Holiday Gift List

BACCARAT CRYSTAL CANDLE

I wanted to weigh in on some of my favorite gift giving (and getting) ideas this holiday season.  Some items may be a little more indulgent than others but

  the holidays are a time to be indulgent, right?  If not now, when?

Coffee table books are a great way to inspire, educate, and enthrall.  I think it also says "I get you" when you select a topic that you know the giftee will appreciate.

SELECTION OF BOOKS

I went out on a limb with this one. I got Gucci on my mind, but why not ~ 

GUCCI VINTAGE BOMBER JACKET WITH MINK

There seems to be a renewed interest in game playing.  I like a gift that gets shared. 

Moma backgammon set

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Home fragrances can help change the mood.  It adds depth and character to a home much like a  fashion accessory in your wardrobe.

LOVE ROOM SPRAY

Cuteness overload for a party atmosphere.  These little colorful push up cake pops send me over the rainbow.   They're not just for kids, mom's love them too.

FLOUR SHOP RAINBOW CAKE POP

For the candles and fires and hearts of loved ones ~ light that fire

MATCH SHAPED LEATHER LIGHTERS

I am loving anything Irene Neuwirth right now.

IRENE NEUWIRTH OPAL NECKLACE or anything!

I like Tom Ford's confidence and he does make a fabulous product.  If you have not tried his make up; do.

 KIND OF SAYS IT ALL/UNISEX

I did a blog post on these little confections here.  I love them!  Send your message whimsically and deliciously, in chocolate .

Maggie Louise Coinfections

Joe set out to design not just a product, but a ritual.  In collaboration with Neal Feay studio, this wine chiller inspired by wind patterns of cold fronts from around the globe keep your wine cold longer.  A winner!

Joe Doucet Wine Chillers

Come sweet slumber and let me dream of diamonds and rubies and emeralds. Brilliant.  Sharing the gift of good sleep reaps rewards far beyond the hectic holiday season.

Silk Sleep Mask

Bluetooth speakers should be heard not seen but if you must see them, why can't they seamlessly fit into your decor?

Bang and Olufsen

I have gifted these of late.  I love everything about these wine gems.  They keep wine cold without diluting your drink.  The crystals have energetic properties and they couldn't be prettier!

Anna New York Wine cooler cubes

You see where this list went (without me even realizing it), I touched on our senesces ~ a candle, some perfume, chilled wines, a good book, possibly a bath, soothing music, something sweet and a good night's sleep.


If loving these is wrong....I don't want to be right!





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Dining By design 2016

Spring ushers in the fun fundraiser Dining by Design once again, the beautiful tabletop event that supports DIFFA.  Changes over the past few years have seen a move to Pier 92 from its former home adjacent to the AD Show and more sponsors working with designers, as opposed to the other way around.

 Gentler, Herman Miller and 3Form have teamed up before, and lighting is always used evocatively

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Baccarat and Modern Luxury Manhattan Magazine set a stunning table with one of the best views in the building.  The butterflies fluttering above and finding their way onto the table with light dancing off  the gorgeous cut crystal ~ pure Baccarat

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SA Baxter Architectural Hardware + INGRAO, a modern mix

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Sasha Bikoff with Luxe Interiors + Design call to mind a Garden of Eden featuring always stunning  De Gourney wallpaper and a drop dead Murano chandelier with furniture by Christian Liagire.

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Darrin Varden with The New York Times present What's Black and White and Read all over, a nod to the paper in this residential like space.  Lladro's porcelain lighting is striking yet delicate; the horses galloping across the table, strong yet agile.  Diagonal Tree, a painting by Clare Sherman, reflects the destruction of life, once strong now ravaged and dying.  Artistic Frame custom made the sculptural strié chairs

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I loved the porcelain sconces.  They are equal parts artistic and delicate.

Ralph Lauren, as only he can do

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Echo New York shows us we can change our stripes and remain true to who we are... during a Zebra dinner party

Julia Buckingham with Cosentino and Benjamin Moore ~ a study in the color Simply White. Candelabras by Dunes and Duchess with accents from Global Views

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Roche Bobois with The Rockwell Group revealed their vignette behind a cool mist curtain

Bronson Van Wyck for Architectural Digest gives us a colorful African celebration

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Kravet is a riot of fabrics for a fun fête.

 

Speaking of a fête,  The New York Design Center turns 90!  Antonino Buzzetta is staging an impressive celebration.  This is a street party I want to attend.

* photos via Erik Bardin, others CLI

Monkey Business

The Chinese New Year on the Lunar calendar has come and gone but there's nothing subtle about the 9th zodiac symbol of the 12 animals on the Chinese calendar, the monkey.  This year, specifically the year of the Fire Monkey, incorporates the fire element.  Its the most dominant of all the elements.  This combination heralds a strong pull with innovation, but unpredictability.  The Monkey's characteristics are curiosity and quick wit, while being mischievous, clever and resourceful.            

There is a plethora of playful patterns in wallpaper ranging from the whimsical to the artistic.  The Victorian decorative arts period brought with it the French and Eastern Asian style with monkeys often married with the Chinoiserie motif creating a perfect partnership.

DeGourney's "Deco Monkeys" conveys equal amounts of mischievousness and beauty!

A Shade Wilder makes the money a symbol that creates a bold graphic print that jumps off the wall.

Of course monkeys are represented in Jonathan Adler's menagerie

 A cookie connoisseur might appreciate Baccarat's crystal monkey cookie jar.

Seletti makes sure our "Monkey as focal point" lighting needs are covered in different ways

Monkey motifs have a storied past in decorative arts and design.  By donning different outfits, they convey a humanistic appeal, while simultaneously satirizing us, often in 18th century garb.

Jean-Baptiste-Simeon Chardin, Le Singe peintre

Hunt Slonem's "All Eyes" pattern is inspired by Monkey eyes.

The Dracula Simia or monkey orchid is a seasonless beauty blooming in the cloud forests of Ecuador,  and Peru. Their scent is one of a ripe orange.

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil,  conveyed in Conner's wise monkeys

This is an archival illustration by Harrison Howard who licensed his original works to Caspari for paper products as well as private clients for everything from invitations to wallpapers.

Robert Kuo's bronze, almost life size monkey, would bring good luck to any room.  Could it be any cuter?

 The Year of The Fire Monkey is a great year for new starts.  Where will your path take you?