Gift Guide Part 3 : Her

Here it is, the 2013 gift guide for Her.

1. Stacking Ring. Like copper and brass in interiors, rose gold has become a HUGE trend in fashion over the past year.  I love the sparkle and detail of this ring from Leif Shop.

2. Shearling lined slippers. There is nothing nicer than slipping on a pair of cozy slippers to keep ones feet warm over the holidays and these moccasins from J Crew are just the perfect pair.

3. Stella McCartney bag.  I have adored the Falabella bags forever - one of my design must-haves, therefore it just had to make it's way onto the list.

4. Little Ceramic Pot.  I always have things that are just stowed on my bedside table and this little White and Gold pot from Etsy shop UpInTheAirSomewhere is just the perfect little thing to have holding for all my bits and pieces.

5. Clear Frame Glasses.  While I know that this item isn't for everything it is something on my list this year and so I just had to include.  I know that the trend has been for thick, dark plastic frames, and while I do have a pair like that, I now really want some clear plastic ones like these from Derek Cardigan.  Only question is can I pull them off??

6. Leather and Canvas zip pouch. I love things being monogrammed and these little zippered pouches are a great accessory for whatever one might need.

Gift Guide Part 1 : Home

Well, it's that time of the year again! Hard to believe we are already in full holiday mode and so here comes my Gift Guide! What better a way to start the 2013 series than with yummy treats for the Home! Hope you enjoy, find some inspiration and don't forget to check back for guides to gifts for Him, Her and new this year Pets. 

1. Colourful Honeycomb Coasters from Leif Shop. I love a little bit of colour in a home accessory, especially when it's in a pixilated pattern, and these hand-painted coasters offer just that bit of punch to your coffee table.

2. Teacup and Small Tray.  This simple yet extremely elegant set would be perfect for a spot of afternoon tea!

3. Almoco Copper Flatware. This year has been one of brass and copper in the world of interiors and I just love the little edge this cutlery gives.  

4. Grey Felt Storage Bin from DWR. I just love the simplicity of the design, durability of material and really can picture this in any interior.

5. Brushtroke Glasses. In a colour palette designed by Le Corbusier, these glasses are produced by Lobmeyr and are to me, perfection.

6. Restorations Hardware Italian Tipped Sheets. I love these - the simple edge detail adds a little contemporary twist without losing the crisp clean look of white linens.

A Concrete Idea

Architectural Digest - Michael Weschler Photography

I am a little behind in my reading and so I was going through April's Architectural Digest (okay, I'm a lot behind on my reading) and was struck by the article on the new David Zwimer Gallery by architect Anabelle Selldorf.  The article features the amazing five story staircase and it's wood board imprinted concrete walls (see image above). I have loved concrete as an interior building material and am constantly amazed at how creative and boundary pushing designers are with this material.  No longer do I think that people associate it with being a cold material, but rather that it adds an element of bespoke design that some might say is unparalleled - where else can you find a material that will literally take any form or impression you give it? 

Design Milk

Apartment 34

Randy Weinstein Design

Archdaily

Objects of Desire

ModGirl

I'm also loving the fact that concrete is being used for furnishings - whether lighting or exterior furniture. Some of my favs are below.

Loop Chair by Willy Guhl via DesignBoom

Heavy Desk Light from Benjamin Hubert via Dezeen

Catching the Breeze

This week I find myself in East Hampton installing a project that has come about quite quickly. The weather hasn't been great and so things in town have been quite slow except for contractors and design folk like me getting our clients houses ready for the summer season.  The project is right on the beach (see image from my tweet) and it has really made me think of the great outdoors and how nice it is to spend time by the water - even if I don't get to benefit from it.  One feature of the house that I really like (and something we are putting into a project in Florida I'm working on as well) is an outdoor shower.  The idea of standing outside, enjoying nature while pampering yourself really is the ultimate indulgence. I thought that I would share some wonderful outdoor shower images with you that I have been using as inspiration for this other project. Thoughts? 

Pinterest

Residence

Arch Daily

Gardenista

The Black Workshop

Vineet Kaur

Colours of Spring - Purple

Today is the last installment of my Colours of Spring miniseries, and what a way to end then with the colour of royalty - Purple. As with the Yellow and Green posts (here and here respectively) there is something so cheery and welcoming to the changing of season as purple - think magnolia blossoms and lilacs a plenty.  You don't have to go all out and cover every surface with purple (although this can be quite successful), but as with many colours adding a little bit here and there in an otherwise neutral interior can help freshen up and brighten your space.  I have to say that all these pops of colour and little bits of spring over the past week have made me feel that perhaps I need a little more colour in my life. 

Pinterest

Inspired Design

House and Home

Architectural Digest

Pinterest

Bella Mumma

Colours of Spring - Green

While some of these interiors push the idea of colour in an interior a little further than I like, they all feel very current and springlike. As with my post on Yellow here, whether it is being used as the dominant colour in the interior or as an accent here and there Emerald Green is all the rage this season and I'm on board!  I especially like the contrast with white and back (4th image with the green stair runner) and think that there is something to be said about pairing a bright accent with some neutrals - it not only helps keep things feeling a little calmer, but will act as a good background for this bright and lively accent. Anyone feeling green with envy? 

A Little Dash of Ash

Examiner

Show Home

Las Molinas

Pinterest

Martha Stewart

Colours of Spring - Yellow

For me spring is all about being bright.  The sun is shining more than it has all winter, everyone seems to have a smile on their face as the weather is getting warmer, and we try colours that haven't come out in months.  Well for me the same goes for interiors.  As most of you know I am a designer with modern tendencies and I tend to like simple interiors that generally lean on the more monochromatic side than bright and bubbly. This season however I am loving what pops of yellow seem to be doing to interiors. Whether used as an accent colour on a wall, or a piece of furniture in a corner, yellow not only seems to brighten these interiors, but my day as well.

Douglas Friedman Photography

Tumblr

Ideas to Steal

My Home Ideas

A Part Ca

So Deco

Margas

Colours of Spring

This weekend we really noticed the change in season in New York. I mean I know that we had some warmer weather last week, but with the rain and threat of even snow on Friday, this weekend really felt like we has seen the coldest and things were going to go up from here.  Spring is all about how to be bold with colours in your wardrobe - I mean after spending I don't know how many months wearing black, I love to mix in a pop here and there - and so why not let this trend transcend to your interior?  There are a couple of colours which will be making it big this season and so I'll be featuring these this week, but today I thought I would set the mood with colour in general.  It is always nice to bring a little bit of something to an interior with a pop of this, or some colour blocking there, and so although these bring a little more than a pop, it shows how colour can really set the tone of an interior.

Pinterest

Design Love Fest

Mimi + Meg

Sketch42

Residdence

Flickr

The house Jens Risom built

Although prefab is at the forefront of people's minds and design ideals, it is not a new, or even revolutionary phenomenon.  In 1967, danish designer Jens Risom had an A-Frame house built on Block Island, RI completely for pre-ordered parts.  Assembled on his property, this 700 square-foot holiday home housed everything one could need, including furniture designed by Risom himself. At a time where prefab equalled boring, this little cottage proved everyone wrong using materials, forms and the elements of design seemingly lost on the other such homes of the time.  Originally showcased in Life, and recently published in Dwell, this escape  as a homage to the now 97-year-old Risom and his influence on the design world as we know it.  

Dwell Magazine - Foto + Warner Photography