DESIGNING WITH ANTIQUES AT THE WINTER ANTIQUE SHOW

Interior designers Harry Heissmann, Eileen Kathryn Boyd, and Philip Gorrivan showcased their ability to mix and match antiques with new pieces in their modern day room vignettes at this year's inaugural Designing With Antiques at the Winter Antique Show. Featuring an eclectic mix of hand picked antique furniture, decorative arts and modern pieces from the show, they combined these select items from exhibitors with pieces from their own collections. The result ended up being a serenity - filled bedroom, quietly sophisticated living room and festive dining area. The installations were on view in a period room, the Board of Officers room at Park Avenue Armory. The backdrop provided a dramatic contrast and perfect foil to the vignettes. Sponsored by The Magazine Antiques, the spaces were a wonderful way to show how to work with and embrace all period styles. Living with antiques and enjoying their history and special details is what its all about.

Harry Heissmann shared his take on classic serene white bedroom. Saying, "The George III tester bed from 1790 is from Kentshire, all bedding and the silver pillows, as well as the throws on the bench are from Nancy Koltes, she was a dream to work with! Smurf chess set on Dansk tray, blue gourd ceramic and 'Blessing' alarm clock are from my collection. Most importantly: flower arrangements by my all time favorite florist Emily Thompson in Dumbo. She is the new Constance Spry..."

The elaborate bench at the foot of the bed is a cast iron Morning Glory settee is from Barbara Israel.

"I selected the Intarsia cowhide rug with Ashley Stark at Stark carpet.
They had just gotten it and I fell in love with the vibrant blue... The rug
set the tone for the entire vignette, as I wanted it to pop. Pair of fine & early fruitwood Art Deco side chairs are by Leon Jallot from Maison Gerard, the chest is by Grosfeld House and Cornucopia plaster lamps are from Liz O'Brien. The blue tall case clock, Maine, circa 1810-1830 is from Olde Hope Antiques."

Nothing says fun like a table set with multiple eye-popping hues. Exceptional with color, designer Eileen Kathryn Boyd blended modern and traditional elements with bright, joyful bursts of orange and pink. She began planning around an incredibly colorful Oushak Rug she found at Peter Pap's Oriental Rugs. A Karl Springer Table from Liz O'Brien and Frances Elkins Loop Chairs were the neutral pieces that grounded the color.

Two candlestick lamps with huge drum shades added a modern element and draw the eye upwards. She used Clarke & Clarke fabrics for pillows and to tie the orange and hot pink scheme together. A Liverant and Son Antiques sideboard in the background added a traditional dark wood piece to the assortment, and Harry Bertoia sculptures modernized it.

Philip Gorrivan had the largest space of the three and used it as a launching pad to showcase his newest fabric collection for Duralee's Highland Court called Gorrivan II. The space was filled with creams, dusty lavender and hints of brass and shiny surfaces. The majority of the accessories were from Maison Gerard and Lost City Arts, adding to the sophisticated mix. He covered the sofas in his Terrazzo fabric, and a pair of stunning Regency chairs from Clinton Howell Antiques were made modern covered in plum cut velvet seats. A pair of 19th c. giltwood klismos chairs with ebonized owls and Asian sculpture were from Kentshire. Spill Cast Sculpture by Bertoia (left of the fireplace) and the collection of Danish seashore rocks were from Lost City Arts.

A bench was covered in Articus a white faux fur that contrasted the sculptural metal legs. An array of pillows were in a variety of his fabrics: Ruskin, Voltaire, Concerto, Newgrange, and Julian. The Coffee table used between the sofas is a wakapu, lacquer and gilt bronze table by Jean-Berenger de Nattes from Maison Gerard.

A large folding screen made the large space appear more intimate. It was covered in London Plane with the trim taken from the fabric Homer. Centered in front of them were two mirrored tables from Liz O’Brien that add sexy glamour.

It's all in the details. A detail I have been spotting a lot lately is painted rugs. A painted Seagrass rug border is a detail Bunny Williams employed at last years Kips Bay Showhouse. Here, a Chinese key design is an effective way to bring in pattern and graphic impact to an otherwise neutral surface.

THE WEEK THAT WAS: FROM FABRIC LAUNCHES TO ONLINE AND PRINT MAG LAUNCHES

After all this running around this week, I need a tea break and personal reflexologist at my beck and call.

My schedule entailed the following:

Bungalow 5 party in full swing
Monday night I attended the opening of my friends Luca Rensi and John Roudabush's brand spanking new Bungalow 5 showroom.

Photo courtesy of Rue Mag
Then worked my way to Soho and toasted Rue Mag's launch of their 3rd issue at The New Traditionalists where a good party, fun crowd and strong cocktail are guaranteed.

Tuesday night I dined alongside the "Young 20" designers with Traditional Home. They are launching a Trad Home and Lonny hybrid online mag that showcases the work of those they deem to be the best and brightest. The intimate Freemans dinner was hosted by Beth Brenner of Traditional Home and Michelle Adams & Patrick Cline of Lonny
. The young traditionals issue of their first ever digital edition hits this April and I am really excited about seeing these new designers projects in detail.

The group was a design obsessed bunch:

Lonny's top dog Michelle Adams, the wry humored fantastic writer Sarah Firshein of Curbed, and the super nice interior designer Ron Marvin

Nina Freudenberger of Haus Interiors, interior designer and Design Therapy blogger Brad Ford with pr gal Stacy McLaughlin

Callie Jenschke and Nicki Clendening of Scout Designs. Callie worked at Met Home and both have Southern roots. These girls get it done.

Designer and art expert Tom Delavan and PR maven Elizabeth Blitzer

Interior designer Robert Passal with a colleague, and fellow design blogger Nicole of So Haute

And two gals I feel like I have been meant to meet forever: Suysel dePedro Cunningham and Anne Maxwell Foster of Tilton Fenwick. Suysel used to work for Markam Roberts and Anne worked for Brockschmidt and Coleman and Ashley Whittaker.

Williams Sonoma Wednesday:

Wednesday night I previewed the Spring launch of Williams Sonoma brands including Pottery Barn, PB Kids, West Elm, and Williams Sonoma at The Garden Room in the hipper - than - thou Standard Hotel

A punchy patterned printed dhurrie from Williams Sonoma Home

The best brownies you have ever had are from the new Baked brownie mixes being offered at Williams Sonoma

A neutral, tonal palette of wares from West Elm

Another creative bunch gathers for an online mag launch:

Photo courtesy of Matchbook
From there I jetted to Soho's Coach store where The Neo Traditionalist blogger Katie Armour feted her new online magazine/field guide/preppy manifesto Matchbook.

An iconic print mag steeped in tradition gets a sunny makeover:

Courtesy of Architectural Digest Photography by Pieter Estersohn
And Thursday I was wowed by the gorgeous luxe, worldly new Architectural Digest as new EIC Margaret Russell , hosted a luncheon of media and bloggers to preview the new issue. With a fully revamped staff of 30 new editors, a content rich resource section in the back of the book, photography and projects by design world luminaries like Michael Smith (who also decorated her office) and Daniel Romauldez, the new AD is worth buzzing about.

The crisp all white centerpiece at the AD luncheon at 4 Times Square

Thursday the fun continued with fabrics and books:

In the evening, I joined a small group of old media (!) friends/editors and interior designers at Pierre Frey's super cool Nolita apartment to see the newest lush bohemian inspired fabric collection that was launched in Paris at Maison Objet the week before.

Home and showplace, Pierre Frey's Nolita digs embody the brand and its latest global glam collection

A cozy fire added to the welcome ambiance

A book launch:

Photo courtesy of Campion Platt
From there Malcolm Kutner and I headed over to The New Traditionalists again (yes, they do throw a good party so I cannot seem to stay away) to see Campion Platt and have him sign his beautiful new book, Made to Order.

The week's festivities are finally winding down, after hitting so many great events and seeing so many new things I need to decompress. But it was all worth it. Who knew February was going to be so busy?

NEEDLEPOINT NIRVANA IN AMH DESIGNS

Depending on how deep your DIY strain goes, there is something for every level of engagement at AMH Designs. Connecticut - raised worldly gal Amy Holbrook's needlepoint embellished journals, animal kits, gift tags, dog charms and and key chains are a low commitment way to see great results with very little effort. All of her kits are quick and easy, with clear instructions. She recently debuted some great new additions to her journals and albums at the Gift Show. Her clean aesthetic is fresh and appealing, but then again, so are the needlepoints.

Poppy notebooks with inset initials are fun to give and to get.

Gift giving gets personal with these sweet needlepoint tags. Choose from hearts, border designs or initials.

Her iphone and ipod kits are a great way to show some style on the move.

It is hard to choose which pattern to tackle first..

A mod geo pattern and classic monogram made note taking memorable.

If monograms are not your thing, maybe keeping it simple is the best way to go.

Great hostess gift alert! Key chains are always welcome, especially when they have a personalized touch.

When you buy a kit, you get the contents below and low stress instructions:

Courtesy of AMH Designs

1. Color picture and design pattern: Included is a color photo of the finished needlepoint and a pattern chart for easy reference while stitching.
2. Photo album/journal: Choose between a linen photo album or journal to display your finished needlepoint piece. The photo album holds 20 4x6 photographs and the journal has 100 unlined pages. Finishing your project is a snap. Just trim down the excess canvas and slip the needlepoint into the front pocket of your linen photo album or journal. These useful items will display your needlework beautifully.
3. Tool charm bracelet: Never lose your tools again! This fun stretchy bracelet has a pair of folding scissors and a needle threader attached. Wear your tools when not using them. The scissors when folded are 1.5 inches long and the sharp tip is protected.
4. Needles: The kit comes with 2 tapestry needles (just in case you lose one, you'll have a backup).
5. Canvas: Color pattern is printed onto 14 count Zweigart interlock canvas making it simple to stitch.
6. Threads: The kit comes with plenty of lustrous single-ply cotton thread (more than enough is included so you won't run out).
7. Instruction booklet: A simple instruction booklet with large easy-to-follow diagrams for both right and left handed stitchers.

GIFT SHOW GREAT: HAVE YOU MET MR. BROWN?

Mr. Brown is a new line from British furniture designer Julian Chichester. It has a youthful spirit mixed with an elegant, refined sensibility. They call it "English informality for a modern life," and take classic forms of furniture, scale it to fit in smaller settings, offer light wood finishes and fun details. I call it full of pizazz. Visit Julian, David and Natalie at Pier 94 Booth 47008

A tight back chair with button tufting and contrast trim is perfection.

Who would have thought a shell console could look this young and chic?

A new take on a classic wing back-- in wood. Americana meets cool Britannia.
I sense some Biedermeier influence. A good thing.

Got books? Get bookshelf.

A darling settee with a curved back is a grown up piece worth owning.

A curvy front chest adds visual interest and momentum to break up hard lines.
Another great wing chair, this time upholstered with a nice small arm.

A remake of a classic console, the white painted finish gives it some zing.

I love this side chair, with its feminine bowed arm and sway in the back, it would work in a hall or a living room seating arrangement.

The Klismos makes a comeback. A sit-able scale and powder blue velvet upholstery are fresh not fussy.

J'ADORE FASHION PRINTS FROM DEAN RHYS MORGAN

Artist Alfredo Bouret was the only illustrator artiste Balenciaga would allow into his Parisian fashion atelier. This resulted in a small cache of prints and this sketch that was seen in Vogue circa 1960. He captured fashion with a darling, jaunty flair.

It can now be yours in the form of a charming card and print, through British dealer Dean Rhys Morgan. His artwork graces the walls of the Dransfield and Ross booth 45012 Pier 94 at the Gift Show. He also carries the Jeremiah prints that I wrote about here last year.

Worlds Best Small House Plan Introduced!

The Worlds Best Small House Plan has just been introduced at Simply Elegant Home Designs!
The home design - the Scandia Modern Cottage is actually a plan that Simply Elegant has had on the market, but has taken on a complete remodeling.  The result is the worlds best small house plan.  See images below and be sure to check out the videos.

A modest interior, but with abundant natural light and a carefully designed open floor plan it fills large.  Check the interior video out at small modern cottage interior 

The exterior is simple and unique.  A modern cottage design.  Check out the exterior video at small modern cottage exterior

The Scandia Modern Cottage was designed by Minnesota Architect Ron Brenner.  He had this to say about the project.

“Is the claim that this is the worlds best small house plan a little much? Perhaps; but I am very excited about the design.  To me the design if fresh and the floor plan functions beautifully.  Let me list just a few things that I think make this a special home design.

1. At 1349 square feet the home is on the small side, but it feels large. Take a look at the interior images and video and I think you will agree. We opened up the floor plan and looked carefully at circulation patterns and furniture arrangements to make the spaces highly functional. Windows filter the public spaces with natural light from every direction.
2. It is a small house plan with plenty of storage. Because of it's size we made sure we packed it with storage possibilities in creative ways. A custom buffet cabinet floats between the living and dining areas. A continuous window seat with storage below is placed alongside the entry path. Media cabinets flank the fireplace.
3. The house is “comfortable”. Both inside and out, it evokes a casual kind of elegance that makes you feel at home.
4. The floor plan is adaptable. We have designed the home to be expandable with a main floor master bedroom. Or on a walkout or lookout lot, kids bedrooms could be placed on the lower level and the second floor converted into an amazing Master Suite.
5. The exterior is adaptable. We like the clean lines and uncluttered look of it's Scandinavian influenced exterior. But the design can easily be adapted to a more traditional or rustic aesthetic without altering the massing in any way.”
   
   

View from rear yard showing the trellis covered patio area.

View from right side.  The tower makes a dramatic statement.

Custom cabinetry is featured throughout the home design providing for ample storage in a small house plan.  Also, notice the exposed stair stringers.