A Pied- à -Teardown

I often write blog posts like the media is supposed to do, more factual than opinionated (unless I love something, then I always express that).  This time however, I am choosing to think of this as an opportunity to express my opinion, more like an op ed piece, because it aroused such strong feelings in me.  I was at the gym reading November's Elle Decor, when I got to page 149, the story about Emmy Rossum's New York apartment.  I was aware from social media that she bought a place and the talented Antonino Buzzetta designed it.  It constantly amazes me what one can learn on social media!  I admire his work and congratulate him on a job well done!  I think he is uber talented.  I admire Emmy's work as well.  She wowed me with her beautiful voice in Phantom of the Opera and I think she is brilliant as Fiona on Shameless.

I loved the way she described how she wanted her new apartment to look.  "Chic, European, the look of a modern girl who has inherited her grandmother's stuff."  That is a solid description and a good jumping off point for any designer.  Antonino got to work gut renovating the 800 sq. ft. apartment.  Walls came down, the ceiling was raised, the kitchen was opened up, a fireplace was imported from the Paris flea market.  Emmy brought in her grandmother's chandelier which helps give the space immediate authenticity.  The finished project is stunning!  It's the perfect balance of old world glamour, oozing with style, like an original but better!  She's one lucky girl!

Having said that ~ here's the rub, the article states Emily contacted Elle Decor for help with her new prewar, co-op on the East Side.  Elle presented her with a list of designers, that's how she met Antonino.  They then went a step further by getting "the best home furnishings manufacturers in the business to sponsor the transformation."  High end, heavy hitters like Kallista, Circa Lighting, Rocky Mountain Hardware, Ann Sacks tile, and Horchow donated products from "cabinetry and tile to chairs and hardware," as it was described.  REALLY?  It's like my pet peeve about swag bags during award season.  These actors and actresses can certainly afford to design their own places and pay for their own clothes and sunglasses and jewelry, vacations, plastic surgery and the like (you know those swag bags are worth a fortune, right?)  Those that can afford life's little luxuries are given so much. Sadly, because that is what our society values; entertainers, athletes, titans of business.  It felt like such an injustice!  I wish Elle Decor would have kept that piece of information to themselves or helped a needy family with the generous donations.  What did they think they would gain by telling us most of what was in this apartment was given to her?  This was all I could think about.  What do you think?

Elle Decor ~ I have been dreaming about, dying for, a pied- à- teardown for years!  Will you sponsor me?  I'll write about it ad nauseam!









Ph: Joshua McHugh for Elle Decor except bath Alison Gootee, Studio D

The Principal of Prioritizing

 I came home from High Point, NC after a whirlwind couple of days on the heels of a week long trip to San Diego.  While I had a ball and would not have changed a thing, I returned feeling so overwhelmed that I wasn't sure if I was coming or going.  There were blog posts to write and homes to decorate.  I committed to a coaching course and was leaving for Florida within 2 weeks.  I literally took to my bed for a day; feelings of exhaustion overtook me.  Laying in my bed I kept thinking, "How am I going to get everything done?"  "People are depending on me, I can't let them down." "Can I do this?"  "Do I have what it takes?"  My monkey mind was going a mile a minute.  No good ever comes from that!

The answer to all these questions is ~ " YOU GOT THIS!"

After I rested and regrouped, I realized all I needed to do was to simply prioritize.  Sometimes we forget the obvious.  What was most timely?  What REALLY needs to be done?  Sometimes it is not even necessary to do some of the things we believe we need to do.  Can we put it off?  Can we pass it off?  Part of being a perfectionist or people pleaser is taking on more than we need to.  Sound familiar?  You'd be surprised, if you really stopped to think about it, how often you really don't have to do something you think you must.  Our brain lies to us all the time.

Make a list of what needs to be done 1st, 2nd, 3rd.  Do that in order of importance.

What can you let go of?  Maybe it doesn't NEED to be done, or need to be done now.

Who can you ask to help you?  Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.  Counterintuitively, it's a sign of strength.

Clarity came, I laid out all the things on my to do list, delegated what I could, and got to work on the most timely of tasks.

Instead of thinking, "There is so much to do in so little time," I turned my thoughts around and guess what I told myself over and over ?~

"YOU GOT THIS"!





photos: Pinterest






A #lifecoach lesson

Trending ~ Highpoint

After two full days, more showrooms than I can count, miles and miles covered, parties and parades, I can tell you, Market is equal parts fun, education, and exhaustion!  This time around what I saw and my "take away" weren't so much about what was new, as much as it was about what is old is new again ~ in how materials we have come to know and love were married together to form functional pieces with artistic details.  The eye candy was overwhelming and the inspiration was abundant!

1. Metal was everywhere.  It showed up on headboards and buffets, consoles, and as accents like studs, nail heads, and screws, as hardware and decorative accents.  It was unusual, sculptural, and conversational.  Nickel, brass, gold, stainless, bronze, copper, everything was on the table so to speak.

2. Lucite is picking up momentum and trickling down to the masses.  While we saw familiar pieces used in familiar ways, these pieces incorporated decorative metal, leather, cowhide, or studding to accentuate and elevate.


3. Color was as prevalent as neutrals.  Grey is still "of the moment," but blue was boss at Market.  Every showroom had a blue vignette or two with citrine and persimmon making appearances.  There was a whisper of blush pink in the mix.

Theodore Alexander

4. Hair on Hide also showed up on EVERYTHING.  There was no surface off limits.  Beds, tables, desks, as well as the usual suspects, often times tricked out with nail heads, cool studs, or in one case a beautiful inlaid geometric patterned cerused wood frame.

5. The retro look of mid century modern has taken its place in the pantheon of classic looks that will always have a place in our homes.  Mad men rejoice, it's here to stay.


6. Cerused or driftwood finish feels light and carefree.  It has movement and can used casually as well as in a more elegant space.  What's old is new again.


7. As the Burger King slogan once said, "Have it your way" is the way to go.  Creating personal spaces often calls for custom pieces that are job specific.  Luckily the industry has heard the cry with many custom programs to satisfy a discerning clientele.


8. Sculptural forms in furniture make a statement and elevate everyday pieces into high art.

SHO Modern

Be Still My Heart






1.Bernhardt Furniture  2.Century Furniture 3.Theodore Alexander  4.SHO Modern  5. Thayer Coggin
6. Bernhardt Furniture  7. Benjamin Moore Paint, Joanie Design, Theodore Alexander  8. Bernhardt