In House

September 23, 2009Uncategorizeddesign booksMrs. Blandings

Speaking of Mitch Owens (I was yesterday), I’m sure you know he has a new book coming out. What? No? Indeed. In House profiles diverse examples of exceptional individual style. Or so I’ve heard. I am standing at the mailbox daily twisting my beads waiting for my copy.

The photographs are by Derry Moore, the 12th Earl of Drogheda, whose work has appeared in Architectural Digest and Nest.

Owens is an editor-at-large for Elle Decor and has written on design for the New York Times, Architectural Digest and Travel and Leisure. Though I’ve heard that someone said recently that you don’t need a writer to wax poetic about design – all you need is pictures – I disagree. I want someone to tell me what it feels like to be in that space. When I read Owens’s articles he makes me feel like I’m sitting right next to him on the sofa. It’s lucky I’m not because I can never keep my mouth shut. Which is why I am telling you right now – pre-order. Here or somewhere. I’ve heard it will knock your socks off.

Meet Mel

September 22, 2009UncategorizedDesignersMrs. Blandings

When I was going to New York last November, George Terbovich said, “You should meet Mel Dwork.”

When I had the great pleasure of meeting Mitch Owens he said, “You must know Mel Dwork?” Mr. Dwork is a native Kansas Citian and one should suppose that we would know one another. That is how things work around here.

When I was ohhing and ahhing over the work of Roy Hamilton on the same trip he said, “I am good friends with Mel Dwork.” And I thought, “Why the heck am I not?”

So on this trip I was thrilled to meet this incredibly talented and recognized designer.

Melvin Dwork left Kansas City when he was 19. He had received a scholarship to the Kansas City Art Institute. “The Nelson was my classroom; it had a tremendous impact on me.” He moved to New York to attend Parsons. He still considers himself a Kansas Citian though he has spent sixty-seven of his eighty-six years in New York. I like that in a guy.

Dwork’s work has been featured in magazines including House & Garden, Architectural Digest, Interior Design and the New York Times.

On top of all that he’s incredibly lovely.

He is still working with select clients.

You can find out more about Mr. Dwork from his profile in the Interior Design Hall of Fame here and read an interview from the Times here.

Image, top, from House Beautiful, October, 1967 via the Peak of Chic; the following four images from Interior Design; the striped dining room is from House and Garden’s Complete Guide to Interior Decoration, 1970, the room with the Mondrian inspired rug is from House and Garden’s Complete Guide to Interior Decoration, 1960, the following two images are of Dwork’s Shelter Island Home and the final is his NYC apartment featured in the New York Times, photography by Michael Falco.

Compare and Contrast

September 21, 2009UncategorizedProductMrs. Blandings

Alison Berger’s floor lamp caught my eye in the Michael Smith designed home in the October issue of House Beautiful.

The industrial metal and sparkle of the glass are a nice contrast to the texture in the rest of the room.

Berger’s site is under construction, but you can view her pieces through Holly Hunt here.

House Beautiful images by Thomas Loof; last image via Holly Hunt.

Not Even Close

September 18, 2009UncategorizedMusings from the Dream HouseMrs. Blandings

In an effort to borrow some chic I tried tying my onyx beads like this last week. I was either doing it wrong, or this particular insouciance is only good for standing still. I kept coming undone.

No Hillbilly He

September 17, 2009UncategorizedAntique DealersMrs. Blandings

Come and listen to a story about a store named JED

A chic antiquer, barely keeps his passion fed.

Each and every day he is rounding up some loot

You want so much it will make you say, “shoot.”

Basalt that is, black gold, for your tea.

Well, the next thing you know ol’ JED’s breaking into song

You’re so giddy you want to sing along.

In Sag Harbor this is where you ought to be

I’m loading up the truck so don’t get in front of me.

Hamptons, that is.

Beachy feel, sky full of stars.

Y’all come back now, y’hear?

Jack Deamer owns a dreamy little spot in Sag Harbor. His space can barely contain his finds or his personality. He did, indeed, break into a (very good) chorus of “She Works Hard for the Money,” while checking on a price. Jack likes to sell pieces as a collection – like the basalt and jasperware and the silhouettes. This set of English stoneware had me mesmerized; it is sitting on a chair, one of a pair, from the Doris Duke estate.

JED

27 Washington Street

631-725-6411

All images by Mrs. Blandings. Feel free to do with them what you will as that is what I am doing with other people’s images every day.