Friday, January 28, 2011

Designers I love: Frank Roop







I really love Frank Roop's work. Sometimes I wish he would branch away from the blues and greens a bit more, but he designs almost every piece in his spaces and uses tons of interesting materials and textures, not to mention gorgeous artwork. The painting in the last pic is one of my absolute loves, Bernd Haussman (through Guthrie Contemporary). These are some of my faves, but check out his website. Have a great weekend!
E

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Romantic Bedrooms






Well, V-day is nearing and romance is in the air. These bedrooms are not my idea of a great resting place on a daily basis, but one romantic night could be nice...which do you like?
E

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Kitchens...






After the bathroom love yesterday I thought I would share a few great kitchens..I am obsessed with the last one .Enjoy!
E

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Desk/Lamp Conundrum

Just got this amazing lucite and glass desk! I love it and now I am on the hunt for the perfect desk lamp to go with it. I love lucite stacked lamps but I think that could be too much lucite. And I love a tall chrome mushroom lamp...What do you think?
E

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Trends: Cowhide Rugs



Cowhide rugs have gotten so popular in the last year or two that even major retailers like West Elm offer them on their websites. I think the most chic way to have a cowhide is a pure ivory one or with a brown zebra print. They look amazing layered over natural jute rugs as well. Gorgeous!
E

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Things I need pretty darn bad...


This gorgeous green turquoise ring from Anthropologie...

The Centenary suitcase from J Crew in lemon...

The Tom Dixon copper pendant and a Saarinen table...

And four nights here, preferably with Enrique Iglesias. Is that too much to ask?
E

Friday, January 14, 2011

Hibernation





The deciding factor in choosing most places I move to is heat. I cannot stand the cold and would rather live year-round in a sweaty swamp than be cold for even one day. That said, it is freeeeeezing in New Orleans right now (for us, that means 37 degrees). When it is this cold, I find it almost impossible to get out of bed. Here are three beds that I am loving lately, all courtesy of Lonny, the online magazine.
Clean + Contemporary + Cozy = Happiness!
E

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Call me!


I absolutely adore these letterpress calling cards from Invited Ink on Etsy!
E

White Workout Corner









I have been getting back into kickboxing after several years of not exercising, and I am really passionate about it again. I never see a punching bag in an interior that I think looks good, and today I was thinking about a beautiful, feminine exercise space in an apartment. If you don't have a separate room to work out in, and need to incorporate an exercise space into your home, these items are functional and beautiful...
E

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Agadir Rug


This new rug from Anthropologie is so fabulous - like the expensive Moroccan rugs but with lots of luscious color!
E

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

CB2 Chairs



Remember this pic from the Hong Kong apartments I posted on a few days ago? These new turquoise club chairs from CB2 would be perfect for a less expensive version of this! Put a wood stump from West Elm in between them with a dark charcoal wall behind. Gorgeous!
E

The one about the Design Star casting...


Well, this past weekend I decided to go to Atlanta for a one day trip to try out for HGTV's Design Star. I thought that they would look at your portfolio and tape you answering some questions. It was nothing like I imagined.

I sat in a room all day long (like they do on American Idol) and had to change my flight twice only to meet with a teenager who does reality tv casting and who seemingly knows nothing about interior design. She never even made eye contact with me and asked me to tell her about my personality in the most bored tone of voice I have ever heard (not exactly inspiring cartwheels over here). I will admit that I was flummoxed by the situation and did not answer the question the way that I planned, but it was clear that they were only interested in people who would be exciting on reality television and I am only brash and funny and outrageous after getting to know you (or after a few cocktails - hey, maybe I should have gone in drunk?)

One woman who got a callback looked like the Octomom and was carrying around leaves that she had sprayed with glitter... But I also admit that I was number 140 to speak to the teenager so she had every right to be bored and to only give each person 90 seconds to spark her interest.

I met MFAMB and I think she did well (she got a callback), but she is a professional actress with personality plus, not an interior designer. So if she gets on the show I hope she is able to produce good design week after week and I will root for her and the wonderful girls I met in the waiting room - Allie, Lacey, and Hannah.

I am so glad that I went and know how the process is so I won't always be wondering if I could have done it. The time I spent preparing was great because it forced me to think about my angle, my point of view in design, and a nerve-racking interview situation is ALWAYS good practice in life. But at the end of the day, thinking about the ramifications of having to go away for seven weeks to film made me realize that I have a lot to do this year, including graduating in May and applying for dream jobs and maybe moving to Florida or California, so what the heck am I doing throwing that away for a chance to hang out with Octomom????

My advice if you ever want to be on a reality show? Don't go to the cattle call - send in a video tape so that you control what you say and how you show your personality. And don't be hurt if you don't get chosen - they are looking for a very specific "character" for the show, and not necessarily the best designer/chef/fashion designer/artist out there. Always take the risk and go for it if you think it would be fun - as Mark Twain said, "In twenty years you won't regret the things you did, you will regret the things you didn't do."
E

Friday, January 7, 2011

Capiz Chandeliers



I thought I was tired of the Verner Panton - style capiz chandeliers until I saw these pics. And I have four of those twisted lucite Dorothy Thorpe candlestick holders! Happily in love again...
E