Splurge of the Week (Oct. 29 - Nov. 4)

Just two weeks ago the Splurge of the Week was the Tod's messenger bag which I adore. I know this seems completely uncreative, but this week's Splurge is also a Tod's item.



The Aspen Platform is $395 and it comes in the color above (burgundy with a white rubber bottom) or black with a black rubber bottom. Now, normally I wear a lot of black (we're talking a lot!), but I absolutely love this shoe in burgundy. I am loving the patent leather which adds a nice shine, and another fantastic touch about this shoe is the delicate ankle strap which adds quite a bit of va-va-voom to the heel. At only (!) $395, this is the least expensive Splurge yet!

Dining Table - Need Chairs!

When I was at Starbucks with P (my daughter) yesterday morning, we happened to be sitting next to a lovely couple with whom I started chatting. As it turns out, they needed a little interior design help, and since you know I love that kind of stuff, I wanted to see if I could help. So, here's the dilemma:

J (the woman) bought this dining room table from Restoration Hardware:

Now, she needs chairs. I was happy to hear that she didn't buy the chairs that Restoration was showing with this table because I really do not like dining sets. However, this leaves her in a bit of a jam because she has two daughters and would like to be able to sit and eat at their new dining table. So I decided to do some looking to see if I could find any chairs that I like (and hopefully, that she will like too). So these are the options:

Traditional

Meyer Chair from Pottery Barn ($179 each on sale; I would get in leather)


Do I love this chair with that table? No, but I do think it is a perfectly acceptable (if a bit boring!) option. Please keep in mind my modern sensibilities here..


Carson Chair from Crate and Barrel ($129 each)


This one is better...my main problem is the cushion. I like that the cushion adds some lightness to the pairing of these chairs and that table, but I don't like the idea of the ties on the chairs to keep the cushions on (the first chair has a slip seat that can be leather and does not have to be tied into place). Also, how often would you have to clean light-colored chair fabric?


Cafe Chair from Room and Board ($179 each; in Mocha)


This is a very standard chair, but with the table and these chairs, the whole dining table would look very different so there would definitely need to be light colored place settings to make it look less heavy.


Finding chairs that I really like with this table has been very hard for me because I really want to find something that will lighten it up. A traditional wood chair is not going to do that. So, I had to branch out and get a little crazy (I am a huge fan of modern design, after all). Here are my modern options (they are all from Design Within Reach):

Globus Chair in White ($238)

I love the white and delicate metal legs against the heavy dark wood. What an unexpected pairing!


Victoria Ghost Side Chair ($294 each; also comes in white which I think would look great)


This is one of my favorite options because of the traditional design of the chair that has been created in an unusual material (translucent polycarbonate). The traditional design would join the chair and the table nicely, but the lightness of the chair and the material would add a very modern touch.


Kong Side Chair - Polished ($1790 each!; also comes as an arm chair)


This is my other favorite option because it maintains a simple, traditional design, but it would glam up the table with its polished finish. I love the way wood and silver look next to one another.

J, good luck with your search! Hopefully you've seen something that you liked here, but if not, I won't be offended and I hope you find your perfect chairs!

Take-Out at Home

Lorena Barrezueta is a Brooklyn-based designer whose porcelain designs I came across today. She takes the classical designs of take-out containers, and instead of making them out of tin, she makes them out of porcelain. Her colors are rich and beautiful, and the result is one that is familiar and fun. Here are some of her pieces:






Aren't these great?

Cabinet Hardware

I am in complete kitchen upgrade mode now that I've seen plans for our new IKEA-based kitchen from The Kitchen Couple. (By the way, I don't think I've mentioned The Kitchen Couple before, but they design and install IKEA kitchens. Ron and Bonnie are the founders and they both worked at IKEA before deciding to open this company to help people install the cabinets they purchased at IKEA. It's a little help for those of us who aren't quite DIY-ers yet!)

We know what cabinets we're going with (Abstrakt which you can see here), and we're thinking about flooring (wood vs. cork vs. bamboo vs. tile and on and on) and countertops (Silestone or Icestone). So now I'm thinking about cabinet hardware, and these are the pulls I love:



Home Depot sells them for $8.49 each (see here), but we need a total of 42, so that will get expensive. I am now on a quest to find another source who has similar pulls for less. The only catch, however, is that I want them to look and feel expensive. (For me, cheap cabinet pulls are a pet-peeve...sort of like a really weak, clammy, wimpy handshake.)

Kara Walker at The Whitney

Art and design go hand in hand, and oftentimes the line between the two is blurred. So while this blog is devoted to design, occasionally I will post about art that inspires or effects me.

Through February 3rd, "Kara Walker: My Complement, My Enemy, My Oppressor, My Love" is on view at The Whitney. The exhibition includes over 200 works, including a number of her cut paper on wall pieces for which she is so well-known. In previous blogs I have talked about my love for traditional objects with a modern twist, and in a way, Walker's art can be described as traditional with a modern twist. She uses traditional methods (the cut paper silhouette) with modern themes (such as racial identity), and the result is unexpected and thought-provoking.

Here are some of the works from The Whitney's website:

Kitchen Flooring

As our kitchen plans come along, we're now thinking about flooring. Do we use the same material on the floors as we're going to use on the countertop? Should we put wood down in the kitchen so that it matches the rest of the apartment? Perhaps we should find a greener solution?

I came across The Environmental Home Center after googling "green flooring options" or something like that. I was quite impressed with their selection, so I wanted to show you some cork and bamboo styles that I like.

I must say that I really love bamboo flooring. I find the beauty of the grain and the nodes truly gorgeous, and a whole zen experience washes over me when I'm in a room with bamboo floors. (Ok, not quite, but almost.) If I could, I would put bamboo floors everywhere in our apartment - I love them that much. My concern with putting bamboo in our kitchen, however, is that the color will look strange against the darker wood floors throughout the rest of the apartment. Also, isn't it a little strange to introduce another type of wood flooring? Alas, here are some bamboo floor photos I love:






I am not sure how I feel about cork yet. It would go well in our kitchen because the color looks like it is fairly close to our existing wood floors. I have not seen enough cork floors in person to be confident in its appearance. From the photos, it strikes me as a bit too casual, but then again, in a dark finish, it could be really perfect.







Oh, what to do?

Splurge of the Week (Oct. 22 - 28)

This week's Splurge of the Week isn't really a single item, it's a whole package. What is that package? A Henrybuilt kitchen. I must admit, I don't know exactly how much one of these kitchens would cost, but I know it's more than $62 for a cabinet (that's what IKEA charges for some of their kitchen cabinets). I just had to post these photos, though, because this is sort of like my dream kitchen. Stunning, simple, clean...you get the idea.









If you're interested in seeing some of these kitchens in person, Henrybuilt has one showroom in New York and one in Seattle (one is opening soon in LA).

Target Does It Again!

I was flipping through The New York Times today, and I came across anhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif add for a Hollywould clutch from Target. Hollywould at Target? Could I be any more excited?

You see, I love Hollywould shoes, but they retail for about $400. Now, seeing as I'm a mom who spends her day chasing after a little 1 year old rascal, I don't wear $400 shoes, but that doesn't mean I don't love them! Just look at the bold colors and sexy design of the Fuchsia Gertrud below:



Stunning, right?

Now check out the $29.99 Hollywould Peep Toe Pumps in Red available at Target:



Not too shabby! Yes, the bow on the back is more subdued, the heel is slightly more chunky, and the two tones are now only one, but for $30 this is a pretty fabulous shoe (or, as the Target people would say, it's a fabuless shoe!). By the way, this shoe also comes in pink, black, and bronze, so the bases are covered.

If you just love the use of the two colors in the $395 version, perhaps you could pair the red shoes with, say, a hot pink clutch. Oh, and I know just the place to get it - Target.




The Hollywould Mansfield Satin Clutch in Pink is only $19.99 and also comes in red and black. $50 for shoes and a handbag is pretty darn good. To complete the look you could throw on some jeans and a cute top and hit the town!

Not Your Grandma's Cuckoo Clock

I apologize for the lack of posts over the last two days, but between some internet connection problems and a stomach bug I was out of commission. Fear not, I'm back now, and I have lots to share with you.

I can't help but write a post about this cuckoo clock that I love:



The Cuckoo Clock by Tobias Reischle is from the MoMA store and costs $375 ($300 for members). It's not often that you see a cuckoo clock in someone's home, but wouldn't this make you smile if you came across it? The stark contrast between the black and the white creates a very modern take on a traditional form, and it brings the cuckoo clock into the new millenium (which, I suppose, isn't really that new any more). At $375 it isn't exactly a steal, so for a less expensive version, check out the Trompe L'oeil Wall Clock from Urban Outfitters.



At only $20, this take on the cuckoo clock is much more affordable, but it lacks the cuckoo. The clock is mounted on a vinyl wall sticker which maintains the cuckoo clock form in yet another modern way.

One final option, also from UO, is the Neon Cuckoo Clock for $10.



This clock comes is neon pink or green, and for $10, is a steal. It is made of plastic, and the bird doesn't actually move, but it's a cute option for someone who needs some color on their wall.

Victoria Hagan at Target

Victoria Hagan is one of today's preeminent interior designers, and her projects have been published in every design magazine you could imagine. Her services are not cheap, I imagine, but her pieces at Target are! Take a look:

Chatham Table in Cream (on clearance for $39.99; 17"H x 36"W x 21.85"D; sorry, it doesn't look great presented in white on white)

Arianna Silk Accent Pillow in Blue ($19.99; I would love to see this '70s inspired throw pillow on a velvet chocolate brown sofa!)

Chloe Mirror (on clearance for $20.99; 11" diameter; I love the play on circles)

Affordable Kate Spade!

Remember how I told you that Jonathan Adler has a line at Bed, Bath, and Beyond? Well, so does Kate Spade, and her things are absolutely adorable! I love her use of color and whimsical designs, and her pieces always put a smile on my face. Here are a few that I love:

Pippin Park 3 piece Baby Girl Porcelain Dish Set by Lenox ($74.99 for the set; okay, so it's not exactly a steal, but it's pretty cute...)


Pippin Park 3 piece Baby Boy Porcelain Dish Set by Lenox ($74.99 for the set)


Madison Square Crystal Barware for Lenox ($24.99 each)


Larabee Dot 10 oz. Mugs by Lenox ($74.99 for 4)


Cloverdale Dots Crystal Vases for Lenox ($49.99 - $149.99 each)


P.S. Can you tell I like polka dots?

BONUS:



This is Kate Spade's Party shoe ($395) which is not available at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, nor is it exactly affordable. But I had to show it to you because I am still kicking myself for not buying a pair a few years ago when they came in bright yellow and kelly green. I still think about those shoes and smile. But hey, the silver (and she has a gold version) isn't too shabby!

Light Fixture for $20

I have strayed from showing you affordable design, so here is something to remedy that:



This is the Eclipse Pendant Lamp from CB2, and it costs a mere $19.95! It is fairly small (only 9.5" diameter x 7" H), so you may want to use a few of them over a kitchen island or cluster an odd number of them together for a more substantial light fixture. It comes in two beautiful and sleek finishes - gloss white and silver matte. With this hanging in the right spot, no one could guess that it was less than $20.

Loving It!

I couldn't wait until next week to show you all this bag:



It is the $775 Pashmy Messenger Bag by TOD's and I think it is absolutely incredible. As a mother, I am looking for bags that can be slung easily over one shoulder so I can chase my little girl around the playground (she just started walking!). I'm tired of toting around a big mothership (no, really, that is the name of the shape/design of our diaper bag by Fleurville), and I want to feel like I have a little bit of style again. I love how understated it is - no big labels or logos on it - and also how functional it can be. It would look great with jeans and a t-shirt (as I wear most days) or with boots and a skirt. It is just a great, easy, everyday bag that comes in grey, coffee (shown above), and black. I just may have to purchase the black version (thank goodness for leftover store credits!) to spruce up this mama's wardrobe.

Old School

I am about to let you in on a really good secret, but you have to promise to be responsible with the knowledge that I am about to impart. No reckless behavior allowed. Most importantly, if I am on my way to get one of these, please don't take the last one!





Glaser's Bake Shop has been open and in its original located since 1902. To have that kind of longevity in NYC, their goods have got to be pretty darn tasty, right? I am proud to say that I have sampled a lot (we're talking an embarrassing amount) of the treats from Glaser's, and their sugar donut is perhaps the best sugar donut I've ever had. Do yourself a favor and go try one today! They are located on First Avenue and 87th Street.

But wait, this is a design blog so I have to say something about design, don't I? Stepping foot in Glaser's is like being transported back in time. The place is covered in dark wood paneling, the kitchen is open for all to see, and the facade is straight out of the 1950s. The tile floor is beautiful and the quaint lace curtains in the windows make you feel like you're coming home. I guess if you're there as frequently as I am, it could be considered home...

Placemats, and Linens, and Towels, oh my!

Did you know that Jonathan Adler has a line at Bed, Bath, and Beyond? I am a huge fan of his, and I think that he has a great eye for infusing interiors with color and flare. Here are some of my Adler Bed, Bath, and Beyond favorites:

Half Circle Placemat ($2.99 each and quite fun!)


Hollywood Duvet ($89.99 - $169.99 depending on size; I love that deep blue for a bedroom)


Origami Duvet (also $89.99 - $169.99 depending on size; something a bit quieter if the blue was too much for you)


Beads Terry Towel ($6.99 for a washcloth; I love towels with some dimension to them!)

Eames chair - highchair or torture device?

I came across this a few times yesterday:



What is it? It is the Eames Molded Plywood Dining Chair, DCM made into a highchair with a tray and two holes for the child's legs.



I am a huge Eames fan, and I love the DCM chair (above). If you've ever sat in it, you probably know just how comfortable it is with its molded seat and backrest. A design winner all around.

The highchair version, however, looks incredibly cruel to me. Don't get me wrong, I love the design and it is far better-looking than our Peg Perego highchair. The two little leg holes seem rather tight and I'm getting antsy just looking at the photograph. The adorable child doesn't seem to mind it one bit, but I cringe looking at how his legs are shoved in the holes right at his knees. I really do love beautiful design, but I wouldn't put my daughter in this for two reasons: 1) I don't like the idea of the child really being stuck in that position (or in any position, for that matter), and 2) I don't think I could get her two squirmy feet and legs through those holes without breaking a sweat!

Here are some other sites that have written about this:

-Eames Hack (a blog by one of the creator's of this highchair)

-Apartment Therapy (probably my favorite design blog)

-Design Sponge (another great design blog)