Back From Baltimore

I just got back from the annual Exciting Windows conference in Baltimore, the home of fellow blogger Meg, from PigTown Designs. She very kindly met me at my hotel and took me on a fascinating tour of her lovely hometown.



She has deep family ties to the area and she toured me through her childhood neighborhood which was breathtaking! Baltimore seems to be a city that is being revitalized within. Older once neglected neighborhoods are now filled with new businesses and refurbished homes. Meg showed me several old mills and factories that have been converted into art galleries and centers for local artisans to make and show their wares. You must visit her blog so you can see more of her city.


The conference I attended was held at the Tremont Grand, an Masonic temple built in the 1800'2 and restored to it's original glory. Each room was stunning with intricate woodwork, plaster detailing and imported marble. If you ever make it to Baltimore you should take a few minutes and go see it in person.


Thanks again to Meg for giving me the grand tour. She is a lovely, charming and talented girl who has led a fascinating life here in the states and abroad. She is a fundraiser, a foodie and a dog lover but she's not above having a beer with a semi-stranger and cheering on her favorite basketball team!!

Dressing the Home

New York is a buzz right now in preparation for Fashion Week which begins tomorrow so what better way to start things off than by letting you know about a new book that peaks into the homes of some of the most talented fashion designers. Dressing the Home: The Private Spaces of Top Fashion Designers by Marie Bariller and photographs by Guillaume de Laubier has already been out in France but will be available here in either March or June depending on which online book retailer you check, and is perfect for fashion lovers and design enthusiasts alike.


I am excited for this book because I love see how fashion designers interprete their fashion aesthetic and style into the interiors of their homes. Some of the designers include Christian Louboutin, Catherine Malandrino, Patrick Cox, Betsey Johnson, and Diane von Furstenberg, as well as Dolce & Gabbana, who wrote the foreword.

Now, I just wish I could just get over this stupid cold so I can enjoy all the fashion week parties!

Achoo!

Habitually Chic apologizes for the lack of posts recently but she has a cold. She will resume her normal posting schedule when she is no longer an "incubus of viral plague". Good news is that she's one stomach flu away from her goal weight! Just kidding!

Photograph Kleenex, 2006, by Abelardo Morell

Chic City Kitchen

I was going to call this post, Chic Country Kitchen but then I remembered that the husband and wife owner's Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch don't care for the connotation that the phrase "country kitchen" infers, especially since theirs is in a loft in downtown New York. Regardless of what they call it, it's one of my favorite kitchen designs. The forced cherry blossoms add to the beautiful ambiance and have me drooling as well. I also thought that Decorno might need a little inspiration after her "home of never ending projects" post today. You can read the entire article about this chic kitchen here.

1) The island: The marble top comes from a lithographer’s studio in Indiana and had to be craned in through the window. Standefer found the tree stump in a forest, and uses it as a cheese platter or fruit stand.

2) The Garland stove: A well-used workhorse that was inherited from the loft’s previous owner, an urban pioneer who’d been there since 1968 and also kept a giant loom on the premises. She’d cloistered her kitchen in a dark corner of the loft. They moved the stove—and everything else—out into the open.

I'm going to have to do another post about the owners and their design firm Roman & Williams because they have a really interesting back story. They started out as set designers for movies and then started to get interior design jobs after a few celebs who admired their work started to hire them. There also came a point where they couldn't stand to watch all their hard work destroyed at the end of a shoot. They recently finished the lobby renovation of the Royalton Hotel in New York and word is that they have quite a few more celebrity clients. Now, I just wish they would post some photos online so we can see what else they have been up to!

Chic Shoes by Carmen Ho

My post about Lyell got me thinking about other designers that I love and my new obsession with Carmen Ho shoes. According to her website, Carmen Ho was born in Hawaii, raised in Hong Kong and educated at MIT where she earned a degree in business and architecture. It was a love of structure that finally led her to designing shoes.

"Wanting to fuel her imagination to create unique shoes and to run her own company, Carmen, armed with business skills acquired from her investment banking days, enrolled in the prestigious Ars Sutoria footwear school in Milan. She then went on to work in a leading Italian shoe factory, where shoes for Christian Dior, Prada, Andrea Pfister, Rudolph Menudier, among others were produced, to gain hands-on experience in design and production."

"Her design philosophy is to celebrate thoughtful details, discreet sophistication, and comfortable fit. She combines her multi-cultural background with traditional Italian shoe-making techniques to create shoes that are laboriously and lovingly made." And I agree. Her shoes are interesting and unique, as well as comfortable. The company also incorporates "social consciousness" into it's business practices which is an added bonus. You can check them out in New York at Bergdorf Goodman and other stockists online. Your feet will thank you for it!

Habitually Chic Shop: Lyell

One of the best things about living in New York, is the access we have to so many talented young designers. One of my favorites is Lyell by Emma Fletcher. The clothes have a vintage feel and remind me of a little bit like Mayle. They both have cute little shops on Elizabeth Street. But unlike Mayle, which I can barely get my arm into, Lyell actually fits. The line is romantic but also modern and wearable. They are also having a sale so if there was ever a time to check them out, it's now! Oh, and I hear a line of shoes is in the works!

The Geography of Bliss

I have a list of things I have been meaning to write about but for some reason, I feel very uninspired today. Perhaps it's because it's the most depressing time of the year. If you don't know what I'm talking about, read yesterday's post. I will admit that I am already sick of winter. Right now, I am dreaming of moving to a warmer climate because I think that sunny weather would make me happy. Well, in the new book The Geography of Bliss, author Eric Weiner, travels the world in search of the happiest place on earth.

I haven't read the book yet because if I bought it, that would be breaking one of my New Year's resolutions (you know, the one about finishing one book before I start another) so I'm curious if anyone else has read it and what they thought. It seems to be getting great reviews. I am very interested in reading more about the Danes who are the happiest due partly to their lack of materialism. Might be a book that should be required reading for all status conscious Americans. Myself included!

Worst Day of the Year?

According to a story on MSNBC, a UK psychologist has calculated that today, January 24th, is the most depressing day of the year. Apparently, it has to do with the cold and dreary weather and holiday debt. I guess the good news is that it can only get better from here!

So, if you are in need of something to cheer you up tonight, you can always head on over to the Elliott Puckette opening at The Paul Kasmin Gallery. Her new work looks to be mostly black and white and she is also experimenting with collage. If that doesn't work, you could always book a trip to the Caribbean. If anyone has any other ideas to beat the winter blues, let me know!

The House that Perfume Built

Not only were we rewarded this month by the beautiful profile of Francois Halard's home in Vogue, but of Frederic Malle's home in Men's Vogue photographed by Francois Halard, mais bien sur! The surprising part is that the Malle family lives on the Upper East of New York and not Paris! They decided to move here in 2005 and into a 3,000 square-foot triplex. Obviously, Frederic's perfume business is doing very well!

I love the mix of bright colors on the walls that set off the fabulous art and photography collection. I also don't think most people would pair bright blue walls with a red sofa but it all works. The photograph of the woman above is by Suzanne Lafont and the hand below is by John Coplan.

I always love peeking into home owned by Europeans. It always looks as if much of their furniture may have been inherited and the objects collected over a lifetime of travels around the world yet et it is also a place where modern objects feel at home. For example, a Jeff Wall lightbox and Arne Jacobsen Egg chair share space with a Veronese painting and a honeycomb bookcase by Sean Yoo.

The bedroom below incorporates an African wool bedspread and an eighteenth-century leather chair with a fabulously worn seat and more amazing art.

I'm going to have to keep my eyes open for Frederic Malle in the neighborhood or perhaps I should keep my nose open. I can imagine that he's probably the best smelling man in New York.

Glory Hallelujah - Barney's has come to Vegas

Yet another mega resort has opened on the Las Vegas strip - The Pallazzo - sister hotel to The Venetian. Not that this isn't a reason to get excited with new world class restaurants and entertainment galore but this particular resort brings with it something of real value and distinction - a full size, three story, chocked full of over prices designer dud's, Barneys New York in all it's high end retail glory!!!!!!


This refuge away from the casino for fashionistas who'd rather gamble their spare dollars on whether or not that $375.00 pair of Rockin Republic jeans they buy will still be in style in three months was determined to keep out the "riff - raff" at the door. We were confronted by no less than four employees who were positioned in a human barrier between unqualified, eager, fanny pack wearing, looky-loos and the inner sanctum of the store fit for only the chosen few. I asked if they wanted to see my credit report or bank statement and they replied that they only wanted my first born - to which I answered - you can have him!!!!! We successfully navigated the fashion gauntlet and we we're in.


My husband was chastised by a snappy, overeager, employee for snapping these pics on his phone so we only got a couple but he did manage to document the cool three dimensional frame motif of the wall paneling. I loved it. So many times satellite stores in Vegas are disappointing - too small - not enough selection - never as good as the real thing - thank goodness Barney's took the smart route and built us a first class full size version. The only thing it's missing is a cafe.



Along with the Barneys comes a three story shopping mall chocked full of designer boutiques. Although very few are open I had to show you the Tory Burch store.


I didn't want Joni (Cote de Texas) and Patricia ( Patricia Gray) to think they are the only one's shopping at TB!!!



The Pallazzo itself is less than spectacular. It went up in a flash and it shows, very little attention to detail and a weird confusing mix of styles that just doesn't work. There is a spectacular element at the front desk - a mural of sorts consisting of a painted scene covered with a layer of faux mercury glass tiles. It makes a beautiful statement that they would have been wise to repeat throughout the hotel. Just in front of the front desk is a less than striking fountain made with a giant, acrylic, Lalique sculpture. Frosted acrylic and water do not mix my friends! And what's with with the weird funeral urns everywhere? I felt like I should be scattering ashes.


Design inadequacies not withstanding, this should turn out to be an amazing property once it's finished and all of the stores and restaurants are open. Las Vegas is just an amazing place to live!

Does Robert Burke Owe Someone a Commission?

I was checking out Fashion Week Daily as I do everyday and came across the most interesting story below.

BURKE'S NEW PERCH: While juggling trips to Milan, Florence, Dubai, Qatar, South Korea, and Paris, where he is attending a few couture shows this week in between business meetings, Robert Burke managed to squeeze in selling his Murray Hill apartment. Not that it was ever on the market to begin with. "This realtor called me a few months ago saying her client saw the pictures of my apartment from Elle Décor posted on a design blog," Burke said. "She said, 'my client really, really wants to buy your apartment.'" Figuring he would never hear from her or the client again, the shrewd luxury consultant surreptitiously made an offer that was well beyond what would've been the appraised value.

Lo and behold, the realtor called back and said his client had agreed to the amount. Both parties signed the deal on Thursday. So now, upon his return from Paris, Burke, and his Steven Klein photographs, will be temporarily living out of a hotel until his new apartment--a full floor-through loft on Park Avenue South just north of Gramercy Park that's double the size of his old pad and comes with a rooftop terrace--is finished being renovated. "I'm going to have to get all new furniture now," he laughed. "This new place is more modern compared to my old place, which was classic--but not wound-up classic."

Now, I'm not exactly sure on which design blog they saw Robert Burke's apartment but I did profile it in it's entirety this past September in my post entitled Man About Town so it could have been mine. And in which case, I think I am entitled to a little commission on this deal. Don't you?! What do you say Mr. Burke? How about a little something for me?

Perfume by Kilian

It's hard not to think someone would be successful when their family's last name makes up the H in LVMH but Kilian Hennessy has worked hard and paid his dues and now has a wonderful new fragrance collection to show for it called By Kilian. He became interested in fragrance while studying at the Sorbonne and took classes at the Cinquieme Sens, a fragrance school in Paris, and later interned at Firmenich, a fragrance house where he trained with the best noses. Later, he went on to create and market scents for major fashion houses. It was only last year that he decided he wanted to create his own scent using the highest standards of the craft and "to put perfume back on a pedestal."

His collection of six scents is darkly romantic and has been deeply influenced by his love of literature. The packaging is beautiful as well. Each bottle is nestled in it's own handsome wooden box that actually locks with a key. Of course, this is not without expense. The perfume retails for $250 but later you can just pick up a refill for $95. Bergdorf's carries the Kilian line and so of course I had to peruse the collection and they all smell heavenly. According to Hennessy, "perfume should either be a shield, to create an environment of ease, or else a weapon of seduction." Sounds like my favorite, Liaisons Dangereuses might be of the latter persuasion. Check them out for yourself at Bergdorf Goodman or Aedes de Venustas.

Instant Window Fashion

If you're looking for a quick fix for your bare naked windows I just stumbled upon a new line of
semi custom, ready made, window valances. They utilize an ingenious curtain rod system that allows you to attach the pre-made fabric components quickly with Velcro that is factory installed on the treatment and the rod.




The fabric selection is limited but there are enough good patterns to choose from to cover the basics.


Check out the Velegance site for a short instructional video on how their system works - It's impressively simple. The treatments and rods are very reasonably priced and look like they would be an easy install for any DIY'er.

The Women Then and Now

The movie The Women from 1939 is a bit of a cult classic in New York. Based on the 1936 play by Clare Boothe Luce, it follows the lives of a group of backstabbing, gossipy, spoiled New York socialites. Many fashion designers have admitted to watching it for inspiration so when I heard they were planning a modern remake, I was curious as to how they were going to do it considering that most of the movie centers on the characters traveling to Reno for divorces, which is no longer necessary in this day and age. But then I just read in Vanity Fair that the women in the new movie would be traveling to a "ashram-style retreat." Perfect! I can't believe it didn't think of that. Below is a photo of the new A-list cast.


The funny thing about the original movie was how modern the women seemed. You see them exercising and taking care of themselves just like today's New York socialites. Pretty funny then that they are remaking a movie that was already ahead of it's time. My suggestion is that you rent the original before you see the remake this fall.

David Jimenez Does It Again!

Kansas City non-professional interior designing wizard, David Jimenez, has been at it again. This time it's at his vacation home in Palm Springs where he has gone wild with color and pattern. He also has an amazing new website where you can check out more photos of his interiors and event designs. It's a good thing he's still working at Hallmark and hasn't decided to go professional because if he had, he'd surely give a lot of interior designers a run for their money! Enjoy!

Chic Pencil Cups

I came across the photo of Peter Som in his office above and thought it was very clever that he had used old Diptyque candle jars to hold his colored pencils. Then I saw he photo of Alexander Wang's New York apartment in the February issue of Domino and on his desk was an old Diptyque candle jar holding pens and scissors. Do all fashion designers think alike? Regardless, it's a fun way to reuse something that would otherwise be thrown away. Just clean out the old wax first so you don't ruin your pencils by freezing the jar or soaking it in hot water. Then enjoy your chic new pencil cup!

Apartment and Photos by François Halard

Anyone who reads my blog knows that I love the photography of François Halard so I was very excited when I opened my February 2008 issue of Vogue to find the most amazing article about his home in Arles, France and his loft in New York, with photography of course by Monsieur Halard. I've posted a few of his New York apartment photos here and I don't think they will ruin anything for you since there are many more in the magazine.

The loft was designed in a former warehouse by his nephew Bastien Halard who is an architect and it's apparent that creativity runs in the family. The new space was designed to look old with a patina of age and to be an extension of his home in Arles. I love the mix of objects including an African mask on the faux plaster mantel above. You can just imagine François Halard collecting amazing souvenirs on his travels to photograph the most beautiful interiors of the world.

In the dining room, the tabletop is placed on two plaster column planters from the thirties and the wood chandelier is copied from the original in Halard's home in Arles. I also love how he mixes modern photography, not all his own, into every room, including the kitchen below.

The article was a wonderful surprise and so interesting to read. Definitely pick up a copy of the new Vogue and I guarantee that you will be just as in awe as I was!

Modern Bondage

Bangles and Cuffs are all the rage! Everywhere you turn there is a stack of colorful arm candy to shackle your wrists with. Personally, I love them in theory but when I wear them I inevitably take them off because I work so much on my computer and they get in the way of my feeble typing skills. I've been sporting my collection more of late and here are a few that I am lusting after right now.

This amazing assortment comes from one of my favorite - although way above my budget - vintage jewelry sellers, Carole Tanenbaum. Pieces from her amazing collection of over 10,000 items are being sported by A-list celebrities galore.


Bakelite, a vintage, early plastic product {formed by the reaction under heat and pressure of phenol (a toxic, colorless crystalline solid) and formaldehyde (a simple organic compound), with a wood flour filler, it was the first plastic made from synthetic components - via Wikepedia}. Bakelite jewelry was the rage in the 30's and 40's. It is enjoying a huge resurgence now with an equally large price tag. The classic bracelets shown above are vintage bakelite.



Carole Tanenbaum's book Fabulous Fakes is a treasure trove of vintage costume jewelry. It's a great source for design inspiration and color research.



Jewelry designer Mark Davis is working his magic with vintage bakelite bracelets. He embellishes them with semi-precious jewels and sells them for an astronomical ticket price at Barney's New York. They range from $2900 - $8900! That's some very expensive costume jewelry.





Lee Angel is the innovator behind this line of enameled geometric bangles in great color combinations sure to set off any outfit. Available at Neiman Marcus they are very affordable between $80 - $200! Pretty reasonable for NM!






Just as colorful and much more affordable is the new enameled collection from J. Crew. When did they get so hip? I love the one in the center. It will be mine - oh yes - it will be mine! And with a price tag under $200 it might just happen.


Banana Republic's take on brights is another enameled collection with vibrant colors and geometric lines. They have a classic and timeless look.




R.J. Graziano is the designer of this bright gold and black crystal cuff.





For the more subdued in color but equal in impact these gorgeous cuffs will fit the bill. The gold piece is stunning and the Kenneth Jay Lane Stone Cuff would be great with an evening gown or jeans and a T-shirt.





Sure to stand the test of time is this John Hardy, Jaisalmer cuff. It has a great shape with the sides flaring up above the center.





The new, very vocal version of the bangle by designer Jessica Kagan consists of pre-ban ivory bracelets hand engraved with witty sayings and quotes. She now offers a plastic version to bring the price down to you and me dollars.. Recently she was very outspoken when Chanel allegedly ripped her design off on the runway. Her response was to produce a bracelet engraved in bold letters with the statement " Ripped off by Chanel" . I guess that says it all! I got the "Don't You Know Who I Am?" bracelet from my husband for Christmas. Yes, I'm a lucky girl!



Well my friends, hurry up and get yourself over to Grandma's house and search through the attic for her old bakelite jewelry. You can make some serious bank selling it on on Ebay.