{dF} Duchess Fare

Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T11:06:00.000-05:00

Zombie Jeeves -- By local Atlanta artist Michelle Armas

RED Hot Finds on ATL Craigslist

2012-02-14T10:27:00.000-05:00

Susan Hable + Rinne Allen >>> colorset3

2012-02-13T10:40:00.000-05:00

Friday evening we headed to Fall Line Press, for their event featuring friends Susan Hable & Rinne Allen. The pair were in from Athens, GA to talk about their latest collaboration, colorset3, a handcrafted book filled with Rinne's photographic images and Susan's watercolor designs. The book is bound neatly, but when opened, the pages can be torn out or unfolded to display the unique & large color soaked images. Watch the video above to listen to Susan & Rinne discuss the reasons behind crafting this project, and below, see the book opened page by page.

Valentines at Polly The Potter

2012-02-13T09:36:00.000-05:00

Friday night we stopped by Polly The Potter's annual Variety Valentine Sale.... Polly shares her ceramic designs as well as showcasing the handcrafted wares of her artisan friends. We couldn't resist picking up a pair of the Glittery Birds in Hearts (shown right above, center photo) as a Valentine gift for each other.

Smitten With Wes Anderson

2012-02-10T12:09:00.000-05:00

Wes Anderson

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Simply put, movie director Wes Anderson is a visual genius when it comes to storytelling.... If you're not familiar with his films, rent & watch this weekend a couple of my favorites -- Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, and Fantastic Mr. Fox. I promise you won't be sorry!

For a little insight, watch below the clip from Doobybrain.com which includes a collection of every over head shot from Anderson's films, followed by the trailer for his highly anticipated new movie -- Moonrise Kingdom.

Wes Anderson // FROM ABOVE from kogonada on Vimeo.

Variety Valentine Sale at Polly On The Avenue / FRI-SUN

2012-02-10T11:28:00.000-05:00

Local Atlanta ceramicist Polly the Potter is hosting her annual Variety Valentine Sale, tonight 2/10 - Sunday 2/12. Polly will be featuring her latest designs available for purchase, as well as being joined by her artisan friends showcasing their handcrafted wares. I first spotted Polly's decorative ceramic table top accessories at the original Flying Biscuit Cafe in Candler Park back in 1997. You can't miss her signature designs, full of bright color & patterned details. We attended Polly's Holiday Show in December and purchased one of her salt holder bowls, perfect to have nearby for easy seasoning when cooking.

True Blue Chic Finds on ATL Craigslist

2012-02-09T09:30:00.000-05:00

Day Trip to Athens, GA

2012-02-03T10:53:00.001-05:00

I spent the better part of the afternoon yesterday in Athens, GA. My main priority was to attend the opening talk of the Henry D. Green Symposium of the Decorative Arts, a 3 day event, hosted by the Georgia Museum of Art. The keynote speaker, Deanne Levison, has been a dear and longtime friend, a mentor to me, and a trail blazer in the antiquity field. Deanne is arguably one of the foremost authorities on American antique furniture. In a career that spans 40+ years, she has sought to uncover the provenance of important pieces, shared her honed skills with museums and private collectors, and helped to broaden the awareness of American Decorative Arts by serving on foundation boards and authored numerous articles on the subject. Deanne is a quiet force, valuing the importance of integrity, and is never one to seek out the spotlight. Her talk last night shared wonderful stories of personal friendships and professional acquisitions throughout her career. Making the night even sweeter, was watching Deanne receive the first ever Henry D. Green Lifetime Achievement Award.

Deanne Levison receiving the first Henry D. Green Lifetime Achievement Award

Prior to attending Deanne's talk, I went by to see a friend, Emily Newdow, who works at Community, a charming boutique store in downtown Athens offering chic & vintage clothing, handcrafted items, and interesting finds. Emily not only works there, but she sells her custom made pillows. I was headed her way to take her a vintage needlepoint I recently turned up that she is making into a pillow for me. I snapped a couple of photos of some of her current pillow designs offered at Community. Click here to read more about Emily from my previous post.

Finally, I wanted to share some photos of a friend of mine's house in Athens.... We met up to attend the Symposium together. She has an eclectic style, mixing Southern furniture, Folk Art, and high & low period pieces throughout her home. She has also lived out in Santa Fe on and off for a number of years, developing a great appreciation for American Indian craft.

Ooh La La Vanity Fair!

2012-02-02T10:09:00.001-05:00

Image VF

Vintage Hollywood glamour style paired with today's stand out actresses grace the cover of the March 2012 issue of Vanity Fair magazine. Kudos to Photographer Mario Testino and Stylist Jessica Diehl.... Watch the video below for behind the scenes of the photoshoot.

(left to right) Rooney Mara, Jennifer Lawrence, Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska, Elizabeth Olsen, Adepero Oduye, Shailene Woodley, Paula Patton, Felicity Jones, Lily Collins, and Brit Marling

Interior Designer Stan Topol

2012-02-01T10:55:00.000-05:00

Stan Topol

Atlanta based interior designer Stan Topol is featured in the February 2012 issue of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine for his design work of a residential sales model in the St. Regis Atlanta Hotel and Residences (photos below). Early in his career, Mr. Topol spent formative summers working in NYC for legendary interior designer Billy Baldwin. Returning to his Southern roots, Mr. Topol established Stan Topol & Associates in the mid-1970s. His projects range from residential to commercial, with client locations all over the country. In addition to numerous publications and accolades of his work, Mr. Topol was inducted into the Designers Hall of Fame in 1997.

For more on Stan Topol, tune in tomorrow, Thursday February 2nd, for his featured appearance on Design Tips, a local Atlanta radio show. The program starts at 3pm and is co-hosted by my friend & neighbor Martine Resnick of Martine Louise Design.

Images AH&L

Seeing Things in Black & White on ATL Craigslist

2012-02-01T08:24:00.000-05:00

Q&A with Gigi Pedraza of Inca Kids

2012-01-31T10:31:00.001-05:00

Gigi Pedraza, founder and owner of Inca Kids, A Fair Trade Store, seeks out and showcases the crafts and textiles of Peruvian artisans. She is based here in Atlanta and is a friend and former neighbor. I asked Gigi if I could feature an interview with her for a blog post to learn more about why Inca Kids was established, her inspiration for product designs, and upcoming plans for her business. She graciously agreed, and her responses to my questions are below.....

#1 -- Are you from Atlanta? If not, where are you from and how long have you lived here?

I was born in Toronto, Canada but I have spent most of my life in Peru. I first came to Atlanta in 2002, moved to Shanghai in 2005 and came back in 2007.

#2 -- What was the spark that led you to create Inca Kids and what year did you establish the company?

While living in Shanghai I came face-to-face with the environmental and social damage mass production has in the world. After months of a sore throat I went to see a doctor fearing the worst. He said it was the pollution from the factories and to please never exercise outdoors but on an enclosed area. The air inside the buildings was cleaner. Also, I lived through several milk and toys with lead scares with an infant baby. The factories in China basically had no other choice than downgrade the quality of materials and supplies to accommodate to the never ending pressure of "the west" for cheaper products. Finally, I saw and worked with thousands of children, a whole generation of kids living with elderly and sickly grandparents. The parents were absent only because the only work available was in those same factories in some far away city paying cents the hour which forced them to live on the premises to score more hours so they could make ends meet. Traditional crafts were being forgotten.

I thought: "There must be a different and better way to create and produce. I am going to find it" and that is how I discovered the Fair Trade Movement, its principles and impact. I decided I wanted to be part of that and provide parents with an alternative when purchasing toys. I wanted to help them realize that every time they buy something, they are voting for an economic system that is fair to both consumer and producer.

I began operations in Nov. 2007.

#3 -- What are your inspirations for selecting and creating the designs you feature?

I design around 40% of the items we sell. I am inspired by traditional crafts and figure out a way to use those same techniques applied to more modern design. I love the muted colors by vegetable dyes and the bright landscape scraps of fabric create when you pile them up high. I also try to incorporate traditional andean toys and accessories into our offering so you will find some stuffed Llama dolls in the most interesting colors as well as babywearing dolls entirely handknitted in alpaca The other 60% is designed and crafted entirely by the artisans we work with. They get inspired by their surroundings (the ever changing color of the mountains) and main foods (corn, potatoes)

#4 -- How did you go about sourcing your artisans for your products?

I did research for a year looking for groups of artisans and co-operatives that understood the fair trade concept and whose products and production already had some quality control processes. Also, they had to be Peruvian. The level of craftsmanship is simply outstanding and I am familiar with the language and culture. The two co-operatives we work with represent more than 23 groups of artisans, their majority are women working in small communities or shantytowns across the country.

#5 -- Where can we buy Inca Kids in Atlanta?

Currently in 3 boutique stores:

-At The Collective in Inman Park (280 Elizabeth Street)

-5 Continents in Buckhead (326 Pharr Rd)

-Green Mosaics in Decatur (228 E Ponce de Leon Ave)

#6 -- What are your plans for the business in 2012?

We are evolving from a focus on online sales to a focus on placement on brick-and-mortar boutique stores and schools. We are developing a section recommending travel packages to Peru specifically including interaction and visit to artisans and their workshops, community centers and outdoor markets. Their is a gap between a traditional tour and an immersion experience in a country and its traditions. We believe we can help bridge that gap and increase awareness why fair trade and traditional techniques are so important to the livelihood of rural communities.

Our Tour of Batdorf & Bronson Coffee Roasters

2012-01-30T11:50:00.001-05:00

Back in November, Scout Mob offered a "Hand-Picked" deal to visit the Atlanta coffee roasting operation for the Olympia, WA based coffee company Batdorf & Bronson. The $25 purchase price included 2 hours of touring the facility (which has been in Atlanta since 1994), learning about the history of coffee, sampling Batdorf & Bronson blends, 2 bags of beans to take home, a coffee mug, and to top it all off, a slice of Pie Shop's Chocolate Cream Pie made with Batdorf & Bronson coffee and Cacao Atlanta chocolate -- Whoa!

Our tour was yesterday (photos below) and led by Jason Dominy, the Customer Support & Outreach Coordinator for Batdorf & Bronson. Jason has been in the coffee business for 15 years.... having opened 2 coffee shops of his own, then working for Caribou, and has now been with Batdorf & Bronson just over two years. His hand poured coffee will change your idea of what drip coffee should taste like. Jason's aim is to get coffee drinkers to take a culinary approach to making coffee using fresh ground beans, ground just before you make your cup, and he suggests using a "Clever Dripper" rather than a traditional coffee maker. For more, watch the video below to see Jason's techniques for making the perfect cup everytime.

Cast Iron Coffee Roaster (above) and Coffee Beans Before They're Roasted (below)

Chocolate Cream Pie from Pie Shop, made with Batdorf & Bronson Coffee and Cacao Atlanta Chocolate!

Favorites from SAG Red Carpet

2012-01-30T09:11:00.000-05:00

Regina King wearing Alberta Ferretti -- STUNNING in Lilac

Dianna Agron wearing Carolina Herrera | Jessica Chastain wearing Calvin Klein Collection | Emily Blunt wearing Oscar de la Renta -- RADIANT in Bright Color

Armie Hammer & Elizabeth Chambers -- BEST Dressed Couple

Go to the Head of the Class with Carleton Varney

2012-01-27T12:07:00.002-05:00

Carleton Varney

Image NYT

Yesterday's NY Times Home section included a Q&A with noted interior designer Carleton Varney. Varney has enjoyed a successful and lengthy design career, having cut his teeth with legendary American interior designer Dorothy Draper. Draper's style in 2012 is as ever highly regarded as when she founded her design firm in 1923. Varney assumed ownership of Dorothy Draper & Company, Inc. and has committed to staying true to Draper's design principles and overall vision. He has continued working on projects that Draper originally put her style stamp on, specifically the interior design of The Greenbrier resort in White Sulphur Springs, WV. At 74, Varney shows no signs of slowing down.... the Times reports that he is launching the Dorothy Draper School of Decorating, a week long series of classes, to be held at The Greenbrier, with sessions in February, March, April, and June.

I have a passion for Carleton Varney's custom designed fabrics, particularly the collection he created for Schumacher back in the 1970s. I didn't realize this until about a year ago, but the baby blanket I had as a child, that was stitched together and given to me by my Godmother, she made from Carleton Varney fabric, "Elephants". The image of Bubble Gum Pink Elephants is etched in my mind forever, and I still have the blanket to this day. I made the connection that her choice of fabric was a Varney print, when I spotted it on an Etsy posting while searching for vintage fabrics. I purchased every yard the seller had, and now, having a name tied to the design, I headed to Ebay to search for more, where I ended up finding and purchasing Varney's "Honey Bunny" design. Instead of repeating Pink Elephants, this print is repeating White Bunnies & Orange Carrots on a deep blue background. It remains to be seen what I will do with all this fabric, but I am such a sucker for nostalgia, it's safe to say it will be in my possession for the duration.

"Elephants" (above) and "Honey Bunny" (below)

Golden Finds on ATL Craigslist

2012-01-26T22:36:00.000-05:00

Lee Kleinhelter's Tastemaker Tag Sale 1/27

2012-01-26T12:01:00.000-05:00

Image Pieces

Local Atlanta interior designer Lee Kleinhelter has been tapped by One Kings Lane to be part of their Tastemaker Tag Sale series, happening tomorrow, January 27 at 11am EST. Lee is the owner of the much loved boutique home furnishings store, Pieces, located in heart of Buckhead. I think everyone fell head over heels for Lee's design style when her home was featured in Cottage Living magazine, back in October 2006. She presented a fresh take on family friendly (and dog) living, mixing together her signature touches of new furnishings, with repurposed vintage finds, pops of color, and unexpected accessories. I've held onto the CL images, check out below.....

Rachel Ashwell in the Lone Star State

2012-01-25T12:47:00.000-05:00

Rachel Ashwell, on the grounds of The Prairie

Image Nonsense & Sensibility

Rachel Ashwell, the style force behind the design movement Shabby Chic, has recently opened The Prairie, a B & B situated on 46 picturesque acres in Round Top, TX. Ashwell has lovingly restored 5 existing structures on the property, all decorated with her signature style of soft colors, cozy fabrics, and vintage accessories. Ashwell became very familiar with the Round Top area through her many years of buying trips for vintage finds at the legendary Round Top Antiques Fair, a seasonal antiques market that attracts buyers from all over the country. For more, check out the photos below, and pick up a copy of the FEB/MAR issue of Garden & Gun magazine, featuring The Prairie.

The Ranger's Lounge -- Check-in and gathering area for meals and conversation (photos above & 3 below)

The Cornflower Cottage -- A studio with king size bed and full bath (photos above & 2 below)

The Blue Bonnet Barn -- Queen size accommodations, sitting area, and bath (photos above & 3 below)

The Meadow Manor -- Offers 2 queen bedrooms, living room, and kitchen (photos above & 4 below)

The Liliput Lodge -- A 3 bedroom/2 bath home with kitchen, dining room, and living room (photos above & 7 below)

All Images The Prairie

For Sale >>> Kelly Bensimon's Hamptons Home

2012-01-24T10:39:00.000-05:00

Writer, model, TV personality, health advocate, community activist, and the list continues.... all describe Kelly Bensimon, who has recently placed her East Hampton home on the market. Listed for $12 million, the 5 bedroom/5 bath house sits on 1.2 acres, with in-ground pool & pond -- exterior & interior photos below.... Additional upcoming news, Kelly will be releasing her fourth book to date, I Can Make You Hot!: The Supermodel Diet, on April 24.

Sign Up for the Intown Ten

2012-01-24T09:15:00.000-05:00

Happening on Sunday March 4th, the Intown Ten is the first ever 10K run/walk through the Virginia-Highland neighborhood of Atlanta. Proceeds will benefit John Howell Park, located a stone's throw from the Virginia Avenue & N. Highland Avenue intersection. Spearheading this endeavor is long time friend (and former triplex housemate) Rob Glancy. Rob has also secured the artistic services of Flournoy Holmes to create the commemorative T-shirt design for the race (shown above). Holmes is a respected artist with an established & lengthy career, including projects with The Allman Brothers Band and Widespread Panic to design their album covers.

Click here to register / Registration Fee is $35 through January, $40 starting February 1 / Registration is limited to 1000 participants and closes February 23 / SIGN UP TODAY!

Eat A Peach -- The Allman Brothers Band

Don't Tell The Band -- Widespread Panic

Images Flournoy Holmes

Visit To >>> At The Collective

2012-01-23T12:29:00.001-05:00

Friday afternoon I made my way from stopping in for a cappuccino at Steady Hand Pour House, to grocery shopping at Sevananda, followed by an over due shopping visit to At The Collective. Located in the heart of the Inman Park neighborhood, At The Collective brings together a curated collection of handcrafted wares by an assortment of local artisans. An exterior courtyard at the entrance showcases outdoor plants, finds, & furnishings. Once inside, displays of each vendor's goods are set up throughout the large 2 room storefront. I had heard about At The Collective through one of the shop's vendors (and my friend) Gigi, who sells her Peruvian crafts, Inca Kids. I also spotted lovely custom hats, knitted items, wonderful gift items, and unique & vintage home furnishings. Photos from my visit below....

Gong Xi Fa Cai ~ Happy New Year!

2012-01-23T11:11:00.001-05:00

Schumacher's Chiang Mai print (availabe by the yard and wallpaper roll) seemed to be the perfect backdrop in celebrating the start of Chinese New Year ~ Year of the Dragon! The brightly colored lanterns, abundant flowers, and fluid and animated Dragon design are wonderful representations of New Year celebrations.

Speaking of Dragons, there is a large apartment complex in Hong Kong, built behind the historic Repulse Bay Hotel (where I took ballet lessons as child), that was designed in accordance with Feng Shui principles. Due to the construction site's close proximity to the mountain side & coast line, good Feng Shui calls for allowing the Wind to move through, down the mountain and out to the water. Also in Chinese culture, Dragons are believed to live in the mountains, with the ridges of the landscape symbolizing their veins. In an effort to ward off bad luck and rather than the scale of the building becoming an obstruction to Feng Shui guidelines, architects designed a large square opening within the body of the building for the Wind to flow and providing the Dragon the ability to see and drink from the ocean.

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Spring Preview ~ Phoebe Howard's The Joy of Decorating

2012-01-20T10:42:00.002-05:00

Slated for a March 1, 2012 release, southern tastemaker Phoebe Howard will be publishing her first design book titled The Joy of Decorating. The pages are filled with her interior design projects showcasing her honed skills at creating elegant, lovely, and comfortable rooms. The cover shot, shown below, is followed by images of that home's interiors. Click here for details to pre-order directly from Phoebe Howard's blog and receive 20% off the price.

In the late 90s, Phoebe and her husband Jim Howard opened Mrs. Howard, a Jacksonville, FL based store offering fresh & unique home furnishings and design services. The success of that shop led them to open Max & Company, and expand locations to Atlanta, GA and Charlotte, NC. The interior design work of Phoebe and Jim Howard has been featured in numerous shelter magazines.

Images Phoebe Howard

Block and Brayer ~ Hand Block Print Design

2012-01-19T11:58:00.000-05:00

It has been on my list to visit the Miami Circle space of Summer Loftin Antiques & Chovan Designs ever since their opening back in the Fall. I stopped in yesterday with my sights set on checking out the block print pillows they have featured from Athens, GA based company Block and Brayer. I was turned onto Block and Brayer by Atlanta interior designer Allison Harper who has collaborated with the company on the current designs. In addition to the linen pillows (my photos below & nestled on some lovely period pieces), Block and Brayer also offers hand block print designs in scarves, makeup bags, dog beds, and fabric by the yard, available through Allison Harper.

An assortment of scarves and makeup bag designs are available through Allison Harper.

Image Block and Brayer Facebook

Peter Dunham & Vintage Appeal

2012-01-19T10:48:00.000-05:00

One Kings Lane features a post titled All Things Vintage, with today's top interior designers weighing in on the definition of a vintage item, where to find them, and what to collect. The OKL post includes a video of interior designer Peter Dunham and OKL co-founder Susan Feldman as they hunt through Brimfield (the outdoor antiques show that happens 3 times a year in Massachusetts), on the lookout for interesting vintage finds. Watch the video below, followed by photos of Peter Dunham's design work for homeowner Steve Tisch, featured in the June 2011 issue of Architectural Digest, expertly layering fine art, period antiques, and vintage pieces throughout the rooms.

Images AD

Residence >>> Vera Wang in LA

2012-01-18T09:18:00.000-05:00

A born & raised New Yorker, fashion designer Vera Wang has recently purchased a home out in LA. Wang and the home's interiors are featured in the February 2012 issue of Haper's Bazaar magazine. The interior design is everything you would expect from this forward thinking fashion icon. Wang has selected materials, finishes, and furnishings from a color palette of black and white tones, set against the backdrop of a minimalist glass box. Watch the behind the scenes video below followed by the home's exquisite photos.

Images Harper's Bazaar

Restocking My ETSY Shop Shelves

2012-01-17T17:13:00.001-05:00

New Design >>> PANYL

2012-01-17T11:31:00.000-05:00

The husband of an old elementary school friend (we attended Hong Kong International School together in the early 80s), has started a design business, PANYL, that offers a self-adhesive vinyl application to customize otherwise basic "flat-pack" furniture forms. PANYL comes in a variety of color & wood grain finishes (34 total) and currently, you can order cut to fit pieces for IKEA designs EXPEDIT, BESTA, FRAMSTA, EKBY, and kitchen cabinetry -- check out the "before & after" photos below of bright yellow PANYL applied to the upper kitchen cabinet doors. Click here to become a PANYL fan on Facebook.

Images PANYL Facebook

Golden Globes Red Carpet Style ~ Highs & Lows

2012-01-16T10:32:00.000-05:00

Last night's Golden Globes Red Carpet pre-show was a feast for the eyes! I spotted all shapes, sizes, colors, & styles... My standouts are included below, along with hair trends, good looking couples, and some of my not so favorite dress choices.

Reese Witherspoon ~ One Red H-O-T Hot Mama!!

Julianna Marguiles, Diane Lane, Laura Dern ~ Stunning in Sparkle

Mary J. Blige, Sarah Hyland, Michelle Williams, Charlize Theron ~ Soft Pinned Hair & Chic Headbands

She Makes Him Look Good and He Knows It! (above & below)

Dustin Hoffman & his wife Lisa | Colin Firth & his wife Livia | Seth Rogen & his wife Lauren | Josh Brolin & Diane Lane

Maya Rudolph, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Kristen Wiig ~ SNL Ladies Missing the Mark

Julianne Moore, Meryl Streep, Mila Kunis, Debra Messing ~ BLACK and Boring

Jessica Biel, Piper Perabo, Emily Watson, Katherine McPhee ~ NUDE and Not Right

Amanda Peet, Connie Britton, Naya Rivera, Zooey Deschanel ~ When Bad Dresses Happen to Good People

Red Carpet Watch ~ Jessica Chastain

2012-01-13T10:25:00.002-05:00

Jessica Chastain -- The Help

The 3 hour (E! Entertainment kicks off at 5pm EST) red carpet pre-show leading up to the Golden Globes can be just as exciting to watching as seeing the announcing of the award winners! I'll be watching Sunday night as nominated actors & actresses make their way down the red carpet, stopping to discuss with reporters the inevitable question asked "Who are you Wearing and Why?"

Golden Globe nominee Jessica Chastain, in the category for "Best Performance by an Actress In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture", for her work in The Help, has had a very busy acting schedule this past year, thus taking red carpets by storm in 2011 & 2012.... Included below are some of her most recent red carpet moments and various styles of dress selections. Followed by video of Jessica on a photo shoot, discussing her personal fashion taste.

(left to right) Critics' Choice Movie Awards wearing Balenciaga | National Board of Review wearing Zac Posen | New York Film Critics Circle Awards wearing Lyn Devon | Palm Springs Film Festival wearing Prabal Gurung

Images Here, Here, Here, & Here

New Read >>> Ali in Wonderland: And Other Tall Tales

2012-01-12T11:02:00.000-05:00

The sharp wit and charm of Ali Wentworth spills over onto the pages of her new memoir, Ali in Wonderland: And Other Tall Tales, due out on shelves February 7. The February '12 issue of Town & Country magazine features excerpts from Ali's book and she is photographed with her mother, Muffie Cabot, a poised & distinguished woman in her own right.

I've included below the clip from the Seinfeld "Soup Nazi" episode, where Ali plays Jerry's girlfriend.... and how can you forget that sickly sweet way they refer to each other as "Schmoopy". Followed by interior images of Ali's Washington, DC home, designed by her boarding school roommate Elizabeth Martin, shared with husband George Stephanopoulos and their two daughters, featured in the May 2009 issue of Elle Decor.

Oh, and today, January 12, happens to be Ali's birthday ~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Images Elle Decor

Peacock Accessories

2012-01-11T12:41:00.000-05:00

Peacock style is turning up in the pages of shelter magazines.... influenced by their color, pattern, and accessorizing with the actual birds! I have just listed this vintage pair (above) in my Etsy shop. I am smitten with their turquoise color, gold accents, and fluid design. Click here for purchase info and check out Peacock style below...

Stylish Sisters

2012-01-11T11:12:00.000-05:00

Frances Schultz (left) and Duvall Fuqua (right)

Image NYSD

Yesterday's New York Social Diary featured Nina Griscom writing about her New Years celebration weekend. She was invited by friends Frances Schultz and Tom Dittmer, to his ranch in Santa Inez, CA. Nina included wonderful photos and detailed info of her 3 day excursion. One of the photos shared is of Frances and her sister Duvall Fuqua. The Fuqua family is based here in Atlanta and their home, designed by John Oetgen, was photographed for House Beautiful magazine. Frances, who has authored numerous lifestyle/design books & articles, interviewed John about his selections for the home's interior. Check out the photos below....

Images House Beautiful

Gray & Yellow

2012-01-10T12:28:00.001-05:00

The fresh contrast of Gray & Yellow paired together is the reason I chose the 2 shades for my Duchess Fare logo. This color combination also translates a style that is both sophisticated and comfortable. Interior designer Lindsey Coral Harper selected a Gray & Yellow color palette for a client's kitchen (below), as seen in and on the cover of House Beautiful's February '12 issue. Following, I've included some additional Gray & Yellow inspired rooms and accessories....

Image House Beautiful

Image AH&L

Trina Turk Shanghai Links Pillow | Kate Spade Squared Away Necklace | Scalamandre Zebra Umbrella | The Pink Pagoda Yellow & Gray Elephant | Anthropologie Maypop Pillow

Image AH&L

Image atHome

On the Market ~ Bunny Mellon's Idyllic Cape Cod Retreat

2012-01-09T10:47:00.000-05:00

Bunny Mellon

American philanthropist Rachel "Bunny" Lambert Mellon has placed her 26 acre Cape Cod residence on the market. The grounds of her Osterville home reflect Mrs. Mellon's passion for horticulture and gardening. Listed for $28.7 million, the private waterfront property comprises of a main house, guest & staff accommodations, a beach house, an artist studio, tennis courts, greenhouses, extensive gardens, and lush landscape. Exterior photos are below, followed by Vanity Fair's photos of Oak Spring Farms, Mrs. Mellon's main residence in Upperville, VA, featured in the August 2010 issue.

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Images VF/Jonathan Becker

3 Shows to Watch This Weekend

2012-01-06T10:46:00.001-05:00

OK... leave the TV reruns behind and watch these 3 shows this weekend, all three starting new seasons. Tonight, the quiet comic genius of Carrie Brownstein & Fred Armisen and their comedy sketch show Portlandia, premieres its second season on IFC. The show revolves around a series of characters played by Carrie & Fred (with additional guest appearances of actors & musicians) in short vignettes, and shot in Portland, OR.

Then on Sunday night, representing opposite sides of British propriety, the second season return of Downton Abbey on PBS and new episodes of Absolutely Fabulous on BBC America. Downton Abbey tells the tale of the aristocratic Crawley family, set just beyond the turn of the century following the sinking of the Titanic and into the Great War. The show is full of stellar acting and superb writing. Absolutely Fabulous, otherwise known as Ab Fab, began in 1992, and created by Jennifer Saunders. Saunders along with Joanna Lumley, play BFFs Edina & Patsy, and are the irreverent dynamic duo of everything fabulous. These new episodes were created to celebrate Ab Fab's 20th anniversary.

Watch the attached videos below for more on each show....

Carrie Brownstein & Fred Armisen discuss Portlandia (above) and watch a sketch from their second season (below)

Watch Downton Abbey Season 2 Preview on PBS. See more from Masterpiece.

Preview for Downton Abbey (above) and Absolutely Fabulous (below)

Antique + Current Form New Design

2012-01-05T10:49:00.000-05:00

When you see what was once considered a vintage "one-off" type item turn up in the pages of home furnishings catalogs, with an abundance of stock available, for me, its a sign that the catalog companies have jumped on board a design trend. Take for example the Railroad Cart Coffee Table, which at first appeared scattered around antique shops but soon found a home in the pages of Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware, and others.... tweaked a little in form, but remaining true to its design concept.

My latest sighting is a light fixture that takes influence from something antique in design & current to today's style. Pottery Barn's (the catalog arrived in yesterday's mail) latest chandelier, Elena Wood Beaded Chandelier, takes its roots from the traditional French Empire style and folds in the beaded detail from the chandeliers of interior designer Marjorie Skouras.

Traditional French Empire Style Chandelier

Image Elle Decor

Marjorie Skouras Empire Chandelier

Image House Beautiful

Pottery Barn's Elena Wood Bead Chandelier

Shopping at City Issue

2012-01-04T09:53:00.002-05:00

City Issue is Atlanta's go-to resource when in need of quality mid century modern furnishings and accessories. Located in the Inman Park neighborhood of town, City Issue fills their storefront (as seen above) with an assortment of ever changing vintage finds. Can't make in person? Check out City Issue's website for photos & info on current inventory. Found below, a handful of period pieces catching my eye....

Images City Issue

It's a Brad, Brad World

2012-01-03T12:46:00.000-05:00

It's a Brad, Brad World premiered last night on Bravo TV. The show revolves around the life & work of fashion stylist Brad Goreski. Brad has also been recently named Exclusive Brand Stylist for Kate Spade. For a little insight into his personal style, watch the video below for a tour of Brad's LA home.

Tangerine Tango

2012-01-03T10:58:00.000-05:00

Chinoiserie Chic turned me onto Pantone announcing their 2012 color of the year: Tangerine Tango. Certainly the perfect shade to jump-start the new year! Atlanta based interior designer Kay Douglass has been setting the trend with incorporating bright pops of color into her rooms as accents, as well as check out other designers interpreting this citrus color into their latest accessories, (see below). And click here to shop my ETSY Treasury ~ Orange & Tangerine Dream.

Interior Design by Kay Douglass

A Chic & Fresh Beachside Home

2012-01-02T16:15:00.000-05:00

The Miami Shores Residence of Beth Arrowood

Sara Ruffin Costello, writer & design consultant (and former creative director of the beloved Domino Magazine), reveals the "design dos" that Beth Arrowood abides by when decorating her Miami Shores home. Arrowood is the owner and designer of NIBA Rug Collections, featuring customized wool and silk rugs, crafted in India, Nepal, and Thailand, and available in showrooms around the country. For her beachside home, Arrowood sticks to a consistent color palette, with shades & patterns sharing the same tones, and introduces pops of color as accents. Check out the Wall Street Journal for more design insights.

Images WSJ/Mark Roskams

2012-01-01T00:16:00.000-05:00

At check out, enter coupon code HAPPYNEWYEAR25 for 25% off every item. Click here to start shopping!

Susan Thorn Interiors

2011-12-30T12:25:00.000-05:00

When I headed back home to CT after graduating from college in the Spring of 1996, with my art history degree in hand, I began a 3 day a week job at Susan Thorn Interiors. My tasks were definitely at the entry level of a design firm (ordering fabrics, organizing the sample room, etc...), but I was looking forward to gaining as much experience as I could at this established East Coast firm. Susan Thorn leans towards a style of sophisticated & classical European and American influences, with her rooms full of lovely fabrics & upholstery, period antiques, and fine art. I've always admired Susan's work for its reflection of high style, yet calming and cozy appeal. Included above and below are photos of completed spaces from Susan Thorn's portfolio....

All Images Susan Thorn Interiors

Post #501

2011-12-29T09:54:00.000-05:00

Today marks blog post #501. I thought it would be fitting to include the above photo, since it was the very first picture placed on my first blog post back on January 6, 2010. I referred to it as my "welcome mat", as it did and still does, represents the idea of what I love to write about... style, food, travel, design. Its been a great journey of discovery -- meeting artists, chefs, designers, as well as developing relationships with fellow bloggers. Here's to another 501 posts!

Helen Frankenthaler

2011-12-28T09:40:00.001-05:00

Helen Frankenthaler

Image NYMag

American painter Helen Frankenthaler died yesterday at the age of 83 at her home in Darien, CT. Frankenthaler's successful career spans over the last 6 decades. She emerged as a leading abstract painter in the mid 20th century with her developed technique of pouring turpentine thinned paint onto an unprimed canvas, allowing the paint to soak & bleed into the raw material. This "stain" method was applied to arguably her most important work to date, Mountains and Sea (seen below), painted in 1952, securing her placement among the rising and respected avant-garde artists of the day.

Mountains and Sea, (1952)

Image Elle Decor

Helen Frankenthaler's work hangs in homes above, plus three below, and watch the attached video for more.

Image

Image Elle Decor

Turquoise Design

2011-12-27T10:08:00.001-05:00

Vanessa De Vargas

Image Lonny

Vanessa De Vargas, founder of the LA based interior design firm Turquoise, has earned a reputation for creating stylish fresh spaces. She layers repurposed vintage furnishings and custom designed pieces, with finishes full of pattern, texture, and color. Turquoise offers in-house design consultations, e-decorating services, as well as hand selected furnishings & accessories available for purchase through the website and Etsy store. Found below, I've included some images from Turquoise's portfolio of completed spaces that caught my eye and the photos from their work for The Good Shepherd Charity Design Project, featured in the Dec/Jan 2012 issue of Adore Home Magazine.

Mar Vista Project (top left) | Upward Bound House Homeless Shelter Project (top right) | Sherman Oaks Dining Room Project (bottom left) | Sherman Oaks Office Project (bottom right)

Images Turquoise Facebook

Shopping Deal at Chic Shop

2011-12-26T11:22:00.003-05:00

Let the holiday shopping continue with a stylish offer from Chic Shop, a boutique home furnishing store in LA, offering hand selected and custom designed items. Shop Chic Shop online and use code HAPPY HOLIDAYS at check out to receive 30% off your entire order, now until 1/1/12. Owner and interior designer Hillary Thomas seeks out interesting pieces to round out the overall design of a room. Pictured above are a couple of Chic Shop accessories that have caught my eye....

A New Favorite of an Old Classic ~ Merry Christmas All!

2011-12-23T11:00:00.000-05:00

6 Pack of High Road Craft Ice Cream & Sorbet

2011-12-23T10:38:00.001-05:00

OK, so I went a little nuts yesterday at Whole Foods and grabbed all 6 flavors of High Road Craft Ice Cream & Sorbet offered in the freezer case. I have been meaning to sample the creamy dreamy goodness from this small Atlanta based company for a while now, and it is the holidays, right? The list includes (starting at the top of the pyramid pictured above):

Vanilla Fleur de Sel
Bourbon Burnt Sugar
Caffeine & Cacao
Aztec Chocolate & Caramel
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel
Brown Butter Praline

My favorite of the 6 is the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel, but full disclosure, I love anything with a Chocolate Peanut Butter combination. The neat thing about this flavor is that local restaurant chef/owner Ron Eyester of Rosebud asked the owners of High Road to perfect this ice cream flavor using the 3 featured ingredients. High Road happily obliged and even put Chef Eyester's picture on the side of the container.

Highlights from the remaining 5... love pairing ingredients from Cacao Atlanta (a local boutique chocolatier here in town) in Caffeine & Cacao. If you like a little bit spice & heat, the Aztec Chocolate & Caramel is right up your alley with hits of cinnamon & chiles. The Bourbon Burnt Sugar & the Brown Butter Praline are really rich and unexpected, but both nail such traditional Southern flavors. The Vanilla Fleur de Sel is not an intense salty flavor, just a nice subtle laying to the creamy Vanilla.

Click here to purchase online and watch the video below to learn more from the owners of High Road.

Emily Thompson's Holiday Decorating

2011-12-22T11:34:00.001-05:00

Emily Thompson

Brooklyn, NY based florist Emily Thompson was asked to lend her design services in decorating the interiors of the White House this holiday season. Thompson takes influence from nature when creating arrangements, with the addition of branches & lush greenery, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Vogue magazine features a Q&A with Thompson and among other tropics, asks what are her 3 decorating tips for at-home holiday decorating:

1. Use wild material: I always prefer to pull branches and weeds from the backyard before seeking out commercially grown flowers. In fact, I would suggest finding an interesting dead branch for your holiday centerpiece. You can dress it sparingly or elaborately, but defintely let the wood dry out first so you can eradicate any creatures that might come with it. Unless, of course, your prefer them to emerge during your dinner toasts!

2. Decorate with savory vegetables or fruits: Leeks, onions, long-stemmed garlic, black radishes, and weirdly shaped squashes can be unexpected and supremely elegant. Try nestling them in kale rosettes or other strong lettuce-aisle choices. Keep in mind these elements can have strong aromas, so consider your own instincts for pleasing smells, and consider the menu. Edible foliage makes an incredible canvas for cheeses or finger foods as well. If you prefer fruit, why not copy your favorite Dutch or Spanish still-life painting? Peel an orange in a spiral, just halfway, and let it scent the room.

3. Don’t confine your decor: Allow your flowers, vegetables, and tchotchkes to trail onto your tables and other surfaces. Let them drool down, twine upwards, splay across your walls and floors, and intertwine with the surrounding objects and architecture. This technique can make for a marvelous buffet table—you want to let everything erupt into the party.

As Quoted In Vogue

The East Room of the White House -- See behind the decorating scenes with pics form Thompson's blog and click here to read more from my previous post on Thompson.

Images Via NY Daily News, Vogue, & Emily Thompson Flowers

Chic Finds on ATL Craigslist

2011-12-22T09:42:00.000-05:00

David Salle at The Glass House

2011-12-21T11:03:00.000-05:00

A video from October 13, part of the Conversations in Context series, features artist David Salle on the grounds and in the Art Gallery of The Philip Johnson Glass House. Located in New Canaan, CT, The Glass House was the home of American architect Philip Johnson and his partner David Whitney. The residence and its additional structures are part of The National Trust for Historic Preservation. Make your reservation to tour the 47 acre site by clicking here. (The photo at the top of this blog is me in front of Philip Johnson's Studio). Read more about Philip Johnson from my previous post.

Conversations in Context – David Salle from The Philip Johnson Glass House on Vimeo.

Stay at The Storefront

2011-12-21T10:32:00.000-05:00

With Christmas days away and so much talk of holiday travel, it makes me think back to our road trip taken 2 years ago this week from GA to CT. Jim and I opted to drive the 15+ hours, in part to get away from the craziness of airports but to also have the ability to bring back with us some larger items from my parent's home. We left on the 23rd and drove 8 hours from Atlanta to the Blue Ridge Mountains area of Virginia, allowing us to bypass the hectic I-95 corridor. As an alternate to spending the night at a typical roadside hotel, before we left town, I had researched a couple of smaller spots to stay. We settled on making a reservation at The Storefront in Staunton, VA. If you should find yourself on the same travel route, I highly recommend booking a stay.

The Storefront (pictured at right, gray brick)

The Storefront is a quaint old 2 story building located right in the heart of town, walking distance to restaurants and shopping. The exterior of the building retains its classic architecture, but the interior has been renovated with a contemporary feel. You enter right off the street into a small living area with TV and a bar (stocked with complimentary drinks & snacks). There is also a bathroom on the 1st floor. Up the staircase, you'll find a full kitchen, 2nd bath, and queen bedroom. The space is very clean and particular attention is paid to offering eco-friendly soaps & detergents (W/D provided) and recycled paper products. Breakfast at one of the 2 nearby cafes is included in the daily rate. We walked across the street and had breakfast (and picked up provisions for the road) at Cranberry's Grocery & Eatery.

Have Yourself a Very Merry She & Him Christmas

2011-12-20T11:36:00.000-05:00

Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward are the duo behind the band She & Him. Out now is their Christmas album, A Very She & Him Christmas, which includes the pair performing 12 classic holiday songs. For a little taste, watch below She & Him's recent appearance on Ellen, singing Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree. Followed by Zooey's study/music/creative room that was featured in and on the cover of the February 2009 issue of Domino magazine.

Domino Images Via Apartment Therapy & Casa Sugar

A Must Try >>> Home Grown

2011-12-19T11:41:00.000-05:00

I am a little particular when it comes to going out for breakfast here in Atlanta.... the one or two places I really like are typically jammed on the weekends, so it always seems to be easier to cook at home. But, there is one spot that I must recommend, Home Grown, that seems to be under the radar (maybe because of its location) and that you can get into pretty easily on the weekends. Jim really flips for the Comfy Chicken Biscuit and I have tried the Omelette (which is packed with fresh veggies & cheese) and the B.e.S.T French Toast Breakfast (with a fried egg) that is super delicious! Home Grown also serves a variety of lunch dishes, prepared with fresh and locally sourced ingredients -- they have a vegetable garden in back of the restaurant!

My Omelette, Jim's Comfy Chicken Biscuit, and we also tried a Homemade Pancake

The Veggie Garden Out Back

Located inside Home Grown is Sew Thrifty 5 & Dime, a pop up store of sorts situated among the tables & chairs of the restaurant. The quaint space offers a collection of handmade and vintage items for purchase. My photos snapped yesterday....

AH&L Featured Home For Sale

2011-12-19T10:30:00.000-05:00

The August 2010 issue of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine featured the in-town residence of former Atlanta Braves player Derek Lowe. The house was built new in 2008 in an established neighborhood, with architecture by D. Stanley Dixon and interior design by Betty Burgess. The home is currently listed for $3,495,000. Check out some interior photos below....

Images Via AH&L and Harry Norman, Realtors

Local Artisan Gift Giving ~ FOOD

2011-12-16T10:42:00.000-05:00

Following yesterday's suggestions of handcrafted gift giving ideas, check out these local Atlanta food purveyors and their delectable treats.

1) Truffles from Sugar Coated Radical | 2) Charcuterie Provisions from The Spotted Trotter | 3) Homemade Pies from Pie Shop | 4) High Road Craft Ice Cream & Sorbet 5) Whoopie Pies from No Big Whoop! Bakery | 6) Dark Chocolate Bark from Cacao | 7) Specialty Condiments & Pantry Goods from Bella Cucina

Local Artisan Gift Giving

2011-12-15T12:40:00.000-05:00

Atlanta is brimming over with artisan talent.... Featured above are just a couple of selections that would make perfect gifts during this Holiday Season. Top left, are hand-carved Stone Owls from friend Chris Condon. Top right, are exquisite hand knitted scarves from Nancy Gaddy (nancygaddy@yahoo.com). Bottom left, handcrafted ceramics from Yoshimi Hosoda. Bottom right, Himalayan Trading Post soy candles, locally produced and poured into decorative containers (I'm burning Mistletoe as I type).

Chic Finds Currently on ATL Craigslist

2011-12-14T11:40:00.000-05:00

The Nutcracker ~ Live From Lincoln Center on PBS Tonight

2011-12-14T09:28:00.001-05:00

Live From Lincoln Center on PBS will broadcast New York City Ballet's performance of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker tonight, 12/14, at 8pm (check your local listing). Could there be anything more wonderful than seeing this iconic ballet during the Holiday Season? Be sure to watch tonight!

Watch NYC Ballet Nutcracker Promo on PBS. See more from pbs.

Stop Into Lush Life

2011-12-13T11:46:00.000-05:00

Last week, I stopped into Lush Life, the loveliest of Buckhead boutique shops, specializing in home & floral decor. Their charming bungalow style space is filled with an abundant selection of scented candles & oil diffusers and interesting objects & gifts, as well as fresh cut flower & planted arrangements and if needed for larger projects, Lush Life offers landscape services. I usually head right to the Diptyque candles, but this visit, I decided on Antica Farmacista's Noble Fir scented oil diffuser, a perfect scent to enjoy at the holidays. On my way out the door, I snapped a picture of a exquisite planted orchid (above) that was on its way to a very lucky recipient!

Antica Farmacista's Noble Fir

Holiday Shopping with The Zhush

2011-12-13T11:01:00.000-05:00

The Zhush, a stylish blog highlighting the best of today's home decor and fashion trends, has recently added a very chic online store to their site. Stocked selections include an assortment of accessories crafted with a design eye and sure to enhance your everyday needs. Found above, are a couple of pretty little things that caught my eye.... perfect for someone on your gift giving list.

All Images Via The Zhush

All I Want for Christmas.... A ZAANHA Scarf

2011-12-12T12:13:00.004-05:00

Wendy Summer, the twin sister of a friend of mine is the founder and owner of ZAANHA, featuring handcrafted fine embroidery accessories and home decor. Summer's artisan driven business was established in 2006 following her volunteering with the Business Council for Peace. Her focus of mentoring Afghanistan women and their growing businesses exposed Summer to traditional central Asian crafts & wares of highly skilled weavers and designers and their use of fine materials -- silk, cashmere, and wool. Her company's tag line "ZAANHA, Glamour. For Good." rings true with proceeds from Summer's sales going towards her goal of educating Afghan children.

Images Via Zaanha

Polly on the Avenue Holiday Sale

2011-12-09T10:20:00.000-05:00

Happening tonight and through the weekend, stop by the 20th annual Holiday Sale hosted by Polly on the Avenue ceramic studio. Included in the sale are the works & wares of 12 local and regional artists.

Images Via Polly the Potter

Artful "Hand-Picked" Deal on Scout Mob

2011-12-09T09:26:00.000-05:00

Image Via Scout Mob

Offered today on Scout Mob and available for a limited time, Atlanta based specialty food company Bella Cucina has put together an "Entertaining" gift basket filled with their savory provisions. Included in the market basket:

6 oz. jar of Artichoke Lemon Pesto
6 oz. jar of Caramelized Onions with Golden Raisins
6 oz. jar of Cranberry Conserve
6 oz. jar of Organic Meyer Lemon Cocktail Citrus Twists and Cocktail Recipe
Pane Rustico Italian Flatbread
Death by Chocolate Cookies

This culinary bounty is sure to please someone on your holiday gift giving list! Click here to purchase and pickup is at the Bella Cucina store in Virginia-Highland between 12/10 - 12/16, with proper ID.

Holiday Decor with Jill Sharp Brinson + Suzanne Kasler

2011-12-08T11:47:00.000-05:00

Jill Sharp Brinson (standing left) and Suzanne Kasler (seated right)

Atlanta based Jill Sharp Brinson is the creative director for Ballard Designs. She commands an expert eye for detail and the ability of selecting furnishings and accessories with interest & patina. The interiors of her home perfectly demonstrate her honed design skills, as previously seen in the Dec/Jan 2010 issue of House Beautiful magazine. Suzanne Kasler, noted interior designer and friend of Brinson's, has recently launched a holiday collection of ornaments and decorating accessories for Ballard Designs. These two stylesetters have paired up and are featured in the December 2011 issue of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine, transforming Brinson's home for the holidays. Check out below, the "before and after" holiday decor.

Exterior of Jill Sharp Brinson's Peachtree Heights Home

Entryway (above & below)

Living Room (above) and Holiday Decorated (3 images below)

Dining Room (above & below)

Kitchen (above & below)

Living Room (above & below)

Images Via HB & AH&L

New Find >>> Rebirth Boutique

2011-12-07T09:08:00.000-05:00

Image Via Rebirth Boutique Facebook

I've been going to Rick Burleson, co-owner of Grown Salon in Decatur, GA, for my haircuts for nearly ten years. The industrial space that houses the salon is one great room filled with expert stylists, alongside a bounty of haircare products and comfortable seating. When you walk in the front door, off to the right, is a scaled down room that until recently served as a area for extra seating and additional stylists' chairs. When I went for my appointment with Rick yesterday, all that has changed, and in its place, Heather Weaver, co-owner of Grow, has opened Rebirth Boutique. Heather has taken her passion for 50s/60s era furnishings, clothing, accessories, and handmade items and has transformed the space into a go-to resource for an eclectic mix of repurposed vintage finds and unique objects. Click here for more from Rebirth Boutique's Facebook page and check out my photos below....

At Auction >>> Property from the Collection of Dodie Rosekrans

2011-12-06T12:37:00.002-05:00

Dodie Rosekrans
Image Via

On December 8 & 9, Sotheby's will be auctioning off fine and decorative arts from the Collection of the late San Francisco philanthropist Dodie Rosekrans. This truly unique and important Collection of fabulously stylish acquired worldly pieces has been brought together from the 3 homes owned by Mrs. Rosekrans. The interiors of the Venice and Paris homes were designed by legendary decorator Tony Duquette and furnished with many Duquette custom designed pieces, and the San Francisco residence was designed by Michael Taylor. Longtime Duquette collaborator, Hutton Wilkinson, who currently leads the Duquette office, is quoted as saying he will be attending the Sotheby's auction with the hopes of buying back select items. Lot #363, a Tony Duquette mirror is featured below and watch the attached video from Sotheby's for more....

Lot #363 | A Very Large Antler, Crab Shell and Abalone Mounted Mirror, Designed by Tony Duquette

Image Via NYT

The 75% Dark Chocolate Bark is a Must Try at Cacao Atlanta

2011-12-05T09:34:00.000-05:00

After salivating over the photo that boutique chocolatier Cacao Atlanta posted on Twitter from Saturday of their 75% Dark Chocolate Bark, I knew we would have to make a stop in at some point over the weekend. The rich dark thick & chunky pieces stacked high against the white marble counter is a sight to see! We opted to try the Raw Almond & Sea Salt and the Caramel Pecan -- both unbelievably decadent! Go & savor for yourself....

75% Dark Chocolate Bark (above) and more Chocolate & Sweet Delicacies beautifully wrapped (below)

Of Cacao's 3 locations around the city, we visited their Virginia Highland neighborhood shop. The interior (above) has great cafe style tables and chairs to enjoy a cappuccino and your sweet treats. The windows (below) look out onto the festive village street. Definitely, my kind of artisan candy shop for grown-ups!

Photos from The Telephone Factory Art Show & Sale

2011-12-04T12:51:00.000-05:00

Image Via

We went to The Telephone Factory Art Show & Sale on Saturday morning.... The Telephone Factory is home to working artists who open their residences to the public once a year to showcase & sell their current works. I loved both the wide range of art featured and the architecture of each artist's loft.

Artist: Manami Yagashiro Lingerfelt | website

Artist: Lori Buff | website

Artist: Don Thacker | website

Huge windows overlooking the soon to be Atlanta BeltLine and existing view of the Atlanta skyline

Unfortunately, I neglected to get some pictures of one of my favorites of the day -- the work of Stacie Uhinck Rose. Another favorite, the handcrafted work of Nancy Gaddy, is pictured above & below. | Contact Info: nancygaddy@yahoo.com

Local ATL Weekend Holiday Happenings....

2011-12-02T10:46:00.001-05:00

Check off your holiday gift giving list with ease by attending & shopping at these local happenings.... For the Foodie inclined, stop by Urban Cannibals Bodega + Bites in East Atlanta tonight, Friday December 2, from 6-9 for their 1st Annual Local Food Holiday Trunk Show + 2nd Anniversary Party. Urban Cannibals will be featuring locals provisions from Atlanta's culinary artisans including Sugar Coated Radical and Hank's Delicious Tasty Treats, with signed cookbooks from Athens chef Hugh Acheson. There is a "entry fee" of 5 cans of non-perishable food for Urban Cannibal's can drive.

Head over tomorrow, Saturday 12/3, to Williams-Sonoma at Lenox from 10-2 for their local Artisans' Market, featuring some of my favorite purveyors -- Bella Cucina, Cacao Atlanta, and from chef & cookbook author Virginia Willis, her savory line of cooking ingredients, My Southern Pantry.

For the Gardener on your list, stop by today, Friday December 2, to Habersham Garden's Holiday Open House from 2-6, and shop a fabulous assortment of unique plants, potting containers, and gardening supplies as well as lush holiday decorating decor -- greenery, wreaths, and poinsettias. Also featured are festive & handcrafted gifts, including the custom designed jewelry of my friend & neighbor Jan Cash.

Support local art and be sure to attend The Telephone Factory Art Show & Sale. The Telephone Factory is home to working artists who open their doors to the public and showcase and sell their current creations. Additional guest artists will be on hand as well. This Show & Sale is happening Saturday 12/3 from 11-7 and Sunday 12/4 from 1-6.

West Elm + Etsy = A Handmade Holiday Workshop

2011-12-01T11:02:00.000-05:00

Make holiday gift giving a snap.... Stop by your local participating West Elm store tonight, Thursday 12/1 from 6-9pm, to create festive ornaments as well as shop handcrafted gifts featured by your area's Etsy sellers. Tonight's event will also benefit a local charity by donating a Christmas Tree adorned with handmade ornaments & gifts.

H&H Home + One Kings Lane, Tonight 12/1

2011-12-01T10:23:00.000-05:00

Local Atlantans Heather Hogan Roberts and Helen Harbin Davis, the stylish duo behind H&H Home, will be part of One Kings Lane's Tastemaker Tag Sale tonight, 12/1 at 9:00pm EST. The pair have pulled together a collection of vintage finds and repurposed furnishings to be offered at budget savvy prices. Check out a couple of items that caught my eye, currently available for purchase and featured on the H&H Home website.

Images Via OKL & H&H Home

Chic Finds Currently on ATL Craigslist

2011-11-30T11:56:00.000-05:00

Photos from Pollen's Open House

2011-11-30T10:27:00.001-05:00

As mentioned in my post from Monday, our friends Bonnie Garrison & Chris Condon, owners of Pollen, were hosting their annual Holiday Open House yesterday. I knew the pair would have the shop brimming over with interesting holiday gift giving ideas & lush decor. The entrance to Pollen was layered with hearty evergreen wreaths, rustic pine cones, magnolia leaf roping, and bunches of red berry branches. Inside, the cozy space was filled with Chris' handmade stone Owls and Christmas Trees, and Bonnie's hand-tied and planted flower arrangements. Mixed in between were lots of handcrafted classic gold & silver paper garland, the glow of white lights, and plenty of holiday cheer! Check out my photos below....

Chris Condon's handcrafted stone Owls (above) and Christmas Trees (below). Chris is an amazing artist & sculptor... click here to read more about him from my previous post.

A New Local Atlanta Resource for Chic Finds

2011-11-29T10:06:00.001-05:00

I have this morning's post on Daily Candy to thank for turning me onto Cake & Bell, a recently opened repurposed vintage home furnishings resource, located at the 14th Street Antiques Market. Cake & Bell's owner Sharena Hall seeks out interesting pieces in need of design TLC and sets out to reupholster, rewire, and/or relacquer for a freshened & stylish look, perfectly suited for today's decor. Check out some her available items below....

Cake & Bell at the 14th Street Antiques Market in Midtown Atlanta

All Images Via Cake & Bell

Stocking the Shelves at the Duchess Fare Etsy Shop

2011-11-28T12:11:00.000-05:00

New finds recently posted in my Etsy Shop..... 1) Pair of Decorative Ceramic Elephant Bookends | 2) Vintage Chrome Bar Cart | 3) Shell Detailed Gold Mirror | 4) Pair of Vintage Fitz & Floyd Asian Style Vases | 5) Pair of Green Blue Swirl Glass Lamps | 6) Decorative Brass Giraffe

Pollen's Open House 11/29

2011-11-28T11:09:00.000-05:00

Stop by tomorrow, Tuesday November 29 from 1:00-6:00pm for Pollen's Open House, and preview perfect gift giving and festive holiday decor ideas. Husband and wife owners Chris Condon & Bonnie Garrison fill their quaint Buckhead shop with hand selected unique & interesting finds for both home & garden, featuring artisan goods and fresh cut flower bouquets & potted plant arrangements.

All Images Via Pollen Facebook

Thanksgiving Whirlwind

2011-11-28T10:26:00.000-05:00

To avoid any sort of travel backups, we left Atlanta on the first flight out at 7:15am for White Plains on Wednesday morning. Kudos to Delta for getting us in 25 minutes early at 9:05am! Before heading directly home, we made a couple of stops along the way.... First, satisfying our caffeine fix at our favorite Port Coffeehouse. Next, a spot I've been wanting to try since they opened a few months back, Cinch, a husband & wife owned specialty prepared foods market (see photos below), where I picked up a super delicious container of Turkey Chili. Followed by a last minute run for Thanksgiving provisions at the brand new Whole Foods, and finally a superb lunch at the charming farm to table tavern, Artisan.

Cinch Offers Grab & Go Prepared Dishes, Dips, Soups, and Sides

Thanksgiving morning holds a tradition in our town known as the Turkey Trot, a 5 mile run & 2.7 mile walk around the extremely picturesque village of Southport, sponsored by The Pequot Running Club. Our family had half runners and half walkers participating this year. The sunny but brisk morning was perfect to kick off the festive day!

Runners and Walkers Getting Ready to Begin at 8:15am

Along the Walk Route

Lovely Southport Harbor

One of my Favorite Houses in the Village, that Sits Overlooking the Harbor

Finished -- Now We Don't Feel Guilty When Eating Our Thanksgiving Feast!

We returned home on Friday, which always seems to be a quieter day to travel, and again, thanks to Delta we arrived a half hour early. The weekend had us busy with leaf pickup duty and taking down my outside Thanksgiving decor -- Cornstalks & an assortment of Pumpkins -- in preparation for Christmas holiday decorating.

Spotted >>> Fretwork Dining Table

2011-11-22T19:44:00.000-05:00

Spotted (above) this Fretwork detailed glass top dining table & 4 chairs at the Avondale Estates Salvation Army Family Store this afternoon - the set is priced at $399. Freshen up the dark wood finish with a coat of white paint (like the table below) and add a little Chinoiserie Chic style to your space.

Etsy Treasury >>> Stylish + Chic Thanksgiving Accessories

2011-11-22T12:36:00.001-05:00

My curated Etsy Treasury list, just in time for the holiday! Click here for more or purchase from the links found below.

1st Row: Here/Here/Here 2nd Row: Here/Here/Here 3rd Row: Here/Here/Here 4th Row: Here/Here/Here 5th Row: Here/Here/Here

Holiday House 2011

2011-11-21T10:19:00.000-05:00

Holiday House is an annual decorator and table top showhouse presented by Traditional Home magazine and benefits the Greater New York City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The style for this showhouse focuses on each participating designer selecting a specific theme or "holiday" as a jumping off point for the overall design of their room. Holiday House is located at 2 E. 63rd Street in NYC and open now through December 11, click here for ticket info.

Designer Inson Dubois Wood has chosen a Chinese New Year (as seen above) inspired design complete with glossy red walls, chinoiserie influenced furnishings and drapery, and striking & bold accent pieces. Designer James Rixner has taken to incorporating the colors & textures associated with Valentine's Day (as seen below) for his design inspiration by layering rich chocolate colored walls, intense red upholstery & accents, with luxurious finishes.

All Images Via Newsday

The Wedding at Double RL Ranch

2011-11-18T08:58:00.000-05:00

The breath taking photos of bride & groom Lauren Bush and David Lauren are featured in the December 2011 issue Vogue magazine. The couple was married over Labor Day weekend out west at Double RL, the 17,000 acre ranch owned by David's father Ralph Lauren in Ridgway, CO. Tying a refined western style throughout the wedding included details in the choice of flowers (wild roses, lily of the valley, Queen's Anne lace, and fragrant gardenias), bridesmaids wearing "linen blouses, vests, and vintage prairie skirts", and both bride & groom and their attendants all wearing cowboy boots. Lauren's dress was designed by her father-in-law following a handful of discussions the two had about what she was envisioning - a little old fashioned and Victorian in feel while still keeping a modern element to the design. Check out the photos below.

All Images Via Vogue

The Influentials + John Oetgen

2011-11-17T12:49:00.000-05:00

John Oetgen

Noted interior designer John Oetgen has been included in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine's first ever nominated group of Atlanta style setters fittingly referred to as "The Influentials". Mr. Oetgen's work is known for a style that spans from traditional to contemporary, with a consistent mark made by sourcing the best period pieces (from any decorative era) for his design projects. Featured below, is his residential work in an apartment at The Mansion on Peachtree in Buckhead, photographed for the March 2011 issue of AH&L.

All Images Via AH&L

Regis Philbin Leaving Live!

2011-11-17T11:28:00.000-05:00

Regis Philbin

Image Via NY Post

At 80 years of age, Regis Philbin has devoted his life to a successful career in radio and TV programming. Regis has been the co-host of the longtime running morning show Live! with Regis & Kelly. Tomorrow, 11/18, following the end of the program, Regis will be retiring from his post after 28 years. Live! is a show that I have seemed to have watched at various points throughout my life.... in the late 80s, (when Kathie Lee Gifford was co-host) watching when I was home sick from school, in the 90s, watching in college with my roommate before we left for our 9:30 class, and in the 2000s, when current co-host Kelly Ripa signed on. It sounds like tomorrow's show is aiming to be a loving and deserving tribute, with the audience packed with Regis' family and friends. For more, watch the attached video below to see Regis' iconic rise in the entertainment industry.

Kristen Stewart Red Carpet Style

2011-11-16T10:13:00.002-05:00

(left to right) Twilight premiere November 2008 | New Moon premiere November 2009 | Eclipse premiere June 2010 | Breaking Dawn premiere November 2011

In anticipation of Breaking Dawn (part one), the fourth and final installment of the Twilight saga, opening on Friday 11/18, I'm revisiting the red carpet dresses that lead star Kristen Stewart has worn at the 3 previous film premieres of the series and most recently at Monday night's Breaking Dawn premiere. Her style over the 3 year period has evolved from young and edgy to sophisticated with a little glamour. My favorite of the group is the dress Kristen wore on Monday night for Breaking Dawn, designed by J. Mendel.

The back of Kristen's J. Mendel dress.... plus I love that she has changed out of her insanely tall heels into more comfortable footwear to greet the fans!

Images Via Here, Here, Here, Here, and Here

Modern Craft

2011-11-15T12:33:00.000-05:00

Image Via AH&L

Interior designer Jared Paul's country house just south of Atlanta in Palmetto is featured in the November issue of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine. Talk about the perfect mix of modern meets the farm! Paul's selection of clean lined contemporary furnishings, vintage pieces upholstered in updated fabrics, and all layered with handcrafted accessories is a style right up my alley. Click here to see more.

I was particularly excited to see the addition of a vintage afghan blanket draped over crisp white bedding (as seen above). I tend to seek out classic knit pieces for their vibrant color & interesting pattern. Afghan blankets are the perfect way to introduce a little something unexpected to a room. Currently, I have a collection of afghans available in my Etsy store -- email me at duchessfare@gmail.com with any questions.

Ibiza Bites + Eat Street

2011-11-14T12:48:00.000-05:00

On Friday, Jim and I headed over to Atlantic Station in support of local food truck Ibiza Bites and their appearance on Eat Street, a TV show on the Cooking Channel highlighting "street food" served across the country. A recent addition to the Atlanta food truck scene, Ibiza Bites serves up "SoLa" (a little Deep South mixed with Latin America flavors) inspired dishes. Ibiza Bites is owned by husband and wife Raf & Jamie Morales. The pair had read my post (from back in September) on how much I was head over heels for their food and Jamie emailed me last week asking if I would be apart of Ibiza Bites being filmed for Eat Street. Of course! I was extremely flattered that Raf & Jamie would include me and happy to be of any help.

The day was chilly but bright and sunny with plenty of Ibiza Bites followers on hand. Jim and I ordered the Sweet Potato Fries topped with Marshmallow, the Fried Green Tomatoes, the SoLa Signature Bite of Spiced Brisket with Cheddar Grits, and everybody's favorite Lobster Mac & Cheese. We were both filmed talking about why we loved Ibiza Bites and asked to describe in detail the food and flavors. Check out my photos from the day....

Lined Up To Order

Eat Street Crew Filming Raf Handing Out Dishes

The Day's Menu

Our Fabulous Lunch

A Beautiful Life

2011-11-14T11:56:00.000-05:00

Evelyn H. Lauder

Image Via NYT

I was truly saddened to read in yesterday's New York Times that Evelyn H. Lauder had passed on Saturday at the age of 75. Mrs. Lauder was the wife of Leonard Lauder, son of cosmetics icon Estee Lauder. I didn't know Mrs. Lauder personally, but I have read about her tremendous strides in promoting cancer research. She herself was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1989, and the experience led her to establish The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and create its now widely recognized symbol, the Pink Ribbon. To date, Mrs. Lauder's foundation has raised more than $350 million dollars.

Evelyn and Leonard Lauder

Found below are images of Mrs. Lauder looking radiant at her Palm Beach home, featured in the August 2011 issue of Harper's Bazaar magazine and the attached video is an inside tour of the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Center in New York City.

All Images Via Harper's Bazaar

A Peaceful Winter Getaway

2011-11-10T12:42:00.000-05:00

I cannot take my eyes off of the December cover of Architectural Digest.... featured is the getaway Aspen home for a Chicago based family and it is simply wonderful! Interior design firm Atelier AM is credited with turning the interiors into a quiet modern masterpiece. Their design selections are a complete departure from what you would expect of a mountain home out west. Dark wood details have been replaced with bleached spruce logs & blond wood finishes. Gone are the heavy blankets and tapestries associated with western decor and in are fabrics and upholstery soft to the touch (cashmere, cotton, and leather) in a toned down color palette. There are no antler chandeliers or hunting scenes hung on the walls. Instead you'll find the furnishings, accessories, and artwork are a mix of classic vintage pieces, custom, and contemporary in design.

Foyer

Great Room

Living Room

Kitchen

Breakfast Room

Master Bedroom

Guest Room

Guest Room Bath

Bunk Room

Exterior -- Pool

All Images Via Architectural Digest

New News >>> Duchess Fare is a Chinoiserie Chic Sponsor

2011-11-09T12:32:00.002-05:00

I have been a devoted reader of the blog Chinoiserie Chic for some time now. I find the posts to be full of inspiring ways to layer Chinoiserie design into your life. I interpret Chinoiserie as a style that mixes Asian decorative motifs and European influences with a classic vintage feel of 1960s/70s decor. I knew that becoming a Chinoiserie Chic Etsy Sponsor would make for a perfect pairing because when I seek out unique home furnishings for my Etsy shop, Duchess Fare, this is typically the design style I gravitate towards. Head over to Chinoiserie Chic for more.... Click on my logo and be directly linked to my Etsy shop.

Image Via Chinoiserie Chic

In the Spirit of Giving....

2011-11-08T11:30:00.000-05:00

Image Via Cafe Jonah and the Magical Attic Facebook

I can tell you first hand that Jenny Levison, the ever dynamic and charismatic owner of Souper Jenny and Cafe Jonah and the Magical Attic, makes her dreams reality. She is passionate, generous, and sincere in pursuing her personal & professional goals and she engages those around her, her staff & extremely loyal customers, to follow suit. I know this because I worked for Jenny 10+ years ago at Souper Jenny and one of our inspiration rituals was to read a passage from Simple Abundance every morning before we unlocked the doors and greeted our patrons. It not only helped to set the tone for a positive day but was also a time to reflect on our own personal path.

So it came as no surprise to me when Jenny posted yesterday that as of today November 8, she would be turning Cafe Jonah (named in honor of her son) into a "Pay What You Think It's Worth" cafe with 10% of the profits directly benefiting local Atlanta charities. Jenny initially implemented "Pay What You Think It's Worth" at Cafe Jonah's Sunday Brunch, where the concept has proven to be highly successful and fully supported by her customers. For a little insight into Cafe Jonah and the Magical Attic, which not only serves up delicious fresh fare & coffee, but offers the "Attic", a space for meditation and alternative guidance - Psychic & Tarot card readings, Reiki, and Chakra clearing, etc... - watch the video below from Jenny.

Sweet Sugar Rush

2011-11-08T09:41:00.002-05:00

Image Via Sugar Coma Events Facebook

The Sugar Coma Festival is happening on Sunday, November 13 from 2-6pm at Atlantic Station. I think the name says it all.... be ready to indulge in the most delectable pastries & baked goods, local gourmet ice cream, and handcrafted chocolate by Atlanta's top trendsetting culinary artisans. My favorite vendors include The Little Tart Bakeshop (who I most recently saw at Saturday's CHOMP & STOMP, serving up their mouthwatering pastries), High Road Craft Ice Cream, and Sugar-Coated Radical. Click here to purchase tickets.