Paris in the Spring...

 

I am so missing Paris right now..  I love to visit in the spring!  I have had many emails as of late asking to share my favorite places in Paris and France so I thought that I would put together a post this coming week with all of the things that make Paris my favorite city.  

I would love to have you share your favorites too!  I am sure those who are traveling this coming year would like a glimpse into what makes the city so special to so many people. 

Wishing you a dream filled Saturday!

 

These are the sweet treats that my hubby brought me back from his trip just a few short weeks ago.

Love Laduree....

 

Oh so Manly..

 

How amazing is this Manhattan home of the Chief Creative Officer at Ralph Lauren?  It is so very manly and I love the mix of vintage and new.  The tolix chairs alone make the space for me.  

What do you have planned for this weekend?  I am taking a well needed break from work and activities for a little relaxing time at home.  

Also, don't miss out on One Kings Lane's newest vintage sales that started just yesterday.  Just think of all of the great goodies you can find everyday!

images via AD

 

Totally loving..

 

These things are totally not related..  I love the vibrant green in this outdoor space.  We are searching for the perfect hedge for our yard and this picture caught my eye.  Any hedge suggestions are welcome!

 

I was at the design center yesterday pulling some fabrics for a job and had a chance to see the new line from Kelly Wearstler for Lee Jofa- love these!  It is nice to see some new fabrics.  I also had a chance to see the new pieces from Windsor Smith which are also fantastic.

Wishing you a great start to the end of the week!

 

WAYLANDE GREGORY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM

With rich matte glazes and metallic accents, Waylande Gregory's iconic ceramic designs have stood the test of time and are finding a new audience with their brighter hues and modern applications on a wide array of decorative accessories.
A master ceramicist who devised a revolutionary glazing technique, Gregory's designs from the 1940's and 50's are being revived and appreciated once again for their whimsy, graphic sensibility and artistic flair. Gregory's great-grand nephew Bryan Downey and Mickey Rosarin came across a trove of his work, have revived his archives, and are producing pieces in Peru for Waylande Gregory Studios. Their most recent animal introductions are too adorable not to scoop up in multiples. They make a terrific addition with their burst of color, personality and exuberance. You can find WG designs online at Gracious Style and Vivre.

Lime Fish, an instant favorite of mine. His big personality shines through.

Yellow Giraffe Tray

Red Bird Tray

Tiger Face Tray

Fan Peacocks struttin' it across a box, and trays

Blue Pelican and Asian Elephant

Fan Peacock and Buddha's House with Tiger above

Blue Fish Coasters

Elephant Coasters

A visit to the Winelands

I popped out to Franschoek yesterday to meet with the owners of Ebony and chat about the upcoming Franschoek Literary Festival from the 11th to 14th May.  Excitingly I am going to be creating 12 works for them as well as a massive hanging mobile which I am most excited about.

Below is a rather dodgy photo of the 3 works they currently have - their walls are a dark charcoal which really sets them off.  Very pleased indeed!

Ebony - Shop 4, Franschhoek Square, 32 Huguenot Street, Franschhoek

Going somewhere..

 

I saw these and was immediately in love- this is some amazing talent!  

I have a presentation today and then it is back to the ordering grind for ongoing projects.  I wish I felt like I was moving forward but I am not sure if I am really getting anywhere anymore.

Tomorrow I will share with you a little bit of what I have been up to and I am hoping to get to share some great new books that I have discovered too!

Wishing you a lovely Wednesday.

image source unknown  

 

PLACES, EVERYONE!

With summer on the horizon, our thoughts tend to turn to outdoor entertaining, and we dream of long warm evenings savoring every minute. Sandra McFarland's HP Designs laminated placemats will help you entertain colorfully, indoors and out. Festooned with elegant animals and large scale prints, her creations that merge flora and fauna are designed on paper and then matted in a laminate casing, allowing them to look great and last. Her classic-with-a-twist designs are available at the shops here, which hopefully are close to where you are.

Zebra with a coral border
Blue crab

Grouper with a moire background and Greek key border

Trellis Merian with fruits and butterflies

Melon and butterflies

Tortoise

Le Swainson bird on a branch with lime zebra background

Coral on an aqua ikat with Greek key border

Large coral ikat

Large trout

Tote obsession...

 

This is a problem.. I am completely obsessed with totes and bags..  I was flipping through the new issue of Souvenir magazine and was clicking through on products that I liked, once I finished the magazine I realized that I had linked up to multiple websites, but each link was for a different bag.  So I guess I am obsessed just a little!!  I have bags everywhere in the house, I have woven bags holding my bath towels, picnic supplies, fabric samples- you name it!   I like woven, vintage, linen, pretty much anything that would carry goodies home from any kind of store or hold things at home, but I truly love to use them at the flea market and farmer's market- it feels great to come home without a single plastic bag wrapped around my goodies.

Do you love them like I do- have I lost my mind (don't answer that one)!?

click the images for links to these must have bags

 

Grey office space

 

Oh how is it Monday once again??  What I would not give to have a (clean) office that is this fabulous!  Today is the day to get my ducks back into rows and get moving forward.  Last week seemed to fly past me like a freight train, so please forgive any unanswered emails or phone calls.  I have a new intern starting today and I am hopeful she can get me back on track here!

Wishing you a wonderful day of taking care of business!

image via elle decor found here

 

A NEW HOME FOR JAMES SANSUM FINE AND DECORATIVE ART

Photos courtesy of Michael Simon
Behind a modernist facade at 33 East 68th Street on Manhattan's Upper East Side is where you will now find James Sansum Fine and Decorative Art Gallery. It's new home has more display space for his fine collection of artwork, unique American and European antiques, decorative objects, worldly finds and highly individualized pieces that add instant panache to a room.

Modern, sleek metal signage welcomes you to James Sansum's Gallery, located on the 6th floor. Connected to his partner, Markham Roberts Interior Design's office, there is creativity in spades. The space also houses art dealer Leslie Feely Fine Art's gallery. Come shop then head further up Madison to Sant Abroeus for a Milanese lunch.

A curvy backed 1940's Louis XV Style Sofa with artist Karen Connell's C-print photograph mounted behind Plexiglass, Anywhere but Here, Scene 8 hanging above.

A Regency Style Tall Étagère from England, circa 1910-1920 houses books and decorative objects, including a painted Regency Pen Work Box on the bottom shelf.

A German Rococo Bombe Commode in Walnut has a painted Beech wood French Balloon Back Side Chair, circa 1950 upholstered in pale blue fabric next to it. A vivid blue eglomise and wood Gustav III Period Two Arm Sconce, circa 1790 hangs on the wall above.

Stunning burl walnut veneers with brass mountings on a Queen Anne Period Cabinet on Chest from London, England, circa 1705-1715 with a Large Blue and White English Ceramic Punch Bowl circa 1895 on top flanked by a gorgeous pair of Dutch East Indies Baroque-Form Wooden Candlesticks from the nineteenth century. In front of it, a Chinese Cinnabar Stool from the Qing Dynasty, circa 1890-1910 with intricate carvings.

Painted Beech wood Louis XVI Bergères from France, circa 1780 sit next to a painted wood and marble Louis XV Center Table circa 1750-1760 with a French Modernist Sunflower Lamp by Maison Charles circa 1955-1965.

An inscribed Japanese Arts and Crafts Banquet Table circa 1910-1920 holds a vase of gilded wood and bronze stylized Water Lily Flowers on Stems from Japan, Meiji Period, circa 1890-1910. Painter Julia Condon's Mandala of the Echoes hangs above it.