I Don't Need This - but it's so cute!

I have two perfectly good juicers so I don't need this from a practical point of view. However, from an "It's so cute to look at!" point of view, I do. $24 at Anthropologie here.

D. Bryant Archie Textiles

A Moroccan honeymoon, an encounter with a souk of Berbers and a dream back in 2005
led to the launch of D. Bryant Archie Textiles in 2008. The back story is as interesting as Bryant, whom I had a chance to meet last week at the DC Design Center's Hall of Fame Showhouse opening.

Nestor Santa-Cruz selected two of her throws to feature in his room. Bryant has designed a luxurious collection that is inspired by indigenous hands of the past – from American Indian to Persian and African artifacts.
Beautiful - I've had a chance to see these up close and the quality is impeccable.

Made in a rural region of Peru, the weaving of these throws and pillows helps support the livelihoods and hand weaving traditions of artisans. Her firm also works with partners who support their education and the education of their children. In addition, the process from sorting the fiber by hand to dying, weaving and cleaning of the final piece is environmentally friendly. This throw is one of my favorites - I love the combination of colors.

In addition to being creative and talented, Bryant is one of the nicest people you'll meet. Isn't it great when talent and friendliness combine! To see more of her textiles, go here. As with Nestor Santa-Cruz, I have a feeling her textiles are going to be very popular with designers.

22 Years Later - An Interior I Couldn't Forget

22 years ago I fell in love with this apartment interior - it was on the cover of Conran's Living in Small Spaces. Very apropos at the time as my husband and I lived in a one bedroom 1930's 4th floor apartment in Cambridge, MA and Conran's had just opened up a US store down the street on Mass Ave. The store was short lived but I've held on to this book ever since.
Just this past weekend I was google searching Bruce Budd, a designer featured in April's The World of Interiors, and came across pictures of the apartment via a post by The Blue Remembered Hills. It was a thrilling find as the post included the rest of the apartment - images I had never seen!
I learned that this was the Greenwich apartment of architect Lee Mindel of Shelton, Mindel & Associates, and was featured in The World of Interiors, July/Aug 1987, among other magazines. It was considered "fresh and new at the time." 22 years later it still is.
Thank you to the blogger, The Blue Remembered Hills - your post felt like finding a little present. Now I'm off to track down a copy of the July/Aug 1987 World of Interiors...
Do you have any interiors you still think about after many years?
(photography by Dan Cornish)

Washington Design Center & Elle Decor: Opening Night

Last night was great fun - the Washington Design Center and Elle Decor hosted an opening gala for the Hall of Fame 2010 Design House. Newly located on the 5th floor, the showhouse features the work of eight designers who have been honored for their accomplishments in the design community. Here is a sneak peek into one of my favorite rooms; Nestor Santa-Cruz's Study. In his description Nestor wrote, "Elle Decor is the premier magazine for featuring personal, beautifully designed, chic rooms." Enveloped in a dreamy blue, I think his room epitomizes the spirit of Elle Decor. (I believe the color is Farrow & Ball's Chinese Blue)
He selects his pieces with the eye of a curator and then moves forward with a design scheme that is warm, textured and sophisticated in the most comfortable fashion. I love this occasional table - artful but still practical as a resting place for your martini. The Stark area rug is absolutely beautiful.
Nestor found all these pieces at flea markets; the painting and blue ceramic vase are from Copenhagen and the blue platter was found in the Marais in Paris.
This sofa is accented by a warmly textured alpaca pillow from NYC textile designer Bryant Archie. I greatly enjoyed meeting Bryant - her work is amazing and I'm looking forward to doing a whole post on her textiles, throws and pillows. They're currently carried by a number of stores, including Thomas O'Brien's Aero.
Here's Bryant with Heather Safferstone to her left and Sally Steponkus to the right. They're having a banner year in 2010 as Heather has recently joined Sally's firm full-time.
More great people at last night's event - interior designer Lauren Liess of Pure Style Home and her husband David, and interior designer Raji Radhakrishnan and her husband.
There is more to share from the Hall of Fame Design House in future posts. The showhouse is open to the public, free of charge, through Dec. 4. Go here for more info.

My Pick for Home Theater Seating

I had a chance to view an office renovation yesterday and came across these ToDo lounge chairs from Haworth, a designer and manufacturer of work spaces. Although they don't recline, I think they would be perfect for a home theater or a second tv viewing area, such as one located in a basement rec room. Options include wheels for easy moving, rotating cup holder and tablet, and an ottoman. My favorite part is the scale -they're not too bulky and extremely comfortable.

Have you ever come across office furniture you thought would be great in your home?

Room(s) Envy

Love everything about this living room. My snapshot doesn't quite represent the pretty, bleached palette of this room. (Original photography by Lisa Romerein, designer not known)
More room envy. A reproduction dining table was refinished to look much older. One of my favorite parts of this open dining area is the large urn in front of the window, off to the right. (Original photography by Simon Upton, designer not known)
The pics above are from House Beautiful 500 Makeovers - a book that I really enjoy referring back to often. The only thing is that the designers aren't listed; not sure why that is.
You probably already know this, but just in case, Katie Denham of KatieDid is posting wonderful pictures from her visit to the very impressive San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2010. This dining room was created by Suzanne Tucker of Tucker and Marks Design. Go here to see more -so far it's a five part series!

Camilla David Textiles & a Barn Sale

A few months ago House Beautiful featured this charming Camilla David Little Lambs pattern as one of their favorite 19 embroidered fabrics. I just love it. Camilla was raised in Washington and is now locally based in Bethesda, MD. A former interior designer, she has turned her attention towards textile design with the goal to modernize the look of freshly-picked flowers with unusual, geometric coordinates. The patterns are joyful and the fabric is either all natural 100% Cotton, 100% Linen or a blend of both. (above photography by Phillip Friedman)

These fabrics are available through trade showrooms; here in DC they can be viewed at J. Lambeth & Company. For the full collection, go here.

I also wanted to pass on some news from a local reader - Sharon Hayden of Fabulous Finds is holding one of her well known Barn Sales this Saturday May 15th from 8 am - 4 pm, 1870 Hunter Mill Road Vienna, VA. It looks like a terrific event and a portion of the sales will be given to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in honor of her friend Lucy, a cancer survivor. Go here to see more of the vintage items that will be available. (If you can't make the Spring barn sale, Sharon also offers her finds via her website between sales) Have a great weekend!

My Notting Hill Revealed - Before & After on Pure Style Home

First, a huge thank you to Lauren of Pure Style Home for including my pepto-pink "master" bath redo in her guest blogger Before & After series. Why the word revealed in this post title? Well, I still can't believe I actually showed just how bad the condition of this bathroom was before doing something about it.(I promise the peeling paint thing happened mostly all at once...) Go here to see the full post on Lauren's blog - including a cost breakdown. Thank you Lauren!

L's Stylish Powder Room

Here's a bit more from L's house - a stylish powder room. I think it's a case-in-point of how a simple room can be elevated with color and great accents. There are no windows in the room so all the large framed photos substitute - providing gorgeous views of beautiful places in Italy.
The green wall color extends to the accents chosen for the sink - a footed bowl, napkins and the Molton Brown soap.
A little wooden side table is practical and pretty.
Even though this picture is blurry, couldn't resist posting it. Love the attention to detail. To see more of L's special home, go here.

A Visit to Mecox Gardens in Dallas

This week I had a quick trip into Dallas, in Monday and out Wednesday but had a chance to squeeze in a visit to Mecox Gardens. Really, really wish they would consider opening a store in the Washington DC area.
Aren't these carved Rhinos cute?



Great industrial table - love the triangular shape.


These bedside tables have mirrored interiors.
Reminds me of Andrew Law's eagle at the DC Design House.


Finally, these great square shaped match boxes for only $5. I treated myself to 4 and then when I got to the airport realized it was probably prudent to empty out all the matches. (I only take carry-on) Good news is I can put grocery store matches inside and, in the end, I really only bought them for the pretty covers!