Keep Calm and Carry On

I had to laugh when I came across this posting today on All The Best (blog link right). How many times do we all need this reminder? It's a surprise they haven't made wallet-size versions, for a little bit more of a stiff upper lip when opening the checkbook.
The poster is a silk-screened replica of the original WWII British government propaganda. Found by a perceptive second-hand book dealer, the rare copy was hung in his shop and generated quite a lot of interest. He began reproducing the posters, and now has a website devoted to items with the slogan (title link above). Hang this up in your house, and the next time you're tempted to shout, "get a grip!" try this more commanding phrase. If nothing else, you'll sound as if you've gotten it all together. More detailed history from the Telegraph, here.

I like this formal yet fanciful version by Ivan C. Reyes:


And also the strong graphic quality of yellow and white (photographed for the blog Bloesem):

Moses' Roses

Designer Rebecca Moses, famous for her fashion work with cashmere, is now launching a line of plates at Macy's as "Rebecca Moses: Heart. Soul. Style." All those cashmere warm fuzzies must have affected her, because the set is cheerfully cozy. The easter egg colored collection of ceramic dinner and salad plates starts at $7.99, and features a variety of fanciful shapes (snail shells among them). Here's hoping she'll launch a line of bowls too - I can't imagine a more cheerful way to sit down to breakfast.

















A hint of how these might look at table. Picture courtesy of afabulousmom.blogspot.com.

Blossom With A Cherry On Top

If you're going to be in the DC area in late March/early April, the National Cherry Blossom Festival is well worth attending. In fact, it's good enough to cause a visit. Every spring, a Cherry Blossom Queen is chosen, Chinese folk festivals fill downtown streets, and the Potomac Basin looks from a distance like it's being smothered by a giant puffy pink pillow. Click on the title above for the festival website. Bon Voyage!

Oscar and Advertising

The New York Times has as interesting article on Oscar fashions and the little ol' product plug.
"In this economy, nobody is taking chances that brands won’t get a plug. Makers of fashion and expensive jewelry typically reap millions of dollars in free publicity from the Oscars." Title link above.

March Fashion Fun

Time to peruse the pages of the March Vogue and leave your postman some advil for the pain-inducing weight of this tome. It's comforting in this economy to pick up a thick magazine - even if this year's March issue is several hundred pages shorter than last (but let's be serious for a moment; a magazine at 700 pages isn't a magazine anymore). Now, what's good - and what's not.

Worst
Vogue's two (2!) yawn-inducing fashion spreads in neutrals (see Desert Fox and Pale Fire). We all realize florals are so predictable for spring (as The Devil Wears Prada taught us so well), but really? It's spring, not August. Let's pretend we've been stranded in a desert without the ability to dye fabrics later this year. Say, when the trees outside aren't dead and the economy isn't depressing.
Ralph Lauren Evelyn gold jacket, $798 (similar to shown in Desert Fox).











Best
Vogue figured out what cheap is! Past stabs at economic awareness have included $500 clutches and cost-per-wear calculations to justify the latest Manolos. This time, they not only use the phrase "below $100," but pick things less than $99.99. Two great classics on the list: Old Navy trench ($50) and Timex watch ($85). Cheap and chic is in Vogue.

Closets: Splurge or Steal?

There are few things that make me happier than walking into a perfectly ordered closet (note the phrase "walking into" - small closets are a major happiness drain). Other rooms that always bestow joy when well-ordered are laundry rooms and offices. My philosophy is that the more unpleasant or repetitive the task you usually do in a room, the less reluctance you'll feel if you're well prepared. Remember reading the Little House books in your childhood? When Laura grows up and gets a home of her own, These Happy Golden Years describes her pantry in loving detail. At 12, I may have had no idea how to can peaches, but I envied Laura her perfectly aligned shelves and copious cupboards.

So how do you get great storage? Easily, if you have a large pocket book or a lot of time. For the other 99% of you, I bring you, Closets: Splurge or Steal.

SPLURGE: Birch and White Elfa Decor system from The Container Store. This system runs around $750, depending on the elements you chose. Great for reach-in closets, and easily customizable.











STEAL: John Louis Standard Shelving System in Honey Maple, from Target. $264.99 (with an additional 15% off when ordering online). It's a well thought out design and made of quality wood.











Now I know SOME of you are still eyeing that cheerful little Elfa closet and sighing inwardly... know what the difference is? Paint! What's cheap and easy to do? Paint! So grab a $25 can of your favorite punchy shade, and attack those walls. Install your new organizing system, arrange your hard shopped for lovelies, and enjoy. You've earned it.

Put It On Your Shelf, Part 2

As promised, here's the second installment of recommended reading: Interior Design. This reading list is more about nuts and bolts than sunswept terraces and spiral stairs. While everyone loves a gorgeous book, there is a lot of DESIGN in Interior Design. Plan, plan, plan, and think, think, think. The first question should always be: what is the purpose of this space? Pink or puce, stripes or squares? questions come a few steps later. Start with the basics - you'll be glad you did.

Philosophy:

House Thinking, A Room-by-Room Look at How We Live, by Winnifred Gallagher. Gallagher writes about the psychology and history of houses. Think about it: why do homes from the 1950s have closed-off, secreted kitchens, and most modern piles of bricks stop just short of putting a sofa in front of the stove? Don't know? Think about which you'd prefer, and why. A home says a lot more about how you live your life than you realize. Get it right, and you'll live at peace with your home.



Practice:

The House in Good Taste, by Elsie de Wolfe. This decorating classic was first released in 1914, and still sets a standard as one of the first decorating books published. While advice on your maid's quarters may not be relevant, most of the recommendations on layout and function for rooms are as relevant today as they were a century ago.





Inspiration:

Modern Glamor, the Art of Unexpected Style, by Kelly Wearstler. I'm a huge fan of Wearstler's - she's a tremendous talent with an unusual eye. And everything she does is big, big, BIG. While some of her work can be a bit intimidating, this book is wonderful for inspiration because a lot of the ideas in these pages are easily doable on a budget. The patterns, color combos, and plate and accessory groupings are superb, and just as relevant whether you bought your materials at Saks Home or the local flea market.

Happy reading!

And There Was Great Rejoicing

I've always loved Miss Trish of Capri's shoes - the very barest of sandals loaded with jewelry and dazzle (what's not to love?). But at real-jewelry prices, they're a difficult justification. I was ECSTATIC to discover that Target the Tasteful has spared me mortgaging my bike for another favorite fashion indulgence. That's right! Miss Trish is designing for Target! The collection, creatively titled "Miss Trish of Capri for Target," will launch in stores and online April 5. The best part? These sandals are priced at around $29.99. For those not in the know, Miss Trish usually starts at $250. Get out the mistletoe. It's Christmas in April.

Eddie Ross: Good Taste Is Now For Sale

I love Eddie Ross's work (Martha Stewart Living editor, contestant on Top Design). Eddie's style makes everything he designs and decorates a visual delight, and his new selection of vintage household items for sale is up to his usual impeccable standard. If you haven't been following his blog, you should be! Check out the link to the right.
P.S. Everything in the new line is under $100! It's gorgeous AND guilt free.

Set of 8 metallic cained lowball glasses, $95

Put It On Your Shelf, Part 1

I was in a bookstore a few days ago, browsing the Home and Garden section. There are so many books out there, but not all of them are worth the cash you'll have to drop for a full color glossy (or images you could easily view online). Here are a few garden recommendations from my own library. I'll add more books for design and home in future posts!

Garden
It's never too early to start thinking about your summer garden! Good gardeners know that a successful patch of flowers and veg takes year-round planning. As a rose-fanatic, one of my favorites is David Austin's English Roses. Austin, a British gardener, cross-pollinates old varieties of roses with both old and new breeds. The result is a gorgeous family of vibrant, hearty flowers with gorgeous perfumes. Best of all, the resilience of the old roses makes these low maintenance; pesticides and harsh chemicals need not apply.



In the same vein, I'd recommend The Complete Book of Herbs. This is a marvelous encyclopedia of herb lore, with details on how to raise specific plants, and loads of recipes and crafts that you can make from herbs. Everything from facial cream to mint lemonade is detailed in this copious book.

Finally, the ultimate classic: Thomas Jefferson's Garden and Farm Books. Scientist that he was, Jefferson detailed every success and failure of his carefully calculated gardens. A trove of marvelous advice - from how to mix special fertilizers, to coaxing warm-weather plants to health in colder climes - this is a great book for casual gardeners, historians, and organic enthusiasts alike.

Favorite Things

One of the loveliest magazines ever published has to be Victoria. I began reading as a girl in 1992, and was heartbroken when Hearst forced the magazine's closing a few years ago - and not for lack of fervent readers. Hoffman Media has brought this beauty back as a bi-monthly, and each issue has gotten better and better.

What makes Victoria special? Most women's magazines are about fashion; Victoria is about beauty. Most women's magazines are about trends; Victoria is about style. Most women's magazines are about the latest and greatest; Victoria is about what has stood the test of time. It's a beautiful escape to a place where time slows down and the finer things are appreciated in loving detail. So book yourself a $4.95 vacation - the next issue will be out February 24th.

Working Girl

I'm currently working from home, and I've been putting together a little home office. It's very modest, but that hasn't stopped me from dreaming big! Everyone needs a great space for a little work and a little play. I love this room by Omniarte Design and designer Erinn Valencich.










The colors are subtle, but smart. I love the touches of coral as well. Here are a few inexpensive things that could help achieve this look on your own. Tray and sphere, Pottery Barn. Chair, Ballard Designs. Branch wallpaper pattern, Ronald Redding Designs.

Mizrahi Me!

Remember how excited we all are about Isaac Mizrahi's new role at Liz Claiborne? Click on the title above to see a video Vogue just posted of Master Mizrahi discussing his LC collection. According to him, he's the "D.I.C." - Designer in Chief. More power to him. The video also includes some great close-ups of the clothes. I see vibrant florals in your future...

Give Me Some Sugar

Happy Valentine's Day! St. Valentine was a little bit more about love for humanity than sweethearts - so celebrate today by baking up a batch of super sweet cupcakes for someone special. The spouse or kids, sure, but what about a sibling, friend, teacher, someone who helped you out when you needed it? Show the love! Recipe for Magnolia Bakery's Red Velvet Cupcakes here.

Photo by Hello Naomi, Flickr.

Liz, Is That You?

Isaac Mizrahi is back (though he never really went away)! He's moved from the Target near you to the Mall near you, as the new designer for Liz Claiborne. Mizrahi has made a career (and a fortune) out of renovating labels. First he vamped up Target's public image from a fuddy duddy mass-distributor to a fashion-for-the-masses marvel. Now, he's taken on aging LC, known for less than flattering knitwear and an excessive use of red. This aging lady is practically starring on "Ten Years Younger." I can't wait to hit the nearest mall and pick up some of these sweet spring things!

Pretty Is As Pretty Decorates

Some favorites from the Domino archives:

A beautiful combination of vibrant pattern and subtle color tones.

















An organized closet is a joy forever.


















An inspiration to cook well - the food has to live up to the dinnerware!

Falling like...

I made a sojourn to the newsstand today to purchase the very last copy of Domino magazine. Sad but true, this marvelous periodical is closing its doors for good. Domino's end is not a surprise given that far more entrenched and well-known titles have bitten the dust lately. No good mag has been immune. But Domino's case is all the more unfortunate since it succeeded in two areas most shelter mags have not: it has a very strong web presence, and fills a previously-unexploited niche in the market: 20 and 30 somethings with a lot of inspiration and little money.

Click the title above to visit Domino's web page while it's still up, and take the opportunity to download some great inspirational deco pictures. The New York Times also has a good article on the sad event here.

Au revoir, Domino!

Gone, But Not Forgotten

Dear Friends,

Yes, it's been a while since I posted. I've been a bit busy (uprooting your life and moving across country takes up a lot of time, turns out). I've been knee deep in boxes, and it's been a great opportunity to survey my realm. Let me tell you, it isn't pretty. I have loads of gorgeous papered boxes full of mystery items, dozens of flowery files of old paperwork, and not a few very elegant, and very dried out, pens. So, in honor of my own pre-spring purge, I invite you to join me in my attempt to pare things down (at least to the size of a small moving van). Sounds theraputic, doesn't it? Like Apartment Therapy actually - this is a great blog whose February theme just happens to be (I love it when the stars aline): DO IT NOW! There's loads of advice on sorting your trash and treasures, and how to do odd jobs around the house (you know, the ones you're trying to ignore).

Two gems: How to organize your home (or apartment) room by room.

And my favorite: Organizing Tips for the Overtired and Overstressed. I'm guessing this is you.

In the end, you may see one of the most beautiful things around: the bottom of an empty box. Happy organizing!