Archive for the ‘The Latest Buzz’ Category

Sensational Soirées with J + G

Wednesday, June 19th, 2013

Spring Tablescape à la Eddie Ross

Summertime, and the livin’ is easy…  and party plannin’ is underway.  On any given Saturday, you’ll find us cooking out with friends on the terrace or packing a picnic for the beach.  While we’re more of the low-key, come as you are types, sometimes it’s nice to plan a more extravagant affair and that’s where the girls from J+G Design come in.

Georgie and Jennifer Style a Table

Jennifer Beek and Georgie Hambright are the beauties and the brains behind this new interior design and event planning firm based in New York.  We met Jennifer when she worked with our adorable friend, Harry Heissmann, and discovered her new venture when we saw our Green and Groovy Bouquet on their blog, The Curatorial (love it when that happens!)

Eclectic and Layered

Not only does this dynamic duo design sleek and elegant interiors, they also create unique events (they see these as “temporary” interiors.)  With services including picking a theme and color scheme, planning a menu, creating a signature drink, arranging flowers and setting a terrific table, who could go wrong?

Winter Blues

And they’re even willing to share a tip or two…  See how they mixed in vintage linens, china and glassware for an eclectic and layered look in their client’s industrial loft…

Rustic Chic

or how they used Christmas ornaments as place card holders and mercury glass balls instead of candles to reflect light in a rustic winter tablescape.

Whimsical Birthday

We know we’ll be visiting their Pinterest boards to be inspired for our next party.  Now if only we could only get the construction finished!

Photos via J+G Design

A Rue with a View

Friday, June 7th, 2013

Rue – June 2013

We’re heading to Knoxville, TN this weekend to cheer for our boys’ rowing club at the USRowing Youth National Championships (we have eight boats competing – a club record!) and looking forward to a little downtime by the shores of Melton Lake.  There’s nothing quite like a quick getaway (and a couple of layovers) to catch up on some long neglected reading and we were excited to see an email from the great team at Rue announcing their very first Wedding and Entertainment issue.  From gift guides and bridal showers, to table settings and great interiors (of course!), here’s a sneak peek of what’s inside:

A Shangri La Table Setting

Stephanie Bradshaw at Home

Wedding Gift Guide

Bridal Shower Tips

Rue Mates – Michaela and Alexa

Wherever you are, we hope you’ll be kickin’ back this weekend, too!

P.S.  Speaking of weddings, you still have until tomorrow night to enter our Wedding Bouquet Centerpiece giveaway and you don’t have to be a newlywed!  Click here for the details.

Photos via Rue

La Cour des Senteurs

Wednesday, May 29th, 2013

A Thousand Scents

If you’re lucky enough to be travelling to France this summer and are scheduling your obligatory trip to Versailles, then you shouldn’t miss La Cour des Senteurs, a new sensory experience dedicated to the art of perfume which just opened near the palais.

Les Jardins des Senteurs

Home to the renowned International Perfumer School which trains some of the greatest nez (noses) in France, Versailles now provides visitors with a chance to play perfumier for a day, wander the Jardins des Senteurs, a garden filled with a thousand scents, and buy limited edition candles, soaps and perfumes especially designed for the opening at the Maison des Parfums.

Diptyque’s Boutique

Guerlain’s Boutique

Diptyque’s three mini candles in Rose, Green Mint and Jasmine celebrate Versailles’ gardens while Guerlain’s exclusive scent pays homage to Marie-Antoinette (her favorite flower was jasmine.)  Even Lenôtre created a floral-inspired macaroon…  What a way to awaken all your senses and enjoy what Versailles has to offer!

Diptyque’s Mini Candles

Guerlain’s La Cour des Senteurs

Photos via Vogue France 

Young Talent

Friday, May 17th, 2013

Beleza

Our adventures in New York on Wednesday led to many encounters with wonderful designers, some established stars and others, rising stars.  Having been fans of Young Huh’s work ever since we saw it in the pages of Connecticut Cottages & Gardens, we were so excited to actually meet her in person at the TradHome party.

House Beautiful “Kitchen of the Month”

A local, award-winning, talent with (her Scarsdale, NY home where ”Marie Antoinette meets Jean Michel Frank” won her an Innovation in Design Award in 2011), Young’s style of mixing the old with the new allows her to infuse a fresh creative edge to her interiors.  And as a mother of three, Young understands the need to balance chic design with kid-friendly furnishings.

Young’s Home

A Serene Scene

Juggling both career and family life is no small feat for Young, especially since some of her projects take her to places beyond the tri-state area…  We don’t know how she does it all with such grace and humor and perhaps that’s why we connected so well with her!

Crisp and Clean

Whatever her secret is, Young is definitely shooting for the stars and we’ll be looking for more of her divine design…

Fabulous in Florida

Rumor has it Young is designing one of the 18 bedrooms for the Ronald McDonald House in Long Island with good friend Nick Olsen this fall…  Who’s up for a road trip?  Have a great weekend, everyone!

Photos via Young Huh Interior Design, House Beautiful and Connecticut Cottages & Gardens

 

Monday Mood

Monday, May 13th, 2013

It’s Monday – what mood are you in?

Clean Living

Clean

Pronunciation: /klēn/

Pure, tidy and spotless – which is exactly the opposite of what our house is right now under construction…  The bright side – there are less rooms to clean!

Photo via H&G Living Beautifully

Fairy Tale Fashion

Wednesday, May 1st, 2013

Pretty Princess

Once upon a time, a beautiful young princess was banished from her home, the mystical kingdom, to the woods where butterflies flew and flower petals fell, mirroring the seasons of our life, the choices we make and the beauty that emerges from the darkest places.

Plum Blossom

This fairy tale by “it” designer Misha Nonoo (her clients include SJP, Gwenyth, Blake Lively and Linda Fargo) inspired her new collaboration, a capsule collection of evening gowns made with hand-painted de Gournay silks.

Anemones

When we saw pictures of this collection on Misha’s Pinterest board, we had to dig a little deeper and fell upon a great time lapse video of what went on behind the scenes.  Jamie Beck and Kevin Burg, the very talented duo behind Ann Street Studio, are responsible for these delightful images which capture the ethereal essence of the tale.

Plum Blossom II

With fresh anemones strewn across the furniture and floor, crowns made by stylist Kelly Framel from The Glamourai and of course, a spectacular backdrop of de Gournay wallpaper, these gowns take on a life of their own.

Whistler Peacock – Back

Whistler Peacock – Front

Oh, to be so glamorous while living in the woods!

Photos via Ann Street Studio, Misha Nonoo and The Glamourai

Sole Sisters

Wednesday, April 24th, 2013

Well-heeled Women Helping Out!

Bet you thought this post was about our love of shoes!  But it’s even better…  We’re excited to be included as part of the Fashion and Accessories Boutique for the annual Sole Sister’s luncheon being held at the Greenwich Country Club tomorrow.  Sole Sisters is a group of over 150 women dedicated to making a difference in their community.  They take the time to learn about the needs facing their town by visiting local non-profit programs and agencies, then raise funds through events like this one – and have a great time along the way!

Modern Scrapbook Soap Set

Daisy Flower Plates

This year, their efforts are going to focus on education which includes scholarships for early childhood education, adult literacy, and vocational training and support for people with developmental disabilities and mental health issues.  Even the United Way’s own Reading Champions program will benefit!

Daisy Zip Bags

Palmetto Guest Towel

With the motto of “women stepping up to help others step forward”, we’re stepping up our game by creating a lovely springtime table filled with botanical beauties and donating 20% of our sales!  Do stop by if you can…

Blue Hydrangea Blossom Gift

For more information and tickets, please click here!

Photos via United Sole Sisters and Diane James Home

Monday Mood

Monday, April 22nd, 2013

It’s Monday – what mood are you in?

At Home with Julia

Fetching

Pronunciation: /ˈfeCHiNG/

Attractive and capturing interest.

It’s only fitting that we post a picture of Julia Reed’s beautiful bedroom (featuring Henry, the family beagle, no less!) today since we’ve joined Taigan, the online source for extraordinary shops and wonderful things.  As Taigan’s Creative Director, Julia also edits their online magazine, Fetch, and we’re thrilled to be part of their exclusive list of designers.  You can see more here!

Photo via Elle Decor

Spring Bling

Friday, April 19th, 2013

Baublebar – Blue Hibiscus Ring

Have you ever experienced what we like to call “analysis paralysis”?  Here’s the scenario: Over the years, you’ve gathered all your favorite pictures for a home renovation, your binder, folders and Pinterest boards are brimming with ideas, but when the time comes to finally design your dream bath, kitchen, etc., you can’t make a decision or you second guess the decisions you’ve made!

Kate Spade – Ladybug Earrings

We’re not the kind of girls to wing home décor so we do spend an awful lot of time (perhaps too much?) thinking about our projects before jumping in.

Finn – Emerald Leaf Bracelet

Alex Monroe – Fine Gardner Charm Bracelet

Ever since we hired a contractor, he’s been cracking the whip and we’ve had to make quick decisions on the fly – tile, molding, carpet, and paint colors and now, hardware!  Needless to say, we’d rather be shopping for hardware of a different kind to wear this spring…

Lanvin – Pearl and Crystal Necklace

Oscar de la Renta – Resin Rose Ring

Have you ever renovated your home and felt the same way?  Can you wing the bling or do you get analysis paralysis?

Photos via Baublebar, Kate Spade, Barney’s, Alex Monroe, Lanvin, and Oscar de la Renta

 

Designing with Kelly at Home

Friday, April 12th, 2013

Living Room Color Palette

The old adage that the cobbler’s children have no shoes is so true!  People ask us all the time whether our homes are fabulous and filled with flowers, and sadly, they aren’t on both counts.  Between running a business, running a household and running around with our boys, we’ve had little time to really focus on renovating our 1920′s farmhouse and decorating…  that is, until now!

Inspiration for Living Room

What seemed like a daunting job (who has time to ponder paint swatches and hardware options?) has just gotten a lot easier thanks to our blogging bestie, Kelly, from Kelly Market.

High – Low

With a background in interior design and incredibly good taste (she loves Kelly bags (naturally!), Quadrille,  peonies, and faux bamboo), Kelly has a beautiful blog.  Her columns and mood boards are always so fresh and fun and we love her many columns.  Even her gift guide has inspired many a present!

Get the Look

Gift Guide for Her

Last fall, Kelly launched Kelly at Home, an e-design service that delivers her fabulous sense of style right to to your inbox (for a small fee, of course!)  and we knew exactly who to turn to for help.  All we needed to do is measure the rooms we wanted to tackle, complete an easy questionnaire and send her some images for inspiration.

Kelly to the Rescue!

Not only has Kelly sent back an ideal floor plan, she’s picking out the materials (paint, fabric, wallpaper, etc.), the furniture and the accessories and will even provide a shopping list and guidelines for implementing the design.  Now that demolition has begun, we’re up to our ears in swatches and samples… The cobbler’s children may not have shoes but we’re finally decorating a house!  We can’t wait to share some pictures once we’re done…

Are you tackling any projects this weekend?

Photos via Pinterest, House Beautiful and Kelly Market