Health is Wealth

Do you read House Beautiful?  Have you noticed they are deep into the wellness conversation, particularly how awareness around a holistic home is good for our overall wellbeing?  It's a feature they call the whole home project.  Every time I pick up the magazine now, I am so charged!  I can't help tweeting to Sophie Donelson, the editor in chief.  Their theory (and mine) is that investing in your home is an investment in yourself.  Months of magazine articles with talking points about how health is wealth is culminating into a custom built concept house in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta.  The primary focus will be on the importance of a calm and healthy environment!

“The Whole Home Project Concept House will show readers how strategic design choices can deliver more than a pretty space—they can help you live a smarter, happier and healthier life,” says Donelson. “It’s our core belief at House Beautiful that happiness begins at home—and with this project, that the well-being of your whole self, from health to energy to your outlook, are informed by our homes.”

What began in this past March's issue with talking points around the idea of calm and each month thereafter focusing on a different "chapter" really gives the reader a comprehensive look at the idea and execution of a holistic home.

Chapter 1  Calm

Chapter 2  Health

Chapter 3 Unplugging

Chapter 4 Revive and Recharge

Innovations in technology along with the idea that we must create calm spaces for living our best lives from a place of more joy, better health, and less toxicity improves all our lives and helps us thrive!
It's true what they say ~ If you don't have your health...

I am so excited to see the house and all it entails!!

The Designer Visions Show House

Inside this unassuming building in Tribeca, an industrial turned residential conversion contains three  show stopping apartments, each a collaboration of a designer with a shelter magazine, sharing the same vision or design aesthetic.  These apartments share other things as well; subtle marble clad spa like bathrooms, Poggenpohl kitchens, Ann Sacks tile, and dark wide oak wood floors and spectacular views.

Each designer imagined a fantasy client for whom they designed.

House Beautiful and David Rockwell ~

David's imaginary clients were a Bohemian, chic couple whose passion for art and design informed their collected interior design.  Refined, rough, tactile, layered.  Mid century furniture resides comfortably with an array of pottery and textiles.  The classic and avant-gard happily co exist.

The hand crafted tile in this kitchen, reminiscent of Delft pottery, created consistency in the open space by bringing together the look of handmade and modern that we see across the room

There was a great melange of elements in the den that definitely was in keeping with the Bohemian vibe that Rockwell set forth to create.

A take away might be the cork flooring panels applied to the walls in the studio.  Form and function once again prevail ~ and look good doing it.

CLI

The choice of the Byzantine wallpaper and Ikat upholstered headboard may be strong for some but this was evocative of the couple's creative spirit, travels, and pedigree.

Elle Decor and Matthew Patrick Smyth ~

Matthew imagined his couple as jet setters with a refined sensibility; globetrotters whose interiors display treasures from around the world.  A ride on the Orient Express was the jumping off point.  Deep colors and bold patterns create an exotic and classic dwelling.  Matthew had a lot of tricks up his sleeve to personalize the sterile apartment.

The moody gray walls were a perfect backdrop to showcase the artfully designed living room.  There was a surprise around every corner.

The showstopper was this extra room that was turned into a dynamic dining room.  It has no windows, no view, and was the first room off the entry, but no matter.  Schumacher wallpaper was carefully cut and patiently applied to mimic that of tile work in Moorish architecture.  The capiz shell and crystal chandelier, antique table and velvet chairs produced a visual feast for the eyes.

I liked that the kitchen was kept quiet.  This was not the place to make a bold statement.  Subtle silver, crackle subway tiles accented the contemporary wood cabinets beautifully.

These new apartment conversions very often lack interior architecture.  Matthew added his own.  He brought in this elaborate antique door frame to act as a dramatic headboard for a simple metal bed.  He inserted a mirror, added a picture, and WOW!  Everything else in the room became a supporting cast member.

Another trick I am dying to try is the floating bookshelf.  A frame is created and in this case the center was papered, but I have also seen them upholstered.  The customized floating shelves artfully displaying accessories do not become the focal point, but an integral part of this whole design element.  I love it!

Once a steel drum, the desk base with the burlap top was customized by The Alpha Workshop.

CLI

Veranda and Anthony Todd ~

A philanthropic, cosmopolitan family of 3 wanting to live in a casually elegant space was Anthony's fictitious family of choice.   Todd filled the apartment with blocks of color to produce the intended effect and showcase the duality of the family's imagined life, which is in keeping with Todd's philosophy of creating timeless, sophisticated environments.

CLI

The application of the Ann Sacks mirrored subway tiles was exciting to see because I chose them for a client's butler's pantry.  Let's just say...beyond stunning.  Pops of pink and the combining of pieces spanning several centuries make the room as casual as it is formal.

A lot of texture but little pattern make the den a relaxing spot.  Accented with Turkish and Asian textiles and a contemporary canvas, you could easily idle the hours away.

The soothing silver of the walls makes for one calm retreat... Nothing should interfere with a view.

Benjamin Moore's Blue Danube paint color wrapped 2 walls in the boy's room with sophistication and warmth:  a nice teenage twist.

BUT that's not all  ~  Hearst's Designer Visions Show House in conjunction with The 48 Hour Film Project,  invited 2 film makers for each apartment to use as a movie set for a film they had to write, produce, shoot, and edit, all in 48 hours; a daunting task!

Click on the names of the magazines, if your interested, to watch the short films ~ or you can cut to the chase and just watch my favorites.  Brought to you by Veranda's sponsored apartment and Anthony Todd designs:

The Toast and Mr. Freckles (Grap a tissue)

AND if that's not enough Derring Hall, the on line marketplace for fine design and products, is selling items similar to those in the showcase apartments.




ph: courtesy of each magazine, unless otherwise noted

The 2012 Kitchen of the Year

Mick De Giulio is the "go to guy" for excellence in kitchen design.  I have written about Mick before here.   His designs take kitchens to another level, like jewel boxes of luxury and efficiency.

Each year House Beautiful anoints a prominent designer or chief the honor of designing a kitchen in Rockefeller Center.  Once unveiled to the public, there are tastings, special events, and mixology classes.  My only complaint is, "It's not open long enough!"

This is one sweet kitchen, right?

I love the unexpected touch of blue ~ coupled with the gleaming surfaces, stainless steel, mirrors, and wood, it's classic and timeless.  The walnut and metal cabinet makes pots and pans sculptural in the hands of Mick.

It really should be called kitchen and great room/space of the year.  At 1,000 sq. feet I think that's a better description.  A few modern rustic elements mixed in keep things from feeling too formal.

Another great design Mick ~

An "A~Ha" Moment

Last week during Blogfest, which I will go into further in my next post, Newell Turner of House Beautiful and a panel of guests including ~ Michael Herold,  Jane Goldenberg and Jon Call talked about their  "a-ha" moments; what inspires them and what was a turning point in each of their careers.

House beautiful asked each of us to share an "a-ha" moment. Here's mine.  I have told this story many times because it was profound .


I clearly remember being interested in participating in a community show house a few years ago. I felt like it was the right time in my career and I was excited about the idea of creating a show house worthy room but I was terrified!

I think the reality of putting yourself  "out there" to potentially be judged, fear of the unknown, fear of failure, all contributed to my high level of anxiety.

Edgcumbe House

I toured the house and made my selection.  I turned in my paperwork, hands shaking, and waited.  All the while questioning whether I was doing the right thing.  I knew I was being silly,  I didn't fully understand was I was so fearful!

Long story shorter ~ I created A Serene Salon in a small room on the third floor.

 I was inspired by a recent trip to Turkey.  I married that with the character of the historic home, as well as old and new, rustic and refined.  It was a hit!

 I enjoyed the process, the camaraderie with the other designers, and talking to those touring the house.  My little room was accepted into a book AND  I got a job from it, which almost never happens.  I learned NEVER to let fear be a deterrent.  If I am fearful ~ that's all the more reason why I need to plow through the task at hand.

I practice this philosophy often and have taught it to my children. I never want to look back and say, I should have...

News You Can (or can't) Use

 Bloggers are blogging, Twitterers are tweeting, these a lot going on in the shelter magazine/ Interior Design world.  Try to keep up, this gets confusing.

The First Issue of Architectural Digest under the tutelage of Margaret Russell is on the stands come March.  The pink copy is a sign of a more optimistic outlook for the magazine, while the cover photo of an interior by Michael S. Smith is a nod to the iconic magazine's look under previous editor, Paige Rense Noland.

I have no doubt Margaret will WOW us with her fresh ideas and garner a younger, hipper audience. 

Replacing Margaret at Elle Decor is Michael Boodro.  He was the executive editor and the staff remains in place, so no doubt the magazine will remain the savvy, eclectic leader in the field.

Stephen Drucker replaced Pamela Fiori at Town and Country, for about 6 months, now he's out too and is being replaced by Jay Fielden.  Jay comes from the defunct Men's Vogue and The New Yorker.  I understand Town and Country will try to bring more design related material into the magazine and shed a little bit of its "older, affluent image".

Stephen Drucker had previously been at House Beautiful.  Newell Turner, the creative director, took the top spot.  Newell is experienced in publishing and a designer so I am looking forward to the magazine flourishing with his duel perspective.

Dana Caponigro from the, oh so popular, now shuttered, Domino magazine replaced Lisa Newsome, the  editor for 20 years.  Lisa will stay on as Editor at Large and work on other projects as well.

On line magazines are giving these stalwarts a run for their money.  Some you may have heard of, others perhaps not.  They are all really well done and worth a look.

LONNY

RUE

HIGH GLOSS

TRAD HOME will be published semiannually by the crew from Lonny, again, in an effort to garner a younger audience.

The recession rocked the design industry.  We have seen the loss of many manufacturers, retailers, magazines and related businesses.   As we move forward, everyone is looking for ways to streamline their business models and use as many tools as are available to continue to do business in a profitable, creative way.

On that note - take note, the accomplished, creative Kelly Wearstler started a blog;  My Vibe, My Life.  Sign up for emails andexperience the design process thru Kelly's colorful eyes.