Southern Living Idea House 2010

Tonight is the Open House and Reception for the Southern Living Idea House in Covington, Louisiana. Usually I would not be so excited about such a traditional venue - it is not my style as you can see - but Southern Living made its smartest move yet when choosing Grace Kaynor (with Vesta Fort) as the Interior Designer and I can't wait to see what she has done. Several pieces from my showroom are in the house, as well, so I will try to take pictures tonight and post them next week. It also happens to be my friend Leslie's birthday, and several artists from her gallery have pieces in the house, so it is going to be a double celebration!
The house will be open to the public from June 12th - September 12th, so if you have time you should drive over and check it out. There are a lot of new shops and restaurants in the area - we are trying La Carreta tonight and I have heard great things about it.
See you there!
E

Driving directions from New Orleans:
Take I-10 W toward Baton Rouge. Take exit 228, Causeway Blvd N exit. Keep right at the fork to continue toward N Causeway Blvd. Merge onto N Causeway Blvd and continue onto Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. Proceed for 23.8 miles. After exiting the Causeway continue onto US Hwy 190 W for 4 miles. Merge onto I-12 W via the ramp to Hammond and proceed for 3.9 miles. Take exit 59 for Hwy 21 toward Madisonville/Covington. Turn right onto Hwy 21 heading north. Proceed 1.2 miles to the 3rd traffic light; turn left onto Bootlegger Road. Then go 1 mile to TerraBella Village. Turn right onto TerraBella Blvd and follow directional arrows to Southern Living Magazine 2010 Idea House.

Martensen Jones Interiors

Seriously digging on these pale spaces from Martensen Jones Interiors - especially the subtle chinoiserie style mural in the nursery! When it is so hot here these types of rooms seem so calm and cool.
Thanks to Gina at Bazaar of Serendipity for introducing me to them!
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Not sure how I feel about bars...

I am just not sure how I feel about bars in houses (that is mine above, by the way). I think all of the bars below, especially the ones by the great Miles Redd, are gorgeous. They look like they are ready to host the most chic party in town. Unfortunately, I never have parties. I am a bit of a hermit and I don't drink that much. And what about people with children? Do you think that bars should be set up and out at all times? I think we are past the era of the after-work cocktail of hard liquor, which seems very "Mad Men" to me. (Side note: I thought the scene in SATC 2 where she got him the drink of scotch to bolster him for an evening party was ridiculous. Do you need to keep a decanter of hard liquor next to the television?? Is it just me who thinks that is weird?) My great grandparents always had a set of cut crystal decanters out on a tray and at the end of the day would have a bourbon and coke. So I guess that is one reason why it seems a little old fashioned to me. However, decorators like Miles and of course one of my design idols David Hicks, always make a bar look good. I do think it is a good space saver for glasses if you have a tiny apartment like I do or a lovely decoration if you have a large buffet in a dining room, and I do think they are practical and beautiful for parties. But what about all the time?
What do you think about open bars in houses? Should they be exposed or shut away?
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Happiness Is...

Spending the whole day with a friend - capped off by an afternoon of browsing vintage jewelry. When I spied this huge collection of satin hangers in a corner and asked about them, the store owner gave them to me for FREE!

Thanks to Joe at Retroactive on Magazine Street and thanks to Leslie for a beautiful day. Live you!

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Celebrity Home - Julianne Moore

I think that every weekend I will post a celebrity home so that we can dissect the interior spaces of the rich and famous, bash them with impunity, and feel better about ourselves... hahaha
Here is Julianne Moore's townhouse from The World of Interiors 2007. I know she has since sold it and the decor is probably five years old, but many things about it are classic. I love the gray walls in the comfy, relaxed living room. I also love the exposed beams and turquoise bar stools in the kitchen area, and the huge fireplace and marble tub in the bath are both to die for, if not a bit cold with all the white.
What do you think?
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Lake Austin Spa

I am a total spa junkie. My mom got me started very early with hair salon visits and manicures, and my entire family finds it to be the ultimate relaxation. Even after a particularly painful procedure at a spa, my mom will joke, "They can beat me with horsetails and spray me down with a fire hose, as long as they are doing SOMETHING to me at a spa!" We have even moved our yearly Thanksgiving celebration to the Spa at The Grand Hotel in Fairhope, Alabama, so we can intersperse our turkey binges with massages. Every place we travel in the world, we seek out a spa to spend at least one day trying new and interesting treatments. I have been to famous spas like Canyon Ranch in Arizona, and completely hidden gems in Mexico, New York, and Thailand.
But the absolute best spa I have ever been to in my entire life is Lake Austin Spa in Austin, Texas. My mom took me there to celebrate my college graduation and took my sister once to celebrate her Master's degree, I believe. From the most inspiring decor to the pool in the barn, this place is perfect. We learned how to play poker and met some of the most interesting people in the world. You live in the robe provided, and never get dressed unless you are going to paddle on the river or take a tennis lesson. They have lemonade and popcorn out at all times and after the most spectacular dinner in the world we would take popcorn and a movie back to our private cabin. I seriously cannot say enough about this place; it is absolutely Heaven on Earth.
Thanks to my mom for introducing it to me - hopefully one day I can afford to take someone I love there for a weekend!
What is your favorite Spa or place to visit? Do you have something fun that you like to do with your mom?
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I love Istanbul!

My best friend and I are planning a trip next May. I will do Paris alone, as it will be mostly design visits, and she will join me for Istanbul and Morocco. I have a very good friend from Turkey, and have always wanted to see Istanbul, so now I am super excited to go (mainly to have a local tour guide and free room!)
Istanbul is very modern - of course I am still excited to see the Aya Sofya (Hagia Sophia), Topkapi Palace, and Grand Bazaar, but there is now a wonderful modern art museum and tons of great designer shops. The most famous designers for interiors, furniture, and architecture right now in Istanbul is probably Autoban, and they have long been favorites of mine. You are probably familiar with their "octopus" light fixture. If you would like to visit Istanbul and money is no object, the mansion on the Bosporus, A'Jia Hotel (pictured below) is a wonderful option. There are also many mid-priced modern hotels with very cool interiors like Lush. One of my favorite New York designers, Antony Todd, just opened a beautiful store there. If you are from New Orleans and want a little taste of home, the Istanbul Jazz Festival is every March.
Have you been to Istanbul? Do you have any recommendations for us while we are there?
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