It's the final days of summer 2010 ........
And I'm off to the beach to catch the last rays of sun, have a picnic & play!!!!
Have a great Labor Day weekend!!!!
Recently in “Vintage”
This wall is so stunning ..... it is the ultimate "exclamation point" for any room !!!!
London antiques dealer Linda Gumb framed these divine vintage decorative patterns ....... they are part of a collection of pages from a sales catalogue of 1930's French wallpaper. The patterns are hand painted on paper and include any co-ordinating boarder prints.
I love instant "accessoration" gratification and this certainly fits the bill!!!!
Available from "cycle artist" Billy Taylor, Saturday's at Aspen's Farmers Market!!!!
Divine handcrafted, re-cycled, vintage bikes!!!!!
Townies + Single Speeds + Fixies .......
A plethora of sizes, colors, silhouettes, and styles!!!!!
I want at least 6 shipped to NYC, to "accessorate" my garage!!!!!
Color coordinated, of course!!!!
BLACK BEAUTY- Tortoise plastic, open work frame , America circa 1940.
Black embossed calf, leather lined, braided handle.
CONCUBINE II- Gilt French frame circa 1010.
Japanese silk textile trimmed in black mink.
SNAKE CHARMER- Vintage French frame, glass, marcasites, & metal circa 1950.
Python suede embroidered with vintage silver trim.
INDIA DECO- Antique glass hand set, jeweled frame circa 1920.
Antique woven silk textile, unusual deco pattern.
LOCKING BAKELITE FRAME- circa 1940
Hand embroidered Chinese silk, carnelian beads.
CRYSTAL CLUSTER- Chunky lucite fame, hand carved, American circa 1950.
Contemporary French textile trimmed in clusters of multifaceted crystal beads.
Removable hand polished silver chain.
RED FORTUNE- Antique brass filigree frame, American circa 1940.
Asian silk textile with embroidery and hand beading. Silk tassel.
CHOCOLATE BASKET- Amber lucite frame, American circa 1950.
Italian calf with laser cut overlay.
LEWIS & CLARK SATCHEL- Apple juice bakelite frame, American circa 1940.
Natural deerskin, hand stitched with turquoise beading. Vintage silver & turquoise pull.
Hand braided handle.
VINTAGE BAKELITE FRAME- American circa 1940.
Hand painted asian silk
GARDEN OF EDEN- Apple juice bakelite frame, American circa 1940.
Giant python skin purse.
Connecticut handbag designer Joy Liotta Horvath is a serious "accessorator!!" She has designed a collection of unique and stunning "custom couture" handbags, using vintage frames, unusual textiles, and novelty leathers. Her company Gioia Handbags, celebrates "the marriage of handbag artistry and the tradition of creative handiwork."
I saw these bags over the weekend, and the collection was amazing ......
these are several from my immediate "must-have" list!!!!!
Labour & Wait, Shoreditch
Petersham Nurseries, Surrey
Michael Costiff's World Archive
Undercover Co. Ltd., Japan
Lanvin installation
On July 14, 2010 "tachiagari" starts at Rei Kawakubo's wonderfully curated shopping delight, Dover Street Market. The literal translation ..... "new beginnings" ....... refers to the three days when the store is closed for it's bi-yearly "re-do" ...... followed by it's re-opening with the new fall/winter designer collections, a selection of new resources, and inspired new shops!!!!
But, before this metamorphous begins, I thought a final reflection on the current
spring/summer 2010 presentation would be appreciated!!!
The current fashion & accessory selections are extraordinary and it is fascinating to see each designer's shop reflecting the individual "personality" of their collection. I am particularly charmed by the Lanvin display ......... soooooo chic, so tasty, soooo Lanvin!!!!
The eclectic and innovative "non-fashion" installations are smart and stylish. Petersham Nurseries' main floor cut-flower stall is charming, while the fourth floor includes a chic garden shop featuring a variety of eco-friendly potted plants, as well as a unique collection of vintage & new Venetian glass vases, glasses, and paper weights. The outpost of Shoreditch's "functional products emporium" Labour & Wait has a vintage feel .... but with a modern twist. The unique World Archive collection from Michael Costiff is a treasure trove of fabulous finds from everywhere, and the center piece of Jun Takahashi's Undercover shop is a fabulous re-purposed vintage light bulb installation ........ the black, charcoal, & silver stenciled walls are stunning too!!!
What's more "au courant" than ecology, sustainability, uniting the world, and beauty, form & function!!! This current "incarnation" is fabulous ....... but, I can't wait to see the newest "new beginnings" on July 17th!!!!
I adore shopping at London's Dover Street Market .....
And I love that it closes for "re-invention" .....
That's the ultimate "re-accessoration"!!!!
One of the most divine things to do in Paris is
to sit at a café with an espresso & ponder life!!!!
I find myself taking up "residence" at café's all over the city and love
the variety tables and chairs!!!
I found these fabulous vintage mosaic tables in front of one café ......
they were all "empty" .... a great rarity in Paris!!!!
I wonder where everyone went!!!!!
SNAKE COFFEE TABLE, CARLO CONTIN 2006 for MERITALIA
BRASILIA TABLES, COMPANA BROTHERS, 2006 for EDRA
MUMMY CHAIR, PETER TRAAG, 2005 for EDRA
MIRROR, ETTORE SOTTSASS, 2007 for GLAS ITALIA
CHAIR, DOMINIQUE PERRAULT & GAELLE LAURIOT-PREVOST, 2009 for
SAWAYA & MORONI
NAKED LEGO TABLE, GILES MILLER, 2009
GEO ART CARPET, LUCA NICHETTO, 2009 for NODUS
PROVA PRIMA DINNERWARE, PAOLA NAVONE, 2009 for RICHARD GINORI
LEFT CHAIR, PIET HEIN EEK, 2005 ...... RIGHT CHAIR NAOTO FUKASAWA, 2009 for B&B ITALIA
SATURN STOOL, EDWARD BARBER & JAY OSGERBY, 2008 for CLASSICON
VALISE WARDROBE, MAARTEN DE CEULAER, 2008 for CASAMANIA
PXL LAMP, FREDRIK MATTSON, 2007 for ZERO
CLAY CHAIR, MAARTEN BAS, 2006
THE ROCKING CHICKEN RIDE CERAMIC, JAIME HAYON, 2008 for LLADRO
Blending the historical richness of the architect of the houses and their
antiques, with the work of contemporary designers results
in an amazing design dialogue, which we
were so lucky to experience!!!
One of the fantastic things about getting stuck in Milan, while the Icelandic volcano spewed ash, was getting to visit two of the four Milanese House Museums, homes with a unique combination of period architecture and antiques, with the addition of contemporary design ...... old and new working in tandem, showing how contemporary furniture and objects belong everywhere!!!!
I was particularly taken with the Villa Necchi Campiglio, a residence built in the 1930's, designed by architect Piero Portaluppi. The interiors were created by a collection of important Italian designers and decorators of the period, including Albini-Palanti, Buzzi, Marelli, and Ulrich. After the war, an extensive collection of antique furniture was added.
"As such, today the Villa allows cutting-edge design to come face-to-face, and engage in an intelligent game of contrast, with both the pure lines of 30's design - as occurs, for example, through the sitting of the De Ceulaer wardrobe in the prince's bathroom - and with the antique elements, as demonstrated by the dynamic Wrong lamp that stands against the Louis XV armchairs and sofas in the Drawing Room."
Lebanese designers Huda Baroudi & Maria Hibri, owners of Bokja (blog 1/21/10), have really out-done themselves with this "refitted" vintage VW BUG that is "flowering" in Rosanna Orlandi's garden for the 2010 Milan design fair!!!
This piece of "sculpture" is divine and there really are no
words necessary ...... just look!!!!
London's weather has been gorgeous & everyone took to the streets, me too!!!!
Walking along Kings Road in Chelsea, I found the "poshest" new shop .... Bellocq Tea Atelier. This tiny gem, nestled into the corner next to the new Anthropologie store, is the brain-child of three New Yorkers ..... Michael Shannon and Heidi Johannsen Stewart, both former Martha Stewart veterans, and real estate developer/store design guru Scott Stewart. As "friends" of the Anthropologie folks, the NYC based entrepreours got the opportunity to open their first retail store in London and took it!!!!
The store is stunning....an "accessorator's" dream!!!! The color palette is washy, dreamy tones of aubergine & indigo, there are natural wood floors, vintage furniture & accessories, antique store fixtures, all accented with green leaves and flowers ..... YUMMIE!!! There is also a wonderful touch of red that edges a long shelf on one side!!! BUT, the ultimate "accessoration" is the label on the tea canisters, bright daffodil yellow with a sharp white square!!!! The eye catching back wall says it all!!!!
Oh yes, the purpose of this delightful store ........ It sells a fabulous selection of unique, hand-crafted custom blended teas, as well as carefully selected full leaf teas!!! In addition, they feature a bespoke blending service. The teas have chic names including Noble Savage, Afghani Chai, and Wild Phoenix. They taste incredible and smell fantastic!!!!
Next summer, according to Michael, this NY based company, will
finally open a Bellocq Tea Atelier in New York ...... but
for now, it is a must stop in London!!!
The stunning, well designed Magasin Trudon on the rue de Seine in Paris, is a visual feast, a must see, a "go-to" shopping experience ........ an "accessorator's" dream!!!!!!! From the well known scented candles, the individually sold bright colored candles in a variety of sizes, the "candle-busts" of nobility, the "church" candles in natural with gold text, and those with gold seals....... everything is eye candy ....... Look everywhere ...... don't forget the furniture, the accessories, the vintage candlestix, the color-walls, and the fantastical propped displays ......spectacular!!!!!
The history of Cire Trudon candles began in 1643, when wax merchant Claude Trudon began making candles for the churches of Paris. The all natural candles were (and still are) made of 100% vegetable wax, with pure cotton wicks, for the purest candles and the cleanest burn. Royalty, including Marie Antoinette, learning of the quality of the candles, asked that the candles be available for their castles .... Versailles included!!!. Today, Cire Trudon candles remain the oldest and finest candles in Paris, and possibly world-wide. In addition to manufacturing private-label candles for a variety of companies, including Hermes, Dior, and Guerlain, Trudon sells their candles internationally
I found these divine candles, encased in stunning absinth colored, hand blown be-spoke Italian glass vessels and labeled with gold crests made by the same company that makes Moët Chandon's champagne labels, at Barneys NYC. I think the black boxes that house the candles are as identifiable as Tiffany blue boxes!!! Over a dozen scents are available but, my favorite is "Ernesto," a clean scent that favors leather, wood, and tobacco. The total package is a wonderful "accessoration" and a divine gift!!!!!!
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!!!!!
This store is soooooo YUMMY ....... I have been obsessing about this stool and am almost ready to call and have it shipped to NYC !!!! NO CONTROL here!!!!......
I spent last week in Paris and it was divine!!!! I stayed at the Hotel Recamier, a wonderful newly renovated, boutique hotel in the Place St. Suplice. It was recommended by my friend, the au courant E-I-C, and as usual, he was right ..... it was fabulous !!!! ! The hotel has been redesigned by interior designer Jean Louis Deniot, who in addition to creating the stunning public spaces, was inspired to design 24 entirely different rooms. He successfully blends an eclectic mix of 20th century decorative styles, creating "Parisian elegance, neither hyper exuberance nor minimalism" ....... but clearly contemporary chic with a French accent!!! In addition, this charming "bijou" is owned by Sylvie de Lattre, a hotelier who pays special attention to each guest ...... making you feel that you are a treasured friend visiting her wonderful home!!!
I "accessorated" all over Paris.... lunch at my most favorite cafe- the Croix Rouge, vintage shopping at Catherine B, a quick trip to the fabulous Merci on the Blvd. Beaumarchais, a visit to the new L'Eclaireur for women and of course a return to the men's store (bought gorgeous summer scarves!!), I saw my favorite lamp at Perimeter Gallerie, met Oliver the director of School Gallery (bought a fabulous drawing), had a wonderful lunch at TCH'A (the maison de the), found Arty Dandy on the Rue de Furstemberg (they were out of the KARL WHO t-shirts!), picked up breat at Poilane, book shopped at La Hume, and had an amazing dinner at L'Timbre .......
That's just a hint of my "accesorations" ......... much, much more to follow this week!!!!!!!!
These wonderful "new-vintage" pieces of furniture are from Blue Ocean Traders in Louisville, Kentucky. Combing reproduction antique frames with vintage linen grain sacks, from Eastern Europe, gives each piece a unique history with a modern twist. Historically, the sacks were one-off patterns; woven into the linen was either the farmer's name, initials, a specific stripe, or linen pattern. The purpose of these markings was to identify each farm, so that the sacks got returned to the correct farmer after they had been emptied. In their travels, Blue Ocean's designers put together a collection of these sacks, creating this selection of vintage-inspired furniture, each with bespoke upholstery.
I think these pieces are a wonderful "accesoration." They feel like they are charming vintage pieces ....... without being old!!!!
I adore books ..... reading them, as well accessorating with them!!! So, when I met Brian Wynn, owner of Middletons, I was in heaven!!!! This eco-friendly Kentucky company rescues vintage books from the public library system and turns them into studding treasures!!! Brian creates a unique library of re-claimed books, rebinding them with beautiful hand-printed papers. In addition, he also rebinds books with solid paper, and individually hand-silk screening each one. After binding, the books go through a process to soften the jackets, giving them a gently worn feeling. In addition, color or a metallic surface can be added after the binding process, creating another design element.
This spectacular collection of books creates the ultimate "accessoration" ..... a bookshelf, table top, fireplace mantel, or even just sitting on the floor ..... these books complete the look of any room!!!!
French company Frederique Morrel, the brainchild of husband and wife team Frederique Morrel and Aaron Levin, has moved from covering poufs, footstools, pillows, furniture, and lamps in vintage needlework ...... to these updated taxidermy "deer creatures." This past week at Maison et Object, in Paris, the company presented "The Slice of Life" collection. The unique, handmade creatures are created from polyurethane taxidermy molds, re-enforced with steel rods and covered in re-cycled vintage tapestry. Each piece, whether a full-sized animal or a trophy head, is then completed by the addition of real antlers, horns, hoofs, or fur pieces. Frederique's concept is "to "decycle" (put into a new life-cycle) unj-justly un-recognized, anonymous and devalued pop artifacts."
According to Frederique and Aaron, "Our products have been carefully re-made using vintage needlework saved from oblivion in the interest of the redemption of the painstaking work involved in their original creation. When wondering around markets or garage sales we're often very saddened to see discarded embroidery. We think about the love, time, craftsmanship, and patience that went into creating such beautiful things and find it so sad that they end up unwanted and for sale for a few dollars."
I think these quirky and clever "artifacts" are divine and decadent ......... imagine one "accessorating" your great room ...... or a whole heard of trophies "accessorating" a wall!!!!!
That's a WOW!!!!!
- “It all comes down to the accessories.....
- It’s not the first thousand dollars that make the room, it’s the last hundred!!”
- - judi roaman
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