Recently in “Ethnic”

Vanessa Stramboni has an "accessorator's" sensability .....  that I adore!! She mixes eccentric French vintage, with African ethnic; blending bijoux (jewelry, in our lingo!), textiles, furniture, lighting, and fantastic objects to create her store's eclectic feeling. I adored the set of four black & white, French 60's chairs, whose seats are re-upholstered in a black, white, & grey wool check fabric .... very reminiscent of Chanel!!!! The collection of black and white African masques, that have a slight hint of red, are exceptional "accessorations" ...... and of course, I love, love, love the African stool that still has touches of it's original bright colored paint!!!!! 

I have always adored the unique pieces of furniture from the Lebanese furniture company Bokja, the brainchild of Huda Baroudi and Marie Hibri. I first heard of the collection from a Lebanese friend who was renovating her apartment. Her architect sister, who had designed the space, took her to meet these two wonderful woman and see their furniture. The result, an immediate match was made and a stunning vintage chaise, covered in a patchwork of antique suzani textiles was sent to New York. I must admit I was very jealous when I saw it ...... it is sooooooo me!!!!!I 

Since then, I have been following the company with a passion!!! I have seen the collection in New York City at ABC Carpet & Home; in Miami, in 2008 at Design Miami; in Milan at Spazio Rossana Orlandi; last fall in Paris at Merci; and in London at Gallery Fumi. Finally, last month I was in the new Bokja store in Beirut and met Hoda!!!! She was charming and of course, as is the case in Beirut, we had friends in common...... but, most importantly, she remembered the chaise that had come to NYC!!!!! We chatted, I learned more about the company, and fell in love with a number of pieces in the store!!! 

Bokja is not the new kid on the block ........ Hoda and Marie's partnership began in 2000, when textile collector Huda, put a piece of Uzbek tapestry over one of Marie's antique chairs, to get a better look at it ..... and a collaboration was born!!! The charming, eclectic furniture combines extraordinary textiles from all over the middle east, a melange of color, patten, and often needlework, with antique furniture from the 50's, 60's, and 70's.  Each bespoke piece of furniture tells a different story and the narrative results in a name and "passport" specific to the piece. 

Opened in Soho, in October, this stunning hotel was brought to life by world renowned, British hotelier's, Tim & Kit Kemp, owners of the UK's luxurious Firmdale Hotels. The duo's unique philosophy, "hotels should be living things, not stuffy institutions," is the basis of their "specialty" hotel business. While incorporating this concept in all of their hotels, this is clearly the design dictum leading their first U.S. venture. Co-owner Kit, known for her "quirky, colorful, London style,"  designed the hotel's interiors. She uses an innovative mix of color, pattern, and texture; adding a unique blend of antique, classical, and modern furniture and accessories. A modern mix of organic materials and shapes, as well a variety of foliage and flowers, also complements the hotel's aesthetic. In addition, Kit has put together an extraordinary collection of original contemporary art, that is featured throughout the hotel. Designed to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly, the hotel is aiming to get gold LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification, as well.

There are a number of innovative and interesting design elements throughout the space ..... the first one that appears is the hotel's sign. Seen from the outside of the building, through leaded glass windows, the word CROSBY is composed of individually framed collages, reminiscent of Chicago artist Tony Fitzpatrick, each including a different letter. The word STREET is a combination of vintage and new "found" letters, a la artist Jack Pierson. The visual is spectacular ....... but, unfortunately, there is an Italian shelving unit sitting inside the window that is a bit distracting ....... this is easily remedied and is my only complaint in this otherwise perfect place!!!!!

The public spaces in the hotel are fabulous!!!!! The lobby seating area includes a wonderful vintage wood frame settee covered in soft French linen, and two vitrines filled with shells, that became instant coffee tables!!!! Two "rag -rug stripe" slipper chairs finish the set up...... and in the distance are two wing chairs covered in souzani patterns!!! On the other side of the lobby is a stunning organic wooden garden bench, covered in greenery; a stone dog reclining on it, under an enormous mirror, is lit by a giant theatrical standing floodlight ...... beyond chic!!!! In addition, there is spectacular art in the lobby, including a giant 10' head made out of white letters, three divine dogs covered in comic strips, and a wonderful framed collage of a dachshund!!! YUMMY!!!!!

The Crosby Bar, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and tea, has incredible eye candy; a magical blend of pattern, print, and color!!!! In addition, hanging from the ceiling are the most spectacular light fixtures in New York City!!!!! Another wall fixture is created by telephones mounted to the wall that are lit .......... so incredible!!! Vintage tables have zinc or aluminum tops ..... chairs and throw pillows are upholstered in incredible Maharam woolen collaged textiles, designed by Hella Jongerius ....... and the banquets are covered in amazing stripes!!!! The bar has a trio of colored lucite lamps that make my heart pound!!!! I thought I had landed in "accessorator heaven"!!!!!

Christmas 2009 was absolutely AMAZING!!!! I spent two weeks in Beirut, Lebanon visiting friends and it was beyond ....... it is the chicest, most exciting and inviting city, Beyrouth is the most happening spot around!!!!! Apparently Beirut, previously known as the Paris of the Middle East, has regained its title!!!!!!!!!!!!

The city sits on the Mediterranean, a blend of ancient and contemporary culture, architecture, and design, it is surrounded by ancient cities that include Baalbek, Tyre, Byblos, and Tripoli. The weather is spectacular, as the Lebanese constantly remind you, you can go snow-skiing in the morning and water-skiing in the afternoon!!!! The international flavor of Beirut is the result of the mixture of cultures, Christians, Sunni's, and Shites. Lebanese are warm and charming, they love eating and drinking ...... and having a good time!!!! Family and friends of friends are always welcome, and adding additional guests at the last minute is done with ease. Overseas guests are treated as family and always have a wonderful time. Culturally the city is blossoming ..... the year-old Beirut Art Center presents universally acclaimed shows, featuring both Lebanese and international contemporary artists. Ashkal Alwan, founded in 1974, is invested in forging cultural connections between artists residing in Lebanon and overseas. To date, over 450 international artists and museum curators have registered for their presentation of Home Works V in April. Recently, a group of five artists reopened the Metropolis Cinema, a two theatre movie house. They plan to feature a variety of film festivals, and will have a cafe with a cinema library, to serve as a meeting place for film buffs. Beirut's restaurant scene is extensive and varied (see NY TImes 12/29/09), and packed cafes are central to the fiber of the city. There are a number of chic hotels, including The Albergo, a Relais & Chateaux property, and the newly opened Le Grey, owned by international hotelier Gordon Campbell Grey. Shopping is a major pastime for Lebanese women, and there is a wide selection of fabulous international designer boutiques. This past December a new Dior store joined the mix and according to WWD, any major designer without an outpost in Beirut is on the hunt for space ...... even Hermes is opening this fall!!! In addition, Saifi Village, the tasty shopping district downtown will soon be home to the newly renovated souks!!! Currently Saifi includes my favorite home design stores .... Nada Debs and Bokja Design, both a must stop on any Beirut shopping trip .... and also my favorite cafe Balima, designed by Annabel Kassar.

London design studio Doshi Levien has designed this charming loveseat for the Italian furniture company Moroso. It is part of the  Beautiful Backside Collection, inspired by this picture from the book The Garden of Life by Naveen Patnaik. Designers Nipa Doshi and Jonathan Levien have been combining their sensibilities since 2000. The mixing of Nipa's Indian visual and cultural influence, and Jonathan's industrial design ..... result in this sofa, reminiscent of a One Thousand and One Nights. Inspired by this "miniature painting of a Maharani sitting on the floor of her palace, surrounded and supported by multipled of pebble shaped cushions" .....  the sofa is a collection of thin mats, placed next to each other or on top of one another, covered by various fabrics, creating a graphic style. The divan is available in several sizes, with different pillow shapes, and in a variety of fabric and color combinations.

This collection of furniture is the perfect example of the collaboration of ethnic and contemporary design. It is stunningly modern, with a classic Indian influence.

The Wreath Project 2009 was inspired by the Polish tradition of hanging a wreath on the top of a building as a sign of completion of the project, as well as a symbol of joy and feast. These handmade wreaths are created by knotting 120 silk ribbons on a wire spiral, and they are to be hung upon completion of the interior design of a home. These imaginative fixtures are available in a variety of color combinations and lengths, to be chosen by the user.

"I wish that my Wreath would be an inexpensive gift for all of those who finished redecoration- symbol of joy and good luck. Depending on needs and imagination of its owner Wreath can change color and length. It is possible to hang small decorations or other objects on it. Design invites interaction." Agnieszka Lasota

Leave it to the French to come up with an amazing way to say "thank you," and create a wonderful shopping experience as well!!!! Marie-France & Bernard Cohen, founders of the French cult children's brand Bonpoint, opened Merci this past spring in the Marais district of Paris, "combining fashion with philanthropy, vintage with contemporary design and bespoke creations with mainstream brands." Housed in a 16,000 sq. foot former wallpaper factory, this industrial space features an innovative and interesting treasure trove of "everything" from fashion to furnishing!!!!  Merci, created by the Cohen's as their personal "thank you," donates 100% of its profits to a charity that helps deprived children in India and Madagascar. Having traveled extensively in that area of the world, Madame Cohen was extremely touched by the lack of education for these children and she made herself promise to help them. To achieve this goal, the Cohen's used their retail talents and vision to create this unique shopping experience. "Merci is accessible to anyone with an eye for the unusual and the bespoke."

This extraordinary philanthropic endeavor has gotten an incredible response from the designers, artists, musicians, actors, authors, stylists, and famous friends that the Cohen's went to for help. In addition to donations and the specially designed merchandise that is found only at the store, there is a continuously changing selection of eclectic, well designed product from French companies and various interesting flea market finds. Joining the Cohen's in their generosity, many of the designers and companies involved are also forgoing their profits, resulting in the price of the merchandise being 30% below traditional retail. In addition to gifts, clothing, accessories, and furnishing...... there is "Merci Fleur,'' a flower shop featuring florist Christian Tortu and the "Used Book Cafe" with a 130 foot rolling book wall of donated second hand books. Another wonderful feature is a selection of six scents from perfumeur Annick Goutal (Annick is Mdme. Cohen's late sister)  that are being sold in simple glass or aluminum containers like those used by perfumemakers in Grasse, rather than their classical decorative flasks, and aptly called "Merci Annick."

"Christmas at Merci" features a well curated holiday collection of accessories and apparel; as well as gifts from international designers such as Tom Dixon, Patricia Urquiola, Atelier, and Droog; plus a wide selection of one-off pieces, vintage items, and unique holiday creations designed exclusively for the store. An intriguing  selection of vintage Christmas ornaments and decorations completes the eclectic holiday assortment. 

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,  

As everyone knows, Dransfield & Ross are my very favorite pillows designers!! These four African batik patterns are the ultimate pillows for this season.  Brightly colored and bound with straw tassels, they cover the whole gamut of "chic" for summer 2009!

A must, must, must have for all of the "pillow queens" among us!!!

My "inner accessorator" continues to have a long running obsession with Africa! Several years ago I found these spectacular pieces of furniture in Milan at, my favorite store in the world, ROSSANA ORLANDI. Rosanna told me that she found all four pieces at a market in France and that their origin was unknown. After a bit of research, I think that the webbed pieces were made by Cheick Diallo, a wonderful Mali furniture designer & architect. Cheick's work was included in the extraordinary international exhibition AFRICA REMIX. I was lucky enough to see the exhibition at the Pompidou Museum in Paris and was awed by the incredible work. It greatly fed my addiction to all things African!

This corner says it all for me!  I adore the colors, textures, and patterns .... a dynamic mix. For me this says "accessory!"