AD Top 100 - Part 1

Well my January 2012 Special Issue of Architectural Digest arrived in the mail (yay!) and it is The New AD100! This is probably my favorite issue as it showcases the top 100 architects and designers in the industry - according to AD.  I love reading through all the companies profiles and thought I would do a mini feature and over the next three days highlight my top three pics! So stay tuned and let me know who made the top of your list.

ATELIER AM

Alexandra and Michael Misczynski head-up this Los Angeles based Interior Design company.  With a clean simple palett and an eye for detail this duo creates serene interiors that are elegant, refined and homely.  They have an eye for mixing the right amount of found pieces and antiques with custom furnishings tailoring each project to their clients needs - and an A-list celebrity clientele they have! Their interiors are truly beautiful and after less than ten years in the industry these two are definitely on my radar.

Veranda Magazine

Desire to Inspire

Architectural Digest

Inspired By

London! Well, I find myself once more in the London departure lounge waiting for my connecting flight to Nice. I am off for my final two weeks of freelance work and can't help but feel nostalgic being in London - even if only for a couple of hours at the airport.  The views flying over the city this morning were amazing and they made me think of all the spots I miss and some of my favourite things in this amazing city, and so I wanted to share them with you.

London's modern art museum (the Tate Modern) once was a power station and the turbine hall - a 152m long space - is now used as a temporary exhibition space for the Unilever series. I just love the scale of the space and how you can feel the industrial building meeting modern architecture.

Tate Modern

The Wolesley is a restaurant on Piccadilly and by far one of my favourite breakfast spots. The food is delicious, the interior is grand (David Collins Studio) and you can always be sure for some good people watching!

Admiral Cod Blogspot

The Burlington Arcade in mayfair is an indoor shopping arcade that really makes you feel the history of the city.  It has amazing curved glass entrances to each shop (see my previous post here) and for me is a little escape from the busy world that surrounds it. 

BA Highlife

The Wallace Collection is a public museum right in the centre of the city and displays an incredible (once private) collection of art from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Housed in Hertford house, the former London residence of Sir Richard Wallace, this truly is one of my favorite gems in the city both for art and lavish interiors. 

The Wallace Collection

Hampstead Heath is an sprawling green space in the northern part of the city. We lived not too far away and walked to their yummy farmers market most Saturday mornings.

London is free

And finally I cannot leave out the shopping.  One of my favourite stores is COS (owned by H&M). Their clothes are simple, cost effective and architectural in their tailoring and form the majority of staples in my wardrobe!

COS

Quintessentially New York

Our Friday night tradition of visiting different Manhattan bars has been on hiatus because of all the travelling I have been doing.  Last night we continued our tradition and visited the bar at The London Hotel.  We were feeling a little sentimental about London (it's been 4 months since we left) and I was curious to take a peek at a David Collins Studio interior.

While it is a quintessential DCS space - mirrors, high gloss black lacquer, studded leather - I was quite disappointed at the lack of attention to detail and somebasic mistakes being made. There were unfinished details being reflected in mirrors and the junctions between finishes weren't great, however the cocktails were yummy and the people watching was pretty good (saw Shauna from Entourage). I don't think that we will go back but it did scratch that London glitzy bar itch I had.

New York Hotel Blog

Decorations all Round

We are well in the swing of the holiday season (even though it only officially started yesterday) and I am sure many of you are starting to get your homes decorated. As the holidays are a time for entertaining a good place to start the decorations is outside by having a wreath.  Not matter what holiday you celebrate having a wreath adds a little festive cheer to the season.  I am a firm believer in thinking outside the box and so here are some great, unconventional and super creative wreath ideas.

Wreath in blue and white made from yarn and felt - Made by Itz Fitz on Etsy

Wallnut wreath - from Martha Stewart

Twig and pinecone wreath - from The Marion House Book

Multicolour felt ball wreath - from Pickles

 DIY wreath made from christmas decorations - Created by Emily Loves

And if you wanted to think even further outside the box, here is a super creative wreath made by a close friend - it is a foam ring with folded pages of a book....LOVE IT! She got her inspiration from this Apartment Therapy post.

Wrappers Delight

I have always wanted to have a wrapping room. There is something so decadent about having a designated space to do all your crafts and wrapping where you don't have to pack it all away off the dining table when you are done - I guess we would need more than my 700sq.ft apartment for that! I love the idea that everything has a place and that the time and effort I have gone taken to select the paper, card or decoration translates into a special place in my home for it all to be kept.

As it is December 1st, and we are officially in the holiday season, I thought that I would let me imagination wander to what if I could have a wrapping room....or at least a wrapping station.  Here are some great ideas for the day my what-ifs turn into reality.

Canadian House & Home

Martha Stewart's wrapping station

Emily Gilbert Photography

House & Home

House & Home

Marcus Design