Archive for February, 2010

Blast From The Past…

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

March’s issue of Harper’s Bazaar is filled with the must-have styles for this spring and Suzy Menkes’ spread on “The New Shapes” certainly didn’t disappoint.  Photographs by Camilla Akrans of model Carmen Kass capture a broad range of trends that span the ages: from 1940′s frills and waterfall hair to 1980′s bold shoulders and gold sequined jumpsuits.  But while these fashions are fabulous, we did a double-take on the flowers…

Harper's Bazaar - Carmen in Lanvin

Harper's Bazaar - Carmen in Lanvin

Perhaps the artificial flowers were already on location and the stylist thought they would add the right retro touch, but we haven’t seen the likes of these in decades.  We wish we could have created some custom designs for the photo shoot…  at least we would have removed the price tag from the orchid stem!

Harper's Bazaar - Carmen in Valentino

Harper's Bazaar - Carmen in Valentino

Faux Orchid with Tag

Faux Orchid with Tag

Photos from Harper’s Bazaar

Chintz Prints

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Our dear friend, decorator Mario Buatta, called the other day looking for foxglove plants for clients in Texas and though we haven’t featured these plants in our collection in years, we were more than happy to oblige.  Given his love for classic English style and use of floral prints, Mario is the so-called “Prince of Chintz” (a nickname he received twenty-five years ago).

Mario Buatta - Living Room in New York

Mario Buatta - Living Room in New York

Mario Buatta - Bedroom in Houston

Mario Buatta - Bedroom in Houston

With its hand-drawn, exotic flowery patterns and beautiful colors, Indian chintz (from Hindi meaning sprinkled or sprayed) was introduced to the English by the British East India Company in the 1600′s.  The fabric’s soft texture and easy maintenance (compared to the wools and linens that were de rigueur in those days) made it an instant success and its popularity has never faded.

Lee Jofa - Smithfield Parnham

Lee Jofa - Smithfield Parnham

Some may think of chintz as fussy and old-fashioned, but we think that the new patterns being introduced by the likes of Celerie Kemble and Cath Kidston are fresh and fun.  Mario couldn’t agree more – “Every decade has had its chintz.  It’s like having a garden in your house year-round, and it’s cheaper!”

Hazelton House - Anne Dorothea Fabric

Hazelton House - Anne Dorothea Fabric

Celerie Kemble - Hot House Flowers

Celerie Kemble - Hot House Flowers

Photos from Architectural Digest, Lee Jofa, Hazelton House and Schumacher

Vase and Verse

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Our dear friends, Alison and Bo Jia, from Middle Kingdom, sent us this lovely poem that we had to share with our readers.  This creative couple has introduced a new series of vases and bowls inspired by the reclusive Tang Dynasty poet Han Shan (“Cold Mountain”), who was know for his eccentric simplicity and love of nature.

Middle Kingdom - Cold Mountain Vases

Middle Kingdom - Cold Mountain Vases

sitting on top of a boulder
the gorge stream icy cold
quiet fun holds a special charm
fogged-in on deserted cliffs
a fine place to rest
the sun leans and tree shadows sprawl
while I view the ground of my mind
a lotus comes out of the mud
   - Han Shan, 8th or 9th century AD, translated by Red Pine
     (Copper Canyon Press, 1983)

Wishing you a week filled with quiet fun!

For more information on Middle Kingdom, please visit their website and see our May 2009 post on their beautiful Georgetown home.

Photo from Home Accents Today

Petal To The Metal

Friday, February 19th, 2010

Who could forget last fall’s images of Karl Lagerfeld’s Spring 2010 fashion show which took place in a huge barn built in the center of the Grand Palais replete with bales of hay and rustic wood beams… The models walked the runway in fabulous double-C clogs, slightly tousled, with straw stuck to their clothes and sporting smirky smiles and temporary tattoos.  According to Vogue, the show “was a bumper harvest of everything that is chicly tattered, beribboned, and gloriously made about Chanel, as well as the season’s sole experience to make the anxiety and earnestness around fashion evaporate, to make it seem like fantastic fun again.”

Chanel Spring 2010

Chanel Spring 2010

And while we think wheat ears and clogs are great barnyard looks, we thought it might be fun to pair one of Chanel’s gorgeous spring outfits from head to toe with the newest in petals and metals.

Juicy Couture - Multi Flower Barrette

Juicy Couture - Multi Flower Barrette

Miriam Haskell - Large Beaded Flower Necklace

Miriam Haskell - Large Beaded Flower Necklace

Valentino - Petale Purse

Valentino - Petale Purse

Alexis Bittar - Large Bee On Geranium Pin

Alexis Bittar - Large Bee On Geranium Pin

Prada - Floral Pump

Prada - Floral Pump

Photos from Style.com, Polyvore, Net-A-Porter, Alexis Bittar and Prada

Let’s Go Shopping… Anthropologie

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Besides frolicking in the yard with kids and dogs, snow days are meant to be spent catching up on the little things that fall by the wayside…  like cleaning out the front hall closet or pouring over the new spring catalogs that seem to be arriving by the dozen these days (the latter being infinitely more enjoyable than the former!)  One company that inspires us each and every season is Anthropologie and we hear the new London store is a must-see.

Anthropologie - Regent Street Store

Anthropologie - Regent Street Store

The 11,000-square-foot Anthropologie on Regent Street opened its doors last October with much fanfare, kicking off what is intended to be a major European expansion for the company.  Known for its quirky and unusual designs, each store is unique since managers and buyers are encouraged to customize their wares to suit their customers’ local taste.

Anthropologie - SOHO Store

Anthropologie - SOHO Store

For the London store, James Bidwell, the managing director of Anthropologie Europe, has commissioned collections from UK designers like Patrice Jewelry and Clarke & Reilly, and combined them with one-of-a-kind antiques such as a 1900 Post Office table and an 1860′s easel, as well as an interesting array of South African accessories.

Spode Mosaic Skirt at Regent Street Store

Spode Mosaic Skirt at Regent Street Store

Selection of Ceramics at Regent Store

Selection of Ceramics at Regent Store

While we know we could spend an entire day browsing Anthropologie’s three floors brimming with goodies, it’s the store’s 1,500-square-foot living wall made up of 14,000 plants that we would love to see (naturally!)  In the meantime, we’ll just have to be inspired by the new spring catalog and the company’s European online site when it launches later this spring.

The Living Wall at Regent Street Store

The Living Wall at Regent Street Store

Anthropologie - Nymphea Platter and Bowl

Anthropologie - Nymphea Platter and Bowl

Photos from FT – How to Spend It, Breakfast at Anthropologie, Decor 8, the Daily Telegraph, the Guardian and Anthropologie

Gourmet Giveaway Winner

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

We picked the gourmet giveaway winner from dozens of chocolate-lovers this morning and the lucky girl is Karen from Kirtland, Ohio.

Carnation Heart-Shaped Posy

Carnation Heart-Shaped Posy

Congratulations and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Photo from Martha Stewart

Gourmet Giveaway: Rose Truffles

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

We’d like to believe that every day is Valentine’s Day when you’re in love but who wouldn’t want to treat themselves to chocolates around this time of year?

Knipschildt Chocolatier

Knipschildt Chocolatier

We discovered Knipschildt Chocolatier years ago while driving to and from work – Fritz’s store was just around the corner from our offices and we were always curious as to what kind of delicious confections we could find there.  After reading that Gourmet magazine rated Knipschildt one of the best chocolates in the world, we knew we had taste them…  Needless to say, Fritz’s chocolates are exquisite – from the look, the taste, the varieties and the packaging, his dedication to creating a memorable and delightful experience is unsurpassed.

Knipschildt Chocolatier in Gourmet Magazine

Knipschildt Chocolatier in Gourmet Magazine

So this Valentine’s, we thought we would share our love for chocolate (and flowers!) with a special gourmet giveaway – this beautiful handmade box of truly decadent Rose Truffles (rich dark chocolate truffles with a rose water infused dark chocolate ganache center topped with an edible rose petal) from Knipschildt.

Knipschildt Chocolatier - Rose Truffles

Knipschildt Chocolatier - Rose Truffles

All you need to do is send your name and address to TheBuzz.Giveaway@gmail.com and write “Rose Truffles” in the subject line.  Only one entry per giveaway is allowed and all entries must be received by 11:59 pm EST on Saturday, February 13th, 2010.  The winner will be announced on Valentine’s Day, Sunday, February 14th, 2010.  And please don’t worry, we will not share your address with any other parties or use it for any other purpose but to send you your prize!

For those of you who need a gourmet chocolate fix any time of year, you can shop online at Knipschildt Chocolatier or visit Fritz’s cozy cafe, Chocopologie, in the historic downtown area of South Norwalk, Connecticut.

Photos from Knipschildt Chocolatier

To Market, To Market… Again!

Sunday, February 7th, 2010

Despite having to man (or should we say “wo-man”?) our booth at the New York International Gift Fair last week, we did sneak in some time to walk the aisles of the At Home section on Pier 94.  After admiring the gorgeous Dransfield and Ross display that included whimsical flower tables (you can see them in this month’s House Beautiful), we caught up with longtime friend, Susan Carson, who creates the most beautiful decoupage lamps and furniture…

Dransfield and Ross - Flower Tables

Dransfield and Ross - Flower Tables

Carson & Co. - Tree Console and Lamps

Carson & Co. - Tree Console and Lamps

and with the lovely mother-daughter team, Barbara von Schreiber and Shawn Silver, from the fabulous Dutch Touch Art Company.

Dutch Touch Art - French Tulips

Dutch Touch Art - French Tulips

Christopher Marley, owner of Form and Pheromone (in the booth right next to ours!) created quite a buzz with his framed beetles and butterflies having landed a spot on CBS Sunday Morning last month.

Form and Pheromone - Solar Ellipse

Form and Pheromone - Solar Ellipse

And finally around the corner, Gail DeLoach was introducing new product for her Asian inspired collection.  We are always inspired by what we see when we attend these gift shows and this year was no exception!

Gail DeLoach - Ginko Salad Servers

Gail DeLoach - Ginko Salad Servers

Photos from Dransfield and Ross, Carson & Co., Dutch Touch Art, Form and Pheromone and Gail DeLoach

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary…

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

Where does your garden grow?  Rumor has it urban garden design was big at Maison & Objet last month with many vendors playing off of Patrick Blanc‘s popular vertical gardens with creative flair.  Not only did companies incorporate every day accessories such as mirrors into their designs…

H2O Architects - Mirroir en Herbe

H2O Architects - Mirroir en Herbe

but some went even further by turning plants onto their heads!

Boskke - Sky Planter

Boskke - Sky Planter

It seems that there’s no limit as to where you can grow a garden these days.  Plants are being used as art on a wall…

Wooly Pocket - Wally Living Wall System

Woolly Pocket - Wally Living Wall System

Flora Grubb Gardens - Vertical Garden Panel

Flora Grubb Gardens - Vertical Garden Panel

As a fashionable accessory for the “eco-chic”…

Paula Hayes - Living Necklace

Paula Hayes - Living Necklace

Wooly Pocket - Living Handbag

Woolly Pocket - Living Handbag

Or as a treasured keepsake…

Viva Terra - Recycled Glass Terrarium

Viva Terra - Recycled Glass Terrarium

So tell us, dear readers, how and where does your garden grow?

Photos from the Los Angeles Times, Boskke, Woolly Pocket, Flora Grubb Gardens, Paula Hayes and Viva Terra

We Get A Kick From Champagne!

Monday, February 1st, 2010

When we came across this story about our favorite champagne, we had to find out more about “The Art of Vintage” and the talented artist behind the photographs.

The Art of Vintage by Serena Sutcliffe

The Art of Vintage by Serena Sutcliffe

Last year, the iconic House of Perrier-Jouet unveiled its first vintage of the 21st century at a private tasting with ten of the world’s top wine and champagne experts.  On the menu were 20 historic vintages from the House’s own cellars, from the oldest vintage in Champagne (Perrier-Jouet 1825) to the latest addition, Belle Epoque 2002.

2002 - Mona Oren: Beauty Is A Form Of Genius

2002 - Mona Oren: Beauty Is A Form Of Genius

Widely known for its “avant-garde” spirit and its famous anemone bottle designed in 1902 by artist Emile Galle (a major force in the French Art Nouveau movement), the House is always seeking to maintain its artistic image.  So to mark the release of the 2002 vintage, Japanese art photographer Makiko Takehara was commissioned to create still lifes using bottles from the 20 legendary vintages in settings inspired by a leading artist of the day.  From Victor Hugo to Mona Oren, every picture is pure poetry!

1858 - Victor Hugo: In The Chateau Boudoir

1858 - Victor Hugo: In The Chateau Boudoir

1928 - Man Ray: Rayogram Portrait

1928 - Man Ray: Rayogram Portrait

1971 - Joe Colombo: Flower Power

1971 - Joe Colombo: Flower Power

The photographs have been compiled into ”The Art of Vintage”, a beautiful coffee table book which is a must-have for anyone tickled by champagne!  Visit Perrier-Jouet‘s website for more information and click here to buy the book.

All photos from Perrier-Jouet