Microsoft and Me

As a blogger and interior designer, I use technology everyday but that doesn't mean that I know what I'm doing.  I end up figuring out a lot of things as I go but always wish I had more help.  So when Microsoft contacted me about styling their upcoming Preview event and said they would help with my tech needs, I immediately said yes!  While you may buy your laptops, phones and other tech products in modern looking stores, you take them home to a space that looks a lot like my desk above.  Microsoft has started to work with designers including Trading Spaces designer and HGTV's Design Star judge Vern Yip. You can read all about his recent Style Tips for Tech project with Microsoft on Apartment Therapy. 

The event that I am working on will introduce press to the latest products and accessories for the Xbox 360, Windows Phone and Windows laptop lines, in settings that look like the way you’d use them at home all styled by me.  Of course, as part of this I got to try out all the products myself. The one that I was the least excited about was the Xbox but the more I used it and learned what it could do, it became my favorite new product.  I thought it was all about video games, but did you know that you can use it to stream movies from Netflix and guide your yoga workout?  Neither did I!  I look forward to not only showing you photos of the event next week but also sharing some of the great tips and tricks I learned from the Microsoft team.  I'll also be giving away some great new products so definitely check back for more details! 

Kips Bay Book Signings

Besides checking out the great rooms at the 2011Kips Bay Decorator Show House, you can attend some wonderful events.  Up this week and next are books signings with Kips Bay Decorator Show House interior designers from this year and other noted authors. The signings are included in the price of admission and guests can present a Show House ticket from a previous visit for admission.

May 10, 2011  6:00 - 8:00 pm

Author's Night:  2011 Show House Designers and Book Signing

Matthew Patrick Smyth - "Living Traditions" (above)

Celerie Kemble - "To Your Taste: Creating Modern Rooms"

Richard Mishaan - "Modern Luxury”

Campion Platt - "Made to Order"

May 19, 2011  6:00 - 8:00 pm

Leading Women in Design Book Signing

Florence de Dampierre - "French Chic"
Wendy Goodman - "The World of Gloria Vanderbilt"
Victoria Hagan - "Interior Portraits"
Charlotte Moss - "A Flair For Living"
Bunny Williams - "Point of View"

Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2011

163 East 63rd Street

New York, NY 10065

April 28 - May 26, 2011

Monday - Saturday 11:00am - 5:00pm

Tuesday and Thursday evenings until 8:00pm

Sunday 12:00-5:00pm

Admission: $30

Creating a Luxury Bath Experience

I'm excited to be a part of a wonderful panel discussion this coming Friday entitled Creating a Luxury Bath Experience: The Best Resources and Tools sponsored by Waterworks and The Editor at Large. The panel which also includes Barbara Sallick of Waterworks and Matthew White of White Webb will be moderated by Samantha Nestor, the author of The Luxury Bathroom. Matthew will also be signing copies of his new book, Italy of My Dreams, after the discussion. I hope you can join us!

Creating a Luxury Bath Experience

Breakfast Reception & Panel Discussion

Friday, June 18, 2010

9:30 - 11:30am

Waterworks Showroom

215 East 58th Street

New York, NY 10022

rsvp to 646-460-8914 or waterworks@hlgrp.com

Spring Market 2010

It may feel like winter again in New York but tomorrow is Spring Market at the D&D Building. The day is filled with wonderful panel discussions and events starting with the Keynote Address at 9:30am which features Pamela Jaccarino, editor-in-chief of LUXE Interiors+ Design, Bunny Williams, Laura Kirar, Thomas Jayne, and Stephen Elrod.

Don't forget that I am moderating the panel discussion called Refresh featuring interior designer Amanda Nisbet, Benjamin Bradley & David Thiergartner or Bradley Thiergartner Interiors, and Steven Mittman, Chairman of Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman that will begin at 4:00pm at the Edward Ferrell showroom on the 9th Floor. Be there or be square!

D&D Market Week Panel Discussion: Refresh!

I am excited to invite all of you to a wonderful panel discussion called Refresh that I am moderating next Wednesday for Market Week at the D&D Building. The fabulous panelists include Benjamin Bradley and David Thiergartner of Bradley Theirgartner Interiors, Amanda Nisbet of Amanda Nisbet Design, and Steven Mittman, Chairman of Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman and we will focus on how to stay fresh and relevant as a designer in 2010. We will delve into how to stay on top of fashion and trends in the industry, how to adapt as your clients change, and how to survive given the current “economy.” I hope you can all make it and also check out all the other wonderful events going on that day!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

4:00pm - 4:45pm
Edward Ferrell showroom, Suite 915
D+D Building

979 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Chic in NY: Housing Works Design on a Dime

There are a lot of wonderful events coming up in the next few weeks but the first I want to remind you about is Housing Works annual event Design on a Dime. More than 40 fabulous designers, stores and vendors have created rooms and donated products where everything is up for sale to benefit Housing Works. My friends from Flair (that's their room from last year above) have already told me that their room this year will be "quite something!" Kristen McGinnis had some wonderful pieces donated for her room this year including a rug from The Rug Company and wallpaper from Farrow & Ball. I bought a great cachepot from Charlotte Moss last year and can't wait to see what she's got for sale this year! You can see the entire list of those participating online. You can attend the opening night event this Thursday for $150 which gives you first dibs on all the best wares or you can attend the free public days Friday and Saturday. I'll be at Thursday night's event with all my wonderful designer friends and I look forward to shopping up a storm! See you there!

Design on a Dime Opening Reception
Thursday, May 6, 2010
6:00pm
Tickets $150
Metropolitan Pavilion

125 West 18th Street

New York, NY

Design on a Dime Free Public Sale
Friday, May 7th (10am-6pm) and Saturday, May 8th (10am-6pm)
Metropolitan Pavilion

125 West 18th Street

New York, NY

Cocktails with The New Traditionalists

I recently had the pleasure of being asked to style a bar for a cocktail party celebrating the new collections of The The New Traditionalists. You might know them better by one of their lines Mason Gray or for their children's furniture line Duc Duc. Luckily there were no children at the party last week! Just lots of fabulous friends and designers like Jonathan Rosen, Harry Heissmann, Kevin Isbell, Nick Olsen, Ron Marvin, Bruce Shostak, and Laurie Reynolds who is now working with Bruce!

Since I live uptown and The New Traditionalists showroom is in Soho, I tried to use as many accessories they had on site as possible. This is something that I often so at my client's homes so it actually worked out well.

All of the furniture names are actually numbers that are meaningful to the company. The credenza that I used for my bar/entry table is Credenza No. Two Twenty Five. Not sure if you can tell by the photo but the gray finish was applied over a dark blue finish that can be seen around all the edges. It looked really beautiful in person and perfectly complemented my blue and orange color scheme. You can only see a glimpse of one of their chairs in this photo but you should definitely check out their upholstered pieces. The applied leather trimmings and details are like nothing I've ever seen!

The accessories did include a few pieces from my own apartment including my gold boxes, Eiffel Tower, candle and monogrammed match boxes. I also don't advocate smoking but the multi-colored Nat Sherman cigarettes in the silver cup were a nod to A Single Man and added more color.

While my styling project was like something I would do in a client's home, it couldn't compare with the work of real stylist Frances Bailey! She styled the Armoire No. Five Sixty Four with an orange lacquered interior that I loved! You can have the interiors lacquered any color and it's a fun surprise to find when you open a door or drawer!

I love the Domino magazine quality to the styling of this bar by Frances. I definitely think I need to have her give me some lessons!

Brady Wilcox the Chief Creative Officer of The New Traditionalists styled this simple bar on the Dresser No. Nine. I love how the white lacquer drawer fronts look with the darker wood finish. You can play with the color combinations to your heart's content! The furniture is all made American as well!

Monogrammed cocktail napkins are a nice touch to any home bar! I think that might also be a vintage trophy that was used as an ice bucket!

I owe a big thanks to The New Traditionalists team of David Harris, Rebby Gregg, Phillip Erdoes, and Brady Wilcox for allowing me to be a part of their special night. I can also confirm that a good time was had by all! Cheers!

Unapologetically Extravagant

I apologize for the lack of a post yesterday but I was busy helping my friends Mercedes Desios and Alberto Villalobos of the chic boutique Etos with their table for the annual Lenox Hill Neighborhood House benefit gala. Their table was entitled "Unapologetically Extravagant" and with butterflies from Deyrolle and a 17th century wooden pyramid filled with flowers from Fleurs Bella, it lived up to its name! My contribution consisted mostly standing around eating macaroons!

The evening honored the incomparable interior designer Albert Hadley who was introduced by his long time friend Bunny Williams. I was excited to be able to congratulate Newell Turner in person on his new post as editor-in-chief of House Beautiful. My dinner companions included the lovely designer Jonathan Rosen and Kristin Davis' hair stylist from the Sex and the City movie, Michael, whose last name I need to find out. He regaled us with stories from Marrakech but unfortunately no movie secrets. I look forward to posting more photos of the other wonderful tables from the event later but right now I'm off to a drapery installation. A decorator's work is never done!

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Bad News at Kips Bay Decorator Show House!

We interrupt our regularly scheduled coverage of our trip to LA to bring you the bad news the 2010 Kips Bay Decorator Show House has been postponed until the fall. The house that was chosen on the West Side was sold and therefore a new venue must be found. This is not just a disappointment to all the participating designers but more importantly, to the charity it benefits. If anyone has a townhouse to donate for the cause or if you know of anyone who does, please contact the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club. I will definitely let you all know as soon as the new dates are announced.

2010 Kip Bay Decorator Show House Designers

I've always loved this photo of Celerie Kemble, probably because of that gorgeous painting above her head, and I'm happy to announce that she is one of the designers who have been chosen for the 2010 Kips Bay Decorator Show House! The entire list is below and full of fabulous designers and some new names! Tom Delavan of Domino is one of them and a big surprise if Robert Verdi! I remember watching him on Full Frontal Fashion so I can't wait to see his room. Others, I am ashamed to admit I don't know much about so I look forward to learning more about them! It's late here so I'll try to link all the names to their websites tomorrow. Until then, I give you the class of 2010! Congratulations to everyone who was chosen!

2010 Kips Bay Decorator Show House Designers
Aman & Carson
Nancy Boszhardt
Sarah Bune
Sherrill Canet Interiors
Coffinier Ku
Robert Couturier and Associates
Tom Delavan
Chuck Fisher
Darren Henault Interiors
The Jeffrey Design Group
Kemble Interiors
Monica Rich Kosann Interiors
Christopher Peacock Home
Jennifer Post
Katie Ridder
Robert Verdi
Rod Winterrowd
Vincente Wolf Associates
2Michaels Design

Kip Bay Decorator Show House 2010

It's that time of year again! Time to get excited about the 2010 Kips Bay Decorator Show House! For the first time ever, the Show House will be housed on the Upper West Side in a magnificent 19th Century Renaissance Revival limestone mansion at 26 West 76th Street. The Pre-Renovation Party will be held tomorrow night where you can see what the house looks like before the fabulous designers get their hands on it. Speaking of designers, they will be announced at the event and all are welcome to attend! Garrow Kedigian's room, seen above, was the highlight of last year's show so I am keeping my fingers crossed that they have chosen more young designers! The show opens to the public on April 30, 2010.

Kips Bay Decorator Show House Pre-Renovation Party

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

6:00 - 8:00pm

26 West 76th Street

Tickets $75 ($45 tax deductible)

RSVP: 718-893-8600, ext. 245

Studio Sofield's Chic Soiree

My first inclination that the "evening of finery, furniture and friends" at interior designer William Sofield's Studio Sofield would be fabulous last Thursday evening was the special installation by the Matthew Marks Gallery. The second was the "7pm till..." open ended time frame of the party. You know that's a sign you better clear your schedule for the following day! But I think it was the live white snake on a bed that we encountered when we arrived that confirmed that this was no ordinary event!

But then again, I didn't really expect anything less than a chic soiree from the interior designer of choice for a man as discerning as fashion designer and filmmaker Tom Ford. Bill Sofiled, above, is also as wonderfully nice as he is talented luckily and I felt honored to have make the cut!

What we noticed about Studio Sofield is the amazing attention to detail. The office was moved into it's current larger space about a year ago and you can tell that it's not only an office but a laboratory for design from the beautiful paint colors to the unique furnishings.

As I mentioned, part of the evening was intended to highlight the wonderful artwork from the Matthew Marks Gallery which was hung around the space which included pieces from Gary Hume among others. Artist Brice Marden and his wife were also on hand for the festivities, as was artist Michelle Oka Doner.

This stunning piece is a replica of one that hangs in a client's house in California.

Perhaps you'll be able to see that it is actually a large goldfish bowl in this close up.

It might be a little hard to tell in this photo but Studio Sofield also arranges it's design books by color!

Yes, I know smoking isn't good for you but the thoughtful host made arrangements for his smoking guests to keep them inside during the party so they wouldn't have to shiver outside in the cold.

Everyone joked that if I worked at Studio Sofield, this would be my desk. Not sure why they have a vanity in the office but maybe it's the reason why they all look so good!

My friend Satya Twena who works for Studio Sofield was kind enough to give us the grand tour. My favorite part was watching the slide show of project photos on the computer screens on the desks. The office doesn't have a website with a portfolio so it was a wonderful treat!

As I mentioned, the attention to detail was heightened for the party but I have a feeling that the office probably doesn't look much different during the day. My favorite part though was how it smelled! They wouldn't tell me exactly what I was smelling but there is someone in the office who layers scents around the space.

The other reason for the party was to showcase Bill's new designs for Baker.

This room was set as the dining room with some of the beautiful pieces from Baker as well as a fabulous Gary Hume above.

There is a lovely quiet elegance to Bill's interior design which is also evident in his furniture designs.

I also spoke with some of his staff who helped with the designs and there was a large emphasis on comfort as well as aesthetics. Since they often measure their clients for bespoke sofas and chairs, it was a very easy task to design for Baker.

Even the simplest arrangements were beautiful and the catering by Mary Giuliani was delicious!

At the party, both Fabiola Beracasa and Tinsley Mortimer were brave enough to drape the snake over themselves while most everyone else avoided this room! It had a handler but I joked that he was only there so it wouldn't eat the parrot that was also hanging out!

The bedroom area also had an amazing painted lacquered ceiling that looked like it was studded with jewels!

Beautiful artwork and tablescapes were around every corner.

The color of the leather on these dining chairs made me swoon. The whole room was divine actually! I can't imagine working in such a beautiful environment. It must inspire creativity daily!

Everyone thinks New Yorkers are jaded and sometimes we are but I can tell you that every person at the Studio Sofield party, from the chic socialites and Vogue-ettes to the fashion and interior designers, was blown away by the design genius and hospitality of our host! As I joked that evening, it was like dying and going to design heaven. Bill Sofield clearly has the divine touch!

Photos by Kevin Tachman/BackstageAT.com