Summer in the City

Last week I had a whirlwind trip to NY. Most of it was for business but I always like to try and take in NY...even if it is for a moment...here is what I found:

Dine...If I only have a short time in NYC, I always go to my favorite places for food. There is nothing like the sophistication of Balthazar for a morning wake up. Full bowls of cafe lattes and warm brioche while sitting inside the most beautiful space. Designed like an old Italian or French railroad cafe, the seating is compact and the details are amazing. Floors covered in old tile, rich wood-carved walls separate the dining space from the bakery. Everywhere you turn you experience old Europe in architecture with a sensory overload. I love being here...when on the go with the day moving fast, I often go to Dean and Deluca. Their presentation of food-on-the-go is amazing. It is a market full of the beauty of food. Great sandwiches that beat the usual NY pizza pick up. For the gourmet on the go, Dean and Deluca is a must.

Explore... Whenever I am in a cab in NY, I am constantly passing shops and places that I wish I could go to...there is so much to explore and every trip usually yields a new find. I have stayed in many interesting places in NY but this trip I tried a new hotel - The Gramercy Park hotel. Fashion forward, interesting textures and bold colors make up the decor of a really a fun place to stay. Located next to Gramercy Park, which is fantastic to peek into and even better if you have a key. The area is great. The place is hip and is one of the nicest residential areas in the city.

Collect and Inspire... Some of my favorite shops like ABC Carpet and Home offer a world of inspiration. I love it when I enter a retail space that immediately gives me a sense of taking something with me. Here I always find not only cool new things, but I often leave having experienced something new in store design and home decoration. The message here is one of be "environmentally conscious" while adding beauty to your home and life. I love being here. The first floor is where colors abound and I start collecting tokens to take home from my trip. This and street vendors often provide small treasures that I can easily take home to fill my shelves of reference and inspiration. Fabrics with fabulous trims, pillows with amazing detail, and even elevators are decorated with a million dried flowers that make waiting for the ride home a moment to contemplate. Statements of taking the ordinary and adding beauty are everywhere. I love visiting NY...each season has its own special gifts. While winter and snow offer a feeling of nostalgia, summer nights walking through Tribeca offer the underground vibe of art and film.

Boho fantastic, unique and hip...

All About Pink

BOHEMIAN PINK

Pink has many colorful friends when dancing in the east. Rich jewel tone crimsons and oranges. Deep purples and royal blue accents. These are the compliments to pink when traveling through Bohemia. Influenced by the details of an Indian day bed or the overcoat of a 16th century horseman, the bohemian palette is for the nomad. Traveling exotic lands, discovering new cultures and never truly committing to any, such is the lifestyle of the gypsy. Wild at heart, never at home and always looking for a dash of excitement.

That is why introducing pink to your Bohemian lifestyle can be just the punch of color you need. For the walls of your favorite space or for dancing in at the casbah... pink can be the bright spot in your life. Add an accent of deep coral to your sitting room walls. Small spaces are often perfect for a strong hit of color, just like a mixture or accent of a strong fuchsia in your wardrobe can change your whole look. Mix and match a collection of Indian and Moroccan pillows to your sofa like the jeweled bangles you might wear with your soft pink summer dress. Pink comes in many flavors but the spice of pink can be found in Bohemian style.

RESORT PINK

Pink at the pool is the feeling of resort; playful, restful and easy going. Resort pink is pink on its day off. When using pink for a resort feeling, keeping pink clean and clear is the key. Like the turquoise sea or the lime in your cactus cooler, pink is best complimented when mixing with complimentary colors. Holding on to the same values when picking pinks accessories is like the bright sunshine on a hot summer day. Restful shades of bright pink and lemon yellow can easily find room at the pool when chosen for their equal value. Try splashing on a sea spray of aquamarine over your magenta slip dress, this is just like accenting your cool patio lounger with fabulous striped towels. Pink is the life of the summer party.

VINTAGE PINK

A vase in the kitchen window full of pale pink roses from the garden. An easy flowing slip dress in a soft satin with antique lace trim. Sun kissed faces and long days spent lazing on the front porch. These are the days of a vintage summer. The light in the afternoon as it sets in a pink glow of sunset, pink and all its vintage charm. The promise of tomorrow.. Treasures of found sea glass and the sparkling of silver and gold bangles. Delicate and soft never forgotten.. Pretty in pink is the rule for vintage. Soft pale rooms with soft filtered light. Fabrics that hold special details like a one of a kind bow or ruffle, the ribbon on the sash of a not long ago prom dress. Decorate your life with the treasures of vintage. Accent your bedroom with romantic pale cremes to compliment your pale pinks. Add touches of distressed golds finishes to add to the "found" lifestyle. Surround yourself in yesterday and become a romantic at heart.

Inspired Design

I have an old slip collection that I have gathered over the years. I often find them in old thrift stores or at a local flea market. I wear them out in the summer with a little cardigan. I love the detail of the edges and straps. They are the latest inspiration for my new Romantic Lace collection of sheets and duvets. For the long summer nights slip into our new sheet collection. I love the feminine touch in the soft pastels like a sorbet icy; cool mint, crèmes and pinks, crisp cool whites with lace details and light summer khaki’s.

Summer Is Here

June 20^th seems to be the start date of summer for my four kids. Every summer I have a camp at my house in the front yard. A couple of teachers who have the off summer hold court with about 15 children ages 4-9. I have come to admire their innovation and skills at adapting found objects, old wood, fabrics and other odds and ends into magical spaces for the children. This summer I made some tee pees out of our Little House fabrics for the kids to play in. They often set up little houses inside, collect their favorite rocks and leaves and even made an imaginary camp fire. They roll around and giggle endlessly. You can create fun spaces for your kids too. Take some PVC piping that you can purchase from your local hardware store. Get some rope or string to attach three pieces together at the top. Cut the poles to about 8-10 feet. You can then sew a rod pocket to cover each pole. Or if sewing is too much just tie the fabric to each pole end... The result is a hand made tee pee for everyone. Throw in some old blankets, serve lunch outside, your children will love it - easy to clean up. Just close the poles with the fabric on... set up again the next day and enjoy the sunshine while in the shade of your tee pee. To add a one-of-a-kind touch make your tee pee out of white canvas and let the kids paint the wall of your tee pee. Happy Summer Vacation!

Here I made a summer pillow. I made it extra large so that my kids and their friends can all lounge together

My son Joe and friend at camp.

be inspired by your child's rainbows!

In The Press

One of our favorite French inspired headboard made its appearance in the June/July issue of Domino magazine (www.dominomag.com ). This rose-colored tufted headboard is on the list of great headboard suggestions. They are on page 52 in the magazine and online in the Domino photo galleries. I always love each issue of Domino. Whether in the check-out line at the store or in Barnes & Noble, it is a definite MUST ADD to your monthly magazine buys.

If you are ever in the Santa Monica area, come by the store on Montana Ave. We have this headboard and tons of other fun vintage pieces with a French flair.

In The Press

I was so ecstatic when Country Living wanted to do a spread about the relationship between fashion and decor. These images from my home are shown in the May issue and online under the House Tours (www.countryliving.com ). Country Living is great because they provide design ideas that are always so easy for anyone to customize themselves.

Finding inspiration for your home doesn't have to be difficult. Some of my favorite work simply comes from looking at gorgeous vintage dresses or even favorite outfits from my own closet! Instead of thinking that decorating is a once-a-year thing, start looking at it like your wardrobe. Fashion is always seasonal and so fun to experiment with and change...why shouldn't our homes be just as fun?