Linda L came to me via e-mail for help with décor at her next dinner party after seeing Hunt Slonem’s candlestick centerpiece in New York Magazine. Of course she does not have a 15,000 square foot studio, but she loved the idea of using object and candlesticks as a centerpiece instead of a flower arrangement and runner. This one’s for you Linda!

Love how curvaceous these are and they work well as an anchor for everything else. Bid here.

These are great and simple, the different heights will add some visual interest to the table. Bid here.

I have always thought these were great – they are a classic – and the fact that they use a thinner shaped candle will be nice. Bid here.

Who can say no to a chrome jack sculpture??

 Next design challenge anyone?

A big thanks to Kristina and Grace at Designsponge for featuring my family soup in their "In The Kitchen With" section.  It was such a pleasure working with them on this project. Par for the course with the Designsponge team - the post is stunning.

I come from a cooking family and my dad is the resident soup expert.  I remember growing up with Saturday's full of simmering soup.  Kristina - you have made me homesick!  To see this whole amazing post and for a great soup recipe check it out on Designsponge.

Consuela Castiglione was very bold this season.  She was inspired very closely by amazing contemporary British artist Gary Hume.  The colors and compositions of her tops were inspired specifically by his work "The Cleric" from 2000. 

The frayed edges remind me so much of the back of a stretched canvas.  This is complicated subject matter and I always find that it is hard to bring abstract art into product. What do you think about art as fashion?

The graphic and color combination is so unusual.

Gary Hume - "The Cleric" (2000)

Gary Hume "Funny Girl" (1998)

Gary Hume "Cerith" (1998)

Isn't this a cool building? The windows are so fun and clever just cleanly
cut out of a white box. I also like that the various window treatments add
different color fills.

Here are some other geometry-inspired designs. Necklace from Samma and
canvas tote from Mieke Willems - so cute for Spring! And a very nice poster
from Nate Duval that I really wanted but is unfortunately sold out. Maybe he
will consider a re-printing? Wishful thinking, I guess!
 

Building pic from http://ffffound.com




 

Love these lenses - the outfit is great too mint and burgundy is excellent.

Love the glasses with the gloves too.

As I was reviewing the Milan Marni show I was struck by the glasses.  They look retro, hip and fresh.  A little Mad Men and a little Brooklyn.  This is certainly not a new trend – there is a mom in my daughter’s class that wears huge dark frames, vests and hats that are so current that they make me wish I could get it together too. Did I get Lasiks too soon? Check out these gorgeous glasses and let me know what you think?  Can you wear glasses as accessories even if you don’t need them?

Colin Firth in A Single Man - how chic are these frames?

Ahhhh Grace - you make anything look good.

Johnny Depp - well he looks good in everything...

I like the new serious Justin Timberlake - the glasses give him gravitas.

The heavy blck from is a great contrast to the platinum hair.

I think I may wear a pair to the next meeting and see what people do.....maybe I can finally be intimidating!

Sadie lives in Denver, CO with her mom Lauren...we've noticed a trend: cats seem to love the Chinoiserie Duvet Set! Lauren says the birds make her indoor cat feel a little more in tune with nature...we love that and Sadie, we love how you dwell!

I love a diorama - I love the Museum of Natural History in New York.  My kids love it too so it's no surprise that we checked out the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris.  I have to say that it was amazing.  The newly restored building highlighted the collection perfectly. The open concept parade of animals in the main hall was awe-inspiring.  From the skeleton of the whale that greets you to the minimal vitrines in the main museum - the place is perfect.

The parade of animals is majestic  - you can almost reach out and touch them.

The soaring ceilings show off the giraffes perfectly.

A tiger climbing an elephant is an impressive sight.

The life-size whale that greets you.

The French merchandise everything so beautifully.

For more information or to plan your trip when in Paris go to their website here.

 Jodi and Matilda sleeping in Draper Stripe sheets and Sketch duvet set.

Since Jodi handles our technical design, she is constantly problem-solving.  Lately, however, her biggest problem is how to work (sleep, eat, or do anything really) with a dog on her head. Meet Matilda, Jodi's dog.

Jodi and Matilda, we love how you dwell!

I’ve been a long-time fan of Vosges Chocolate for their multiple bacon/chocolate and other unexpected combinations, but I fell in love with them all over again for their new Easter Collection – it’s as beautiful as it is yummy with none of the cheesiness.

There are four flavors of the exquisitely beautiful eggs but I’m partial to the Bacon and Eggs with bacon caramel covered in dark chocolate and the Organic Peanut Butter Bonbon Eggs with creamy peanut butter infused with Himalayan and Maldon salt to make the flavor really pop.

The Mad Hare Orchestra  is also adorable, with bunnies playing the sax, accordion, drum and violin and a rooster conductor in dark chocolate with Tahitian vanilla bean or milk chocolate with Himalayan salt.

All images from the Vosges website.

The amazing new Bon Ton concept store on 5 boulevard des Filles du Calvaire in the Marais – just steps from Merci – is beautiful. This is a large scale store in the same spirit as Colette and Merci – replete with a café, hair dresser, a home section, a toy section and, of course, the signature clothes. The building itself is lovely. It must have been a town house. The white interiors with fabulous moldings and what is clearly the de rigueur black trim are a gorgeous black drop for the very special clothing. My daughter was in heaven (my son was asleep) and my very discerning husband was impressed too. From the special hand-made dolls to the great selection of exclusive toys, It’s really worth a trip to this northern tip of the Marais. We walked away with a little of everything! 

A little home set up  - so inspiring for a little girl

 A fantasy nursery set up

 The very hip mint with copper dot landing

 sweet bird mobile

 Lovely space and light