Friday Finds: Saltbox and Annechovie

 
Saltbox - Currently on sale at One Kings Lane, .these good looking travel bags have always caught my eye any time they are featured. Nowadays, when airlines are charging for checked bags, it makes sense to learn to travel light, and of course, in style.

Based in Manhattan, Saltbox brings canvas to new heights through thoughtful design. Stain- and water-resistant, each breaks in like a favorite pair of jeans, softening and conforming to its contents. Key features like extra snaps, innovative pockets and convertible straps give each piece shape, individuality and versatility.

Some styles are currently gone, but there are still quite a few styles left. As always, these sales go quickly (this one ends 1/31), so don’t dawdle.

Annechovie - Every time I see Anne Harwell’s work, I remember how much I like her drawings. It isn’t just me who likes her work, she has a multitude of fans, and her work is featured on the set of the new Nancy Meyers film, It’s Complicated.

From boxed notecards:  
To chair prints:

 

To one of my favorite quote prints:

Hotel Missoni: Where Food and Fashion Meet

Hotel Missoni - Edinburgh

In 2009, the Missoni family combined food, fashion and interior design by opening Hotel Missoni. The first hotel opened in Edinburgh; Kuwait is planned for spring 2010. 

The Edinburgh hotel has a color palette of mostly blacks, whites and silvers; the Kuwait property features the colorful hues associated with the Missoni brand. Rosita Missoni has filled the hotel with an assortment of mid-century furniture, by the likes of Arne Jacobsen, Marcel Wanders and Hans Wegner.

                                          Hotel exterior

Rosita Missoni. Notice the Missoni kilts on the waiters.

 Huge vases in the hotel lobby of the hotel feature graphic patterns.
 I love this bar and lounge!!

  Bedrooms in the Edinburgh hotel are neutral, with pops of color. 

Then we move to images of the Hotel Missoni – Kuwait. Notice the change in color-ways.

 

  Hans Wegner’s Wishbone chair in the Cucina Missoni Restaurant

 Missoni "Margherita" Dinnerware

True to their Italian heritage, the Cucina Missoni Restaurant features traditional Missoni family favorites, that Rosita updated with Michelin-starred chef Giorgio Locatelli. I can’t wait to try spaghetti tossed with fresh tomatoes, basil, olives and capers, or any of the other ones. My Note: Don’t shy away from anchovies, once they cook, they melt down and add a subtle, salty flavor. We keep a tube of anchovy paste in the refrigerator for easy access. My favorite recipe (I had it years ago at N9NE Steakhouse in Chicago) is a side of spinach, sautéed in olive oil, with anchovy paste, pine nuts and a splash of lemon. So satisfying!

Spaghetti with Tomato & Capers
from Food & Wine

Ingredients

1. 3/4 pound spaghetti
2. 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3. 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
4. 1/2 cup black olives, chopped
5. 4 anchovy fillets, chopped
6. 1 tablespoon small capers
7. Salt and freshly ground pepper
8. 1/4 cup chopped basil

Directions

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente; drain, reserving 1/3 cup of the cooking water.
2. Meanwhile, in a large, deep skillet, heat the oil. Add the tomatoes, olives, anchovies and capers and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until just hot, about 3 minutes.
3. Add the pasta to the skillet along with the reserved cooking water and toss. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a large bowl. Sprinkle with the basil and serve.

Also on the menu: pan-fried scamorza (a provolone-like cheese) served with two pestos, and grilled eggplant involtini (rolls) topped with goat cheese vinaigrette.

Images courtesy of Hotel Missoni

Etsy Finds: Help for Haiti

Pictures of Haiti: Wilson, 8x10 

After news of the devastating earthquake, many Etsy sellers began to offer portions of their sales to help victims of this terrible disaster. Today on Etsy Finds, they presented items from various shops and sellers, who are helping to contribute to relief funds. Check back on Etsy regularly to find more items supporting aid to Haiti.

Here are my favorites:

 Vintage Minimalist Pendant - Hearts for Haiti

 Animal Alphabet Poster - CraftHope for Haiti

 Set of 10 brown (or hot pink) initial monogram notecards

 
Vintage Pink Floral pillow cover

Berlin, Germany - Red Umbrella in the Jewish memorial - Original Signed Fine Art Photography Print 5x7.5

 Paris, France - Wallace Fountains, The Child with the Umbrella - Original Signed Fine Art Photography Print 5x7.5

Small Space Solutions: Corner Bookshelves

I was drawn to the color combinations, as well as the use of limited space in this apartment. We have some awkward walls in our house, and I like the idea maximizing whatever space we have. In addition, I am trying to decide on a new color for my husband's office, and charcoal gray is on the short list of paint trends for 2010, and his office is a small space.

Architect Jeffery Povero maximized space in his 860-square-foot New York apartment with architectural custom shelving, which provides neatly efficient storage. He also used opposing paint colors to make the space seem larger: Benjamin Moore’s Iron Mountain (on walls) and white (in recesses) help the dark color dematerialize at the edges. Bedspread from ABC Carpet and Home.

Photo by Peter Murdock, Metropolitan Home, March 2008.

Friday Find: Alanna Cavanagh

Brooks Brother Suit (Green) 2009, 26" X 39"

While catching up on my reading, I happened to see a blurb about the Hollace Cluny showroom in Toronto, and how artist Alanna Cavanagh transformed their showroom with a giant mural, based on her “Squiggle” drawings. Hollace Cluny is a respected destination for modern design and decorative arts, carrying such lines as Knoll, Carl Hansen and Georg Jensen.

Alanna was kind enough to send me some images of the showroom. The modern furniture plays nicely off the fanciful mural. 

The original drawing the mural is based on.

The exterior of the shop, located at 1070 Yonge St.

I am enamored with Alanna’s silkscreen prints. Here she is shown above, tea-staining her vintage book prints. One of my favorite prints, the dapper Brooks Brother Suit (Green) 2009, is shown at the top of the post. Imagine that in a library or in a man’s dressing room.

 Big Orange Scissors, 29.5" X 41" would be such a graphic piece for your living room. As we discussed in our series All About Art, original art comes in a myriad of styles and price points, and adds such a unique quality to your rooms.

 A Room of One's Own, 25" X 35" Unframed. Stained with Coffee and Tea.

Small Space Decorating Mistakes

Osborne & Little. Wallpaper: SUMMER PALACE IN BLUE

If you have learned anything about me from reading my blog, you know that I am slightly obsessive about compiling information. It was my overflowing stacks of tear sheets (of images and articles) that really propelled me into blogging. I hope that you, like me, love to get tips from experts.

I used to save links to articles I liked, but as shelter magazines have folded, the links became worthless. In many cases, I threw away the original articles, thinking I would have online resources. ARGH!!

So, God forbid anything happens to House Beautiful (if times get desperate, I will go door to door to sell subscriptions)!!

In the meantime, I am sharing some favorites from What's the Biggest Mistake People Make with a Small Space?, but saving a full version just for me!

"Playing it safe. Instead, put a large-scale printed fabric or wallpaper on the walls and even the ceiling. It's easier, safer, and less expensive to be dramatic in a small space. You might get tired of a bold print in the main living area, but it can make a smaller, less-used room an exciting space to spend time." —VICTORIA NEALE

"Cramming the space with too much stuff. A large piece of furniture can actually make the space feel larger, as long as it's selected carefully. For instance, if you have the benefit of high ceilings, a tall cabinet appropriately placed has the effect of drawing one's eye upward and away from the small footprint of the room. Just make sure every piece counts and holds its place and lets your eye rest." —LAURA KIRAR

"Often, a small space is a missed opportunity. Turn it into a jewel box. For instance, I turned a small room in my apartment into a luxurious retreat. I upholstered the walls in a soft chalk-striped brown wool flannel, coffered the ceiling applying custom-designed 'faux bois' wall covering in the coffers, laid a plush red carpet, installed a flat-screen TV on a flexible mount, hung an oversize faux-tortoise-frame mirror to create more dimension, and, finally, designed a custom-made sectional sofa to optimize the space. Now it's a cozy space my whole family uses." —PHILIP GORRIVAN

"White walls. Paint the room a dark charcoal gray or Ralph Lauren's Black Truffles, one of my favorites. This will actually really open up the space." —PAUL MATHIEU

What great ideas to make the most of whatever space you have!

Two Great Giveaways

Ragland Hill Social is doing A Week in White, full of inspirational pictures. In addition, she is giving away a set of beautiful monogrammed terrycloth hand towels from Leontine Linens!
  
Starfish and Sundresses is giving away a pair of these fun Amrita Singh Hampton Collection earrings. Check out the various outfits she put together using these earrings. Makes me want to go on vacation!

What's Your Domicile Style?

I like to take design quizzes, (even though they tend tell me what I already know). However, I enjoy the questions, and finding where my answers fall on the scale.

What's Your Domicile Style looked fun (and yes, I liked that is plays off the name of my blog). My style is that I am in a transitional stage. I definitely agree with that conclusion. There is so much that unknown in our lives, and we know that this is not the house we want to live in long term.




I also liked the poll using the images above. I fall into Contemporary Comfort, as do most of the Style at Home readers.

So I am curious, what category best describes your style? And what style shown above appeals to you most?

images: Style at Home

Painted Rooms Redux

What a week it has been personally! Of course, it is insignificant compared to the tragedy in Haiti; the people of that country are in my prayers. If you want to help, here is a list of relief agencies.

My work schedule lately has been almost 5 days a week. Yikes! Luckily, week after next, I scale back to a manageable 3 days a week. Blogging is a part-time job itself, so here I go and add another part-time job, on top of everything else I do. I have had more than one friend worry that they had offended me, due to my lack of response lately! Sorry!!

Today, my sister and niece come to visit, which means this will be a quick visit online today. In preparation for their arrival we have had: the electrician out to move an outlet (now I can put the bookshelves back up) and switch some fixtures, the home theater installers have mounted our speakers on the wall and gotten all the cords put away, we have sold three traditional bookcases to friends; the dogs are going to the groomers and if I have time, the car will get detailed.

So I am going to visit my archives, to share with you some fabulous images using color! I made a little slide-show, using my favorite pictures from Domino. It is gray outside today in North Texas, rain is in the forecast, so I am craving color!

It’s a Small Blog World: My Domicile Style

Gwen Driscoll from Ragland Hill Social has been doing a series on her favorite blogs, with questions to help to get to know the blogger a little more. I was so honored that she wanted to do a post on My Domicile Style. I hope you enjoy the interview and that it gives you more insight into me and the reasons why I blogl

In addition, make note to come back and visit Gwen next week, as she looks at The Week in White.

Fresh Look at Fabrics: Vintage Hand Towels

Since we are starting a new year, it is time to rejoin our guest posters as they give us great advice on landscaping, design and more. Kellie Cashon, from Cashon & Co., is back with us this month to share her excellent taste and creative ideas on how to create our own style.

Kellie is going to share with us her Fresh Take on Fabric, what to collect and how to display your treasures.

MDS: Happy New Year! Thanks for joining us to talk about taking a Fresh Look at Fabrics. You have such a knack for finding vintage pieces, and using them personally, as well as in your client’s homes.

KC: I love using vintage linens for all sorts of projects. I happen to collect old vintage hand towels and napkins, not only because I like the look and the oldness of them, but also because sometimes they are much cheaper than new linens. Antique Malls are a great place to purchase these, as is eBay.

Back in the 1920's, they did a lot of monogramming by hand, and I think that makes such a difference. They also used high-quality cotton and linen fabrics, damasks, huck fabric, cut-work, embroidery, and cross-stitching. What's not to love about that?

MDS: I love your idea for layering hand towels, it makes perfect sense.

KC: When I hang my hand towels, I always double up - meaning, I hang a really long one first, then a sweet delicate towel (fingertip towel) on top of it. People end up using the long one to dry their hands with, and the smaller one keeps a fresh one still on display. Layering!

40" long, circa 1900 Italian damask linen
Antiquelinen.com

48" long, circa 1890
Antiquelinen.com

MDS: I adore monogrammed items, and I can tell you do too. However, when buying vintage linens, what is your rule for buying monogrammed pieces.

KC: Hand towels come in many designs. Of course there is monogramming, which comes in every color, letter combination and style. Personally, I use vintage linens with other monograms on it all the time. I don't feel like I HAVE to have my initials, if it's a pretty design on a gorgeous fabric with a good hand, I'll use it! But if you can find something with your initial on it, that's a bonus. And if you look long enough, you will. There's lots of options out there, just Google it.

Turn of the century
Fleur d’Andeol

Turn of the century
Fleur d’Andeol

Mid 1940-1950's
Fleur d’Andeol

For this homeowner (shown below), I bought two curtain rods from Restoration Hardware, that were a beautiful soft brass with big crystal finials (to match the crystal Waterworks handles on the sink faucet). I hung them one atop the other, and layered many vintage hand towels on them, in all sorts of lengths and styles. It was not something she already had, I went out and bought all these gorgeous linens, with just two trips to the local antique mall. It now fills this big wall as an alternative to a traditional piece of art, AND it is also useful. You don't have to have the round towel bar next to the sink, you can use hooks, rods, baskets, anything!

For my own home, I use monogrammed napkins to make a pretty table setting. These are big 24" square dinner napkins, and are from circa 1920. They have a gorgeous triple monogram in a modern style, and the cotton has been laundered so many times that it is unbelievable soft. I wanted the monogram to show, which happened to be in the very middle of the napkin. So instead of using a ring or folding them in a rectangle, I tied a ribbon around it and left the monogram visible on the bottom. I improvised, and figured out a way to make it work.


MDS: After inheriting a lot of vintage, I am a fan of how fun it is to incorporate vintage pieces into your everyday. Plus, it is such a shame that so much nowadays is “throw-away”.

KC: There are lots of sweet, sometimes quirky, designs that were cross-stitched and needle pointed years ago. You might find some that your grandmother had, or even passed down to you, as they were really popular in the 1940's-1960's, but I think they can add a lot of charm to a bathroom or table or kitchen now as well. Many people don't take up needlework anymore, so you don't see a lot of hand-made things anymore, and I think it is a craft that we should appreciate and bring back.

These above examples are called an Over Towel, which were popular and still are in Germany and Holland. Often you will see Dutch motifs or words on these towels.Over Towels were not actually used, they were purely decorative. The top part folds over the rod, and is always decorated too. This also allows you to use these as mini-curtains, with a built in valance. Some already have a pocket in the back, ready for a rod, to make it a quick and simple installation.

The top one, which is hand embroidered with pansies and a cross-stitch design at the hem, is from Touch of Europe. The second one shows a typical Dutch scene, also from Touch of Europe.

Ruby Lane
$14 for the pair!

Speaking of recycling towels into something useful, such as this over-towel into a curtain, you can also use vintage linens for pillows. Here is an example of what I did with a vintage luncheon napkin for a client. I bought a plain napkin, with a simple damask pattern, for under $20. I gave it to a monogrammer, and had a cotton monogram in the homeowners initials monogrammed on it. I purchased fabric for the back of the linen, as well as a coordinating fabric for the back of the pillow. I purchased two trims: both gold, both with an antique look. The monogrammer assembled and sewed the pillow together, and I think it gives a real nice touch to their family room.

Cashon & Co.

Here is an example of another way you can use towels for pillows. It's easy enough to do yourself, as you can sew buttons or ribbons for the opening, and the design is already done for you if you buy one that is embroidered or cross-stitched.

Towel made into pillow
Beyond France