow.....light to dark, peach to orange!!!  I find this absolutely amazing......trust me, there is no one in Veranasi who, in their wildest moment, would ever think about "color coding" their laundry!!! This is totally an act of instinct!!!