Friday, April 29, 2011

Congraulations Sarah Burton!


In a very classic McQueen fashion, Sarah Burton designed the most gorgeous wedding dress for our dear Kate Middleton. The royal gown comprised ivory and white satin, English and French Chantilly lace, and a train that measured a staggering nine feet.


Sarah Burton said in a statement. “Alexander McQueen’s designs are all about bringing contrasts together to create startling and beautiful clothes and I hope that by marrying traditional fabrics and lacework, with a modern structure and design we have created a beautiful dress for Catherine on her wedding day."  At only 36 years old, Sarah Burton became design director of Alexander McQueen after his recent passing in 2010.


Following in her sister's footsteps, Pippa, maid of honor, wore an ivory satin form fitted crepe dress designed by Sarah Burton as well.  As unusual as it is for a bridesmaid to wear the same designer, I thought they complimented one another well.




I imagine this excited grin was a moment Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge will remember always and forever as the day she became royalty.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

The Spring Show NYC


April 28 - May 2, 2011

The Art and Antiques Dealers League of America holds a Spring show at the Park Avenue Armory every year.  This year it opens with a special preview to benefit the ASPCA and is sponsored by 1st Dibs on April 28th.






A list of the vendors participating this year is available on the website.  Make sure to stop by over the weekend if you cannot attend one of the parties!

Park Avenue Armory
Park Avenue at 67th Street
New York, NY, 10065

 
 

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Lenox Hill Spring Gala 2011!


Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, widely recognized as one of New York’s premier nonprofit organizations, hosted their spring gala last night at Cipriani on 42nd Street. It was a glorious night with cocktails, dinner, dancing and a silent auction - all for a wonderful cause.

Lenox Hill is a 117-year-old settlement house that provides an extensive array of effective and integrated human services—social, educational, legal, health, housing, mental health, nutritional and fitness—which significantly improve the lives of 20,000 people in need each year, ages 3 to 103, on the East Side of Manhattan.

The gala celebrated longtime Lenox Hill board member and honorary chair, Elizabeth Rohatyn for her lifetime of activism in New York.

I was excited to be among the designers selected to create a tabletop inspired by the event's theme, "You're the Top!"... a quote from one of Cole Porter's memorable songs. In the midst of horse racing season I decided to call my table "You're the Top...The Time of the Triple Crown Winner!", because you can't get any better in horse racing than the Triple Crown! 



I borrowed the beautiful silver trophies from Newel Galleries, and the flowers represent the chosen flower for each horse race that make up a Triple Crown winner.  The Kentucky Derby "Run for the Roses", The Preakness for black eyed Susans, and the Belmont Stakes recieves a blanket of white carnations.


I used embroidered linen napkins with the jockey logos and trophies.  Borrowed the silver chargers from my grandmother to work well with the silver mint julip cups filled with mint.  Each seat held a journal and small batting crop to take home.


The black and white striped ticking skirt is from Classic Party Rentals.  Then, I hand basted a 3"wide gros-grain ribbon along the bottom edge for contrast.  The jockey jackets are made of canvas.  You can buy it by the roll and cut and paint as you wish!




The fun table below was designed by Lindsay Coral Harper of LCH Interiors and Lamshop.  "Harper's Bazaar" with tons of color and fun leis on each chair...one of my favorites!


Ashley Whittaker created this beautiful table called "Fern's Folly" with upholstered Jansen style chairs in Quadrille fabric.  Love the little frog placecard holders!


A Japanese inspired table by the fabulous P. Allen Smith. You can watch his gardening show on PBS or check your local listing.


Lucca & Co. stuck with their classic elegant style of decorating with simple pewter Match chargers, metal table and white slipcovers.  Very similar to the style of his showroom on 61st Street.



Christopher Spitzmiller created this fun Indian inspired table with turbans for all the guest to wear home.

(Photo courtesy of Dovecote Decor)

Cheers to a fun and successful event! Lenox Hill raised funds in eccess of $950,000 at this one event.

For more information on Lenox Hill Neighborhood House and how you can donate to the cause click here.

To see NY Times photos click here.

To see other related articles click here.


Lenox Hill Neighborhood House
331 East 70th Street
New York, NY 10021
212 744-5022 





Friday, April 22, 2011

Easter Bonnet Parade!

It's that time...Easter is here! 


If you happen to be in Manhattan this Sunday, make sure you stop by Fifth Avenue for a few chuckles of the wild and creative bonnets created by many of New York's finest!  A few photos below from last year...













Have a wonderful Good Friday!

Monday, April 18, 2011

A Royal Day in London

A day of shopping, culture and cuisine in London...



A great start to a day in London is with an amazing Pimm's cup full of fruit and herbs.  I met my friend Max here at The Orange for a quick brunch before a long day of shopping ahead!


Pimlico Road is one of the best locations to shop for antiques and interior design sources.

These wonderful topiaries looked great with the green scalloped awning.

Soane is one of the most amazing British antique and reproduction stores in London. The company started as a bespoke collection fulfilling the desires of designers in search of something special for a home. Soane now produces more than 250 pieces including copies of 18th, 19th, 20th century originals as well as new designs. 

This fabulous spinning vanity chair rolls so you can multi-task and spin some fun into your day!

 We browsed Soane's collection of eccentric and bold antiques.



Max and I are reviewing the custom lampshade selection that would make any lamp extra special with detailed trimmed shades in many shapes and sizes.



The Organic Food Market was a must-see destination to view the fabulous and unique displays of vegetables, eggs, and cheeses. The market's magnificent design boasts marble floors with all marble encased freezers, and refrigerators with little chalk board plaques at each location. The organic food selection was unbelievable.


Jams and Preserves

Must stop and taste test the cheese selection.


Known for their exhibit of the Michael Smith famous giraffe, Jamb carries not only the world's best mantles and exquisite antiques, but also Michael Smith's luxurious Jasper fabric collection. 




Max testing out the durability and comfort of this small settee for a client.

John King Antiques


Rose Uniacke has a select collection of antique and 20th century furniture, mirrors and lighting.

Later in the day, we decided to make a cultural stop at the Leighton House Museum, the house and studio once owned by Victorian artist Lord Leighton. Originally constructed in 1864, the house was expanded over decades to become a "private palace of art".

His home was filled with beautiful Portuguese tiles and exotic birds and rugs.



This chamber room had extremely high ceilings and walls covered in Portuguese tiles.


After Leighton House, we walked to Holland Park to view the arrival Spring!


Many of the houses in Holland Park are very large and exquisitely built. This is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in London to call home.




If only New York would have these at the end of every few blocks for all the dog walkers!

Beautiful fountain in the park.


It's Tea Time!

As many of you know, the English enjoy tea time every day around 4 pm. So, of course, we took a break and stopped in at The Orangery restaurant to experience their world famous tea service. We savored our tea and cake in The Orangery's luxurious setting in the gardens of Kensington Palace.


The orange trees on each table made a great statement.


The view inside The Orangery.


Building and Sculpture


Later in the evening, we arrived for our dinner reservation at Bob Bob Ricard, one of London's most chic restaurants known for its classic English and Russian dishes. The restaurant's monogram was an important element of the decor - displayed on everything from placemats to bread plates. The atmosphere reminded me a lot of David Hicks with all of the wild patterns and prints. 

A toast to a successful day!

A reading light at each table so that you can see your menu clearly.

The chic pink bordered placemats with modern monogram in the center along with the coordinating monogrammed bread plates. 

To top it off...my mash pie was monogrammed too!!