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L.A. = Love Affair
I made a pit stop in LA for a couple of days on my way to Arizona for Thanksgiving.
Sunshine, shopping and some of the best design sources in the US – it was heaven!
Below are some highlights from my fabulous 48 hours in the city of angels.
I stayed at the Chamberlain in West Hollywood.
A Kelly Wearstler-designed boutique hotel tucked away in a lush, leafy neighborhood.
First stop – Jean de Merry.
Huntley & Co. is doing the modern wing chair and chandelier below
in an apartment overlooking Lake Geneva in Switzerland. So cool!
The Collection Los Angeles is a great new resource I haven’t used before.
They have an incredible selection of vintage furniture, lighting, accessories and jewelry.
Like the vases above and the matchstick caddies below.
Funny how the only bauble in the bunch is what made its way into my shopping bag.
So predictable!
Downtown is signature LA – sexy and chic with the nicest salespeople to boot.
Loved the lacquered red side tables below.
I thought I had died and gone to heaven at Dragonette.
Patrick Dragonette’s eponymous shop is gorgeous online, but in person it’s on a whole different level.
Gorgeous vintage and custom furniture, lighting and accessories.
And his vignettes are insane!
After all of my hard work on La Cienega, I made my way over to Melrose.
For a lovely meal at the charming bistro Comme Ca.
And to explore the beautiful courtyards and gardens of the neighborhood.
And of course, a trip to LA wouldn’t be complete without a little retail therapy.
I fell in love with the beautiful things at Temperley London.
Wrapping things up in the Chamberlain lobby before checkout.
Sad to go, but off to AZ for more sunshine!
Footnote: There are dozens of other LA hotspots, but some worth a stop:
Bar Tosca at La Boheme, Lucques, Paul Marra,
Dolce Vita, Kitson, Decades and Anastasia Salon.
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House Dressing
I love Thanksgiving. It's a time for entertaining, celebrating and opening our homes to family and friends.
We all want our interiors to be at their best during the holidays. For me it's about creating an environment
that is beautiful, relaxed and welcoming for guests – whether it's in my own home or one of my client's.
Below are my iphone shots from a Huntley & Co. photoshoot this past Friday in Virginia. I am in love with
these images right now; they convey everything I love about decorating and setting a scene. Often the
best way to find ideas for your own space is to look at the examples of others. Hopefully you'll find some
inspiration for your own home and Thanksgiving table amongst the shots below. Happy holidays!
FORMAL DINING ROOM
LIVING ROOM
POWDER ROOM
(don't forget to style this space as well)
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Tip deLuxe
DIVERSIFY YOUR HUE
It's a common pitfall. You want a blue (or green or yellow or red) room and you think the answer is paint.
But alas, a room is not built on paint alone. A room with one color is like a song with one note – flat.
It takes layers of colors, textures, fabrics and finishes to really make a room "sing". The dining room
below from Bunny Williams is a beautiful example. The star of this room is a dramatic cerulean blue, but
it's the supporting shades of green, yellow, gold and cream that make it pop. Moreover, the designer
chose checked slipcovers, a large 18th century framed wallpaper panel and a collection of Chinese
porcelain to bring this shade of blue to life. So take Bunny's cue and diversify your hue!
photo courtesy of Ms. Williams' book "Point of View".
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District Design
New York, LA, Paris – Sure, everyone knows these cities are the “it” destinations for design and fashion.
But there are fabulous finds in any city if you’re a chic and savvy girl (or guy) who knows how and where to look.
“DISTRICT DESIGN” is a new, recurring feature from Luxe & Lucid that will be highlighting great shopping
around the US and beyond sourced by my most stylish friends and colleagues in-the-know.
District Design vol. 1
MICHIGAN
My sorority sister, Beth Warner, is one hip chic. In college, she radiated effortless cool while
the rest of us were still trying to find our groove. She moved back to Michigan after school and
opened the successful clothing boutique Les Femmes * in Bay Harbor. These days she’s a
private fashion consultant and mother to the cutest 5-year-old you’ve ever seen. She may not be
rocking the late night scene anymore, but I guarantee she’s the coolest mom in the carpool lane.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE HOME FURNISHINGS RESOURCE?
Huzza in Harbor Springs.
A store with the most amazing hand-picked furnishings from around the world. Laid-back luxe at its finest.
WHERE DO YOU BUY YOUR LINENS?
They carry linens from Matouk and have custom embroidery that resembles artwork.
(linen photos above courtesy of monograminc.com)
WHAT FASHION DESTINATION CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
Linda Dresner in Birmingham, MI.
Simple, chic – Rick Owens, Balenciaga and Lanvin flats for picking up my son from school.
WHAT WAS YOUR LAST STELLAR FIND?
My Francesca Romana gold/emerald quartz cocktail ring.
WHAT'S THE BEST KEPT SHOPPING SECRET IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN?
B. May Bags in Petoskey.
The most exquisite handmade snakeskin, and croc-embossed handbags.
HOW DO YOU WORK YOUR FASHION LOOK INTO YOUR INTERIOR?
Kate Moss and Kelly Wearstler embody my ultimate fashion/design inspirations,
so I incorporate the 70’s glam and boho-chic look into my home …
… From my dressing room ottoman with its Lucite base
to the Lulu DK fabric on my breakfast room banquette.
(interior photos above courtesy of Traverse Magazine)
WHAT DINING SPOT DO YOU LOVE FOR BOTH ITS MENU AND ITS DECOR?
Chen Chow in Birmingham.
Kobe beef seared on 600 degree lava rock and sushi to die for. And great cucumber martinis too!
WHAT WAS THE LAST INSPIRING PLACE YOU VISITED IN MICHIGAN?
The Richard Avedon exhibit at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Such a big event and important part of fashion history.
THANK YOU TO BETH AND HER WONDERFUL SOURCES IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN!
Future District Design posts will feature Dallas, Barcelona/Madrid, Minneapolis and Birmingham, AL.
* Beth has since sold her business Les Femmes to a former employee.
The store is now located in Harbor Springs.
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Mirror Mirror on the Wall
“… Who's the fairest of them all?”
Snow White’s nasty stepmother definitely didn’t get the answer she wanted when she asked this question.
Maybe instead of looking for validation from a piece of glass, she should have consulted an interior designer.
In my decorator’s bag of tricks, mirror is often my go-to solution. It can make a space look bigger, improve
lighting and reflect the best assets of a room. It can even make the person looking into it appear to have a
smoother, rosier complexion. Too bad the evil Queen didn’t have my number ; )
A living room by Bunny Williams.
Mirror has been inserted into the paneling of this room for an elegant, formal look.
A Huntley & Co. client had a dark, constricted threshold in her DC apartment. I carved out an octagonal foyer and
added mirror to the walls to make the entrance of her home more spacious and more gracious.
Check out the “before” shot below.
Hard to believe it's the same space.
The mirrored ceiling at Sweetie Pie in New York adds to the magic of its delicious decor.
Doesn’t every woman dream of housing her wardrobe behind beautiful, mirrored doors?
Emma Jane Pilkington’s bedroom closet doors are absolute stunners.
I imagine the fashions within are pretty spectacular too.
This Kevin Haley vignette from House & Garden illustrates two of my favorite techniques
when applying mirror to walls: (1) Antique the glass and (2) Layer the surface with art or objects.
I love to hang an antique mirror on top of a mirrored wall at a bathroom’s vanity. It's a Huntley & Co. signature.
Adding a special piece – like this Venetian mirror – creates ambience without sacrificing functionality.
The mirrored stairhall of Coco Chanel's famous Paris apartment. Who knows better than Mme. Chanel?
And I couldn’t very well post a blog about mirrored walls without including Miles Redd’s
famous NYC bathroom. He just went for it and mirrored the s—t out of this room.
Glamorous, fun and over-the-top like the designer himself.
* Professional Huntley & Co. photos by Kevin Allen Photography *
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Mad About Macabre
Although it may not be very “PC”, the creepy, scary side of life can be pretty titillating at times.
CSI and Twilight have millions of fans for a reason – the macabre is fascinating. It's fun to
dive into the dark side of life, especially for the straight-laced among us. Sure, we like our
structured, polished lives. But something about the morbid and sinister gets the skin tingling.
So here’s to being a little naughty at least once a year. Go ahead, get your freak on!
Blackman Cruz is an L.A. based firm that specializes in eccentric objects and furniture.The Bronze Skull lamp is one of their original and most famous designs. It was the
frontrunner of what became the skull trend pandemic of the last several years.
Their bronze Bat Incense Burner below is even more unconventional.
Taxidermy - cute or creepy? This little fella is an antique rabbit from London.
He has a happy home at And Beige in Adams Morgan.
Baker furniture is currently reproducing several pieces from the collection of the
incomparable Tony Duquette. The Gold Toad was one of his most intriguing designs –
a cast skeletal sculpture plated in 24K gold. The 2009 version doesn't have emerald (!)
eyes like the original, but it's still just as coveted. In fact, Gold Toads have been
stolen from showrooms in both DC and New York. Tony would be shocked!
Yes, spooky and chic can go hand in hand.
Spider Cuffs by Jessica Kagan Cushman and Jet Drop Skull Earrings by Bettina Louise.
I discovered the work of Jim Fiscus because I'm a fan of Dexter (see more on that below). His photography
is both irreverent and flawless – an unusual combination that makes for gorgeous, intoxicating images.
I saw a powerful exhibit titled "Art, Genius and Madness" at the Santa Maria
della Scala museum in Siena this summer. It explored the connection
between artistic genius and insanity and featured a collection of paintings,
drawings and sculptures spanning 300 years. Beautiful, provocative and
often disturbing, the exhibit was like nothing I have ever seen.
A haunting painting by Enrico Colombotto Rosso.
"Concert in an Egg" (1550) by Hieronymus Bosch. The Dutch artist's
paintings are recognizable for their bizarre and disturbing subject matter.
Busts by Franz Xaver Messerschmidt from his "character heads"
series (1770) depicting contorted facial expresssions.
Not included in the Siena exhibit, but a painting that always frightens me.
"Saturn Devouring His Son" by the Spanish artist Francisco Goya (1819).
My favorite macabre activity is watching scary movies. I can't get enough. And when better to sit down,
dim the lights and curl up with a terrifying flick than Halloween? Below are ten of my favorite fright fests.
Psycho (1960)
The Birds (1963)
Excorcist (1973)
Jaws (1975)
Alien (1979)
Poltergeist (1982)
Aliens (1986)
The Ring (2002)
Hostel (2005)
The Strangers (2008)
And for those of us who like to get our regular fix of brilliant gore, there's Dexter.
The series is smart, humorous and completely addictive. If you don't subscribe to
Showtime, you can download episodes instantly through Netflix.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM LUXE & LUCID!
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Rock Star
There are some people who rise above the ordinary and show us what real talent is.
One of those rare finds is Bobbie Medlin. Bobbie’s eponymous shop in Georgetown is a treasure
trove of gorgeous goods from around the world. Her one-of-a-kind necklaces blur the line between
jewelry and art bringing a sense of mystery and allure to the woman who wears them.
She is a rock star!
Jewelry as décor.
I draped one of Bobbie’s pieces on a bust in a 2007 installation.
The turquoise beads were the perfect finishing touch.
Bobbie Medlin just relocated to the corner of M & 29th in Georgetown.
The perfect spot for this gorgeous gallery-style shop.
A beautiful vignette at the shop's foyer.
The rose quartz necklace features a 19th c. pendant
depicting the Hindu deity Ganesha.
A west African strand of yellow resin beads is accented by
an antique shell from Mauritania and silver bauble from Turkmenistan.
The black fireplace is a great backdrop for this colorful, dramatic piece.
One of the artfully arranged display cases.
Bobbie and I discussing her work in front of a protective amulet strung from faceted rock crystal beads.
This 19th c. example from the Yomud people is especially rare because the tribe was quite small.
It's made of gold, silver and cornelian and was meant to be worn on the back between braids. Awesome!
Ms. Medlin could teach us designers a thing or two about staging.
A 19th c. Naga headdress, silver serpentine neck chain from India and Yemen bangles.
The bracelets contain tiny pebbles that make a delicate sound when worn … magical.
A surprise in every corner.
Every piece tells a story.
Strung on Soo Chow beads is a carved pendant of a monkey on a peach. This Chinese
symbol represents longevity and success and makes for a beautiful good luck charm.
Great minds think alike ; )
This shaman necklace sits atop a mantle in the Huntley & Co. office.
Bobbie has a similar one for sale in her shop.
2900 M STREET NW
WASHINGTON, DC 20007
202.333.2630
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Bigger is Better
At least when it comes to jewelry … and a few other things ; )
Christmas list?
David Webb lion & ram bracelet and vintage gold, black enamel & rock crystal ring.
Armani Prive chandelier earrings for the girl with sturdy earlobes.
This necklace is heavy, but worth the weight.
I discovered this ring in Paris 10 years ago. My favorite find of all time.
The best red carpet moment of 2009.
Eva Mendes, white dress, vintage Van Cleef & Arpels turquoise necklace.
Just because bigger can be done, doesn’t mean it always should be.
The good and the bad of big below.
FOOTWEAR
Chanel thigh-high boots
Red patent ???
LIPS
Scarlett Johansson
FOYER
Sledmere House in East Yorkshire
Celebrity residence
HAIR
Brigitte Bardot
Phil Spector – 'nuff said!
NEXT WEEK
A Luxe & Lucid feature on Bobbie Medlin, owner of the eponymous shop in Georgetown —
a woman who rocks "big" like no one else.
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Before There Were PDA’s
I was a holdout. I loved my daily planner and my stationary. I never thought I would do all
my writing via email and keep my schedule on a computer. But I do. To be honest, I couldn’t
live — professionally at least — without Outlook and my iphone. So although I’m highly organized,
I miss the days when embracing your type-A meant a little more beauty and a little less technology.
Remember when we used to sit at our desks and correspond?
I’m feeling so nostalgic — this is what my desk used to look like when
I was a jeune fille. Southern Accents Nov/Dec 2004.
I am IN LOVE with the new Malachite Collection from Smythson of Bond Street!
The classic stationer from London has taken a fashion-forward step and designed
a collection that looks like it just came off the Balenciaga runway.
The Hermes journal I keep at my bedside.
It’s available in several gorgeous colors. Mine is aubergine.
Two graphic, modern selections from Simplesong Design.
I picked up this notepad at Il Papiro in Florence. I like to keep it with me, so I can
jot down thoughts on the run — which is easy since it’s about as small as my eyeglass case.
I installed this buffet at a client’s penthouse in May and discovered the inside was lined withhand-made paper! It was a magical detail and an amazing surprise.
What a great idea. Send Dempsey & Carroll your signature and they will
engrave their Classic Correspondence Card with your own personal John Hancock.
Paper goods (and memories) from my archives.
If I could, I would write long letters in calligraphy to friends and family. In another life.
The end of an era. Mrs. John L. Strong closed its doors in May after 80 years.
Nannette Brown said it best, “We don’t do trendy. We do good taste.”
A girl after my own heart.
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The Gold Standard
I'm a gold girl. Bronze, silver, not even platinum gives me the rush that gold does.
It’s warm and sexy and adds a little magic to any material. I love gold fabric, furniture, lighting
and especially jewelry and hardware. I would plate everything in gold if I could. Now for you nay-sayers
who think gold is a finish that belongs in the 80s, take a look at the images below and get ready to swoon.
A few of my current favorite gold fabrics.
A glamorous gold face in Vogue Nippon.
At the Washington Design Center's spring 2007 design house I painted the walls
India Yellow by Farrow & Ball and added gold David Iatesta sconces.
A vintage Curtis Jere wall sculpture.
I'm saving this image in my inspiration file for a future project.
The layers of gold could inform an entire color scheme.
Some of the amazing metalwork at Grand Central Station.
What artist celebrated the brilliance of gold more than Klimt?
Sooo gorgeous … LOVE this gold and citrine pin! I would wear it with a [faux]
fur vest layered over a grey cashmere sweater, jeans and a sick pair of heels.
Some of my favorite jewelry piled in a gold tray.
I get a ton of compliments on this Chloe purse.
Nancy Lorenz added graffiti-esque gold accents to Jeffrey Bilhuber's scenic
paper-covered bedroom walls. A gutsy move by the interior design genius.
I'm seriously considering switching my flatware over to gold … so much sexier!
Columbina Flatware at The Moma Store.
I love this mug! The perfect glam/punk combo.Where better to wear gold than on your toes? Louboutin heels from the 2005 collection.
Looking for a gift for the woman who has everything? Yes, there is a gold facial.
Gold paperclips – A Huntley & Co. office standard!
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THE MUSINGS OF DESIGNER TRICIA HUNTLEY
