Category Archives: Books

Todd Romano Showroom

Todd Romano’s shop is always a pleasure to visit. His love of color, fabric, and pattern comes through in each piece he has selected for his store.

In addition to his unique collections of antiques, furniture and unusual decorations, he carries wool dhurrie rugs designed by Langham and Fine, exclusive fabrics by Tillet and Northcroft and Bob Collins ( a favorite of mine- whimsical and brilliantly colored), and accessories. He also carries hand thrown ceramic lamps by Christopher Spitzmiller, which offer a unique custom like quality and are represented in a multitude of styles and shapes not to mention an exquisite color palette.

Recently relocated to The Fine Arts Building, in the heart of the design district after seven years on Lexington Avenue, his expanded showroom attracts regular traffic from America’s top decorators and tastemakers. Go to his store to experience his unique vision and well edited assortment that he has become famous for.

All the chairs in the store are special. Fabulous shapes, unique fabric, and fun scale make each one special. The quilting on the small grey chair is beautiful.

Throw pillows galore- Todd Romano keeps his store stocked with throw pillows upholstered in vintage yet modern prints in chic colors.

These wool dhurrie rugs designed by Langham and Fine are simply beautiful in person. I am eyeing one for my apartment. You can order custom sizes and colors.

1. Great Gatsby anyone? I love these glasses.

2. Lavender boxes- perfect for your dresser to keep stationary, jewelry, photos.

3. Tall mercury glass vase- the shape is beautiful and the silver fades on the neck for a clear finish.

4. The chinese dragon head on top of the armoire is huge and fantastic. What a fun prop!

5. The lamps, the silly ceramic frog cachepots and the beautiful deep greeny teal lacquered desk are all standouts.

Christopher Spitzmiller sells his hand made lamps here and they have a fabulous display. I love them all. The new baby lamps are perfect for an entry hall console or desk.

Visit the store:

The Fine Arts Building
232 East 59th Street
4th Floor
New York, New York 10022
(212)421-7722

9 am- 5 pm

xo,

S

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Sales At One King’s Lane

The rain is making it’s way back to New York City and aside from curling up on the sofa and watching a movie what else is there to do? Shop via your computer at One King’s Lane! If you are not all ready a member….hurry up and join. They have daily sales on items that are normally available to the trade and are available to you at great prices.

Join Now: http://www.onekingslane.com/InviteFriends.aspx

Today- Curry and Co

A favorite vendor of ours that sells chandeliers, chairs, occasional tables, and accessories

A look at a few pieces that will be for sale:

A beautiful chair that would look stunning at a vanity or small desk

Hammered metal cocktail table- so stylish!

gold side table- I love the rings

Mirrored vanity

Mirrored console table

Tomorrow- Taste Maker Tag Sales featuring Nathan Turner

Nathan Turner’s L.A. store

A few fabulous antique and vintage finds from his store in L.A. that should be available tomorrow:

Settee embroidered in vintage suzani

Set of large vintage maps

Hand painted theatrical fresco

Tan and pink ikat throw pillow

Vintage glazed ceramic pot

Leather stools/ side tables for Elite Leather- perfect for a nursery!

Set of 6 framed bird prints

Happy Shopping!

xo,

S

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Books: Rooms To Inspire in the City by Annie Kelly

The cover of this book is perfection- the striped blue and white dhurrie, embroidered ikat on the ottoman, blue and white lamp, glass chandelier, and all those books. This is an apartment I would find truly comfortable and is very similar to my old apartment- lots of blue and red with relaxed furniture where friends can drink a glass ( or 3) of wine and put their feet up. I have just purchased this from Amazon and am eagerly awaiting it’s arrival.

Buy at amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Rooms-Inspire-City-Stylish-Interiors/dp/0847834301

xo,

S

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West Village- Elizabeth Bauer Design

I was flipping through Vogue and saw much to my delight that they wrote an article about Elizabeth Bauer and her fabulous store. A girl after my own heart, Elizabeth loves the vintage find, french artists, and color, color, color! I stop in her store regularly to find that last minute, “must-have” for my clients. I snapped a few photos of some of her more irresistible finds while shopping a few days ago.

A pair of night stands with interlocking brass rings

Console table wrapped in navy leather and nail head trim

Ceramic Buddha Lamp

Black lacquered chest of drawers with large brass rings

A beautiful painting of a street in Paris- This reminds me of an illustration from Madeline

An original Charles Cobelle painting hung behind beautiful glass bottles with large stoppers

Another beautiful bottle perched on a Dorothy Draperesque swag wall mount

A pair of vintage ikat pouf from the estate of David Barrett

A collection of vintage prints by French artist SEM- these are always fun hung in a power room

1960’s Etagere with tassel motif and light

A pair of black and gold side tables with x bases- Dorothy Draper for Henredon

Red Lacquer chinoiserie style plug in sconces

Shagreen and brass cocktail table- sleek and stylish

Gorgeous pair of faux malachite side tables- low in height but beautiful!

Shop Elizabeth’s Store: http://elizabethbauerdesign.com/shop/

xo,

S

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Eric Cohler’s New Collection at Lee Jofa

Eric Kohler’s new line of fabrics is out and on display at Lee Jofa in the D and D building in NYC. Lee Jofa always sets up an amazing room displaying their latest collaborations. This feels like the perfect bachelor’s pad to me. The neutral linen fabric used as wall upholstery, the handsome chandelier and long dining table make this a multi-purpose room.

I love his modern take on zebra print. They grey is the perfect shade. I plan on using this for a new client!

Please email me with inquiries on any fabrics.

xo,

S

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A Little Taste of Chinoiserie

My post about Harrison Howard made me think about some of my favorite chinoiserie themed rooms and the designers that created them. There are so many details in each photo so take your time, they are not to be missed!

Billy Baldwin:

Design at Winterthur

Billy Baldwin designed Diana Vreeland’s “Garden in Hell” living room

Billy Baldwin- Salon for Marie-Laure de Noailles

Scalamandre Billy Baldwin Bamboo Collection

Kelly Wearstler:

Restaurant on the 7th Floor of Bergdorf Goodman: Antiqued mirror, brass, pale blue, green, and acid yellow leather, de Gournay wallpaper, and cerused oak floors.

Tony Duquette: The below images are from Tony and Elizabeth Duquette’s two properties: “Dawnridge” in a Los Angeles canyon and “The Empire”, 150 acres in Malibu. What I wouldn’t give to have been able to visit these residences. Total and utter magic.

Tony Duquette for Jim Thompson: These fabrics are amazing!

Gemstone- looks just like malachite. Would be amazing as wall upholstery or drapes.

Royal Ermine

Spinach Leopard

Tony Duquette Lighting for Remains:

California Sunburst Sconce

http://www.remains.com/item_DS4410.24.aspx

Splashing Water Sconce

http://www.remains.com/item_DS4300.3.aspx

Mary MacDonald:

Ruthie Sommers:

This is a favorite Ruthie room: color scheme, fabric, sofa shape, and best of all… the pagoda style woodwork above the door.

A nook turned nursery

Charlotte Moss:

Me:

Chinoiserie Panels

xo,

S

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Great Fashion Designers Homes

It’s Fashion Week her in NYC we have seen some amazing pieces for Fall 2010. In the midst of the fashion madness I have found myself turning to some of the great designers homes as well as the runways for inspiration. Below are a few of my favorites.

Carolina Herrera: Just as classic and chic as her designs on the runway. Lots of stripes and yummy velvet.

I had to throw in these images of Carolina Herrera Jr’s home– both mother and daughter love red, stripes, and bold classic statement pieces. I love all the suzani! This is one of my favorite apartments of all time.

YSL: A legend who surrounded himself with exquisite objects. His home is a jewel box. You want to pick up and examine everything. He had an exceptional collection of paintings and art including works by: Picasso, Mondrian, Matisse, Goya, Ingres; and furniture from the Renaissance period to Art Deco period.

There is barely any room on the cocktail table…this man was a collector.

I love the above library

Marc Jacobs: Below are images of his three-story garden apartment on the Champ de Mars. Beautiful traditional moldings and paneling coupled with modern furniture makes for a fabulous apartment!

Lanvin: “Lanvin Blue” a cornflower shade of blue was the designers favorite color. The below rooms have been recreated in the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris.

The bathroom below is very glamorous- I love the floor and the pedestal sink.

Coco Chanel: Her home was above her boutique in Paris. Her home is used for photo shoots and press interviews. She had many black lacquered chinoiserie screens. Her home is quite opulent with glistening chandeliers and gleaming mirrors and lacquer but still feels intimate and comfortable. Coco Chanel did not have a bedroom her…she slept across the street at The Ritz- of course!

The tan suede sofa was one of Coco’s favorites and would sit on it while interviewing. The color and fabric were some of her favorites.

Valentino’s Capri Home 1971: I love all of this blue and white. Crisp and cool with beautiful patterns.

Oscar De La Renta’s home in Kent, CT: Gardens are perfection and I love the living room. The reds, greens, and creams keep the grand scale feeling intimate.

Oscar De La Renta: table setting 1971: this is so much fun- one of my favorites.

Christian Louboutin: Would you expect the man who makes the most fabulous shoes to live in a lack-luster home? The vibrant orange walls with the classic molding and vibrant rug- Love it!

xo,

S

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What’s In My Bookshelf

ThiThis post should be called “what isn’t in my bookshelf”. I am a collector of books, therefore our bookshelves are overflowing with every type of book. Aside from my collection of magazines ( every issue of House Beautiful, Elle Decore, House and Garden, Domino, World of Interiors, and Veranda), fiction and non-fictions books, and clients folders, I have a huge collection of books that I reach for when I need inspiration. The topics range from textiles, to architectural styles, to fashion, to artists, to table settings, to hotels, to interiors, etc. You never know what might move you. Each client requires a fresh eye and a different style.

xo,

S

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