If you’re anything like us, you’ve made quite a few changes to the way you live … using less water, shopping more frequently at the local farmers market, and using safer detergents in your laundry.

On top of it, we’re also living simpler lives.  At home, almost everything we own is in neutral colors (yes, we feel right at home at the Brunello Cucinelli store!) because they’re both calming and really practical since everything goes with everything.

So imagine our joy when we discovered that Jaipur has introduced a pretty extensive line of undyed rugs!  Made using wool sheared from roaming sheep, these rugs are super soft underfoot and come in lots of colors, ranging from light grey to bright white, butterscotch brown to soot black. Each is different, just like Mother Nature intended:

Read more

Red rooms make a statement.  In deep red, they are rich, elegant, refined, sumptuous, and dramatic.  Brick reds are more earthy, so they’re evocative of country interiors.  And bright reds – like lipsticks – are passionate, powerful, and stimulating.  Here are some of our favorite red rooms.

Red Library: Assouline Paris

Details: Here, the strong orange-red details are lightened by warm beige (in the rug and the limestone walls), but then given a graphic punch by the dark wood cabinetry.  This is a perfect way to balance two dominant colors (red and black).

Carousel of Products

Read more

When Yves Saint Laurent visited Marrakesh for the first time in 1966, it transformed him forever.  The strong sun, lush colors, and intricate patterns you see everywhere left an indelible mark in his mind.  “Marrakech taught me color,” he said.  “Before Marrakech, everything was black.”

Indeed, one of the most important parts of Saint Laurent’s legacy has been the Jardin Majorelle, the garden he restored with Pierre Berge and a must-see on any trip to Marrakesh.  (Tip for visitors: they don’t take credit cards, so bring plenty of dirhams to cover your entry fees.)  The original garden has been joined by the Musee Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech, and plans are now being made to open up Saint Laurent and Berge’s private home (Villa Oasis) to the public.

When it opens, you should think about going to Marrakesh just to see this.  Not only is the house itself spectacular, it captures all the iconic elements of Moorish and Arabesque design, which then fed our favorite Mediterranean, Tuscan, Spanish Revival, and Southwestern styles of architecture and design.  Indeed, there’s literally so much to see at Villa Oasis, it could be hard to absorb in one visit.

Starting from the outdoors, this space is surrounded by a riot of warm weather plants.  Here, fuchsia bougainvillea creates a vibrant canopy in the outdoor patio:

Pink against cool turquoise.  Maybe not a combination you’d naturally pick out in the morning, but it works so well here. Read more

Soaring ceilings.  Dramatic windows flooded with light.  Views across Manhattan to the rivers.  Today’s ultra-luxurious penthouses, like those you’ve seen on Million Dollar Listing New York, have a wonderful Master of the Universe feeling to them:

But in fact, they’re quite challenging to furnish correctly.  The angular walls, metal casement windows, and double height ceilings can feel cold, generic, and even a bit too industrial.  These spaces are begging for the right finishing touches to make them soar and feel like home.
Read more

Merci beaucoup to French Style magazine for having featured our L’Objet Lorel Gold Napkin Rings in their Summer 2018 issue:

Read more

We loved how L’Objet’s Aegean gold espresso cup and saucer brightened up the “Great Finds” section of the Flea Market Decor March/April 2018 issue:

Read more

Although it’s best known for having been both Queen Victoria’s and Princess Diana’s favorites, Herend is prized for the playfulness of its designs.  Today, this hand-painted porcelain continues to delight adult and children around the world.

Here are a few ways to use it in your own celebrations. Which one’s your favorite?

VALENTINE’S DAY

Shown above: Chinese Bouquet Garland Raspberry Dinnerware, Golden Edge Dinnerware, Key to My Heart Raspberry Figurine, Fish Scale Pink Dinnerware, Silk Ribbon Raspberry Dinnerware, Golden Laurel Dinnerware, Gwendolyn Dinnerware, Connect the Dots Dinnerware, Heart of Gold Raspberry Figurine, Princess Victoria Pink Dinnerware, Fish Scale Gold Dinnerware, Chinese Bouquet Raspberry Dinnerware.

Read more

I’ve been obsessed with Christofle ever since we registered for their Malmaison sterling flatware for our wedding. Although we were just starting our lives together, Si and I knew that we’d be using our flatware for years, so we chose a pattern that we truly loved. It was a huge splurge for us – which my brother very generously indulged – but it has really served us well.

Except for when we’re not home, we’ve used our Christofle flatware for almost every meal, which means almost 20 years of daily use. We even use it for takeout, because disposable flatware just won’t cut it (ha, ha!).

Like all the best French houses, the craftsmen at Christofle really do what they do well: the products are well designed and they’re made to last. Their latest category – jewelry – is no exception. As with the rest of the line, Christofle jewelry is mostly comprised of timeless silverplate and sterling pieces, with a few in rose gold and rosewood. But because it was designed much more recently, it has a more contemporary feel.

Read more

Bathrooms are the hardest working rooms in every home, so it’s really important to keep them looking fresh.  Here are 7 easy ways to upgrade them:

1) A set of matching bath accessories.

2) A bottle of liquid soap.

3) A scented candle.

4) A set of linen guest towels.

5) A new robe.

6) A new shower curtain.

7) A set of new towels.

To see more bath accessories, click here.

A huge thank you to Martha Stewart Weddings for featuring our Canvas Home Dauville ice bucket in gold in their Winter 2018 issue:

Read more