Animals
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POM POMS
You wouldn’t think there would be any commonality among design, fashion and a dog’s tail. Pardon? My beloved pup had surgery on her tail recently and her gorgeous, fluffy appendage turned into something of a pom pom. Sad? Yes. Adorable? Absolutely. It reminded me of how delightful pom poms are. It’s something about a shape so perfectly simple encased in fluff. Whether it’s a detail on shoes, trim on drapes or something more unexpected – pom poms just make me happy. The indefatigable Iris Apfel gets it. (L) Rebecca de Ravenel wearing her celebrated Les Bonbons earrings; (C) a fanciful canopy by Olive Juice Interior Design; (R) happy yellow Billy Button flowers c/o…
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THE AD DESIGN SHOW :: TRICIA’S 10
I spent the day at the Architectural Digest Design Show in New York on Friday. It’s always good to see what’s new, talk with vendors and “kick the tires” so to speak. Seeing the finish/scale/construction of products in person is integral to quality control and intelligent design. And, of course, it’s fun. I’ve shared ten best picks — whether it be a specific piece or an entire collection — and why each was worth a closer look. #1 Van Cronenburg I am passionate about hardware and this company is stellar. Substance and exquisite detail in every piece. #2 A Space Wall Sconce All of the products from A Space – lighting,…
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Shark!
Sharks are certainly newsworthy these days. Shark Week is in full swing on Discovery, JAWS just celebrated the 40th anniversary of its release, and on a less inviting note, Carcharhinus have made the Outer Banks their summer vacation destination. Yikes! Surprising as it may seem, I am loving every minute of it. Despite my lifelong fear of sharks, I am obsessed with the movie Jaws. I admit this seems a bit odd for a land lover, professional aesthete and enthusiast of all things cute and fuzzy. First, I love a good thriller. Second, the cast is perfection. Third, the cinematography (Spielberg, of course) is inventive yet convincing. And fourth, the…
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Garnet & Goats
Hmmm, January. This can be a challenging month. The holiday sparkle has worn off, a little too much winter lies ahead and we’re all a whiter shade of pale. I agree it’s tough to feel motivated when it’s cold and dreary outside and happiness is Haagen-Dazs and a Snuggie on Friday night. However, I’m a January baby and a Capricorn which means I believe from problems come opportunities and there is still reason to celebrate a month as gloomy as this. January can actually offer inspiration. Not in an obvious way, but beneath the surface and outside the box. As with so many things worthwhile, in January you have to…
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Seven
January 11 marked the seven year anniversary of Huntley & Co. Interior Design. Amazing how time flies! In honor of my biz’s birthday, I’m sharing seven sets of seven favorites. I typically champion quality over quantity, but it’s nice to be surrounded by inspiration – from design to television to words of wisdom – in abundance these days. Here’s to seven years of success, a fantastic 2013 and a life filled with beauty, humor and a healthy dose of fun. 7 YEARS OF HUNTLEY & CO. 7 ARTISTS I am OBSESSED with the work of the artists below. Need me a millionaire (or maybe billionaire)…
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[Re]defining Beauty
I made a long overdue trip to the nail salon this weekend for a mani/pedi. And while scanning the assortment of possible nail colors from which to choose, I stumbled upon a stunning shade of peacock blue. It’s one of my favorite colors in general – rich, complex, almost regal – so the thought of it on my fingertips was titillating. Sure enough, I love it. Not only do I think the shade of blue is absolutely stunning, but in a strange way, I think it complements my skin tone. It’s funny then that some of the conservative loved ones in my life don’t share my enthusiasm. Don’t they see…
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Chez Huntley – update 08/05
A great deal of progress has been made here in the past couple of weeks. The millwork installation – new casing, baseboards and bookshelves – is complete. The painting has been corrected and looks lovely. Lighting fixtures have been installed in the foyer/living room along with simple, modern light switches and receptacles throughout the main floor. I’ve even styled my bookshelves and purchased a new painting for the dining room and a pair of cast greyhounds for the front entry. And as excited as I am to move on to the next layer of furnishings and accessories, nothing is quite as important to good design as getting “the envelope” right. I…
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Puppy Love
Some of you will understand this and some of you won’t. But I am totally and completely in love with my dog. Nina, my Norwegian Elkhound, is the love of my life. This truth can be attributed to two things: (1) my never-ending affection and sensitivity for animals and (2) the fact that I don’t have children. Nina is my kid … my canine kid. I spend more time with her than any other living creature on the planet, her personality is as complex as any human’s and when she’s hurt, my heart breaks. And since she had a medical procedure at the vet today that left her drugged, in pain and wearing one…