Inspirations Everywhere: Saks Fifth Aveue

The Chivari Chair- You have seen these at many weddings, corporate events, etc. And if there is one thing I love, it is finding a random chair and making it into something bold and unexpected. I saw these in the Houseware Department of Saks Fifth Aveue. Saks is known for their visual department. This is a great little DIY idea. I thought they were so clever. Now, I am not saying this application of faux grass will work for everyone, but the concept of a bright color (on a chair that is otherwise gold or silver) with a funky seat cushion is a nice move.

Cheers!

The Designista

Pics from My Mom's Visit to NY and Little Bro's Visit to Princeton(one of the many reasons from my absence)

Jeannie and I joke this could be a MARNI advertisement. We are both wearing those fabulous shoes to Buddakan (the restaurant in Sex and the City The Movie where Big and Carrie had their rehearsal dinner.)

As mentioned in the previous post, I have had a lot going on the past few weeks. Two wonderful things that happened was my mom coming into town for a week, and visiting my brother at Princeton for a water polo game. I haven't seen my mother or brother in over 8 months. It was so wonderful! All we did was eat and shop, a lot of cocktailing, and every night ending in a slumber party. Here are a few of the highlights!

Me, Mom, and Jeannie- our "Buddakan Best"

A trip to NY isn't whole without a trip to Saks Fifth Avenue!!!

Afternoon brunch at BOBO- love this terrace. I will post about BOBO decor tomorrow.

Tasting fabulous cornbread at Bar Americain- Bobby Flay's acclaimed midtown restaurant

Posing at Rockefeller Center

Taryn, my mom, Wynter, Amy D, Isil, and Jeannie

Dinner at Malatesta Trattoria in the West Village- Love this little place, amazing food, all young italian men own and run the place, but don't love how the owner who is disrupting our picture- how rude.... He was probably drunk :)

Last night together, posing in the foyer of the Waldorf Astoria. It was an intersting time to be staying at the Waldorf. The G20 summit had just taken place and the entire hotel was swarming with secret service all week.

Oh geez, typical Amy- being a poser in a very dignified setting. Oh well, that's me. Take it or leave it! :)

Visiting my little brother aka "Brother" (that's an Arrested Development reference) at Princeton University. He is a second year at the US Naval Academy. He plays water polo and it was fun to see him play. Go Navy!

NAVY won!!! Beat Coast Guard - their big rival. I love seeing family!!!

All in all it has been a wonderful summer, and though the month of September was insanely busy, it was all worth it.

See you tomorrow with some fun design related posts.

Cheers!

The Designista

Back with Heart and Soul

(Nordstrom Ad I ripped out years ago)

I thought I would start off by saying how much I appreciate all of you who have contacted me, asking me "where I was." It's nice to know how much people appreciate reading my dailing rantings. I have been a bit overwhelmed at work and in life, and frankly, was getting a little stale on my postings. Nothing was creatively flowing from my brain any more. The Designista felt lost, with no theme and no heart, and I needed to take a little break to find its soul again.

I thought it appropriate to start this "welcome back" post, and yes, I am welcoming myself back, with the above advertisement. I was moved the moment I saw it- Nordstrom did its job! Not only does it appeal to my fashion sense, but to my inner most thoughts. I have had this on my refridgerator for possibly more than three years. It reminds me how we must go out and find our place in this world and in life- we can't sit back and wait for it to happen.

I know, this all may seem like a dramatic explanation for why I have been MIA, but it was important for me to share. And com'on, let's face it, I have never been one to shy away from talking..... my life is pretty much an open book.

So, that being said, I am going to apply the saying, "What if you didn't wait for opportunity to knock," to my blog, THE DESIGNISTA. And truthfully, to all aspects of my life. I have always dreamt of having this blog among many other aspirations, and love having the voice to discuss design, my social life, and my expedites through this new place- NYC.

There will be many things to look forward to, as I am trying to fine tune my purpose and theme of The Designista. But here are a few new things that will be added to the mix. Some I already do, but will do more, and others are suggested posts and ideas, as well as things to bring more traffic and excitement to the site.

• More postings - Not all long - essays as my sister calls them :)
• Do-it-yourself ideas- Focused mostly on DIY projects I do
• Shop Stops (visiting more stores)
• Ask The Designista- Quick Fix answers to reader's design related questions
• Inspirations Everywhere- (taking more pics of things I see on the street and around NYC)
• Ettiquette and Entertaining
• Trends
• Wish List- One item I absolutely love
• A little more of, as my friend put it, "New-Girl-makin-it-in-the-Big-City," type of if posts. I really enjoy writing those.
• Revamped Design (actually, more like- I need to bring a design to The Designista)
• Twitter- Something every blogger does, and think sounds fun. I mean, the other day I literally ran into Drew Barrymore on the street, that could be an interesting little twitter update, not to mention all the countless design ideas I see throughout the day
• Facebook Page- Also, essential to the online world.

I would really like suggestions from all of you telling me what you would like to see on THE DESIGNISTA. What makes you keep coming back? What do you want to see less of?

Thanks for being loyal and supportive, and so look forward to building this blog to something really special.

Cheers,

The Designista

test post

Had an issue with my subscription list.... sorry for the inconvenience. This is a test post.

Thanks,Amy

Coming back on Wednesday! I have missed you!

Hey Everyone,

I know, I know...... I have been gone, for a while now.

Been focused on work, guests in town, (excuses, excuses...) I will be back on Wednesday with a lot of new posts and I promise more dedication. Be sure to check back in!

Cheers!

The Designista

Picture Perfect Console

Windsor Smith's home in Los Angeles (House Beautiful)

Consoles are essential to creating a gorgeous interior. Not only do they perform a function of holding things- art, figurines, lamps- but they also create little vignettes of interest where there would otherwise have been nothing. When creating a look on a console there are several things to keep in mind, and guidelines I like to follow.

1. Art/Mirror should be placed above it, and fairly close to the top of the console.
2. Floor Accessories- Put something underneath it, either an ottoman, chest, boxes, etc. The look should flow from bottom to top- like it is one whole unit.
3. Collections- I recently posted about how each room should have a collection of some sort. Here is a collection of clear perfume bottles with silver tops and a collection of Hermes boxes.
   
4. Stacking- Whether it be books, or in this case boxes, it adds a horizontal effect to a vertical look. You want to mix and match heights when accessorizing.
   
5. Flowers- EVERY room needs fresh flowers. Adding the organic feature freshens and romanticizes the look.
6. Figurines- Pile figurines on top of other things. It keeps order to the small space (no clutter) but allows you to bring different heights. See the little elephant on top of the single Hermes box?
7. Theme- Having a theme, like the orange in the photograph, the Hermes boxes, and the box at the bottom,brings the look together. Be careful though- too much of a theme can make it look like a visual display in a retail home store.
8. Unexpected accessorizing- Like this vintage Gucci handbag and black riding boots. Just because it should be going in a closet, doesn't mean it shouldn't be in the hallway of common space in a family home.
   
9. Layering- Put things of different heights in front of each other. See how the flowers are taller than the frame and in front of the picture? Just make sure the flowers, vases, candles, books, etc, aren't obstructing the main portion of the art.
10. Lighting- Though this look doesn't require it, a small table lamp could have been placed to the left of the photograph. Often consoles are a great way to provide a space to add light, especially in dimly lit hallways. On larger consoles, I love the look of two lamps or sconces flanking art or a mirror.

Cheers!

The Designista

Shop Stop: Terrain- Philadelphia

I know that summer has officially passed and we are into the beautiful fall season that I have yet to see. Literally, I think the only time I have ever experienced a season change was when I visited Connecticut to visit my sister at Yale in Fall 2000. Wow....

That being said, I know we are ending the season of outside dining and gardening here in the city. However, that season is never over for the California crew. I wanted to introduce an amazing store, Terrain, that I found in Domino March 09 (sadly their last issue) and explore what they have to offer. In my opinion, exterior furniture can easily be brought inside for adding something unexpected to the design. The light fixtures are amazing. As well as their visual displays.

Originally, I tore this out of the magazine because I was so inspired by the dining design. How lovely would it be to dine outside with these gorgeous globe lanterns above head with dangling blown glass figures? If you have a patio cover/ pergola, you could easing hang several globes, and get individual glass/ crystals from the local craft store, hang from fish wire, and you've got the same look. Not to mention it would be so pretty during the day to have the prism effect from the sun hitting the faceted crystals. Day and Night design!

Filagree Spheres- I am in LOVE with these. 3 sizes (16",20",24"-$498-$1298)

Hand-crafted hammered and drilled brass.





Texas Glider- This chair screams my mother's name :) The colors and age give so much character to this antique- $398.

Bespoke Slatted Bench- $1998. A little more expensive, but due to it's construction of galvanized steel, it will last forever, and keep its sheen. This is a reproduction of an antique, but I think this bench would look amazing in a garden, but could also be used indoor. I picture it in an entry with a couple of graphic pillows- Not in every interior, but if you are courageous enough to put a galvanized steel bench indoors, you probably have a fairly quirky design mind!

Rust Wire Edging- Knotted wire edging?!?!?!?! How cute is this? It is a little pricey at $24 for 18" of length, but could be perfect for a small length of garden patch. What about around a little pumpkin patch. Love it!

Two-Tier Plant Stand- $598 This reminds me of something that should be in the garden of the movie Great Expectations. Old, with peeling paint, yet still whimsical and romantic.

This store is in Pennsylvania, which isn't too far from NY. Looking forward to visiting one day. I know my green thumbed mother would be in heaven here!

Cheers!

The Designista