A Crush on Blogger James Andrew

Photo from "What is James Wearing?" taken by Lars Stephan

Like so many others I, too have fallen under the spell of blogger James Andrew, of "What is James Wearing?" fame. Yes, his blog is a fun glimpse into a jetset lifestyle, and yes he has fabulous taste in clothes. But the real clincher came for me when I spotted photos of his apartment on another blog. It's a great interior, no doubt - but here's the thing: his living room has a pair of very mismatched lamps and end tables, and a fax machine stuffed on a shelf with papers and other detritus. I love this. The best homes are lived-in ones, and the most interesting people decorate according to their passions and their needs. Fax machine not hiding in some fakey-antique looking armoire gets points with me. The art is definitely whippet-centric, demonstrating his love for the companion hounds. (My dogs, Hazel and Rocky, approve of the art collection). Books are impeccably shelved and organised, so he's a bibliophile like me. And that fabulous shirt would look great on me. So, James, if you have room for one more friend in your uber-chic life, I would like to apply. And borrow that shirt for the weekend.

See James' apartment at the blog Strange Closets

An Ongoing Crush - China Seas Fabrics

Roman Shades in Island Ikat by China Seas

Photo by Ngoc Minh Ngo, House Beautiful, March 2009.

OK, it's not really a crush but more of a personal obsession of mine. China Seas has a way of coloring their patterns in a way that is totally fresh and forward-looking, and yet the colors aren't way off from colors we may have in the rest of the home. It takes a bit of colorist genius to do that successfully. The oranges are soft, the blues are crisp and clear....The graphic fabric patterns take traditional elements like fretwork or chinoiserie and make them look modern and fresh by playing with scale. And they are printed on the most delicious heavy linens that give them substance and a quality feel. I think they're worth every nickel. They've been getting a lot of press lately and it's well-deserved!

Where Palm Beach Comes To Play: Wedding Bliss

Crush of the Day: Wedding Couple Garrett and Ann

I love how they still have a pair of Grandpa's Lilly Pulitzer pants; I love him for hopping into them and rockin' that kelly green blazer; I love her for holding dear the notion that weddings should be about the bride and groom's happiness, and if Lilly makes her happy, Lilly it shall be. Don't let those pants hide in the closet when the honeymoon is over! You guys made me smile today - may your life together be as joyful as those famous, colorful fabrics. CLICK THIS LINK TO SEE GARRETT AND ANN ON THEIR HONEYMOON:
Where Palm Beach Comes To Play: Wedding Bliss

Crush of the Moment: Thomas Paul

We just can't get enough around here of Thomas Paul's fresh, snappy modern prints from Duralee. They've given our shop a needed lift, and they are clean and simple enough to mix well into traditional rooms. That's one of my complaints about a lot of modern design - the elements are great looking on their own, but those of us who don't live in a minimalist loft or Neutra house in L.A. can't easily use them. Thomas Paul has hit just the right note with a collection of fabrics that just about anyone can take home; a bit of modern punch for the classic American home. (The birds are just darned cute too).

Design Crush of the Day

My Design Crush at the moment is Jeffery Bilhuber - his rooms don't look like a designer did them, they just look like the homes of people with incredible taste and a sense of tradition. His house will be published in August Vogue. I like to stop by his web site when I need a visual lift: www.bilhuber.com
Beautiful pictures - I particularly love the recurring pair of chairs facing each other across an ottoman, and the odd antique rockers here and there for a bit of granny chic.