Happy New Years!

Stir the eggnog, lift the toddy, Happy New Years, everybody!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

New York had a blizzard last night!  A few images of this magical city under a beautiful blanket of snow.  The sounds of the taxis, fire engines and cars slow to a silent lull, and you get a glimpse of what it must have been like many years ago.

The view out of our window on 75th Street.

Design in a New Year!

I recently reviewed the new House & Garden for January 2011. Welcome to a new year with bold colors and fun design!

This is by far one of my favorite covers with the bright fuscia leather chair against the historical Zuber wallpaper. The designer, Gavin Houghton from England updated an old classic tudor home into something more hip and lively.

 

The David Hicks designed carpet in the stairwell was original to the house passed down to James and Felicia Brocklebank from his parents.  Hicks was their neighbor and friend when his parents lived in the house.  Taking into consideration the sentiment and value of the carpet, Gavin decided to have it carefully cleaned and conserved by textile specialists.

The Zuber wallpaper came with the house which was passed down by the owners' parents. How lucky not only to inherit a fabulous house, but one that already had such beautiful decor!

And what English house would be complete without a room upholstered in Claremont fabrics??  The company is one of my favorite fabric lines in the business.  Claremont is extremely well known for taking historic fabrics and patterns and bringing them back to life in many famous and historical homes across the world.

The modern Kelly Wearstler fabric, Imperial Trellis, used in the library really makes this Tudor home feel alive. 

The Master Bedroom

The Great Hall

While every home deserves a little blue and white, I think it was highly understated here and Gavin should have reached out and hung many more plates on the wall!  However, considering these are 17th and 18th Century Kangxi Chinese vases...it's understandable.

The Mudroom appears to have travertine floors for easy cleaning after all those muddy boots!  I highly doubt it stays that organized after a big hunt!

The final days...

The final days are coming near.  What do you get everyone who you have not yet begun to shop for this year??? 


My last few suggestions.


For the quintessential niece that has everything she ever dreamed she could have...

A day with Eloise at the Plaza Hotel.

For life would not be complete having never seen the beautifully designed Eloise shop with its black and white floors and pretty pink walls.  Enjoy a tea party and pick out your favorite Eloise outfit for a unique experience.

For your nephew...a day to remember and drive his parents crazy!!!  The life size piano from FAO Schwarz.

For the brother, sister-in-law, mother-in-law or dog on your list....what else other than Barbour fits almost anyone?  This photo above was taken outside the Madrid store last Fall during my travels.  I just love the yellow door!

Mother-in-Law

Dad, Grandfather, Uncle

Sister-in-Law

Bailey, the dog

The Hermes scarf.  Not only for its soft silky texture and whimsical design, but for the glamour it gives to each person's life.  Below is a photo of Grace Kelly sporting a smaller size Hermes scarf as an accessory to her very simple classic outfit.

Buy one and back it with a contrasting fabric for a great pillow.

Frame one for art until you can afford a real masterpiece.

Hunter Boots

Stylish NYC Hunter Boot

Hunter Boots with Wellies to keep your toes warm!



There are so many different styles a girl can never have too many!

At Home

Suzanne Rheinstein is an amazing designer from Los Angeles with a new book published just in time for Christmas.  It is called, At Home, and reflects Suzanne's style and personality.    I attended a book signing  at John Rosselli Antiques where designer friends gathered to support and buy her book for their own library.

Pictured on the cover is her newly decorated Manhattan pied-e-terre.  The unique walls in the living room are a mural painted by Bob Christian, who is from South Georgia and once painted a vanity for me when I was only ten years old.  His talent has taken him to many places beyond Georgia as shown in the article below from Elle Decor.

Suzanne also owns a beautiful store called Hollyhock in Los Angeles that sells one of a kind period antiques and accessories.  The staff is extremelly professional in helping to execute orders and shipping across the country.  In your next trip to Los Angeles, make sure to stop in Hollyhock to pick up a momento for your home or pied-e-terre!

Hippopota

Do you have sweet dreams at Christmas time thinking of those sleepless nights you spent cuddled in bed with your favorite stuffed animal waiting on the footsteps of old Kris Kringle??

Hippopota is a company that takes those special memories and freezes them in time on your wall for everyday safe keeping.  Log onto the website here to learn more about the inspiration behind the company and the process of ordering.

Hippopota

Make the moment special for your child or significant other with a Hippopota piece of art this holiday.

The wine cork below would be fabulous in a wine cellar with rustic brick walls and stone floor.

Just a few ways to make your ohhh soooo traditional apartment or home a little more exciting with modern art that is affordable. 

A few ideas to get your mind stirring on what you could photograph to order from Hippopota!

1. That fabulous pair of Louboutins you swore you wouldn't buy hanging on the wall over your desk. 

2.  A collection of four prints on the wall. Each one of a different card in the stack (the Ace of course, Jack, Queen and King) to hang in your husband's poker room or library.

3.  What do you collect?  A photo of your antique perfume bottles hanging in a Powder Room.

4.  A photo of your son's trophy he won after much hard work to remind him that his efforts will always pay off, and how proud you are of him!

5.  A photo of your bright red Kitchen aid mixer to hang against those bare white walls.

6.  Your daughter's bouquet right after her wedding for preserving those special memories.

Happy Holidays!