Tag Archives: Product

Brick-by-Brick

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In the June issue of Met Home, I noticed a lot of rectangles.  Their Design 100 list included “gold.”  Illustrating their point was this image of the fretwork screen from Armani/Casa and the gold ingots from Conran touted as the chicest of doorstops.


Michael Berman’s collection for Kravet.


Toronto designer, Elaine Cecconi’s home.  This could be a “Highlights” magazine feature.  How many rectangles can you find?

So maybe someone at Met Home had a bit of an AHA! moment.  This month, their trend alert is bricks.

Blandings, naturally, are ahead of the trend.  The shameful secret of our Chicago trip, is that the very first place we went – after driving half the day and checking in – was the Lego store on Michigan Avenue.  It was a conundrum.  Listen to, “When are we going to the Lego store?  Are we going now?  After breakfast? After the Cubs game?” until we went or fulfill every wish, go first and lose all leverage for good behavior for the entire stay.  I’m old.  They won.

They each had pre-determined budget.  Reasonable, but healthy.  Research had been done.  It was a relatively painless and highly successful mission; everyone got what he wanted.  But, a few days later at Science and Industry, Mr. B and I spied the Hancock Building and the Sears Tower.  These had not been at the store.  I had to have them.  Me.  The boys never saw them and I bought them anyway because they were so…cool.

Even on Lego.com the Architecture Series says, “Coming Soon.”  I feel like we were in some kind of Lego time warp.  These Chicago landmarks were the first in the series but many, many more buildings are planned.  Architecture is a partnership with Adam Reed Tucker, an architecture artist and a Chicago native.  He has created intricate Lego sculptures of architectural masterpieces worldwide that you can see on brickstructures.com.  He has developed more manageable models for the 10 & up crowd.
Like me.  I’m 10 & up.  Way up, but still.
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Obsessed

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You might think that only having about an hour to myself for nine days I’d use it seek out something new and different.  But I didn’t.  My one excursion was the Merchandise Mart in Chicago.  And once in the Mart I headed to my favorite spots.  Holly Hunt, Baker, Waterworks, Ann Sachs and, of course, Dessin Fournir.


Like any stalker, you could not have kept me away.  Seeing the pieces in person is always a treat.  Unlike many of the other showrooms, when asked if I could snap a few shots the answer was, “Sure, make yourself at home.”  A slightly different response from another showroom that has printed signs placed in every vignette, “No photos, please.”  Please.

A fun surprise was the installation of the Porter Teleo wallpaper.

Porter Teleo is a line of hand printed, hand painted wallpapers designed by Kelly Porter and Bridgett Cochran that has recently become represented by Dessin Fournir in Chicago.  

The talented duo is based, unsurprisingly, here in Kansas City.  Do check their site to see the amazing line of papers. 
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Hmm….

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I hate to shop.  I know you fashionistas will think this is a cop out, but I love J. Crew.  Always have.  I think it’s easy.  And, by the way, I’m not on the red carpet, I’m in the carpool line so it works just swell.  Anyway, I’m flipping through the latest and I notice this…

And, their stylishly messy-haired models are wearing one in almost every image.

“Collection” is a stretch as there is one.  (If a collection is one then I have a collection of diamond rings, Ted Muehling candlesticks and boxer pups.)  But it’s a good one.  Rolex 14K gold “shell” Oyster Perpetual on riveted Oyster bracelet.  Note that for their first selection they chose yellow gold.  This is the men’s model.  For the record, the scale of a vintage man’s watch on a woman’s wrist is near perfection.  Can’t wait to see what’s next.  
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Past Due

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After I mentioned Suzanne loaning me some of her vintage design books, I received an email from a reader asking me which design books I would recommend.  This is a little tricky, but let’s start with Suzanne’s stack.  I adored The Power of Style, though it is not really a design book.  Billy Baldwin – most definitely and it is a delight to read.  (Yes, read.)  Vogue, how could I have doubted you and your astronomical price tag?  I’m not sure I can say it’s worth every penny, but it is very, very good.  World of Interiors, yes.  Hicks?  Actually, I prefer the newer one for all the reasons his son mentions in the forward.  I know it’s sacrilege, but I would pass on this.

Now, mine.  The thing is, to me, a design book doesn’t have to be a home run to win me over.  A few good images can keep it near and dear to my heart.

Home – a fabulous read I wish I’d thought of myself.  Browning’s book, de Wolfe, Hampton (mine is a signed first edition – I’m showing off) and the Van Day Truex bio all have amazing content.  Tarlow has some of the best decorating advice ever.  Ever.  Well Lived Life I refer to often.  So Chic allowed me to clear out most of my Elle Decor tear sheets; it’s all in there.

Any of the vintage House and Garden books should be snapped up, but the 1960 is my favorite.  Inspirational Interiors I would clutch to my bosom as I fled my burning house assuming my family was safe.  Gomez, absolutely wonderful.  Again, Baldwin, this time “Remembers” is a delight – more to read than to look at, though there are knock-out rooms as well.

Adore Southern Accent’s Color.  Adore.  Hoppen’s Perfect Neutrals is a new favorite and I love the way she has compiled so many designers’ work.  Influential Interiors is essential.  The aforementioned Hicks is a must have as is Smith’s Elements of Style and Rooms to Inspire does just that.

A few are too large for the under-the-window-seat shelf (which is just to the left of my desk – handy) and are on the bookshelf just behind.  von Kersting’s book is a complete delight and I almost feel like I have to wear white cotton gloves when I look at it.  The paperback binding will surely not withstand my constant pawing.  Farrow & Ball is gorgeous.

These I had on my desk for a while, but, as I am so messy, they kept taking up space I need to pile, well, stuff.

Albert Hadley I go back to again and again and the new Vogue Living keeps offering up surprises every time I am on the hunt.  I have so many on my wish list, the first being the Parish Hadley.  As you can see, I need it.
I did not link to all of these books because the post would have looked like it was hit with buckshot and I couldn’t stand it.  I believe if you click on the photos you can see each spine clearly.
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Ode on a CB Glass

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Thou still unravish’d bride of quietness
Thou foster child of commerce and market
Blogging poet, who canst thus express
Wonder of form wherever I park it
Clean and clear with classic lines magnificent
One marvels at your beauty unlimitless
At two dollars and fifty heaven sent
Tho if you shatter it is quite a mess
Clear glass, clear liquid and a squish of lime
Mr. B and I find you mighty fine.
Glasses here.  Sincere apologies to John Keats. 
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