Artist Spotlight (Local Edition): Claude Taylor

(Paris)

After reading Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food a few weeks ago, I decided to take a more involved role in choosing where my food comes from. I've been checking out local farmer's markets and have really enjoyed interacting with local farmers, artisans, bakers and the DC community.

I look forward to my meals much more, have been eating out less and have been experimenting with vegetables I've never even heard of before. Another happy side effect of this lifestyle change was discovering DC-based photographer Claude Taylor's travel photography. I discovered Taylor's booth at Eastern Market a few weeks ago and promptly picked up about 5 photos. This really is some of the best travel photography I've seen, because it truly captures the spirit of each destination. Not to mention a wonderful focus on street art, architectural details and quaint, "been there forever" storefronts. I apologize for the watermarks, but hopefully it will inspire you to check out Taylor's work in person at his Dupont Circle gallery (1627 Connecticut Avenue) or on travelphotography.net.

(London)

(Italy)

(French Riviera)

(Paris)

(Paris)

The Fashion Editor's Desk

Just like they prefer their models, fashion-y types often favor work spaces that are minimal, pretty and keep the focus on the clothes.

Markers: Modern, sculptural furniture, black, white, grey and silver, glass, minimal accessories, stacked magazines and photography books, task lighting.

Examples:

Alexander Wang's office (another one of his offices appears below.) I assume the office above is home and the one below is his studio, but who knows? Love the use of the photographer's floor lamp in the photo above. Below, my favorite detail is Wang's use of an old Diptyque candle holder as a pencil cup. Tommy from Specs Appeal actually had the same idea and uses a Method candle holder at his desk.

Monique Lhullier's office by Jennie Abbott, Elle Decor: This photo is from one of my favorite spreads in 2008. It just doesn't get much more chic then this.

Jessie Randall (of Loeffler Randall), Domino: This is definitely a softer take on this look, and I just adore the vintage glass bottles and terrarium. Also love how the art in the background looks like a starry sky. I've been trying to figure out where it's from, and I think it may actually be simply black sequins stretched on canvas, which anyone could do at home.

Stefano Tonchi's home office via The Selby: Love, love, love that desk.

Shop this look:
1. Steel Pipe desk, (MoMA Store) 2. Montmartre Table (Jonathan Adler) 3. Waterfall desk circa 1970s, (1stdibs.com) 4. Parson's desk (West Elm) 5. Channing Desk (Jonathan Adler) 6. Sawhorse Work Table (West Elm) Clockwise: 1. and 4. I think a sleek task lamp is one of the key markers of this look, and Restoration Hardware's takes on this classic are perfect and somewhat budget-friendly. Rowan and Baxter Pharmacy Task Lamps (Restoration Hardware) 2. Rigid Pleats Lamp: If a task lamp is a bit too blah for you, this adorable little lamp offers a great feminine but tough look. (Anthropologie) 3. Rock Crystal Lamp: I think any kind of rock crystal works well with this look, and makes it a bit more sophisticated. The muted colors, shine and natural origins of this lamp would be perfectly suited for the editor-in-chief's desk at an upscale fashion mag. (Anthropologie) 5. Tolomeo Micro Table Lamp: Although I firmly believe that lots of black and white are necessary for this look, a sleek but brightly colored task lamp gives a much-needed pop and provides a great focal point. (MoMAStore)

Left to right, top to bottom: 1. Peace hand statuette: I picture this on the desk of a more free-spirited fashion lover. It would also be great for an accessories editor [or accessories lover, like me] who could use it to hang rings, bangles and necklaces. (Jonathan Adler) 2. Mint Julep pencil cup (See Jane Work) 3. Geode bookend (Natures-Emporium.com) 4. and 5. The fashion editor's desk calls for sleek accessories with thoughtful, modern design. Page 1 Tape Dispenser and Muji Stapler (MoMA Store) 6. Helmut Lang's Notebook (circa 1996) (Archie Grand) 7. I think these awesome retro style clocks would keep this desk from looking too sterile. Bonox Clock (Urban Outfitters) 8. and 9. No fashion editor's desk would be complete without a perfect, uniform bouquet of flowers [prepared by her assistant] and a classic designer work tote (to throw at said assistant upon arrival :)] Hopper Wide Stripe Mini Rose bowl (Kate Spade) and Tessuto & Riccamo Tote (Prada). 10. For those of us who can't afford hired help to run down to the florist or flower market every few days, a nice alternative would be a perfect white potted orchid.

The Eclectic Glam Desk

As I mentioned in this week's kickoff post, my favorite kind of home office evokes eccentric, glamour. Ideal for home offices where you don't do much more than use the Internet, this kind of space emphasizes rich colors, bold shapes and luxe surfaces.

Who does it best: Kelly Wearstler, Celerie Kemble, Alessandra Branca, Miles Redd, Jeffrey Bilhuber

Markers: A mix of modern, baroque and vintage furniture, mismatched textiles, deep jewel tones, rich pops of color, metallics, classic, kitschy, and sentimental art, piles of art books, bold prints, crystal and a fair amount of glitz.

Examples:

Love the bold yellow, rows of books and ghost chair that keeps the look clean. Also love how the desk follows the yellow/white border on the shelves. (via Style Redux)

Alessandra Branca, Elle Decor

Kelly Wearstler: Two chairs can be better than one...

Celerie Kemble

via Style Redux
Celerie Kemble
Pamela Skaist Levy (unstyled version with computer appears below!)


So if you're in the mood to shop for this look, here are a few great styles for desks, lighting and accessories:

Clockwise: 1. Folio desk in coconut shell from Baker 2. Emily Desk from MaineCottage.com 3. Leather-topped La Boheme desk from Ralph Lauren Home. 4. Hepplewhite dressing table, 1stDibs.com (H/T House Beautiful)

Clockwise: 1. I love the idea of using a sconce to light a desk placed up against a wall. It's very chic, can be angled to meet the task at hand and frees up valuable desk space (Williams Sonoma Home), 2. and 5. Christopher Spitzmiller's divine ceramic lamps have a permanent spot my ultimate home wish list, but any richly colored gourd lamp can make a big impact on a desk. 3. I first discovered this corkboard lamp in Domino (the Loeffler Randall spread) and fell in love with this idea. You can pin brooches, photos, postcards and even magazine cutouts to this lamp for an instant inspiration board that isn't dependent on wall space. 4. Jonathan Adler is the master of quirk that never devolves into kitsch. This sun lamp is forever one of my favorites.

Clockwise, top to bottom: 1. and 7. I always try to keep a small dish or bowl by my desk to corral random supplies that would look messy otherwise like rubber bands, post-its, staples and erasers. (Anthropologie) 2. A truly glam desk needs a decadent desk accessory in gold. This elephant and monkey tape dispenser from Iomoi is the perfect example of function meets excess. (Iomoi). 3. I always keep a candle at my desk in the hopes it will bliss me out when I'm at my most stressed. I usually use a small scented candle, but I think a big, bold candlestick adds drama, height and visual interest. Bonus points for crystal candelabras. (Anthropologie). 4. and 6. I love the idea of using small vintage apothecary jars to hold smaller desk necessities like paperclips or thumb tacks. I also always use a decorative glass or tea cup to hold my pens. I find that, when done right, this can almost look like a bouquet. (Anthropologie [again] -- and seriously, can I get a commission? Sometimes I feel like I work for them with the amount of times I post about their products :) ) 5. If my last post, didn't make it clear enough, I am obsessed with a good notebook! (Archie Grand). 8. To complete the "bouquet" look referenced above, you might want to invest in gorgeous pencils, like these from Iomoi.

By the way, one of the best ways to get an ultra-unique desk like the ones above for cheap is to buy a desk with good bones at a flea market or garage sale and revamp it. Check out this post from In the Tweeds to get some inspiration on for your own DIY desk project.

The Best: Journals and Notebooks

I couldn't focus on work spaces all week without giving a nod to my favorite desk accessory -- a fabulous notebook. Below are a few of the best I've found for the styles I highlighted in my last post.

Eclectic Glam:


Barnes and Noble, $39 (via black*eiffel)


Pierre Belvédère Semikolon Small $11.00, (via black*eiffel)

Queen's Ransom Journal, $28, Anthropologie

Customized journal, Archie Grand (recently seen on All the Best)

The Fashion Editor's Desk


Little Blue Book, $45, TiffanyHelmut Lang's customized journal, Archie Grand


Assouline Small Skull Notebook, $50, Saks

Personalized metallic notebooks, $85-100, Neiman Marcus

Vintage Schoolhouse Chic


Overdue Notebook, $24, Anthropologie

Barbara Wiggins Crackled Leather Journal, $48, Anthropologie

Ochre Leather Journal, $29.75, MyHandboundBooks on Etsy

O-Check Graphics Notebook, available in Anthropologie stores

The Artist's Desk

Woven Spectrum Journal, $16, Anthropologie


Blue Distressed Leather Journal, $35, MyHandboundBooks on Etsy

The drugstore composition notebook (customized by you!) is the ultimate artist's notebook to me.

Workspace Week!

(Pamela Skaist Levy)

Those of you who know me or follow my blog know how much I love a good workspace, and why shouldn't I? Most of us spend 8-10 hours a day at our desks which adds up to somewhere between 83 and 105 full days per year. With only 365 days in the entire year, my desk had better be super cute!

So, this week I'm going to put up a series of posts on my favorite kinds of workspaces, accessories and offices. Hopefully you'll all get some creative inspiration for your own desks (and feel free to send me pictures of your own. If I receive enough I'll highlight some on the site).

With no further ado, here are my four favorite kinds of workspaces each of which we be profiled in further detail this week.

1. Eclectic Glam

(Elle Decor, Amy Fine Collins)

My favorite kind of workspace, this style is marked by a mix of modern, baroque and vintage furniture, mismatched textiles, deep jewel tones, metallics and classic, kitschy, and sentimental art and a fair amount of glitz.

The Fashion Editor's Desk

(Alexander Wang, via Habitually Chic)

Just as they like their models, fashion-y types often favor work spaces that are minimal, pretty and keep the focus on the clothes. Think sleek, modern, parsons desk, black and white photos, minimal clutter, silver, uniform flowers, white.

Vintage Schoolhouse Chic

(Elle Decor, Lili Abir Regen)

Imagine what your tenured english lit professor's home office would look like. Then make it cooler. Signatures of this style include salvaged furniture, wood, managed clutter, wrought iron, brown leather, vintage classics, prized first editions...and some vintage scotch for good measure.

The Artist's Desk

(Richard Longo, via The Selby)

This is the way our most brilliant, underpaid creatives work. The extreme disorder and piles of paper would probably make your mother cry, but you could spend weeks at these desks and discover something beautiful everyday. Think: The Selby, extreme clutter, inspiration boards, white walls, neon color, modern furniture, chaos.

My Friday with Eddie Ross and the DC design bloggerati

(Photo from Terri at Wind Lost)

This past Friday, Michele of My Notting Hill was gracious enough to host a party at her gorgeous home for Eddie Ross, Jaithan Kochar and lots of local bloggers and designers. I don't think we could have picked a better, more fun and interesting group of people to meet up. I genuinely enjoyed everyone I spoke to.

Eddie and Jaithan are so approachable, down-to-earth and funny. As I mentioned to both of them at the party, there is a personal touch in everything they do (for example, I received a very sweet e-mail from Jaithan after purchasing something from their etsy shop, and I also received a note after my first comment on Eddie's blog.) It's certainly not common these days, and I think it speaks volumes about their character.

I also had the opportunity to meet and/or catch up with many of my favorite bloggers. Some other folks I spoke to at the party were Beth from Style Redux and Chinoiserie Chic, Stefan from Architect Design, Meg from Pigtown Design, Terri from Wind Lost, Janet from JCB, Lauren from Pure Style Home and Allison from Matters of Style.

(Eddie with Michele, our gracious host for the evening.)

Jaithan, Beth (Style Redux and Chinoiserie Chic), Lauren (Pure Style Home) and moi.

Me with Terri (Wind Lost) and Michele (My Notting Hill)

If you aren't familiar with Eddie's work, here are a few favorites from his portfolio: