Duchess of Windsor's Jewels

Jewelry formerly owned by Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor - the American socialite whom Edward VIII famously gave up the throne of England to marry in 1937 - will be auctioned by Sotheby's in London on Nov. 30. Twenty pieces from the Duchess of Windsor’s lavish jewelry collection will be auctioned, including two massive diamond rings and the very first Cartier panther bracelet.  In this portrait by Cecil Beaton, Wallis wears on her left arm one of the pieces that will go on the block, a cross bracelet by Cartier.  My favorite piece, however, is the gold evening case that was a 10th wedding anniversary gift from the Duke of Windsor to his Duchess.  There are photographs of the Duchess holding the bag at a reception she and the Duke attended at the White House invitation of President Nixon in 1970.  Wouldn't it be amazing to own a piece from what some call the greatest love story of the 20th century?

A Modern Mix

Mixing patterns.  Some people do it so well.  I love these images from the January 2010 issue of Vogue. The feature on Charles and Olya Thompson’s Brooklyn brownstone is stunning – it looks like a hip, modern day fairy-tale.  Love the layers, the leopard and the fact that the kids seem to have free reign of the house...so neo-traditional, so lovely.

(images via francois halard)

Bella Foster, Interiors

I literally squealed with excitement when I read about “Bella Foster, Interior,” which opens Nov. 6 at Art Since the Summer of ‘69 in New York.  I’ve been a fan of Foster’s work for a while now -  I love the bold colors and all the layers of patterns.  She depicts rooms I wish I lived in.     There is something about them  that just seems so very bohemian, like a beautiful apartment in the West Village.  Ah, yet another reason to visit New York.

D. Porthault's Peacock

I'm quite confident  a peacock boudoir from D. Porthault would bring me (and my bed) great energy.  Don't you agree?  Inspired by the late-19th-century French Aesthetic Movement - when plumes epitomized energy and beauty - the French linen company's fall/winter collection, Plumes d'éclipse, may just find its way onto my bed this weekend.  Luckily, Maze Home, the largest distributor of Porthault in the Midwest, is just a short car ride away.

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Top Dog: Urban Grace Interiors

OH. MY. LORD. This bathroom, designed by the great Erika Powell of Urban Grace Interiors, just made my week!  I just HAD to share it!  As an interior design student I often look to Erika's work for inspiration - I love how she breathes new life into traditional interiors.  If I were allowed to paint my new apartment I would love to do something similar in my bathroom, but I, of course, would add a Boston Terrier silhouette.  The overall vintage vibe of this space - the colored tile, polished chrome lighting, Toto toilet, and ceramic soap dish - feels so chic.  It reminds me of  Kate Spade's bathroom featured in the October 2004 issue of House & Garden.  Work like this proves Erika is, indeed, a top dog in the world of design!

Loving Hanna Bernhard

I just stumbled across these beautiful pieces by Paris-based jewelry designer Hanna Bernhard and I am absolutely smitten!  It's hard to find words to describe their jewelry and why I love it so much but I think it's the large scale that really makes it amazing!  While these works of art are considered jewelry, I think the monkey or snake would make quite the conversation piece perched on top of a coffee table.  The fact that their jewelry is not sold in Chicago is a pity because I would love to see it in person.  Until then, one will have to be satisfied with the images of the many nature-inspired pieces visible on Hanna Bernhard's website.

(Images by Sea of Shoes)

Parisian Perfection: Anne Hathaway

My jaw dropped the minute I saw this Parisian photo shoot of Anne Hathaway from Vogue.  I would give my right arm for that Oscar de la Renta silk-faille eyelet embroidered dress.  If this picture doesn't make you want to find a handsome French man, slip into something black and white, slap on some red lipstick and hop on the next plane to Paris maybe this video will do the trick.

Inspired by: Charlotte Moss

I've always thought this close-up image of Charlotte Moss' de Gournay-wrapped dining room made for one of the most striking magazine covers ever.  The room, featured on the September 2004 cover of House & Garden, is covered in "Jardinieres and Citrus Trees" by de Gournay- a beautiful handpainted silk fabric.  While Moss' style is a tad more opulent than my own, I can't help but reference this image while trying to decide how to dress the windows of my new apartment.


(Photograph by Simon Upton)

Classical Collaboration: Miles Redd & Gil Schafer (Part II)

I was beyond thrilled to open up the November issue of Elle Decor and see the gorgeous Millbrook, New York home I wrote about in July.  While I think it's true that the images speak for themselves, It was great to read architect Gil Schafer and decorator Miles Redd's back story on this classic country house in upstate New York.

Oh Hamish.

It seems October is a lucky month as far as magazine-editors-at-home go:  the Paris apartment of Vogue's European editor-at-large, Hamish Bowles, graced the cover of World of Interiors exactly one year ago, that is, exactly one year prior to Anna Wintour's home.  I have looked through these images several times and have come to the conclusion, I love Hamish!  I love his attention to detail, his color choices - bright magenta and red mixed with aqua, and the fact that his place is slightly cluttered and playful yet still very elegant. Each room is perfection, the soul of this place will inspire me for days. Thank you Mr. Bowles.

(Photos by Francois Halard)

Whimsical Weeds

Cable’s Showtime Network celebrates its hit television series each year by challenging celebrity interior designers to use their most creative, edgy and artistic ideas to design showstopping rooms that embody the spirit of the shows they represent.  The recently unveiled house, which has taken over three penthouses at the Cassa Hotel and Residences in New York through Oct. 24, has encouraged designers to create some dazzling, if not particularly livable rooms.  The “Weeds” lounge, above, by John Loecke and Jason Oliver Nixon of Brooklyn, is by far my favorite.  The granny chic room features a salon-style art installation hung on walls clad in floral decals, accessories from Z Gallerie and a gorgeous Tony Duquette abalone chandelier by Baker - a stylist room on a high-low budget!  You can tour the rest of the house here.

Jean with Envy

The Sartorialist snapped this photo of J.Crew president Jenna Lyons at New York Fashion Week wearing a denim top, skinny jeans, and an oh soo chic green quilted Chanel bag - a look that somehow worked despite being otherwise known as a Cowboy Tuxedo.  I am tempted to this head-to-toe denim look but fear I will wind up looking more like Jay Leno than Jenna Lyons.

The Illustrated Woman

Maira Kalman is so inspirational...and funny!  After watching this video from TED I am eagerly awaiting the October 14th release of author and illustrator Maira Kalman's latest book, And the Pursuit of Happiness  (another title to add to my ever-growing list of must-read).  It seems to me she is as witty, as wise and as deliciously charming in person as she is on paper.

(Illustrations by Maira Kalman for The New York Times)

A Bunch of Pretty

I recently stumbled across this charming vignette on The Love List and couldn’t resist re-posting.  I love the cheery energy that the red and turquoise brings to this House & Garden photo.  This small area is classy yet fun  - I wish I could see the rest of the room!

Design Hunter | Serena's Butterflies

Ah the butterfly installation hanging over Serena's bed in her new "dorm room"- it was love at first site!  I'm seriously tempted to try to recreate this look in my own home.  The piece, created by Paul Vallinski using crushed beer cans from the streets of New York, is comprised of more than 200 smoke-black butterflies.  I couldn't find a picture of the room online so I snapped one with my phone...please excuse the poor quality. 

"As the butterflies alight on the walls of my studio, they lead into an exploration of formal, painterly issues. Often, they want to gather into a certain shape, or fly off on a particular tangent, and I let them. They function both as marks in these abstract, three-dimensional “paintings,” and as actors in curious narratives. Some pieces develop a quirky, magic-realist quality, as if a strange child has trained the insects to perform some ritual dance we are not usually privy to. Finally, the butterflies operate symbolically, and I try to develop a conceptual unity between materials, process, and imagery: metamorphosing littered beer cans into flocks of butterflies mirrors the act of transformation and rebirth that butterflies symbolize across all cultures." Paul Vallinski

Little Lonny

Small is size but large is style!  The always chic team over at Lonny Magazine created a custom dollhouse for Curbed and the Dorothy Draper-esque result is unbelievable! With this small house what better time to share with you my dear reader(s) my borderline obsession with small objection.  Strange, yes! But I blame my childhood friend, Jennifer, for introducing me to the magical world of shrinky dinks at age 5.  Back to the house, while I have a soft spot for just about anything mini, I am especially loving the pint-size stripes, lucite, and zebra.  Sad to say, but I am a wee bit envious of the bedroom wall papered in classic Albert Hadley "Fireworks," it looks straight out of the pages of their magazine! 

(Image via)

Right on Target

When Stella McCartney's well-tailored ladylike debut capsule collection for Target Australia launched in stores in 2007 it sold out in a matter of minutes. Round 2 of the Stella McCartney-Target Australia partnership is on its way - hitting stores on October 29 and featuring McCartney's trademark approach to design: sexy meets sporty, with a number of beautifully tailored blazers,  plenty of pretty lace separates, and some stunning cocktail dresses.  The 42-piece collection will be sold online and at select Target stores and ranges in price from $20 to $299. I wonder how much shipping to the U.S. would cost?  You can check out the entire collection on the Target Australia website.

Autumn Hues

Gil Schafer, I adore his work and could spend hours looking through his portfolio.  Schafer designs the kinds of houses that appear to have been handed down for generations, though they are often new and adapted to modern life.  His attention to detail adds a sense of history and is what makes the end product amazing.  The 2010 Veranda's Art of Design Award winner says, "ultimately a house is about how it makes you feel."  Well Gil, this house is beautiful and makes me think of Autumn.  Can you imagine how warm and inviting this house would feel after a chilly fall day?  I love the navy blue wallpaper against the crisp white millwork, the rich walnut floors, and splashes saffron and gold.  The perfect autumn interior!

Anna Wintour's World

I rarely buy World of Interiors but when I found out Anna Wintour's second Long Island home was featured in the October issue I made a point to pick up a copy.  The townhouse, designed by Jesse Carrier, is stunning.  The room above is my favorite - I have a soft spot for coffee tables stacked with books.  You can check out a full gallery of the Forge River home on Jesse's website.