mr-able home design

Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts

My Napolean complex

No, not what you're thinking, although at 5'-9", I'm not much taller than Napolean was! Rather, I treated myself to this bust of Napoleon that is currently on sale here at restoration hardware.

The surprise was how big he is and a bit out of scale for my bookcase as planned. Thankfully he's not very heavy, hollow terra cotta, and he moved around several times in my apartment last night.

For now he'll live in my entryway - bonus is that he makes an excellent bookend!

On another note, this past weekend I had the pleasure of seeing the celebrated soprano, Renee Fleming in a recital at the Kenney Center. One of her encores was a crowd pleaser and I've attached a clip of it here: O mio babbino caro by Puccini.

If you ever have the opportunity to see Ms. Fleming perform, I would highly recommend it. This was the 7th time in 10 years I've had the priveledge and she never disappoints!

While going through some pictures I took, I came across this photo of Katherine Hepburn's portrait at the National Portrait gallery along with 4 of her oscars. I love that you can see how the Oscar has changed over the years since its' beginnings in 1927; larger as time has passed (much like our nation's cars and waist bands!).

Stamps with Hepburn's image are currently available at the USPS HERE. I used them on my Christmas cards this year and have already had a lot of comments about them! I may have to stock up again.

I just spent an exciting weekend visiting friends in New York. One of my favorite things about the city during the holidays are the window displays. My favorite this year are probably the windows done by the amazing Simon Doonan at Barneys (which just happens to be one of my favorite stores in the city!).

This years theme was a foodie holiday. Hilarious caricatures of everyone's favorite foodie hosts participated: from Martha Stewart and Rachel Ray (grimacing from a clock!) to Paula Deen with her pockets filled with sticks of butter (I loved that one!).

Mario Batali was unceremoniously stuffed like a pig on the dinner table in one window while a glamorous evening gown reminicent of Grace Kelly in the masked ball of To catch a Thief was created from Illy coffee bags in an adjacent display.

Nothing beats New York for getting one into the holiday spirit (and spending more money than you mean to!). What do you do to get into the holiday spirit?

Did you know Barney's has a blog? It's really fun, check it out HERE.

You cannot visit Barcelona and not eat your way through the city. Barcelonians are all about food: whether it be tapas, pinchos, large meals or dessert.

While not strictly Spanish, the Gelato shop Amorino along La Rambla was probably my favorite haunt; conviently located 2 blocks from our hotel, Le Meridien.

I don't have much of a sweet tooth but I do have a taste for good gelato -and this is the BEST gelato you will ever have, I promise you. So if ever in Barcelona, Paris, London, Munich or any city lucky enough to have one of these shops, be sure to visit and indulge! Be sure to get a cone and enjoy the presentation: an ice cream cone transformed into a flower.

The store which I mentioned yesterday in Barcelona, Loewe, is housed in a famous moderniste building named the Casa Lleo Morera. Renovated by architect Lluis Domenech i Montaner in 1902, the building continues the decorative modern architecture of the neighborhood that Barcelona is known for.

Unlike later modern styles, the moderniste buildings in Barcelona (such as those by Gaudi) are full of interesting and gorgeous details. The style reminds me so much of the work done in the United States, and in particular Chicago, by Louis Sullivan, for whom Frank Lloyd Wright was an intern.

The name, Lleo Morera, is not from the name of the original owners but rather the lions (lleo) and mulberry trees(Morera) seen in the decorations.

If you are ever in Barcelona, I highly encourage a visit to this fabulous building and store!

Across from my favorite bookstore in Chicago (Unabridged Books which carries an amazing collection of design and architecture books and biographies), I noticed these beautiful signs on a school.

Carved in 1892, I think they really make a statement; I'd go to school here! Have a great weekend!

I'm currently reading 'Mad World: Evelyn Waugh and the secrets of Brideshead' which I picked up at unabridged for only $6! Visit them while in Chicago!

I spent the past weekend in Chicago, one of my favorite cities, and enjoyed some beautiful fall weather. One of my stops was to Jayson Home & Garden, a legendary store that I've always wanted to visit.

The building was rather non descript from the outside I felt, but I loved the planter boxes which are apparently a Chicago law to help greenify the city. Is that a word, greenify?

The inside was surprisingly light and airy and set up in such a way as to make you feel the next great treasure was just around the corner. I loved this leather chair with the carpet covered seat and the drum sidetable.

The mixture of new and vintage items kept the store feeling a bit like a flea market, but right on point with whats hot right now. I also loved this Chesterfield sofa with beautiful remnant pillow.

Of course, I'm mostly showing the vintage finds, as the other furniture is somewhat expected from a stylish store of the sort and can be seen on their website. I felt these paintings above were especially haunting.

And I bet someone will give this beautiful Victorian aesthetic gilt bamboo stool a good home, I just wish it had been me! I'm sure a lot of people would keep that original cushion as is, but I would cover it with a blue velvet I think.

Probably my favorite item was this outdoor aluminum 'bamboo' table and chairs. I think it could just as easily be used indoors; the chairs are surprisingly lightweight and comfortable!

My favorite candles from Cire Trudon were also offered here. They were smart to cover them with glass cloches as the candles are so incredibly strong you don't even need to light them. I haven't lit the one on my coffee table in weeks but my apartment still smells wonderful (Proletaire is my favorite scent)!

Fittingly, this bust of Marie Antoinette watched over the candles.

One could spend hours browsing the store, all of the most interesting coffee table books were enticingly set next to every comfy sofa and coffee table! They really don't want you to leave!

Near the door, you can also buy fresh cut flowers. I normally am not a fan of brick walls in interiors, but it does make for a striking backdrop here.

The lower level (yes, there is more!) had many sale items, but was no less interesting than the main level. Whoever is in charge of their floor arragements is a very clever merchandiser!

If you ever find yourself in Chicago, I really recommend a visit to Jayson Home & Garden as it did not disappoint (This is not a paid advertisement, but if they wanted to send a candle my way I wouldn't turn it down! haha)

UPDATE: thanks for the candle!! Jayson is incredibly sweet!

Jayson is located at 1885 N. Clybourn Ave in Chicago.

I am so in love with this Carlson Etagere from William Sonoma Home! If only I had the space for it I would get 2 for all my design books (and china). Of course, if someone at WSH wants to cut me a huge deal I could definitely MAKE room! *wink wink, nudge nudge*

The details are just gorgeous, like these feet, gilded accents and worn ebonized wood finish.

They're on sale now, so make me a very happy little blogger and buy a pair for yourself and send me pictures!

While in Provincetown, I picked up this ceramic bird at one of my favorite shops, Yates & Kennedy, that reminded me so much of the cute birds at Deyrolle that I wanted to bring back so badly (but couldn't make it through customs). A few people made fun of me calling it 'granny' but I just think it's adorable. What do you think?

At the same store I also picked up this beautifull scented candle by Patch in NY (their website has the BEST music in the background). Named 'owl' it is scented of sandalwood, tobacco and vetiver and I can't wait for fall to light it!

I also stopped by John Derian's shop where I picked up a few things but this year I didn't take any pictures unfortunately. His shop is a MUST either in Provincetown or NYC! Have you done any summer shopping?

The inestimable Grant Gibson is having a sale at One King's Lane from July 24th-26th!

I think many of us know and love some items from his own apartment that will be included, such as this oval portrait.

Or this gorgeous dining room chair! Also included in the sale will be 15 beautiful b&w framed photographs from his travels.

Probably the thing I'm most excited for (that you'll have to beat me to) are these sumptuous pillows! Good luck and happy shopping!

I was so excited to learn that Flamant, the beautiful housewares & furniture store, was now available in the United States through CopperStrawberry !

I fell in love with flamant while in Paris: both Heather and I bought quite a few 'souveniers' of our trip there. Above you can almost see the gorgeous crystal candlesticks I splurged on at Flamant.

See a tour of Flamant in Paris at my post HERE.

This was NOT a paid advertisement, just wanted to share the information with all of you!

Do you have a kindle? I have yet to get one but have heard glowing reviews from everyone who has one (it was even talked about on the skirted round table!). The benefits of space & environmental savings are obvious. Well, now blogs are available for subscription on the kindle and I've uploaded ArchitectDesign! It appears on the kindle similarly to reading a blog online: see last Saturday's post above.

The only complaints I've heard are that the kindle is still in b&w and most blogs (that I follow, including this one) are visual; color is important! Also, the larger sized device is both pricey and a little clunky. I'm still not sold completely on reading books on an electronic screen like this, I'm old school and LOVE books! I would love to hear what you think of it. Check out my blog on your kindle if you have one and let me know what you think!

In the December 2009 issue of Vanity Fair (which smells really good this month, or am I crazy? Like the entire magazine is one big perfume ad), John Derian weighs in on his 'stuff' in the monthly column. I wrote about a visit I paid his beautiful store in Provincetown, Massachusetts HERE.

Above is the decoupoge dish I purchased and holds my keys while home. Needless to say, I was so excited to read what his favorite products were as he has sold me some of mine!

I was happy to note he uses the same kiehl's products as me (I really love the amino acid shampoo seen above and highly recommend it) and he of course notes the Astier de Villatte products that he sells in his stores that I've grown addicted to myself.

I love that his 'stuff' seems very real, grounded and interesting (unlike lots of the celebrities who name-drop fancy companies and are probably paid to do so).

Also, two pages later (116) is an article about the fantastic new online magazine, Lonny.

Make sure to check out this issue of Vanity Fair -support the few magazines we have left!

My Napolean complex

Katherine Hepburn

A foodie holiday

Amorino

Casa Lleo Morera

Beautiful signs

Jayson Home & Garden

Is it Christmas yet?

shopping

Have you Heard?

Flamant in the USA!

Now on your Kindle!

John Derian's "stuff"