All the Best by Ronda Carman™

OUR NEW ADDRESS: WWW.ALLTHEBESTBLOG.COM

2011-02-15T22:25:00.003+01:00

Huffington Post: Paris Love Locks

2011-02-14T18:00:00.003+01:00

While Paris has long been the idyllic destination for lovers, it is the Pont des Arts pedestrian bridge over the Seine River that has recently become the place to symbolically leave your heart in the city of romance.

During a recent trip to Paris, my husband and I discovered 'love locks' on the Pont Des Arts Bridge. Hundreds of padlocks in various shapes, etched with dates and couples' initials, have been affixed to the railings of the wooden slatted bridge. For the past few years couples have been attaching engraved padlocks to the bridge and throwing the keys into the Seine as a sign of never-ending love...

You can read my article in full on the Huffington Post. Happy Valentine's Day.

Under Construction!

2011-02-07T11:58:00.004+01:00

Next week I will finally be unveiling a new design for All the Best Blog! Same address...New look.

Upcoming Profiles Include:
Robert Couturier
Summer Thornton
Jayne Michaels
Joan Michaels
Jean Larette
Benjamin Dhong
Eric Cohler

Trad Home's 20 New Traditional Designers

2011-02-03T11:11:00.004+01:00

Last night Michelle Adams and Traditional Home publisher Beth Brenner introduced Trad Home's 20 New Traditional Designers who have earned a spot in the inaugural issue, which will publish in mid April. You can see the work of each designer here.

A special congratulations to my friends Robert Passal; Jayne and Joan Michaels; Lisa Sternfeld; Nicki Clendening and Callie Jenschke of Scout Designs.

Hearst Buys Elle Decor

2011-01-31T18:50:00.002+01:00

It's Official: Hearst Buys Elle Decor (read here).

IN BED WITH Jeffery Alan Marks

2011-01-28T15:52:00.004+01:00

This week you can visit the SFERRA website to learn more about Jeffery Allan Marks. Find out which SFERRA linens he awards the 'Best Dressed' status and why.

Hipstamatic Paris

2011-01-24T14:00:00.011+01:00

I am in love with the Hipstamatic app for iPhone. Modeled after the ill-fated 1982 Hipstamatic camera, the app creates nostalgic, vintage looking photos. The photos have become so popular that a Hipstamatics exhibition is now on display at The Orange Dot Gallery in London until the end of January.

My husband captured some fun photos while we were in Paris visiting friends and attending Déco Off 2011 and Maison&Ojet over the weekend.

IN BED WITH Brad Ford

2011-01-19T10:54:00.002+01:00

This week you can visit the SFERRA website to learn more about Brad Ford. Learn which SFERRA linens he looks forward to sleeping on each night, why he prefers sateen and his truthful answer to the question of ironing linens.

Design Bloggers Conference in LA

2011-01-18T17:16:00.005+01:00

Join interior design bloggers, new media innovators and interior design industry leaders for the inaugural Design Bloggers Conference in LA, February 28 - March 2, 2011. Learn how to expand your personal brand, build your blog and how to better engage your readers using multiple platforms.

This premier two-day conference for new media and the interior design industry offers a unique opportunity to learn about and discuss the intersection of interior design with the world of new media including blogging, social media, and more.

I will be speaking along with Jan Showers, Suzanne Rheinstein, Barclay Butera, Tobi Fairley, Grace Bonney, Tracy Porter, Cassandra LaValle, Paloma Contreras, Stacy Kunstel, Anne Sage and Clinton Smith - I can't wait.

If you're interested in attending, head over to the Design Bloggers Conference site for more information and Register Here.

I hope to see you in sunny LA! Click here to see a list of participants! WOW!

The French Love Michael Devine Fabrics

2011-01-17T14:48:00.004+01:00

A much deserved congratulations to my friend, fabric designer, Michael Devine. The French edition of Elle Decoration has named Michael’s fabrics as one of their favorites in their Best of the International issue.

The hand printed linen fabrics are now available in France. If you are in Paris this week for Maison&Objet and/or Paris Deco Off, you can see Michael’s fabrics at Holland & Sherry 17 rue de l'Echaude paris 6. I will be stopping by the showroom!

IN BED WITH Kendall Wilkinson

2011-01-17T13:45:00.002+01:00

This week you can visit the SFERRA website to learn more about Kendall Wilkinson, her preferred SFERRA linens and her thoughts on everything from bedroom 'must haves' to setting the perfect bed.

First Huffington Post Blog: Out with the Old?

2011-01-13T12:41:00.010+01:00

It was quite a rush to see my first Huffington Post blog post, Out With the Old?, go live yesterday. Writing for the Huffington Post has long been a dream of mine, and I am thrilled to now be a part of that community. A very special thank you to my friend Shawn Henderson for believing in my writing and making the introduction.

In the past few years there have been numerous depressing examples of demolition of historic buildings that continue to remind me that buildings and monuments are not only historically important to a region and culture, but they serve as visible symbols linking us to our past.

Most recently, book The Ruins of Detroit by French photographers Yves Marchand and Romain Meffre has haunted my thoughts. You can read my take on preservation and adaptive reuse of buildings here.

Photo by Marchand and Meffre: The ballroom of the 15-floor art-deco Lee Plaza Hotel in Detroit, Michigan. The apartment building and hotel was built in 1929 and has been derelict since the early 1990s.

Profile: Nicky Haslam

2011-01-11T13:37:00.007+01:00

It is difficult to pigeonhole Nicky Haslam; both the man and the designer. And, having now met him, my guess is that he likes it that way.

Nicky's legacy, talent and influence as one of Britain’s ultimate interior designers is undeniable. Not to mention, in his spare time he is an actor, artist, cabaret singer, book reviewer, art editor, memoirist, literary editor and he features on both Vanity Fair and GQ’s best-dressed lists!

Possessing a conspicuous flair and an inherent aesthetic, Nicky has been casting a spell on the design cognoscenti since 1972, when he first started practicing as an interior designer. In the late 1980’s he founded his London-based architectural and design firm, NH Design.

Nicky, along with his Creative Director Colette van den Thillart, has designed projects all over the world including London, New York, Morocco, New Orleans, Denmark, Montreal, Barbados, St Jean Cap Ferrat, Monaco and Moscow, Klosters, Grasse, Mallorca, Los Angeles and Paris.

When last in New Orleans, thanks to our friends Michael and Quinn, I had the good fortune to see one of Nicky’s projects, owned by Soniat House proprietors Frances and Rodney Smith. In all honesty, the living room was one of the most magical rooms that I have ever witnessed.

Not only is Nicky a talented designer, he is a talented artist. While at school at Eton he excelled in art. Today, the Victoria and Albert Museum as well as The Royal Institute of British Architects hold some of his interior watercolour renderings based on client projects.

Nicky Haslam divides his time between his London apartment and the Hunting Lodge in Hampshire that once belonged to John Fowler, a partner of Colefax and Fowler.

How would you describe your personal style?
Scintillating, Unlaborious, Unlaboured

What is your most prized possession?
A fan letter from Nancy Lancaster

What is your idea of earthly happiness?
Keeping one's figure

What is the one thing in life you cannot live without?
White peaches

What is your favorite luxury in life?
Being able to sleep easily and listening to Lee Wiley

Past or present, who has most influenced your direction in life?
Simon Fleet, Diana Vreeland, Diana Cooper and Colette van den Thillart, my Creative Director at NH Design

What inspires your creativity and designs?
Travel and lying in bed thinking

Who are your style icons?
Madame du Barry, Emilio Terry and Jean-Charles Delafosse

Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
Cy Twombly and John Richardson, the art historian who wrote all the Picasso books.

What books are currently on your bedside table?
Wait for Me! by Deborah Devonshire
Honky Tonk Parade by John Lahr
What to Look for in Winter by Candia McWilliam
My own autobiography Redeeming Features

Profile by Ronda Carman

Soup on Sunday: Aromatic Herb Stock

2011-01-09T11:24:00.006+01:00

2 stalk lemon grass, bruised*
7 cups of vegetable stock
1/2 cup sliced cilantro leaves
2 whole jalapenos, bruised*
1/2 tsp grated lime zest
1 piece fresh ginger (2.5cm), peeled and sliced
1 lime juice to taste
3 tbsp fish sauce
1 1/2 tbsp salt
1 pepper to taste
3 oz snow peas
1 scallion
2 tbsp cilantro leaves

Cut lemon grass in 2-inch pieces; bruise lightly. Combine with stock, cilantro, jalapenos, lime zest and ginger in saucepan. Simmer and covered for 15 minutes (halfway through, taste and remove hot pepper, if desired, or leave in longer for more heat).

Strain and add lime juice, fish sauce, salt and pepper. Cut snow peas in thin diagonal strips and thinly slice the scallion. Bring broth to a boil: stir in snow peas and boil until just tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in scallion and cilantro. Serve at once.

4 servings

* Lemongrass and jalapenos can be bruised with a mortar and pestle

British West Indies Style by Michael Connors

2011-01-07T13:55:00.003+01:00

Once again author Michael Connors has offered a warm, and much welcome, visual reprieve from record cold temperatures, snow and freezing rains. In 2009 I did a post on Michael’s book Caribbean Houses (Rizzoli) and I have been looking forward to another book by the West Indian decorative arts scholar.

This time Michael turned his attention to the British West Indies. British West Indies Style is another stunning and significant account of the Caribbean, this time the interiors and architecture of English colonial homes and historic town houses.

From the British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Nevis, St. Kitts, Antigua and Barbados, to the lesser-known islands of Bequia, Dominca and Mustique, the book features close to fifty private homes. Many of the houses showcased in the revealing tome are hidden to visitors, making British West Indies Style much more than a 'picture book,' it’s a mini-history of the islands.

One of the finest private collections of colonial West Indies furniture in the Caribbean islands. The majority of the pieces are from Barbados and Trinidad.

One of the most prized pieces of furniture in Barbados is the familiar cellaret. Designed on a curule base or X frame, the V-shape lower drawer opens to reveal a fitted interior that holds six wine bottles.

An aerial view of St. Nicholas Abbey sugar plantation in Barbados.

The Sunbury Plantation office, where plantation business was once conducted, is filled with island-crafted mahogany furniture.

IN BED WITH Tammy Connor

2011-01-04T13:35:00.002+01:00

This week you can visit the SFERRA website to learn more about Tammy Connor, her preferred SFERRA linens and her thoughts on everything from bedroom 'must haves' to the perfect breakfast in bed.

Interior Design Chat: Collaborating with Brands

2011-01-03T12:46:00.008+01:00

Ronique Gibson and Ronda Carman at Sub-Zero/Wolf from AGP on Vimeo.

This past September, along with fellow blogger Ronique Gibson and several interior/kitchen designers, I had the privilege of being invited to spending three days at Sub-Zero and Wolf in Madison, Wisconsin. I've long been a fan of these two iconic brands, but prior to my visit I did not fully appreciate (nor understand) the extreme care, craftsmanship and level of detail that goes into the manufacturing process and, thus, the finished product.

Not only did I leave with a greater appreciation of the products, I left weighing a pound or two more than when I arrived. Each day started off at the beautiful Bakke Center, a state-of-the-art training facility where you can smell, savor, touch and eat glorious food prepared using Wolf products.

Wolf and Sub-Zero have taken a proactive approach when it comes to social media best practices and the engagement of their target audience. During our visit, Ronique Gibson and I were asked to participate in a video produced by Andy Garcia Productions for Sub Zero/Wolf on the topic of social media.

Following on the now finished video, Interior Design Chat (#IntDesignerChat) will host a Twitter chat on the topic of "Collaborating with Brands In 2011" on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at 6pm EST. #IntDesignerChat is weekly chat for Interior Designers, Interior Architects, Decorators, and anyone who is in the Home Decor and Furniture Industry. To learn more about 'how to chat' click here. See you on Twitter!

Happy 2011

2011-01-02T21:12:00.002+01:00

Happy New Year! Please let me apologize for the recent delay in posting. A few factors, including seasonal illnesses and a much need break, played a nontrivial role in my absence. Despite my nonappearance, I do sincerely thank you for your continued support. 2011 looks to be an even more exciting year than 2010, and for that I am most grateful (albeit a little tired).

It was four years ago today that I penned my very first blog post—All the Best Champagne. 875-blog posts later I am still humbled and honored by all who read All the Best. Beyond that, I am so appreciative for the attention received, the doors opened and the friends who have come into my life.

In all honestly, I could never have envisioned the path that my life would take as I typed that first post in January 2007. The one constant that remains is the delight I receive from writing each day and connecting with a community of like-minded individuals.

I know that I have been very fortunate. Thanks to All the Best, countless doors have, and continue to, open, including a new post writing for the Huffington Post, contributing to New York Social Diary and my coveted role as Brand Ambassador for SFERRA.

In just a few weeks I will be launching a new and improved version of All the Best. After four years I am so excited for you all to see the new look. I will endeavor to post three days a week, plus include my Soup on Sunday. While demands run high, All the Best is still a great joy and priority in my life.

I am a firm believer in giving credit where credit is due, and the New Year seems the perfect time for such acknowledgment. There are many people, including my husband and son, in my life who deserve much credit for keeping me balanced, grounded, inspired, motivated, encouraged and happy (and you all know who you are). Thank you.

Happy New Year! I hope 2011 brings you all the very best.

Photo: Harper's Bazaar US December 2008
Model: Angela Lindvall
Photographer: Richard Burbridge
Stylist: Brian Molloy

My Favorite Things: Shawn Henderson

2010-12-20T15:06:00.008+01:00

This past year I meet interior and furniture designer Shawn Henderson via the wonderful world of Twitter. As it turns out, we have several mutual friends and early this month they arranged a dinner for us to finally meet in person. Shawn's understanding of scale, combined with a casual air of sophistication, forms the core of his work and designs. If you are in NYC you can find Shawn’s furniture collection at ALT for LIVING.

I will have a full profile on Shawn in early 2011. He really is All the Best!

Favorite gift to give this year?
Hermes scented drawer liners

Favorite way to celebrate the holidays?
Relaxing by the fire with family & friends at our house in upstate New York

Favorite current book?
The distant hours by Kate Morton

Favorite holiday song?
Little drummer boy (sung by anyone!)

Favorite party clothes?
My standard uniform as of late: dark denim jeans, cashmere sweater and tweed jacket

Favorite cookie?
Impossible to choose, but I love peanut butter with Hershey kiss on top (right out of the oven)

Favorite place to shop?
Hudson, New York

Favorite movie to watch again and again?
At this time of year Love Actually. Pride and Prejudice year round.

Favorite holiday memory?
Going to my grandmother's house on Christmas morning with my entire extended family.

Favorite charity?
The Point Foundation

IN BED WITH Malcolm James Kutner

2010-12-20T14:42:00.003+01:00

This week you can visit the SFERRA website to learn more about Malcolm James Kutner. Learn what SFERRA linens he fantasizes having made into pajamas and his get his thoughts on setting the perfect bed.

Ike Kligerman Barkley Houses

2010-12-18T14:23:00.004+01:00

'John Ike, Thomas Kligerman, and Joel Barkley speak architectural languages of the past with a sure command of grammar and syntax and a rich vocabulary of form and detail. As designers they build upon what went before to extend the trajectory of architecture.'
—Robert A. M. Stern

If you are looking for any last minute gift ideas than look no further than Ike Kligerman Barkley Houses. One of the most diverse and beautiful tomes currently on the bookshelf, you will want a copy for yourself as well.

The firm incorporates elements from the great eras and the great practitioners of architecture, and the twenty-one houses and apartments featured in the book represent the remarkable breadth of the practice. In addition to creating stunning environments, Joel, Thomas and John are all top-notch men. A must for the library!

IN BED WITH Amanda Nisbet

2010-12-17T11:55:00.003+01:00

This week you can visit the SFERRA website to learn more about Amanda Nisbet, her preferred SFERRA linens and her thoughts on everything from bedroom 'must haves' to seasonal essentials.

A Brian Patrick Flynn Christmas

2010-12-16T13:04:00.005+01:00

Few are more clever or creative than my friend Brian Patrick Flynn—aka Décor Demon. As I have mentioned before, Brian has a high-energy style and wicked sense of humor that is second to none—qualities that always come across in his writings and photos.

So, when Brian sent me an email account of his holiday decorating, I could not resist sharing our conversation. Hopefully it will serve as inspiration should you need any at this stage in the holiday game!

Brian Wrote:
"Although I'm a quasi-professional decorator, my own home is often neglected when it comes to seasonal decor. The idea of conceptualizing something with a shelf life of 30 days seems like more work than it's worth; however, I'll get in the yuletide spirit when designing holiday looks for others---if cold, hard, Christmas cash is involved. Otherwise, prying me off the sofa from Real Housewives marathons to stick a glittery star made of Styrofoam on a plastic tree ain't gonna happen.

Or at least that's what I thought. This year, a few days after Thanksgiving, I woke up early with the urge to produce and star in my own Christmas challenge---the audience being my dogs and my significant other. Could I conceptualize, then execute an outside-the-box holiday aesthetic void of green, red, silver and yellow-gold in just a few hours, shopping only for discount sale items at mega-retailers such as Target? Um, maybe? Four hours and 12 boxes of violet accessories later, I was out the door and back again.

By 5:30pm, everything was in place. For under $225, I'd put together a violet, brown, bronze and white wonderland made up of budget-friendly items ranging from a $39 white Christmas tree to $.99 ornaments. Sure, I pulled it off but the Ebenezer Scrooge in me can't help focusing on the fact that it all has to be taken down, packed up and put away in just a few weeks. Bah Humbug."

Despite Brian's Bah Humbug approach (I lean more toward the Clark Griswold school of Christmas)...I still think he is the bee's knees.

For more photos visit HGTV.com's Design Happens and for the perfect ‘brown’ accompaniment, Brian suggests a Southern Living recipe for Hot Chocolate With Almond Liqueur.

Tartanscot Holiday Decorating Contest

2010-12-15T17:30:00.003+01:00

Time is running out for the Tartanscot Holiday Decorating Contest. Send your photos now. There are three categories that you can enter :

1) Christmas Tree
2) Dining Room
3) Fireplace Mantel

How to do it:

1) Decorate your home.
2) Take digital photos.
3) Email your images (along with your name and address) to "Tartanscotcontest@gmail.com"

Good Luck!

.

My Favorite Things: Newell Turner

2010-12-14T16:02:00.004+01:00

I have been intrigued by Newell Turner since following his personal account, documented online for House Beautiful, of building a 1,200-square-foot house in New York's Catskills Mountains from scratch. In his writings Newell always comes across as astute, yet well grounded. It only makes sense that he would land the position as the new House Beautiful Editor-in-Chief.

After having lunch with Newell last week it’s easy to see why he is so well liked and respected in the industry. He is knowledgeable, honest and charming.

Newell has been quoted as saying, “interior designers are worth every penny. In the long run, they can save you lots of money by helping to prevent mistakes. Designers are masters at conceiving spaces and arranging furniture in rooms. It sounds like a simple thing to do, but it’s not.” While many share a similar belief when it comes to the interior design industry, few could say it so clearly and succinctly.

And despite 25 years of experience in the design business, Newell is the first to tell you that he's no pro when it comes to decorating. "I'm not a designer, I'm an editor," he says, “I have to test and experiment and make mistakes just like everyone else.” Great advice to live by.

Favorite gift to give this year?
Found T-shirts printed with odd or unexpected messages and images.

Favorite way to celebrate the holidays?
With family in Mississippi.

Favorite current book?
I just read Dead End Gene Pool by Wendy Burden.

Favorite holiday song?
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas sung by Judy Garland.

Favorite party clothes?
A knit navy blazer. It works with just about everything and parties up or down.

Favorite cookie?
Peanut butter

Favorite place to shop?
Small neighborhood stores that have a strong sense of place and owners’ with an original eye.

Favorite movie to watch again and again?
The Cockettes

Favorite holiday memory?
Any Christmas Eve after mass.

Favorite charity?
The Smile Train

Profile by Ronda Carman

IN BED WITH Campion Platt

2010-12-07T19:17:00.001+01:00

This week you can visit the SFERRA website to learn more about Campion Platt, his preferred SFERRA linens and his thoughts on everything from bedroom 'must haves' to the perfect breakfast in bed.

My Favorite Things: Malcolm James Kutner

2010-12-06T16:56:00.005+01:00

Sakowitz; Houston, Texas 1976

This is the third 'My Favorite Things' series, and it's one that I look forward to posting all season long. Not only is it one of my very favorite song titles (I LOVE the John Coltrane version), but also, I love knowing what others cherish and hold dear, especially at this time of the year. This year I thought it seemed appropriate to start with one of my very favorite people.

Favorite gift to give this year?
I am currently smitten by anything from De Vera on Crosby Street right here in NYC.

Favorite way to celebrate the holidays?
All of the amazing Christmas parties in New York; a private Christian celebration; carols and eggnog around the fire with family on Christmas Eve. And then Belize for New Year’s.

Favorite current book?
Same at Christmas as any time of year: Rainer Maria Rilke's Letters to a Young Poet.

Favorite holiday song?
Carol Of The Bells by The Bird And The Bee.

Favorite party clothes?
Blackwatch trousers and a black velvet jacket.

Favorite cookie?
It has to be snickerdoodles. A dozen, all in a row.

Favorite place to shop?
Fortuny in the D&D Building in NYC. The journals and the umbrellas are my signature gifts this year.

Favorite movie to watch again and again?
It’s a toss up between The Holiday and A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Favorite holiday memory?
Spending time at The River House in Sweeny (Texas not NYC) as a kid.

Favorite charity?
The Child Mind Institute

Profile by Ronda Carman

David Patrick Columbia

2010-12-03T19:23:00.004+01:00

Yesterday I had the pleasure of having lunch at Michael’s with New York luminary David Patrick Columbia, founder of New York Social Diary. Hardly a person passed by our table without stopping to shake his hand or say hello. His chronicling of New York and society began in 1993 as a monthly society column in Quest magazine. Then in 2000 David decided to become independent and take his project online. Each day, with the help of his business partner, Jeffrey Hirsch, David documents society with his unique personal reflection.

NYSD was a huge source of inspiration to me when I started All the Best four years ago. After a long lunch, book shopping at Archivia and much talk about the online world, I realize that it was very much like meeting a long lost friend. What a thrill to read his account of our lunch this morning. Thanks David.

Photo: New York Times

IN BED WITH Darryl Carter

2010-12-01T19:36:00.004+01:00

For the past few months I have been working on a very exciting project with SFERRA called IN BED WITH...

Each week you can visit the SFERRA website to learn more about your favorite designers and their preferred SFERRA linens. They will be sharing their thoughts on everything from bedroom 'must haves' to how to set the perfect bed.

In the coming weeks and months you will hear from Barry Dixon, Hutton Wilkinson, Amanda Nisbet, Campion Platt, Malcolm James Kutner, Tammy Connor, Brad Ford, Jan Showers, Eric Cohler, Amy Lau and Robert Passal...stay tuned!

Soup on Sunday: Southwest Pumpkin Soup

2010-11-28T10:11:00.003+01:00

If you are cooked out or have a few spare cans of pumpkin, this is the soup for you. Not only is it good, but it's dead easy. Enjoy.

3 1/2 cups vegetable stock
1 cup half and half
2 15-ounce can pure pumpkin
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Garnish:
Grated sharp cheddar cheese
Chopped fresh cilantro
Avocado slices
Sour cream
Toasted pumpkin seeds

Bring vegetable stock and whipping cream to boil in heavy medium pot. Whisk in canned pumpkin, cumin, chili powder, coriander and nutmeg. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until soup thickens slightly and flavors blend, about 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish each serving with cheddar cheese, cilantro, avocado slices, sour cream, toasted pumpkin seeds and serve.

Shopping on Saturday: The Loaded Trunk

2010-11-27T17:08:00.005+01:00

I love shopping online year round, but at this time of year I appreciate it even more. Don't get my wrong, I do enjoy a bit of the holiday hustle and bustle. Yet, on a cold snowy day, few things beat curling up by the fire with a laptop and shopping for those on your list.

If you have yet to shop The Loaded Trunk, an online shop that stocks global goodies, you are in for a treat. Here are just a few of my favorite items:

Wood, Sterling and Shell Serving Spoon from Bali
Pewter Crocodile Stapler from Thailand
Bangle Bracelets
Earrings from Istanbul
Hammered Bronze Gold Leaf Bowl

Profile: Bunny Williams

2010-11-19T12:23:00.013+01:00

I almost feel as if Bunny Williams needs no introduction, nor can I properly do one justice. For more than 40 years Bunny has focused on design that embraces gracious living. She spent the first twenty-two years of her career with the iconic decorating institution Parish-Hadley, before launching her own firm in 1988.

Bunny designs rooms in which dogs are welcome on the furniture, and you long to put your feet up with a good book. Her own book, An Affair with a House, showcasing her meandering Greek revival Connecticut farmhouse, is my go to book when I am in search of inspiration. Although her new book, Bunny Williams' Scrapbook for Living, just might have me reconsidering.

I still think Stephen Drucker said it best when he wrote, “She [Bunny] is one of the great decorators in the classical tradition that goes back to the roots of the profession. She lives the life of her clients; she understands how a house runs and what makes a room work; and her rooms are not meant to be ends in themselves, but instead a comfortable, sophisticated background for a rich, full life.”

How would you describe your personal style?
My personal style is about creating a comfortable welcoming house for my family and friends. And of course our dogs. My tastes are totally eclectic and I love mixing old and new pieces, and pieces with different silhouettes and pedigrees. I am passionate about architecture and getting the bones of a space correct.

Scale is also something I think most people have trouble understanding. It is vital to get the scale and proportions right when creating a room and selecting the furnishings. I learned so much from both Sister Parish and Albert Hadley whom I worked for before I started my own business. My style is definitely a combination of their fabulous eyes for design plus so many influences from my travels and passion for the decorative arts.

What is your most prized possession?
A pair of paintings of our dogs Lucy and Elizabeth by Henry Koehler that hang on the wall in our house in Connecticut.

What is your idea of earthly happiness?
Everyone has a home to call their own.

What is your favorite luxury in life?
Fabulous sheets.

What is the one thing in life you cannot live without?
A garden.

What inspires your creativity and designs?
Travel, books, and museums.

Who are your style icons?
Pauline de Rothschild, Syrie Maugham, and Frances Elkins

Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
I would love to work on a garden project with the superb Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf.

What books are currently on your bedside table?
Memoirs of the Duchess of Devonshire, and Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Past or present who has most influenced your direction in life?
My Mother and Sister Parish.

Photo of Bunny by Miguel Flores-Vianna

Thank You New York Social Diary

2010-11-18T11:28:00.008+01:00

A huge thank you to David Patrick Columbia for recently asking me to become a contributor to New York Social Diary. I have been reading the online version of NYSD since it launched in September of 2000. David's quest for the best and tireless focus on interesting people was one of the inspirations in founding All the Best four years ago. As you can imagine, it is quite an honor to now write for someone I have long admired.

You can read a more detailed account of my visit to La Castellane and Picnics in Provence on today's NYSD. Now I have to start dreaming of the next place to visit...

Green Interior Design by Lori Dennis

2010-11-16T20:53:00.004+01:00

I am so excited about the lovely Lori Dennis' new book Green Interior Design. Lori's desire to be part of the solution to waste and pollution in the interior design and construction fields led her to write a wonderful "manual" for anyone wishing to create green interiors.

Every aspect of residential interior design–furniture and accessories, window treatments, fabrics, surface materials, appliances and plumbing fixtures, plants, and more–is discussed from a green perspective in terms of both avoiding pollution and protecting the occupants’ health.

I just adore Lori and her commitment to the environment. I am also very honored that my thoughts on Lori and her brilliant book are included on the back cover. Thank you Lori!

Daniel de la Falaise's Autumn Cauliflower Parsley Soup

2010-11-14T10:19:00.006+01:00

Lucky me, lucky you. My wildly talented friend Daniel de la Falaise has promised to “bombard” me with soups recipes. You might remember his recipe for Carrot Tarragon Soup that I posted in September—so delicious.

What I love about Daniel is that he not only has a zeal for cooking, but also insists on doing it well and getting it right, while keeping it simple. You can get a sense for his passion when you read through his recipes. Even if you don’t cook, it’s easy to appreciate his dedication to freshness and seasonally appropriate creations. Always the best.

homemade chicken broth
a young leek (whites for the soup and leaves to infuse broth)
a generous bunch young autumn parsley ( first cut of parsley planted in August/ September)
a fleshy chili, for flavor not taste
a generous head of bay in bud
a young cauliflower

To create a light broth for the base of soup use outer leaves of the leek, stalks of parsley, bay and a hint of chilli. Bring to a simmer, cover. Allow broth to stand off the heat to infuse. Whilst the stock rests off the heat, the fresh herbs will gently continue to cook in the carefully accumulated temperature. Keep covered with a lid.

Mandolin the cauliflower, aspiring to paper thin proportions, and finely chop the leek. Heat olive in a pan and add bay, parsley stalks and chili to infuse the oil. Add a knob of butter to carry the flavor of the herbs and infuse the cooking fat some more.

Remove the herbs squeezing them for all they yield. Add cauliflower and toast it in the herb infused cooking fat. Add the leek. Toast some more; taste and season

Once translucent de-glaze the whole with a little broth so as to make an emulsion between the cooking fat and the essence extracted from the vegetables and the broth.

Add the remaining broth (less for a thicker soup and visa versa) and bring to a simmer. Add fresh bay, parsley and cover. Stand the pan off the heat to rest. It will infuse in its accumulated temperature.

Resist the urge to meddle for a good twenty minutes. As the soup is off the heat nothing bad can happen. It is merely a question of embracing a sensory awareness of the quality of flavour one aspires to. Once achieved remove the herbs squeezing them for all they yield.

Spoon the vegetables into a liquidiser then pour in the broth. Liquidize. Add an abundance of parsley leaf and olive oil for texture. Return the finished soup to the heat and gently bring up the temperature. Never boil or chlorophyl will oxidise—greens turn grey and delicate flavours turn to bitter tastes.

Serve immediately in hot soup plates. Garnish with a young sprig or two of parsley and a slug of good olive oil.

A Day with Nicky Haslam

2010-11-10T20:13:00.017+01:00

Portrait by Vanessa Garwood

Today I had the great pleasure of spending an afternoon with none other than Nicky Haslam and his amazing creative director Colette van den Thillart. How lucky can a girl get?

Nicky's legacy, talent and influence as one of Britain’s ultimate interior designers is undeniable. Not to mention, in his spare time, he is an actor, artist, cabaret singer, book reviewer, art editor, memoirist, literary editor and he features on both Vanity Fair and GQ’s best-dressed lists!

But the best thing about Nicky is, well, him...he is a genuinely nice person and fun conversationalist. All in all it was a near perfect day. Thank you Nicky. Below are a few photos that I snapped in his office. Full profile to come.

And a very special thank you to my friend Susan Moolman for making the introduction!

I love Colette's chosen "Design Family"

Off to London

2010-11-09T08:51:00.004+01:00

I will be in London for the next two days. I hope to have a few photos to share later this week. I am bursting to tell you about my lunch date for tomorrow...but I don't want to jinx it. I'll keep you posted.

Also, THANK YOU for sharing all of the soup recipes. I can't wait to make my way through the links.
Best,
Ronda

What is YOUR Favorite Soup?

2010-11-07T13:57:00.008+01:00

I am under so many deadlines at the moments that I don't even have time to make soup today. That said, I would love to hear from all of you. Tell me your favorite kind of soup or leave a link in the comment section to your favorite recipe. I am always on the lookout for a good soup.
All the best,
Ronda

Save the Date: Design Bloggers Conference

2010-11-06T11:02:00.005+01:00

click image to enlarge

Join interior design bloggers, new media innovators, and interior design industry leaders for the inaugural Design Bloggers Conference in LA - February 28 - March 2, 2011.

This premier two-day conference for new media and the interior design industry offers a unique opportunity to learn about and discuss the intersection of interior design with the world of new media including blogging, social media, and more.

I will be speaking along with Jan Showers, Barclay Butera, Tobi Fairley, Grace Bonney, Tracy Porter, Cassandra LaValle, Paloma Contreras, Stacy Kunstel, Anne Sage and Clinton Smith.

Register now and qualify for the Early Registration fee of $395. After January 16, 2011 the registration fee will increase to $495.

Ralph Lauren + SFERRA

2010-11-05T11:58:00.010+01:00

Ralph Lauren Home announced last night that it has signed on with luxury linen company SFERRA. This new licensing agreement with SFERRA will take Ralph Lauren into the hotel, resort and spa market. The Ralph Lauren line will also be available to the company's own home stores, specialty store and high-end department stores.

SFERRA, a 120-year-old company, has expanded under president and principle Paul Hooker. "The opportunity to work with such a world renowned leader of fashion and exceptional taste is a natural for SFERRA," said Hooker in announcing the deal. 

"We are thrilled to partner with SFERRA," said Frank Guzzetta, president of Ralph Lauren Home, "a world class company that has a genuine understanding of our brand and the luxury market."  - Text from Home Textiles Today.

As the Brand Ambassador for SFERRA I could not be more delighted to see two fabulous companies coming together!

Image Ralph Lauren Home

Debra Shriver: Stealing Magnolias

2010-11-01T14:20:00.013+01:00

I love that I just never know who is reading my blog or from where the next email might arrive. Certainly it keeps me on my toes. Most recently I received a lovely email from Sue-Jean Chun telling me of her dear friend Debra Shriver’s new book Stealing Magnolias: Tales from a New Orleans Courtyard.

As one who loves the city of New Orleans, I could not wait to get my hands on a copy after seeing the images. As luck would have it, I was traveling to NYC where Debra is based and had a chance to see it in person.

In addition to authoring Stealing Magnolias, Debra is Vice President and Chief Communications Officer for Hearst. I had the privilege of spending a wonderful morning with Deb in her stunning office at the Hearst Tower earlier in October.

Stealing Magnolias is a beautifully written, and illustrated, love letter to New Orleans, her newly adopted city. Immediately after Hurricane Katrina Deb bought a town house in the French Quarter and began renovating and restoring the house to its original state. During the process she became friends with many of the artisans, decorators and designers in the city.

Through Deb’s eyes readers are given a rare tour of this enigmatic city. The book is a cultural guidebook and historical reference of America's most European city, featuring the work of more than 20 photographers and artists. Chapters highlight food and entertaining, decorating, gardens, landscapes, local traditions, interiors, and architecture. Another one for the bookshelf!

Soup on Sunday: Venetian Crab Soup

2010-10-31T09:22:00.006+01:00

Booooo! My newly acquired Venetian mask.

I just returned from a fabulous 4 days in Venice with SFERRA (more to come in a few days). Last night we hosted a Halloween cocktail party and our quests wore masks that I brought home for the occasion. While in Venezia I had an amazing, very complex, sophisticated crab soup that I am trying to recreate. This recipe from Epicurious just might be the ticket.

The truth be told, I should be posting Halloween cocktails today. My husband came up with a few winners for the occasion, including: an Ichabod, a Pumpkin French Martini, a Ghoultini and a Black Widow. They were the hit of the party.

Venetian Crab Soup:

2 tablespoons canola oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
1 small fennel bulb, trimmed and chopped
Shrimp shells from 2 pounds shrimp (reserve shrimp for another use)
1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes in juice
1 (1/2-inch) piece ginger, peeled and chopped
1 large pinch saffron threads, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 California bay leaf or 1 Turkish
2 quart vegetable stock
1 (8-ounce) Yukon Gold potato
1 small celery root (celeriac)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 pound jumbo lump crabmeat

Heat oil in a wide 6-quart heavy pot over medium heat until it shimmers. Cook onion, celery, and fennel, stirring occasionally, until golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Add shrimp shells and cook, stirring occasionally, until shells turn pink. Stir in tomatoes with their juice. Simmer, breaking up tomatoes slightly with a wooden spoon, 3 minutes, then add ginger, saffron, curry powder, and bay leaf and simmer 5 minutes. Add vegetable stock and boil uncovered 5 minutes.

Reduce heat and simmer uncovered 45 minutes. Discard bay leaf, then purée soup (including shrimp shells) in batches in a blender until finely ground, about 2 minutes per batch (use caution when blending hot liquids). Strain soup through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean pot, discarding solids.

Peel and dice potato. Peel and dice enough celery root to measure 1/2 cup. Add potato and celery root to soup and gently simmer uncovered until tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in butter and crabmeat. Season with salt and pepper.

Serves 8 as a first course.

Thank You Timothy Paul

2010-10-25T10:24:00.009+02:00

A HUGE thank you to Mia and Timothy Worrell for hosting our most recent SFERRA Lose Count party. Their Washington, D.C., shop has a growing legion of fans, and for good reason—they both have an eye for the best. Timothy specializes in carpets, while Mia focuses her efforts on textiles, exclusive lighting and furnishings from the United States, Canada, and France. Their store really is the perfect backdrop for a party and SFERRA linens.

I also want to thank everyone who attended (despite a rainy start to the day) and my friend Malcolm for taking the train down from NYC at the last minute. It was especially fun to meet fellow bloggers and Terri Sapienza of the Washington Post.

We will be hosting additional parties in San Francisco and New Orleans in the spring. To learn more about Lose Count and great bedding tips click here.

Mia and Timothy Worrell, owners of Timothy Paul

Paul Hooker, SFERRA President; Ronda Carman; Aaron Stewart, Creative Director

Malcolm James Kutner and Aaron Stewart

Timothy Worrell, Meaghan Burdick, Marika Meyer

Paul Sherril and Jana Abel

Michele Ginnerty, Nester Santacruz, Barbara Franceski

Mary Early, Kathy Campanella, Amy Zantzinger

Ankie Barnes, Barry Dixon, Aaron Stewart

Joseph Ireland, Barbara Franceski and Malcolm James Kutner

Lindsey Nye and Katherine Boyle

Raji Radhakrishnan, Barry Dixon, Ronda Carman, Murali Narasimhan

Darrel Rippeteau, Kerry Putnam, Maegan Sweeney

Jeremiah Stapleton and Veronica Revilla

Soup on Sunday: Fisherman's Stew

2010-10-24T17:52:00.007+02:00

3 tablespoons olive oil 
1 medium onion, finely chopped 
1/2 cup chopped celery 
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped 
1 pound plum tomatoes, peeled, chopped 
1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley 
Sprig of fresh rosemary
1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
3/4 cup dry white wine 
8 cups fish stock
18 small hard-shelled clams (or mussels)
1 pound sea bass fillet, cut into 2-inch pieces 
1 pound uncooked large shrimp, peeled, deveined 
8 ounces uncooked bay scallops 
Italian bread
Sea salt 
Extra-virgin olive oil  
Additional flat leaf parsley for garnish

Heat 3 tablespoons oil in large pot over medium heat. Add onion, celery and garlic. Sauté 10 minutes. Stir in next 4 ingredients. Sauté 2 minutes. Add wine; cook until liquid evaporates. Add 6 cups stock. Bring to a low boil. Reduce heat; simmer 20 minutes.

Add clams or mussels and then the remaining seafood to the soup base. Cover and cook just until seafood is opaque in center and clams open about 5 minutes. Remove any clams or mussels that have not opened.

Place thickly toasted slices of Italian bread in bottom of bowl and ladle stew over bread. Sprinkle with additional parsley and sea salt. Drizzle soup with olive oil.

Serves 4

Profile: Scot Meacham Wood

2010-10-21T17:48:00.021+02:00

In all honesty I cannot remember exactly how or when I met San Francisco based interior designer Scot Meacham Wood. I vaguely remember a few blog comments from ‘Tartan Scot’ and I do remember being smitten with his design aesthetic, but I can’t recall our first conversation or email exchange.

Fast forward two years and I cannot imagine life without his friendly emails. In some ways we have become modern day pen pals. Because of the 8-hour time difference I will email Scot right when I am waking up and he is just climbing into bed for the night. Or I will get a quick email as I am falling asleep, “Honey I just had to show you my newly upholstered sofa!”

A love of Scotland, a southern upbringing and good design were (and are) the crux of our friendship. Fortunately, we have had several opportunities to spend time together over the past year. Always the gentleman, Scot is the perfect west coast "date" when my husband is unable to travel with me. We always have fun when we are together. But our ultimate outing has to be lunch at Hutton Wilkinson’s Dawridge. That day will remain a favorite.

After studying business and design, Scot spent 13 years working with Ralph Lauren in the "Creative Services" department in the San Francisco store, a place he fully credits for helping him to shape his eye and style. And while that my be true, I personally love his design philosophy, should he have to reduce it to one Tweet: “Create gracious spaces that work for the people who live there. Be vigilant about flow, creative with textiles, and abundant with style.” (Just 135 characters!)

How would you describe your personal style?
Looking through my work - there's a strong sense of European style, but I can clearly see the impact of my Southern upbringing as well. There would have to be a collection of beautiful textiles. A well crafted use of the space. And a few moments of flair. A combination of the gracious ‘expected’ with some whimsical ‘surprise.’ As far as my own home, I tend to experiment a great deal in the space. So the design of my house tends to be more fluid than I would EVER expect a client’s home to be.

What is your most prized possession?
My friends. Don't get me wrong, in case of a fire - I know exactly which piece of artwork I'm going to grab off the wall ( a self portrait by photographer and sweet friend, Patrick V Brown) on my way out the door . . . lol. But, I’ve been very lucky to have met the most amazing circle of people here in San Francisco. I can’t imagine my life without them.

What is your idea of earthly happiness?
Not wearing my watch. Despite the slightly over-scheduled way that I tend to live my life a great deal of the time, I treasure those magical weekends when I see that there’s NOTHING on my calendar. Being able to be spontaneous and truly live in the moment - either with a pile of friends - or quietly reading or puttering around the house. I guess the short answer might be ‘time.’

What is the one thing in life you cannot live without?
Oh, that’s easy. Music. I’ve been a musician most all of my life. And started college on a “piano performance” scholarship. Since then, I’ve been singing with the San Francisco Concert Chorale, a small mixed chamber choir, for about 12 years. There’s something sublimely magical about being on stage with a group of talented people - and knowing that what you’re creating is ‘larger than the sum of its individual parts.‘ Much like great design work - there’s an alchemy that happens when all the specific elements combine perfectly.

What inspires your creativity and designs?
It would have to be the people that I have had the great pleasure of working with. I always love that first meeting with new clients. Talking about their dreams for the homes. Before we get into the nitty gritty of budgets and time schedules, I often ask new clients to describe a day at home - but, in the new space that we’re just beginning to design. I remember a wonderful gentleman who spoke about how he loved the ‘ceremony’ of closing his heavy mohair drapes every night before bed . . . that says SO much to me about the space in which he wants to live. A lush, bespoke home. Maybe more formal. But, for someone who truly enjoys living in their space, and has a great eye for detail.

What books are currently on your bedside table?
The honest answer is my laptop. That covers many of the magazines I read, the New York Times, a collection of blogs, and whatever the internet brings me . . . lol. But, I just started reading Josh Kilmer-Purcell's "The Bucolic Plague."

What is your favorite luxury in life?
Well, we’ve already talked about my friends and my music - but, for luxury, there in nothing like freshly ironed Irish linen sheets.

Who are your style icons?
There's such a wide variety - the brilliant Michael Smith, exuberant Miles Redd, gracious and witty Charlotte Moss, and of course, I have to recognize the supremely talented Ralph Lauren. I worked for Ralph Lauren here on the west coast for almost 13 years. The man is brilliant. And his ability to create a fully-realized dream out of something a simple as a dessert plate is amazing.

Past or present who has most influenced your direction in life?
As I mentioned, I think the opportunity to spend so much of my early work experience with Ralph Lauren was, and still remains, a huge influence on my life. There was always such amazing creativity - it was like spending an 8 to 10 hour day in “business school” - lol. A perfect place to experiment with style . . . to learn about advertising . . . about customer service . . . to see the impact of long-term client relationships . . .

Profile by Ronda Carman

Fox News Names ATB Top 10 Design Blog 2010

2010-10-20T18:27:00.004+02:00

A HUGE thank you to Fox News iMagazine for naming All the Best one of the Top 10 Design Blogs for 2010. What a wonderful surprise and honor...I am in good company.
Thank you,
Ronda

Profile: Brian Patrick Flynn

2010-10-18T22:41:00.013+02:00

When I first meet Brian Patrick Flynn I had yet to become acquainted with his brilliant blog Décor Demon. This past spring Brian and I ended up on a fun and lively Editor at Large panel at WestWeek in LA discussing social media and the design community. Completely by chance, it turned out the next day that we were sitting across from each other on the same flight to Atlanta.

Without question, Brian’s vivacious personality is both genuine and contagious and these traits come across loud and clear on his blog. Given the one–dimensionality of blogs, you lose the benefit of facial expressions, gestures and tone of voice, making sequent dialog toilsome. It is sometimes difficult to really get a feel for the writer's personality.

This, however, is NOT the case with Brian. His high-energy style is just as authentic and infectious on the computer screen as it is in person. His writing and photos aptly express his wicked sense of humor and charismatic charm.

The television producer turned self-taught decorator/designer is a master at creating edgy-meets-elegant spaces. His production credits range from news programs with an NBC affiliate in South Florida to design and reality shows on Discovery Channel, HGTV, TBS and Fox.

In addition to being the set decorator and on-air design talent for the TBS series, Movie and a Makeover, Brian is also an associate producer of the show. Most recently he added the role of writer for hgtv.com to his exciting and growing vita.

Perhaps Brian's self-professed approach to life and design is what most resonates with me, “Easily amused. Not so easily impressed.” I sometime feel the same way, however, when it comes to Brian’s work and ethos, it's easy to be impressed.

How would you describe your personal style?
My design and decorating style is cinematic, happy and youthful. It’s dramatic but at the same time doesn’t take itself too seriously. For example, I’d highly enjoy a 6 foot wide painting of Mr. Potato Head hung on a wall of black Imperial Trellis wallpaper in a dining room with Hermes china. My own uber-modern charcoal mid-century kitchen is soon to be illuminated by a massive violet Venetian glass chandelier. You get the point.

What inspires your creativity and designs?
Stanley Kubrick films and vintage family photos from the 1950‘s and 1960‘s. The production design behind every Kubrick film was a master class in reinvention, pattern, lighting and scale. When I flip through old mid-century family photos, I always find elements of sophisticated fun: the satin brass finish from my grandfather’s 1950’s poolside loungers, the nubby textures of my grandmother’s mod dresses, the elongated boomerang shape at the end of my aunt and uncle’s shuffleboard sticks. Wow, I just said shuffleboard and Stanley Kubrick in the same paragraph--that’s a first.

What is your most prized possession?
I hold a hot pink, black and white pop art painting of Natalie Portman by artist Ronnie Bautista high on my list of most prized possessions. For some reason, whatever room I hang it in ends up being the room in which I’m the most social. This is rather bizarre since the painting depicts her as the sociopathic stripper from the movie, Closer.

Who are your style icons?
I like to refer to my style icons, living and non-living, as designer crushes because I’m forever giddy over their work. Sara Ruffin Costello is probably my idol; she’s a walking encyclopedia of style and has an amazing sense of humor. David Hicks influenced my obsessive pairing of red with brown and newfound love for skirted tables. Amy Lau continues to blow my mind; I love the mid-century influence behind every single thing she does. Her Dexter dining room for the Metropolitan Home Showtime showhouse still has me salivating Pavlovianly.

Michael Habachy’s sexy modernization of the dramatic often leaves my jaw on the floor. Every time I look at a Brad Ford designed space, I’m in awe of his mastery with editing. I love Kelly Wearstler for re-inventing the way my entire generation perceives interior design. And lastly, Betsy Burnham. Everything about her epitomizes great style and personality: from her layering of prints, plethora of textures and finishes, ability to use bold color in an understated manner, to her quirky use of the Union Jack.

Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
Phoebe Howard. She’s the master of serene, traditional elegance; I paint walls kelly green, upholster stuff with Astroturf and hang billboard-sized black and white photos in living rooms. Imagine THAT combination of styles.

What books are currently on your bedside table?
Barry Dixon Interiors, The Selby is in Your Place, The Poky Little Puppy, Kelly Wearstler Hue, Furniture & Interiors of the 1970’s and Domino: The Book of Decorating.

What is your favorite luxury in life?
Days with absolutely NO agendas.

What is your idea of earthly happiness?
Charcoal Belgian linen. Just kidding. Depositing paychecks for something I love doing so much, it truly doesn’t feel like work. Then using those paychecks to purchase charcoal Belgian linen.

Past or present who has most influenced your direction in life?
Up until age six, it was Mr. Rogers. From six to nine, it was Pac-Man. Sometime after that, Thomas O’Brien entered the picture but now, at 34, it’s become my mom and dad. Four well-raised kids, 40 years of marriage and a well-decorated house suddenly seem more exemplary than joysticks, button-up sweaters and chasing pink ghosts around a maze, then eating them.

Profile by Ronda Carman

A Visit to DC and Elway Hall

2010-10-16T15:40:00.027+02:00

The past few days have been a wonderful whirlwind! I flew to DC earlier this week to host a SFERRA party with Timothy and Mia Worrell at their beautiful bedding store Timothy Paul (photos to come). I was kindly invited by Mary Douglas Drysdale to stay at her home during my visit. It was such a treat to be a guest at the home of a designer whose work I have admired for more than 20 years.

Following the SFERRA party, Paul Hooker (President of SFERRA), Aaron Stewart (Creative Director), Malcolm James Kutner, (interior designer and my travel partner in crime) and I followed Barry Dixon to his home, Elway Hall, in Fauquier County for a late night supper and overnight stay.

Hands down Barry Dixon and his partner Michael Schmidt are two of the most gracious hosts that I have ever encountered. The 20,000-square-foot Elway Hall, which Dixon bought with his partner Michael in 1991, is a sprawl of rooms, libraries and bedrooms. There are no less than 17 fireplaces and 10 bedrooms . However, despite the size, Michael and Barry have created a a warm and welcoming family home.

The house was built in 1907 by West Virginia senator Johnson Newlon Camden, who partnered with John D. Rockefeller to start Standard Oil. The house was built for his only daughter, Annie Thompson Camden, and her husband, Gen. Baldwin Day Spilman.

In addition to being guardians of a magical historic home, Barry and Michael raise chickens, goats, llamas and a turkey. Before departing yesterday morning we went on an ATV ride to explore their 400 hundred acres of rolling hills. I will take interior photos on the next visit. In the meantime you can visit Barbara Sallick's beautiful blog for more photos.

Matthew Williamson Book

2010-10-12T02:15:00.004+02:00

“When I step into one of Matthew’s dresses I feel like I am stepping into his world, which is colourful, ethereal and dreamlike.”– Sienna Miller

Born in Manchester England, Williamson describes his hometown as “A grey city in a grey country.” His stark childhood surroundings are what instilled in him a strong craving and appreciation for vibrant colours and free-flowing fabrics.

From his outrageously decorated teenage bedroom, to an innovative and international multi-million dollar empire, Matthew Williamson by Colin McDowell offers a unique insight into the life of one of the most original and exciting designers working today.

Each chapter opens with a note from industry style setters and key players. Matthew Williamson is a must-have for fashion forward women everywhere and anyone interested in fashion design and contemporary fashion culture.

Stay tuned—I will be following up with a profile on Matthew Williamson very soon.

Technical Difficulties

2010-10-09T20:03:00.002+02:00

I am so sorry for the long delay. I have been traveling for two weeks and my MacBook Air died. I was told it would take 10 days to repair. Not good news when you are away from home and on the go. Luckily my sweet friend Christina loaned me her spare laptop to use while I am in the States.

I am heading to Chicago today and will post again tomorrow. I have so many things to share with all of you. Thank you for your patience.

Best,
Ronda

Contest: Ready Aim Redesign

2010-10-01T16:56:00.011+02:00

I am excited and honored to announce a wonderful, charitable contest. Believing that everyone deserves a beautiful home, Lisa Robison and Kim Turner of the Dallas based non-profit, Dwell with Dignity, are launching Ready Aim Redesign. Dwell with Dignity is a non-profit group of Interior Designers and volunteers dedicated to creating nurturing home environments for families struggling with homelessness and poverty.

Ready Aim Redesign is a before-and-after furniture redesign contest (not a room redesign contest). The idea is to refashion a piece of furniture, turning it into something wonderful.

The contest is open to all and it starts today. Here's how it works:
Go to the registration page, add the $25 entry fee to your cart, check out, and complete your transaction. Once payment is received, you'll be given instructions and a link to upload photos of your before-and-after furniture redesign.

Entries will then be submitted to six judges, who will select the top ten finalists. The finalists will appear on the Ready Aim Redesign website where voting is open to the public.

Not only will your entry fee support a wonderful cause, you will also have a chance to win some wonderful prizes.

I'm privileged to be participating as a judge, alongside: Jonathan Adler, Grace Bonney, Crystal Gentilello, Samantha Reitmayer Sano, and Rebecca Sherman.

I can't wait to see what you creative people submit. Being a judge, I can't allow my talented husband to enter the contest. So I am posting one of his projects as inspiration. A $15 dresser became a sink and bathroom vanity.

Thank you Kravet

2010-09-29T03:46:00.004+02:00

Thank you for including me in the most recent issue of inspired.news. You can read the entire piece here on page five.

Mary McDonald: The Allure of Style

2010-09-28T12:57:00.005+02:00

Like so many I have been counting the days until the release of Mary McDonald’s first book The Allure of Style. Now the wait is over! Mary’s exquisitely photographed book includes her own refurbishment of Buster Keaton’s legendary villa, as well as an extraordinary range of client projects.

Mary’s flair for combining old-fashioned elegance with bold patterns, chinoiserie and contemporary style is second to none. Vibrant color and whimsical designs, married with an impeccable sense of style is evident on every page. This book is a must for any design library.

A very special thank you to Mary for including me in the acknowledgments. Unnecessary, but very much appreciated. Mary you are the best.

Photo 1: Simon Upton
Photos 2, 3, 4: Miguel Flores-Vianna
Photo 5: Victoria Pearson

Profile: Kevin Isbell

2010-09-24T11:31:00.006+02:00

As a general rule, I like to write profiles on people who I have met or have had a chance to speak with a great length. I feel as though I can write a much stronger and personal profile if we’ve had a chance to sit down together and exchange ideas and stories. That said, when my friend Elizabeth Blitzer introduced me to the work of Kevin Isbell I knew that I had to learn more about him and his work.

Kevin founded his New York based design firm in 2009. And while his firm may be young, he is no stranger to the world of interior design. A native of Ohio, Kevin earned degrees in both Business Management and Art History at Ohio State University before moving to San Francisco to pursue his life long passion for design. After graduating from the Academy of Art with a degree in Interior Architecture and Design, he began working for the renowned California designer Orlando Diaz-Azcuy.

After relocating to New York City in 2001 he became the Senior Designer for Celeste Copper, working on projects from Pied-a-Terre apartments to Palm Beach estates, as well as a coveted room in the Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse in 2002.

In early 2005 he joined Bilhuber & Associates as Design Director. In the four years he worked with Bilhuber Kevin managed numerous projects in the Hamptons, Nantucket and the Caribbean.

What I admire most is his highly curated and edited style. The interiors come across as fun, not fussy. I also like the way he weaves unique objects into his rooms, never giving in to over-decoration.

I will be in NYC the week of October 4 and will finally have a chance to meet Kevin in person. I look forward to learning more about his passion for creating artful and interesting living spaces.

How would you describe your personal style?
Collected and unexpected. I like to mix high and low. A great pair of shoes, with Levis. I find it much more interesting to find stylish pieces at every price point. I approach my design in the same manner.

What is your most prized possession?
Although not exactly a possession, I would have to say my Basenji’s, Simon and Rita. I wish everyone in my life were as excited to see me walk through the door.

What is your idea of earthly happiness?
Being surrounded by people and things that I love. My New York City apartment is full of things that I love or represent someone special. From a clock given to me by my father, or a shell I picked up on the beach, it all comes together to tell my story.

What is the one thing in life you cannot live without?
My integrity

What inspires your creativity and designs?
My design is a highly personalized process which I view as storytelling. I try to inject the client’s personality into the space to tell the story that is their life. For example, I have a client who is smitten with Napoleon. For her dressing room, I have lined all the drawers and closet interiors in a Napoleonic bee patterned wallpaper. It’s a special touch that only she experiences.

Who are your style icons?
Axel Vervordt, Yves St Laurent, Jacques Grange, Billy Baldwin, Albert Hadley.

Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
I would love to collaborate with the sculptor Richard Serra. His pieces have a quiet, subtle strength in their simplicity.

What books are currently on your bedside table?
A first edition copy of the 70’s monograph of Syrie Maughman which I just scored on eBay for next to nothing, Leo and His Circle, the autobiography of gallerist Leo Castelli, and the ubiquitous stack of shelter magazines, naturally

What is your favorite luxury in life?
Freshly ironed sheets.

Past or present who has most influenced your direction in life?
In every major life changing moment there has been someone who helped influence and guide me through that change. I believe that people are brought into our lives at certain times to teach us a lesson. Currently, that would be my partner, Patrick.

Profile by Ronda Carman

Final Thoughts on La Castellane

2010-09-21T20:14:00.041+02:00

Shortly after I met Kathryn Ireland, she said to me in her wonderful British accent, “Darling! You must come to La Castellane! It’s heaven!” She did not need to convince me, the one who suffers wanderlust, to make the visit. Who in their right mind passes up the opportunity to visit heaven on earth? Little did I know that the trip would be so entrancing.

La Castellane has long been available to friends and family, but most recently Kathryn partnered with fellow Francophile Nikki Maxwell, Proprietor of Picnics in Provence. As the name suggests, Provence has been the main focus of Nikki's exclusive guided tours and gastronomic explorations. That was until she met Kathryn and traveled to the Tarn et Garonne region of France.

Convinced that Kathryn’s lovingly restored home was the perfect backdrop for an eight-day getaway, an itinerary was planned. Why limit picnics to only one beautiful region of the country?

Thanks to Nikki's passion and enthusiasm, every day we were offered a unique chance to explore the countryside. No two days were the same. Picnics, yes. Pampering, absolutely. Each morning I awoke to the sounds of crowing roosters (no alarm clock), streams of sunlight, a glorious breakfast and friendly faces. And at the end of the day my bed was turned down with little gifts.

True to Nikki's motto "Unspoilt France off the Beaten Track", staying at Kathryn’s and traveling with Nikki provided a rare opportunity to relax, recharge and drink lots of local wine. Thank you Kathryn and Nikki. It was a wonderful week.

If you wish to experience heaven for yourself, circle these dates:
11th to 18th May
7th to 14th June
17th to 24th June
20th to 27th July
1st to 8th September

A lake side picnic at the home of chef Daniel de la Falaise was just one highlight of the trip. Sitting by the lake I felt as if I were a million miles from nowhere.

Happy chef. Happy guest. The seafood extravaganza was one of my favorite meals. Pure pleasure.

Working lunch

Sadly, I don't think they were sold as pets.

The most beautiful onions ever. I love the shades of purple.

Best not to worry about a low carb diet.

A few of these made their way back to the house. We roasted them whole.

Fruit was literally falling from the trees. So simple and so pretty.

Robert and Bernard Plageoles are perhaps the most renowned producers in Gaillac. The family is committed to using Gaillac's obscure varietals and producing high quality organic wines.

Not only is Gaillac an historic wine region, it is regarded as one of the oldest wine producing areas in France.

Darwin the vineyard dog. He followed us everywhere. We were told that he loves to lick wine from the taps. Sounds like a good life.

A snapshot of daily life

Beautiful flowers at market

A happy and eager little dog.

Who doesn't love an outdoor bed in warm weather?

I adore the way Kathryn's pillows just pop.

Lunch at Le Clos Sainte Cécile in Albi.

The poire William made by Laurent Cazottes is quite extraordinary in its taste and purity. One of the best in France.

Beautiful blues and greens of Kathryn's home.

Nothing beats an afternoon swim and a good book.

Another glorious day comes to an end. I will be counting the days until I return.

Daniel de la Falaise's Carrot Tarragon Soup

2010-09-17T16:10:00.011+02:00

The renowned German writer and polymath Goethe once wrote that a really great talent finds happiness in the execution. A truism chef Daniel de la Falaise proved time and time again during my stay in France.

If you are a regular reader, you know all too well that I love to cook and that I adore good food. So, as you can imagine, I was thrilled to spend a few days watching Daniel in the kitchen. Of course, the highlight for me was a guided tour of a local market and private hands-on cooking class (we made soup no less).

Much like his beloved grandmother, cookbook author Maxime de la Falaise, Daniel is a passionate cook. He is also a food purest. Everything he prepares is fresh, locally sourced and without extraneous or unnecessary elements.

I will readily admit that I was skeptical when he prepared chicken broth using only chicken and mineral water! I will also concede that the flavor was amazing and well beyond what I could have imagined - proving my point that talent, much like beauty, must eschew ostentatiousness if it is to be fully developed.

So why was the broth so flavorful? The most obvious reason is the better the chicken, the better the broth. I also learned that you should remove all skin to achieve a rich essence. Another important step is to cover the chicken in mineral water, not tap. Mineral water imparts a clean, pure flavor. But most importantly, broths are to be simmered gently, with bubbles just breaking the surface. NEVER boil.

While the soup itself is relatively simple, it’s Daniel’s philosophy and prose that make the recipe:

Ingredients:
a bunch of carrots
a leek
chicken broth
olive oil
butter
tarragon
fleur de sel

Philosophy:
The idea is to source the freshest of raw ingredients and celebrate the magic of their subtle flavors. Most vegetables have a mistress in the herb garden. In the case of carrots I suggest tarragon.

The most delicious apple one is ever likely to eat will be the one plucked from a branch in an orchard and bitten instantly. Immediacy is paramount to texture and flavor. The vitality of the green tops of a bunch of carrots will give you a pretty clear idea as to how long they have been out of the ground. Hydrating vegetables in iced water for 20 minutes before peeling them will significantly improve vitality and texture.

The key to soup is organizing your ingredients in such a way that requires minimum cooking time. With this recipe, firstly mandolin your ingredients so they are paper-thin. Then in a generous pan toast them in herb infused fat. Once translucent de-glaze the pan with broth and bring the whole to a simmer.

All that remains to do is cover and stand the pan off the heat to rest. The herbs will gently infuse. Your soup will cook in its accumulated temperature as it rests. Chlorophyll is very fragile and will oxidize at a certain temperature, whereupon greens turn grays and flavors to bitter to tastes.

I aspire to flavors that stimulate, and to tastes that are subtle and clean.

Directions:
Finely chop a leek. Mandolin and finely chop a bunch of carrots. Heat pan and add olive oil and a knob of butter. Add a generous branch of tarragon to infuse the oil butter mixture. Add the leek and carrots. Gently toast until translucent then remove the tarragon. Taste and season.

De-glaze with a little of the chicken broth working the fat and broth into an emulsion. Add the remaining broth to cover the carrot and leek mixture (less broth for a thicker soup and visa-versa).

Taste and season. Bring the soup up to a rolling simmer and add a generous branch of tarragon. Cover with a lid and turn off the flame. Let it stand covered to rest, allowing it to gently cook and infuse in the accumulated temperature. Resist the temptation of lifting the lid for a good 20 minutes. Then taste. Remove tarragon. When satisfied, liquidize the whole adding olive oil for body and texture. Reheat and ladle into hot soup bowls. Serve immediately.

Photo by Nikki Maxwell

Recipe by Daniel de la Falaise. All rights reserved. No part of this recipe may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying or otherwise) without the express written permission from the author. Written permission is granted on a case-by-case basis. No verbiage or graphics may be altered or modified in any way. Photos by Ronda Carman, except where noted.

Thank You Rue...You Rock!

2010-09-17T10:07:00.010+02:00

The fabulous new online magazine Rue debuted yesterday and it is delectable! The co-founders, Anne Sage of The City Sage and Crystal Gentilello of Plush Palate have put together a fabulous premier issue. I was so happy to see the brilliant Ron Woodson and Jaime Rummerfield on the cover. Jamie is one of my favorite people. Not only is she super chic, she is super fun.

I am more than thrilled that my friend and gifted client Mary Douglas Drysdale’s work is included in the premiere issue (page 226 - 237). The home that Mary designed for Sam Gilliam, internationally recognized as one of America's foremost Color Field Painter and Lyrical Abstractionist artists, is a departure from what most believe to be Mary’s style. In my mind, it proves the breadth of her work and understanding of design and architecture.

A huge thank you for including me along with Holly Becker of Decor8 in the Bloggers Side-by-Side feature (page 40-41). The illustrations are wonderful. I especially love the rendering of Eero Saarinen's tulip table that I named as my favorite iconic piece of furniture.

In a few weeks I will be profiling Anne and Crystal on All the Best. They are both so talented and I can’t wait to share more about this dynamic duo with all of you. Congratulations Crystal and Anne.

Tarn et Garonne in Pictures

2010-09-11T12:44:00.014+02:00

The last few days at Kathryn's have been amazing. Certainly it is both a cultural and educational experience. How wonderful it has been to pick fresh figs from her trees each day and to feed the horses apples straight from the orchard. I've even had the chance to 'put the chickens to bed' at night. I had no idea that chickens had to be put to bed...it's protection from foxes.

Today we had cooking lessons from the fabulous Daniel de la Falaise and yesterday we enjoyed a lakeside picnic on his property. Later this week I will post the recipe for the amazing carrot and tarragon soup from our day in the kitchen. Truly this is a magical part of the world.

Day Two in Tarn et Garonne

2010-09-10T09:45:00.017+02:00

I cannot say enough good things about Nikki Maxwell, founder of Picnics in Provence, or the beautiful farmhouse belonging to Kathryn Ireland.

The first two days have been punctuated with off the beaten track journeys, magnificent cuisine, incredible wines and charming locals.

The first evening began on the terrace for drinks and canapés followed by dinner in the Dutch barn. Chef Daniel de la Falaise, who was London trained at Harry’s Bar, locally sourced all of the food. A passionate food purest, everything he prepared was sheer perfection—crudités with basil aioli, foie gras, quail eggs with fennel flower salt, figs and veal.

Yesterday we made a trip to Albi to visit Cathédrale Ste-Cécile of Albi. Perched high on a hill above the River Tarn and built in the 13th century, the Cathédrale is the largest brick building in the world. The tour was followed by a long, leisurely lunch at Le Clos Sainte Cécile and a visit to the Toulouse Lautrec museum.

New tour dates for 2011 have just been released:
11th to 18th May
7th to 14th June
17th to 24th June
20th to 27th July
1st to 8th September

Paris Picks

2010-09-06T12:41:00.017+02:00

I've just returned from a hurried three days in Paris. Don't get me wrong - I am not complaining; the truth be told, I would take even three hours in Paris. The primary purpose of the trip was to spend a few days with Paul Hooker and Aaron Stewart of SFERRA scouting for trends and visiting Maison&Objet.

We spent the first day walking the streets of the city and visiting shops. Day two was spent walking the halls of Paris Nord Villepinte. Today is a recount of a few top picks. Tomorrow I will share a few takeaways from Maison&Objet.

Ralph Lauren
173 Boulevard St Germain
75006 Paris
+33 (0) 1 44 77 77 00

The new Ralph Lauren flagship store on the Left Bank is simply stunning. The staggering 23,000 square foot space is housed in an 18th-century mansion. Striking carvings, classical French architecture, limestone, French white-oak paneling and “Versailles” style parquet flooring, set the stage for the Ralph Lauren collection. From made-to-measure suiting to a 128-seat American-cuisine restaurant, no detail has been left unturned.

La Fontaine de Mars
129 Rue Saint-Dominique
75007 Paris
+33 (0) 1 47 05 46 44

La Fontaine de Mars is an authentic Parisian bistro that is not to be missed. The food is outstanding (everything perfectly prepared), and the foie gras is heavenly. Situated on a bewitching little square in the 7th arrondissement, with a lovely view of the Eiffel tower, it is easy to see why President and Mrs. Obama favored this bistro on their last trip to Paris.

The setting is traditional, unpretentious and charming. Checkered tablecloths, pretty lace curtains, moleskin banquettes and green toile walls compete the look.

David Hicks France
12, rue de Tournon
75006 Paris
+33(0)1 55 42 82 82

The David Hicks France boutique opened in 1973 on Rue de Tourmon, just across the street from the first Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche boutique. Now, thanks to artistic director Christophe Aboville, the David Hicks line of carpeting, wallpaper, furniture and objects are lovingly edited and recreated.

Jean-Francois Lesage
7 bis, rue des Saints Pères
Paris 75007
+33 (0) 1 58 62 41 36

The House of Lesage was founded in 1862, and were the embroiderers for Napoleon III and his court. Today the House of Lesage still supplies to the best couture houses including Yves St. Laurent and Christian Dior. You can now own one of their exquisite designs in the form of a pillow, blanket or curtains.

I fell in love with this sweet chair covered in Jean-Francois Lesage embroidery. To have your little one's painting replicated into a piece of embroidery, contact the shop directly.

Fromagerie Barthélémy
51, rue de Grenelle
75007 Paris
+33 (0)1 42 22 82 24

Barthélémy's tiny shop is a haven for cheese lovers. Every shelf and counter space is laden with the finest cheeses — predominantly French — each matured to perfection.

Annick Goutal
14 rue de Castiglione
75001 Paris
+33 (0)1 42 60 52 82

I love Annick Goutal, and I usually acquire a bottle when I travel. I last purchased Annick Goutal Mandragore while in Spain. This trip I finally had a chance to smell Mandragore Pourpre. But ultimately, Ninfeo Mio launched in April of this year, won me over.

Diptyque
34 Saint-Germain Boulevard
Paris France 75005
+33 (0) 1 4326 7744

Certainly you don't have to travel to Paris to find Diptyque candles. But it is worth a visit to the flagship store on boulevard Saint-Germain. For more than 40 years Diptyque has remained a coveted and iconic candle. Figuier was my choice for this time of year.

Le Petit Vendôme
8 Rue Capucines
75002 Paris, France
+33 (0) 42 61 05 88

The best sandwich in Paris! Le Petit Vendôme, a lively cafe around the corner from the Hotel Ritz, is a favorite of locals and tourists alike.

Every day people line up in front of its takeout window for the best sandwiches in town. Made with baguette à l'ancienne from the bakery Julien (one-time supplier to the Elysée Palace) and products brought in directly from the Auvergne. The Jambon-beurre, with a swipe of Dijon mustard, is a favorite.

Bonjour!

2010-09-02T22:12:00.002+02:00

I will be on a blogging break for a few days. I am in Paris with SFERRA to scout seasonal trends and attend Maison&Objet. I will try and post photos over the next few days. Be sure to let me know if you are attending Maison&Objet as well.
All the best,
Ronda

Profile: Kimberly Schlegel Whitman

2010-09-01T12:39:00.005+02:00

There is no question in my mind that Kimberly Schlegel Whitman has a talent for making the ordinary extraordinary! An entrepreneurial spirit from an early age, Kimberly launched her own event planning company, RSVP Soiree Luxury Event Rentals, in 1998. While planning her own debutante ball in Dallas, Texas, she discovered that there was a lack of high quality party rentals. Deciding to take matters into her own hands she sourced all of her own goods, and gave life to a new business.

What I enjoy most about Kimberly is her unassuming nature, her strong work ethic and a passion for entertaining. These traits have paved the way for her many accomplishments, including—four books on entertaining, countless television appearances and a daily radio segment on Dallas’ number one morning show.

Kimberly’s latest project, Tablescapes: Setting the Table with Style (Gibbs-Smith), focuses on time spent with family and friends, while creating a beautiful backdrop. Each page brings Kimberly’s passion for setting the table to life.

A graduate of Southern Methodist University with an Honors degree in Art History, Kimberly has been featured in many national publications such as Vanity Fair, Elle, Vogue, Town & Country, Better Homes & Gardens, Real Simple, Businessweek, Traditional Home, Canadian House and Home, Modern Bride, Elegant Bride, The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.

How would you describe your personal style?
I love the glamour of old Hollywood as well as the femininity of classic French and English design. In the past, I leaned towards classic designs and soft elegant colors but, since becoming a mother two years ago, I have been feeling stronger and more empowered, and therefore, a little bit edgier! I have really wanted to try new things and new styles.   

What is your most prized possession?
That is a tough one! I am very sentimental so I have a lot of things that I really treasure. After my grandmother passed away, I inherited many of her beautiful porcelain pieces that I admired as a little girl. She never put her “good” or breakable things up high when we went to visit and she would explain to us that they were “no-nos.” I could look at them but I couldn’t touch! Now, I have many of them in my home but, of course, I have them placed out of toddler-reach!

I also treasure my collection of tabletop gems. I love love love setting the table and I have an addiction to china. I actually had to convert a small room in my home into a giant china cupboard! I think the connection is strong because of the memories made around those tables. I love setting the stage for a fantastic meal filled with great conversation and time with family and friends.   

What is your idea of earthly happiness?
Wow….these are all hard questions! I love being with my family. I am the oldest of four children and all of my family lives in Dallas. We spend a lot of time with my parents, brother, and two sisters. My son is the first grandchild and he is a big attraction so we often have family at our home. It is wonderful. We also spend a lot of family time at my parents home, or, as my son calls it, “Chez GaGa.” JR rides his little moto-car down the hallways and he acts like he owns the place. They have two big lions at their front gate, which were the entrance to the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair, and he loves to greet them when he arrives and pet them goodbye when he leaves. Those are the fun little moments that make me so happy.

I also love spending my summers at the beach in Canada. I spent every summer of my childhood in a tiny tiny town on Lake Huron and I now love spending time with my husband and son in the same home! Everyone in my family has had a summerhouse here going all the way back to my Great-Grandfather!   

What is the one thing in life you cannot live without?
My computer! I was with out it for almost a month and I realized how much I depend on it for professional and personal purposes! I count on it to do everything from finding directions to my son’s activities and communicating with his school to writing my next book and blog entry!  

What inspires your creativity and designs?
Everything! I know that is a very typical answer but I really think that we can find inspiration in everything. My husband is a fantastic photographer and really taught me to see the beauty in everything. Some of his most beautiful photographs are of graffiti or shantytowns. He taught me to look at things that I once considered and eye sore and to find inspiration in them.

I also find a lot of inspiration in flowers. Often, when I am working on a design for a tabletop or an event, I wait until I can see the available flowers and let them inspire the entire design. My sister, Krystal, and I just returned from a week at Flower School Catherine Mueller in Paris. It was fantastic and I am so full of ideas and inspiration.  

Who are your style icons?
Like so many gals I adore Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. How can they not be style icons? But I also love the way Jan Showers lives her glamorous brand from head to toe and Michelle Nussbaumer, like her design style, she is very Auntie Mame!

I always admire when people carry their own style with confidence and know who they are. My sisters both “own” their style and I admire that. We can shop for each other because we know each others styles so well even though we are all so different. Krystal, a university student, is very demure. She is a modern day Audrey with a street-wise twist. Kari, a real estate agent, is like a perfect little doll from head to toe. She is always so well co-coordinated and we call her Real Estate Barbie.  

Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
There are so many people! I adore Hutton Wilkinson’s bold over-the-top fabulousness, Celerie Kemble’s youthful and modern take on tradition and Charlotte Moss’ feminine and polished look.   

What is your favourite luxury in life?
I have two. One is certainly time with my little one. He is a smiley little guy and full of laughter so my husband and I can’t get enough of him. We just finished a month in Europe and we relished our time with him. He is as fascinated by a ladybug as he is by the Eiffel Tower! He is a great reminder to appreciate every little thing!

The second is great stationery. I love writing to friends and, as a lifestyle and entertaining expert, I try really hard to keep up with my thank you notes! My favourite stationery is from The Printery in Oyster Bay, New York. The family owned business is still operating out of the original building with it’s warped floors and old presses.  

Past or present who has most influenced your direction in life?
My parents always encouraged me to do it all. They always told me to just dive in headfirst and enjoy the challenges that come my way. They didn’t ever work in design or events but they did inspire me through their constant entertaining! They always had the most talented designers, florists, caterers and event planners around and they always allowed me to be involved and participate in their events from start to finish, even at a very young age

Profile: Kendall Wilkinson

2010-08-30T11:30:00.006+02:00

While some children make believe to be a nurse or an actor, as a child Kendall Wilkinson pretended to order Brunschwig & Fils fabrics for her imaginary clients.

For the daughter of a well-known interior designer, the handwriting seemed to be on the wall. However, it wasn’t until after she went to work in the film industry that Kendall had an epiphany. Prompted by studies abroad in Paris, she realized that perhaps she needed to change course and pursue her passion for interior design.

It was during her time in Paris that she became enamored with French architecture and antiques, and began traveling extensively, importing select pieces to the US. Upon returning home she enrolled at San Francisco's Academy of Art University and began honing her skills and style.

Kendall’s true expertise lies in her ability to artfully mix traditional and modernity. I love that while Kendall’s work tends to be tailored and crisp, she is not afraid to use bold color. Likewise, she is classic in her overall approach, but never stuffy! “Antiques will always be one of my truest loves, so you’d be hard pressed to see a project that didn’t feature my vintage treasures among newer ones,” she proudly proclaims. The wonderful juxtaposition of a slick Lucite piece paired with a French antique is what gives her rooms character.

The San Francisco native is a regular participant in the prestigious San Francisco Decorator Showcase, and, in 2007, was awarded California Home + Design's Award for Showcase House Design. Her work has been featured in Town & Country, Traditional Home, and InStyle, as well as numerous other magazines, local publications, and various shows on Home & Garden Television.

 How would you describe your personal style?
I would say that my personal style, like my design aesthetic, is a balance between classic and fresh. For example, I love French fashion, with ruffled hemlines high collars, but try to pair them with fun textures like leather or modern sleek shoes. Fashion, like design, is about layering and pairing things that are unexpected.

What is your most prized possession?
Without hesitation, my two children.

 What inspires your creativity and designs?
Often referred to as a devoted Francophile, my adoration for all things French is no secret. I attribute my travels in Paris and Provence as being the launching points for my career- as I am continually inspired by the architecture, culture, art and fashion. But closer to home, I’d say that the beauty of the Bay Area landscape always inspires a new color combination, or design concept.

What is the one thing in life you cannot live without?
Because my business is so paramount in my life, I would say that my professional team is something I could not live without right now. They support me, inspire me and help to keep the business fresh and creative. We also make each other laugh- a lot.
 
Who are your style icons?
Albert Hadley and Sister Parish have left an indelible mark as inspirations in designs. Andree Putman is also a huge icon- I appreciate how she found strength and beauty in what was sometimes difficult and dark.

Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
Rather than approach this question as who I would like to work with, I’d rather think about who I’d like to work for. Tom Ford has an amazing eye for resurrecting midcentury style and design in a very authentic, sophisticated way. Recently inspired by his film “A Single Man”, I would love him to hire me as designer set or an interior that totally channels the stylistic glamour and repression of the era. It’s a beautiful balance.

What books are currently on your bedside table?
Lift by Kelly Corrigan and On Meditation are my grown up reads, and I keep Raising Happiness for my little ones.   

What is your idea of earthly happiness?
I think earthly happiness comes from finding an environment in which you truly feel in your element, physically and mentally. For me, that would be in a French Chateau with my little boys, watching the landscape outside, laughing and just enjoying the precious time we have together.
 
Who has most influenced your direction in life?
My mother, Alice Wiley, was and is, not only an inspirational designer, but also an inspiring figure as a woman. She cultivated a career for herself during a time when women were not widely recognized as being able to have independent professions. Her classical taste details definitely rubbed off on me as well, although I try to infuse my own modern twists. I had the fortune of an influential mother and mentor all in one.

Profile by Ronda Carman

Listen to the ART OF LIVING MAGAZINE

2010-08-29T21:29:00.004+02:00

Tonight, listen to the ART OF LIVING MAGAZINE! I will be up first, then Scot Meacham Wood, James Andrew and Andrea Schroder. To listen, click here, then click the listen now button. It should be a fun and lively converstion. The online program starts at 9:00pm EST.

Soup on Sunday: Lentil, Coconut, Wilted Spinach Soup

2010-08-29T10:39:00.009+02:00

The sun may be shining today, but there is a crisp, cool, chill in the air! Can't wait for this one tonight!

6oz puy lentils
1½ pint vegetable stock
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tsp ground cumin
9 oz canned coconut milk
2-3 tablespoons dark soy sauce
4 small handfuls of baby spinach
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper

Rinse the lentils, then put them in a large pan and add enough cold water to just cover. Boil for ten minutes, and then add the remaining ingredients, except the spinach.

Reduce the heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Put a small handful of the spinach in four warmed bowls and ladle the hot soup on top (the heat from the soup will wilt the leaves).

Serve immediately with warm flat bread, pita or naan.

Photo by: Amelia Pane Schaffner

Congratulations Michael Boodro: New Elle Decor Editor-in-Chief

2010-08-24T13:33:00.007+02:00

Margaret Russell and Michael Boodro

Elle Decor has promoted executive editor Michael Boodro to the post of editor-in-chief, replacing Margaret Russell who is moving to Architectural Digest.

Boodro rejoined Elle Decor as executive editor in 2009, after previously holding the post between 2004 and 2006. In the intervening period, he was chief editor at Martha Stewart Living.

Prior to that, he was launch editor for Culture & Travel, an editor of the Style Section for The New York Times Magazine, chief editor of Garden Design Magazine, and features editor for Vogue.

Boodro has also served in editorial roles at HG Magazine, Harper's Bazaar and GQ.

Photo:

Profile: Kristen McGinnis

2010-08-23T11:30:00.007+02:00

Kristen McGinnis has a wonderful way of fusing fun and funky with a formal, artistic edge. Originally from North Carolina, Kristen attended the prestigious visual arts program at the North Carolina School of the Arts. Acting on her passion for design, and advice from Bill Blass, she moved to New York to study fashion at Parsons School of Design.

As fate would have it, she focused her attention on interior design and landed a coveted senior position with Sills Huniford Associates. Using her acquired skills, innate talents and heightened sensitivity to fabrics and textiles, Kristen went out on her own in 2005 and founded the New York-based firm, Kristen McGinnis Design, Inc.

Kristen affirms that having a background in fine arts and fashion design has been an invaluable component of her career. With each new project she goes “back to her roots” for guidance and inspiration. The couture level of detailing that she brings to her projects is clearly anchored in many disciplines, including architecture, and of course, fashion.

In 2009 Traditional Home Magazine selected Kristen as one of the Top 20 Young Interior Designers to Watch and most recently she was honored by Jamie Drake and the International Furnishings and Design Association as a Rising Star of Interior Design.

How would you describe your personal style?
As I grow as a designer my style has become more confident and much more eclectic. I love twentieth century and contemporary design. I find that when integrated confidently with art and antiques a stronger vision can be achieved creating a look that appears to have evolved over time.

What is your most prized possession?
This is a tie between my vast library where I become inspired every time I open a book; and my collection of artist designed jewelry, specifically a necklace by Louise Nevelson.

What is your idea of earthly happiness?
Happiness is waking up to the purring of my two Himalayans. They love the mornings, and I cherish spending time with them before starting my day.

What is the one thing in life you cannot live without?
I love nothing more than art. For me no room is complete without it. Through the years I have acquired work by artists that are dear lifelong friends, work by college friends, as well as pieces made by artists whose work that I have long admired. Seeing these pieces woven together is like looking at the story of my life. It simply feeds my soul.

What inspires your creativity and designs?
Architecture is a continued source of inspiration. At present, I have a fascination with the strict lines of 1920’s Berlin, and find the restraint and purity of the form refreshing. In fact, a simple walk down the street to spend an afternoon at the Metropolitan Museum of Art can be just as motivating as a trip to Amsterdam or to Paris. What matters is what you cull from the experience and how you apply it to what you are working on.

I enjoy the scholarship that can be involved in doing research for a project. As I have been working on the color palette for a modern downtown apartment, I have been inspired by Picasso’s Rose period, a Matisse painting, and Marni’s fall collection. It never ceases to amaze me how inspiration can come at any place at any time.

Who are your style icons?
Yves Saint Laurent, Joel Arthur Rosenthal, Tina Chow

Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
To have the opportunity to collaborate on a project with Joris Laarman would be the experience of a lifetime. I believe we are in the middle of a design revolution and are only just beginning to grasp its direction. Luckily, we are living in a time where experimental innovation in design is being celebrated. Joris is reaching a new plateau with his work utilizing cutting edge technology and positioning himself as a standard bearer for the new evolution of design.

What books are currently on your bedside table?
Alongside my stacks of fashion and shelter magazines, I have my stash of summer reading. I just finished The Gardner Heist: The True Story of the World's Largest Unsolved Art Theft by Ulrich Boser; and am now starting Mistress of Modernism: The Life of Peggy Guggenheim by Mary V. Dearborn.

What is your favorite luxury in life?
The ability to be able to carve out time from my hectic schedule to be with the people that I love is my life’s biggest luxury.

Past or present who has most influenced your direction in life?
As a child I wanted nothing more than to be a fashion designer. When I was in the 9th grade Bill Blass came to my hometown for a trunk show. The night before there was black tie pre-show event which I attended. Somehow I mustered up enough courage to ask Mr. Blass his advice as to where I should go to school. He was incredibly lovely to spend 10 minutes speaking with me, and told me in that distinctly raspy smoker’s voice, “My dear, if you want to work on Seventh Avenue you MUST go to Parsons School of Design.”

Advice coming from someone so influential was all I needed to hear to put my head down and focus on my journey to Parsons where I discovered my true passion, interior design. Inside my sketch book, I keep a photo of Mr. Blass and myself from that memorable evening. It serves as a constant reminder to continue to pursue my dreams.

Soup on Sunday: Zucchini, Garlic & Basil Soup

2010-08-22T10:44:00.004+02:00

A simple and healthy soup using summer's abundance of zucchini and basil. This smooth puréed soup achieves a near impossible feat, it's velvety and creamy without any cream! Enjoy!

2 pounds zucchini, trimmed and coarsely chopped
3/4 cup chopped onion
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
3 cups vegetable stock
1/3 cup packed basil leaves

Cook onion and garlic in oil in a large, heavy saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add chopped zucchini and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Add 3 cups vegetable stock and simmer, partially covered, until tender, about 15 minutes.

Purée soup with basil in 2 batches in a blender (use caution when blending hot liquids). Season soup with salt and pepper. Serve in shallow bowls and garnish with basil leaves. Crème fraiche, optional.

Serves 4

A Week in France at Kathryn Ireland's Home

2010-08-17T15:03:00.004+02:00

I am counting the days until September and my highly anticipated trip to France. Imagine staying in a beautiful, private home in the tranquil southwest region of France. Now envision that the farmhouse belongs to interior designer Kathryn Ireland. Sprinkle in glorious food, bustling markets, beautiful vineyards, wonderful wine, superb scenery, delightful company and you have a recipe for sheer splendor.

I was recently invited by the delightful, Scottish born, Australian Nikki Maxwell to join her and Kathryn on this weeklong escape. Nikki, a passionate cook, world traveler and Francophile, is proprietor of Picnics in Provence—a company specializing in off the beaten track tours of France.

The trip is infused with tours of small, local vineyards and meals prepared by fantastic French chefs. There are even hands-on cooking demonstrations so those attending can try to recreate a little bit of French cooking when they return home.

This trip will coincide with the launch of Kathryn’s new book Summers in France, featuring her exquisite house. The outdoor entertaining area has been named “one of the 100 most beautiful outdoor rooms in the world” by Vogue Living magazine. Come and see it for yourself. Picnics in Provence groups are always kept small, between 5 – 10 people, and Nikki has said that there is room for just one or two more guests for this fantastic trip.

To learn more visit here or contact Nikki.

Profile: Madeline Stuart

2010-08-15T22:21:00.010+02:00

I began corresponding with the extraordinarily talented and sophisticated Madeline Stuart in the fall of 2009. It wasn’t until April of this year, however, that we finally met in person when I had the privilege of spending a few days with her in the magical city of Venice. Armed with a quick smile and infectious charm, it is difficult not to like Madeline right away. In addition to exuding great charisma, she is also smart and wonderfully opinionated. Not opinionated in a way that is off putting, but rather in a manner that is refreshing and comes from a wealth of knowledge and a passion for her craft.

Once you know Madeline and view her work, it is obvious that she values the fundamental marriage of integrity and beauty above all else. What I like most about her work is that it rarely reflects the latest trends, offering her clients truly timeless design.

Over the past 15 years, Madeline’s work has been featured in numerous publications, including Elle Décor, House & Garden, House Beautiful, Town & Country, AD, Western Interiors and Veranda. In June of 2010, Elle Décor’s A-List included Madeline as one of the top 25 designers in the country.

A Fun Fact About Madeline
Always a lover of books and literature, it comes as no surprise that we have Madeline to thank for the classic 1971 version of the Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory movie, starring Gene Wilder. According to her father, director Mel Stuart, his 10-year-old daughter inspired him to pursue a Willy Wonka movie based on Roald Dahl's classic book. “I would have never read Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but Madeline liked it and asked me to make it into a picture,” he recalls. “Otherwise it would have never been made.”

How would you describe your personal style?
While I wouldn’t describe myself as a chameleon, my style is constantly evolving. I don’t necessarily mean changing—the emphasis would be on striving towards an expanded vision. Without question I feel my work becomes better, more refined and more confident as I gain knowledge and experience.

Fundamentally I would describe my personal—as well as my design—style as more tailored, less contrived. My work tends to be understated and timeless as opposed to hip and trendy. Good furniture, good lighting, good clothes—all are expensive and should be treated as an investment rather than something that can be abandoned after a single season. And I have a reverence and appreciation of the past which is evident even in my contemporary work.

What is the one thing in life you cannot live without?
What a difficult question!!! It would be a real toss up between chocolate, music and having a dog. (Don’t tell my husband I said that!)

Who are your style icons?
Yves St. Laurent, Frances Elkins, Jacques Grange, Betty Catroux, Millicent Rogers.

What is your most prized possession?
Aside from the obvious answer, my beloved Beatrice (my Jack Russell terrier)?
It would probably be my childhood copy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I so loved this book as a little girl that I asked my father if he would make a movie out of it. And he did. (The original Willy Wonka and Chocolate Factory with Gene Wilder.) It’s signed by the author, who wrote “To Madeline, who started the whole thing. With love, Roald Dahl’. Almost everyone I’ve ever met has seen the film and it’s a legacy I’m very proud of.

What inspires your creativity and designs?
I’m inspired by everything. Nature, architecture, art, history. A typeface. A colour. And my books. Inspiration can be found anywhere...everywhere.

Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
No longer living? Armand Albert Rateau or David Adler. Living? Jacques Grange

What is your idea of earthly happiness?
Being at home with my husband and Beatrice.

What books are currently on your bedside table?
Ian McEwan, Jeffrey Steingarten, Graham Greene, Evelyn Waugh, Harold McGee.

What is your favorite luxury in life?
Good food and wine.

Profile by Ronda Carman

Soup on Sunday: Orange Carrot Soup

2010-08-15T12:10:00.002+02:00

Now that I am home, and in a cooler climate, soup is back on the menu. Even so, I am not ready to rush the end of summer. This soup is so light and refreshing, perfect for a summer night.

1 tablespoon butter
1 1-pound bag carrots, peeled and diced
3/4 cup chopped onion
3 cups vegetable stock

1/2 cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons brandy
2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon
Fresh tarragon sprigs

Melt butter in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add carrots and onion; sauté until onion is soft, about 8 minutes. Add broth; cover and bring to boil. Reduce heat, uncover, and simmer until carrots are tender, about 10 minutes.

Working in batches, puree soup in blender until very smooth. Return soup to pot. Stir in orange juice, brandy, and chopped tarragon. Simmer 5 minutes for flavors to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish soup with tarragon sprigs and serve.

Hello

2010-08-08T22:34:00.002+02:00

Sorry for the silence this past week. I have been in the States for the past two weeks, trying to balance work and vacation. I just returned from a great three days in Vegas with my husband. Lunch by the pool each day was a fun indulgence.

I was invited by the Las Vegas Market at the World Market Center to participate in a panel on blogging and building community through new media. The panel was hosted by Julia Noran of The Editor at Large and moderated by Sophie Donelson. I was honored to be on the panel with Brad Ford, Tobi Fairley and Jackie von Tobel. Jackie also launched her new collection of eco-friendly fabrics at the market.

It was interesting to hear how each person is using social media to enrich their life and business. For me, it is a topic of endless fascination and a tool with unlimited possibilities. Developing a successful online persona and building a brand takes a considerable amount of effort and time. However, when used correctly, social media allows you to foster amazing relationships.

In the next week I will recap our discussion and share my own thoughts on social media, and how I am using it to help my clients build their names and brands.

Profile: Monica Rich Kosann

2010-08-02T14:58:00.007+02:00

I love to hear a great story that uncovers the source of inspiration behind beautiful objects, and Monica Rich Kosann’s story is one of pure creativity. A fine art black-and-white photographer, Monica is also the creator of jewelry, image cases and frames.

Searching for unique ways to display her photography Monica began scouring flea markets looking for antique lockets, compacts and cigarette cases. Each one of a kind treasure she discovered was crafted into a unique frame. As demand increased Monica designed her own line of heirloom quality display cases, crafted from beautiful sterling silver or gold.

Intrigued by vintage lockets and charm bracelets, she fashioned a collection of modern day jewelry to hold images of her clients’ loved ones. Wanting the collection to be as precious as the images, Monica carefully designed each piece to be a keepsake, persevering special moments to be passed on for generations.

Looking to further share the importance of family and home Monica authored a stunning new book Living with What You Love. Beautiful images of homes, including her own, it is a gorgeous guide to living with your most cherished possessions everyday.

The Monica Rich Kosann Collection is a celebrity favorite and is sold at over 60 specialty stores nationwide and in Japan. In August 2008 Monica opened her own shop on on the 7th floor at Bergdorf Goodman.

How would you describe your personal style?
Eclectic. It’s funny, if I am going on a photo shoot I wear my jeans and flats with great blouse or a t-shirt and a scarf (I love scarves!). I figure I will be sitting on the ground or climbing some sort of rocks and benches.

Other times I love to wear beautiful fabrics that just feel great. Right now I am obsessed with Stella McCartney, her pieces are so elegant and timeless but with an edge. And, of course, I am always wearing my charm bracelets. I never leave home without them.

What is your favorite luxury in life?
I talk about this in my book Living With What You Love. I love surrounding myself with cherished objects at home. In my library all my family photos surround me. On a Sunday I love to gather all my magazines and newspapers from the week, sit with my 2 dogs, the cooking channel on TV and slowly leaf through all of my reading. It leaves me ready and energized for the workweek to begin!

What is your most prized possession?
My charm bracelet. It holds photos of my family, so they go with me wherever I go. I love the sound it makes when I walk. It makes me feel so feminine. An most importantly, it tells my story.  

What is your idea of earthly happiness?
I love food. I am first generation American (Viennese and Hungarian) and food and dining was always very important in my family growing up. I am so happy when my two girls cook for my husband and me. I love the entire process of being their “helper”. We first take our time and chop, sauté, sip wine, and then sit down to a meal and enjoy it together. Of course I get stuck with the dishes!  

What inspires your creativity and designs?
Art and timeless designs of all kinds. I love to visit flea markets and go antiquing, especially in new cultures. Art has always been important to me. Going to museums and galleries are always a source of inspiration. I love just meandering, and I always carry a little book to jot down ideas and sketches.

New ideas pop up in my head in the strangest places. I came up with our new jewelry collection for fall while I was on a chairlift going up the mountain! Sometimes my own photography sparks ideas, like our gate collection, which comes from a photo of a little girl behind an iron gate. I created an entire group of open lockets from this photo. 

What is the one thing in life you cannot live without?
Travel. There is nothing like going to new places and destinations. I love exploring a new culture and meeting people. I also love to revisit places I have been, for instance I can visit the Victoria and Albert Museum in London or the Rodin Museum in Paris over and over and never get bored. My husband and I travel a lot for business and I always feel so lucky to be working with these amazing artisans from all over the world.   

Who are your style icons?
I have to say when I watch old movies I adore the stars from the 30’s and 40’s—Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Deborah Kerr, Katherine Hepurn. I admire not only their style, clothing and sensibility, but I love to watch the accessory pieces from that era. They are so inspiring to me, every accessory they wore or carried was a piece of art!! And, of course, the great Coco Chanel. I love to layer my jewelry, and she did layered so masterfully!   

Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
I would love to work on a project with Ralph Lauren. He is a lifestyle brand that captures timeless design, and that is what we are about. My collection encourages people to surround themselves with what they love and to wear their most sentimental and treasured pieces—I know he gets that!

What books are currently on your bedside table?
I have piled high tons of Design and Fashion Books. I love to sit in bed with a heavy book on my lap and glance through them before I go to sleep. I also have lots of old Sotheby's and Christie's auction catalogs which I love to look at as well.  

Past or present who has most influenced your direction in life?
My family, clients and friends. They are my biggest fans and supporters. They are always encouraging me to create more. I am very lucky!

Lee Anderson Couture

2010-07-31T16:58:00.003+02:00

I am in love with Lee Anderson Couture. In 1980, Lee Anderson established her design business in a townhouse just off Madison Avenue. The Lee Anderson collection was featured at Barney's New York, Bergdorf Goodman and fine specialty stores across the United States. Lee now designs her couture clothing from her new location on 988 Lexington Avenue. If you can't see her Fall 2010 collection in person, then be sure to visit her website.

Profile: David Oliver

2010-07-26T17:30:00.008+02:00

A few weeks ago I was invited by my friend Elizabeth Blitzer to come to London to meet color guru David Oliver, proprietor of Paper and Paint Library. The occasion was Simon Upton’s photo shoot of David and Veere Grenney’s home for an upcoming issue of Veranda.

David and Veere have long been among my favorite talents. Christened the “Rock Star of Color” by the New York Times, the Australian native is equal parts talent and charm.

David has an amazing understanding of color and a wonderful library of vintage books filled with samples of wallpaper and paint colors from the early 1900s, that we were fortunate enough to browse. Each book, complete with rubbed binding and wear from repeated use, are little gems.

A lover of color, patterns and texture, David makes the process of selecting paint colors sound exceedingly simple and exciting. His paints are now available in the US through Stark Paint, under the label “Colours by David Oliver.” David also penned "Paint and Paper: In Decoration," a gorgeous book with stunning, colourful interiors. It is easy to see why he is the choice of such clients as Chelsea Clinton and Tony Blair.

Thank you to David, Simon and Dara Caponigro for allowing me to snap a few behind the scenes shots of the photo shoot.

What is your favorite luxury in life?  
A box of sharpened lead pencils or a blue fountain pen.

How would you describe your personal style? 
Natural, loyal, confident, passionate.  

What is your most prized possession?  
My eyesight. 20/20 vision I’m highly visual.  

What is your idea of earthly happiness?  
Spring and watching my garden grow—unleashing it’s inner blonde and being summerlicious.

What is the one thing in life you cannot live without?  
My Camera   

What inspires your creativity and designs?  
People, art, cinema, travel, graphics in everyday objects. 

Who are your style icons?   
Queen Elizabeth II - Jewelry 
Robert Taylor - Architect 
Billy Baldwin - Interior designer 
Helmut Newton - Photographer 
Pedro Almodovar - Film Director 
Isabella Rossellini - Actress 
Guru Danger - Showgirl

Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?  
The Prince of Wales  

What books are currently on your bedside table?  
Prince Felix Youssoupoff—Lost Splendour  
Caroline Moorehead—Dancing to the Precipice
Matt Albiani—Lifeguards on Duty 
5th July 2010 The Royal Opera House Programme—Simon Boccanegra 

Past or present who has most influenced your direction in life? 
Veere Grenney and my children Edward and Cosmo Oliver.

Interior Photos and Profile by Ronda Carman

Salad on Sunday: Baked Feta and Walnuts

2010-07-25T14:36:00.007+02:00

While surfing for a new recipe I came across MediterrAsian - a culinary journey exploring the wonderful and healthy cuisines of the Mediterranean and Asia. I fell in love with this rustic Greek-style salad with baked feta cheese, walnuts, mixed salad leaves, thinly sliced fresh radish and zucchini, tossed with a tangy lemon garlic dressing.

2 teaspoons plus 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 Tablespoon fresh oregano
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 oz (180g) feta cheese, cut into small cubes
2/3 cup raw walnuts
1 clove garlic, crushed
3 tablespoons lemon juice
Pinch of sea salt
6 cups mixed salad
2 radishes, very thinly sliced
1 zucchini, very thinly sliced  

Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Mix 2 teaspoons of olive oil with the oregano and black pepper in a bowl and toss through the cubed feta cheese to coat well.

Arrange the feta cubes on a baking tray lined with non-stick baking paper. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Place the walnuts on a separate baking tray and bake for the final 3 minutes of cooking, then roughly chop.

Mix the remaining 4 tablespoons of olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and salt in a jar with a lid and shake to combine. In a large bowl, toss with half the dressing with the salad leaves, radish slices and zucchini. Top each salad with baked feta and walnuts. Drizzle salads with the remaining dressing to serve.

Profile: Barry Dixon

2010-07-19T14:18:00.007+02:00

This past year I had the good fortune to spend several days with the enormously talented Barry Dixon. While I have long been an admirer of his work, I only first meet Barry and his charming partner Michael Schmidt earlier this year. Both men are so gracious and interesting; it’s difficult to not to be smitten. In all honesty, they are two of the most gentlemanly people I have ever met. As fate would have it, Barry and I recently ended up on the same flight to Venice. In fact, I was one seat behind him until they pulled that damn curtain. Once we arrived he offered to share a water taxi. And, being true to style, he refused to let me contribute to the cost.

The son of a metallurgist, he spent his childhood in such places as India, Korea, New Caledonia and South Africa, where he graduated from high school. His design aesthetic is clearly influenced by a lifelong interest in global cultures and a love affair with intriguing objects. His passion and insight has garnered legions of fans (and clients) worldwide; including Diane Sawyer and former Senate majority leader Bill Frist.

Never one to sit still, Barry launched his own furniture line with Tomlinson/Erwin-Lambeth in 2005, his rug collection with Megerian in 2009, and his fabric collection with Vervain debuted at Maison&Objet in Paris in January 2010. His collaboration with Fortuny continues this year with new showrooms and his next book with Gibbs-Smith Publishers hits the bookstores this winter.

If his first book Barry Dixon Interiors published in 2008 (now in its third printing) is any indication of what’s to come, I can’t wait for winter.

How would you describe your personal style?
Hailing from the American South, my earliest influences were warmly traditional with a reverence for the past. I inherited from my Tennessee family an appreciation for things passed down, not just the rarefied but also things that were simply loved, cherished & touched by earlier generations, things with spirits and stories. Growing up we lived all over the world and I fell under the spell of myriad exotic influences. If I have a personal style, it’s some layered pastiche of all these elements, a filtered traditionalism that, in the best instances, emanates warmth and welcome.

What is your most prized possession?
At first blanch, I’d say my health and sanity, though there are those who’d argue that I possess the latter. If one can actually “own” an old house, I’d say Elway Hall, my home in the Virginia countryside. But somehow, as a steward of such an old property, I suspect that it possesses me, much like Ellie, my wire-haired terrier.

What is your idea of earthy happiness?
Knowing that all in my sphere are well, including family, friends and farm animals.

What inspires your creative designs?
Nothing is more inspiring than the natural world beyond the window, the father/mother of all artful creation. That, and the rich history of ornament & decoration that is the legacy of generations of gurus and geniuses who inhabit and define the continuum of design.

What is the one thing in life that you cannot live without?
Travel. It educates the mind, sparks the imagination and nourishes the creative soul. I’ve never taken a trip that didn’t affect me in some profound way. I can’t live without travel, or Masterpiece Theatre.

What is your favorite luxury in life?
Time, life’s rarest treasure.

Who are your style icons?
Where to start? Van Day Truex, David Hicks, Albert Hadley, Rose Tarlow, Francis Elkins, Renzo Mongiardino, William Morris, Jacques Grange, Billy Haines and Mariano Fortuny… to name a few.

Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
Any excited and engaged client who brings something special, something original to the collaboration, whether it’s a quirky collection or a point of view (and who treats my truly wonderful staff well!)

What books are currently on your bedside table?
Redeeming Features—Nicky Haslam’s juicy biography
The Help by Kathryn Stockett—haven’t I known all of these characters intimately in my super-southern half-century?
Harper Lee’s unparalleled To Kill a Mockingbird—always worth a revisit and, of which, a first edition copy remains perpetually at the top of my Christmas wish list.

Past or present who has most influenced the direction of your life?
My incredible father, M.E. Dixon, an insightful, Hemingwayesque character whose sage counsel convinced my career-addled collegiate brain to change an ill-fated future in the practice of law to a fated one in design. He thought I would be “good at this,” “happy doing this,” and that it was my “nature.” Aesop could not have said it better and my life has been somewhat of a fable ever after.

Profile by Ronda Carman

Salad on Sunday: Red Quinoa Salad

2010-07-18T11:50:00.003+02:00

I am crazy for quinoa (KEEN-wah) and have recently started searching out more recipes using this ‘super’ food. Most commonly considered a grain, quinoa is actually a relative of leafy green vegetables like spinach and Swiss chard. It is a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids. It also contains the amino acid lysine, which is essential for tissue growth and repair, and is a good source of manganese, magnesium, iron, copper and phosphorous.

If you can’t find red quinoa don't worry, white quinoa works too. Mixed with a few vegetables, fresh herbs and a handful of feta cheese on a bed of mesclun, it makes for a perfect summer salad.

2 cups water
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup quinoa, red or white, rinsed

3 green onions, chopped
10 sundried tomatoes, reconstituted, thinly sliced
1 English cucumber, diced
½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

4 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Assorted, young salad leaves (chervil, arugula, lettuce, spinach, endive)

Bring the water and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the quinoa and cook on medium heat until the quinoa fully cooks and the water cooks off, 15 – 20 minutes. Allow quinoa to cool slightly.

Mix vegetables and thyme in a large bowl and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk in the Balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard, slowly adding in the olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste. Stir the quinoa into the vegetables, add the vinaigrette and gently stir in the feta. Serve atop assorted, young salad leaves.

Makes 5 cups

Photo courtesy of Kitchen Parade

New Website and Blog

2010-07-14T14:24:00.004+02:00

Another website and blog to love. Jan Shower’s has completely revamped her website and it’s beautiful. One of the most exciting aspects of the new website is that every antique in her showroom is now online. Of course, the entire JS Collection is available too, along with an interior design section. If you have not seen Jan’s new blog, you are in for a delightful escape.

Alexis' Napa

2010-07-13T14:50:00.006+02:00

I love Alexis Swanson Traina (and I LOVE her family's wine). There is little doubt that Alexis is talented, knowledgeable and very busy. A wife, mother of 2 young children and creative director at Swanson Vineyards, where she has worked with her father since graduating college, she keeps pushing the creative envelope.

Most recently she has overseen the development of the vineyard's new website and blog. If you want the best tips for all things wonderful in California's wine country, don't miss Alexis' Napa.

Off to London

2010-07-08T23:17:00.005+02:00

I am off to London for a few days for business and pleasure. I will return on Monday. While in London I will be visiting the home of David Oliver, Design Director of Paint & Paper Library, working on a profile. I am also very excited to finally meet Dara Caponigro, Editor In Chief of Veranda. More great profiles to come! Stay tuned...

Decor Demon

2010-07-08T09:17:00.004+02:00

If you are not familiar with my friend Brian Patrick Flynn (aka Décor Demon) you are missing out! Brian just posted an amazing spread on Betsy Burnham’s Los Angeles home. A must see. I will be profiling Brain on All the Best very soon...watch this space.

Profile: Frank de Biasi

2010-07-06T14:52:00.010+02:00

This past April I had the privilege of meeting Frank de Biasi at a dinner in New York. We were first introduced by designer and author Michael Leva and then a few weeks later by my friend Christina. After meeting Frank and seeing his work, I knew that he would be a perfect fit for All the Best.

Distinctive, colorful, quirky and curated are all words that wholly describe the diverse interiors Frank has created across the globe. He began his career at Christie’s New York in 1987 where he forged his passion for contemporary art and the history of design, appraising fine art and antiques for the auction house. After twelve years as Head of Interiors for world-renowned architect Peter Marino and then Michael Graves, Frank de Biasi Interiors was launched in 2006.

While working for Peter Marino he directed and designed several major projects throughout Europe, including, 16th Century half-timbered farmhouses in Normandy that were dismantled and rebuilt on a new site; a 19th Century Loire hunting lodge; and a 1970’s modern house built by Oscar Niemeier on Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat.

Frank’s bespoke interiors are a fusion of global cultures developed through his extensive travels and shopping trips. His work has been featured in World of Interiors, House Beautiful, Home & Design, Vogue, Italian AD and New York Magazine.

Current projects include private residences in Miami, Bal Harbour, Palm Beach, Aspen, Tennessee, New York, East Hampton, Long Island, Paris, and Morocco.

How would you describe your personal style?
Born in Virginia, I always had a love of history and art, but knew there was a world outside of the American South. I began to travel a lot and in fact spend a lot of time now abroad, mainly in Europe and North Africa. This has influenced and informed my style without question. For me, style should be a very personal thing, which is why each project I decide to take on (including my own) is specific to that client’s location and project and dreams. My personal style might be very different from what a client wants, but I strive to make each project appropriate to their dreams and therefore very unique. I love the challenge of bringing my art history background and travels to each of my projects which is why, I guess, my projects are so extremely diverse.

What inspires your creativity and design?
My obsession for finding artists and artisans who are still creating wonderful things, be they textiles, furniture, glass, ceramics, whatever – I love to commission them incorporating their work into my projects. For example, I once saw the embroidery detail on a Marni blouse collar, which be came the basis for curtains at a home in Florida. Sometimes by seeing a beautiful painting, or even a stylish person, it can be the start of an inspiration for a room. And more broadly, a house is like making a movie - setting the stage for client's lives—that's a fun challenge!

What is the one thing in life you cannot live without?
Most people would say it’s my Blackberry. And, I’d unfortunately have to agree – being a decorator means you are always connected to your friends and business but having a pda means I can travel almost anywhere and be in touch. Strangely, it doesn’t get great reception in the Hamptons, Aspen or Connecticut, hmmm...hello, T-Mobile. Luckily, though, it works perfectly in the Paris Metro and the medina in Tangier!

Who are your style icons?
Certainly, Yves Saint Laurent would be my number one style icon both for his personal style and his decorating - I've had the fortune of seeing some of the homes he created and they truly take your breath away. His homes and collections were always site specific and yet they were each uniquely his - this to me is true style. For women, Bunny Mellon and Marella Agnelli are two that come to mind that decorate and live in a uniquely personal way - in their high/low way of mixing objets. In a more contemporary vein, I love the style of my friend, Amy Fine Collins and her beautiful art filled apartment in which she constantly layers with new colors, patterns and textures.

What is your most prized relationship?
My partner of 15 years, Gene Meyer, a true friend and supremely talented designer – we’ve worked together on many decorating projects that I will always treasure.

Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
Auntie Mame – she’s always redecorating – and I really believe in her motto of “Live, Live, Live!” a home should be enjoyed and used – not some stage piece that never evolves with time – I try and stress that with my clients!

What books are currently on your bedside table?
The Glitter and the Gold, an autobiography of Consuelo Vanderbilt Balsan, an out of print book someone gave me – and – Redeeming Features, an autobiography of Nicky Haslam – both of these people really knew how to live and enjoy their surroundings!

 What is your favorite luxury in life?
Time to travel to new places, I seem to have less and less of it these days. I have a list of places I really want to see – and every time I go some place new, I usually find local crafts, of antiques that I may be able to incorporate in to my decorating – maybe not literally, but somehow the essence of them will be inspirational for a room.

What is your idea of earthly happiness?
As much as I love to travel and explore, I’m probably most happy when I’m giving a dinner party at home for friends – it combines everything – interior and table top design, cooking, flowers, music, socializing, and seeing the results in a few hours which is not usually possible with my job.

 Past or present who has most influenced your direction in life?
Architect Peter Marino, for whom I worked for 12 years, was the major influence on me, especially his striving for artistic perfection on every level and his insistence on finding the absolute best artists and craftspeople. Though less and less, there are still people and places in the world that take pride in their craft. It is this part of the job that I most treasure.

Profile by Ronda Carman

Salad on Sunday: Heirloom Tomatoes and Mozzarella Salad

2010-07-04T13:17:00.005+02:00

Normally I make potato salad on the fourth of July. However, this year I was inspired by this photo taken by my friend Miguel. This is one of the simplest salads and so delicious. Everything about it says summer. If you want to know what potato salad I usually make click here. Happy 4th of July!

2 tablespoons white Balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 lb mixed heirloom tomatoes, quartered
1 lb yellow cherry tomatoes
1 lb lightly salted mozzarella, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 1/2 cups loosely packed small basil leaves

Whisk together vinegar, mustard, salt, sugar, and pepper in a large bowl. Add oil in a slow stream, whisking constantly until dressing is emulsified. Add tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil and toss well. Season with salt and pepper.

Photo Miguel Flores-Vianna

Profile: Geoffrey Bradfield

2010-06-30T09:51:00.009+02:00

Functional opulence, purposeful whimsy, modern art and high tech accessories are all key to Geoffrey Bradfield’s sui generis style.

The South African born designer was a well-established in Johannesburg before moving to New York City in the late 1970s. Initially he worked with the legendary McMillen, Inc. and later as long-time partner of the late Jay Spectre.

Geoffrey has an undeniable talent for capturing the imagination and creating urbane interiors that are lavish, daring, contemporary and sumptuous. Where he truly excels is the orchestration of surprise. The unusual and quirky elements of his rooms never seem overplayed or trite. A perfect example is his Millennium Modern line of furniture, reinventions of traditional forms in Lucite.

His work has appeared in the pages of every leading design magazine including Architectural Digest, Interior Design, Elle Decor, Veranda, Classic Home, House Beautiful, Metropolitan Home and The New York Times. Of course, I was most impressed by his appearance on CNN's Style with Elsa Klensch!

His roster of projects and clients is equally impressive. Geoffrey’s firm played a role in the design overhaul of the Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney estate in Old Westbury, Long Island and the restoration of the late King Hussein's mansion in Maryland. Recently he completed a project for director Oliver Stone's New York residence.

Geoffrey’s answers to my questions are fun and most fitting. They made me smile (and laugh) on more than one occasion.

How would you describe your personal style?
I am a modernist and the use of contemporary art is a significant ingredient in my signature style.

What inspires your creativity and designs?
To some extent, the Art Moderne period of the 1940s. But, it does go far beyond that. I am very intrigued with the advent of technology.

Past or present who has most influenced your direction in life?
Aesthetically, Le Courbusier from the past. Lifestyle, Mr. Henry Mcilhenny of Philadelphia and Ireland. Spiritually, the Reverend Canon David Painter

What books are currently on your bedside table?
Dominick Dunne's Too Much Money and Lady Colin Campbell's Empress Bianca

What is your most prized possession?
Mr. Willoughby, my Yorkshire Terrier

Who are your style icons?
Le Courbusier, Jean-Michel Frank & Gilbert Poillerat

Who would you most like to collaborate with on a project?
Renzo Piano

What is the one thing in life you cannot live without?
My Bentley Continental Flying Spur and my driver Carlos

Past or present who has most influenced your direction in life?
Aesthetically, Le Courbusier from the past. Lifestyle, Mr. Henry Mcilhenny of Philadelphia and Ireland. Spiritually, the Reverend Canon David Painter

What is your favorite luxury in life?
A kilogram of beluga caviar and an extra-dry vodka martini from La Grenouille

What is your idea of earthly happiness?
Do you want the truth? In which case, a good roll in the hay. Or, the sanitized version, Saturdays with no prior commitments.

Profile by Ronda Carman

Visit the Private Garden of Michael Devine

2010-06-27T11:44:00.006+02:00

Visit the Private Garden of Designer Michael Devine
10 Broad Street Kinderhook, New York

Refreshments, Live Music & Gardening Tips
July 3rd, July 31st & September 4th
10:00am - 1:00pm (rain or shine)
Admission $10

Your contribution will help to purchase a bike rack
for Kinderhook's Village square.

For more information visit www.michaeldevinehome.com