Tag Archives: Product

Mermaid Queen

November 24, 2008UncategorizedProductMrs. Blandings

I was quite charmed by Jennifer’s post last week on past Hermes windows. In particular, this 1989 window, “In Praise of Silk,” bowled me over. That grotto chair – divine!

The very same day my World of Interiors arrived and look! Again! Two! This time Bill Sofield. Fabulous.

I don’t know why they captured my fancy so completely. I had posted this set, above, from George Cukor’s home featured in Architectural Digest, January, 1978.

And Roger Lussier’s Boston apartment from House & Garden, December, 1989.

Here you can see its saucy arm in the bottom corner of the image.

When I went on the hunt, however, they were more elusive than I had anticipated. Ms. Weastler used them with great aplomb in the sleek setting above. They are quite dramatic juxtaposed with the spare and linear marble fireplace.

No surprise, Amy Fine Collins came through just as a girl would hope. A little lucite, a little animal print, and, yes, a gilded grotto chair.

There are a few available at 1st dibs right now, including the beauty above. Seems odd that I would be as equally entranced with grotto chairs as I am with the killer klismos. As I am just wishing and not buying I guess I don’t need to decide. Curious. Cash in hand, which would it be? Heavens, I do hope there’s enough for both.

Kelly Wearstler’s work appears in Rooms to Inspire by Annie Kelly; photographs by Tim Street-Porter, who also deserves credit for the Gambrel room I posted in haste last Thursday.

Amy Fine Collins’s apartment was captured by Simon Upton; it originally appeared in Elle Decor, but can be instantly enjoyed in So Chic, edited by Margaret Russell.

Off the Rack

November 13, 2008UncategorizedAntique Dealers, Designers, ProductMrs. Blandings

Speaking of blue and white, this room is turning the whole concept around for me. The introduction of black into the mix is making me look at this classic combination in a whole new way. And I am oh-so-loving the horn stool. Christopher Filley had three the last time I was there. Give him a ring at 816-668-9974.

Image, above, Madeline Weinrib’s SoHo apartment, Elle Decor, December 2008, photography by Simon Upton. This issue is equally as strong as the November issue, which, in my mind was nearly perfect. If you don’t subscribe, do pick it up.

It’s a Mystery

November 12, 2008UncategorizedProductMrs. Blandings

This now-discontinued fabric is repeated in Mrs. A’s apartment. Two of us had the pattern on the tips of our tongues, but cannot recall the name or the manufacturer. You’re such a wealth of information. Does anyone know?

Postscript: A savvy reader has emailed me to say that this is Christopher Hyland’s Cherubs. Many, many thanks.

In a Nutshell

November 10, 2008UncategorizedDesigners, On Assignment, ProductMrs. Blandings

I went to New York to see people. Not big masses of people, though I saw that, too, but a few individuals with whom I have become friends over the last year and some change.

Up until now if I said to Mr. Blandings, “I got an email from my friend….” he would say something along the lines of, “Honey, he’s not your friend; you’ve never even met him.”

Which is exactly the stance I would take if one of my children ever claims an on-line friend, but this is different. We are friends. We have a lot in common. I know things about them and I don’t really think they’re lying when they tell me about recovering a chair.

But when I received Joe Nye’s invitation to attend a book signing with Carolyne Roehm it seemed the perfect excuse to go. To meet. To shake hands and hear the voices of some of the many friends I’ve been lucky enough to know only on a screen.

So, I hopped a plane (or two) and ended up in the city. It is magic, isn’t it? I had a tiny bit of time to walk around the Village with my big city friend (and have a free cup of coffee on Starbucks to celebrate our vote) before we were off to an election party.

The next day, a bit weary, up and out and then about to see a couple of the shops that I had pined for on-line.

Nothing new, nothing you haven’t seen. John Darian and Flair and I adored them both. Of course, at Flair I met a charming young gentleman from Pittsburg, Kansas. His sister lives in Kansas City not very far from me. Naturally.

Another friend works at a gallery and she wanted us to stop in. I had been hoping to get to the Cooper Hewitt to see the collection of watercolor interior paintings, but it had been nearly two years since we had seen each other and people are more important than pictures.

In an unexpected twist of fate, after admiring the pieces on display she said, “Come back, I want to show you something.” Into a private viewing room, planted in the cushy chair, she took the cover off a very large, stunning piece of art. As I gazed wide-eyed I caught the signature. Lee Krasner. Geez.

Close enough to walk, after being briefed on the directions six or seven times, I headed a few blocks up to Joe Nye’s showroom.

Gorgeous, everything, each piece so special and distinct.

To say nothing of the flowers, the food and the energy which were all top notch. Joe, who had up until that moment been an email friend, in Mr. B’s book an un-real friend, became a true friend in every sense.

Warm and gracious he squired me around and introduced me to the most lovely people.

Not the least of whom were Jaithan Kochar and Eddie Ross. A special treat was meeting Lisa Newsom, the editor of Veranda; I can only describe her as completely Southern, which is a great compliment in my book. Carolyne Roehm was as beautifully mannered as she was turned out, gorgeous in her sleeveless sweater dress and (I think) Faraone Mennella earrings. She’s from St. Louis, you know. Speaking of Missouri (again) it was a treat to see hometown friends Pam Fleicher and Ken Weiner of Creative Candles.

I could have stayed until the very end, but had to dash to meet Hollister and Porter Hovey for cocktails. As if I didn’t adore him enough already, Eddie managed to hail me a cab in the pouring rain at 6 o’clock in Manhattan. My prince.

Hollister and Porter are as engaging and delightful as you would expect them to be. We sat and talked and laughed and traded Kansas City stories.

The trip was a joy. I felt like presents and surprises awaited every turn and not one of them was an item with a price tag. OK, except for the Krasner.

“You have to come back more often.” “Oh, we want you to see this!” “Have you been here? But you must!” A merry chorus espousing all the things they love about the city.

I will, I will. I will go back. I always swear to go back more often. And, my dear friends, you need to come here, too. You must!

Images, top, my own, Times Square, if I’d had a hat I might have tossed it MTM style, the next three, John Derian, three following, Flair and the remaining, Joe Nye’s showroom.

Trick or Treat II

October 31, 2008UncategorizedMrs. B at Home, ProductMrs. Blandings

Darn. I mean, “everything breaks,” but still. Darn. It wasn’t his fault, exactly. He was throwing the toy for Rosie. It wasn’t news that we don’t throw toys in the house, but it was rainy and he was playing with Rosie and, well. There was no use in yelling or lecturing as the remorse was real and immediate. But, really, darn.

At the last trip to the showroom, in an area where I had no business being, there was this. New. From Scalamandre.

Tarim. A cut and loop velvet. I do have a fabric problem. Don’t tell, but I have a small sack of fabric samples and when my self-declared sample return days come around there are a few that I pick up from the sack and then put back. “Not today. Soon, but not today.” Careful if you fall in love with this one too deeply, it’s quite dear.

And, the ladybugs are back. I tried to take pictures of this last Fall, but could not capture it. Dozens and dozens of ladybugs on the Dream House.

When I’m sitting at my desk I can see them in the back yard flying about. The sun just catches them so that they show up like some kind of fire fly in reverse.

They are everywhere and we all carry them in unknowingly on coats and back packs and sweaters. Last night as Mr. Blandings was gathering them up to release them back outside the youngest protested, “But Dad, they’re lucky!” As are we for the week or so that they polka dot our home.

And, the Ina Garten book signing was its own kind of fun. She did not speak really, but said a gracious hello and thank you and got down to the business of signing over seven hundred books. Rainy Day had beautifully organized the event so no needless waiting was necessary. The true disappointment was getting to the table and realizing that she is so engaging and would really like to visit, but there were five hundred people waiting so perhaps she couldn’t. I’d long for a leisurely lunch outside with Ina, but my lunch date with Mr. Blandings was equally delightful.

And, last minute plans. I’m off to New York on Tuesday to see my big city friend and hopefully meet up with a few of my on-line buddies. It’s a bit fast and furious, but I can hardly wait. Oh, how I do love that city.

Artwork by Patricia van Essche, a piece she did for me at the beginning of our friendship. It is such a treat for me to see it everyday.