The influence of “Remembrances of Things Past” is apparent. Just as the simplicity of Proust’s madeleines recalled wholly personal memories, the combinations of disparate images evoke highly personal reactions.

When Tristan saw “Jacques Fath”, she was immediately drawn to elements like the sparkles over the skyline, the balletic figure in the foreground, and the swath of blue of the lake, evoking a wintry night in Central Park. To Tristan, the painting also conveyed the spirit of Fath’s work on the ballet film “The Red Shoes”, one of her favorites. Elizabeth thought she recognized a little influence of Marc Chagall.

For us, “Antique World” is a treasure hunt. Elizabeth had a preview of the pictures yesterday morning, and this one immediately struck her for its monumentality. The grotesque figures reminded her of the happy times she spent in Rome visiting Raphael’s Villa Madama.

“Country Day School” is a remarkably rich celebration of youth. The wood paneled station wagon, the daffodil bed in front of the house, and the horses jumping, are for us motifs of an idyllic childhood.

This is just a sampling of Dora’s work, which will be available for sale this coming week. The opening reception on July 6th from 5 to 8pm will give us a jump start to the weekend. We can’t wait!

1. Refrigerator, Smeg;  2. Jet Set Coasters, Jonathan Adler;
3. Cat Salt and Pepper Shakers, Jonathan Adler;  4. Rutbo Pendant Light, Ikea;
5. Eames Chair by Herman Miller, Room & Board;  6. Lacquer Hexagon Tray, Jonathan Adler;
7. Fornasetti Decorative Plate #39, Barneys;  8. Atomic Ice Bucket by Kromex, Etsy;
9. Metallic Drip Vase, Kelly Wearstler;  10. Saarinen Dining Table, Room & Board

-Tristan

Elizabeth gave the drawing to her trusted friends and florists, Les Newman and Bob Mihalik of Botanica, knowing they could recreate her vision. The “foliage”, in reality plastic “cherry tree sprigs”, was affixed to a real wisteria branch “trunk”,  and was carefully bent and adjusted into the shape of a canopy. The “trunk” was left spare to encourage easy conversation between guests.

Elizabeth chose a cheerful tulip fabric from Quadrille for the tablecloth and chair slipcovers, in keeping with the table name “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah”. She hung lit paper lanterns amongst the branches, and placed antique mercury votive candles at the base of the tree for intimacy and warmth.

Elizabeth borrowed chargers from Scully & Scully and embellished the napkins with the Quadrille fabric. As a final touch, she commissioned her talented friend Kate Pickett of Pickett’s Press to design customized McMillen notepads for every guest.

Photos 1-4 © Tristan Offit, photo 5 © Elizabeth Pyne, photo 6 courtesy of Lenox Hill Neighborhood House.

This is one of Elizabeth’s favorites places to sit.  In the late morning, the sun streams in through the east-facing windows, making this spot one of the most peaceful in her apartment.  She loves working at this table and at the desk at left.

To see more you’ll have to buy Susanna’s book!  We can’t wait to get our own copies!

Be Your Own Decorator is on sale at amazon.com or in New York City at Archivia and Potterton Books.

1. Lily Pad Armchair, Terrain;  2. French White Painted Planter, Mecox Gardens;  3. Acacia Vine Obelisk, Terrain;  4. Heritage Watering Can, Terrain;  5. Lilla Planters, Crate & Barrel;  6. Greenside Planter, Anthropologie;  7. Heritage Garden Hose, Terrain

There is also always the website. And for those of you who need a visual, Tristan made a collage of a room decorated exclusively with Anthropologie items. The best part is, every item is available online!

curtains, wallpaper, rug, mirrored candle sconce, love seat, coffee table, accent table, lamp, teacup, bowl, vintage books & case
 all images courtesy of the Anthropologie website.

Visit the new store on Third Avenue between 72nd and 73rd streets for more great finds!

Her designs have the wonderful feel of Victorian decoupage, and are also reminiscent of artist sketchbooks like those of Beatrix Potter. I would happily cover my bedroom walls with these whimsical, beautiful renderings of flora and fauna.

All photos are from Rosemary’s website. Be sure to check out her fabrics and beautiful embroidery work as well!

Have a happy Thursday!

Love,
Tristan

Suzana’s fashion sensibility translates perfectly to interior design. Look at this photograph of her living room, taken by House and Garden in the 1980s. It’s timeless! We love the stone color of the walls punctuated by the crisp white moldings, and the chairs with their whimsical “rope” legs.

Thankfully, she’s brought that talent to McMillen!

Like many designers, I love fun combinations of color and textures, and I chose objects that play with those combinations.

I liked the Fay Lamp from the Mr. Brown line by Julian Chichester.  I would put a pair of these on either end of console table in an entry hall or living room.  I would replace the shade shown here with a black opaque shade to emphasize the silver tones of the antique glass and to make the lamp look more bold.

I’m a big fan of Bungalow 5, and I loved these vases!  The aqua blue butterflies are so whimsical and feminine.

Our next stop was Oomph, whose playful lacquered furniture and brightly colored accessories always make me smile!  I love the fretwork on the Newport Mirror and Console…both are available in 16 different highly lacquered colors.  And those white pillows with fuchsia and orange grosgrain-and-button trim are adorable!  (They would look fantastic on my own sofa…)

While scouring the many booths at The Gift Fair, I ran into my friend and fellow interior designer, Drew McGukin, who pointed me towards Lance Wovens.  And boy, am I glad he did!  Lance makes woven leather pillows, benches, rugs and tote bags.  Their products are a merging of two cultures: the beautiful, soft leather is distinctly Italian; the graphics – plaid and chunky stripes – are iconic American designs.

The totes bags below are a perfect example this Italian / American fusion.  A cross between a Bottega Veneta handbag, and an LL Bean canvas tote, these bags are seriously stylish.  And the price is much closer to LL Bean than Bottega Veneta!! (I’ve already ordered the purple one for myself, and I cannot wait for it arrive…)

Okay, got to run!  I hope you liked my picks.

XO

EP