DWELL WELL: SOHO'S LATEST DESIGN DESTINATION

Photos courtesy of Dwell Studio

Soho's 77 Wooster Street gets another cool design destination. For the first time in NYC, Dwell Studio has launched a full on lifestyle store.

A chic dark grey facade greets you with killer brass hardware on the massive doors. What's inside will inspire and make you desire.

Founder Christiane Lemieux in a quiet moment before the store opening.

Arranged vignettes mix vintage finds with Dwell Studio's mid century modern tinged furniture line.

but let's not forget the fun patterned bedding that put Dwell Studio on the map just several or so years ago. It is featured prominently on the bookcase covered walls, fitted with brass accents and library ladders for easy access.

Cool finds have just the right vibe for the mix of old and new.

Need design and gorgeous coffee table books? Yeah, they've got that. Notice one of my favorites-- Deborah Needleman's latest home tome.

The built ins and storage are so good looking, more Tribeca loft than retail, which is a secret to great merchandising, I think.

Grab and go pillows behind a loungey divan from their furniture line.

With clean lines and tailored polish, pieces are styled for the way people actually live, or Dwell, rather.

BRIGHT NOW

Right now we are being wowed with wonderful bright hues, from punchy primaries to electric fluoro brights. The array of loud color is amazing-- a rainbow is peeking through for an early spring. Be it color blocking, stripes, or just saturated and unabashed, bright is so right now.

A wall of color at West Elm separating red, yellow, green and blue.

Photo courtesy of Kate Spade
Paint the town any color you want, as long as you pick a color. Say thanks for a colorful night with Paint The Town Notes from Kate Spade. Mais oui.

Photo courtesy of Stampa
Artist Sirichai's #17 Tongue is a nod to the great graphic 1960's pop art. He worked for fashion minimalist Geoffrey Beene, can you tell? Check out Stampa for their stable of fresh artists prints available with or without a frame.

Photo courtesy of DVF
An all-over red and white confetti pattern makes this DVF Square Dot tray a party-must.

Photo courtesy of Jonathan Adler
Throws always do the trick on the back of a sofa. This mohair number from Jonathan Adler in spring green is smile worthy.

Photo courtesy of Currey and Company
Better off red with Currey and Company's racing red Lombard Chest.

Photo courtesy of Pantone
A world of color is at your fingertips with Pantone Universe. Their espresso cups in reds and pinks will surely brighten your day.


Photo courtesy of West Elm
The lemon yellow of the Martini Table from West Elm is a tart treat.

Photo courtesy of CB2
For your favorite knit wit, a knitted pouf in electric pool blue from CB2.

Photo courtesy of Dwell
Stripe it rich with Dwell's chic cotton and wool Draper Stripe Rug in persimmon.

Photos courtesy of Anya Hindmarch
The Mini Grace bag in a color grid

I am endlessly inspired by British handbag designer, Anya Hindmarch. Every season she finds cultural, architectural and artistic influences that act as her muse. These color - based vignettes she has created for her newest saturated collection incorporate found, everyday objects to tell the color tale beautifully, in a cabinet of curiosities way I just love.

Show your love for the big apple with a glittering green minaudiere.

With a pop of white to accent all the crazy color, the Huxley Tote tones things down.

The classic Nevis Tote in playful multi-hued rubber is beachy keen.

GLAMOUROUS LIFE: BRASSY IS CLASSY

Photo courtesy of Kelly Wearstler
Kelly Wearstler's home accessories collection for Bergdorf Goodman Decorative Home is brass heavy.

Brass is back. The warm metal, whether with a patina of age or bright and new, can add a mellow golden hue in the way silver, nickel and chrome can't. With a nod to Kelly Wearstler, who opened the door for more, today's brass is sexy and suave. Whether you are going for 70's Italian, Studio 54, or 80's redux, the glint of brass adds a glamorous glow.

Photo courtesy of Flair
Flair Home Collection has a Vintage French Screen with teal and gold lacquer that is the tops.

Photo courtesy of Oly
Amelia, a bombe chest from Oly is wrapped in brushed brass. Place it in a front hall as a statement piece or in a living room with a pair of great lamps on it.

A small drinks table from Jayson in brass with an x base and cut corners is just the spot for something small. Place it next to a sofa or by a cozy chair for some luxe gleam.

Photo courtesy of Jayson Home and Garden
Spindly brass wall flowers have a fun slinky - like movement to them that will make you smile. Available through Jayson Home and Garden.

Photo courtesy of Made Goods
Links of polished brass make this light and airy lidded box from Made Goods a gorgeous decorative element.

Hammered brass box and vase from Studio A has grooved texture that gives it the metal a softer look.

Photo courtesy of Urban Electric Company
The Travers sconce, designed by Amanda Nisbet for Urban Electric, mixes brass, etched glass and cherry wood for a subtle shadow play.

The stunning Baroque Lamp with high relief swirls from Laura Kirar for Arteriors is a little bit art deco a little bit disco.

Dwell for Global Views spiky ball is the sort of decorative object every coffee table should have. Consider it the modern day equivalent of the Moravian star Albert Hadley loved to use.

Brass and ebony iron accents make this mixed material orb with large studs an object of interest. From Dwell for Global Views.

Photos courtesy of Global Views
Make a tablescape even better with a piece that has a bit of height. Marble and brass in this dynamic piece from Dwell for Global Views has a Brancusi feel.

Tom Dixon created The Etch Pendant for DWR out of digitally cut and etched brass. It casts a radiant glow.

Photo courtesy of Made Goods
A dodecahedron in gold ceramic from Made Goods has many facets that all look great. From a bookshelf to a side table they are unusual additions.

Perch on this spun gold garden seat from Waylande Gregory or use it for a side table, whatever purpose it suits, it will be gorg.

TEMPTINGLY TROPICAL

If you are headed someplace warm for spring break, taking a well deserved respite from a long winter, or just dreaming of an escape, here are some sunny colors to get you though till the arrival of spring. Next week, I am off to LA for Westweek, so I have tropical hues on my mind. I will be attending fabric launches at The PDC, a Lars Bolander book signing at Nathan Turner's, and catching up with LA's amazing designers. I am looking forward to checking out new shops and checking in with everyone from Kathryn M. Ireland in West Hollywood to Windsor Smith in Brentwood.

A chic J. McLaughlin red linen and turquoise leather trimmed tote is my bag of choice for a week in Los Angeles. It is called The Melinda.

Photo courtesy of Anya Hindmarch
Trinny, this slip of a sandal from Anya Hindmarch has cute little pom poms on the t - strap and comes in a great fuchsia metallic.
Photo courtesy of Robyn Brooks
An armful of shiny bangles from Robyn Brooks are sure to banish the winter doldrums

Photos courtesy of Guru
Guru linen tunics are a wardrobe staple. Aqua yellow and white makes for a fresh combination that is beach ready.

A red, navy and fuschia linen dress from Guru is another great combination. Come to think of it, this would be an amazing room scheme as well.
Photo courtesy of Anya Hindmarch
Sun protection is a must, especially if you are headed to the Carribean. Keep a cool head in this woven Italian topper from Anya Hindmarch. It has a tri color band of red, white and natural straw making it a showstopper.

Cotton scarves from See Design work well in highly air conditioned areas

Photo courtesy of Target
Casablanca, a fresh light blue, white and green quilted geometric bed from Dwell Studio for Target is a bold new design that embraces spring hues.

Hand towels with little embroidered palapa huts from Lulu DK Matouk captures the life of leisure- if you can't board a plane to Maya Tulum.

Embroidered pillows from Trina Turk sit in a hanging chair in her Gansevoort Street store where they are ready for spring.

Mod geo ceramic trays from Two's Company in a bevy of contrasting colors are great for holding jewelry and adding a hit of color to a dresser.