“To wear to the beach or the ballet,” is how Australian textile artist, Lauren Cassar describes her painterly scarves. Personally, I’d frame mine. Just imagine this beauty framed in oak. And here’s another one I could see on my walls. And this moonflower sarong is the perfect alternative to a traditional headboard. Wearable art, how practical.
When I get the guest loo I’ve long dreamed of, I want it to feel like stepping into an English country garden with walls of wild flowers, fruits and vegetables and bright green tiles a foot. This wallpaper at Bakeri in Greenpoint is simply perfect. I don’t expect my guests will want to leave once their pennies have been spent. Good reading will always be on site, I assure you.
I stumbled upon the exquisite handcrafted paper sculptures of Zim & Zou today. The French duo, Lucie Thomas and Thibault Zimmerman, create stunning installations made out of paper, wood and thread. These magical forest scenes were made for the Hermès store in Dubai, and these prism-like mobiles were designed for another client’s summer barbecue. Just look at the intricate work that went into creating a pink Barcelona. I can barely make a paper snowflake –– this is amazing.
Last night’s rebel girl was Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. “Even in her eighties, Ruth does twenty push-ups every day and has become a style icon, thanks to the extravagant collars she wears in court with her judge’s robes,” reads the last line of her story. There are velvet ones and beaded ones, crocheted ones, and ones made from the finest lace. I love this Eleanor Davis illustration of her. And this image of her in her cupboard of collars is so cool. And here she is with her late husband Martin Ginsburg. Ruth rules!
I love this look — the wide pant, woven belt, the loose fitting top — it’s all so easy and chic. This is how to take post labour day whites well into fall.
Anytime I see black and white polka dots, I think of a cocktail dress my Mum wore in the 80s that was fun and flirty and fantastically ruched. She even had black and white polka dot pumps to match. I’m quite sure she wore the outfit to Ascot, with a great chapeau, no doubt. I love the 80s for their sheer excess. It was all so over the top. Here is a very different take on all that. I like the compromise of playful polka dots and shoulder pads with clean beauty and an unfussy topper. Come to think of it, this may be my dream outfit to wear to the races.
For a moment, I thought this image of director, James Ivory was a painting –– a very detailed David Hockney, perhaps. I clicked on the image, and off I travelled through the beautiful Hudson Valley home he shared with partner in work and life, Ismail Merchant. They bought the 1805 Federal 19-room mansion in 1975 for about $105,000. All these years later, the home is bursting with memorabilia from a life together making movies. This wallpaper –– are they magnolias or waterlilies –– is gorgeous, and just look at all the beautiful textiles scattered around the place. With its grand columns and green shutters, the facade is so beautiful. Just imagine coming home for the weekend.
Light Locations seeks out super spaces for photo shoots, and this one, bright and whimsical, caught my eye this morning. The mantle of mismatched vases is charming, and I love the pastel palette throughout. Floral motifs run everywhere, and all those vintage pieces add such character. All you need is bed hair and vintage kimono, and you’ll fit in nicely.
I really loved Cathy Horyn’s story in New York Magazine about how flower farmer Erin Benzakein turned adversity into opportunity, and now runs some of the most successful flower workshops in the country. It’s very inspiring, as is Benzakein’s free flowing, natural style. It’s now a little fantasy of mine to do a Floret workshop. I’m also curious to dig into her book, Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden: Grow, Harvest, and Arrange Stunning Seasonal Blooms — I don’t have a huge garden, but I’d love to see peonies, dahlias and sweet peas growing in it.
There’s something about this house, in all its majesty, that looks like it could topple off its perch at any moment. To be sure, Cliff House has had a dramatic life, including numerous fires and explosions. These days, a very different structure sits on site, hosting weddings and Sunday buffets. But the drama and romance remains in the view, which is simply breathtaking.
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