Interior Design Sense

Are you loving the new additions to the Trina Turk indoor-outdoor collection at Schumacher as much as I am?  I spotted these on a recent shopping trip to the showroom and I’m actually presenting one to a client tomorrow!  I’m sure you are thinking that I’m crazy to even be pondering outdoor fabrics right now (in 26 degree weather)…well, this indoor-outdoor fabric is going indoors this time!  The fabric that I chose below is actually for the clients’ upstairs where their game room and son’s room reside.  There’s no doubt that this fabric will wear well in the highly-trafficked space (the ping pong table is up there too so you know with three boys in the house, this room will get lots of use!)

Not only are most of these fabrics pretty soft, they are washable too!!  Makes me want to consider I/O fabrics for every room in the house!

If you happen to be or live in the Bay Area, may want to check out the “The Modernist Pop-Up Shop” that’s taking place just outside of San Francisco, in Oakland, tomorrow from 6-9pm.

The Annual Winter SALE ends January 30 so you better get in to beat the masses before all the good stuff is gone and the SALE is over.  They’ve got great brands and a variety of things to choose from so whatever your home needs may be, it’s worth taking a look at ABC carpet & home..

Awhile back, I featured a blog post titled, “The Un-Office Office Space” – featuring some chic, stylish office spaces that are the epitome of the generic “anti-office” space. Especially for home offices, many want a space that reflects the style of the rest of the home.  So when I recently saw this feature of stylish home offices on House Beautiful online, I knew I had to share more chic office spaces!

For more photos, and to see who’s office belongs to whom, read the full article here.

I borrowed Mad Men (seasons 1-3) from my grandparents a few months ago, and let me just tell you, I’ve been HOOKED ever since!  This isn’t the first time an MG has blogged about the set design from this addicting AMC show, but there is one element from the set, that hasn’t been pointed out here yet.

The Curtis Jere wall sculpture that you see above the sofa in the photo below really caught my eye for two reasons- 1) it’s amazing and 2) I’ve seen it many times before but just now discovered that it’s a vintage piece.

These pieces of wall decor are not just things of the past (50’s, 60’s, 70’s) …they are incredibly hot right now!  C. Jere pieces are being sold on 1st Dibs and Ebay and according to Elle Interiors-  ”the value of (Curtis Jere) wall sculptures is increasing all the time and should prove a great investment.” You’ll also notice that a bunch of designers as of late have incorporated his sculpture into their projects.

{Sterling Cooper’s former lobby}

Here’s the skinny on these fabu sculptures-

-They were first created in the 50’s by Jerry Fells and Curtis Freiler.

-They are hand-made and constructed out of metal.

-They come in abstract designs and also scenic designs.

{Palmer Weiss Interior Design}

{Elle Decor}

{Metropolitan Home}

{Margaret Russell, now editor-in-chief of Architectural Digest, formerly editor-in-chief of Elle Decor}

I have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the January issue of Architectural Digest since the fall.  Why?  Because Margaret Russell, former editor-in-chief of Elle Decor, is now the head honcho at Architectural Digest.  Elle Decor has long been one of my most favored shelter mags, and although AD has been losing my interest in recent years, I think that Russell’s arrival will really breathe new life into one of the industry’s oldest publications.  Margaret Russell will be replacing AD’s longstanding editor-in-chief, Paige Rense (who held the position from 1971-2010).

I was very impressed with the January issue, particularly the feature on the unbelievable Tuscan estate of Sting and Trudie Styler.  Villa Palagio, built in the 16th century as a hunting lodge for the dukes of San Clemente, is now used by Sting as a vacation home, working vineyard, and also hosts private yoga retreats (I’m in!)

The feature focused on the fabulous gardens, designed by landscape architect Arabella Lennox-Boyd.  Arabella, you have a standing invitation to visit my garden anytime!

So I’m working away today and my buzzer goes off which usually means it’s FedEx, UPS or the exterminator.  Not this time.  A mysterious man shows up at my door with a package and says he’s from ‘Not A Gallery’.   He kindly hands me the package and off he goes.   I immediately open it up, thinking it will be another catalogue from a vendor who’s trying to get my business, and to my surprise there’s a piece of art inside (see below).  It’s a sample,  what they call a “miniature artwork sample” and it’s fantastic!

Justin Belmont, a 27 -year-old digital artist has a mission:  To prove that original art can be exciting and contemporary without being expensive.  All of his work is mounted on a 2″ deep birch wood and coated with a unique hand-painted acrylic and each piece ranges in price from $249-$699 depending on the size.  Take a look at his collection on the website and place an order so you can see for yourself how great and original his work can look in your own home!  Here are a few other examples of his art, but as I said, you can browse his full collection here.  Thanks for stopping by (Justin, was that you?) and sharing your work with me and all of the material girl fans

Fire up your laptop: The VIP Art Fair, an inaugural sale of contemporary works, is online and online only. The eight-day event brings together more than 100 international dealers (Pace to Perrotin, Gagosian to Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac) and includes blue-chip pieces by the likes of Thomas Ruff, Yoshitomo Nara, and Mary Heilmann. The latter’s painting Surf Study (Red Break), above, is being offered by Hauser & Wirth. Anyone can browse—in this context, VIP stands for viewing in private—but you’ll need to buy a “ticket” to access interactive features such as a high-resolution zoom option, messaging systems, and digital access to dealers’ backroom inventories. Registration is required either way.

January 22-30 www.vipartfair.com

Today’s obsession lies in Joe Cariati’s Decanters. I spotted these blown glass beauties on Vogue.com.   The article was in reference to Lauren Santo Domingo’s loft and how you could recreate the look of it in your own home, by using variations of the pieces she used.

{Colorful glass bottles from Lauren’s home}

{Vogue pointed out that Joe Cariati’s glass decanters, above, will give you a similar look}

These colorful creations make gorgeous accessories, don’t ya think?  Aside from the fun colors, I also love the variance in heights.  Those interesting shapes (alternating with tall and short sizes) definitely keep your eye moving!

{Mary Jeanne Kneen, owner of Kneen and Co., hosting a party of her own…lucky guests!}

Now that the traditional party season may seem like it is over, there are certain hostesses that are still going strong.  Mary Jeanne Kneen covers all your table topping needs so that throwing the party/giving the hostess gift doesn’t have to stop now.  Not only can this hostess with the mostest throw a fab fete (as featured in Chicago Home + Garden), but as the owner of the recently founded upscale Chicago-based tabletop company Kneen and Co., she’ll help you with everything from the perfect necklace to wear to the get together, exquisite crystal with which to serve your guests, and charming stationary on which to write thank you notes.

Check out some of my favorites finds from Kneen and Co.! And I just have to ask…Are you still all ready to party?

{Fferone design champagne flute set of 2,$70}

{Lobmeyr Sputnik Crystal Sconce}

{Snowflake Linen Cocktail Napkins, $48 each}

{Mandarin Border Linen Fingertip Towel, $65}

{Fancy Monkey Fill In Invitations, The Printery, $45}

{Lobmeyr Polka Crystal Water Glass, $104}

Although Kneen and Co. markets itself as a tabletop company, check out these amazing medallions that I couldn’t help but feature

{Nymphenburg Medallion with Skull in White Glazed Porcelain with Yellow Gold Clasp, $3269}