The Ideal

update

2011-12-05T21:46:00.004-05:00

It has been a hectic couple of months....

Elliot and I adopted an italian greyhound, Adler (I picked the name)...

I listed (and sold) my townhouse in under a month (CRAZY)

My parents are in the process of building their new home (their old one sold in 2 weeks)...

oh, and I accepted a new job at a small residential design firm, i'm super excited!

i'll start blogging again about Elliott and I redoing our place, the new build, and some of my project.

here is a sneak peak of our guest room:

tony & jeannie

2011-09-04T13:32:00.003-04:00

My brother and Jeannie got married!

It was a beautiful ceremony, on the water, surrounded by people they love.

Congratulations guys, I love you!

and the photo booth was tons of fun!

steven sclaroff

2011-08-05T10:09:00.003-04:00

...

charley, todd, fishs

2011-08-02T18:20:00.002-04:00

...

2011-07-01T18:40:00.000-04:00

nexus swivel chair

2011-06-25T16:53:00.002-04:00

This piece is perfect for a room that needs extra seating,

more texture, and an added whimsy.

The seat is made from wood, and its bucket-style design will

make it the most comfortable chair in the house

...

LOURDES SANCHEZ for west elm

2011-06-05T08:47:00.002-04:00

Pillows inspired by creatures of the sea + bold graphic framed wall

art by the Brooklyn-based artist and designer.

available at West Elm.

...

Kate Spade... take two

2011-05-15T16:14:00.004-04:00

In honor of my mothers birthday [she LOVES Kate Spade],

I thought I would post part II of her NYC apartment.

[part I here]...

Happy Birthday, Mom!

...

WARBY PARKER

2011-05-09T21:44:00.003-04:00

have you been looking for vintage inspired eyewear? better question...

have you been looking for affordable vintage inspired eyewear?

if you said yes, then i may have found the place for you... Warby Parker.

Its this great little eyewear company based out of New York City.

So now that you've found your dream glasses how do you get them?

Live in Ohio? Its pretty unlikely that you'll fly to New York to pick them up.

The nice thing about Warby Parker is their home try-on program. for $95 you select your 5 favorite frames.

They will then send you your chosen 5 to try on at home, you pick your favorite,

send all five back and they will then fill your prescription and send it back to you.

all for just $95! and for every pair you purchase they will donate a pair to a person in need.

Pretty awesome concept if you ask me.

AVAILABLE HERE.

2011-05-05T23:18:00.001-04:00

sydney home

2011-05-03T23:36:00.002-04:00

Sarah Cottier [gallerist], Ashley Barber [photographer & gallery director]

and their daughter Ruby at

their Sydney home

...

el country de-la club-ius

2011-04-30T14:56:00.001-04:00

earth day

2011-04-23T13:46:00.004-04:00

happy earth day!

(a day late)

Stirring up a bloom off Patagonia

"The most interesting art often arises from the convergence of different ideas and influences.

And so it is with nature sometimes.

Off the coast of Argentina, two strong ocean currents

recently stirred up a colorful brew of floating

nutrients and microscopic plant life."

photo courtesy of nasa

2011-04-18T21:57:00.000-04:00

take ivy

2011-04-17T19:20:00.003-04:00

Jack Spade and K-Swiss have partnered up to create a limited edition

sweatshirt and book belt to accompany the US release of Take Ivy.

The heavy gauge crewneck sweatshirt has orange silk screened elbow patches and is cinched

with the book by a custom bridle leather book strap made in NYC.

...

malin+goetz

2011-04-11T21:14:00.002-04:00

Kinderhook, NY

Matthew Malin and Andrew Goets, partners in life

and in Malin+Goetz (LOVE the rum body wash),

show off their home.

...

shingle

2011-04-10T18:53:00.000-04:00

2011-03-27T21:22:00.000-04:00

2011-03-26T20:19:00.000-04:00

Steve McQueen

2011-03-24T21:11:00.003-04:00

Happy Birthday, Steve McQueen

I wore my Steve McQueen Persols all day,

I was lucky enough to pick up a pair before they sold out worldwide.

If you can find a pair, buy them!

antoine de saint-exupéry

2011-03-15T18:57:00.002-04:00

perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add,

but when there is nothing left to take away

juxtaposition

2011-03-14T20:00:00.002-04:00

ten broeck cottage

columbia county, ny

gallery

2011-03-10T20:42:00.003-05:00

Restoration Hardware

Gallery

San Francisco Design District

188 henry adams

...

nook

2011-03-07T20:29:00.000-05:00

the building that made me become a designer....

2011-03-04T00:50:00.004-05:00

It started my obsession...

I was lucky enough to stay at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel back when it opened (in 1997). I spent a few years as a teenager living in Kuwait with my family. being abroad, I was exposed to some amazing design and architecture. Living there made me who I am today, I have a different outlook on things (design wise and life/morals wise) and I want different things for myself than most people my age (i'm 24 in case you were wondering).

I always knew that I wanted to be a designer in some aspect. whether is was an architect, landscape architect, or what I ultimately choose, interior design.

I am excited to see where my future takes me... and I hope to design some amazing spaces.

Now back to the hotel. Isn't it beautiful?

I feel that its it far to often overlooked.

I love the fluidity of if... a crashing wave into the arabian gulf.

I hope to visit it again

...

Kuwait

2011-02-26T10:45:00.000-05:00

Happy Liberation Day, Kuwait!

my second home. I miss it sometimes.

mirror

2011-02-24T20:39:00.000-05:00

texture

2011-02-20T19:41:00.000-05:00

barry dining

2011-02-17T22:20:00.001-05:00

the "ideal" home

2011-02-13T22:07:00.003-05:00

glenn o'brien (creative director)

gina nanni's (public relations executive)

and their connecticut home

...

signature

2011-02-10T22:13:00.002-05:00

l.l. bean signature

...

flip clock

2011-02-08T21:09:00.000-05:00

time talks english clock

this quirky clock uses words to tell the time, instead of numbers

...

the spade residence

2011-02-06T11:16:00.002-05:00

kate and andy spade's apartment

new york, ny

love the wallpaper in the bedroom, and her glasses (i like good glasses)

...

arrive in style

2011-02-05T16:28:00.003-05:00

mike monteiro

2011-02-02T22:14:00.005-05:00

graphic. bold. to the point

and i love the brush strokes

marsmobil

2011-02-01T21:04:00.001-05:00

magnetizing

i caved

2011-01-31T22:34:00.004-05:00

i just bought my first Christian Chaize print!

i've been admiring him for years

20x200 was having a sale and i couldn't resist

bloom residence

2011-01-30T18:34:00.002-05:00

loft-style kitchen

mill valley, california

...

anna-wili highfield

2011-01-29T21:23:00.002-05:00

the owl is my favorite animal

i find them to be graceful and poetic

when i came across these fantastic paper sculptures i immediately fell in love

i love that something so complicated can be made out of paper

...

one and only

2011-01-28T15:19:00.001-05:00

i'll take one of everything, please

2011-01-27T14:06:00.000-05:00

Steven Allan

mens

spring 2011

...

sharkey

2011-01-26T16:37:00.003-05:00

Kevin Sharkey's apartment

New York City

...

tom ford spring summer 2011

2011-01-25T19:33:00.003-05:00

tom ford

spring/summer 2011

...

fail by default

2011-01-24T21:09:00.000-05:00

gatewood house

2011-01-23T14:59:00.001-05:00

...

w. platner

2011-01-22T15:46:00.001-05:00

The newest addition to my collection

Warren Platner side table

welcome back

2011-01-20T18:07:00.000-05:00

it's that time of year again

relentlessly craving

2011-01-16T10:34:00.001-05:00

sls amg

2011-01-15T01:00:00.001-05:00

2011 Mercedes Benz SLS AMG

...

french navy

2011-01-14T18:14:00.001-05:00

we do!

2011-01-11T14:35:00.004-05:00

However you say "i do" fishs eddy does too!

anti china cabinet

2011-01-09T15:08:00.004-05:00

I am anti china cabinet.

I don't like them and I tend to find them too formal.

My ideal home would have a butlers pantry

So until I find the "one" or move (not happening soon) I thought I would display my Russel Wright china on an Ikea Stockholm bookshelf.

staircase

2011-01-07T11:14:00.001-05:00

london apartment

...

i die

2011-01-05T15:58:00.000-05:00

Rachel Zoe's Hollywood Home

...

emerson

2011-01-04T21:50:00.000-05:00

filicia

2011-01-03T07:52:00.000-05:00

upper east side residence

ask yourself

2011-01-02T18:56:00.000-05:00

2011

2010-12-31T15:04:00.003-05:00

Wishing You a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

miles end delicatessen

2010-12-29T00:00:00.001-05:00

Brooklyn, New York

97a hoyt street

christmas playlist

2010-12-24T10:40:00.003-05:00

I don't start listening to Christmas music until a week before (I do not want to ruin it).

Here is my playlist.

New additions this year are two remixes by Kaskade.

here are links to free downloads of each. I recommend Mistletoe and Holly if you had to choose one.

Mistletoe and Holly

White Christmas

winter

2010-12-21T22:35:00.002-05:00

Happy First Day of Winter!

christian chaize

2010-12-18T18:52:00.002-05:00

I've admired these photos for years and have finally found the photographer!

Christian Chaize, a self-taught French artist, lives and works in Lyon, France. For the past 20 years he has had a successful career in commercial photography.

The photos are of a small stretch of coastline in southern Portugal.

He became obsessed with it while vacationing there in 2004... (lucky for me)

I would love one above my bed in a high-gloss white frame

ranunculus

2010-12-17T18:10:00.001-05:00

don't you just love the holidays...

2010-12-16T21:38:00.002-05:00

I'd like everything from this ad.

the jeep. the wardrobe. the plaid.

standard

2010-12-12T13:26:00.001-05:00

oscar wilde

2010-12-11T09:48:00.004-05:00

louis vuitton

2010-12-10T09:00:00.001-05:00

Sofia Coppola

for Louis Vuitton

...

don't

2010-12-07T15:53:00.002-05:00

summer please come back

2010-12-04T18:06:00.000-05:00

Watching the Sofia Coppola movie trailer (post below) made these images pop into mind.

The scene where they are underwater reminded me of last summer.

My brother bought an under-water camera and we had some fun.

I like the quality and lighting of the images

I know the snow just started... but it doesn't hurt to wish.

photos (top to bottom): my cousin, my brother, and me

sofia coppola

2010-12-02T23:16:00.005-05:00

Sofia Coppola is my favorite director, so it should come as no surprise that I cant wait to see this film

I love her aesthetic.... The smoky, dreamy, vintage feel

The Virgin Suicides and Maria Antoinette were amazing in all aspects... Set design, film quality, Sound track. (music makes the film in my opinion)

I have high expectation and I am sure I wont be disappointed

My First Tree

2010-11-30T21:47:00.006-05:00

This is my first Christmas tree (while living on my own).

I'm a sucker for vintage and homemade ornaments.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

my desk

2010-11-28T11:02:00.002-05:00

i think its important to surround yourself with things you love.

currently this is my desk (its always changing)

Thomas O'brien alabaster lamp (LOVE TOB)

handmade pottery by my brother

and a White orchid

Mr Ford returns

2010-11-26T21:12:00.000-05:00

Tom Ford

Spring 2011

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T14:29:00.003-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

saw this in the Nordstrom window and thought it summed things up

enjoy time with family, friends and turkey!

ella

2010-11-23T17:04:00.003-05:00

ELLA DINING ROOM

sacramento ca.

...

feels like home

2010-11-22T16:49:00.000-05:00

a true delight for the connoisseur

2010-11-21T13:21:00.002-05:00

love this vignette

2010-11-20T00:07:00.000-05:00

from my phone

2010-11-14T22:24:00.002-05:00

LOVE the hipstamatic app on my Iphone

below are a few photos I've taken using the app.

my dog Butters... a cherry tree in my back yard... and cupcakes on my birthday.

We are all workers

2010-11-13T20:44:00.000-05:00

for the upcoming holidays

2010-11-12T09:54:00.000-05:00

2010-11-10T23:36:00.001-05:00

2010-11-08T16:27:00.001-05:00

beautiful

2010-11-07T21:00:00.001-05:00

stocking stuffer

2010-11-06T13:38:00.003-04:00

Need a stocking stuffer or a hostess gift?

I think this is a nice option

I love the packaging, dark apothecary looking containers and the labels.

They are available Z Gallerie

Miss Dior Cherie

2010-11-03T22:37:00.001-04:00

Roland

2010-11-02T22:07:00.001-04:00

Roland Bello's NYC home

...

backsplash

2010-11-01T21:20:00.000-04:00

your advice

2010-10-31T15:44:00.007-04:00

I found the dining room table I want... well, I've wanted this table for a good 5 years (I just finally told myself yes)

I have a few options and I need your opinions.

I love the Eero Saarinen tulip table in Carrera marble (if you don't we cant be friends)

my options are (and this is where you come in)

1. Splurge and buy the original piece

2. Buy a "tulip inspired" base and get a remnant piece of marble from a fabricator

3. Buy a "inspired" base and get a custom english ash top made.

These are the chairs i bought

An idea of the room:

the table and chairs will be on a sisal are rug which is on black hardwood floors. I already have a George Nelson cigar bubble lamp (which could be changed)... The wall color is Blue Sage from Restoration Hardware.

What do you think?

crisp

2010-10-30T12:20:00.000-04:00

Love the wrap around floating bookshelves

2010-10-28T20:44:00.000-04:00

Its true

2010-10-26T13:29:00.000-04:00

dining chair

2010-10-25T19:02:00.000-04:00

I bought dining room chairs!

I have been looking for the perfect chair for quite some time. I LOVE the wishbone chair but at over $800 a piece they are a tad bit out of my price range.

I am happy to say that I found a wishbone "inspired" piece that I fell in love with.

One day I will have the real ones, but for now these are fantastic!

Now I need to find a table.

2010-10-24T20:06:00.000-04:00

"I believe that everything happens for a reason.

People change so that you can learn to let go.

Things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right.

You believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself.

And sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together"

2010-10-23T10:05:00.002-04:00

2010-10-21T21:30:00.002-04:00

Georgia May Jagger for hedi slimane

2010-10-20T21:03:00.002-04:00

herringbone

2010-10-17T22:38:00.003-04:00

Cool fall days like this past week make me wish I had a fireplace.

There is nothing like staying home on a saturday, cooking a nice dinner, watching a movie and having a fire going.

living in a townhouse I dont have this option.... one day however

And it will have a herringbone firebox

...

I must own this

2010-10-16T13:20:00.001-04:00

I have a thing for owls (good owls, not cheesy owls).

I saw this lamp on west elm's site and immediately fell in love.

its only $99, shade included.

good deal!

...

2010-10-15T19:47:00.001-04:00

"Don’t ask what the world needs.
Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it.
Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
-HOWARD THURMAN