Stella's Hideaway

How stunning are these photos of fashion designer Stella McCartney and her picturesque English country estate published by Vogue?  Stella told Hamish Bowles all about her "garden within a garden within a garden" back in October 2010 and it’s no surprise that her work is inextricably linked to her home: “Sometimes I find a color in the garden I wouldn’t normally think of,” she says. “I enjoy them more in nature, and it makes me want to bring them into the collection."

Can you even imagine having that view?  There is inspiration for days.  The color of the Wisteria Sinensis that scales the eastern facade of the redbrick Georgian manor is seriously breathtaking, as is the herringbone brick walkway that passes through the Anniversary Garden.  You read that right, the Anniversary Garden, which is the grandest of them all, was created in 2009, in time to celebrate Stella and her husband's sixth wedding anniversary.  Sigh.

(images bruce webb for vogue)

A Weekend in Vogue

This weekend I plan to lay low and beat the heat but next week, next week should be a good one... I only work two days; Tuesday night the boy flies in and stays until the following Monday; Wednesday we celebrate the Fourth on a boat with friends; Thursday we pray that everyone else is Chicago goes to work so we can hit up the beach; Friday we escape the city and head up to Madison for the weekend; and Sunday we BBQ at home!  Why can't every week be a two day work week?

But back to the weekend...we are in the 100's here in Chicago and the air is so thick you could cut it with a knife!  If and when I do leave the comfort of my home, I can only hope that I look as stylish as the ladies pictured in Vogue's favorite summertime snapshots! Bon weekend!

(Images via Vogue)

The Elements of Aerin

Animal prints, velvets and vintage china...there's no denying that Aerin Lauder is a lady after my own heart. I've posted about my love of her Wainscott, East Hampton family house before but after seeing these images on Vogue.com I couldn't help but revisit the topic. The home, which once belonged to Aerin's grandmother Estée, has been seen in Elle Decor and House & Garden but as with any home it seems to have changed and evolved with time. Many of the elements have remained the same but furniture has been rearrange, bedding has been replaced and walls have been repainted giving the home a whole new look.  The living room which was once a lovely orange color is now a rich charcoal grey. And who can forget the sofa? Oh what I would do to own that leopard number (upholstered in Cambridge Guepard by Georges Le Manach) -- leopard and green velvet are one of my favorite combinations!  While decorating my house I'm sure I will continue to refer back to these photos for inspiration because the house is elegant, inviting and as chic as ever!

(Images claiborne swanson frank for vogue.com)

This + That | Moroccan Inspiration

On Tuesday I said that Elettra Wiedemann’s West Village apartment was my favorite Vogue.com home tour.  I spoke too soon.  Jessica Stam's home is, well, to die for.  My favorite feature is by far the beautiful hand-carved Moroccan doors leading into her bedroom.  It's hard to believe that the previous owner (a decorator from the Mandarin Oriental hotel) left these behind.  I honestly can't imagine finding such a unique feature in another home so this Myla mirror by Made Goods is a lovely alternative.  This beaut looks like it was hand-carved to resemble Ms. Stam's doors.  I picture it hung over a pedestal sink in a powder room...how would you use it?

Photographed by Claiborne Swanson Frank for Vogue.com

Entry Inspiration

I love the home tour series by Lauren Santa Domingo on Vogue.com.  I love it so much that I may just have to copy the entry set up in model Elettra Wiedemann’s >West Village apartment.  Normally I would put a console table and mirror in the entry but as you can see in the image above, the "foyer" in my new apartment is quite narrow.  Perfect for a louis xvi-style bench, if I do say so myself.

photograph: Claiborne Swanson Frank

Eggcellent!

Wishing you a happy and stylish Easter! 

In need of some last minute decorations?  Check out these decadent designer Easter eggs on Vogue.com!

I'm seriously coveting the Eddie Borgo gilded egg — isn't it lovely?

Opulent Interiors

This editorial from the March issue of Vogue Russia stopped me in my track last night.  Isn't it lovely?  It's hard to focus on the clothing when the interiors are so gorgeous..and historic.  Shot in the recently refurbished and restored Romanov Palaces of St. Petersburg — Jason Schmidt was given the coveted exclusive of being the first to photograph these elaborate parquet floors, giltwood moldings and opulent wallpapers in over 100 years.  It makes me want to hop on the next flight to Russia!

images picture central

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)

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.