APRIL 2011: ELLE DECOR's Annual International Issue

Looks like a good one....but then again, aren't they all?

Here's a little break down for you:

1. Home of Brazilian designer Sig Bergamin
2. Tim and Kit Kemp of Firmdale Hotels show us their London Townhouse
3. Nabil Nahas Beirut apartment
4. Party tips from Nathan Turner
5. A focus on Kitchen Islands

Here is a preview video from Editor in Chief, Michael Boodro:

Sweet anticipation.

Don't forget the GIVE AWAY for Rizzoli's newest book:

Walls: The Best of Decorative Treatments

Get all of the info HERE

Great Walls....A Give Away

This photo is in the front of the book and captured me immediately. Designer Tim Wheaton took a simplified version of flowering vines borrowed  from Chinoiserie wallpaper in Drottningholm Palace, Stockholm and made it modern by  repeating pattern in this Park Avenue apartment.
Photo by Tim Street-Porter



I was recently asked by the gracious souls at Rizzoli if a new book by Florence de Dampierre would be something I might like to review. Would I !?! You may all know Florence de Dampierre from her books, Chairs: A History or French Chic: The Art of Decorating Houses. Not only would I absolutely want to include her newest gorgeous book in my resource library to reference for future design projects, I would just like to flip through page after page for general inspiration. The title you may be asking?

Walls: the Best of Decorative Treatments

Mural . Wood Panel . Stencil . Wallpaper

Book Cover Photo by Pieter Estersohn

Florence de Dampierre treats us to a journey around the world from the past to the present to show us how we human beings have decorated the walls in our homes. The book is broken down into sections each describing the various types of wall ornamentation used throughout the centuries. She begins with a section on Tapestries, and then continues with the four main parts titled: Mural, Wood Panel, Stencil, and Wallpaper.   

This room by designer Peter Dunham is in his own sitting room....and in my "favorite rooms" file. The use of a tapestry on the wall has been made fresh when put together with the red painted desk and blue glass lamp. The colors draw out the faded colors in the tapestry.
Photo by Tim Street-Porter 

In the section on Murals, we are brought through the Middle Ages and Renaissance... the Fresco Technique is described, as well as Tempura. Oil painting on walls is introduced in the 15th century, and we are treated to wall murals of the Baroque period. Rococo, Neoclassic, Romantic periods are all discussed and illustrated with gorgeous full page photos.

Seventeenth century frescoes adorn the loggia of the Villa Torrigiani outside Lucca. One could wile away the hours here sipping wine and gazing up at the glory.
Photo by Pieter Estersohn 

While we are on the topic of photos, Tim Street-Porter and Pieter Estersohn were instrumental in providing the principal photography. Need I say more? Just in case .... these photographers are regular contributors to numerous shelter magazines such as Elle Decor and AD. Tim Street-Porter has authored and provided the photos for multiple design and architecture books including the Rooms to Inspire series from Rizzoli. 

Le Corbusier painted this modern mural in a friend's Long Island farmhouse.The value of this house must have shot through the roof.
Photo by Pieter Estersohn

Back to the murals....not only are we shown the gorgeous classics from antiquity, but there is modern artistry as well. Twentieth century murals became popular not only in homes but in public spaces as well. Many are represented in Walls.

The next section is titled "Wood Panels". And again we travel though history seeing how paneled walls have evolved through time. In this section you find elaborate paneled libraries, simple American Colonial wood paneling, brilliantly painted fireplace mantels, and subtle wall moldings.

Painted landscapes on wood paneling at Sandemar Manor in Sweden. c. 1680. The colors! Pearl grey and that blue with a touch of green...wonderful.
Photo by Ingalill Snitt

Florence covers faux marble painting, Boiseries and the specific Blanc de Roi: white painted Boiseries. She takes us through rooms of lacquer panels from Chinoiserie to Art Deco. There are gilt leather panels first introduced in the 17th century Islamic world. There is Fretwork, Cutwork and Lattice. There is Wainscoting, Tongue-and-Groove, and Beadboard. But perhaps one of my favorite examples of paneling is this mirrored room with bamboo molding by Howard Brodsky:

Photo by Pieter Estersohn

I had to show you a bit of whimsical faux paneling as well:

This "room" is actually a backdrop for Suzanne Rheinstein's  store Hollyhock and was painted by French painter Paulin Paris.
Photo byTim Street-Porter

The next section of the book is all about stencils. We are not talking about the stencils from the eighties, all flowers and bunnies. We are talking about Egyptian stencils, stencils in La Villa Kerylos in France, stencils by Robert Adams at Osterley Park, from Neoclassic to American Colonial, stencils by Tiffany and Frederic Edwin Church in the Persian style....the list goes on. Her are but a few examples:

The design shop, Mitu, has taken advantage of the existing 1800's mural in this residence in San Miguel, Mexico. I am always captivated when I see such a successful contrast of old and new.
Photo by Tim Street-Porter

Mary McFadden's NYC apartment....gorgeous stenciling by Joseph Shoskovitch.
Photo by Pieter Estersohn

Perhaps my favorite photo in the book....although how can I really pin it down? Martyn Lawrence-Bullard decorated this room with a Moroccan stencil pattern inspired by a fabric.
Photo by Tim Street-Porter

The last section is all about wallpaper. Apparently, wallpaper dates back to the times of the Egyptians, papyrus lining the tombs as far back as 2500 B.C.  But the Chinese are to be credited with what we typically know as wallpaper (200 B.C.). Florence takes us through the ages and through the geography of different papers, from floral to flocked, from Chinese to European, botanicals and geometrics...it is  here in all it's glory.

Botanical Illustrations make an early form of wallpaper at the Carolus Linnacus's Swedish estate. We have seen this imitated often over the years for good reason.
Photo by Ingalill Snitt 

Lat but not least, I want to mention that at the end of each section in the book, there is a page (pages) of helpful hints and tips for the application of all of these wall treatments. A big thank you to Florence for that. I think many of us like to experiment ourselves or at least know a thing or two when discussing a desired application with craftspeople

I am in the process of having a dining room mural painted for a client, and I can tall you this book is an immeasurably helpful source of ideas. If you are interested in the decorative arts, history, or just need a little inspiration, I can say this book will keep you intrigued for ages.

And the best part?

I am so happy to be partnering once again with Rizzoli to let one of you lucky readers in on the adventure of 

Walls: The Best of Decorative Treatments

by

Florence de Dampierre 

Rizzoli will be giving away this beautiful book to one lucky winner. Here are the rules:

1) If you are not already, become a follower of katiedid 

2) Hop on over to the Rizzoli website and let me know what other design books are catching your eye...I always like to hear about a new design book!!

3) Provide your email. That means an email where we can correspond so I can get your mailing address. Without this, we don't know where to send the book...and that would be a complete shame.

The give away will run until Monday, March 21st at 5:00 PM California time. I will pick a winner at random

and announce on the next day.  

GOOD LUCK ALL!

Congrats to the Winner of Stealing Magnolias!!!!

Congratulations to

Sarah of Monaco Interiors,

 Winner of the outstanding book, Stealing Magnolias published by Glitterati!! 

Thank you so much to everyone who participated. I had so much fun reading about all of your experiences in one of my favorite cities, the Queen of jazz and mystery, New Orleans.

And a very big Thank You to Glitterati for their partnership in this wonderful Give Away! 

Have a wonderful day!

Stealing Away to New Orleans: Stealing Magnolias....A Give Away!

Now that the Holiday Season is over, I am asking myself, what is the next excuse for a huge dose of outrageous fun? It occurred to me that Marde Gras in New Orleans was what we all looked forward to all year when I was living in Louisiana studying interior design at LSU. It was the yearly celebration all of my design student friends looked forward to. Whether it was the colors, the originality, the creativity, the music, or just the great excuse to forget about studying and party all day and night, it didn't matter. New Orleans was calling....and calling loudly....with a big trombone leading the band.

You can imagine my delight when it all of the Southern pageantry, a juxtaposition of beautifully elegant propriety and campy costumes in drag came tumbling back into my mind when I received a copy of a stunning new book .....Stealing Magnolias. Author Debra Shriver, chief communications officer of Hearst Corporation, debuts her first book with passion and obvious love for this one-of-a-kind pearl of a city. It is written in a way that is approachable and extremely informative, especially about the things that matter most in this graceful and bewitching town. All that visit cannot escape without losing a part of themselves. 

Stealing Magnolias is made up of the best bits of Debra's New Orleans experiences....there are beautiful photos of the home she and her husband renovated and decorated not long after Katrina..there are delicious Southern recipes with photos that simply make one's mouth water in anticipation....there are gardens and architectural treasures, all shown through that filter of light that can only be found in this place. That light that sweeps in from the side, bouncing off courtyard walls and underneath iron balconies and finally through gauzy sheer covered windows. 

New Orleans is decidedly French, but oh-so American....home of jazz and the mint julep, world famous Cafe du Monde, and voodoo shops..the cultural diversity buzzes with energy and mystery.

Debra captures it all and gives you a brilliant glimpse of the heart and soul of New Orleans. With it's fabulous photography, snippets from taste makers who have been touched by it's gorgeous decadence (Anne Rice, Dave Matthews, Mark Twain, Alexa Pulitzer, Tennessee Williams, Patrick Dunne and Cole Porter are just a few who's impressions are quoted throughout) and all of the extras of what and how to enjoy this city, Stealing Magnolias will take you away on a fabulous adventure. 

Did I mention the Preface by Blue Dog artist, George Rodrigue, the Forward by best-selling author Mary Randolph Carter, and Introduction by the one and only Roald Dahl? Icing on the cake my dears.

This book is unforgettable and perfect for those who have been and want to rekindle fond memories.....for those who have yet to go, it will get you out of that easy chair booking tickets in time for Marde Gras...for those who love jazz...or find that all things French make them smile inside and out.....and what a gift for those you love!

So.......I am so very excited to be partnering with Glitterati Incorporated in a

GIVE AWAY

of Stealing Magnolias!!!

Here are the rules:

1) Head on over to the Glitterati Website HERE and take a look around. You might just find another book you must have!

2) Become a katiedid Follower by clicking on the Google Follow button in my sidebar.

3) Leave a comment here in the comment box about your favorite memory about New Orleans....real or imagined.

4) You must include your contact information to win! And that means an email address so I can email you with the great news and thereby retrieve a mailing address. 

I will announce the winner January 26th, two weeks from today!!

 GOOD LUCK

and

LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER!!!

(all photos from Stealing Magnolias by Debra Shriver, copyright 2010, published by Glitterati Incorporated. http://www.glitteratiincorporated.com/)

Ding!Ding!Ding! We Have A Winner!!!

Thank you all so much for entering the Bodmer Throw Holiday Give Away! The response was wonderful! I and the Bodmers much appreciate all of the enthusiastic comments. Bodmer products really are soft, luxurious and beautiful !

As a special treat, the Bodmers have very kindly extended a very nice discount for all of you on their website. Just use the code: KATIEDID for an extra 20% off any purchase you make...just in time for Christmas!

Now......drum roll please!

The Winner is....

NANCY!!

Congratulations Nancy. I know you will have many cozy moments with your new throw!

Thank you all again for entering, and

* Happy Holidays! *

Last Chance to Enter Holiday Give Away!

Tonight is the night! I will be picking the winner of the Bodmer Throw Give Away first thing in the morning!

Click HERE for rules on how to enter!

Good Luck!!!

And

 Happy Holidays

Elle Decor Showhouse 2010: Master Bedroom by Jay Jeffers

 What can one say about Jay Jeffers?! Great style, always a sense of humor, elegance, and wit.....in his own terms, "sophisticated fun". Jay manages to brighten up a space just like his smile can brighten any mood.

Jay's Master Bedroom at the Elle Decor Showhouse is no exception. Jay used a backdrop of soothing dove grey in this room and added touches of color to add a bit of drama. Notice all of the details: the gilt nightstands with the hanging lamps above....

The dramatic marble fireplace surround softened with luxurious curtains on either side....the fantastic geometric patterned ottoman with the modern ivory covered chairs...

... Jay even mirrors the ottoman fabric pattern with the tile in the Master Bath. Always thinking, always thinking.

Sigh....I am a fan, it's true. So of course I hopped over to the Elle Decor Website to get every bit of information. You can see a virtual tour of each room, the designers' inspiration sketches, and lots of other fun Showhouse "stuff".

For example,here is a virtual tour with Editor-in-Chief, Michael Boodro:



I hope you have a chance to hop over yourselves!

Oh! And do not forget to enter my fantastic

HOLIDAY GIVE AWAY

HERE!


For a Beautiful Bodmer Baby Alpaca Throw.
I will be announcing a winner December 16th!


Good Luck!!

HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY! Beautiful Bodmer Throw Blanket

It is the Holiday Season, and what better way to express it than by giving? I have partnered with Bodmer Blankets to give one lucky reader a beautifully crafted, luxuriously cozy throw blanket valued at $650 to be chosen from any of the throws found on the Bodmer website.

Bodmer Blankets were introduced to market a little over a year ago and already they can be found at retail stores from LA to Miami. Thomas O'Brien was Bodmer's very first customer buying the Beige Striped throw for his own home and also throws for his Aero store in SoHo. Their blankets and throws can also be found at fine boutiques and designer showrooms across the country like Sue Fisher King in San Francisco, Mimi London in LA, and Fiori Home Collections in NYC.

Before we get to the GIVEAWAY, I would like to introduce you to Craig and Kari Bodmer, the crafters and entrepreneurs responsible for these fabulous throws. I was able to ask them a few questions about how they got this party started:

I know you live in Carlton. Oregon. How did this area become your home and how did you get your start in the alpaca blanket business?

We have always loved gardening, farming and country life in general. It is just so rewarding and fulfilling for us. The first home we bought are we were married was on a small acreage and we loved it. Our corporate careers began to overwhelm the best of our intentions to farm and we had to move back to the city and give up our place, but we swore we'd be back.

Our careers eventually moved us from Idaho to Portland, Oregon. We could finally afford to look for another acreage for farming. At the same time we began to look for an enterprise that would provide a cash flow that was consistent with our aesthetics and interests. We looked for property about an hour outside of Portland and were immediately drawn to the beauty of the wine country south and west of Portland. We soon found a piece of land that was perfect!

During our first 2 years on the property, we were given a video of a story about another couple who started a weaving business. The aesthetics were just what we were looking for, but we did not know how to weave. Craig took a lesson to see if he liked it, and fell in love with the process. He began a year of intensive study in weaving and design. We began to work out how to build a small business on our property weaving luxury blankets and throws.

We now weave beautiful blankets and throws for high-end design stores and design showrooms across the country ad spend our free time managing our farm and our lives in the country.

What does a typical day look like for the Bodmers?

We get up early and after coffee and a little exercise, Craig heads to the studio to weave and Kari either spends time with customers or on financial or marketing aspects of the business, or she takes bolts of fabric from the looms and works on the finishing process. Each throw  needs to be washed, dries, ironed, and fringed before being packaged and shipped. We stop work by 5:00 if we can so that we can get to any farm chores that need to be done before dinner.

Craig at his Loom

How would you describe your own personal style?
We describe our style as subtle elegance. We use traditional weave structures chosen for their drape, the structural integrity they provide the fabric, and their simple beauty. We see the value of our throws and blankets being an elegant enhancement to a beautiful interior design rather than something that makes its own separate statement. But one of the things we love about our throws is that beyond elegance, they are still incredibly warm, comfortable and cozy. When we are at gallery showings, it's fun to watch people wanting to wrap one around themselves. looking for our smiling permission and them wrapping up and purring.

What is happening next?

We began alpaca for all the reasons above, but there are lots of luxury fibers we are really looking forward to using. Craig is in the process of creating some designs which are a blend of baby alpaca and silk yarns. We hope to explore the possibilities of all the natural luxury fibers across the globe before we are finished.



Craig and Kari Bodmer





Just for fun....
Favorite sinful pleasure...
We love good food. We love to cook and bake and to get better and better at it. The natural food we grow and raise helps us create some incredible meals. We went mushroom hunting a couple of weeks ago for Oregon's famous Chanterelle mushroom. We drove up to the coast range of mountains, and found a couple of baskets full of those beautiful orange mushrooms. We came home and made our special recipe of beef stroganoff with our grass-fed sirloin steaks and fresh wild mushrooms. I am getting hungry just telling you about it!

Favorite place on the planet...

Kari loves lakes. Don't know whether it's because she was raised in the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" in Northern Minnesota, or just because it seems like air is just fresher on the shores of a beautiful mountain lake.

Craig could stare out at the ocean from the beach forever. His favorite place on earth is the tip of land at Point Lobos State Park south of Carmel, California. Standing there watching the white waves break over the rocks in that blue, blue water and rush up to his feet is his version of Heaven.

Favorite escape/travel destination...
We love Carmel, California. Love the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. Love Sun Valley, Idaho. Love Salashan Resort on the Oregon Coast.

Favorite place at home...
Sitting in our chairs in front of the wood stove in the living room reading.

Somehow I think Kari and Craig may have a throw or two tucked around them in front of that wood stove!

Now that you have met the Bodmers, I bet you are ready for the giveaway!!!

The Bodmers graciously sent me a throw so I could see for myself how impeccably beautiful they really are. (I got the Black Herringbone....and it is all mine!! Although Tim doesn't seem to agree)  I received small samples of all of the colors, and they are all gorgeous, soft and cozy. You will be thrilled. (And I can see why the throws are valued at $650!!) 

Here is all you have to do:

1. Visit the Bodmer Website  HERE and pick your favorite throw.
2. Come on back to Katiedid and become a follower.
3. Leave a comment telling me your favorite pick and contact information so we can get your beautiful baby alpaca throw to you before Christmas!!!

 The Giveaway runs from today through December 15th so we can get the throw to you by Christmas. I will announce the winner on December 16th! Keep a lookout.

GOOD LUCK 

and

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

HOLIDAY GIVE AWAY!

Four of the six pre-designed Martha Stewart Holiday Cards

I thought it quite fitting that I start out my Holiday Season doing something that I find the most heartwarming this time of year: the giving of gifts.

There is something about finding the perfect thing for each person on my list and wrapping it just so that puts my heart in the spirit of the season. This will be my third Yuletide of writing katiedid, and I thought it was high time that I show you all my appreciation for your visits and comments over the last few years. I enjoy putting out katiedid so much and you all make it all so worth it!

Crane Stationary in partnership with Martha Stewart, has been very kind in working with me to bring you a very special gift. What could be better than Crane, an American company that has helped us with our holiday cards, bridal stationary and invitations since 1801, joining with the doyen of holiday entertaining to create the new Martha Stewart Stationary Collection for this Holiday Season? This Collection includes a line of beautiful, personalized holiday cards and invitations, and pre-designed boxed cards available now through select Crane stationers and Crane's Website HERE.

Calligraphy Santa, inside message: "to be jolly"

I am so excited about this give away! Typically, the Boxed Holiday cards come in sets of 10 cards of one design in their beautiful light blue Crane box and are priced at $20. But for this give away, I worked with Crane to put together a special box of twenty cards with envelopes, made up of four different designs (five each). Isn't that kind of great?!

Peace, inside message: "on Earth"

So, I will be sending out this box of Holiday Cheer to a randomly selected reader and this is all you have to do:

Leave a comment of your own thoughts on Holiday Cheer, be they family gatherings, decorating, food, travel, or any special thing that puts you in the spirit. I will pick a winner at random and announce the winner the day after Thanksgiving, November 27th, 2009!

Calligraphy Tree, inside message: 'Celebrate the Holidays with a flourish"

So please don't forget to check back!!!! I will be needing an email from the winner so I will know where to send your gift!

Under the Sea, inside message: "Wintertide. Christmastide. Yuletide. Hope they're All Merry!"

And thank you so much for coming to visit me at katiedid. I look forward to your comments everyday, and appreciate you all so very much.

I wish you all a Happy Holiday Season and a Prosperous New Year!!