Rue Magazine Holiday 2010
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HOLIDAY NOV/ DEC 2010
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Your Pathway to Stylish Living
Transcript of Rue Magazine Holiday 2010
HOLIDAY NOV/DEC 2010
UNITED WE STAND AND SITOUR EARTH-FRIENDLY UPHOLSTERY: QUINTESSENTIAL AMERICAN DESIGN,
HANDMADE IN AMERICA WITH PRIDE.
FEATURING: Whitman Sofa 87”w x 36”d x 30”h
FURNITURE + LIGHTING + RUGS + ACCESSORIES + PHOTOGRAPHY
www.mgbwhome.com800.789.5401
EDITOR’S LETTER
MEET THE TEAM
EXTENDED FAMILY THE MODERN GENTLEMAN
JUICY JEWELS
HAUTE HIGHLAND
MYDECO.COM
GIVEAWAYSTABLE OF
CONTENTS
IN EVERY ISSUE
SHOPPING CART
BEHIND THE SCENESAll-access pass to Rue launch parties in New York and San Francisco.
PARTING SHOTFor Bunny Williams, a well designed vignette is more than just thesum of its parts.
A VERY KELLY HOLIDAYInterior design maven Kelly Wearstler and her holiday must-haves.
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LADY LUXEGift picks from event planner to the stars Mindy Weiss.
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BLOGGER SIDE-BY-SIDE
RUE 2010 HOLIDAY SURVIVAL HANDBOOK
GALLERY WALLINSIDE SCOOP
RUE SHOPSGo beyond the Eiffel Tower for an insider’s guide to the City of Lights.
STUDIO TOURFree holiday download from much-coveted Hello Handmade!
MAN IN BLUE BLAZEROne stylish guy, one mantle, three exquisite decorating schemes.
MEET THE DESIGNERSoak up SoCal cool with Los Angeles design firm Nickey-Kehoe Inc.
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HANDS ON86
MAD CHIC CHEFShop for the foodies on your list with Lucinda Scala Quinn, Martha Stewart’s Executive Food Director.
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RUE IN THE KITCHEN
RUE REMODELISTAGive thanks for the bounty in your own backyard.
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HAUTE HOUSE
TARTAN & TODDIES
FRIENDLY PERSUASION
PRIVATE QUARTERS
FEATURES
CUT & SEWA fashion designer’s legacy of quiet glamour in Central Park West.
AMERICAN BEAUTYWindsor Smith layers silk with snakeskin in a sophisticated nod to tradition.
GIMME MOORESeattle lifestyle expert Kelley Moore opens the doors of her office and her heart.
JINGLE GIRL ROCKThe Girls with Glasses get gleeful with an Elvis holiday bash.
MEXICO MEETSMANHATTANAn earthy and organic apartment in New York’s Gramercy Park.
FARMHOUSE MODERNRustic meets refined in the Chicago home of Angela Stone.
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PHOTO: JAMIE BECK
motivation for grounding Rue in the spirit of inclusion
and innovation. And to those of you who support us
in more silent ways, believe me when I say that we
feel you too.
Amidst this air of great gratitude—as if on cue—it’s
fi tting that our follow-up to the premiere would be
our holiday issue. The true essence of this season is
rooted in giving; and as you’ve so generously given to
us, we hope to give back with this issue.
We’ve worked hard to create content that is even
more engaging and eye-catching than the premiere.
We’ve traveled abroad to bring you pieces from around
the globe and pushed the envelope with over-the-top
party features unlike anything you’ve ever seen. We’ve
found stories of intriguing individuals whose homes are
as unique and beautiful as they themselves are; we’ve
rounded up the industry’s most celebrated experts to
curate our gift guides; and of course, we’ve brought
you exclusive extras in the form of behind-the-scenes
videos and free printable paper goods to recreate the
fun at home.
So sit back, grab a cup of hot cocoa with extra
marshmallows and dive in! From the entire team at
Rue, I wish you happy holidays. May the season bring
joy and beauty to your home and to your heart.
THANK YOU. Somehow those two words—
however poignant and true—don’t do justice
to the gratitude I feel right now. When we
launched the premiere issue of Rue two
months ago, I couldn’t have imagined the
outpouring of support and encouragement
we’d receive from you. To know that
the community we hold in such high esteem
has warmly embraced our labor of love is not
only humbling, but utterly inspiring.
If I could, I’d reach right through the
computer and give you each a great big hug
on behalf of the entire Rue team. Thank you
for your emails—they’ve brought smiles to our
faces, and at times, tears to our eyes. And
for your tweets—our daily conversations with
you remind us that we couldn’t, nor would
we want to, be here without you. Thank you
also to the bloggers—you continue to be our
Sincerely,
CRYSTAL GENTILELLO CO-FOUNDER and EDITOR IN CHIEF
PHOTO: JAMIE BECK EDITOR’S LETTER
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THE TEAM
ANNE SAGEEXECUTIVE EDITOR
Anne’s fi rst design project was a charming three story Cape Cod with damask wallpaper, Victorian sofas, and real electric lights. The doll family loved what she did with the place. Anne now works in 1:1 scale, blogging and styling for fashion and interiors in San Francisco.
CRYSTAL GENTILELLO EDITOR IN CHIEF
BLOG: PLUSH PALATE
Design is in Crystal’s blood—just ask the childhood friend whose crown molding inspired her covetous ire. The Chicago resident has since tamped her interiors envy with her blog, her editorial work, and her clients’ homes—some of which do indeed boast crown moulding.
BLOG: DESIGNLOVEFEST
Rumor has it that Bri’s fi rst word was ‘bouffant’ and that she beggedher mother to change the family name to ‘Funicello’. Now Bri channels her love of vintage fashion and design through her abiding passion for graphics, type, and a killer pair of go-go boots.
BLOG: THE CITY SAGE
CASSANDRA LAVALLEGUEST EDITOR
Some kids go for puppy posters, but young Cassandra painted her childhood bedroom a stunning lilac. Several redecorations—and parental eye rolls—later, tasteful beige had replaced the lilac and an undying obsession with design had taken hold in Cassandra’s heart.
BLOG: COCO + KELLEY
BRI EMERYART DIRECTOR
Rue couldn’t exist without the kindness and generosity of our contributing team. Think of us as one rowdy, happy bunch gathered around the Thanksgiving table for blessings of gratitude and an epic food fight.
CONTRIBUTORS
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ADRIENNE MURRILL copy
ELIZABETH ANTONIA graphic design
CATHERINE SHEPPARD wardrobe styling
BASH, PLEASEevent styling
ASHLEY DODSONintern
BETSY DUNLAPstationery
DALLAS SHAW illustration
CHRISTIAN OTHphotography
CHRIS ANDREphotography
DANIELLA ZITELLAgraphic design
DESIREE SPINNERevent styling
DULCE PRESSstationery
EXTENDEDFAMILY
EMILY MERRILL photography
EMILY ANDERSONphotography
JOSH THORNTONphotography
ERIN HIEMSTRAwardrobe styling & copy
HILARY WALKERcopy
JULIE CARLSONcopy
KELLY LEEcopy
JULIE HOLLOWAYcopy
HEATHER WARASKAphotography
JAMIE BECKphotography
JOSE MANDOJANAphotography
KATE MURPHYphotography
FEATHER LOVEphotography
EMILY SCHMUNKassistant interiors styling
FIORE BEAUTY hair and makeup
JAMIE LAUBHAN-OLIVER graphic design
LYNN KLOYTHANOMSUPcopy
LEILANI MARIE LABONGcopy
KIM BAMBERGphotography
STEVE PAPPINvideography
MACKENZIE HORANcopy
POPPIES & POSIESflorals
WILL TAYLORadvice column
TINYWATERphotography
NICK BROWNphotography
RIMA CAMPBELLphotography
TRENT COBBphotography
MANNY RODRIGUEZphotography
MARISSA LIPPERTfood column
SHANNA MURRAYstationery
SHARK PIG videography
THE FLASHDANCE music
ANDREW HSUvideography
MATT CANTphotography
WILEY VALENTINEstationery
SARAH EVANSgraphic design
NEW YORKRUE LAUNCHES IN
new york design centercentury furniture showroom
NEW YORKRUE LAUNCHES IN
new york design centercentury furniture showroom
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SOUTH OF MARKET$495
SCHUMACHERcontact for price
VICTORIA BECKHAM$1800
Z GALLERIE$29
BAN.DO$400.00
PHOTO: THE RUG COMPANY
PIPERLIME$24
GIFT GUIDE
Z GALLERIE$29
BAN.DO$400.00
PIPERLIME$24
ANTHROPOLOGIE$34
SOUTH OF MARKET$2350
ANTHROPOLOGIE$198
BURKE DECOR$20
JAYSON HOME& GARDEN
$75
JewelsJUICY
A twist of melon and a flash of emerald strike a playful and sophisticated accord.
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FRENCH BULL$32
BANANA REPUBLIC$49
CRATE & BARREL$29
COACH$81
MAC$36
PHOTO: TOAST
GIFT GUIDE
HAUTEHIGHLANDWe’re not saying you have to deck the halls with checks and plaids, but we sure wouldn’t complain if you did.
BARNEYS$895
RAKUTEN$2
ETSY$16
MAC$36
ETSY$49
CRATE & BARREL$8.95
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ANTHROPOLOGIE$28
CATH KIDSTON
$7
CRATE & BARREL$7.95
THOMAS PAUL$70
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The BRITISH SHOPPING site is heading across the pond to the US, bringing with them a dose of proper English cottage style.
PHOTO: ANNA WILLIAMS
GIFT GUIDE
ANTHROPOLOGIE$2998
CASWELL-MASSEY$35
CRATE & BARREL$15.95
WATERFORD$40
DONNA WILSON
$400 HOME DECORATORS COLLECTION
$149
The queen of eccentric elegance,
interiors guru KELLY WEARSTLER has a penchant for all that is quirky, classy, and just plain cool.
PHOTO: KWID
Z GALLERIE$34.95-$44.95
AMAZON$64
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KELLY WEARSTLER FOR BERGDORF GOODMAN
contact for price
KELLY WEARSTLER FOR BERGDORF GOODMAN
$1495
KELLYHOLIDAY
A VERY
GIFT GUIDE
URBAN OUTFITTERS
$148
KELLY WEARSTLER FOR BERGDORF GOODMAN
contact for price
KELLY WEARSTLER FOR THE RUG COMPANYcontact for price
KELLY WEARSTLER FOR BERGDORF GOODMAN
$1495
ARTIFORT$2600
AESOP$31
AMAZON$9.99
ARTERIORS $393
GROVE$89
KNOLL$3,565
CUFFLINKS, INC.$50
EAMES$249
CONVERSE$85
RETROVELOcontact for price
303030
GIFT GUIDE
RETROVELOcontact for price
ESTWING$26
MAKR$160
PAUL SMITH$95
FILSON$67.50
PHOTO: 20TH CENTURY FOX
Oh Bob—husbandly counterpart to the celebrated blog Oh Joy—picks his top toys for the 21st century man of style.
THE MODERNGENTLEMAN
PHOTO: JOY CHO
COLETTE$765
AMAZON$43.99
RUFFONI$299
OPENING CEREMONY$75
KATE SPADE$298
DESIGN WITHIN REACH$395
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GIFT GUIDE
LADY
YVES SAINT LAURENT$195
Utter opulence and over-the-top
attention to detail? Hollywood event
planner Mindy Weiss doesn’t settle for anything less.
GAGOSIAN GALLERY
$40
KATE SPADE$298
ERCOLANO$795
DESIGN WITHIN REACH$30-$70
VIVRE$1955
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PHOTOGRAPHY: JOSHY THORTONCOPY: SUMMER THORTON & ANNE SAGE
INSIDE SCOOP
T A K E A P E E K I N T O L I N G E R I E D E S I G N E R
J E S S E Z I N K E ’ S C H E L S E A A P A R T M E N T
RUE SHOPS:
with Summer ThorntonPARIS!
T A K E A P E E K I N T O L I N G E R I E D E S I G N E R
J E S S E Z I N K E ’ S C H E L S E A A P A R T M E N T
Paris. Shopping. Are there any two words more guaranteed to strike joy in the hearts of interiors-lovers the world over? Summer Thornton doesn’t think so. Fortunately for this Chicago-based designer, the City of Lights frequently beckons for business trips. Whether she’s sourcing antiques for her latest residential project or soaking up inspiration for her “classic meets of-the-moment” approach to decorating, Summer always makes time to visit her favorite boutiques and fl ea market stalls—and these fi ve make her pulse race faster than a tourist running for a Nutella crepe.
HOME AUTOUR DU MONDE8 rue des Francs Bourgeois, 75003The interiors outpost of Bensimon, a company known for its vibrant clothing and accessories, Home Autour stocks punchy and playful decor items in candy-colored hues. But tucked quietly amongst the rainbow are columns of alabaster candle holders, stacks of knit throws, and a wide range of bell jars. As Summer says, “Everything just looks more important under those glass domes!”
Quirky, creepy and just plain cool, Tombees has turned the curation of “junk” into an art form. Summer explains, “I’m obsessed with display and collection, and this place is the mother-land!” From a parade of doll heads and ceramic jars to a phalanx of vintage patches and but-tons, every item in the shop is used to create repeated patterns that delight the eye and tug on the purse strings.
TOMBEES >>17 rue Joseph de Maistre, 75018
HoneymoonHideawayA modernist masterpiece in the Palm Springs desert. The home where Elvis Presley honeymooned with Priscilla is available for tours, weddings, photo shoots, corporate parties and more!
www.elvishoneymoon.com
MERCI111 boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003
“Be careful,” warns Summer. “You’ll easily spend hours at Merci.” Soak in the rustic industrial vibe along with the sunlight that streams through the centuries-old skylights of this interiors, fashion and accessories empo-rium. Reclaimed and vintage gems mingle with new designer exclusives, and the library cafe serves scrumptious organic snacks with a side of eco-conscious style.
THE COLLECTION 33 rue de Poitou, 75003Summer sites tromp l’oeil as one of her top current trends, so the vast array of custom wallpaper at The Collection satisfi es her appe-tite for the mind-bending magic of “genuine fake bookshelves.” The unique fi nds at this store—which is actually an outpost of London-based designers—also include arti-sanal lighting and accents with a sleek modern sensibility.
Each weekend the vendors at Vanves unload truckloads of treasure for the crowds that fl ock in hopes of a deal. The closest thing in Paris to an American-style fl ea market, the tables sag under the weight of faded photographs, tarnished silverware, and plenty of junk. Summer’s advice for sorting through the endless wares? “Remember it’s French junk, which makes it much more interesting!”
VANVESAvenue Georges Lafenestre and Avenue Marc Sangnier, 75014
Biggest design pet-peeve?Taxidermy.
Design style you’re currently loving?Moroccan.
Zebra or leopard?Zebra to decorate, leopard to wear.
And always in small doses!
Favorite movie bedroom?Erica’s room in Something’s Gotta Give.
Fave ‘I-want-to-go-to-there’ destination?Italy...all of it!
Fresh flowers or box of chocolates?Do I have to choose?
If you could pick a purse for each other, what would it be?Michael Kors Hadley Tote.
Designer you’d wear exclusively for the rest of your life.
Donna Karan.
Fave find under $10?CB2 Beaker Glass Pitcher.
Most surprising quirk about your best friend? She is a fabulous singer. She sang at my wedding.
‘Go-To’ paint color?Gray. You can warm it up
or cool it down.
Who is higher maintenance? Without a doubt Janet.
JOY
SIDE-BY-SIDE
42
Biggest design pet-peeve?Ditto.
Design style you’re currently loving?Layered and lived-in.
Zebra or leopard?Meh to both.
Favorite movie bedroom?Lucy’s room in The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.
Fave ‘I-want-to-go-to-there’ destination?Italy...just George Clooney’s house.
Fresh flowers or box of chocolates?I guess I’d better pick the flowers...
If you could pick a purse for each other, what would it be?
Marc by Marc Jacobs Francesca Tote
Designer you’d wear exclusively for the rest of your life.
Calvin Klein.
Fave find under $10?Anthropologie Lotus Bowl.
Most surprising quirk about your best friend? She can drive like Burt Reynolds in ‘Smokey and
the Bandit’. And I’m not even kidding.
‘Go-To’ paint color?Pale, buttery yellow.
Who is higher maintenance? Definitely Joy.
JANET
THE MOGGIT GIRLS bring humor and a hefty dose of sass to design blogging. How do these real-life besties compare?
v
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INSIDE SCOOP
You two are interior designers, product designers, and shop own-ers! What does a day in your shoes look like?
In the morning, we’re usually visiting a client’s home to oversee an installation or a vendor’s studio to check on custom furniture for our clients or our shop. Mid-day we have a team meeting at our shop and then we spend the afternoon working on design projects, which consist of anything from sourcing fabrics and shopping for vintage pieces to pulling together inspiration and sketching custom furniture. In the late afternoon, we work on
WITH A THRIVING CLIENT PRACTICE AND AN EXQUI-
SITE RETAIL SHOP IN THE HEART OF LOS ANGELES, THE
DESIGN FIRM OF NICKEY KEHOE HAS MASTERED THE
ART OF UNSTUDIED COOL.
NICKEY KEHOE INC.
PHOTOGRAPHY: TERI LYN FISHERCOPY: MACKENZIE HORAN
Meet the Designer:
the shop, merchandising new pieces, meeting with suppliers, and researching potential products
That’s a busy day! Let’s talk about your work with clients. What should a prospective client know when looking to hire Nickey Kehoe?
Our perspective is that every project has its own individual style and language. We ask, “What do you love and why do you love it?” We develop criteria for people to choose pieces from: what eras work together, scale in relationship to other pieces in the room, et cetera. We edit from a client’s current furniture collection, deciding what stays and what goes. Anything with true sentimental value is always encouraged as a keeper...somewhere.
So your design philosophy is tailored specifi cally to each new client.
We work with people to develop their style of who they are in terms of their home—how they live, how they function, whether they have kids or pets, and what they aspire to. We work with them to start or continue a lifetime collection of pieces that they will have and treasure.
What do you look for when helping clients start or expand their own collections?
We fi nd pieces that can be reupholstered or refi nished, painted or stripped to allow for ever-evolving taste and style. We source fi nishes and pieces that have timeless appeal. With furniture, we look for good form and good lines. We don’t just fi ll in holes in a room; we discover the right piece to fi nish the space.
“WE DON’T JUST FILL IN HOLES IN A ROOM; WE DISCOVER THE RIGHT PIECE
TO FINISH THE SPACE.”
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JF CHEN for vintage furniture & accessories.
FARROW & BALL for paint.
KEITH MCCOY SHOWROOM in general.
STARK OR WALNUT for wallpaper.
ROGERS & GOFFIGON for fabric.
GEORGE SMITH for upholstered goods.
1STDIBS.COM for unique fi nds.
CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT:
NICKEY-KEHOE
It must be fun to pull items from your own shop.
Our shop is our test kitchen, a place to assemble things we’ve found everywhere from auctions and flea markets to local artisans and Ethiopian weavers. This unique assemblage and display of items is what has given Nickey Kehoe and the NK shop its stamp. It’s truly about using things our clients love and building a room from these inspired pieces and palettes.
Speaking of inspired pieces, you also design and manufacture your own Nickey Kehoe furniture line. What are some of your favorite pieces?
There is a tufted and winged headboard, a leather hassock, a Japanese-inspired picnic table...Our line is a collection of items that fill in gaps we’ve found in the marketplace.
You must have a wide range of influences. How would you describe the Nicky Kehoe aesthetic?
Our style is simple and clean, layered but not cluttered. Our spaces have warmth—there is color and texture that is thoughtfully blended to work within a space. It’s old, with references ranging from the occasional rustic piece to an elegant Napoleon III settee. But our interiors are also modern and fresh.
Combining eras and textures can be a daunting task for readers decorating their own homes. How would you advise them to stay inspired?
Tear sheets, tear sheets, tear sheets! Buy a bunch of magazines from around the world and start ripping out pages—or dog-earing them, depending on your personality type. We’ll even make notes about what we like on a particular page. It gets easier once you have a point of comparison for textures and profiles. Whether you connect to the feeling of a table, fabric, or paint, it’s a great way to get the ball rolling.
Guest curator Pete Borowsky is the founder of Zatista.com, the premiere resource for
buying and selling original art online.
Clockwise: Sharis DeJaynes $225, David B. Marshall $250, Mark David Smith $450, Erynn Rademacher $35, Daniel Grant $900, Toky
Photography $400, David FeBland $4,500, Shannon Buck $45
GALLERY WALLMix it up—big with small, paint with photography, brights with neutrals with black and white—for a fully stocked arsenal in the battle against bare walls.
Mix it up—big with small, paint with photography, brights with neutrals with black and white—for a fully stocked arsenal in the battle against bare walls.
56
HANDS ON
quiet storm is brewing in the woods of
upstate New York. Amongst the bare
branches and the fallen leaves, in a cottage
sealed tight against the cold, Shanna Murray
and Betsy Dunlap are hard at work. The two artists—an
illustrator and a calligrapher, respectively—have escaped
their ‘real’ lives for a weeklong retreat of creation and
collaboration. After seven days they will have designed
a keepsake calendar, the latest addition to their shop
Hello Handmade.
The Hello Handmade partnership began in 2007 when
Betsy’s lettering techniques fi rst caught Shanna’s eye. “I
was terribly drawn to Betsy’s fresh, inspired take on an old
craft,” she says. “I couldn’t get her haunting calligraphy
out of my head.” The women instantly connected through
a shared love of the authentic, the domestic, and an
aesthetic that hearkens back to a dream-distant time.
Their fi rst project was a jointly produced a calendar,
and their seasonal offerings—valentines, ornaments and
more—have since become much-anticipated markers of
holidays and the passage of time.
A
PHOTOGRAPHY & STATIONERY: HELLO HANDMADE
COPY: ANNE SAGE
HANDMADEShanna Murray and Besty Dunlap don’t
let a little thing like geography
dampen the fl ame of friendship.
STUDIO TOUR
“We like our work to carry
a touch of something dark
and dreamy.”
&
“We never expected to love
each other’s company
so much.”
Though Shanna lives in New York and Betsy
in Arizona, the distance has not hindered the
development of their friendship or their business; they
didn’t even meet in person until two years after first
making contact. Indeed, they seem to share a single
consciousness in matters of inspiration and process:
“Nearly always we have the same thing in mind, and
never have we disagreed.” From this unity comes
thoughtfully crafted products that are romantic yet
familiar, heirlooms meant to stand the test of time.
Between their all-too-infrequent visits, Shanna and Betsy
use Skype, instant message and telephone to evolve Hello
Handmade; it’s a digital approach that belies the tactile and
lasting quality of their designs. But as they become increasingly
in-demand in their own right—both artists have individual
stationery lines launching in the near future—they remain more
committed than ever to nurturing their relationship. The act
of creating together has brought unparalleled satisfaction. As
Shanna explains, “To be in a partnership with someone who
totally gets me is really incredible.”
CLICK HERE for the exclusive holiday stationery DOWNLOAD for Rue readers from Hello Handmade.
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Rue Readers also will receive a 20 % DISCOUNT at
the MaeMae shoppe the entire month of September.
Enter "RUE" at checkout. Enjoy! xx, Mae
Be sure to talk about real life, not just work.
Make the time to work together in person, even if it means being frantically busy with personal projects on either end of the visit. It’s worth it!
Tell each other how much the other is appreciated. Don’t take your friend and business partner’s hard work for granted.
Don’t take work too seriously. Have fun!
Work towards a concept/excecution that both parties agree on 100%. If you take the time to do so, the fi nal outcome will be equally celebrated, and there’s nothing better than that!
HELLOHANDMADE TIPS FOR WORKING WITH A FREIND
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3
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TIPS FOR WORKING WITH A FRIEND
61
H O L I D AY S U R V I VA LH A N D B O O K
2010
ONE CHIC PIECE.THREE GREAT OUTFITS.
LESSON 1:
Homespun tradition? Happy hours and sweet treats? Maybe a bit of anxiety? More often than not, the season’s activities rush past in a joyous yet jumbled whirlwind that leaves me dizzy. So I decided that this year, my wardrobe needn’t add to my stress.The good news? You can make it through the holiday season with-out breaking the bank or revamp-ing your entire closet. Simply start with a foundation that gets you tons of mileage, then repur-pose pieces you keep on stand-by during the year. This Vogel10 top gives a nod to fall’s lace craze while providing a versatile back-drop for a festive getups.
WHAT COMES TO MIND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE HOLIDAYS?
Photography: Kim Bamberg, LaVie PhotographyText and Wardrobe Styling: Erin HiemstraHair and Make-up: Erin Skipley
H O L I D A Y S U R V I V A L H A N D B O O K
With a single great piece, Apartment 34 Blogger Erin Hiemstra is ready for any holiday occasion.
Our In sp i r at ion :Lac e Top
f rom Vog e l 1 0
Even with an after-hours cocktail in hand, you’re never really off the clock around your coworkers and your boss. Remain above reproach by pairing your staple item with a classic
tuxedo trouser. Whimsical accessories and a head-turning cocktail ring add interest. Your colleagues will remember your witty repartee, not the fashion risks you took!
NO.1– A P R O F E S S I O N A L F E T E –
THE OFFICE HOLIDAY PARTY
ONE CHIC PIECE.THREE GREAT OUTFITS.
Every special occasion deserves a special outfi t,
and even Thanksgiving with the clan is no exception.
While lace may seem a bit much for your mom’s dining room table, when you pair it with some cozy cashmere, a sassy cropped pant and
a neutral heel, you’ll be dressed deliciously and
ready for the feast.
NO.2– A F A M I L Y A F F A I R -
THE REUNION DINNER
H O L I D A Y S U R V I V A L H A N D B O O K
This is your moment to grab some fashion edge by the
horns and run with it; feather skirt anyone? Even if you’re just headed to your friend’s basement for a party, break out the sky high heels and layer on the glitz and the
glam. After all, you might want to forget the previous year, but you defi nitely want to
remember what you wore to welcome in the new one!
NO.3– A L A V I S H B A S H -NEW YEAR’S EVE
SANTA’S WORKSHOPLESSON 2:
Even the most sophisticated gathering is not complete without a personal touch. “Engage your guests and include them in activ-ity, and everyone will be having fun in no time.”Keeps hands busy and laughter fl owing by inviting friends to bring the gifts they need to wrap and providing the supplies they need. Set them to work on easy orna-ment crafts and ply them with champagne and sugar cookies. Your shindig will go down in histo-ry as the most productive holiday party ever!
FOR EVENT STYLIST DESIREE SPINNER, THE SECRET TO A MEMORABLE PARTY LIES IN AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION.
H O L I D A Y S U R V I V A L H A N D B O O K
Get hands-on with a crafty and clever holiday party.
Event Styl i stDes i r e e Sp i nn e r
{ i d e a : mail out formal invi tat ions
PHOTOGRAPHY: CHRISTIAN OTH
COPY & EVENT STYLING: DESIREE SPINNER
FLORALS: POPPIES AND POSIES
STATIONERY: DULCE PRESS
SANTA’S WORKSHOP
{ i d e a : provide the suppl ies for your fr iends to wrap their gi f ts
H O L I D A Y S U R V I V A L H A N D B O O K
HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES FOR THE PARTY
PROJECT1Clear glass ornaments are available at most craft stores. Fill them with metallic tinsel or any other material that complements your holiday decor; try rattan for a more organic look or bright yarn for a vibrant effect.
PROJECT2Cardboard or wood ornament forms lend themselves to endless applications. Coat them in a thin layer of glue and plenty of glitter for a major sparkle fi x.
PROJECT3Wrapping gifts in fabric is an economical and eco-friendly alternative to tissue, as the fabric can be reused. A hot glue gun ensures that the adhesive peels off easily without damaging the material.
JOYOUS BLOOMSLESSON 3:
Doing it with a best friend is the icing on the cake. For Lori Carrillo and Prital Jeffery, that dreamy icing-coated cake is a reality. Two years after opening a fl oral design store, they fi nd themselves the owners of a fl ourishing business tucked unassumingly in San Francisco’s Laurel Heights neighborhood.
The shop is called Fleur*t, a pun on the French word for ‘fl ower.’ The boutique sells all manner of trifl es and treasures: antique garden clippers, gilt paper weights, a clawfoot tub fi lled with moss. “This place is really special,” says Prital. “We always hear how good it smells in here, how beautiful it is. I think it’s a cathartic experience for many of our customers.”
EVERY GIRL SECRETLY DREAMS OF OPENING A FLOWER SHOP.
H O L I D A Y S U R V I V A L H A N D B O O K
Combine three vases, two friends, and one charming boutique to get a recipe for fl orals that won’t wilt your holiday spirit.
Owne r s Lor i Car r i l lo and Pr ita l J e f f e ry
PHOTOGRAPHY: EMILY MERRILL
TEXT: ANNE SAGE
JOYOUS BLOOMS
Lori and Prital’s exquisite fl oral designs enhance the thriving reputation of Fleur*t. This summer saw the expansion of the store’s wedding and events services, and the holiday season promises
to be just as busy. Yet the shop also offers drop-in customers tips on easy arrangements they can recreate at home. Their philosophy? “Flowers should make life simpler, not more complicated.”
Here’s a favorite technique that’s festive yet foolproof.
1. Select three different blossoms of the same color. This example uses white tulips, white hydrangea and dusty miller.2. Gather three vases of different heights. 3. Now select one of two options: either put a small fi stful of each blossom into each vase for a
combined cluster, or place each blossom grouping separately in its own vase. 4. Position the vases near each other for impact. This technique works for small bud-sized vases
just as well as it does for larger containers.
CREATE-YOUR-OWN CENTERPIECE
Rue’s resident gent about town indulges in some no-rules, no-holds-barred holiday decorating.
Norman Vincent Peale once said, “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” But the holidays can also become a frenzied time that fi nds us knee-deep in frantic preparation. So this year, close the cookbooks, hang up your heels, and don’t worry about whether you’ve fed the Christmas cake enough brandy. Savor the journey instead. After all, seasonal decorating is about expressing yourself and affi rming your lifestyle. Whether you take a traditional tack or worship at the altar of all-things-modern, embrace your personal taste for decorations and generate a look that’s uniquely your own. To demonstrate the versatility of holiday decor, I bedecked one room in three very different schemes.
THE MAN IN THE BLUE BLAZER
PHOTOGRAPHY: MATT CANT
COPY AND STYLING: WILL TAYLOR
ILLUSTRATION: DALLAS SHAW
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HANDS ON
Imagine Narnia with a dash of Hogwarts and you’ll be on the right track. Forest dwellers, like squirrels, owls, and reindeers haul bundles of festive cheer, while the roar of the fire echoes that of the stag. Keep the tree simple; hang handmade wooden decorations and don’t be afraid to leave some branches bare. The spartan quality of the decor will allow the tree itself to take centre stage, while a warm palette of copper, bronze, and caramel brings the magic of a winter wonderland to your home without the freezing temperatures!
FOLKSY
NOIRGLAMOUR
This one is for the Hollywood stars and West End actors of the world. Photographic lamps inject the room with drama, while frosted foliage and flickering candles soften the sensual blacks. Adorn the mantle with glossy and matte bottles. Flock jet stags for a softer finish and contrast them against silky garlands. Tweak the look according to your taste; make it more masculine by adding crisp angles or more delicate with mirrored finishes and twinkling white lights.
Lavish your walls with vivid abandon. Hang jewel-toned garlands from the ceiling and introduce statement pieces that highlight your favourite hues. Once you have your base of brights, select a few layering shades; here bright greens and shimmering pinks have been worked into most aspects of the room while additional accent colours have been adorned with glossy metallics that tie them into the main scheme. If you love to collect new ornaments each year, this technicolor effect provides a vibrant base onto which you can add year after year.
TECHNICOLOUR
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us @RueMagazine with pictures of your holiday decor! We’d love to see how you deck the halls during this festive season. Happy Holidays!
TWEET
HANDS ON
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BACKYARD HARVEST
When planning a festive table setting for the upcoming holiday season, our fi rst instinct was to go local. All the Remodelista editors share a reverence and a respect for regionally produced food and wine, so we thought we’d apply that principle to the seasonal table. We created a setting based on the 100-mile rule and sourced everything from our favorite neighborhood suppliers or from vintage shops.
REMODELISTA FOUNDER JULIE CARLSON TOASTS LOCAL ARTISANS AND CELEBRATES THE BOUNTY OF HER BAY AREA HOME.
PHOTOGRAPHY: EMILY MERRILL COPY: ANNE SAGE
We called on Tricia Rose of Rough Linens. A talented seamstress who lives on a houseboat in San Rafael, Tricia takes her sewing machine onto the deck for plein-air stitchery! This native of Australia also lived in Scotland, where she developed an appreciation for traditional coarse-woven fabric. Tricia’s table linens are extraordinary; the heft and hand is satisfyingly tactile and fosters a rustic, autumnal feel. We anchored the table with a fine weave white linen--check out that unhemmed edge!--then spread an earth-toned cloth on top for a layered look.
We headed to Tyler Florence’s kitchen shop in downtown Mill Valley and gathered a place settings of mismatched vintage hotel silver, which Florence sells by the bunch. Florence, a recent transplant to the area, is a dedicated regionalist; he is currently putting the finishes a nearby restaurant with an extreme locavore mission. “Everything on the menu will be sourced in Marin County,” he says. “Except the salt—although we’re working on producing a locally made product.”
Drive south from my house and you’ll find yourself at Heath Ceramics, one of the few remaining mid-century potteries still in existence. Everything—from tiles to plates to servingware—is made in the Sausalito factory. From Heath we sourced plates and bowls in their iconic Coupe line; the matte black provides a dramatic touch. We also pulled glasses from Heath’s new handblown, hand-polished glassware line and filled them with a garnet-hued Syrah from Napa-based Olabisi Vineyards.
linens
flatwear
tablewear
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We adore Molly de Vries’ ‘Simply Julia’ aprons from the Ambitalia line. They’re modelled after Julia Childs’ famous denim apron and are hand-sewn from reclaimed Levi Strauss denim, which abounds in the San Francisco Bay Area. To that we added a tea towel from Studio Patro, a newish line of linens that employs eco-friendly water-based inks. Some of our favorite under-the-radar dining accents come from Heritage Artifacts in Napa--think locally made saucisson boards and handmade beeswax candles.
accessories
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We invited woodworking artist Luke Bartels to create an installation of his whimsical branch antlers. Bartels makes frequent visits to Marin Country trails to find forked branches with natural antler shapes, which he then mounts on hand-carved crests made from walnut or poplar. On a nearby chair, we draped one of San Francisco-based Sefte’s sumptuous hand-crocheted throws, perfect for post-meal relaxation.
Now if we could just get Alice Waters to come cook dinner, we’d be set.
accents
WINTER’S FULL MONTYBUTTERNUT SQUASH
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PHOTOGRAPHY: RIMA CAMPBELL
RECIPES: MARISSA LIPPERT
RUE COOKS
Thankful. During the holiday season, there’s always a reason to thank. But let’s also remember the other half of that evocative word, for the concept of ‘full’ runs deeply through our days. And what better example of full than an ingredient so basic as butternut squash? The versatile vine-grower hits all the right marks and leaves you satiated with a quiet richness that’s hard to beat.
FOOD From soups to sides and from pasta fi llings to stand alone dishes, butternut squash plays a shining role in comfort-food recipes. Its creamy texture and mildly sweet, nutty fl avor fi ll up your tummy and satiate your soul.
HEALTH Our friend Mr. Butternut is stacked with disease- fi ghting antioxidants and beta-carotene. Just like carrots, it supports your eyes, as well as your heart and a glowing complexion. Its high fi ber content satisfi es hunger, so indulge without inducing guilt!
RELATIONSHIPS Pair food with personal connections. I recently served the scallop recipe featured here for a close friend, and there’s nothing like savoring the bonding and binding effects of a wholesome meal (and a few glasses of vino!)
HOME This striking food steals the show; even its shape is ‘modern sleek’. A vibrant pop of orange energy, it dresses up any plate or accents even the simplest table setting. With a little sass and bit of spice, the food becomes the design.
So where does that leave us? Back where we started, with a brilliant food-forward example of what to be thankful for this season.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE RECIPES!
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KITCHENAID$349
MARTHA STEWART COLLECTION
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MARTHA STEWART COLLECTION
$39.99
AMAZON$18.50
BRAGARD$19.95
CAPEL RUGS$27
KORIN$291
RUE COOKS
CHEFMAD CHIC
LUCINDA SCALA QUINN, Martha Stewart’s Executive Food Director, knows that the way to a foodie’s heart is through a great gift for
the kitchen.
HEUCK$54.30
iHOME$69.99
IRONWOOD GOURMET
$32.80
KORIN$291
TRUE BLUE GLOVES$10.95
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010
&&CUT
SEWPHOTOGRAPHY: JAMIE BECKPHOTOGRAPHY: JAMIE BECK
COPY: ANNE SAGECOPY: ANNE SAGE
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DESIGNER
Katie ErmilioFASHIONS HER LIFE WITH GRACE AND GOOD
HUMOR, ONE STITCH AT A TIME.
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A sk Katie Ermilo about the most important object in her house and she will lead you to it without hesita-tion. The copper hanger sits in a sun puddle on her mantle, battered and a little worse for wear, humble yet much honored amongst an extensive collection of dogeared books and eclectic artwork. It bears the brand ‘L.R. Ermilio & Co.’, and it serves as a constant reminder of the legacy that courses through this young fashion designer’s veins.
The hanger has journeyed to this Central Park West apartment from its original home in Philadelphia, where Katie’s great-grandfather founded a bespoke apparel studio in 1897. A distinguished presence in tailoring throughout its history, the fi rm acted as the personal clothiers of Grace Kelly and Dwight D. Eisenhower, and the iconic green Champion’s Coat of the Masters Tournament sports the Ermilio name.
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“MY AESTHETIC IS REFINED YET UNFUSSY.”
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“THERE’S SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR THE EASE AND
SIMPLICITY OF THE ORGANIC AND THE EFFORTLESS..”
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But for Katie, who launched her eponymous line in 2009, it is the family’s unwavering commitment to sartorial exploration and ceaseless innovation that imbues her every sketch, every drape, every button, every hem. Spend five minutes with Katie and she will beguile you with the seamless duality of her vision. A reverence for her heritage—for the work ethic and the attention to detail that she acquired as a teenage apprentice in her father’s atelier—blends fluently with her playful curiosity, her openhearted energy, her palpable desire to honour the past by putting her personal stamp on it and catapulting it into the future. This drive propelled her through an undergraduate degree at NYU and a series of fashion internships before she decided, at the tender age of 24, that the time had come to launch her first collection. Katie’s design ethos further encapsulates the binary nature of her philosophy. It’s in her reinterpretation of womenswear with typically masculine elements: a pant constructed from
marled wool flannel or a dress inspired by the moirés of a tuxedo lapel. It’s in her use of luxe fabrics to refresh staple pieces: silk faille shorts, hexagonal tulle blouses, silk crepe trousers. It’s in her ability to elevate basic styles and breath new life into wardrobe staples, pushing ever forward while never losing sight of the timeless sensibilities that have accompanied her to where she is now. Because Katie’s apartment is also her design studio, her career is never far from mind. Her desk and sketch boards take up one corner of the living room and a metal rolling rack of clothes another. Much of the furniture comes from Ikea, West Elm or her parents’ basement. But Katie has managed to tie the disparate pieces together to create a soothing space conducive to both work and relaxation. Raw brick walls, a bare-beamed ceiling and weathered wood floors contrast with the clean lines and reflective surfaces of the home’s movable elements.
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Learn to love getting lost. It allows you to keep your
eyes wide open.
Drink espresso with a camomile tea chaser. Not
a day goes by when I don’t indulge in both.
Visit museums regularly. Standing close to an
artist’s canvas and seeing the gestures in the paint is
an athletic experience.
Display your accessories in plain sight so you can
enjoy them even when you’re not wearing them.
Small Glamour
IN THE BIG CITY
KATIE’S GUIDE TO
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“I’VE ALWAYS BEEN DRAWN TO CLOTHING AND INTERIORS THAT HARMONIZE DIFFERENT SENSIBILITIES.”
Given the ethos that runs so strongly through all Katie does, it comes as no surprise that her home mirrors the juxtapositions she explores in her life and in her designs. A butterscotch leather sofa and chair maintain a stead presence next to a spindly-legged silver coffee table. An arrangement of flowers in dollar store drinking glasses keeps company with a casual stack of Ermilio heirloom china. A soothing shade of mint sets the scene for a bedroom in which posh perfume bottles rub elbows with wrinkled sheets. The effect seems at once feminine and informal, polished and approachable, lived-in and much loved.
And it is this tangible feeling of love—for her family, for her craft, for the path she is forging for herself—that Katie carries with her most closely of all. For although she stands poised on the brink of fashion superstardom, a groundbreaking designer in her own right, her eyes shine bright when she shows you that dented hanger. Her fi ngers reverently trace the century-old brand, and her future glimmers like copper in the sun.
K
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A M O T H E R A N D D A U G H T E R B L O G G I N G D U O E N L I S T D A L L A S ’ T O P D E S I G N E R T O H E L P T H E M W A D E T H R O U G H
A S E A O F S H O E S .
PHOTOGRAPHY: MANNY RODRIGUEZCOPY: HILARY WALKER
INTERIOR DESIGN: SAMANTHA REITMAYER- SANO
HAUTEHOUSE
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SEA OF SHOES...ATLANTIS HOME...THE ALDRIDGE LADIES.Most likely you’ve heard of the Texas duo, the mother and daughter style enthusiasts who chronicle their vintage decor and apparel finds through artisti-cally rendered posts on their sister sites, and aforementioned blogs. Judy and Jane Aldridge are, in the words of their interior designer Samantha Reitmayer-Sano, “total rock stars!” Their refreshingly original, endlessly inspiring, and undeni-ably glamorous work has captured the eyes and hearts of thousands around the world...a.k.a., their daily readers.
Jane, who began Sea of Shoes at the fresh age of 15, now humorously refers to herself as a “grandma blogger” four years later. Shortly after its start, Judy joined Jane in the fun with Atlantis Home. Soon after and quite unexpectedly, the ladies found themselves at the forefront
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JUDY AND JANE’S PASSION FOR MAXIMALIST, OVER THE TOP CLOTHING FOUND ITS WAY VERY NATURALLY INTO THE DECOR OF THEIR HOME.
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of the personal style blogging move-ment! Meanwhile, Samantha Reitmayer-Sano was pursuing a long held passion for interior design by launching her blog, style/SWOON, also in Dallas. As often happens in the small world of style bloggers, Sam and Judy met through a mutual friend and an immediate connec-tion was made! Some months later, the pair began collaborating on a new look for the Aldridge home that would more appropriately complement their creative, fashion-forward lifestyle.
Needless to say, Judy and Jane’s ward-robes were inspiration enough during the re-design. An archive of 60s, 70s, and 80s vintage treasures was literally over-flowing from the sadly inadequate bed-room closets. It became Sam’s task to focus the style aesthetic of the Aldridge home and solve the troublesome puzzle of insufficient wardrobe storage. While developing a more sophisticated con-cept, the duo took cues from a Tom Ford hardcover and Coco Chanel’s Paris apartment, which Judy and Jane had visited several months prior. Judy was especially inspired by the personality and charm of Mademoiselle Chanel’s abode. “Visiting Coco Chanel’s apartment was one of the most special moments that I have ever experienced”.
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In the main living area, seaweed green mohair, turquoise faux python, and smokey blue dupioni silk suggest an aquatic color scheme befitting the ladies similarly titled blogs. In the private spaces, Sam selected a warm dove gray wall color as a unifying backdrop to the rich jewel hues of Judy & Jane’s bed-rooms. Mixed in amongst refurbished antique upholstery are striking pieces of flea market and antique finds, such as the stately dragon vases flanking Judy’s desk and the painted screen at the head of Jane’s bed. Throughout the house, dramatic pieces add an exciting element of individuality and exoticism.
Judy and Jane’s passion for maximalist, over the top clothing found its way very naturally into the decor of their home. Entering each room is like stepping into a cozy boutique of highly cherished and carefully arranged works of art. Open
THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE, DRAMATIC PIECES ADD AN EXCITING ELEMENT OF INDIVIDUALITY AND EXOTICISM.
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“I LOVE THE WAY MY MOM
HAS HER CLOSET—IT’S LIKE
A MUSEUM OF CLOTHES.”
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closets framed by softly drawn draper-ies reveal an exquisite display of texture, pattern, and volume. “I think that you should always present your clothes that you really love in way that pays respect to them,” says Jane. “I love the way my mom has her closet—it’s like a museum of clothes.”
As Judy and Jane’s fast paced lifestyle continues to carry them from New York to Paris to Tokyo and back, their Texas home has become an important retreat in between. Judy describes the work on their blogs as offering an escape into a world of fantasy and beauty. But that is only a capsule of the life led by Judy and Jane Aldridge. And for those of us who simply can’t get enough of all they have to offer, their home is a porthole into a world where python and leopard abound, dressing up is the norm, and personal style is a state of being.
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“I THINK YOU SHOULD ALWAYS PRESENT THE CLOTHES YOU REALLY LOVE IN A WAY THAT PAYS RESPECT TO THEM.”
“I THINK YOU SHOULD ALWAYS PRESENT THE CLOTHES YOU REALLY LOVE IN A WAY THAT PAYS RESPECT TO THEM.”
Brooke White & Summer Bellessa are The Girls with Glasses, and they ’re
bringing a new brand of feminine savvy to a stocking near you.
PHOTOGRAPHY: FEATHER LOVE
EVENT STYLING & STATIONERY: BASH, PLEASE
VIDEO: SHARK PIG
COPY: ANNE SAGE
HAIR & MAKEUP: FIORE BEAUTY
WARDROBE: THE LIFE STYLED
LOCATION: ELVIS HONEYMOON HIDEAWAY
JINGLE
ROCKGIRL
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“WE MET ON
MYSPACE.” It’s a phrase usually reserved for blind date horror stories and Star Trek conventioneers. But for Brooke White and Summer Bellessa, it marks the beginning of an electrifying and engaging tale. For it was in that untamed internet wilderness that the spark of their relationship first ignited.
“YES, WE BOTH WEAR GLASSES IN
REAL L IFE.”
CLICK HERE
TO DOWNLOAD THE PAPER
GOODS FROM THIS STORY!
“GLASSES ARE A POWERFUL
ACCESSORY THAT CAN BR ING OUT THE SMART
AND SAVVY SELF INS IDE ALL OF US.”
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Long story short: Summer liked Brooke’s music and told her so. Brooke liked Summer’s style and told her so. Fast-forward five years. Brooke and Summer are the stars of The Girls with Glasses Show—a variety talk show devoted to women who crave equal parts fun and informative--and they’re taking the world by storm with their signature blend of sass and silly, song and good sense. Hold on. Rewind a little. Go back to Brooke’s much-lauded run on American Idol and her subsequent Top Five finish. Go back to Summer’s founding of ELIZA Magazine, a quarterly lifestyle periodical focused on empowering women through realistic yet aspirational fashion and beauty.
Go back to the supportive and enduring friendship that blossomed through long separations, busy work schedules, the complications and consternations of life. Now return to the present where that friendship still thrives, stronger than ever. Theirs is a partnership that has been cemented not only by a shared love of Audrey Hepburn and Amelie, but also by a common desire to create intelligent, humorous and stylish content for women. The Girls with Glasses Show is ‘the smart girl’s talk show’; it’s quirky, clever, and cool, not ashamed to correct your grammar at the same time it recommends the best bakery for a whoopie pie or the top boutique for sparkly shoes.
WHAT DOES A SMART GIRL’S
TALK SHOWLOOK LIKE?
One moment finds our fair subjects inhaling ice cream cones and window shopping Manhattan; the next they’re doing a craft project with a celebrated artist and blogger; then they’re interviewing the entrepreneurs about the philanthropic philosophy behind a company that sells—what else?—glasses! The girls, and the show by extension, care deeply about changing the world and the way women move through it, one glitter-soled step at a time.
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“WE LOOK FOR PEOPLE WHO BRING ENERGY, SMARTS,
CREAT IV ITY & A POSIT IVE OUTLOOK TO EVERYTHING THEY DO.”
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“ I T ’S THE SMART G IRL’S TALK SHOW.”
SO WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE GIRLS WITH GLASSES? Both continue to pursue the personal projects that have made them stand-out individuals—after all, a team is only as strong as its players, no matter how chic their specs. Brook continues to release albums and has launched her record own label, and Summer has a production of her own: in February she’ll welcome her first child! Will the little one wear glasses? Only time will tell, but one thing is sure: this baby will be stimulated, supported, and very sharply dressed.
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Party like it’s 1959!
Don’t fear kitschy color combinations. Who knew blue and green looked so groovy against white plastic pine needles?
Serve old-timey soda in curvy glass bottles. Bonus points for weird-o names like ‘Bubble Up’ and ‘Mello Yello’.
Fish and chicken are for the birds. Bacon and cheese are for parties.
Look to Elvis for outfi t inspiration and ask your guests to do the same. Have an extra good prize on hand for the person who arrives in a white rhinestone jumpsuit.
The Elvis Christmas album is a must-play. Duh.
The bash, please guide to a retro holiday fete.
v
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ADDITIONAL CREDITS DESSERTS: SUSIECAKES | PROPS: FOUND VINTAGE RENTALS | PRINTING: CZAR PRESS
According to the hepcat musical stylings of The Flashdance.
1. Johnny Cash - Daddy Sang Bass 2. Loretta Lynn - Country Christmas
3. Patsy Cline - Walking After Midnight4. Sam Cooke - Good Times
5. James Brown - Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto 6. Stormy Weather - Christmas Time Is Coming
7. Rita Faye Wilson - Sleigh Bells, Reindeer And Snow 8. Fat Daddy - Fat Daddy
9. Elvis Presley - A Little Less Conversation 10. Etta James - In the Basement, Pt 1 11. The Flares - Foot Stomping Part 1
12. The Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band - Spreadin’ Honey 13. Elvis Presley - Blue Christmas
14. Vince Guaraldi Trio - Christmas Time Is Here15. Mulatu Astatqe - Tezeta (Nostalgia)
The Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band - Spreadin’ Honey
THE OFFICIAL
ELVIS HONEYMOON HOUSE HOLIDAY PLAYLIST
VIDEOGRAPHY: SHARKPIGWATCH THE BEHIND THE SCENES
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so we got a little carried away in the photo booth.
but oh, was it fun.
WINDSOR SMITH
COPY: KELLY LEEPHOTOGRAPHY: MICHAEL WELLS
AMERICANBEAUTYWINDSOR SMITH
In a town that favors the young and the new, Los Angeles-based interior designer Windsor Smith
goes against the Hollywood grain with her celebrated brand of American traditionalism—
with a few surprising twists, naturally.
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One peek at a Windsor Smith room and you’ll feel the urge to slide into your monogrammed velvet slippers, stir up a highball and slip into your
favorite tufted wingback before prepping for the evening’s festivities with your neighbors, Winston and Bitsy. So it’s quite the surprise that this East Coast country club fantasy comes from a dancer turned designer who grew up without much tradition to speak of. “I love tradition, because I really didn’t grow up with a lot of it. My people were pioneers, inde-pendents, adventurers, innovators. Tradition holds an incredible allure for me, despite that my chromosomal chart is that of a maverick.”
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I was a dancer, so I see in lines and forms. I innately understand bal-ance and propor-tion from years of ballet classes and learning choreog-
raphy
PAST PERFECTSo just how does a former dancer become one of the industry’s leading designers, creating rooms of piercing sophistication that still feel like you can put your feet up on the couch? “When I look back I had the perfect education for it without even knowing it. I was a dancer, so I see in lines and forms. I innately understand balance and proportion from years of ballet classes and learning choreography. When you study dance you exercise both sides of the brain as you learn to be able to dance with both sides of your body. You have a daily discipline of reversing all movements and repeating them on both sides so that you do not have a weaker side. You develop an acute sense of balance, and can identify what is not in line by watching your reverse image in the mirror. This is a unique type of exercise on the brain. So you really develop your visual skills to a hyper degree,” notes Smith. Her advice to injured and hungry ballet dancers? “Become decorators!”
Inspired by decorating greats, Elsie de Wolfe and John Saladino, and working with some very famous clients and storied residences, including the epic Mitchell Cottage in Maine (formerly owned by Kirstie Alley and originally designed by famed interior designer Sister Parish), Smith seems very at ease when others might be daunted, a disciplined grace and ease ingrained from her dancing days, perhaps. “That house was an amazing canvas. It had its own vernacular that I just let inform me. I generally work on restoratives so it’s important to not impose your design will onto these elegant homes. With Mitchell Cottage, I just had to imagine the way this gracious home felt at the genesis of its existence. Who was there and how did they live in the home? I then, with the upmost respect for its DNA, just gently pulled it forward into my client’s slightly more modern lives,” she remarks.
Which is exactly how she tackled her latest project. “It is a very choreographed house. There are five kids in the family, so if their lives weren’t orchestrated properly, there would be chaos. Keeping their busy lives contained and satisfying the desires of many [was the challenge at hand.] We wanted a beautiful and sophisticated home, yet still child-friendly.”
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MODERN FAMILYFor many, these two ideas - sippycups and silk drapes - don’t
naturally co-exist, but for Smith who believes you should “never sacrifice comfort and function for beauty” it’s a refreshing and inspiring philosophy. True to her design signature, she has “ingratiated lifestyle into the very architecture of the room, layering details without overpowering, mixing antiques and moderns elements to reflect an eclecticism that more closely mirrors our new paradigm of living.” She relishes in “all of the tactile elements, watching them bloom as they’re gently layered on top of one another.”
And like most aesthetes, Smith believes love is in the details, noting her favorite elements as “the delicate little silver teacart covered wheels and the black coral against those silver walls.”
Rooted in tradition, Smith speaks to a modern, vibrant, sophisticated family. Neo-traditionalists, if you will. Or rather, those who like classicism shaken and stirred. Of course, while Smith’s interiors feel classically American, there’s an undoubted worldly element at play. “I spent the day with a fellow designer who said you should always have a certain number of zigzag days a year just for inspiration,” reveals Smith. “There is NO better inspiration for design than travel and experiencing other environments. It is all grist for the mill. You can draw inspiration from one trip for years and years. My favorite images are of architectural elements from around the world.”
Smith favors jaunts to Europe for inspiration, highlighting Florence as her favorite inspiration destination and the Hotel Du Cap her favorite space in the world. When pressed further though, she shares her favorite secret spot in the world, “the corner of the bed in my boys’ room.”
Which not only makes Windsor Smith extremely relatable, but sums up her exact appeal, grounded glamour.
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FUTURE PERFECTNow that Smith has successfully infused her signature storied glamour into yet another project, what’s next on her leather-bound agenda? In addition to her current line of proper-with-a-twist furnishings and her collection of rugs for Kravet, which Smith considers an extension of her spirit -- traditional yet playful, expect a new outdoor collection for Kravet and 30 new pieces added to her line before the end of the year.
She’s also launching a new virtual design business for “a new sophis-ticated woman in the marketplace who loves design and would like to be more integrated into the process from her desktop.” Martini in hand, naturally.
Ready. Set. Netfl ix. Windsor’s Favorite Films for Style Inspiration:
* SOUTH PACIFIC
* OUT OF AFRICA
* THE KING AND I
* THE GREAT GATSBY
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WINDSOR’S 7 SECRET WAYS TO GLAM UP YOUR SPACE
1 2
1 Work with fabrics that hang or puddle in a glamorous way.
2 Make deliberate choices and use more reflective materials.
3 Play close attention to lighting— both natural and mood—and where the light is at what time of day.
4 Use color wisely – paint is the least expensive way to enact drama.
5 If you don’t have a big budget, buy fewer pieces but make each one count.
6 Splurge on the chandelier! An antique chandelier will make everyone think
you spent more on everything else.
7 Only fill your home with the things you love. Never buy something just to fill the space.
5
WINDSOR’S 7 SECRET WAYS TO GLAM UP YOUR SPACE
3 46 7
P rivate Q U A R T E R S
S L I P I N T O S O M E T H I N G A L I T T L E
M O R E C O M F O R T A B L E W I T H A
G L I M P S E A T T H E H O M E O F L I N G E R I E
D E S I G N E R J E S S I E Z I N K E .
PHOTOGRAPHY: EMILY ANDERSON | COPY: JULIE HOLLOWAYSTYLING: CRYSTAL GENTILELLO
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YOU CAN HEAR THE CLICKITTY-CLACK OF CHOO AND LANVIN ALL ALONG THE BUSY STREETS OF CHELSEA IN NEW YORK CITY. This bustling neighborhood, an artists’ haven sandwiched between Hell’s Kitchen and the Meatpacking district, is where lingerie designer and business owner Jessie Zinke chose to be amidst it all, smack dab in the garment district.
Jessie moved to the heart of America’s fashion empire from the heart of America: Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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This is where she grew up and where she and her sister Arin dreamed of someday working together. They probably never imagined when they were playing dress up with dolls as little girls that they would one day get the chance to do this ‘for real’. Jessie and Arin have been designing clothing, events, and interiors for as long as they can remember, and Jessie’s mother encouraged their artistic gift. “When I was a little girl,” Jessie recalls, “my mom let me decorate my room. I picked out the furniture, paint and linens.”
Jessie Zinke heeded this artistic call and studied visual communications at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. Upon graduation, she was unclear as to what she wanted to do next. Luckily, her sister already had a successful event design company, planning mostly weddings, in Tulsa. Being a good sister, Arin gave Jessie what she thought was a temporary position.
“ I O N L Y C H O O S E T H I N G S I A B S O L U T E L Y L O V E . I F I C A N ’ T F I N D W H A T I W A N T , I J U S T L I V E
W I T H O U T I T U N T I L I F I N D E X A C T L Y W H A T I ’ M L O O K I N G F O R . ”
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“ E V E R Y T H I N G I O W N H A S B E E N C O L L E C T E D
O V E R T I M E . ”
In addition to designing beautiful and unique events, Arin’s company also created bridal accessories such as garters, jewelry bags, and hankies. The sisters dreamed of creating a special camisole and bloomer sets just for brides. The design was conceptualized and created, and the bridal ensemble was a hit! Thus, the Zinke lingerie label was born.
Jessie keeps Zinke’s roots in Tulsa and pays homage to her home state by proudly displaying art of a fellow Oklahoman, Sara Matson Westover, in her Chelsea loft.She made the move to New York City from Tulsa to make certain her lingerie line has
“ E V E R Y T H I N G I O W N H A S B E E N C O L L E C T E D
O V E R T I M E . ”
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the best, most luxurious cashmere, silk and cotton available. Jessie learned there is an abundance of colors and textures available to her in this city, and in her lingerie as in her home, “pretty much anything goes when it comes to color. I’m not afraid to use color in my home or in my designs,” she declares, “I also love to use bold prints. And of course everything must be soft and comfortable.”
Her loft boasts beauty and order, patience and boldness. Jessie is not capricious; she is a woman who can wait. “Everything I own has been collected over time”, she says. “I only choose things I absolutely love and if I can’t find what I want I just live without it until I find exactly what I’m looking for.” Jessie made do for years without a dining room table. Now she has found her perfect piece and has bravely paired it with modern chairs dressed in exotic, floral fabric. She admits, “I’ll keep this table forever.”
Love is her guide in design and life. Jessie only chooses things that make her heart jump and “somehow they all mesh together.” For example, she fell for two African rugs that were later sewn together and a boisterous club chair in a myriad of colors from Anthropolgie
The textural and spatial contrasts you see in her loft might have been influenced by two of Jessie’s design icons: Kelly Wearstler and Gilles Mendel. Jessie believes “Kelly Wearstler’s creativity is unparalleled. I love her bold use of color and prints and how she takes Hollywood regency style
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“ I L O V E T O U S E B O L D P R I N T S . A N D O F C O U R S E , E V E R Y T H I N G M U S T B E S O F T A N D C O M F O R T A B L E . ”
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and makes it look modern.” Her love affair continues with Medel, “I’m in love with his design aesthetic. Each piece is very architectural and sculptural, but also very feminine and ethereal.”
Ethereal is a good word to describe Jessie’s loft. Upon entering, you immediately feel transported to a land full of art, light, warmth and femininity. She finds this inspirational muse visits her often here, and keeps chalk handy to jot down thoughts, dreams and ideas on her chalkboard wall opposite a wall of windows. Though she utilizes every corner of her apartment, you can often find her here writing and brainstorming. What’s more, Jessie keeps a rack of her lacy, silk creations on display in her home office; a constant reminder of her calling of creating angels on Earth.
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GIMMEMOORELIFESTYLE EXPERT KELLEY MOORE HAS THE ULTIMATE TRIFECTA: AN INQUIRING MIND, AN UNERRING EYE, AND A GREAT BIG OPEN HEART.
PHOTOGRAPHY:JOSE MANDOJANA | COPY: LYNN KLOYTHANOMSUP
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It should come as no surprise that a woman ambi-tiously driven to empowering her clients for over fifteen years produces her ideas in an equally energetic office. After years of honing her vision as Seattle’s premier event producer with Kelley Moore Creative Media Events, life-style expert Kelley Moore was ready to relocate her offices away from home and worked her magic to trans-form a repurposed factory into an enchanting workspace for her clients and her team to enjoy.
When Moore rented the lofty industrial space, the first order of business was hanging a big letter K on her front door, one of her proudest moments as a small business owner and a long time coming since starting out in social work, volunteering with event companies and ultimately forming her own multi-media firm. Stepping into the warehouse, Moore immediately envisioned a single row of black crystal chandeliers hanging from the timbers and
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Include items you’ve collected from your travels for a conversation starter with colleagues and friends.
Bring your favorite décor pieces to the office so you can enjoy them all day long.
Incorporate a bar into your space so you have something to offer people who stop by.
Create an area that inspires you to reflect and gets your creativity going.
Get fabric covered boxes for a stylish solution to staying tidy and organized.
MAKE YOURWORKSPACE
LIFESTYLE DRIVEN
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“IT’S IMPORTANT TO BE INSPIRED
BY YOUR OFFICE SPACE TO CREATE
GREAT WORK.”
matching black curtains to frame out the open floorplan. It wasn’t difficult to update the well-worn, original brick walls and factory architecture as with Moore’s application, juxtaposition upheld exuberance with a jumble of adorned and boldly patterned furnishing pieces.
Moore began by injecting her brand’s signature color of red and added whimsical prints and bold furniture silhouettes. Within the rustic building, two crisp chairs sport a larger-than-life hound-stooth pattern and live among shiny, glossy tables and stimulating textures. The two golden chairs opposite her work desk, also her favorite accents used in the space, are vintage and carved out with a touch of drama. Moore believes in including decorating pieces that induce smiles and start conversations.
Faced with the task of organization within an expanse of open-plan office space, Moore and her team emphasized symmetry and streamlined functionality by dividing pockets of working and meeting areas into their own living zones, bring-ing in vintage furnishings and case goods to soften the edges of commercial fittings. She punctuated a sense of balance by centering pairs of seating around neatly aligned tables to achieve a majesty both deliberate and casual.
Her workspace reads like her personality, and this is also no mistake. Moore attributes her suc-cess to a personal mantra of creating opportuni-ties rather than happening upon them. As a life-style expert, she helps clients tap into and explore their identities, their tastes, and how they can share with others what they have to offer and what they love. This relationship between char-acter and outward expression that Moore calls attention to is what propels her firm ahead. In fact, Moore’s first memory of making someone happy through entertaining was throwing her mother a beautiful surprise party at the age of eight. That’s when she realized that if you give to others to make them happy, the happiness you feel in return is tenfold.
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“MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN SOCIAL WORK IS AT THE FOUNDATION OF MY BRAND AND WHAT I BELIEVE
MAKES WHAT I HAVE TO OFFER UNIQUE.”
Her move to event production and joining the ranks of television hosts with camera spots and her own local Seattle show, “Moore to Life”, is a path inspired by her background in sociology and criminology. Today she juggles publishing her blog “For the Love of Design”, contributing to MSN online with her daily column “Welcome Home with Kelley Moore”, and authoring her office design book Cube Chic as well as writing her second. She is also re-launching her event design and production company in the coming year. Even with the decision to leave the social assistance industry behind her, Moore still reveres her past work as the foundation for her brand today. Though hard to imagine how the jeopardy of criminal investigation and social work leads to a career in design, Moore says that through her experiences she saw first hand how important it is to be supported by a community. This kinship is what many clients support by inviting friends into their home. “Think about how many relationships were built or mended around a dinner table. It is a powerful tool.”
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PHOTOGRAPHY: HEATHER WARAKSACOPY: MACKENZIE HORAN
FOR JEWELRY ARTISAN PHOEBE STEPHENS , THE
ART OF LIVING WELL LIES IN DAILY TRIBUTES TO
HERITAGE AND HOME.
MEETS
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Jewelry designer Phoebe Stephens has always been a bit of a maximalist. Raised in Mexico City by a father who collected art and antiques, she believes in filling her home with personal objects that remind her of her ancestry. Her home features an artfully eclectic mix of furnishings, from a half-moon-shaped Maria Felix sofa that she bought at a Christie’s auction to a collection of wooden Goulven Elies sculptures that the artist shipped to her in beautiful hand-painted crates. In Phoebe’s world, more is more. The backdrop of her expansive collection of objets d’art is an 1864 townhouse in Gramercy Park that she and her ex-husband renovated six years ago. “It turned out to be a year-long project and a total gut job,” she explains, “but
we kept a lot of the original details that drew us to the house in the first place.” Exposed brick and white pipes now form an unobtrusive canvas for pieces like a 200-year-old statue of Mary and an assortment of painted masks that hang on her mantle. The loft-like floor plan and outdoor patio are luxurious by New York City standards, and Phoebe feels lucky to live in a home that reflects her taste so well. “Living in a townhouse feels completely different from my old apartments because of the way the spaces are broken up. Sometimes I don’t even feel like I’m in New York,” she says. “I think you always have to make compromises when you’re decorating. But overall I did exactly what I wanted to do.”
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“ I TH INK YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO MAKE
COMPROMISES WHEN YOU’RE DECORAT ING.”
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“IT TAKES TIME TO FINISH A SPACE. I FEEL LIKE I’M ALWAYS ADDING OR CHANGING THINGS—BUT THAT’S PART OF THE FUN.”
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The result is an inspiring environment in which Phoebe designs pieces for Anndra Neen, the breakout jewelry line that she started with her sister, Annette. While the two began their careers on different paths —Phoebe in fashion and Annette in theatre —it seems that jewelry design is their true calling. Their aesthetic combines handmade metals with Mexican craftsmanship, a unique combination that now retails in such famed locales as Kirna Zabete in New York City.
In her downtime, Phoebe tries to entertain as much as possible. “It’s part of my cultural background to entertain; I just wish I had more time to do it,” she says. One can imagine the sort of parties this house and its owner might host: friends sporting Phoebe’s own creations eating authentic cuisine from her childhood. Now that the townhouse is decorated to her liking, it seems guests will be lining up left and right. “Absolutely,” she says, “I think the best dinners and parties are in people’s homes.”
Of course, her home might appear a little differently to each visitor. “It takes time to fi nish a space. I feel like I’m always adding or changing things — but that’s part of the fun,” Phoebe says. Her favorite pieces, like a watercolor that her father painted and framed in a Mexican fl ea market fi nd, will undoubtedly remain. But like her art collection and her jewelry, the townhouse is “an organic thing that has a life of its own. And I hope I’m never one hundred percent satisfi ed.”
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“MY HOME IS AN ORGANIC TH ING
THAT HAS A LIFE OF ITS OWN. AND I HOPE I’M NEVER ONE HUNDRED PERCENT
SATISFIED.”
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PHOTOGRAPHY: TINYWATER COPY: MACKENZIE HORAN
STATIONERY: WILEY VALENTINEVIDEO: STUDIO MSV
Interior designer Scot Meacham Wood toasts the season with a traditional Christmas bash for the boys.
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“I fell in love with the flat the very first
time i saw it.”
Dapper guests sip from glasses adorned with silver deer heads. Bow ties, plaid kilts, and velvet loafers are the requisite attire. The Christmas tree, one of several in the home, holds court in the dining room, dripping in gold beads and shiny ornaments. The table is set with etched glass, polished silver, red roses, and layer upon layer of tartan china. It is fast becoming clear that no one can throw a gentlemen’s soirée quite like Scot Meacham Wood can. An interior designer and stylist whose eponymous firm is based in San Francisco, Wood designed the home around his need to host friends and family. Several years ago, exasperated by the lack of a traditional dining room in his 1920s building, Wood converted the entire rear of the home into an open space that would better accommodate his innate love of entertaining. “I fell in love with the flat the very first time I saw it,” says Wood. “In a notoriously closet-challenged city, I’ve got two—yes, two—walk-in closets.”
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his is a man who knows a thing or two about personal style. Plaids of every variety occupy
precious space in his home, his wardrobe, and the header of his celebrated blog, The Adventures of Tartanscot. “I have a shamefully large collection of antique tartan china from England,” Wood admits. “I remember the first one that I ever saw, in a little antique store here in San Francisco. I circled around it for almost an hour because I knew that, if I bought it, it would easily lead to an unending obsession with finding more of them. And it did.”
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“Classic European style with a healthy dose of southern hospitality and a tiny twist of modern.”
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Wood has left his tartan signature on interior projects all across the United States, from the Four Seasons in San Francisco to a summer estate in East Hampton, New York. His taste, which he defines as “classic European style with a healthy dose of Southern hospitality and a tiny twist of modern,” manifests itself in black and white tiled floors, larger-than-life portraiture, and plaid patterns on everything from the curtains to the dining chairs. A silver bowl in the china cabinet contains a mismatched assortment of napkin rings, while a clawfoot chair in the hallway combines zebra upholstery with throw pillows in plaid and the Union Jack motif. It is Wood’s take-nothing-too-seriously approach to design that attracts clients to his design firm and puts his myriad party guests at ease. “Since I’ve been working on the house this last year, I’ve not been able to have guests over as much as I’d like to,” he explains. “But now that everything is completed, I’m sensing there is going to be a great deal more entertaining.” And what better way to jumpstart his social calendar than with an elegant holiday affair with his equally elegant friends? “Christmas is usually the big party at the house, when I experience the great joy of seeing so many of my friends become friends with each other,” Wood says. “And because I’m also a singer, there tends to be spontaneous caroling at most of my holiday events. Now that’s the sign of a fun party!”
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HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING TIPSSCOT’S TOP 5
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GET HELP I’m a big believer in hiring help when entertaining at the house. Even if it’s just having a bartender, that extra pair of hands to make drinks and answer the door frees me up to be more involved in my own party.
KEEP IT SIMPLE While everyone raves about the great food, I always keep it simple. It’s so important that I’m able to prepare almost everything in advance. A couple fancy, memorable treats does the trick.
PLAN A MENU For a cocktail party menu, I often plan out a meal (as if it’s for a sit-down dinner) and then adapt it into “small bites.” So I might take a traditional soup course like a warm roasted tomato soup and present it in individual shot glasses, maybe with a little cracker balanced on top. A main course steak becomes a prime rib sandwich on a slice of tiny homemade bread.
SET IT ON FIRE Candelight. And lots of it.
AVOID THE “COAT MEDUSA” On a more practical note, always have a collapsible coat rack set up in a bedroom. At the end of the evening, no one likes to rummage around on the bed for their coats, scarves, and purses.
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CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PAPER GOODS FROM THIS STORY!
VIDEOGRAPHY: STUDIO MSVWATCH THE BEHIND THE SCENES
TARTAN-APPROVED TUNES FOR A
BUSTLING BASHCarols & more from beneath the kilt of The Flashdance.
1. Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight) - Ramones
2. Lust for Life - Iggy Pop 3. This Charming Man - The Smiths
4. Rubber Dolly (The Clapping Song) - Shirley Ellis 5. Santa Claus Is A Black Man - Akim And The
Teddy Vann Production Company 6. Here Comes Fatty Claus - Rudolph & Gang
7. Christmas In Hollis - Run DMC 8. Holiday - Vampire Weekend
9. Rock the Casbah - The Clash 10. Anarchy In The U.K. - Sex Pistols
11. Little Mary Christmas - Roger Christian
FRIENDLYPERSUASION
JOLENE BALLARD & AMANDA MALSON OF DOMICILE ID WORK
THEIR MAGIC ON A NEUTRAL
PHOTOGRAPHY: TERI LYN FISHERCOPY: LEILANI MARIE LABONG
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The role that serendipity plays in this tale of two designers—mid-western transplants with an uncanny sisterly resemblance, farming bloodlines, and discerning tastes for all things decorative—is, in a word, undeniable. Jolene Ballard and Amanda Malson fi rst discovered their curious commonalities while working as hotel designers at a Los Angeles-based hospitality fi rm before combining their talents in 2008 to open Domicile ID in Huntington Beach, CA. “Interior design is a creative journey,” says Malson. “Our decision to embark on this adventure together was based on our friendship.”
Over the course of one year, the pair tirelessly transformed the early 1990s-era (read: Miami Vice-inspired) L.A. condominium Ballard shares with her husband into a tastefully considered tableau of vintage furnishings, fl ea market fi nds, Ikea scores, and deftly executed DIY details. The outcome neatly captures Domicile’s posh but approachable design philosophy.
While Ballard favors a vibrant color palette,
she knows when to worship at the altar of neutrals. “They never go out of style,” says Ballard. “If I want a new look, I just need to change out accessories.” (She then whispers, “I’m a designer—my look changes every six months!”) Gray-taupe walls and the furniture’s natural-linen upholstery serve as a blank canvas for the captivating pops of color in the salmon-hued drapes and abstract art—prints borrowed from the oeuvre of a 1980’s German artist—hanging above the sofa.hued drapes and abstract art—prints borrowed from the oeuvre of a 1980’s German artist—hanging above the sofa.
The home’s gilded elements, while unmistakably glamorous, serve an ambient purpose. “Gold really warms up a space,” explains Malson. In Ballard’s living room, the designers refi nished the glass-topped side tables—a Craigslist fi nd—in gold paint, to play off the gold wall frames and the 1960s table lamps, embellished with a gold fi sh-scale pattern. The milk-and-honey quality in
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the office vignette is owed to a pair of vintage lamps, restored to their golden glory, and a large brass piece of Curtis Jeré-style wall art—both provide an alluring (and, in some ways, earthy) complement to Ballard’s burgeoning milk-glass collection.
Ballard cites Malson’s garage as one of her favorite shopping resources. “Amanda isn’t a hoarder, but she is a fervent collector of things,” says Ballard. “When in need, I go to The Garage.” The brass bird sculptures, on loan from The Garage, are family heirlooms passed down from Malson’s grandmother. Placing serving trays on tufted ottomans (like the black-linen piece in Ballard’s living room) creates an instantly functional table—prime real estate for coffee-table tomes and other decorative accessories, not to mention movie-night rations, cocktail-hour provisions, and coffee-break supplies.
Ballard’s home office is the site of the pair’s Monday-morning tête-à-têtes. Interestingly,
the minimalist white-lacquer desk is actually an Ikea dining table. “Since the console in the background is quite substantial, we wanted something lighter in the foreground,” explains Malson. While the vintage office chair—unearthed at an estate sale and reupholstered in an ochre-colored velvet—is quite stately and a shoe-in for the best-seat-in-the-house award, we’re casting our vote for a supporting cast member: the humble teal linen-covered stool.
Ballard and Malson take great pride in presenting their clients with tasteful “inspiration boards”—carefully curated Lucite trays arranged with fabric swatches, jewelry pieces, and other tchotchkes to illustrate the client’s vision. “As designers, we are chameleons,” says Ballard. “If someone knew instantly that we designed a particular space, we would consider that an epic failure. We have our clients’ best interests at heart, not our own.”
“ IF SOMEONE KNEW INSTANTLY THAT WE
DESIGNED A PARTICULAR SPACE, WE WOULD
CONSIDER THAT AN EPIC FAILURE. WE HAVE OUR
CLIENTS’ BEST INTERESTS AT HEART, NOT OUR OWN.”
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“ INTERIOR DESIGN IS A CREATIVE JOURNEY.
OUR DECISION TO EMBARK ON THIS
ADVENTURE TOGETHER WAS BASED ON OUR
FRIENDSHIP.”
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“NEUTRALS NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE.”
That’s not to say that they don’t have personal preferences. “I love pale walls that serve as a clean backdrop for art col-lections,” says Malson, referencing a pair of framed vintage Latvian textiles in the home’s dining room. Subdued pink-gray walls in the office make a pretty canvas for a mash-up of gold-framed landscapes, architectural prints, and striking Robert Motherwell-style black-and-white expres-sionist paintings.
Since the home’s décor materialized from a decidedly light and airy color pal-ette, Malson and Ballard preferred to eclipse the theme in the master bedroom by choosing dark navy-blue paint for the walls. “It doesn’t feel like a cave,” says Malson. “It’s more of an alluring retreat.” A white ceiling adds brightness to the room, while round white-wash wood mir-rors and a custom-designed headboard bestow strong graphic qualities upon the robust wall color.
To quickly cheat an antique look on the cheap, Malson and Ballard trimmed the bed’s plain white Ikea pillows with scraps of modern lace. An authentic piece of vintage Latvian lace, framed in the corner of the master bedroom, further validates the old-fashioned effect of the designers’ DIY trick. Malson has a special attach-ment to a particular zebra-patterned book—I Married Adventure by Osa Johnson—as the author is a native of Malson’s hometown in Kansas. “It’s a popular decorator’s prop,” explains the designer, who proudly collects clippings of the book’s appearances in magazines.
Of the home’s overall aesthetic, and the firm’s general approach, one descriptor consistently comes to mind. “We are eclectic. Period. The end,” says Ballard. While she makes a good point, we’d argue that, for these designing women, it’s actually just the beginning.
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INTERIOR DESIGNER ANGELA STONE IS turning the industry in the Second City on its head, one object at a time. As the curator for Hinge, a Chicago-based design collaborative, she has created a forum for antiques dealers, artists, and sustainable furniture builders to reach designers and homeowners alike.
FARM-HOUSEMODERNR A W M E E T S R E F I N E D I N T H E
CHICAGO HOME OF ANGELASTONE.P H O T O G R A P H Y : E M I L Y A N D E R S O N
C O P Y : A D R I E N N E M U R R I L L
A S S I S T A N T S T Y L I S T : E M I L Y S C H M U N K
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+“The goal is to give people an easy alternative to the mass-produced big box design stores that have become second nature to many people,” Angela said. “We have great artists and designers making pieces that are one of a kind.”
Those pieces range from a console table made from reclaimed floor boards by Bladon Connor to elegant textiles by Elizabeth Siegan. In total, Hinge features two furniture designers, two photographers, a textile designer and its latest member, Hand & Cloth, a nonprofit that works with underprivileged Bengali women to create sumptuous throws made from recycled saris.
“The Hinge aesthetic is very much centered on seeing the beauty in what is commonly discarded or overlooked,” Angela said. “This rings true with each artist and designer and is the very reason they are a part of Hinge.”
She calls the look they’ve created “Farmhouse Modern,” a
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+ term she has smartly trademarked. It’s the juxtaposition of storied, character-rich pieces with minimal urban elements. She plans to write a book on the aesthetic but in the meantime is focusing on the Web front. “What we really want is for people to have the option of choosing a local furniture designer, and have it be an easy process,” Angela said. Eventually, the goal is to expand to markets in New York, San Francisco, and Austin, each using its own local artisans.
For now, many of Hinge’s pieces reside in Angela’s Wicker Park home and are viewable by appointment. “Overall I feel really good about the space coming together,” which she describes as a “peaceful, warm environment.”
hinge: (noun) a jointed or flexible device on which a door, lid, or other swinging part turns; a determining factor( )
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+Her favorite spot is her bedroom, which happens to be the smallest. “I chose it for this very reason,” Angela said. “My bedroom is just that, a room with my low bed and layers of gray and white bedding. Three walls are bright white and one is covered in black chalkboard paint and poetry.” Her favorite photo, which was torn from an art history book years ago during a class, hangs above. “It is a Russian dancer, covered only by a sheer fabric dancing in the midst of the Parthenon rubble. The Chicago winds blow my muslin curtain right into the center of the room. It just feels good—intimate, as a bedroom should be.”
Why not bring a little more story and individuality into our homes? Why not know who made the dining table you share so many
memories at or the bedside table you wake up next to?( )
CONTINUED ON PAGE 111 >
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+Although she doesn’t have a closet in her bedroom (it’s in the Chicago firemen’s lockers in her den), she looks to her wardrobe for inspiration and advises others to do the same. “People should be less afraid of making the wrong choice when it comes to design. Nothing you do is ‘wrong.’ Just like you get ready every morning and you pull together your outfit, you know what you like and what you think looks good on you... if others disagree you likely don’t care.” She said she wishes more people would approach their home with a similar boldness.
“If you love it, there are probably reasons behind it that you are not even aware of. Embrace it and figure it all out later.”
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pillows the perfect holiday accessories. If only decorating
the rest of the house this season were that easy.
THE LOADED TRUNK
Mexican CoverletKate Middleton, eat your heart out. This woodland creature royal coverlet
practically sings. 6 feet of muslin cotton perfect for the princess in every
girl. Just don’t expect these animals to make your bed in the morning.
$55
$275
$100
Interior Designer, Bunny Williams
Pick up your copy of Scrapbook for Living for more expert tips from Bunny!
The heart of every home used to be the living room, but it often gets abandoned today. In this
space, I tried to create something cozy and warm. The welcoming living room was designed for a lively
family that loves beautiful things but didn’t want the room to be stuffy. To achieve this I provided several
comfortable seating areas grouped around a coffee table so cozier conversations could take place.
Now it’s equally inviting to a single person, a small family, or a large group.
❖
Small tables are a must.
Make sure that each person
has one near him or her
for a drink.
Creating a welcoming
living room means giving it
your personal touch: fresh
fl owers, collected objects,
family photographs, and
of course books.
Cozy up...
Photographer: Amy Archer & Trent Cobb
Legendary interior designer Bunny Williams shares tips from her latest book, Scrapbook for Living, on creating an inviting home.
PARTING SHOT
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Pick up your copy of Scrapbook for Living for more expert tips from Bunny!
WISHING ALL THE JOYS OF THE SEASON
xo , Rue
to our readers, our advertisers, our
contributors and our friends. We count
your love and support amongst our
greatest blessings.
WISHING ALL THE WISHING ALL THE JOYS OF THE SEASONJOYS OF THE SEASON
xo , Ruexo , Rue
to our readers, our advertisers, our
contributors and our friends. We count
your love and support amongst our
greatest blessings.
