I'm a little out of synch with my posts because I've just returned from Amsterdam and Brussels on an art collectors' trip. My Living with Art October 15 post was about this trip and how excited I was about staying at the Waldorf Astoria in Amsterdam - it didn't disappoint. The hotel's a year old and the results of the renovation of 3 townhouses along the canal was spectacular. Sadly, we were only there for 4 days and everyone hated to leave. There's a welcoming mega-sized candle from the French company Cire Trudon, wafting Ernesto throughout the lobby. Of course every time I smell Ernesto going forward it will conjure up this trip. Between several of us we bought up the entire inventory of that particular candle to the surprise of the storeowner.
Read MoreI'm a huge fan of the London based Firmdale Hotel group. Whenever Philippe and I are in London we stay at their Knightsbridge Hotel and its become our home away from home. One Denman Place with apartments for stays of 90 days or more has just been added to this distinctive group, located in the Ham Yard hotel in Soho, which itself opened just last year. There are one, two and three bedrooms apartments available with interior design by co-owner Kit Kemp in her singular eclectic style incorporating antiques, found items and an abundant mix of textured patterned fabrics.
Read MoreLisa Perry, the 60's era pop fashion designer not only dresses, designs and passionately collects clothes from that period, the sumptuous showcase penthouse apartment at 1 Sutton Place South she shares with her husband Richard, is also dedicated to the swinging 60's. I had a delightful visit to view their art collection last summer with the Perez Art Museum Miami. Walking into this very stately co-op, built in 1926 by the renowned architect, Rosario Candela located on quiet, sedate Sutton Place is a big departure from the dazzling white lacquer floors and walls of the atrium where the elevator opens on the penthouse level.
Read MoreClassic and Contemporary Tableware
Part II
At the other end of the style spectrum, the German porcelain company, Furstenberg founded by Charles, Duke of Brunswick in 1747, has just launched a very contemporary line of porcelain tableware. With only a few dozen employees each is a master of his craft, handcrafting and painting each piece. The Claire de Lune collection, which means moonlight, is part of the Aureole line consisting of a celestial pattern with different phases of the moon on each piece in black, white and 24-Karat gold created by the famous Korean porcelain master, Kap-sun.
Read MoreI've just read about a restaurant in the New York Times Food section that I found so intriguing I had to share it. Amanda Cohen is the chef and owner of Dirt Candy, one of the most prominent and influential vegetarian restaurants in the country and situated in the East Village. The original location was so small, seating only 18 that when Ms Cohen learned that Leonardo di Caprio was planning to come by one evening, she said no, rather than not be able to accommodate her regulars. Unfortunately, none of her regular patrons turned up that night either, a big mis-calculation for such a small operation.
Read MoreRenowned interior designer, Anouska Hempel is known for creating arguably, the world's first boutique luxury hotel, Blakes, in 1978. Located between South Kensington and Chelsea in London, Blakes was built from a row of converted townhouses. Anouska's incomparable design style is unique, extravagant, sumptuous and occasionally veers into the theatrical. "Anouska Hempel" the just published volume, written with Marcus Binney, architecture correspondent for the London Times is divided into thirteen chapters, each highlighting a particular project and giving an in-depth look at how this London-based talent layers her evocative spaces with historical details, rich textures and saturated tones. I've been following Anouska's extraordinary career for many years and her creativity and ability to reimagine spaces continues to be utterly captivating.
Read MoreMy 5 Fave Sofas...
My team and I are constantly sourcing for the perfect piece of furniture to suit a client's particular needs. It's not always the new and on trend piece that we're seeking and return to the tried and true time and again. In the case of sofas, our favorites include B & B Italia's Ray and Charles sofas, designed by Antonio Citterio for B & B Italia. The Ray, introduced in 2012 can be customized into various combinations of sofa, sectional or chaise. The Charles, also from Antonio Citterio was first produced in 2003 and has become a timeless classic. Because of the comfort, versatility and tailored designs, both fit perfectly into a contemporary or transitional environment - we've placed them in living rooms, dens and media rooms with great success.
Read MoreToday my inbox contained a post from Bloglovin of an extraordinary restaurant, Heuso in Mexico. Heuso is Spanish for bone and inspired by celebrity chef Alfonso Cadena and his brother's studio, created the interior design from 10,000 cast aluminum animal bones mounted on timber blocks. Pipes and various cooking utensils were also mounted. Using the white brick wall as the backdrop, all the items attached to its surface are covered with layers of paint. The restaurant now resembles an art installation rather than the more conventional interior of a restaurant. Not sure whether I love it or hate it, but it's certainly unique!
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