I had planned quite a different post for today, but last week we all learned that Raf Simons had resigned as artistic director of Christian Dior after just three and a half years and I felt a need to address that instead.
Read MoreWhenever I think the bar can't possibly go any higher in the world of luxurious hotels, I come across yet another out of this world establishment. I attended a private event at the recently opened trés elegant Baccarat Hotel on West 53rd Street, across from the Museum of Modern Art. The hotel was designed with exquisite execution by the Paris-based design team, Gilles & Boissier, in what appears to be a no-expense-spared endeavor.
Read MoreSeemingly out of nowhere I've become a woman who now likes, no loves frocks. It's always been about separates for me, but this summer I wore dresses more often than not and really enjoyed it. So, I guess it was time for me to change it up - love having fewer pieces to coordinate to achieve that pulled together look. Erica M Blumenthal's article in the Times highlights several eye-catching styles for Fall; just add a statement shoe, boot or bag and you're done!
Read MoreIt's October and I'm starting to plan for Florida, my haven from the brutal New York winter. Hot off the presses, via Quintessence Blog is the just released interior design book, Palm Beach Chic, written by Jennifer Ash Rudick with photography by Jessica Klewicki Glynn.
Read MoreArchitectural Digest recently showcased the renovation of the home of Natalie Massenet, who until recently was the chairman of Net-a-Porter. She launched her online fashion retail company in 2000, which went on to become phenomenally successful by changing the way many women shop, myself included. Net-a-Porter made the process of shopping from my laptop such a seamless experience that I'm rarely in brick and mortar stores anymore. I've certainly found their accommodating customer service and free ship & return very persuasive.
Read MoreWhen exploring the fashion looks of each season I always find it helpful knowing what's new or trending. No need for an entirely new wardrobe of course, but perking up what you already own with an on-trend piece or two keeps your look current with minimum effort.
Read MoreLately I've been talking either about hotels or restaurants in hotels. Yet another of my favorite new restaurants happens to be in a hotel. This time it's Narcissa, located in the Standard Hotel East Village. Owned by André Balazs and Michelin-starred Chef Peter Fraser, who has created a deceptively simple farm to table menu using seasonal organic ingredients from the Farm at Locusts-on Hudson, also owned by Balazs. Narcissa follows in the footsteps of Blue Hill at Stone Barns who own Blue Hill Farm in Barrington, Massachusetts. Narcissa's preparation styles include roasting, rotisserie and slow-cooking techniques.
Read MoreThis is an interior design decorative feature I haven't seen in quite awhile, but it's definitely trending, particularly with a new generation of collectors. Interior designer Kelly Wearstler, with her love for bold geometric statements created a beautiful wall collage using plates in the foyer of the Viceroy Hotel Santa Monica in 2002, and instantly brought the look back in fashion.
Read MoreWhen friends are visiting London they often ask me where they should stay. London's grand hotels with more than 10 to choose from is an enticing option. The grand hotel is a style the Brits excel at and staying in one of these very posh establishments overnight or longer is part and parcel of enjoying a particular type of London experience.
Read MoreBrowsing through the fashion websites, magazines and stores, the Fall Trends to me seem to comprise of the following: Rich textured fabrics of paisley, brocade, jacquard and tweed; scarf-tie at the neck blouses (haven't worn one of those in forever!) and lots of black, especially sheer lace - Valentino Couture in particular feels Noir Victorian/Game of Thrones inspired.
Read MoreManhattan is jumping with various new restaurants popping up all over town. One of my current favorites, The Clock Tower is a beautifully appointed restaurant at the New York Edition Hotel, which my friend and fellow foodie Carol Papper invited me to for lunch - great choice! World renowned boutique hotel entrepreneur, Ian Schrager has reimagined the iconic Metropolitan Life building, situated on Madison Park in the FlatIron district into a sleek, contemporary light-filled environment of bleached oak wood finishes, floor to ceiling sheer window treatments, clear crystal chandeliers and artistically placed glass accessories. Interior designer Christian Liaigre's furniture and lighting are used throughout the lobby, bar areas and guest-rooms, emphasizing a cool, sophisticated, international vibe. You can refer to my June 10th post "What I'm Reading Right Now" for more details on the Christian Liaigre interior design aesthetic.
Read MoreIt's mid-August and high time for me to start thinking about Fall/Winter clothing as most collections are now in stores. After taking a quick whip through Style.com to see whose collections I'm interested in, my first port-of-call is Bergdorf's. It's my favorite store in New York because it carries just about all the designers I'm interested in and although edited from what's shown on the runway, there's always a broad enough selection for me to understand the collection and choose from. In recent seasons I've been focusing on finding a special piece or two that adds to my closet and keeps my look current.
Read MoreI've been decorating a client's Brooklyn brownstone apartment and we're at the final stage of adding the finishing touches. Her living room bookcase that until now had contained nothing but books presented us with the opportunity to change the dynamic and incorporate some of her favorite accessories and keepsakes among the books. Decorating bookcases or shelves is a great way to express your creativity and bring an artistic dimension to a room. Also, as London Interior designer, Kelly Hoppen succinctly puts it, "A beautiful arrangement of accessories on a self is an easy, elegant way to embrace trends and keep your interiors up to date."
Read MoreBefore moving onto today's post, I want to circle back for a moment to my "What I'm Reading Right Now" post on April 13th, where I talked about the recently published book, John Singer Sargent: Portraits of Artists and Friends. The Metropolitan Museum has opened an exhibition of the same title from June 30th - October 4th that highlights paintings featured in the book and is definitely worth a visit! See "Source" located below today's post for the link to that earlier post.
Read MoreI'm very taken with the ikat pattern used on the new tableware collection, Hermés Voyage en Ikat, which I came across on the Quintessance Blog. The Ikat pattern, typically used on fabrics has had many iterations over the last few seasons. Hermes, however raised the design bar and re-imagined this age-old hand weaving craft into a beautiful contemporary china pattern. Benoit-Perry Emery, artistic director of tableware at Hermes at the AD Home Show, where the collection was introduced explained ikat "as a timeless Indonesian weaving technique, celebrating the enduring dialogue between East and West." Based on the dazzling jewel tones of sapphire, ruby and emerald, 24 carat matte gold gives an additional burnished elegance to each piece, making this Bohemian-luxe collection the perfect place setting for summer stylish dining.
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