lotus & fig

Dilemma: Birthday Self-Gifting

2012-02-28T00:53:00.000-05:00

My birthday is looming and I need to decide on a gift. Traditionally, I allow myself one gift, specifically a splurge. Not that the belt's all that tight the rest of the year. Flights to Paris are really expensive nowadays, so I'm looking at objects on my covet list. Feel free to weigh in:

image courtesy of greenyourdecor.com

My first option is Aphrochic's Brooklyn Life shower curtain, which comes in a warm/outdoor and cool/indoor theme. I don't even want to let this near my shower. I want to make wall art out of it. Six feet of fabric is a lot to work with. It's so perfect, this being Brooklyn and all. Buying both feels extravagant, but one is cool. But which one?! They're both so gorgeous. And both would go with my apartment. Personally, I'm more of an indoor, relax kind of girl.

Imagine it just centered on one wall, backed by foam core, as statement art. Or maybe as the cover for a huge moodboard...

image courtesy of greenyourdecor.com

The good news is that these patterns are also available as placemats. I kind choose a shower curtain in one scheme and a few placemats in the other...

Another option on my covet list is this mirror from Vivaterra, which is now on serious sale for 50% off. It is four feet high by two feet wide. BIG! And my entrance wall is a great place for it. Imagine checking yourself over before going out the door in this. And imagine people coming in and seeing this curvy baby right off the bat. And imagine all my nosy neighbors trying to peek in whenever I open the door and seeing this. Booyah!

But do I need this? But it's my birthday... :sigh:

Then there's this handsome book by wonderwoman Sibella Court. I specically want the Aussie edition because it has the prettier cover. (Yes, I like pretty books. I like all sorts of pretty things.) It isn't even a splurge at about $32.00 on Amazon.

And of course, this little number from Urban Outfitters, but it isn't a Birthday Splurge. For $40, I'm just gonna get that:

Color Story: Chic, Sleek & Saturated

2012-02-24T17:59:00.001-05:00

Here's an ad that fairly blows my mind. The image is arresting: simple, spare and yet full of so much movement. The colors are complimentary: yellows to reds to purples. Everything - from upper right down and across - is round and flowing: the hairstyle, the ruffled color, the lines of the dress, the legs, the variations in the wall stain, until the eye arrives at the bottom left corner with the spike of the stilletto and the flower petals.

And the richness of the colors is offset by the paleness of the model's skin and the depth of the shadow behind her.

West Elm: A Riad Grows in Brooklyn

2012-02-21T20:07:00.001-05:00

authentic berber rugs, poufs, pillows with west elm seating and side tables

Heaven knows how West Elm continues to do it! They've debuted a Found Morocco" collection of one-of-a-king imports. Sure, lots of companies do this. But they've taken authentic Moroccan goods and styled them up in their own casual/modern style. And everything looks fantastic!

gorgeous rugs and beaten trays accent modern farmhouse dining

tray tables, pillows and striped rugs

wool kilim pillows in warm shades

full-on souk styling...heaps of color, texture and pattern

outdoor lounging: neutrals with bright accents

fresh, casual bedding accented by neutral patterned rug and a glitzy wedding blanket

Man, they make me swoon.

Mix Tape Eternal

2012-02-12T00:05:00.003-05:00

There are no words. I was shocked and surprised. The Bodyguard came out when I was a freshman in college. Some of the people who saw that movie with me still choose to believe they get together in the end... We all wanted to be Rachel Marron. Somehow both of my copies of the soundtrack (cassettes) have disappeared over the years.

There will never be another star like this because modern technology doesn't allow them to maintain an image. Not only can you not maintain an elegant, golden girl image, it isn't profitable to do so. Stars have to sell their foibles nowadays, so here passes our last living doll. (It's weird. Just writing this, I swear I can smell my old dorm...)

when this video debuted a boy in my high school asked if i'd seen it and insisted it was the jam. he was a flirt i hardly knew, but i still remember what he said.

Rooms on Film: Think Like A Man

2012-02-10T22:48:00.001-05:00

based on steve harvey's #1 bestselling book

This movie hasn't even opened yet. I just saw the trailer in front of the sci-fi flick, Chronicle (which rocked out 100%!). A few cool sets were shown in the...2.5 minutes, a gorgeous global bedroom among them. So, of course, I had to find a few shots while it was still on the brain. Think I'll go see this one just to see the rest of this girl's home:

her clothes fit with her decor: ethnic prints and chic colors

warm, peachy walls and the rich wood of the asia screen with crisp white lampshades

beyond him you can see a global printed pillow case, middle eastern mosaic pattern

clean, simple and rich with color texture and pattern: carved wood, cabriolet legged tables, curvy lamps, kilim bench, pebbled quilt, ikat throw

not sure i've ever seen a dressmaker's dummy with arms

tidy shoe storage and block print wall art above the stairwell

again, her clothes match her home; love the orange zebra towels

another home: sleek and cool; seems like a couple's pad in that it only seems faintly feminine

i wanna see more to this place too. these sisters are doing it for themselves.

Color Story: Natural Harmony

2012-02-10T00:22:00.000-05:00

Just a little image that represents my sensibility when it comes to color. This image went into my Style Tray because the harmonious combination of color and objects. The whole scene is simply perfect: blue smoke, deep green trees and pink blossoms above a rich floor of light brown soil and dark fluid wood. Then there's the player dressed in natural dyes of purples and fig, holding her black and red instrument. The pipa should be striking with it's bold colors against all those natural shades, but somehow the red/black draws attention to it subtly. The music is the focus without the pipa being jarring.

screencap from the movie "the forbidden kingdom"

Retail Odyssey: DVF Studio at BB&B

2012-02-08T18:45:00.000-05:00

summer paisley: go ahead, scream down deep in your soul

So I swung by Bed Bath & Beyond in search of a certain moisturizer. (They tend to have the best prices on drugstore items.) Since I hadn't been there in a while, I decided to browse the entire store. ...And discovered that Diane Von Furstenburg is doing a dedicated homewares line (bed and bath) just for them called DVF Studio. And it be pretty as hell:

the pink paisleys remind me of an elephant, which adds to the cool

native river: rich, vibrant, blues and greens

palm: lovely turquoise blue with pink trim

Cozy Under Foot: Anthro + Argentina

2012-02-07T22:03:00.002-05:00

huari: stunning. subtly pops a little earth tone in amongst the searing brights

By now, we've pretty much all seen "Man Shops Globe," right? The owner of Anthropologie travels to different countries to find new and interesting artisans and merchandise for his stores? Even after watching marathons of that show, I am still blown away by many of the home goods they offer. How do they do it?! Their new Argentinian rugs are...there are no words. I've fallen for their rugs before and it looks like I'm falling again:

huari: pricey, but i think this is my runner

barranco: imagine the red under a desk and the orange under the chair

stavanger: summery texture and soothing hues

vilcanota: i'm the only one who misses shag, i know

aymara; love the stitching, and the way the neutral stripe breaks up the bright principal colors

My hat's off to them again.

Fuschia + Aubergine: Edgy Bathrooms

2012-02-05T15:42:00.001-05:00

 rock star glam: bright, shiny, chic, cool, a little modern and a little messy  

This bathroom looks like the exact right 'mission control' for a girl who'd rock a flowing goddess gown in deepest purple and fuschia edged in shiny metals:

And a couple more options perfect mix of sparkle and glam for an edgy goddess to handle her ablutions...

shimmering striped tile, lavendar walls and that awesome chair

fuschia accessories, purple flooring and a shiny silver faucet

Color Story: Four-Part Fave

2012-02-02T00:30:00.000-05:00

We're all familiar with the perennial summer combo of hot pink, bright orange, turquoise and acid green. It's a combo that never gets old, and the permutations are always exciting. So, even though I'm not at all ready for spring yet, it is pretty nice seeing the new retail offerings in this colorway.

anthropologie's delightfully feminine ranunculus swirl shade

Unsurprisingly, Urban Outfitters has also dropped some eye popping accessories. These tapestries are beautifully patterned with colorways that refresh the traditionally sourced patterns:

uo's bright & busy peacock & trees

the geo stripe tapestry is a modern, restful spin 

my favorite: the southwest tapestry has a feminine color scheme and the pop of hot pink borders in the middle really pop; it would look great on the wall behind my entertainment center

Rooms on Film: Just Wright

2012-01-31T00:33:00.001-05:00

leslie's (queen latifah) bedroom - very vintage

It's a story as old as the hills: worthy, confident chick falls for a guy who can only see vapid lookers, until he finally realizes the difference between companionship and lust. Such is the formula of Just Wright, in which two cousins fall for a pro basketball player for different reasons. Consummate physical trainer, Leslie, saves the career of hotshot, Scott, at the behest of his fiancee - her freeloading, golddigging cousin - Morgan, and falls in love herself.

Personally, I find this story baffling.
My mom has a few sisters and always - always - told me that you do not mess with your sisters' and friends' men. Not even guys they had a crush on in high school. Ever. So the notion that Leslie would get involved with Scott romantically strikes me as red-flag stupid. Of course heartache would ensue! She's lucky Morgan didn't pull a gun on her.

That pivotal detail aside, this movie has some pretty cute sets and locations. While Scott lives in a castle like ~~mansion~~ townhouse on Central Park West NYC, Leslie lives in a fixer-upper in suburban New Jersey. Morgan moves back and forth between their two homes. Scott's million-dollar home is kind of vast and cold, but Leslie's little house-in-progress has distinctly feminine touches some of which seem to be her additions and some of which seem to be left over from the previous owner.

leslie's place: an overgrown fixer-upper and an elderly mustang

the entrance hall has a bistro set under the stainglass window

finished LR: dressed bay window, ikea sofa, fab side table, anthropologie rug

i'm pretty sure that table in the far right corner is this one that i lusted and lusted after at anthropologie

My favorite room is Morgan's bedroom. Very feminine although clearly a guest room given the twin-size bed:

assuming those trees are a thick screen given the sheer curtains; l-o-v-e the wallpaper against the blue paint

this really does look like a kid's room

The rest of the house is in various states of DIY throughout the movie:

kitchen before-and-after: old wallpaper vs. fresh paint (lower cabinets were turquoise? really?)

swatch central in the dining room btw the LR and kitchen

There's a definite mix of high/low in both sets. Leslie's living room has an IKEA sofa and then a rug and table from Anthropologie. The side table alone retailed for about $500. It seems an incosistent choice for a new homeowner who drives a failing vintage car. Unfortunately, the views of Leslie's home are somewhat limited and the shots are kinda tight. But it stuck in my mind long after this bizarre love triangle resolved itself in the worthy chick's favor. And here is a shot of Scott's bedroom which is the one room in his mansion (townhouse?) that I really liked:

love the grey and berry color scheme

Fuschia + Aubergine: A Ladylike Rug

2012-01-29T18:00:00.000-05:00

urban outfitters' vine flourish rug

Put on your dancin' shoes! Here's a rug that fits my brand-new obsession with Emma Stone's custom Lanvin perfectly. I really wish it fit my apartment, but I already have my large rug, and the two just don't mesh. So it's just a crush for me (for now). And who could deny this? It's very easy to care for with that typical woven cotton of Urban Outfitters rugs. The damask is a lively, feminine pattern energized by the two rich colors popping against each other. You could play this one uptown or downtown.

Oh, where's the silver like Emma's eagle belt, you say? Baby, just go get some tinsel off the clearance rack and throw it down there.

Paper Goods: Jot This Down...

2012-01-27T22:59:00.004-05:00

world market's spice route pad; awesome palampore lotus flower 

Several years ago, I decided that anything I have to own might as well be pretty. This was during the phase when I was thinking very seriously about decorating my apartment and doing Apartment Therapy 8-Week Cures. My ideas about style and color were finally coming together so that actual decisions could be made. Instead of admiring things and walking away, I began to buy them. Furniture, dishes, bedding... Even little things like notepads.

If you looked in my purse, you'd find only notepads with cool stripes and florals from bygone Target collections (Sami Hayek and Isaac Mizrahi). And they need replacing just when World Marke has some of the coolest paper goods ever:

pink & paisley: caravan sticky notes

This pattern is equally pretty in the blue colorway:

And the added luxury of silky texture and vibrant, spicy colors on top of the protective flap.

sari silk scratch pads

suzani padfolio

Between these and the gift wrap, I fear a small splurge coming on...

Musings & Wants: Summer Stripes

2012-01-26T08:06:00.000-05:00

urban outfitters' yarn dyed striped tapestry

Despite my recent score, I saw something new that went to the top of my must-have list. This yarn-dyed striped tapestry is exactly right for my place. The product details do say that each one is unique and not exactly like the one pictured. Well, I hope I get the Olsen Twin of the picture: fraternal, but still impossible to tell apart.

And yes, it is reminiscent of Celine's bedspread in "Before Sunset." Only much more me.

eBay Score: The Spice Must Flow

2012-01-25T00:08:00.000-05:00

The past few years I've been working on a project to put together a couple of old bedding collections from '05 and '06 that I let pass by. One of those collections is the Spice Market bedding from Sigrid Olsen HOME. I spied it on display at Macy's back in 2005, but decided to pass on it. (Not least because it was quite expensive. The bedskirt was $129!) But you can't easily forget something so warm and unique: reversible pink/orange patterns of stripe and lotus floral.

Eventually I started looking it up on eBay, but the prices were still pretty prohibitive. Here and there, I have managed to snag a throw pillow and a bedskirt ($1.99!) for good prices. After seeing the euro shams in a home profile in Better Homes & Gardens, I thought I'd gladly settle for those. Alas, no go.

Until now. I recently snagged a used duvet and king-size shams for $41.00!!!

Sure, I need more bedding like a hole in the head, but it is just so foxy fine... Dreamy, warm and high quality. The shams have been the most interesting part. I don't need king-size, but it was clear immediately that the spice market wrap was both embroidered and faded. My guess is the previous owners kept the duvet stripe side up. BUT, the inside of the wraps - the part that lays against the creamy (marzipan) case is NOT faded. It's bright and sleek and more than enough fabric to make euros or bolsters. Just an hour or so with a seam ripper and I have enough fabric to turn into anything I want.

king size shams laid out on the chair. the wrap is 38"w by 25"l

no flash: love the lotus flowers detailed in reds

stripes: comparing the duvet to the (new) bedskirt, no fading

close-up: best stripe ever + hand-painted floral

This is so exciting!

Fuschia + Aubergine: Canvas Decor

2012-01-21T11:53:00.000-05:00

canvas wall art from target

Emma Stone's fabulous Lanvin gown at the Golden Globes is so inspiring I've been looking all over for that color combo. Word is the colors were much richer in person than they appeared on film (this from Kelly Osborne on E!'s "Fashion Police.) I can believe it! Turns out, I didn't have to look very far for more. Not only do I have the Moroccan patterned wall-hanging above, but also the pink boxes below from IKEA. Sadly, I never got the purple ones. Kept putting it off and they were discontinued. Too bad, the pink is a searing shade, both incredibly bright and incredibly saturated. The deep dark purple was the perfect companion to ground that sophisticated pink.

('Fuschia + Aubergine' is a mini-series I'll be doing until this fever burns out.)

IKEA strikt canvas boxes in hot pink and deep purple (discontinued)

file size; so tidy for spare linens

The Nate Berkus Show Cancelled

2012-01-18T20:29:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Julia at Hooked on Houses, I heard about the looming end of Nate Berkus' show on ABC network. As I'm not the sort to record daytime shows, I haven't been able to watch more than a couple of episodes over the past year. Unlike The Oprah Winfrey Show, Nate's show was not carried by a local cable show in the evenings allowing me to tune in daily and get a real feel for it.

However, I did recently catch an episode over the holidays and discover the gem of his 'House Proud' segment. There are videos from these segments on the show's website which provide a look inside some great homes. And one thing New Yorkers love is a look inside apartments.

Here's hoping The Nate Berkus Show gets to retool and winds up on OWN next fall. And here are a couple of those great home tours he featured:

First, a West Village alcove studio that any work-a-day New Yorker would be thrilled to land. But would also pay dearly for. (I have always wanted to live in the WV, but never lucked into an affordable place for one. :sigh:):

tenant claudia faces the front door from an alcove kitchenette

cool thing about a small pad is that sunlight filters throughout; that brick fireplace makes me want to scream

despite the small open pad, it feels airy; and there's a nice dining area separate from the living room

what's known in the five boroughs as a sleep alcove; sometimes such an apartment is called a "junior 1BR"

overhead view gives an idea of how tight the space is; and a view of that beautiful rug under the lucite coffee table

the alcove is just big enough for an adult bed, you could even fit a tension rod across the doorway and curtain off the bed altogether.

yes, i am jealous for this plush, pink armchair. it makes such a statement in the neutral space.

the sleep alcove: curtains on swing-arm rods, wallpaper taped to the accent wall, ikea shelves for side tables and a simple color scheme.

Oh, yeah. She's doing alright.

And then we have another West Village apartment, a straight-up studio occupied by a married couple. I'm sure I saw this actress on an episode of Hung. Again, this has got to cost a pretty penny. But they're on two incomes (presumably) and...location, location, location! I've known people living in much more Spartan accommodations just to be there:

note: the bed doesn't really fit into the corner; also, the apt has fantastic bones: fire place, shutters and hardwood floors

and on the other 'side' a small combo living/dressing room; lovely, really, esp. if you're single.

get a feel for the size of this little pad! the exposed brick fireplace wall runs up to the 14' ceiling: high ceilings make small pads way more livable; gotta love those turquoise drapes.

toward the front door: ayden sitting in her glamour area, with a tall cosmetics vanity in the corner.

they actually gave some precious floor space to a yellow pouf that matches the chair. love the brass coffee table, but i'd have gone with rounded glass like this one at west elm. but that's me.

they fit in an ikea wardrobe next to the gorgeous wooden fireplace

shockingly tiny kitchenette, but very nice fixtures/finishes. (and a window.) they are paying gooood money for this place.

Once again, thanks to The Nate Berkus Show for profiling such cool pads. I use Ayden Myrin's home as a model for a friend of mine with a similarly cramped floor plan and high, high ceilings. Hope to see you soon on OWN!

The Golden Globes

2012-01-16T04:31:00.000-05:00

I gave up watching award shows a few years back, but I do like to watch red carpet pre-shows to see all the pageantry.

Emma Stone looked amazing. Those fluttery panels in deep purple/fuschia, those bling-lined shoulders, and that eagle on the belt? Awesome. Plus, her hair looked great and her eyes looked amazing, as usual. Maybe her fingernails should have been dark like her toes.

Nicole Kidman was stunning! I've liked a lot of her looks over the years, but this was like the best ever. It blew away any memory of her past triumphs. (Except that acid green chinoiserie that time. Still LOVE that one.) She looked like a doll. I wouldn't think a woman that slim would wear a cincher of any sort, but she freely admits to having no waist and that nude, studded gown is definitely showing off a feminine shape. Whatever it is it worked to perfection. She was Oz Barbie tonight.

Sarah Michelle Gellar made a triumphant return. People are debating this dress like there's even a question of it's beauty. If Maggie Gyllenhall had worn it, they'd be fawning over it. Like Emma Stone, SMG looked individual. Her gown doesn't cater to any trends. No one else had anything like that goin' on. Baby Buffy chose well.

Kate Winslet looked flawless. You can find no fault with this ensemble. The cut and color recall classic Hollywood. The shape flatters her utterly. Those splits on the shoulders add that 'just so' detail. And nothing was wrinkled. The only thing that could have made this look better: red hair. (Same goes for Evan Rachel Wood: loved the feathers.)

Diane Lane is always so stately. Elegant, individual. She always looks like she's playing up her own assets instead of dressing for approval. She's bringing the best DL she can to the party. And that DL is very fine indeed.

Berenice Bejo from The Artist. Dunno who this French actress is but her gown was inspiring. A beautiful deep blue, those fluttering panels on the bottom half of the skirt, and it just looked comfortable. Perhaps the next Marion Cotillard?

Mireille Enos was also amazing. Between her and Emma Stone, the redheads owned that carpet. I didn't see her on a broadcast, but the still shots are breathtaking. That is the best yellow dress of the event. What eyes, what a smile. Amazing.

Honorable Mentions:

Tina Fey picked a great gown in an awesome color. It makes me sad when she wears black because she has such a fantastic figure. When she wears things you'd have to be present to appreciate the details of the fans lose out.
Diana Agron was flawless in that laser-cut, deep red. I really, really liked this look. Another individual. The color was popular tonight, but no one else was doing that precision pattern thing.
Shailene Woodley wore possibly the most heartbreakingly gorgeous gown. Delicate, light, positively dreamy. But she didn't know how to stand or what to do with her arms. Her people need to train her to clasp her hands behind her back and stand up straight. That way she doesn't look awkward and the lines of her garment are displayed. I haven't found a photo yet where she doesn't have a hand on her hip and is slouching. Blocks the beautiful gown and takes something away from her overall presentation. Tall girls must stand as straight as petite girls. Look at Gellar and Portman.
Charlize Theron. I'm not giving her an HM. Obviously, she looked amazing. But she always does. Not only does she make excellent choices, she is gifted with general flawlessness. (I know people call her 'perfect,' but there's a difference.) She's tall, slim, strong-shouldered, small-busted, and has a bit of waist and no hips. Like Nicole Kidman, Charlize can wear almost anything because no part of her physique interrupts the flow of the garment. Plunging necklines are a go because she doesn't need supportive bras and such to keep her bust in check. An ideal mannequin. There's no substitute for winning the genetic lottery. We all know this. That said, she looked fabulous tonight. I just didn't care for the look. Part of what's cool about her is that she sometimes chooses things that you can't support but you also cannot find fault. It's just taste, which is just fashion. Looking forward to her Oscars ensemble.

Color Story: Sometimes...Gray is the Way

2012-01-15T06:38:00.000-05:00

source: pottery barn (alessandra floral)

By-and-large, I'm not too interested in gray. It's aesthetic qualities are undeniable. Gray can set off other colors to perfection. It can set a variety of moods, depending on the shade. But I'm never drawn to it personally. Everything in my home fits together. Not matches, but everything just works. My aunt noted that every color in my apartment could be found in my favorite winter hat.

But sometimes gray just nails it. It's the perfect thing to allow a lively pattern to play forth without overwhelming the eye. I tend to really like palampour floral prints, and there are some grays out there right now using gray + palampour to make pretty, soothing, cozy bedding:


i could fall right in provided the quilt and shams were changed to a pale purple or mauve. and that fern throw pillow was covered up.

i prefer the gray side of this. the striated background gives it a dimensional impression that adds to the textural look. the ruffled flange is luxurious and feminine. source: anthropologie (camille)

And then there's this more eclectic pattern of tribal, chevron with a colorful floral appliqued on top. Big splashes of color on a lively pattern that is all mitigated by the calm base color.

source: anthropologie (stellata)

The Weather Outside is Frightful

2012-01-14T02:08:00.000-05:00

Today was full of surprises. My morning commute was chased the rainclouds north. So, as my train was going over the bridge to Manhattan I got an unexpected view. Usually it's sunny or overcast or foggy. Yesterday was rainy and the view was of low, grey clouds. Kind of Paris-like. Or like one of those old-fashioned paintings of the city with gaslights and carriages.

But this morning...this morning I dearly wished for my camera (and a spot by the door). As we rolled over the Manhattan bridge, the view was of open sky and a sun-kissed Manhattan skyline (that's skyscrapers) silhouetted against stormy blue-gray sky. It was still raining in Manhattan proper and those clouds formed a magnificent curtain right behind the all the buildings bathed in clear, yellow light.

In fact, the contrast was so striking that I wondered if the new Freedom Tower should be made out of such a shiny metal. It was almost blinding. Then it occurred to me that NYC is full of tall, shiny buildings that sear the retinas from time to time.

And then by midday, the temperature had fallen way below the forecast and a brutal wind had rolled in. NO ONE was ready for this. I wore the wrong coat, for sure. And no hat. And simple trouser socks. So I'm only too happy to stay in this weekend and get some reading done in my favorite spot: my soft bed of colorful linens.

Stay cozy!

source: libeco home

Bring Back Domino: As Digital Backlist

2012-01-10T19:00:00.000-05:00

my favorite issue of one of the greatest shelter mags of all time

Yesterday I saw yet another random blog comment demanding Conde Nast "bring back domino." The post wasn't two weeks old. People are still saying this when we all know that mag is done, lock, stock and barrel. Strangely, it makes me think of the thread in Gregory Maguire's SON OF A WITCH about someone spray painting "Elphaba Lives" all over Emerald City years after the Wicked Witch (Elphaba) has died. That little notice eventually turns into the war cry of a mass protest against the tyranny of the Emerald City: "ELPHABA LIVES! ELPHABA LIVES! ELPHABA LIVES!"

So, I get it. All those who appreciated domino (and several other defunct mags) must keep the beacons lit. Here, then, is the question: why isn't domino (and Blue Print, O at Home, InStyle Home, House & Garden and Vogue Living) available on a digital newsstand like Zinio.com? Why haven't the publishers made the digital files available to the consumer? A number of magazines on Zinio are defunct or have posted backlist going back a few years.

Why leave money on the table? You know interest is there, or you wouldn't have moved the domino mag archives to brides.com. That was a lovely gesture, but those images had been culled like crazy when domino was still a going concern. Why allow the steady trade of hardcopies and the undoubted trade of online pirates to flourish without going for your cut? You know good and well people are willing to pay. You don't even have to be greedy. The issues could sell for as much as cover price or even as low as $0.99 per issue. It's like printing money, that backlist!

A high-quality, digital copy (and zoomable) is definitely the next best alternative to a complete set in pristine condition. And so much easier to care for over time. PLUS all the eager fans outside the U.S. who never had much opportunity to collect those magazines in the first place!!! Finally, our sisters Down Under and in the Far East would be able to enjoy the product that so many talented people labored to produce.

And this is not just aimed at the American magazine industry. Oh, no. It has been a year since I mentioned in my flickr that Real Living Australia needs to get on Zinio so we in North America can finally receive it, and regularly.

What are you waiting for? How many times do we need to ask? Is the battle-cry not loud enough? I'll lend my voice:

BRING BACK DOMINO! BRING BACK DOMINO! BRING BACK DOMINO!

Color Texture Pattern: None of the Above

2012-01-09T18:30:00.000-05:00

source: lonnymag.com   photo: patrick cline

Remember this fantastic lucite trunk in Lonny? Well, Anthropologie is offering a similar transparent lucite bench. Instead of the metal corner brackets, it has bronze accents on the rope handles. The bench is bottomless, so you can set it down over whatever you want to display 'inside' it.

At 18"h x36"l, the Illusion Bench is a great size for a coffee table in a small apartment. (If you have a lot of extra cash. ...Hmmm. It would be kinda cool to stuff one with fake bills. Great conversation piece!)

source: anthropologie.com

Rooms on Film: The Adjustment Bureau

2012-01-06T23:46:00.000-05:00

I don't know what is going on with Matt Damon right now, but he keeps doing movies that make me kinda love him. Not he's-so-hot-infatuated love. No, I'm talking old school Andrew McCarthy-he's-so-sweet-love. To wit, a charming little movie called The Adjustment Bureau which has been all over HBO lately.

matt damon and emily blunt

Basically, star-crossed lovers go to the mat to fight the agents of fate that would keep them apart. Not since Mulder & Scully have two people fought so hard against the shadowy powers that be. Even as the potential romance of David and Elise is continually thwarted, the story takes time to stop by a typically quirky New York City apartment. Modern ballet dancer Elise's two-room studio exhibits that mix of creativity and functional make-do.

It has those three crucial aspects: color, texture and pattern. Earth tones paired with brighter shades. Blue as the base color on the walls, then the layering of warm terracotta and mustard textiles. And you recognize some of the typical NYC retailers: Pier 1, IKEA, CB2. And that little bit of ruffled flange to keep it feminine:

source: setdecorators.org   photo credit: andrew d. schwartz

The filmed version is slightly different in the accessories. We never get as full a view as in the photos above. Mostly just the bed and part of the kitchen. By the amount of seating around the bed, it's pretty clear there is no livingroom. It's easy to imagine this as what's known as an "in and out" apartment, despite it's size. That phrase is a real estate hook for apartments so small you couldn't stand to be there. It's meant to real in tenants who will only come home long enough to sleep, shower and change clothes. If Elise were home more, one imagines she'd get a love seat or sofa instead of that (lovely) settee.

But it's a fake person's fake apartment, so we're free to imagine...

the kantha cloth headboard makes the bed

It's a shame they don't show more of the apartment in the actual film. It looks like a really cool set. I'm guessing it was filmed in an actual apartment. The kitchen cabinets look amazing. Prewar, glass-front, very high and built in; features that are always in demand.

Still, it's a light and fun movie and you really root for the couple to make it. Long live true love and free will!

isn't emily blunt a dead ringer for rory gilmore?

alexis bledel as rory gilmore in the gilmore girls

Winter's Bone

2012-01-06T21:46:00.000-05:00

When Jack Frost is at the gates, I suit up for war. It was one of those weeks when the weather was so brutal I tried to bundle up and then bundle up on top of that. The wind was so fierce vanity surrendered to a good wool hat; a plush scarf went over a warm scarf; a coat went over a jacket that went over three layers of shirts. And my personal favorite: a pair of thick, wool, over-the-knee socks went over a pair of knee-high socks.

source: mujer hoy  photo credit: torkil gudnason

And after all that bundling, on the inside, I was still screaming.

Stay warm, my friends.

Color Story: This One Time, In Paris...

2012-01-04T18:56:00.000-05:00

When I got back to my office after the holidays, I found some old photos had fallen off the wall. Once I had them taped up again, they took me back to the Christmas Eve in Paris when I first saw the Printemps store buildings all decked out for the season. They change them every year, of course. But man were these gorgeous, full of my favorite colors instead of traditional red-white-and-green. And goodness knows there's plenty of color inside, all year round.

Bonne Annee!

Retail Odyssey: And Another Thing...

2012-01-03T18:41:00.001-05:00

I did take that swing by my local Target to check out this collection. Of course, there were a lot more pieces in store than are listed online. Lots of handsome modern pottery, metal trays with a Moroccan trim, and carved candles.

A couple of pleasant surprises were this lamp base and throw rug:

deep, teal ceramic with a lantern pattern around the midsection

great traditional pattern - wish it were teal, dark red or cerise

Retail Odyssey: Target's New Modern Morocco

2012-01-02T07:00:00.000-05:00

Looks like Target is ringing in the new year with one of those things it does so well: a mini collection of Moroccan-inspired home decor. The 'Modern Morocco' collection combines traditional patterns with modern color schemes for a very crisp looking line.

Here are some of my favorite pieces:

The navy pillow seems particularly strong between the colors and the nailhead trim. Very chic and gender-neutral. The bone-colored inlay picture frames are very earthy and subdued. The pattern on that lamp shade is a personal favorite. I need a new lampshade like a I need a hole in the head, but if the embroidery was a nice brown... Poufs are always great and this on seems to be a sturdy canvas with embroidered pattern. Expect it to sell out. And really, that table is fantastic! Light profile, shapely, and a good size at 24"h x 18"w.

I might stroll over to my neighborhood store and check this line out in person.

Dazzleships: Ringin' in the New

2011-12-31T16:49:00.000-05:00

It's 2012! Live it up! (And try to make it home in the same clothes you went out in.)

source: none magazine  photo credit: miki barlok

Rooms on Film: Mission: Impossible II

2011-12-30T16:00:00.000-05:00

So there's this new movie out, Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol, which I definitely plan to see. Action movies are absolutely my thing. But in the course of reviewing the new movie, many people have passed judgment on it's three predecessors, particularly M:I-2. Despite the fact that M:I-2 outgrossed the other films by $10 million to date, it is apparently the least loved in the series.

But not by me. Oh, no. M:I-2 is one of my guilty pleasures, right up there with The Legend of Billie Jean. Actually, higher.

Whenever that flick is on I tuck in for a glorious spy thriller wrapped around a deliciously flirty romance. I find M:I-2 to be the epitome of escapist filmmaking. It's fun, buoyant, sexy, elegant, dire, graceful, heartbreaking and redemptive. What more could you want than a hero you believe is in love, a villain who really, really has it coming to him and a love interest who - though naughty - sacrifices herself for the greater good?

can a master spy and a master thief live happily ever after?

And not only did the film seduce me with it's long, sultry dance of a story, it also made me see the TOM CRUISE!!! in Tom Cruise. Child/teen of the 1980s though I be, I never quite felt his "it" factor. Now, for the space of this film, I'm in love with Tom Cruise. And I kinda want to be Thandie Newton's Nyah who reminds me of the heroine in the Sidney Sheldon novel, IF TOMORROW COMES, who goes from lawyer to international jewel thief. Sure, Nyah's an amoral thief, but she's a master at it and her work is no less thrilling than the spy game. Willowy, gorgeous, confident and cool under pressure? Who wouldn't want to be this chick? Too bad their relationship didn't make it to M:I-3, but how long can two adrenaline junkies on opposite sides of the law last?

Mission: Impossible II deserves respect, not only for the all-around coolness of it's globetrotting story, but particularly for it's variety of lovely sets, from a villa in Spain to a modern mansion in Australia. But my favorites are the villa and a hotel room in Seville:

One enchanted evening in Seville our couple meets in a sweeping villa. Everyone is distracted by the dance performance which sets the tone of vigor and grace that shapes even the film's biggest action sequences. The villa has the sort of traditional Moorish architecture you would expect to find in Spain: arched doorways, mosaic tiles, intricate lattice patterns, as well as traditional accessories such as brass lanterns, antique wooden furniture, and baroque candlesticks:

A hotel room features an elegant balcony overlooking a local celebration. The exquisite grillwork, the throne-like chairs and the carved candlesticks and pottery create a wonderfully romantic atmosphere:

Ghost Protocol looks to have big sets and some dazzling design. So here's hoping it's another delicious globetrotting race. I think the last one was, but really I don't remember much about that one. I mean, there was no me Nyah.

Color Texture Pattern: Bohemian Winter Retreat

2011-12-29T18:50:00.001-05:00

Times like these, when the weather is bouncing between cold, crisp and bone-chilling, all my hopes and dreams are reduced to wishes for a warm shelter, hot food and bright colors to remind me there is a spring coming. I think my apartment does a fair job of providing all these things. But two things my little NYC breadbox lacks are space and natural light.

So, I'll spend this weekend soaking up the scant five hours of morning sunshine that pools near my bay window while dreaming of this airy, snowbound Alpine sanctuary.

The eclectic mix is pretty spirited: low couches, bright pillows in kantha and suzani prints, an antique oriental table, a bright blue midcentury chair, chinese lantern frames, sheepskins and rugs in wool and jute.

source: maison francaise;  all photos: frederic ducout

The smaller rooms feature slatted wood walls that add great linear detail against black walls. Beat up leather chairs and poufs play against more bright pillows in silky fabrics and wool rugs.

perfect spot for movie nights

eclectic mix of vintage seating and lighting

The bathroom brings a completely different texture in concrete and stone. The dark grey is a respite from the bright accents throughout the house. And the glass window...well, I guess you just have to get used to that.

The bedroom is a distinct mix of the rough wood structure and the softness of the bedding and furnishings. I would probably spend my entire vacation there, reading a pile of good books.

You can see many more images of Lionel Jadot's fantastic home in the Alps at the photographer, Frederic Ducout's, gallery here.

Exotic Beds: Sumptuous Ikat

2011-12-17T22:40:00.000-05:00

When I stumbled on this bedding from N Natori it almost made me scream. Purple, pink and gold, with a hint of indigo. Makes you want to swan dive into luxury. All hail the Chapan comforter collection!

At Long Last: "Before Sunrise 3"...?

2011-12-06T19:44:00.001-05:00

wouldn't it be lovely if their story could be this moment forever?

There's a dirty a rumor going around that Celine & Jesse might be thrice charmed in the reasonably near future. Apparently a rumor that Ethan Hawke regrets starting. I'm actually torn about this. On the one hand, we have a couple about my age whose dynamic so perfectly captures my generation. (Maybe other generations too, but I've only experienced my own.) Seeing more of their growth would certainly be a pleasure, especially for those of us just now accepting the reality of our parents' mortality. And our own.

Then you have the case of Before Sunset. An unexpected sequel that so improves on the first film that a lot of people who never saw Sunrise, maybe never will. There is so much that satisfies in finding Celine & Jesse with the stars fallen from their eyes, and yet! they still have the capacity to be borne on that lovely feeling. It's just so...perfect, the way they come together and renew one another's vigor in a way that their current partners never could. This couple's affair was so brief that they're still in that warm, soft place of raw desire. They've never really argued, they don't know each other's annoying habits, they've never had to compromise. And the only time they were skin to skin was when both were shiny and nubile. When we fade to black on Jesse's wicked grin, we know that our lovebirds, despite their dings, are still up for passion, adventure, a fresh start. That ending is so buoyant I can practically float on air for days after watching it.

"baby, you are gon-na miss that plane..."

"...i know..."

I don't want a sequel to fuck with that. I don't need Celine and Jesse to wind up together. My fairytale is very complete. Celine & Jesse at 40? It's hard to see what story they could tell that would be resonant and yet not burst the bubble...

souls laid bare: hashing out their missed connections

So, I'm saying, if there's a sequel in the works, bring it on. (And try to set it in Paris again.) But don't hurt me.

In the meantime, how 'bout a Blu-Ray edition already?

Earthy Neutrals: Vivaterra's Home Collection

2011-12-04T18:33:00.001-05:00

If Vivaterra had a New York store front, my nose would be glued to the window right now. Their home goods are earthy, exotic and really sing out at a time like this, when cozy bedding is the order of the day. My small weakness for exotic mirrors would be well-sated by one of these:

moorish mirror: the perfect shape for my entry wall

lotus petal mirror: love the shape of the petals

And this set of shams and coverlet would go perfectly against my bright bedding. It's just the sort of neutral/earth tones that balance the punch of hot pink and bright orange:

raw silk bedding: the rust, berry, merlot and plum are wonderful

those wooden stools are pretty tempting too...

This rich block print translates as both bedding and bath. The cream/brown colorway is very inviting for cold winter mornings:

block print bedding: a brown to build a room on 

bathrooms need love too, especially steam-heated city bathrooms

Open a New York store, and I promise, I will come!

Single-Girl Style: The "Sexy Afro Glam" Vibe

2011-11-28T23:50:00.001-05:00

Not too long ago, while cruising around Flickr, an image of this room caught my eye. It was in Aphrochic's photostream and over on her blog she had announced the small-screen debut of her wallpaper, The Vibe, on HGTV's Secrets of a Stylist. Being a love-slave to hot pink and all, of course I was desperate to see the episode. Sadly, it has not yet aired. But the show's host/designer, Emily Henderson, recently posted a link to the episode online.

The phoenix which Henderson dubbed "Sexy Afro Glam" rose from the ashes of this drab box apartment. And naturally, I screencapped the hell out of it for closer inspection:

Some things are so very worth the wait!

Aphrochic's wallpaper is the still point on which the entire room turns. Henderson chose it because the wallpaper combines a traditional pattern with a fresh, modern color scheme. The homeowner is deeply Afrocentric and very feminine. So the wallpaper really captures her aesthetic in a nutshell. While the room's color scheme is determined by the wallpaper, the bright colors, glossy paint and metals are balanced by the use of raw materials like mudcloth, carved woods, capiz and a gray loveseat. And, also, by various shades of brown.

The homeowner's reaction is pretty on the money. Only a designer could walk in to that long narrow pad and see the potential for so much movement, color and interest. I would rate her wig-out on a par with Halle Berry winning the Oscar in terms of sheer, authentic OMG. When she says it will take several days to get used to it, you believe her. Walking into this place every day must feel like getting a golden statue over and over and over again!

fresh paint and white wood flooring set the stage

a thought: painting the cabinets white/chartreuse would rock

chartreuse wall continues the color scheme while delineating space

finished wall: varying heights and finishes, rustic + glam

opposite wall: mixed finishes, mirrors mimic the etagere and the wallpaper pattern

dining area: salon wall, lush capiz, lucite + hot pink chairs

entrance area: rustic, authentic africana (and a screen hides the old fridge)

And now the finished space 'in real life:'

even from floor level it is awesome!

the space has so much movement now; the length is disguised and the entire area is warmed up and totally enlivened

great use of vertical space and so much interest is added

a parsons desk is behind the loveseat

L-O-V-E the dinette! but, i'd have gone with a sheer, capiz or beaded curtain to disguise the fridge and still allow light into the kitchen

every prophet in her house: the ecstatic homeowner and the designer who 'stood her post'

you cannot deny a job so deliciously well done

I think the best thing about this room is that the abundant use of pink is so well integrated with the other colors that it remains a distinctly adult home. There's no doubt that a grown woman lives here. (I suspect Aphrochic is about to go out of stock on The Vibe wallpaper.)

On another note, I highly recommend watching the episode for it's own sake. It will likely live as a gold standard inspiration for many ~~women~~ people. Also, this show does these sort of bokeh-ish out of focus transition pieces and the ones of this room are as gorgeous as the standing shots of the place. If the HGTV.com caretakers have any mercy, they'll post digital stills of this room as well. While the videos are convenient, the image quality does not measure up to even a 3mp camera. [Please!]

I cannot wait to watch the episode on tv!

Viva Print Media: ELIZA Magazine

2011-11-28T17:12:00.001-05:00

Technically, ELIZA Magazine is an online mag, but you can order hard copies. Have you read it? It started pubbing in 2007, but I just stumbled on it about a year ago. Their mission is to address real women with affordable clothes, great deals and realistic models.

Overall, it's a pretty enjoyable read. The variety of articles targets a number of hot topics for the modern woman. The photoshoots are interesting (sometimes outstanding), and the visual presentation is pretty eye-pleasing, in general. Sometimes the images remind me of ELLE magazine.

For instance, this shoot from their Summer 2009 issue just hits on all cylinders. Great house, great property, great clothes:

photos: julia galdo, cody cloud

Then this fantastic outdoor shoot from the Spring 2010 issue. That beautiful gown is played off to perfection against the frigid scenery. It's all The French Lieutenant's Woman.:

photo: dawn dicarlo

An electrifying night shoot. They really use great, interesting new faces:

photos: christopher kilkus

photo: angela kohler

photo: angela pierce


photo: everette perry very inspiring: love the peacock shades over the mauve blouse

photo: angela kohler     they also feature stars who are plugging away while staying out of the tabloids

ELIZA seems to have a lot of fans. If you haven't already checked them out, they are definitely worth a read.

Bedding Roundup: "Twilight" for Grown-Ups

2011-11-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

I'm no Twi-hard myself, but I know a few grown-ass ladies who are and it's to them that I dedicate this roundup of bedding similar to Movie Bella's signature purple floral. Options that aren't stigmatized as "teen" bedding. (Though, for those ladies who broke down and ordered this anyway, be at ease. I'm pretty sure this comforter set made it's acting debut in "Criminal Minds" third season as Penelope Garcia's bedding.)

I know well that feeling of saying, "Oh, that's pretty" and then stopping short when you realize it's being sold for school girls. So all you moms, aunts and grandma's can have your own Bella Twilight nest instead of buying the real deal only to give it to your nearest teeny bopper:

the original comforter set available at target.com

Because I love image overkill, another shot of the bedding in action:

ever notice how bella always poses like she's floating in a dream in these movies? this shot is a dream, but still...

And now, her grown-up cousins:

target.com: silver chrysanthemums on an amethyst field

target.com: organic floral sheets

target.com: mod comforter bed-in-a-bag

target.com: medallion bedding in a fig/raisin shade that accents the lavender sheets

macys.com: style&Co. florabella duvet set

bed bath & beyond: claire duvet set

bed bath & beyond: gwen bed-in-a-bag

bed bath & beyond: kas enchanted duvet set

bed bath & beyond: kas desiree duvet set

echo design marrakech

macy's: natori sumatra

jcpenney: cindy crawford lavendar mist comforter set

vera wang: bouquet collection

and for the male twi-hard: sean john's ciroc 

Go forth and mope well!

Single-Girl Style: Moody, Modern & Eclectic

2011-11-14T20:00:00.001-05:00

Of the handful of things I wish I had studied in high school and college, Russian is not one of them. Which left me at a loss when I came across this gorgeous apartment profile. Such a bummer because this lady, whoever she is, has a really cool home. The contrast of the purple brocade wallpaper next to the brown bamboo wall sets the dark, moody tone of the space. The vivid grain in the dark wood floors stands out and contrasts beautifully with the smooth, shiny lacquer table. Not to mention the nubby, wool kilims and the modern leather chair.

source: glamour russia  photos: will webster

But it doesn't stop there.

In another room you have grey velvet chesterfields against another brocade wall, and in the midst of that a bookcase in deep chocolate with shelves painted out in glossy fuschia. There is so much right in this home all tied together by brocade wallpapers in various colorways.

This style looks pretty accessible. Not cheap, but simple in terms of arranging furniture and accessories. I wonder where she's hiding her books, though...

Exotic Beds: Global Designs for Fall

2011-10-24T21:51:00.003-04:00

The time to snuggle is now. The days are short, evenings are chilly, the heat won't be on for a month. Already I'm slipping into winter tendencies having grilled cheese sandwiches and cocoa for dinner. After which I want to retreat to my cushy, soft bed with a good book and nestle under piles of colorful blankets. And the fact that it's fall and jewel tones are in season does not alter my desire for brightly colored, well-patterned bedding. Thank heaven for brands like Echo who bring it like it's already been brung.

My favorite new collection, Mayan Geo, features my favorite colors, hot pink and orange, on an excellent tribal pattern. This looks like it would mix and match well with any John Robshaw you've got laying around.

all good things: echo brand mayan geo

the wonderful brights are balanced by a rich neutral brown

the collection summed up in one pillow

Then there's the Raja collection which centers on cream/brown neutrals for the block print + paisley motif, and uses the brights as accents. Also, an amazing invitation to snuggle up.

best of both worlds: raja collection

block print and hidden color

upscale paisley embroidery on neutral base

Now, if they offer bath collections for these lines, I might go catatonic. If you find me sleeping in the store display, shhh... do not disturb.

Rooms on Film: HBO's Hung

2011-10-10T23:04:00.001-04:00

Have you ever watched that HBO recession sitcom, Hung? I tend to enjoy the mind games the characters play, the hijinks this fly-by-night prostitution scheme leads to and the Sex and the City-style comic sex scenes. And, in particular, I like the down-to-earth set design. My favorite set is Tanya Skagle's modest 1BR apartment. The cool thing about her place is that it is colorful, eclectic and realistic. It is a rabble of items that are old, low-cost, affordable and occasionally expensive. You believe this quirky, neurotic, creative person lives here.

This season Hung has come up with a new set: the Wellness Center for Women. Thanks to HBO's thoughtful guided tour video, I was able to explore the space more closely than the show does. I'm actually quite curious as to how they decided to decorate it. Quite a bit of the furnishings look salvaged. We get to see the characters decorate with artwork that supports their seminar, "Orgasmic Living," both subtly and overtly.

Just look at it, even the outside is colored in Tanya's trademark eclectic color crossed with the sort of hippie vibe one might expect of a discount yoga/dance studio.

source: hbo; the happiness consultants finally hit their stride  

"welcome to orgasmic living"; please, source me that lotus lamp! 

the center is actually quite small with an office in back curtained off by heavy drapes

so eclectic: worn brick, rich paint colors, beaded curtains

the salvaged buffet, star lantern, woven wallhanging

warmly-colored lounge area; mix of mid-century and indian accents; one of tanya's lightcatchers in the window

comfy lounge area for arranging "private consultations"

business is so good, our underdogs end the season premiere on top of the world, riding out to 1,2,3's proletariat anthem "work"  

Viva Print Media: This Probably Isn't Very Green

2011-10-06T21:31:00.002-04:00

On occasion, I go too far. I'm one of those people with old magazines under the bed, on the bookshelf and just plain stacked along the edges of the living room. And sometimes I have been known to buy an entire magazine for one image. Over the past few years I have learned to cut back on that by looking for the image online first. But- sometimes they just aren't available. Such is the case with the latest issue of Glamour (which I no longer actually read). I was checking to see if they had done an interesting home profile in "How To Do Anything Better" when I saw these two lovely images:

source: glamour magazine   image credit: robert trachtenberg

Accompanying the interview with Mindy Kaling is this gorgeous photo in which everything is pretty irresistible. I'm not into glam, but I don't mind visiting it. I can't tell if this is a set for the shoot, her actual closet or some random dressing room. But the mix of colors is feminine, bright and quite exciting. Then you have the gray velvet stool and the sparkly dress on the wall. Color + Texture + Pattern!

source: target

Somehow, the original announcement for Josie Natori for Target passed me by. But now that I know it is due out in mere weeks, I'm really interested in previewing the merchandise. Where the hell is the Look Book? Right before the holiday travel season, I'd like to be able to think ahead and maybe budget for this. You must admit: this ad is very cute.

I'll try to remember to pull these two pages out and pass the rest of the magazine on to someone else...

Gray Days: Summer's End

2011-10-03T22:58:00.000-04:00

Today was a tough one: cold and overcast. It was 48 degrees outside this morning and my windows were still open. Actually, one window was open about five inches. That's enough to freeze my whole apartment. Living on street level, I refuse to open/close windows without being 'presentable' to passersby. (This one time, when I had just moved into my first place and didn't have curtains yet, I came out of the bathroom in a shower cap and towel. The bathroom door was next to big double windows that overlooked a highway entrance. I made eye contact with a lady in the passenger seat of a minivan. Then I got curtains.)

So, it was a long day of trying to get properly warm. At the office and even hours after having closed the window tonight, I still feel vaguely chilled. Just a little bit shy of comfortable. A hot bath would certainly help with that. But my tub is so tiny, and the grout so old that I never, ever take baths at home. Instead, I'll settle for a good cup of tea and dream of a warm, relaxing, summer soak...

Source: Elle Decor     Photo Credit: William Waldron

Retail Odyssey: Pier 1

2011-10-02T15:03:00.000-04:00

Over the past year or so, I have really fallen off visiting stores. It is so much easier to hold onto your cash when you avoid the temptation altogether. For several years my habit was to regularly visit places like Target, TJMaxx, Marshalls, Pier 1, and Anthropologie. Those places actually replaced my habit of visiting clothing and department stores. The habit developed from the feeling that I might miss something. A feeling that the retail industry fostered through marketing and merchandising tactics, I'm sure. Get it before it's gone!

So, I'm actually proud of myself for having reigned it in. That said, I do occasionally still visit some of these places. The other day I went to Target to get a new curling iron. Yesterday, I went to Pier 1 because it was closed for a remodel all summer and I wanted to see the new look. Those stores have looked the same since I was a teenager. As a college student I used to be fond of their $6 tai chi slippers for wearing around the dorm. They were black on black. When Pier 1 stopped carrying clothes I was never able to find that color again. Not even in China Town NYC! Everyone carries black with white soles. Ugh. So, I swung by and had a look. The difference is not drastic. Departments have been switched around: dishes are now up front, rugs are at the very back. The red ceramic tile floor is now a very light color. They had both their longstanding assortment of candles/fragrances, plus a new higher end line.

Overall, it was a freshened yet familiar experience. Here are some cool items I saw:

24-inch sari poufs: seemed pretty firm

yarn stools: great colors but how much weight can they hold?


a 36-inch square wool ottoman with turned legs! very european.

The Bandwagon: Restocked Missoni for Target

2011-09-29T21:33:00.000-04:00

Swung by Target for a new curling iron and did spot some Missoni for Target items in stock. This would be the Brooklyn/Atlantic Center store:

one lonely little eye mask in luggage

a full endcap of comforter sets near the escalator

full endcap of pumps

endcap of cosmetic cases/toiletry bags

Cozy Under Foot: An Awesome Flor Tile Carpet

2011-09-28T01:49:00.002-04:00

The past few days have brought me quite a few surprises, not least a debilitating and unseasonable head cold. But the niftiest surprise thus far is in the pages of the sneak peak of Rue Magazine's new issue, due to post on October 4th.

photo credit: emily johnston-anderson

I must confess to not being too interested in tv decorators' homes. That might just be complacency, but it seems like their general style comes across on-air. Also, I tend to think their homes must be neglected since they spend so much time traveling and working. Like when you read that some actor bought a house but its completely empty because they're always working. Anyway, thumbing through the rooms of Chez Soto I noticed two things: 1) a number of the accessories are from West Elm's past year or so of collections, and 2) her Flor tile rug has my name written ALL over it!

photo credit: emily johnston-anderson

I was so excited by this discovery that I clicked on over to Flor.com to get the details. The pattern is called Shiny Happy in Bronze/Cream. What really makes this rug stand out in Sabrina's apartment is that the rest of the room is mostly black/white/gray with some touches of yellow. The sample room on Flor.com, however, is somewhat earthier. The sofa is cream colored, the table espresso brown, and the throw pillows are mostly a rich chocolate. In both rooms, the toggled grid is warm and striking. I don't just want to walk on it: I want to dance on it.

photo credit: emily johnston-anderson

Source: Flor.com

And the colors are so perfectly me, a dead-on match to these IKEA floor cushions, of which I have two:

Source: IKEA.com (discontinued)

These would be the perfect solution for a runner in the narrow hallway from my front door. Low maintenance, easy to clean, warm, pretty and, presumably, soft underfoot (if you can't go barefoot, what's the point?).

Um, thank you Rue. And Sabrina. I just got a new Flor catalog the other day and can't even remember having seen this.

my style: a snapshot of the large rug in my livingroom, an ikea throw rug, and the IKEA cushions (shoes added for scale)

The Bandwagon: Missoni for Target

2011-09-14T00:27:00.000-04:00

purple zigzag pouf - the one item i am seriously considering.

some of the other things i liked: this print is delicious. but i don't need any of this stuff and i'm able to leave it alone. thankfully.

It is hard to know who to blame for my disappointment with today's launch. Certainly, some of the onus is on me. Waking up fully rested at 6am and deciding to web browse was my choice. Forgetting that today was the day, also my fault. And to be honest, I didn't really want anything, delicious though I find the brand.

So what was disappointing? The fact that once again Target waited until D-Day to premiere the collection online. Their other, non-stampede worthy, collections have been known to go up a few days in advance with "out of stock" under the items, to prevent ordering. Why can't we have that again? Their site probably would not have been down for hours if people had been able to browse in advance and add items to their Wish Lists. People could have logged in and clicked from their Wish Lists into their carts and checked out.

Another disappointment, the fact that as usual the advance images did not include the in-store-only items like sleep masks, neck pillows and stationary goods. Sometimes THAT is the stuff that draws me. But I didn't know to look for it.

And the biggest irk: ebay resellers. My opinion of this aspect of discount retailers' designer team-ups has finally, fully, crossed over to disgust. Looking over the last four or five years, I think I have missed out on a few of these collections (inc. Matthew Williamson for H&M, John Derian for Target) only to find the goods on ebay for an epic markup. Was it really so hard for people to NOT buy up every decent piece of MATTHEW WILLIAMSON? Are we that fucking selfish and greedy? Does no one think 'I don't need this one and someone else is really gonna love it?" Where is the spirit of camaraderie in the thrill that such a collection was even offered for working people? Why were people fighting over this today? Why were men taking items out of women's hands and wrestling them? Why the hell are rich people buying this? If you're a millionaire or making minimum $35K per episode on a tv show, how about you buy Missoni Collection and leave Target to the workaday people? As it was intended. It's no Hollywood Canteen, but it would be doing your small part for the recession.

I remember seeing the markup on the John Derian items on ebay: $45 for a melamine tray with a sparrow on it. Then, lo and behold, that same tray was back on Target.com and 75% clearance. I'd given up, and by happenstance scored it for a decent price. Not so on the MW. And the Calypso Home really burned. I didn't even want a silver pouf, but the stories of people who bought six at a time... And promptly listed them on ebay! All the pink elephant teapots for $50! The linen/gold scarf for $45, nearly three times the retail price! It's one thing to pull this crap when the economy is booming and people are bouncing from job to job to grow their salaries every year, but in this scourge of a recession? This level of greed is flat out mean-spirited and more than I can stomache.

Here's my call to arms: Boycott all resales of Missoni for Target. You don't need it that bad. Target got paid. Missoni got paid. Don't encourage the people who interfered between you and the creators of this line. What is the point of paying near-Missoni prices for low-end Missoni? If they had left it on the shelves for everyone else, you would have paid a pretty enough penny. You can force them to drop their prices if you STOP BUYING/BIDDING. Boycotts work. We all know this. You have all the power over the sellers - the good old-fashioned Power of the Purse. Exercise it!

Not feeling it? Go look up 'missoni for target' on ebay, then see how you feel. Best case scenario, it forces the resellers to return items to the store in time for the timed discounting and people can still get it for a good price. But the Best Result would be to break this trend of legal bottom-feeding.

If you could withhold your Senators'/Congressmen's pay until they started creating jobs, wouldn't you do it?

Rooms on Film: The Guitar

2011-09-04T02:29:00.000-04:00

Back in 2008, I was perusing the New York Times and saw a review for a movie called, The Guitar. The movie sounded like areal downer: Last Holiday, without the life savings and whirlwind travel spree.The accompanying photo seemed to confirm this as the doomed protagonistappeared pale and emaciated. Her environment however - financed by a creditcard spending spree - was…to die for:


image credit: jo jo whilden/cold fusion media

Some time later, I stumbled on the image in my extensive "style tray" folder and started searching for screencaps. The internet turned up very little, but some of the images really looked promising in terms of the overall set. Then, lo and behold, one evening the movie - which was a Sundance Festival entrant - turned up on Sundance Channel. Finally, a chance to see this delicious apartment in all its glory! It did not disappoint.This apartment is, to borrow from Pat Conroy, “a feastfor the human eye.” The way it is decorated and lived in defines bohemian living.Facing her end, Melody Wilder revels in every reasonable sort of sensory andsensual indulgence. And. I. Mean. Every. She literally takes the time to delight in being able to smell, taste, touch, hear, and see.

If you've seen The Guitar, you know it does get a little steamy in the middle. And the musical score rocks. And it is a bit unbelievable. But...this sort of urban fairy tale of how it takes a terminal cancer diagnosis to help broken note, Melody Wilder, rediscover her harmony is really pretty fun and uplifting. The environment, moving from a dark, cramped basement apartment, to a sunny penthouse loft on the Hudson River, is as responsible for Melody's reawakening as anything else.

Witness the transformation:

we meet melody on the day she receives the triple blows of a fatal cancer diagnosis, job layoff and breakup. then we follow her home to a dark, spare basement apartment. with no safety bars on the windows! thankfully, she opts to quit this dump and blow her severance living it up in a manhattan loft before the end. 

mel arrives at her new abode with nothing but the drab clothes on her back and instinctively sets about abusing her credit cards. and, yes, this is a two-story loft. 

Then Melody, aided by several credit cards, turns this empty box of luxurious potential into a freaking Dream Palace. She does what people want to do every time they walk into ABC Carpet & Home. Or Anthropologie. Or even IKEA. Behold:

if it's your last hurrah, why not bring a sundial? who would expect that?

the title object symbolic of melody's emancipation

"mine eyes dazzle/she died young" i think i read that in an anne rice novel; what's not to love here? color + texture + pattern.

the partition wall is a light installation!

mel's living better than the rich. she left the pricey chandeliers on the floor!

white leather couches, fine linens and high-end aromatherapy.

i just can't get enough of this.

this is bohemian living. pizza and wine on an expensive rug with mood lighting from moroccan lanterns, chandeliers and a million votives. ...i could do this at home.

this is everything her old place wasn't: open, airy, bright, colorful, comfortable, fun, uplifting and full of music. 

when she casts off her old life, mel even clothes herself in luxury. it reminds me of andre leon talley in "the september issue" going on about how his eyes are "starved for beauty" in the middle of winter.

this place is awesome by day and by night. you could do this look with some ikea sheers and pillows!

i only just noticed that settee in the background.

more symbolism: once her nest is feathered, melody takes to wearing a butterfly choker that says a lot about her spiritual state. 

i know this was covered but it is so pretty...

part of this experience is the purchase of the guitar equipment. it's integral to the plot, so i left it out. so you'll see the movie.

imagine every where you turn that view is waiting for you! 

melody gets so brand new her hair starts to dreadlock...

some of my favorite colors are on display here.

she's kinda like a songbird in an aerie.

Did I mention this was directed by Amy Redford? That's right. Redford.

Overall, this movie isboth a classic hero’s journey and a classic New York story. An urban fairy tale wherein Melody rises from a dark pit of despair to an exhilarating height that fewcities can offer. When the call to action comes, she answers it and goes all out. Of course, the price of her transformation is a wicked amountof debt. But if that were all it took to serve a massive “fuck you” to cancer,it would be money well spent.

"Eat, drink and be merry/For tomorrow we'll die." - Dave Matthews Band, Tripping Billies

Starring: Saffron Burrows, Isaac de Bankole, Paz de la Huerta
Director: Amy Redford
From: Breakout Pictures

Staycation Day: Empire State of Mind

2011-08-17T12:56:00.004-04:00

Today's my day out in the city. No destination in mind. We'll see what happens.

high style on the brooklyn bridge

Source: Anne & Stiil magazine
Photo: Stine Kase

Color Texture Pattern: My Fantasy Made Real

2011-08-16T21:52:00.004-04:00

So, I was flipping through a magazine called Living, which I think is published in Uruguay, when I discovered that my dream home already exists. In fact, someone else built it and has been living in it, beautifully, for some time now. This is what happens when you don't open the mail every day.

The homeowner's name is Nuria Cobeaga and she designs wonderful South American blouses and bags like these. Her (my) home is a crystal-clear translation of that same style. It combines a mix of rich colors, folksy patterns, handmade textiles, and aged surfaces into a showstopping family home. Were I the boss of this casa, no one would ever cross the threshold. Probably wouldn't even let you sit in any of the wonderful outdoor rooms either. Sorry.

Let the pictures speak for themselves...

color play: reds, oranges, blues, aged wood and patchwork pillow 

the richness of the details is stunning: the pale antique chair against the cerise pillow, the dark wood of the door displays the paisley scarf and tassel, the brick and plank walkway leading to the adobe wall. the vignette has so many right angles and then there's this curvy chair in the foreground.

that deep throw (silk) can be removed, though it sort of envelopes all the other colors in the space. thouse jute floor cushions look so rugged and fun, next to traditonal pillows. the window shows precious items in their best light.

that constant thread of turquoise amongst the warmer colors is exactly what i've been trying to do in my apartment!
and the hanging saris are two fantastic ways to display a great textile where it won't get damaged. those brocade lanterns make me want to run over to pearl river mart right now. 

again, that pop of turquoise! it's all so eclectic: painted rattan, colored glass, woven boxes, ceramic lamp. the interplay of surfaces is so well-balanced. and the mirror varies the height btw the table and the chest.

reading room: there is such a mix of cultures in this tiny space. the pale purple bedding offsets those reich pillows while the wooden shelves and metal lanterns ground the room, balancing the white floor and walls.

putting these fabric lanterns in a small corner, and those parasols along the hallway ceiling: two fabulous ways to display attractive items.

nothing hidden away in storage: she puts what she loves right out for all to enjoy all the time

a work studio to die for: desk flooded with light, lots of lanterns, and dig that magazine stash! (also, the cheetah-print running shoes with fuschia laces)

simple, refreshing bedroom: and a quilt from target's 2007 back-to-school collection

iron lanterns + stain glass; a tidy bedroom alive with color and pattern

patio: yet another dazzling mix of colors, textures and patterns; more teal rattan chairs against warm surroundings

This wasn't everything. Oh, no! You should check out the rest of the images, plus the article, on Living magazine's website.

Source: Living
Photo: Santiago Ciuffo

Far-Flung Fashion: Dressing for Distant Shores

2011-08-15T19:08:00.004-04:00

It has been a few years since my last vacation and I'm starting to yearn from some place else again. (To be fair, Paris did hit the spot in a big way.) Sadly, circumstances leave me taking this week off from work and remaining quite local. Thank goodness New York City is one place where a 'staycation' can really count for something! My to-do list includes some of those 'roundtuit items that are so easy to put off, plus a few dashes of fun that life just seems too exhausting for in a normal week. Even sadder? Most of these activities will be attended in assorted denim-and-cotton ensembles.

Of course, glamming it up seems like the ultimate day off. But that's only for people who can afford lots of taxi rides to ease their stillettoed feet, and frankly, for people who don't venture outside the better-heeled parts of town where they're somewhat less likely to run into trouble. (Remember: Carrie Bradshaw's pink tutu was all good 'til the bus splashed mud on it. Reality, folks. Reality.)

So, while my jeans, sneakers and airy tank tops are doing their job keeping me on the go, I'll fantasize about high style in exotic ports of call.

sizzling hot pink against an earthy backdrop of orange and grey

maybe i'll head to chinatown: feathers, fronds and jewel tones


as bright as her surroundings: dig that silk skirt and the lotus belt tassels

stormy skies: exactly the weather we're having this week

sporty with a spirit of adventure

down for whatever: she's ready to sight-see and party

adrift on the river of life

my real vacation: sleeping in and lounging with good books

a good vacation should leave you ready to greet your old world with new eyes

Sources: 1-3 Mujer Hoy / Photo: P. Chevallier; 4,7-9 Anthropologie; 5-6 Glamour Russia

Rooms on Film: Diario de Una Ninfomana

2011-08-13T20:12:00.003-04:00

If you follow my Flickr stream, you know I developed a minor obsession with the sets in this film last year. In particular, the leading lady's apartment in the beginning of the film, where her pursuit of pleasure is firmly established.

Based on the book (bio) by Valerie Tasso, the film is set in Barcelona where we follow Valerie through the ups and downs of finding the right man to match her appetites, maintaining steady employment and taking advice from her elderly French grandmother. Later, things gets dizzily better and then tragically worse.

This movie is so frank and randy that people find it rather scandalous. But I broke down and ordered the dvd and I have to say... it ain't so bad. She's just a woman with a very strong libido who really does want the fantasy of a prince to sweep her off her feet and give her a family. Val goes down some taboo paths to find her way, but she comes to understand the dark side of some her fantasies.

But, oh, that apartment...

the eclectic hallway of val's barcelona apartment

full view of val's hallway

the delicious vintage + eclectic livingroom: you can tell by looking that val is a sensualist. everything is plush, soft, colorful, shapely and quirky.

this shapely sofa and lush tapestry really make the room pop

love the medallion window film in the lounge, and the color scheme matches the bedroom, there are ikea stools under that pile of clothes.

by day, the eclectic lounge is even more interesting (and sports a different lamp): val lives like i do, books piled randomly, trinkets moved around, there's an open can of paint on top of a stack of books.

behind the friend we see more entrances to the room which allow the natural light to filter through the apartment; notice all the radiators have case covers with mesh fronts. this room has a bit of a beach theme with the capiz lamp and jar of shells.

my favorite: the bedroom. val's hedonism is also on display here. rich colors, lots of pillows and more eclectic accessories. 

by night, the rich purple and orange play well in the lamplight. the rug is a deep red.

though the film opens with a wild escapade in a separate bathroom, val actually has one connected to her bedroom which the camera never enters. notice she has three lamps in the bedroom.

why, yes. i would like to move into a pad with a customized closet. i haven't really seen this style of closet before. three sections and the fabric doors. i wonder if the fabric is easy to change.
 

single-girl style at it's best: vintage dresser with shiny gold accents, scrolled iron screen, that antiqued hatbox, even the touch tone phone and the shiny chrome lamp standing out against everything.

seriously. how can you not love this? the colors and pillows are like an open invitation to relax. everything is within arms reach, lights, phone, magazines.

Wait till you see the place she upgraded for!

IFCfilms; Canonigo Films; Director: Christina Molina Starring: Belen Fabra
Sources: 1 Flickr; All others screencapped by me