interior design

Friday, 2 October 2009

Thrifty, Country Chic with Lonny Mag & Eddie Ross

This week, former Domino editor Michelle Adams launched Lonny Mag, a new online decor magazine. I am enamored so far, although I can't help but wish it was in print. Today, when so many magazines range from banal to completely inaccesible, Lonny Mag fills the void left by Domino -- all of the homes featured are impeccably chic and interesting, but also really feel like home.

Without giving away the whole store, I wanted to highlight Eddie Ross and Jaithan Kochar's lovely upstate NY farm. Eddie and Jaithan's was my favorite home in the issue (followed closely by Carolina Irving and Deborah Needleman's) and honestly had me begging my boyfriend to let us pack up and move to the country. Their home definitely makes you feel like you're far away from the fray of a city -- but its as chic as any flat in Manhattan. Eddie and Jaithan prove that you can recreate that homey ambiance, while still breaking a few rules (animal print!)(framed lithographs outside!).

Their home also provides lots of hope for those of us on a budget...most of the best pieces in the home were bought on the cheap and given a makeover with nothing more than a coat of paint. Even I could do that, and that's really saying something.

Is there anything a coat of white paint can't cure? This gorgeous federal style mirror was actually a plastic thrift store find. Also adore those crystal candelabras -- I've been hunting for some just like that for the longest time!

Safari in the country? Couldn't be more brilliant in my opinion. You'll also notice the dark lamp shades used throughout the house make everything seem sophisticated.

The classic vintage "I Married Adventure" book --Want. Need.

One of Eddie's signatures are his wonderful collections of vintage cookware and tableware. Both are displayed to full effect above and below. Want a little piece of this vintage heaven? Check out Eddie's Etsy store which is full of similar finds -- all under $100.

As if Eddie's bargain hunter god status was ever in question, he picked up that fabulous dresser in the couple's bedroom for $25 at Goodwill -- $25!!!

Black + White + Green + Natural woods = one of my new favorite palettes.

Eddie made that beaded pillow using vintage dress fabric.

Is that not the best little farmhouse sink? And again the ultra-refined black, white and green palette.

Eddie made that sink skirt using $1 dish towels. If you're feeling crafty, click here for details.

Here is the aforementioned outdoor frames...so cool! For more details, you can read more about the farm from the brilliant Eddie and Jaithan themselves, here.

Wednesday, 30 September 2009

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)

Monday, 28 September 2009

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.

Friday, 25 September 2009

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.

Tuesday, 22 September 2009

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: