Mirrored Image

(art deco asian living)

One of my favorite interior styles is art deco.  You're probably thinking how can someone who loves vintage French country headboards and distressed wooden farm tables also find a place for art deco in her home, but I promise you, if curated with just the right balance, these styles are easier to combine than you think.

The first connection is that the origins of art deco come from Paris in the 1920's.  It influenced many facets of design around the world from architecture, interior design, fashion, jewelry and even film.  It's a style know for high glamour, modernism, utilitariansim and elegance.  Some of Manhattan's most iconic buildings are examples of the style:  The Empire State Building, The Chrysler Building's spire, and the GE Building at the heart of Rockefeller Center.   With the economy flourishing during the Roaring Twenties, people had a strong appetite for luxury goods.  Art deco furniture, opulent and sleek, became a popular investment, and mirrored pieces were of the most sought after.

The Chrysler Building, 1930
(James Maher Photography)

I love decorating with a few mirrored pieces, my favorites are side or end tables, vanities, and coffee tables.  They look great placed on dark wood floors, next to black laquer or stark white furniture, and I like to accessorize them with a few color pops from decorative pieces placed on their surfaces.  However, use color sparingly around mirrored furniture; every item placed on or near is doubled.

A few rules I follow when personally decorating with mirrored furniture:  They must be placed carefully and tastefully (e.g. one piece in a room is usually enough, unless you live in a penthouse apartment in a big city or are going for all out LA-glam look--my Norfolk nest certainly isn't), too much reflection can be overwhelming.  Mirrored pieces can make a room appear larger and brighten a space with elegance and high gloss.  They are certainly investment pieces so take your time selecting.  I recommend a few websites when researching these pieces including Neiman Marcus,  Horchow, and a lesser known site Glam Furniture.  For other editorial ideas, Elle Decor recently did a feature on mirrored furniture that is definitely worth reading.  Here are a few pictures that use mirrored furniture perfectly.

(Horchow)

(Lennox)

(Elle Decor)

Sarah Jessica Parker's bedroom
(Elle Decor)

(HGTV Secrets from a Stylist)

Off to the Races

This Saturday marks the the 137th running of The Kentuck Derby, the longest, continuously conducted sporting event in US history.  The annual "Run for the Roses" at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky conjures images of elegant ladies in decorative hats, silver cups of cool mint juleps, eager jockeys clad in bright, silk uniforms, and the familar sound of bell at the starting gate, signaling the beginning of what many refer to as "the greatest two minutes in sports."  And they're off!  I have a great appreciation for the powerful athleticism of the three-year-old thoroughbreds, running their hearts out for 1 and 1/4 mile...in about 120 seconds.

(CNBC)

At the age of four, I was placed on the back of my grandmother's chesnut thoroughbred named Chipper and I've been a passionate horse lover and equestrian enthsusiast ever since.  My parents' house is full of horse-themed details, from weathered black leather riding boots lining the fireplace hearth, to painted portraits of our past beloved thoroughbreds on the walls of the foyer staircase.  My sister and I still have a few faded blue ribbons proudly hanging in our vacant bedrooms from horse shows of long ago.

Even if I'm headed to a life of coastal living, I would like to incorporate elements of hunt country style in my Norfolk nest.  I have an old tack trunk that would make a great coffee table in a wood paneled den, and I could repurpose a set of silver stirrup cups as bud vases on a side table.  I highly recommend the book "Equestrian Style" by Vicki Moon for inspirations.  Here are some other images that exude equestrian chic.

(Ralph Lauren Home)

(Blind Pash Interiors)

(Blind Pash Interiors)

(Amanda Harlech)

Bagdley Mischka's guest bedroom
(Elle Decor)

My family home provides some of my most influential inspirations for hunt country style.  My mother framed a large Hermes silk scarf with a circular horse motif and hung it on a wall in the sunroom.  I would love to frame a set of three equestrian Hermes scarves and place them above a sitting area in a study or guest room someday. Here are a few I really like.

A final note... no matter where you are this Saturday, whether it be in your Sunday best at Churchill Downs or gathered around a flat screen at a friend's house, you must sip at least one mint julep (preferrably in a silver cup) while you watch the race. Below is a fool proof recipe my husband and I were given when we visited Maker's Mark Bourbon Distillery in Louisville, KY.  This receipe will serve two Derby enthusiasts so double, triple, quadruple as neccessary!

8 fresh sprigs of fresh mint (leaves only, the stems will make it bitter)
5 oz Makers Mark bourbon whiskey
2 tsp powered sugar

4 tsp water

Muddle mint leaves, powdered sugar, and water in a collins glass. Divide into two silver julep cups with shaved or crushed ice and add bourbon. Top with more ice and garnish with a mint sprig. Serve with a straw.



(roseredandlavender.com)



Ottoman Empire

hand-carved from mango wood
(serenaandlily.com)

There is nothing better than coming home from a long day and putting up your feet.  I find such joy in sitting in our oversized arm chair, nestled in a cashmere blanket, cup of tea in hand, feet elevated on the ottoman.  After an especially busy day it nearly rivals an hour of vinyassa flow.  This one above is from one of my favorite online fabric and furniture stores called Serena and Lily.  Their collection of fabrics is amazing and I will certainly be on trolling their site once we are settled in Norfolk.

A little Monday morning etymology....the word ottoman was first introduced into the English language in the early 1800s.  It is synonymous with "footstool" due to its typical use in a reclining postion, a European association with the fashionable Turkish style.  The original ottoman furnishings were tall and cylindrical, resembling the long, rounded hats worn by Ottoman government officials.

original ottoman shape, modern color
(furniturebyduval.com)

Currently we have a matching chair and ottoman, but I'm on the hunt for an ottoman true to its original form: one that can stand on it's own or can pull up to a chair.  We also have an extra large dark leather ottoman (below) that serves a dual purpose as our coffee table with the wooden trays on them, or a very comfortable place to raise your weary legs.  I love a multi purpose piece.

Ottomans can take so many different shapes and sizes.  I prefer one in a bold color with plenty of room for big feet (I wear a size 10 afterall).  Here are a few others I like. 

Candace Bushnell's living room with Morrocan ottomans
(Elle Decor)

bold pattern, neutral color with carved dark wood legs
(thirteenthandsouth.com)

white alligator ottoman
(thelennox.com)

round, white, crisp
(Lucas Allen Photography)

blue leather tuft
(wonderland.net)

Trunk Show

Richard Avedon photography

My favorite animal has always been the elephant. They are majestic and graceful relative to their enormous size, and they have better memories and display true humanistic emotions more than most creatures in the kingdom.  Flipping through the winter issue of Luxe magazine this weekend, I found this porcelain urn by French artist Jean Boggio.

My earliest indicator of my love of elephants is recalled by my parents when they took me to see Disney's "Dumbo" in the theater.  I was four-years old and apparently I could not bare the scene when Dumbo is separated from him mother.  Despite attempts to keep her little son with enormous ears by her side, she is helpless to the circus' metal shackles and Dumbo is torn away, sold to another circus.  I became hysterical, and crying ran out of the theater, flinging myself on the lobby floor.  I never finished watching "Dumbo" that day and scarred for life, I adamently boycotted Barnum & Bailey and began collecting elephants.  Throughout the years, friends and family have bestowed upon me many elephant-themed gifts.  I have over 30 minatures mainly attributed to my grandmother.  She has travelled the world--literally every continent--and whenever she saw a pacaderm figurine she would purchase it for me.

gold elephant necklace
my friend in NYC found it at a street vendor in the city for me

I have collected pictures of elephants in fashion photography for my inspiration book.  They include Richard Avedon's famous photos (see above), Keira Knightly with a baby elephant from Vogue, and a photo of an elephant in front of a gorgeous facade in Paris.

Vogue June 2007

Here are some pieces I'm trumpetting for the home.


a carved wood elephant carries the weight in this airy sun room
(decorpad.com)

gilded bookends take a set of novels Out of Africa
(amazon images)

Thomas Paul Bali red pillow adds pop to a white chair
(apartmentherapy.com)

never forgt your luggage with this tag
(johnrobshaw.com)

white ceramic garden stool
(West Elm) 

elephant toy keeps guard in a children's room
(wolfeyebrows.wordpress.com)