dunkel

Some of my favorite dark rooms:

The black wall color of this study acts like an intense but clean backdrop for its furniture and accents. Botanical and wood - earth. Shit ton of natural light and fire - warmth and lurve.

This would be too much black for me, but I dig what looks like a black+white bathroom, the tufted canopy bed, and the fur throw. I don't like the black shag rug and the tufted bench. Too matchy-matchy isn't good unless it's fittingly ironic.

These Indian benches are so sexy and would be perfect in any dark space:

The above room is perfectly balanced out. The gilded benches are set against a gray wall on rough hardwood floors. All the taupe/beige in the room balances out the shine of the benches and the harshness of the black canopy bed's angles.

Here's another bench the all-black bedroom could have used instead of a mini version of the huge tufted bed:

Ooh you like that pop?! I feel like it's all a little off with the green (can't tell if that's marble or granite) floors, purple curtains, and yellow armless. Plus they're all patterned or textured in some way that you feel like they'd be highlighted more if in any other room. Ah, not sure what the think. Check out the high-gloss wall - really unexpected, I like!

The above-bed print is really old and out, but I love this peacock/teal wall color. Brass lighting casts a golden glow - like aurora borealis in your bedroom.

Yeah?!!

Quadrofoil will be big this year.

This room makes itself off of high-contrast colors. I like the rug and the rich blue wall color. If I remember correctly, the resident is a middle-aged bachelor dude and the space is a studio. The saarinen table acts as his dining/work/side table.

My parents would not be okay with this dusty arrangement, but I love how the open shelving looks here. It wouldn't be a problem at all if your kitchen is small enough and you don't allow yourself to collect so much shit bc nothing will be dusty as it's always in use.

And if you're planning on a dark bedroom, think about going pale gold or black silhouette with these two beds.

My dream bed from Graham and Green:

What I image as Belle de Jour's teenage bed:


What you've probably noticed about a lot of these dark rooms is how they have high ceilings and a great deal of natural light coming in from some angle. But ah, don't these things always help?

Veranda! You Have Outdone Yourself!

All Show House Photos by Peter Vitale

I think most of you have heard about the recent demise of our beloved Domino Magazine this week. The cries were heard far and wide throughout the design blog universe. A good cry and a box of tissues later...my spirits were raised when the latest Veranda Magazine made it's appearance through my mail slot yesterday.

And what an issue it is! Veranda has really stepped up the Designer Show House game with it's third Show House at the Greystone Estate in Beverly Hills. Those involved in making this event happen read like the Who's Who of the Design World: Ann Getty acted as Honorary Chairperson with Nathan Turner and Mary McDonald as Co-Chairs. So for those of you who were not fortunate enough to get to see the Show House in person (like moi), Veranda has provided a stunning feature here with pictures of every room.

Designers include such greats as Waldo Fernandez, Richard Shapiro, David Phoenix and Rose Tarlow, Suzanne Rheinstein, Peter Dunham, Windsor Smith and Kathryn Ireland. These are just a few of the many fabulously prolific designers featured in this Show House.

Those of you who subscribe to Veranda will want to hold on to this issue for years to come. and for those of you who do not subscribe, I highly recommend picking up this issue.

I don't want to spoil all of the delicious surprises in store for you in room after room, but I had to show a few to whet your appetite! One of my favorite spaces was the courtyard outside Greystone where the opening Gala was held. Mary McDonald and Nathan Turner orchestrated the transformation using a palette of green and white, and utilizing mid century Barcelona chairs and ottomans as a foil for the English Gothic Revival Manor.

Completed in 1928, Greystone has been seen often in movies like The Witches of Eastwick, The Holiday, and There Will Be Blood. Designed by Gordon Kaufmann for oil tycoon Edward L. Doheney the mansion is the largest family estate ever built in Beverly Hills. For much more information about Greystone and visitation of the grounds, click here.

Here are just a few of the rooms by some of our favorites:

Family Room by Nathan Turner

Gentleman's Study by Peter Dunham

Lady's Bedroom by Mary McDonald

Master Bedroom by Windsor Smith

This Show House feature is enough in and of itself the buy the issue.

But wait.... Veranda gives us MORE! One of my Design Crushes graces the pages with yet another beautiful design project. Eric Cohler transforms a stately Charleston home with his magic. Just one photo teaser for you! This article is very long and comprehensive with many a gorgeous photo. Thanks Veranda!

Late 19th-c. console. Painting by Larry Charles. John Saladino Lamps. Photo by Jeff McNamara.

Veranda....you are just too kind. We are also treated to another home, that of Houston based designer Michael Dale. Just another little tease for you:

The beautiful hall showing Dale's collection of Burmese figures on Mexican pedestals. Photo by Peter Vitale.

I can tell I am going to be spending at least few hours this weekend sitting on my porch in the sun enjoying this issue of Veranda.

What are you going to be doing?

Talent: Alicia Bock

The Date

I was browsing around Etsy this morning while waiting for a furniture website to come back up so I could email some dining chairs to a client.....and found these. What luck!

These glorious photos are by Alicia Bock and can be purchased here for between $30 and $35 for 8.5"x12" approx. size signed originals.

The Break

Everything That Is Good

Sunlight To Grow

Lavenlight

This Is A Memory

These were just a few of my very favorites. Many more to see. They just take you away from the daily grind for a moment, don't they? Blissful.

P.S. Alicia has a lovely blog too! Bloom, Grow, Love

Stop by and say "hi"! You'll be very happy you did. Tell her katiedid sent you!

NOOOOooooooooo! Domino Magazine?!?! Not Domino!

"STYLEBEAT'S BREAKING NEWS: CONDE NAST'S DOMINO FOLDS
This release was just put out:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 28, 2009

CONDE NAST TO CEASE PUBLICATION OF DOMINO

New York, NY, January 28, 2009 -- Domino magazine will cease publication, it was announced today by Charles H. Townsend, President and CEO of Conde Nast. The final issue will be published in March2009.

"This decision to cease publication of the magazine and its website is driven entirely by the economy," Mr. Townsend said. "Although readership and advertising response was encouraging in the early years, we have concluded that this economic market will not support our business expectations."

More to come.... "

I could just cry. This is just so upsetting. When is this going to end?!?!

I was just corresponding with Marisa over at Stylebeat Blog about her wonderful blog, and learned about this. There were rumors in the wind, but it's now official. I am sure Marisa, former style editor for House Beautiful and O at Home will have more info before I do ....so stop on over for the latest here.

I wanted to tell you all about Marisa's beautiful blog...and how she will probably have all the latest and greatest news form NYC....but for now, I think I have to go find a tissue.

Goodbye Domino! You will be missed.

I will leave you with some photos that Marisa took at the latest Gift Show in NYC:

You'll just have to visit Stylebeat for all of the information.

schokolade

My name is Emily, my roommate is Lauren - and we're addicts.

For oddly textured, questionably labelled, melting, LUSCIOUS chocolate THAT IS!!

Some highlights from a semester of wasting money and instant, fleeting gratification:

Labooko

Labooko chocolates are produced in Austria and have awesome packaging (PLUS it matches my blog colors). Lauren's had horse milk chocolate and says it's pretty damn good (makes me think of Horsetears, Goldfrapp). The above is the only type I've tried but I LOVE IT SO GOOD - made from sheep milk and meant to be a substitute for no-cows.

The 50% side is made of "cocoa from Nicaragua and Peru also a pinch of salt and walnuts also set accents." The 60% Hot Sheep side contains Birds Eye Chili "und ist selten, feurig und voller Aromen" - rare, fiery, and full of A-ROH-MAH!

Mmm thanks Anastasia for a delicious Christmas present.

Firecracker

Next to stinky tofu, this is one of the best "weird" things I've ever eaten. Firecracker is a 60% cocoa bar with salt, chipotle, and POP ROCKS. It feels so cool with the spice and salt and popping oh god. Get the sensation OH LORD! Pricier than the rest of the bars shown at about $6, but a bajillion times cooler.

We started buying these Dolfin bars because they're relatively cheap at about $2.69. Then we realized that they have an delightfully alarming number of variations.

The best of which is HOT MASALA!! It's made a little too sweet because it's milk chocolate, and it's also not spicey like you'd expect and how I like, but oh man. It's sweet but certainly not saccharine - at once melting, luscious, and you taste the cardamom, cinnamon, clove and ginger singly.

Within the other Dolfin varieties, earl grey is really fragrant, but only that. Pink peppercorn contains rose - also smells better than it tastes. What I really want to try is fresh ginger. I want me some zing!

Vat you like?

Bathroom Analysis: Kara Mann

Metropolitan Home March 2009, Photo by Nathan Kirkman

Kara Mann, the Chicago based designer that has taken the design world by storm, has a spread in the latest Metropolitan Home. Ever since I saw her own home in Metropolitan home's May '07 issue, I have been a huge fan.

The home she designed for a young couple who bought a house in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago, is full of her edgy urban sensibility....but I have to say the Master Bath is what really caught my eye.

So what is it exactly about this space that is so "good"? I have been thinking about it, and have come up with a list:

1. The use of a neutral color palette with high contrasts creates a much more dynamic space than shades of all one color. Examples here are the black fabric on the stool, the dark wood mirror and iron table used against a very light back round of white marble and very pale walls.
2. The classic style of all elements and the contrasting use of contemporary or traditional pieces will transcend "trends" and help this bathroom keep it's style for many years. Examples here are the never "out" use of white marble, chrome plumbing fixtures, traditional moldings used in a very clean way, and white sink and tub. Even though the sink is very contemporary, it is also very simple and clean. This will help keep it current, unlike the typical vessel sinks that have been the trend through the early '00's.
3. Mann's attention to detail is really wonderful. She has lined up the height of the counter perfectly with the wainscot. She has also hung the mirror at the same height as the cabinet to the left of the sink. There is a very nice balance of positive and negative space on the sink wall. This attention creates a sense of harmony without one even realizing why.
4. Mann has also not tried to match every finish. She has used different metals and wood finishes to create a much more interesting space. I don't think one has to match everything...and much prefer the "unmatched" quality here. The faucet is chrome or polished nickel , as are the sconces. She has also introduced an antique brass metal on the stool and the cabinet hardware. And then there is the oil rubbed bronze or steel on the table. And there are two wood finishes as well: the cerused oak cabinets and the dark wood mirror frame. A much more interesting mix!
5. I like the cleanliness of no window treatment in a bath. It seems so much more soothing with Mann's use of obscure glass for window privacy, which she echoes in the milk glass in the wall cabinet.
6. Speaking of the wall cabinet..it is a very nice alternative to the typical medicine cabinet. The glass gives a feeling of more spaciousness, while hiding toiletries away neatly.
7. Mann's adds interesting accents like the stool, the crystal vase and other black accessories on the table next to the bath, and little perfume tray and the variegated plant, all a bit unusual and very nicely contrasted.
8. The light fixtures are very well done as well. The sconces are clean and classic: a modern take on a traditional form. The fixture above the bath is white and adds to the light neutral back round while adding needed texture.
9. Then there is always the white marble. It is always beautiful!

That is my take on the "why" this bathroom appeals so much. Kara Mann continues to turn out great design every time. Be sure to checkout the latest issue of Met Home to see the rest of the house. You will not be sorry! I would love to hear your thoughts!

side tables

OH BOY - It's table surfaces part two!

If I were a little girl (and not, say, a twelve year-old boy), this side table in camel but especially elephant would be a dream addition to my bedroom.

Elephant Ceramic Side Table, Mermaid Hut - 199

Camel Ceramic Side Table, Mermaid Hut - 199

Round Ceramic Garden Stool, Pearl River - 155

Mermaid Hut offers it in other colors at two for 400 and the really ornate blue/white ones for 349, but you could really easily lacquer/spray paint this into any color you want. Nick Olsen featured an orange ceramic garden stool from the Well Appointed House for little Sasha's room.
$56 at Target!

Moroccan Drum Table, West Elm - 199

And for a bit o' GLAM:

Decal Square Drum Table, West Elm - 199

Bamboo Stool, Pearl River - 19.50

Ideal for a really small, super chill space. I like that the bamboo provides a rim - good for cups and earrings and bobby pins.

And because it's Lunar New Year:

Foldable Wooden Camp Stool, Pearl River - 19.50

Domino's current issue does a really awesome bit on entryways. One standout is an alternate take on the classic small cabinet, mirror, flowers and bowls, but with a Chinese cabinet. See how lamp complements cabinet? And blue opposes the reds, reinforced by pink adjacent room? The space is not overwhelmed with color though, the frames and doors are white, as are the lamp and vase.


Pearl River, once again, is AMAZING. They have an unbelievable range of Chinese and Tibetan cabinets and tables which vary in level of ornamentation. I would argue that these affordable examples of very traditional Asian furniture have silhouettes that are unmatched by any Western designs.

If like the Domino shot, you also have a narrow wall to use in your entryway, this little cabinet would be so striking:

Small Chinese Lacquered Cabinet, Pearl River - 275

Imagine any of the following three against a wall of supersaturated color. This first one should go against slate/black/dark jewel-toned blue or purple or red.

Chinese Antique Alter Table w Open-Work Carvings, Pearl River - 450

Tibetan Alter Cabinet, Pearl River - 295

Tibetan Alter Table w Three Drawers, Pearl River - 1500

And because this one is just pretty:

Chinese Lacquered Cabinet, Pearl River - 395

This is from a Domino gallery on bold color for which Tibet is famous.