POP, POW ~ WOW


Romance was Born @Australian fashion Week, sponsored by Marvel 

What is it with super hero movies and comic book cartoon prints?  They are apparently inspiration for many a designer.  I'm not talking Katy Perry as smurfette or Lady Gaga crazy ~ something tamer that mere mortals can pull off.


Pierre Hardy


Does it  have anything to do with Comic Con and how popular its gotten?


Phillip Lim



Herve Leger


Does it represent our need to transform ourselves in some way, after all isn't that what fashion  is about anyway?  

Etsy


A femme fatale is most certainly a super hero, especially if your a lingerie supermodel!

Victoria's Secret ph: PNP/WENN





Giuseppe Zanotti




Does it represent our desire to have control, cast ourselves as good vs evil?  




Lisa Perry 




Or is it just a funky cool graphic print that just makes us happy?







Stella McCartney

Noir Jewelry



 Super Hero Chic is Empowering, I think.






photos via: stylecaster, geek chic 

Saying Goodbye to Summer





Au Revoir, Sayonara, Ciao to another summer.

I am reminded of all the things I tried to accomplish but didn't, never attempted, never mastered (the book to be read, the photos to be put in albums, the golf game I was going to practice).  I was busy chillaxin...  I'm gonna miss the lazy, hazy days of summer, but am ready to get back to the business at hand, nose to the grindstone, the structure, and the...PAPERWORK.  Luckily, I love what I do and do what I love.

Time to put away ~ 

the statement-making hats to keep the sun out of my eyes (not the ice cream, NEVER)




the candy colored clothing ~


dapper dudes in pastel




the possibility of summer soirées ~


the sandals



the layers of color





the leg baring outfits




the springy floral motifs



and the crazy mani/pedis




It's time to close up the beach house here on the east coast



and soon, very soon,  return to the layered, dark side ~ I can't wait






Have a Great Holiday Weekend ~ Arrivederci




Most photos:Tommy Ton



The Long & Short of It





One of my clients had a great rental in NY.  Unfortunately, the lease and their run in NY came to an end (temporarily, I hope).  We didn't want to put the furniture we had purchased in storage, so we repurposed it ~ in the guest room of their Philadelphia home.

Out with the old and in with the new ~

The bed, vanity and TV easel looked beautiful.  This client likes simple and neutral.  I was given 2 instructions when asked to accessorize the LONG, 15 foot by SHORT 6 inch deep ledge above the closet; make it funky and not overly accessorized.



Since antiquing in the Hampton's went so well, see here, I was able to accomplish exactly what my client had requested.




I often preach the importance of using an odd number of objects but in this case, the 3 wooden vessels along with the addition of the basket for height and a change in texture just felt right.  Many times you just need to think intuitively.



Since the ledge was very narrow, I wanted to hang things on the wall.  This helped create more interest and made for a less cluttered look.
I bought these paintings at the Hampton's Show House shop.  They had a beautiful selection of vintage wares, and these paintings were done by an artist/instructor from Parson's who passed away recently.
People often ask me where I buy things and I always say, "Wherever I can."



The spiny brass sculpture and Murano glass jar were the perfect compliment to each other and created more texture than color, as is the case with the mercury candlesticks above.



To speak to the soft colors in the paintings on the other side of the ledge ~ I brought in assorted vases.  My client wanted very little color, but I felt as though it needed a shot of it along with the texture for visual interest, especially because you were viewing from far away and below, way below, the ledge.






There is an art to accessorizing, and for me it's the most fun part of the job!  Never underestimate its importance in a room.  It's the final layer that helps tell the story and brings all the other elements together!


Ph:CLI