I wanted to thank Jennifer Epstein, an owner of one of Bostons’ hottest eateries – The Beehive – for hosting my women’s business group The Downtown Women’s Club tonight. Over 35 savvy business woman were treated to amazing appetizers and a fabulous atmosphere. It may have been cold and rainy out, but it was cozy … Read more
Alchemy cocktail table by Allan Copley The circle motif has been a staple of the design world since there was, in fact, a design world. I wouldn’t be surprised to find that cave dwellers drew circles on their walls. Circles are interesting to look at – geometric, yet soft. They can also be imbued with … Read more
I’d like to welcome new ::Surroundings:: sponsor Invighting Lighting! Among their many offerings are these spectacular chandeliers. The one above is the same as those that hang in the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. I was there only one, in the 7th grade to attend La Boheme and seeing these works of art rise … Read more
How cute are these Kravet fabrics – both called Lady Day? I just ran across them and am so enamored I wanted to share. Kravet fabrics are available to the trade.
This month’s Architectural Digest has a fascinating piece about the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s newly renovated Wrightsman Galleries. The piece focuses on their recreation of an embroidered fabric – embroidery by Marie Antoinette herself – that once graced a suite of furniture by Jean-Baptiste-Claude Sené for use by the Queen at the Chateau de Saint-Cloud, … Read more
photo by Rinne Allen Hable Construction has teamed up with Bella-Dura to create a line of vibrant, fashionable, and eco-savvy fabrics suitable for in-doors and out-. Bella-Dura is a by-product of post-industrial waste comprised of synthetic fibers with amazing performance qualities that require no additional chemical treatments. Starring qualities of the fabrics include anti-microbial properties, … Read more
Every wonder how to estimate yardage needs for a large scale pattern on fabric? I wrote a detailed post on this very subject over on The Upholstery Blog. Check it out here!
How To Save Energy At Home: A Quick Guide How To Host A Green Event
Miniature Chairs Set Dimitra & Bill of Up To You in Toronto sent word of these cute – and tiny – reproductions that they are carrying. There ar four different designer sets (9 chairs in each set,). Designers represented include: Eames, Mackintosh, Mies van der Rohe, Prouve, etc. Each set of nine chairs is $95 … Read more
The folks at NBC Uni and Bravo have finally released a little more information on the upcoming season 2 of Top Design. In January, they announced that the show had new producers – Magical Elves – who produce Project Runway and Top Chef. That was a good sign. Season 1 had many, many problems. One … Read more
By far, my most popular blog posts have been my “Get that Look” series where I have profiled beautiful movie interiors and how to break them down and get the look in your own home.While I still intend to do these posts over here on ::Surroundings::, I have created a new home ::Silver Screen Surroundings:: … Read more
Modernemama has received her prize from my recent contest and was kind enough to send me some images and do a post over on her blog. Glad you like it Modernemama!
California based Kaaya is a home décor and textiles firm, created by Vinitha Watson, that specializes in high-quality hand crafted materials for the home using only natural fibers and sustainable methods of production. How pretty are these pillows. The embroidery and crewel work is such a classic touch! Almost all the items in the collection … Read more
How pretty is the Schloss Velden Hotel in Austria! The architecture – a combination of ancient and modern – and those views! Spectacular! These photos are from the Architectural Digest story THE VENERABLE CASTLE ON LAKE WÖRTH UPENDS TRADITION WITH A MODERN ADDITION Architecture by Jabornegg & Pálffy/Interior Design by Peter Silling of Hotel Interior … Read more
Are you a cooking designer? Or a designer who can cook? Kravet and Traditional Home Magazine have teamed up for this kind of kooky, yet fun, sounding event. They are seeking two designers to square off in a cook-off! Submit your favorite recipe to any Kravet Showroom or email to designersdish (at) meredith.com. Click on … Read more
The May 2008 House Beautiful featured this lovely bedroom with a really striking tufted and be-ribboned headboard. Upholstered headboards are hot, hot, hot right now; we’re seeing them everywhere. Undoubtedly, the one featured in this photo is a custom piece. A custom built headboard with tufting and detailing such as this might range from $1,500 … Read more