photo by Patric Johansson
I’ve written before about the wonders of indoor/outdoor rugs for spaces with kids. They’re durable, extremely easy to clean, inexpensive and green. They are not the only good choice for a family household, though. A wool Persian rug is an excellent alternative. It offers a sophisticated look and soft hand, and can take pretty much anything you can dish out.
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This year I discovered a particularly fun design competition: the Crate & Barrel Designer Custom Challenge. I had a great time designing my chair, which I think is a nice blend of bohemian and chic. But did the judges agree? Read on to find out!
design by Jonathan Adler, photo by William Waldron, styled by Carlos Mota, via Elle Decor
I resisted their charms for years, but this was a mistake. I confess: I was a bit turned off by their ubiquity. For awhile it seemed you couldn't open a shelter mag without seeing one of these guys in every spread. But there's a reason for this. Poufs are not only adorable; they're also really versatile. A footrest, a seat, a plaything for children and a perch for pets, they're pretty indispensable. Here's a roundup of some of my favorites on the market right now.
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Today Show Thanksgiving
I've been fortunate to meet all sorts of wonderfully interesting people during my time at the Today show, including Peter Krask. He's been the residential floral designer at the show for over fourteen years, and is the recipient of an award from the American Institute of Floral Design for his work there.
Recently we discussed how he got started in the biz, what inspires his palettes, and why novices should avoid tulips.
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Here in brownstone Brooklyn, nearly all of the buildings are over a hundred years old, and many of them have some pretty remarkable house numbers. Some are etched into the sides of the buildings. Others use tiles attached to the steps. And many were hand painted on door glass decades ago. Following are some of my favorites.
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Feroz by Flavor Paper
One Friday recently, fellow designer Kate Hayes and I braved the Brooklyn rain to trek to a magical realm of wallcoverings: Flavor Paper. The small business designs and produces a myriad of patterns right in our neighborhood, and I couldn't wait to check out their offerings up close.
Flavor Paper is not what you'd call subdued. In fact, their work is pretty outrageous. So it's not for the faint of heart, nor is it for every space. But for those with a good sense of humor or bold taste, it's a truly excellent resource.
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Claire Desjardins bedding for Anthropologie
Here's a trend I can totally get behind: artist collaborations with major retailers. These relationships can be beneficial to both parties. The store gets some street cred and a breath of new creativity for their line. The artist gets a welcome influx of cash, some publicity, and a far larger reach than he or she would normally enjoy. And really, isn't it better for these stores to embrace artists rather than just bite on their work? Some stores do so without much repercussion, so I'm all for supporting the ones that give creatives their due.
Following are some of my favorite artist/store pairings in stores now.
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With work in New York City, Westchester, Abu Dhabi and Atlanta, Kate
Hayes is constantly on the move. Recently I sat down with the
Brooklyn-based interior designer to discuss her work process, her dream
project, and her plans to open an Atlanta office.