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Eccentricia
In classic Tricia-style, I injured myself this week and was unable to walk for 36
hours. Seriously, I can't make this stuff up. And while joking with a beloved former
employee about my all too common antics, I proposed incorporating a cane into my look.
"A stick could be part of my 'schtick'." While in jest, the idea actually had some appeal.
I would love to be eccentric and iconic with a look that is utterly unmistakable. I've never
thought of myself that way. Or maybe I've just never had the guts. As a child, I was
considerably quiet and timid (I know some of you find that hard to believe). I didn't really
find my voice until my thirties. Well now that I'm heading toward the big 4-0 and my life
seems to become more frenetic by the day, maybe it's time to embrace a little eccentricity.
It may be just what the doctor ordered. That and aforementioned stick.
– Option 1 –
BIG GLASSES
Would you recognize the famous former Vogue and New York Times
Magazine style editor, Carrie Donovan, without her enormous round
glasses? An easy transformation and fairly noncommittal.
– Option 2 –
HATS
I probably don’t have the cajones of the late Isabella Blow, but I do give the girl her props.
I shy away from wearing a fedora. This dynamo was rockin’ entire gardens atop her head!
– Option 3 –
DRAMATIC MAKEUP
The young Priscilla Presley was undeniably beautiful. However, what made
her an icon – thanks to none other than Elvis himself – was that makeup. She
probably went through a dozen kohl liners a year, but she had the eyes and the
complexion to pull it off. She looked like an exotic Barbie doll and America loved it.
– Option 4 –
UNCONVENTIONAL WARDROBE
Edie Beale’s unusual fashion choices were the consequence of privilege, predicament
and necessity. Born and bred in New York society, little Edie Beale’s early life was storybook.
But a divorce and a delusional, headstrong mother changed her fate and her fashions. With a closet
full of Dior, Givenchy and Hermes, but no heat or running water, her odd ensembles were ingeniously
practical and chic. Not convinced? See John Galliano’s Grey Gardens inspired collection below.
– Option 5 –
EDGY HAIR
There’s only one word to describe Rhianna. Fierce. The girl can and does rock every
hairstyle under the sun. The fun of it is that she usually opts for a look that is as edgy
and fearless as the artist herself. Spiky? Sure. Mohawk? Why not. Purple and white
streaks? Of course! Honestly, I will never, ever wear a mohawk. But I have been
considering dying a few strands of my hair pink. And since October is Breast Cancer
Awareness Month, I have the perfect excuse. Besides, I think that shy, little girl
is finally ready to get a little funky, have a little fun and get her groove on. Yeyah!
Tricia xo
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One
As of September 2010, Luxe & Lucid is one-year-old. And what a year it’s been!
To celebrate, I’m recapping some of my favorite posting moments and sending a shout-out to
all those who’ve tuned in during my inaugural year online. Life in the blogoshpere has been an
unexpected joy and labor of love (with equal emphasis on "labor" and "love"). Stay tuned for
more interiors, more fashion and more adventures in year two. Anything could happen!
Tricia xo
– SEPTEMBER 28, 2009 –
My first post is still one of my favorites. And my love affair with gold is still going strong.
– NOVEMBER 6, 2009 –
It’s pretty exciting to see one of my interiors make the rounds on the internet. This photo from
last year showed up on dozens of sites and seemed to incite a “mirror-on-mirror” craze.
And I couldn’t get enough of the comments like those below …
"That Tricia Huntley Venetian mirror over a normal mirror is my fave bathroom ever!!!"
– Sarah (Matters of Style) c/o Little Green Notebook
"I have had my eye on this design feature for awhile [and} looking for a place to incorporate it. I absolutely love the [first] picture."
– sillybee c/o Apartment Therapy
– DECEMBER 4, 2009 –
My trip to LA last November was fabulous. Inspiring and fruitful. I incorporated
several of my finds into Huntley & Co. projects, including the apartment in Switzerland.
– JANUARY 1, 2010 –
My favorite Luxe & Lucid entry from the past year.
A personal and cathartic statement delivered via a hip, irreverent post.
– JANUARY 19, 2010 –
The obvious fun of this post was celebrating my own zodiac sign. But I stumbled upon a
lot of other interesting and unexpected tidbits while researching as well. And who knew I
would be able to incorporate one of my favorite artists – Kris Kristofferson – into a blog about
horoscopes? That’s the secret joy of blogging; you never know where it will take you.
– MARCH 5, 2010 –
As many of my readers may now realize, I try to find the humor in my job and the precarious situations I
so often find myself in. This was one of those days. I know we sometimes accomplish the impossible,
but it’s all in a day’s work. Still, it was nice to pull the curtain back for once, so everyone else could see the
reality of my glamorous (ha!) life. And comments like the one below help me smile through the madness.
“Holy Crap, pardon me, but y’all are amazing. Love that your client was right there.
Tricia, you have nerves of steel and fabulous style to boot”
– Claire / High Gloss Blue
– MAY 11, 2010 –
This post pulled me deeper into my romance with fragrances. Intoxicating, sensuous, glamorous.
And a key player in the battlefield of love and passion for millennia. I can’t get enough.
– JULY 1, 2010 –
I loved that fellow designers and fashionistas were able to find inspiration in my digital storyboards.
"Fabulous idea. I think I fit into board #2 myself. Delicious.”
– Stefan / ArchitectDesign
- AUGUST 26, 2010 –
Blogging about Etsy turned out to be a slightly dangerous undertaking. One, because
it led to shopping. Shocker. And two, because it elicited my first negative comment from
a reader [who called me a snob]. Ugh. Seriously people, I work 7 days a week and write
this blog in my after hours – i.e. between 7PM and 4AM – cut me a little slack please.
Whatever. I still got me some gorgeous earrings (above) and a sick vintage brooch. Snap!
– SEPTEMBER 12, 2010 –
25 Signs You May Be Working Too Much
It’s good to know from suffering comes so much joy. I think everyone who read this
post – including me – got a big kick out of it. Every time I look back at that painful and
delirious list, I laugh. Like they say, truth is stranger than fiction. Yes, this is my life.
A big thank you to all my readers and subscribers. I love your feedback, so keep it coming. And a
shout-out to my international fans. Your attention to my fledgling blog is really exciting. Here’s a list of some
of the countries who’ve checked in with Luxe & Lucid from around the globe this year. Love, love, love it!
Austria
Australia
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Costa Rica
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Egypt
Finland
France
Germany
Georgia
Gibralter
Greece
Hong Kong
Hungary
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Italy
Jordan
Japan
Korea
Mexico
Morocco
Malaysia
Nigeria
Netherlands
Norway
New Zealand
Peru
Philippines
Pakistan
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sweden
Swaziland
Switzerland
Thailand
Turkey
Taiwan
Venezuela
Viet Nam
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To Die For
Do you ever see something and say, “If I died and came back as a
_________ (fill in the blank), I would want to be that one.” I do. Granted,
I have a flair for the dramatic. But still. Sometimes a designer – or artist,
photographer, architect – creates something so original, so beautiful that one
can’t help but be awed. Luxe & Lucid will be highlighting some of these
objects d’art from time to time. So extraordinary, each piece stands alone.
If I died and came back as an …
ACCESSORIES COLLECTION
R & Y Augousti
Ria and Yiouri Augousti
20 years ago, through the grace of the design gods, Ria and Yiouri Augousti met in
London. They fell in love, married, and formed the company R&Y Augousti. From the
beginning, their design sensibilities were a match made in heaven. Traveling the world, they
select exotic skins, stones and other natural materials for their furniture and accessories
collections. Sculptural, textural and drop-dead gorgeous, each piece is a work of art. And
attention men: if there is a chic, worldly woman in your life whom you want to impress, this
is the answer. Forget diamonds, forget the Mercedes. When you give a woman a gift from
R&Y, you are telling her she is an exquisite, remarkable creature like no other. Perfection.
103 Rue du Bac
Paris
33 (0)1.42.22.22.21
(photos courtesy of augousti.com)
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H&C a la Montreux
As mentioned in last week’s post, I have been in Switzerland installing a project.
And as many of you know, I’ve been working a lot lately. So even though no one
likes to spend their weekends at the office or pulling all-nighters, the magic of being an
interior designer is that you get to enjoy the tangible results of all your hardship …
THE APARTMENT IN MONTREUX IS STUNNING!
Beyond the fact that I love every single thing we installed – the wallcoverings,
the furniture, the lighting, the textiles, the accessories – the views and the town
of Montreux itself are extraordinary. The work was dirty and exhausting, but with
distractions like Lake Geneva out your window, who cares!
The apartment – day one. Umm, excuse me???
Yikes! Needless to say, this is not what we were expecting. So much for a move-in
ready apartment. This not-so-insignificant mess is a big detail for management to omit
from our conversations pre-departure. OK … take a deep breath and work the problem.
Because there is a truck full of furniture outside and it needs to be installed – somehow.
The silver lining? The view!!!
So instead of installing right away … We run errands, meet with management and vendors, clean and walk the property.
A trying and exhausting day, but it’s hard to complain in an environment like this.
At day’s end, we all need a nice dinner and a good night’s sleep.
Huntley & Co. stayed at the Suisse Majestic, so four of us had dinner in the hotel’s
restaurant – Restaurant 45 – and had a lovely time before crashing for the night.
Moving onwards and upwards on day two with deliveries.
Furnishings are in and floors are clean (for now).
Is there anything more satisfying than progress?!
In days three and four, wallpaper goes up and we unpack all the accessories.
It may be a mess, but it’s my favorite kind of mess … Christmas in September!
We often ran errands during the day because there was always something else we
or our installers needed. This day we stopped for lunch at the Hotel Eden du Lac.
Yep, just another day in Montreux.
After another couple of days of cleaning and styling, we have a finished apartment. Almost.
There were a few things (besides the original mess) that didn’t go as planned. The artwork
for the foyer was damaged in transit, one of the beds was missing from the delivery and the
Swiss team hired by the property didn’t finish all of their work. One of the workers literally
laughed in our faces when we told him to go buy the part he needed and to come back. So it
looks like I’ll have to go back to Switzerland in October to wrap up the final details.
Bummer ; )
Tricia
P.S. A huge thank you to our Swiss logistical team Kuehne + Nagel!
-
25 Signs You May Be Working Too Much
Greetings from Switzerland!
Huntley & Co. is in Montreux this week installing a residence on Lake Geneva. Yes, I’m a lucky girl. But as is often the case, leaving town for a week requires a lot of overtime at the office prior to departure. You have to get your ducks in a row (see item 4 below) for your employees, your other clients and your personal life. And there is never enough time. Rather than looking for sympathy, you might as well find a little humor in the situation. I started generating the list below on Friday thinking it would be ten items long. By Monday, I was up to twenty-five and completely delirious from a lack of sleep. It was all worth it though. All is going well here in Montreux and I know everything is running smoothly back home in DC as well. Now if I could just get some sleep!
1. Your to-do list is 4 pages long, has a table of contents and an addendum.
2. You don’t know what day (or month, or year) it is.
3. You can feel your eyeballs scraping the inside of your eyelids.
4. You use phrases like “ducks in a row” ad nauseum.
5. You are aware of DC’s disturbingly high nocturnal rat population.
6. Coffee has replaced one of the four main food groups.
7. At least 3 times a day you walk across a room and can’t remember why once you get there.
8. Your keyboard has developed a strange film on it.
9. You looked better when you had the flu last winter.
10. Your dog has abandonment issues.
11. Your laundry pile resembles Mount Everest.
12. Eating dinner at midnight seems reasonable.
13. Bathroom breaks are a nuisance.
14. Your communication skills have regressed to the first grade level.
15. Your significant other thinks there may be someone else.
16. Walking out of the house and leaving something behind incites tears.
17. The beautiful weather pisses you off.
18. Friends are mad at you because your emails of late have been “curt”.
19. You catch a little shut-eye by closing your eyes as you walk.
20. “Twitchy” is an understatement.
21. You would sell your soul for a few extra hours.
22. A sisal floor is surprisingly comfortable for napping.
23. You realize you have no business operating a motor vehicle.
24. You miss the good ol’ days of the recession.
25. You create entertaining lists like this so you can cope.
See you back in the states!
Tricia xo
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Volt
I had an incredible evening on Wednesday. I received a last minute invitation from
a favorite client to join her for dinner at VOLT in Frederick, Maryland. I always love
a good meal, but I was especially excited about this venue because the head chef
is Bryan Voltaggio of Top Chef fame. His dishes were so impressive during season 6
of Bravo’s acclaimed series that I couldn’t pass up the chance to sample them for myself.
To say that our dinner was delicious is the understatement of the century. Seated at
Table 21 (aka the chef’s table), we were presented and served a 21-course tasting menu,
5 bottles of wine and a front row view of the genius at work in the kitchen. By 11 o’clock
we were nearly delirious from four hours of absolute gastronomic indulgence. Thanks go
out to my client Donna, Chef Voltaggio and the fabulous staff at Volt. What a Wednesday!
Volt is located in the historic Houck mansion in the heart of historic Frederick.
The building was originally home to the Houck sisters – six daughters of the
wealthy, local financier Ezra Houck. The 8,000 SF structure was erected in
the early 1890’s by the architectural firm J. A. Dempwolf.
Views of the foyer’s hostess stand and adjacent bar.
Chef Voltaggio, Sous Chef Graeme Ritchie and Beverage Director Neil Dundee
oversee one of the evenings courses in the kitchen as Table 21 looks on.
L to R: Graeme Ritchie, Bryan Voltaggio and Neil Dundee
Bryan Voltaggio grew up in Frederick county and began cooking at an early age.
He studied at the Culinary Institute of American in New York and worked as Sous
Chef at Aureole in Manhattan and as Executive Chef at Charlie Palmer Steak DC.
Voltaggio opened Volt in 2008 with business partner Hilda Staples.
Some of the most memorable dishes of the evening …
celeriac macaroon | foie gras
yellowfin tuna tartare | cilantro, jasmine rice, soy “air”, yuzu, avocado
The fourth course and one of my favorite plates of the night.
chilled yellow corn soup | cucumber chive salad, coconut
cherry glen farm ravioli | maitake mushroom, goat cheese
My other favorite dish. The combination of flavors was incredible.
tuscarora farm beets | arugula, goat cheese, balsamic
I love beet salad and almost always order it when dining out.
Volt’s was delicious and beautiful
.
quartet of mignardises | white chocolate with sour cherry, almond macaroon with
chocolate and cardamom, madeleine, and raspberry pâte de fruits
So full at this point, I was near tears. My boyfriend looked at me in disbelief when
I nibbled each and every one of these desserts despite my distended tummy.
If your mouth is watering and you want to book a table at Volt – call now.
They are already taking reservations for 2011 … and save your appetite!
Bon appétit!
Tricia
– VOLT –
228 NORTH MARKET STREET
FREDERICK, MD 21701
(301) 696-8658
* several photos courtesy of Volt’s website and www.kevineats.com *
-
Heavens to Etsy
I’m not lacking for addictions – chocolate, shopping, horror movies, etc. But
why not add another hang-up to my repertoire. Etsy has been a Huntley & Co.
resource for a few years now, but lately I’ve become a little more obsessed. This
online bazaar is like ebay in that it’s an emporium for clothing, furniture and knick
knacks. The difference is that Etsy contributors are legitimate artists, craftsmen
and shopkeepers – not some creepy dude in New Jersey trying to sell his
collection of vintage Liberace records. So if you’re in the market for something
hip, funky, unique or exquisite, Etsy will have what you’re looking for … and
probably a few things you weren’t, but now can’t live without. Heaven!
Drawing on Panel
“SarahGiannobile”
If you want to start collecting art, Etsy should be your first stop.
Young, fresh talent in every medium imaginable.
Vampire Glass
“Whitewash Sundries”
Sipping cocktails from this glass would definitely incite mischief.
Twiggy Leather Boots
“mykashoes”
Fall is coming – time for some new chic but comfy
boots for running around town.
Love Coat
“ElfedUp”
… And some new sweaters. Laid back luxury at its best.
Vintage Ted Lapidus Sunglasses
“Vintage50sEyewear”
Glasses are a tricky thing to purchase online. But this glamorous pair may be worth the risk!
Vintage Malachite Brooch
“BayTreeGifts”
I’m going to buy this stunning brooch.
I love malachite especially against a backdrop of gold.
Handmade Walnut Table
“blackelm”
There are a bevy of talented furniture makers on Etsy. This one specializes in hand-
crafted solid wood furniture and is based in my hometown of Minneapolis.
Bubble Chandelier
“jeanpelle”
Simple, clever and a steal compared to similar bubble-style
pendant fixtures popular on the market right now.
.
Midcentury Espresso Set
“Abundancy”
I love warm metals – gold, brass, etc.
So how fabulous would this coffee set look in my kitchen?
Hanging Tillandsia Terrariums
“VivaFlora”
Terrariums are so cool. Hang them from the ceiling, add a spindly
plant and suddenly you have a living sculpture in your home.
LesSoeurs Vintage Cameo Earrings
“LaBoehemBijoux”
These earrings are gorgeous!!!
Vintage Lucite cabochons in a gold tone brass frame.
Vintage Red Faux Fur Hat
“june22”
I wish Americans still wore hats on a regular basis.
… and traveled with a sense of panache.
Vintage Crimson Skyway Luggage
“cheekyvintagecloset”
Large Leather Bin
“Gildem”
For those of us who love to organize with style. What a great tote for newspapers or kindling.
Custom Pet Portrait
“Mandawife”
I want to have my beloved Nina immortalized in a painting. But I would like it
to be slightly unconventional and I don’t want to spend a fortune. Amanda
Wolfe creates 8×10 gouaches based on a photo you supply for only $100.
Five Color Letterpress Card
“breadandbuttershop”
I love a good card. This one is graphic, witty and sentimental.
The perfect send-off for that special someone.
Signing off and checking out [my Etsy shopping cart].
Tricia xo
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Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep
I wish. It’s 1AM and going to bed soon just isn’t an option.
It's been a rollercoaster ride of a week and I'm simply exhausted. Nothing too new for me
really. I work a lot and by Friday all I want to do is crash. So while I dream of catching up on
my sleep this weekend, I might as well imagine myself in one of the blissful bedrooms below.
Sweet dreams!
A fresh, fun bedroom by Elizabeth Dinkel Designs. The curvilinear headboard and sexy
lamp with pink shade really pop against the green and blue traditional floral wallpaper.
A subtle, romantic southern bedroom by Phoebe Howard.
It’s no secret that I think Jeffrey Bilhuber is a true genius. He can do modern, traditional, urban,
country, understated or ornate. Regardless of the genre, he imbues all his interiors with inventive wit.
Sills Huniford rooms were always dramatic and original. Each space was a collection of
unique, curated pieces against a backdrop of unexpected color or one-of-a-kind finishes.
Case in point – this chartreuse lacquered bedroom in Bedford, NY.
Before I launched Huntley & Co., I worked for the über talented José Solìs and
Paul Sherrill at Solìs Betancourt. We always had a diverse range of projects, the
one above being a softer version of modern for a hip, young professional couple.
I adore Elizabeth Bailey's 2009 Hamptons Showhouse bedroom. It's that perfect kind of feminine.
Sophisticated, not cutesy. And the color palette is gorgeous; the wall paint, bedhangings, linens,
furniture and rug all play off of each other beautifully. But most of all, it's in a basement but you would
never know. The designer incorporated several designer tricks and created a soft, warm environment
that doesn't feel dark or oppressed. Nicely done Ms. Bailey! Photos c/o Habitually Chic.
I’ve always been a big fan of Kelly Wearstler’s over-the-top, confident designs. But lately they’ve
become a bit kooky. I miss Doheny Estate! However, I do think her beach house in Malibu is
absolutely brilliant. The sculptural furniture and geometric prints are totally Wearstler, but the
neutral palette – an atypical choice for the designer – gives the dynamic design room to breathe.
Steven Gambrel’s website is one of those I have been frequenting lately. His
rooms have a rich and dramatic authenticity about them. And I love this
bedroom with the desk at the end of the bed. It almost looks like a footboard.
There are bedrooms and then there are bedrooms. This sumptuous master bedroom and
guest room belong to Gela Nash-Taylor (Juicy Couture) and John Taylor (Duran Duran)
and can be found on their spectacular estate in Wiltshire, England. Photos c/o vogue.com.
If I could pick a bedroom to sleep in tonight, this would be it. Stylish and warm with just enough
color and a little bit of magic (pendant, mirror). West Hollywood’s EDDA is a new H&C bookmark.
Tricia … zzzzzzzzzzzz
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Summer Vacation
… mine has officially started.
I'm spending the week in my hometown of Minneapolis with family and friends.
There is no place I would rather be this time of year than the land of ten thousand lakes.
It's the perfect destination for the three essentials of a summer vacation – sun, fun and
relaxation. I lounge at my parents', soak in the sun, catch up with the girls and breathe.
Not much to it really, but it's always nice to have a plan – if a somewhat loose one – in place.
Below are some of the activities I've scheduled for my week in the beautiful "mini apple".
Lake Minnetonka
This vast and intricate chain of bays is a summer must for tourists and
natives alike. You can tie up at Big Island, stop for drinks at Lord Fletcher's
or simply cruise along while enjoying 100+ miles of beautiful shoreline.
A typical summer day at Lord Fletcher's.
Chez Huntley is on the north shore of Lake Minnetonka in Crystal Bay.
Pool Time
My sun-worshipping days are long gone. I haven't spent committed time
in the sun in nearly twenty years. But the rents have a pool with a view
of the lake. So really, I'm going to pass up a day of lounging poolside with
my ipod, a tall drink and a couple of fashion mags? Puhleeez!
I picked up two delicious magazines before my flight. Check out the August issues of
Elle and Vogue featuring Drew Barrymore and Gwyneth Paltrow respectively.
Great features and fall fashion previews!
Walker Art Center
I haven't been in years, so I plan to spend a day at this world-class museum and
adjacent sculpture garden with dinner after at Wolfgang Puck's restaurant 20*21.
Claes Oldenburg’s famous “Spoonbridge and Cherry” sculpture at the Walker.
The view from 20*21 includes Loring Park and the Basilica.
Neighborhood Driving Tour
Before I was an adult and a professional interior designer, I was a design voyeur.
As a teenager, I loved driving through Minneapolis and its western suburbs soaking
in the architecture and atmosphere of the neighborhoods. I haven't done that in years
and am looking forward to visiting some of my favorites haunts like Edina, Kenwood
and Linwood Hills. I see a blog post developing out of this.
Classics in Kenwood (above) and adjacent to Lake Harriet (below).
Lake Calhoun & Lake Harriet
During my high school years many a day, night and weekend were spent at these two
lakes. Smaller in size and in the heart of Minneapolis, they're great for all kinds of activities:
running, biking, canoeing, windsurfing. Plus, the Lake Harriet Bandshell features concerts
all summer long, so you can bring a date or the whole family for a picnic under the stars.
Windsurfers on Lake Calhoun.
Moored sailboats and the bandshell at Lake Harriet.
Weisman Art Museum
Designed by Frank Gehry and erected in 1993, this iconic steel structure on
the University of Minnesota campus is a precursor to the famous Guggenheim in
Bilbao, Spain. The only Gehry-designed museum in the United States, it is
currently undergoing a major expansion scheduled for completion in 2011.
Girls' Night
My Midwest "besties" and I don't get quality time together but once a year.
So when we do, we make it count. There's nothing better than hanging out,
sipping cocktails and laughing our a—s off for hours on end.
Five of “the nine” at our 20th reunion last summer at the Minneapolis W Hotel.
Hoping you all get the chance to get away, recharge and reconnect with the ones you love!
Tricia xo
-
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 recurring feature from Luxe & Lucid that highlights
great shopping in the US and beyond sourced by my most stylish friends and colleagues in-the-know.
District Design vol. 2
BARCELONA & MADRID
On the heels of its World Cup win over The Netherlands this past weekend, who better to
feature in District Design than Spain? You couldn't help falling in love with this country upon
viewing the spirit and excitement of its players and fans throughout the finals. Sarah, my oldest
friend from childhood – we started our education together in preschool – has had a lifelong love affair
with Europa Latina. She has lived there since college and married a Spaniard. She is probably more
Spanish than American at this point, but as someone who was raised in the U.S., she never loses her
enthusiasm for her adopted home. In Luxe & Lucid's second installment of District Design, Sarah
will share her favorite sources for fashion and home as a stylish ex-pat in the know. Viva España!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FURNISHINGS RESOURCE?
Two great, high-end resources for the home are ArteEspaña and Becara.
Both have retail locations in Madrid and Barcelona.
Table from ArteEspana and accessories from Becara.
WHAT WAS YOUR LAST STELLAR FIND?
Gold leaf mirrors for our dining room and a gold-flecked frame that instantly jazzed up a lackluster print.
Artwork at Hotel Pulitzer in Barcelona c/o La Dolce Vita.
IS THERE A PREFERRED LINEN SHOP IN MADRID?
Yes! The best buy for your money is at Sandra Marquez. It’s a Portuguese chain and
Portuguese textiles are lovely. You can find quality linens – for bath, bed, tabletop – at
great prices. Her sheets have lovely detailing like scalloped edges and hand-embroidery.
They’re soft, don’t need much ironing and last. What more can you ask for?!
HOW DO YOU WORK YOUR FASHION LOOK INTO YOUR HOME?
I like gold accessories and my living room has quite a few little gold accents.
Interior by Estefanía Carrero featured in Spanish AD Nov ’09.
Check out this mag. Every issue blows my mind!
WHAT FASHION DESTINATION CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
That would have to be Zara. They are completely in touch with the pulse of current fashion
and churn out new looks every two weeks, so their store is new every time you walk in. Zara is
known for taking hot looks off the street/runway and getting them into stores in record time. They
mix up their styles and feature limited edition dresses and outfits that are really gorgeous. You can
find your standard work uniform or weekend outfits in a snap. Everything is well-priced, and while it’s
only good for a season or two, it’s great to get up-to-date pieces without breaking the bank. Plus, it’s
one-stop shopping for women (including shoes), men and kids. A great resource for moms on-the-go.
Styles from the Zara Lookbook.
WHAT’S THE BEST KEPT SHOPPING SECRET IN SPAIN?
Boutiques like Hazel for shoes and Bimba & Lola for ready-to-wear clothes and accessories.
Perhaps best of all? Zara’s new upscale shop called Uterque. Check it out – it’s gorgeous!
Shoes from Hazel.
Spirited and coloful clothes and accessories from Bimba & Lola.
Handbags from Uterqüe.
* LUXE & LUCID PICKS FOR BARCELONA & MADRID *
Sarah and I are part of a group of longtime girlfriends in Minnesota (a.k.a. “the nine”).
Our friendships span 30+ years and we get together annually so that we stay on top of the
many changes we all go through and to keep our relationships au courant. We pick a new
spot each year, and with our fortieth birthdays looming on the horizon (yikes!), we’ve decided
to do it up with a trip to Spain. Sarah will, of course, provide us with many to-do’s and must-
sees for our little adventure. But in true Tricia-style, I’ve started compiling a list of Luxe &
Lucid worthy pit-stops. See some of my recent finds below. And feel free to send me your
own recommendations. I would love to hear from you!
HOTELS & RESTAURANTS
– The Hotel Pulitzer in Barcelona –
Designed by the incredibly talented Lázaro Rosa-Violán.
Patrons have included Joan Miró, Salman Rushdie and François Mitterand … must be good!
– Bar Marsella –
Some of my artistic heroes – Dalí, Hemingway, Gaudí and Picasso – used to frequent this
Barcelona bar. And they serve absinthe. A sexy, mysterious spirit I’ve been enjoying lately.
– The Hotel Ritz Madrid –
Dining on the Terrace with views across the garden of the Prado Museum.
MUSEUMS
- Museo del Prado –
Glorious garden, magnificent architecture and a stellar collection of works.
– The Museu Picasso, Barcelona –
The Wait (Margot), 1901.
- Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid –
Hombre con Pipa, 1925
Joan Miró
Guernica, 1937
Pablo Picasso's masterpiece
More to come as I troll blogs and poll my friends for the best resources España.
… and check out District Design vol. 1 from November 09.
Tricia xo