My temporary tenure at Elle Decor ended with the September issue. I had several fun things in it, IMO, including the What's Next pages, which featured, among other things, this insane inlaid cabinet by Ivan Paradisi. This is not yet online so check it out IRL or...
For centuries, gold beads have been an often used yet under celebrated element in jewelry design—the stylish yet quiet sibling to the bright sparkling stars of the sartorial show. A visionary at Van Cleef & Arpels recognized the innate power of this diminutive understudy over a century ago, pulled it out of the proverbial shadows and introduced luminous golden orbs of various sizes into the creation of legendary collections including Couscous, Bagatelle, Twist, and Alhambra. These were the wildly successful precursors to the creation, six years ago, of the Perlée (“bead”) an official range of jewelry designs where golden beads...
Few species have sustained centuries of intrigue quite like the snake. Across cultures, it represents fertility, wisdom, rebirth, danger, and temptation. Those last two qualities can be especially tantalizing when it comes to objects, enticing one to go out on a proverbial limb and indulge in something sparkly, new, and perhaps a bit out of reach. It would be impossible to review Bulgari Eden, the Garden of Wonders, and not feel the same way. The brand has been synonymous with serpentine designs for more than eight decades, and this, its latest high-jewelry and watch collection, boasts over 140 one-of-a-kind pieces that...
You may have heard about Shocking! The Surreal World of Elsa Schiaparelli now on view at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. All Schiaparelli all the time (ish). Two years in the making, the exhibit is spread over two floors and brilliantly designed by Nathalie Crinière, who also created magic with the Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition that debuted here five years ago and subsequently made its way to the Brooklyn Museum. Read the whole story here....
12 of the best new international hotels, chosen for their fantastic design or architecture or both. Most are in Europe, but not all. And trust me, a lot more are in the pipeline for the rest of the year. Read all about these beauties here....
I've always been surprised at the super-lame offerings at hotel shops, to the point where I really wanted to have a business creating great stores at high end hotels (didn't happen - more political than you think). While some hotels have definitely upped the ante, I think it's safe to say that most still sorta suck. But not all! I found a lot more than 30 cool things but 30 is what we posted - with offerings from properties ranging from El Cosmico in Marfa, TX (awesome store) to St. Regis and even the Fife Arms. I hadn't heard of...
Bringing the outside in is a common theme in interior design, but it’s usually in the context of a proper house, not an apartment in an upscale condominium building in New York City. But that’s how ELLE DECOR A-List designer Rodney Lawrence described his vision for the model apartment he designed in the Cortland, a new luxury development in West Chelsea. See all the photos and read the story here....
This is such a great house tour - an interior by Revamp Interior Design for a family who has two cats. Big cats. Solution? Velvet upholstery. No loops, no clawing. Who knew? There's more, of course. You can read it all here....
It's all about optimistic citrus shades. Shown here, new tabletop by Hermes....
Tiffany & Co just opened an epic exhibit at Saatchi Gallery in London, an overview of their over 100-year history in that city....